[Faith-talk] Fwd: Morning Thoughts for Tuesday, May 3, 2011

[Amy Ragain]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Stephen Smith <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Date: May 3, 2011 6:09:33 AM CDT
> To: Morning Thoughts 1 <stevesmith1943 at me.com>
> Subject: Morning Thoughts for Tuesday, May 3, 2011
> 
> For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
> (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)
> 
> - From Bible Promises for iPhone
> http://biblepromises.reigndesign.com/
> 
> Psalms 23:1-6 (NASB)
> The LORD, the Psalmist's Shepherd.
> A Psalm of David.
> [23:1] The LORD is my shepherd,
> I shall not want.
> [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures;
> He leads me beside quiet waters.
> [3] He restores my soul;
> He guides me in the paths of righteousness
> For His name's sake.
> [4] Even though I walk through the *valley of the shadow of death,
> I fear no *evil, for You are with me;
> Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
> [5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
> You have anointed my head with oil;
> My cup overflows.
> [6] Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
> And I will *dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
> 
> Good morning my precious and beloved family!  I don't think I've ever had so much turmoil in my spirit and emotions than those I encountered in the preparation of this message today.  If it offends because of an offense I have committed in the sharing, I am very sorry.  If, on the other hand, it brings truth into your life, it was not I, but the Holy Spirit who is responsible.
> 
> Today marks the seventh anniversary of the death of one of this precious family, my sister in Christ, Amy Tobin-Lucas.  She was in her new car, with daughter and infant son, crossing Highway 3 near Cahokia when a drunk driver, speeding in a truck without headlights on, slammed into the driver's side door, killing her instantly. Amy left behind a husband and five children in addition to her parents and sister.  Those lives were forever changed, as were the lives of those who came into contact with them later on.  The driver of the truck has served his time in prison, but the work of the Lord continues in the lives of Amy's family and in the new families her children have found.  They carry the torch of the love she displayed toward Jesus and her children.
> 
> Her daughter has just been accepted into a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) internship, coinciding with her senior year in high school, beginning this fall.  This is only the first step in her dream to become an RN, specializing in OB-GYN.  She has found the love of her life and is engaged to be married sometime following graduation.  Amy's eldest son just turned 16, is a star player on his high school football team and a promising photographer, specializing in portraits depicting God's Glory on this earth and beyond.  The next younger brother is a talented basketball player with tremendous potential.  And so the achievements will testify.
> 
> Why do I point this out?  God's love never departed from the lives of these precious children, nor from the lives of any of the rest of the family.  I am convinced because of the testimony of Amy's life and the testimonies of those who knew her best, that her spirit is communing with God every day, and that God is working His Will in the lives of her family on earth.  
> 
> This story has been told, although in differing specifics, in your own families, as it was in mine.  Whether by loss of parent, sibling, son or daughter due to illness, catastrophe or crime, we have all experienced the loss of a loved one.  By the same token, if we look, we will see the love and strength of our Lord, Jesus Christ at work in the lives of the survivors.  For some the new growth will be apparent.  For others, God is still working to gain their attention and submission.  He will never give up.  Reunion and relationship are God's tools for the strengthening of the Body of Christ to reach, teach and train others for His work in this world.
> 
> With great love and hope, through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
> 
> <3Steve:-))