9.23.2011

Thankful For :: 571 - 580

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes.
There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” {Rev. 21:4}

Whenever I begin to whine and complain about things at work or in our life, God finds a way to remind me that what appears to be the most stressful situation ever, is actually something very temporary and nothing for me to get all worked up over.

Last night when I got home, I decided to quickly check my email before going to bed.  That's when I got the news that there had been an airplane crash in Papua, Indonesia and a pilot who was serving with a mission organization there had gone home to be with Jesus (as well as his two Indonesian passengers).

When you've been involved in the (missionary) aviation community most of your life, these types of things hit home. Did I know the pilot and his family? No, not personally. But we spent some time working in Papua and we have friends who are currently serving there with the same mission, and my heart goes out to them all.

If you think about it over the next few days, please lift up the Westlund family in your prayers. Paul and his family had been serving in Papua for almost 25 years and he leaves a wife and two kids. And pray for Paul's co-workers as they deal with the grief of losing a good friend and fellow missionary and as they now help Paul's wife as she makes decisions about the future. 

But here's a reminder for those, like Paul, who have put their faith in Jesus for their eternal salvation...

And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with Him the believers who have died. {1 Thess. 4:13-14}

Hallelujah and Amen!

This week I'm thankful for...

571. Eternal Hope

572. God's comfort in the midst of difficulties

573. Reminders that there is more to this life than our daily jobs

574. Encouraging emails

575. Rain

576. Dinner with my folks

577. That no matter what the circumstances of the day, God's Word holds encouragement for me

578. Cooler days

579. A new heated mattress pad with duel controls

580. Reminders that tragedy can be faced with Hope by holding on to God's promises

 Oh...and Welcome Fall (officially). We're glad you could join us as you have been much talked about.

3 comments:

  1. Ahhh its heart-breaking when you hear news like that. So glad for the hope that we have!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Carrie, I'm so sorry to read about the crash.
    Prayers for the Westlund family and for you. I know you didn't know Paul personally, but it sounds as though this story really pricked your heart.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It is indeed, Sophie - but so thankful that we know that there is Hope for Eternity!

    Molly - thanks, and please continue to pray for the Westlund family. Even though they know they will see Paul again, the pain of the moment is still great.

    ReplyDelete

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