My Dear Friends,

Our dear brother in Christ, Mr. Davis, went home to Glory this afternoon. Blessed be the Name of the Lord. Please continue to pray for the grieving ones left behind, specifically, Mrs. Davis and their six children. He will be sorely missed, but we look forward to a wonderful reunion when we can all worship, as he can now, before God's throne.
The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.
Praise His glorious name, now and forever and ever. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~

"We picture death as coming to destroy; let us rather picture Christ
as coming to save. We think of death as an ending; let us rather think
of life as a beginning, and that more abundantly. We think of losing;
let us think of gaining. We think of parting; let us think of meeting.
We think of going away; let us think of arriving. And as the voice of
death whispers, 'You must go from earth,' let us hear the voice of
Christ saying, 'You are but coming to me.'" (Norman Macleod)

~~~~~~

(c) 1994 Jerry D. Babb

Upon Death's bed I silently lie,
Shrouded by mists and hues of gray;
Chained within a body no longer my own,
Time ever passing, quietly I pray.

Thoughts of the present are best left behind,
Vision once clear, now clouded and blind;
For pain and discomfort are constant companions,
But with a joy filled soul and peace of mind.

Remembrances of parents and friends now long gone,
Thoughts of childhood, family and home;
Time's obstacles and barriers seem to collapse,
With winged spirit, free now to roam.

My father, mother, sister and brothers,
A childhood long past, of joy and fear;
While present has faded and reality blurred,
Days of old through a kaleidoscope appear.

No longer I dread the Angel of Death,
Nor the role I am destined to assume;
For my Heavenly Father is Lord of my life,
And blessed Jesus prepares for me a room.

Loved ones now visit with arms outstretched,
With loss and sorrow misplaced;
For the One who now comforts is no stranger to me,
And speaks tender words of love and grace.

Regrets I have for those loved and left,
For to them is sadness and sorrow;
Death be not afraid, for peace follows soon,
My reward is a brighter tomorrow.

We have loved, laughed, and faced life together,
So grieve not for me, beloved children and wife;
The One who now beckons awaits my arrival,
And freely offers, to all who will come, Eternal life.

Love knows no restrictions or boundaries,
Neither Time nor Eternity it may dim;
For our Lord and Savior is King of this Realm,
When called, we will be together again.

I have lived long and loved most richly,
Experienced great joy and great pain;
Weep not for me or my passing,
This rest I have earned, my reward I now claim.

Chilly Jordan awaits my crossing,
But alone I will not stray;
For He who has been since the beginning,
Holds my heart, my hand, and with love, lights my way.

Mourn not your loss nor regret my departure,
These vessels of clay were never designed to endure;
But to love and serve, both God and mankind,
With compassion and humility, His purpose to ensure.

I depart with tears of joy mixed with sorrow,
But alone you will never be;
For although I have loved you with all of my heart,
He who now calls, has loved you throughout eternity.

(From the book, A Love Eternal, by Jerry D. Babb
(c) 1996 White Buck Publishing)