In Memory of my mother, Margaret Elaine Bryant

[Raggedy Anne]

I was thinking about death and the purpose of death.  One thought always leads me to another.  I was thinking about certain sins that we find disgusting whether in ourselves or others, behaviors and weaknesses in humanity that we would not want to have to dwell with forever.  Death is necessary to "drown" those things - to extinguish them - to release us from the bondage of sin's grasp.  Sin can only reign in the mortal realm.  Sin has an appointment with death - thank God! 

My mother left behind several journals with things she clipped out and prayers she wrote to our Heavenly Father.  Mother loved God.  Mother was a loving person.  But mother, like everyone I know still battled with sin.  In that regard, she was no different than any other person.  Mother and I did not see eye to eye on everything spiritual.  In fact, it was difficult for us to communicate about the things of God and about the scriptures because she was set in her ways of thinking from the church she was raised in.   But she knew what I believed about Christ saving all.  And she didn't argue with me, nor did I argue with her.  I found so many lovely things she'd saved in one of her scrapbooks.  Since I think it will bless those who read them I will post some of them here and perhaps add more to this thread as time allows.   

A NAME, A NAME, A NAME

I know a soul that is steeped in sin
That no man's art can cure;
But I know a name, a name, a name
that can make that soul all pure.

I know a life that is lost to God,
bound down by things on earth;
But I know a name, a name, a name,
that can bring that soul a new birth.

I know of lands that are sunk in shame,
of hearts that faint and tire;
But I know a name, a name, a name,
That will set those lands on fire.

               - Author Unknown -

___________________________________

THE QUIET HEART - Precious in His Sight

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.  - PSALM 116:15

Can this be death -
to be released from fear and sorrow,
from sickness, weariness, and pain?
To be removed from sin's enslavement,
From Satan's influence and domain?

Can this be death -
to be presented in His presence,
the One who loves me evermore?
To be accepted in the fullness
Of Christ whom I adore?

Can this be death -
to know complete fulfillment
as I look upon his face?
To feast upon the glories
and the riches of his grace?

No, this is life-
with all that it can offer,
It is joy that overflows!
It is peace that knows no measure,
It is victory o'ver my foes!     - MARTIN WEDGE

_________________________________________________

--- The greatest event which can take place in the life of a believer occurs when God delivers us
from the bondage of our bodies and our spirits go to be with him in heaven.  What a glorious thought
that is!  There is nothing to dread, for it is good to be with the Lord.  Death is forever swallowed up
in victory. - HAROLD LINDSELL

_________________________________________________

I do not want to go too soon,
before that final grain of sand,
but neither do I want to be
held back by some unwilling hand
that does not understand God's way
of changing these old clothes I wear,
from frazzled threads of faded flesh,
to robes of grace as light as air.

I want to go out unrestrained,
when he who gave life sets it free,
and pass through with that final grain
of sand in joy and victory.  - HELENE STALLCUP, Conway, Arkansas

_________________________________________


Precious, oh how precious is that blessed sheep,
Folded in his bosom, wrapped in slumber deep;
None but Jesus giveth rest so true and sweet
For the weary body and the wayworn feet.

Precious, oh how precious, he alone can know
What a blessed respite after human woe;
Only he can measure their eternal gain,
When they leave forever earthly care and pain.

Precious, oh how precious, to behold his face,
Ever to be with him and to praise his grace
Ah, when Jesus giveth his beloved sleep,
'Tis the tenderest token of his love so deep.   - AUTHOR UNKNOWN

_____________________________________________


By day and by night, in life and in death, may I ever be true to Thee, O Lover of my soul,
my ceaseless Friend, my unchangeable Savior.  Into Thy hands I commit my spirit.   - F.B. Meyer

[Redlettervoice]

.


In memory of your Mother!

A NAME, A NAME, A NAME

I know a soul that is steeped in sin
That no man's art can cure;
But I know a name, a name, a name
that can make that soul all pure.

I know a life that is lost to God,
bound down by things on earth;
But I know a name, a name, a name,
that can bring that soul a new birth.

I know of lands that are sunk in shame,
of hearts that faint and tire;
But I know a name, a name, a name,
That will set those lands on fire.

               - Author Unknown -

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Amen, beautiful thread. My condolences again...... :HeartThrob:

[Raggedy Anne]

Thanks Cardinal and Redlettervoice  :girlheart:   :gangel:   :HeartThrob:
Y'all are among my closest friends in Christ.   That is closer than a sister or brother in the flesh.

Anne

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: {{{HUGS}}}  :HeartThrob:

[willieH]

Thanks Cardinal and Redlettervoice  :girlheart:   :gangel:   :HeartThrob:
Y'all are among my closest friends in Christ.   That is closer than a sister or brother in the flesh.

Anne

Bless you Anne... You HONORED your mother... good daughter!  I'm sure she was as proud of you as you were of her...

My daughter thinks my wife and I are "kooks" because of our belief in UR (she is a HELL believer), but maintains a high and strong respect for both of us... and abstains from any arguements with us about it... and vice-versa...

The way I look at it... Your mom and our daughter, have a huge blessing in store!  :boogie:

Peace sis...  :cloud9:

...willieH  :thumbsup:

[Raggedy Anne]

Thanks, Willie  :icon_king:  That is funny how you and your wife are in the vise/verse position as parents concerning your faith as I was with my mother.  It makes me smile to remember her voice the couple of times we discussed it when she'd say at a high pitch.... "You really don't believe in hell?!"   Then she'd say to me, didn't you ever read about the rich man being in hell.....  I'd say, yes mother, I read that.  Then we'd move onto a new topic.

Hope you're feeling good, Willie  :HeartThrob:

love,
Anne

[fullarmor2]

I like the "can this be death " one.    Just beautiful.     
 

[Raggedy Anne]

I like the "can this be death " one.    Just beautiful.     
 

It was my favorite thing among those I posted too.  Jesus wanted his people to be free from the fear of death.  Even so, it seems we all dread it to some extent because of the veil of flesh.

Peace -
Anne

[jadestorm]

 :HeartThrob: How sweet the Lover of our souls Is. How well He KNOWS the contents of each our hearts and binds us together with cords of Love that cannot be broken.
He Is our common ground!!!! (of course i don't think there's anything common about Him, but *siiiggghhh, it's the best I could come up with in language. LOL

Peace and soundness to your heart and emotions Anne as you grieve and grapple, laugh and cry, wobble and walk. ;) and remember that it is only one moment in time.
There are no good-byes. There are only, "see you in a little while"s.

May you rest under His Shadow in the Secret Place and may He grant you a glimpse of He and your mother skipping along sharing their secrets;  The fullness of joy, the radiance of her beauty, and the twinkle in His eye as they plot their many adventures ahead.

[Raggedy Anne]

Thank you Jadestorm - that was very kind for you to post.   :icon_flower:

Strange as it sounds, I sometimes envy those who have passed away.  They are on that "beautiful shore".   :HeartThrob:

Anne