THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus  

Monday, November 27, 2023

(This is a tribute for my good friend James who went to be with the Lord this morning.)

Lord, this morning you welcomed home my dear friend James. We palled around together since the 1970s. I’m jealous. James gets to pal around with you, and you’ve left me here in this fallen world. He is breathing the pure air of Heaven, walking hand-in-hand with his beloved Lisa, as you show them inexpressible sights our human senses cannot absorb. They are seeing the glory of God unhinged, where here we can only see the pale, fraudulent “glory” of man.

When you stretched your hand to welcome James into his eternal home, he saw his name written in the palm of your nail-scarred hand. Lord, did you tell James you had watched him all his life here on Earth and seeing his name written in your hand assured you James was and is eternally yours?

Everyone loved James. His promotion into Heaven leaves us saddened but rejoicing that he is with you. James often told of the warm memories of being raised in church and the rich heritage of faith and family he inherited. He told me how later in life he renewed his commitment to follow you wholeheartedly.

Some will say they didn’t get a chance to say good-bye. But for Christ followers, it is never good-bye, just “I’ll see you later.” God, you have made salvation so easy. Jesus did it all. Your Word states:

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. [11] As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced” (Romans 10:9–11 NLT).

See you later, James.