Forever

I was on my way to Bible class Wednesday night when two cars crashed right in front of me.  I was stopped at a red light waiting to cross a busy highway when I heard the collision and saw one of the cars sliding in my direction.  Three thoughts flashed very quickly -

• I was about to be hit
• It's  true - Highway 316 really is the most dangerous road in Georgia
• Life is short and can end without warning

Fortunately, the sliding car stopped several feet away from me so I was only touched by their headlights.  But I was left wondering about the driver as the two girls from the other car (the one that T-boned this car) came rushing up, and immediately backed away as they grabbed a cell phone.  Obviously, the driver of the car they hit was in much worse condition than they were.  Other drivers directly on the highway stopped to help so when the way cleared and my line of traffic moved I continued on to Bible class.  But thoughts about that injured driver stuck with me.

Life really is short and can end without warning.  The world likes to forget that.  Sometimes, we all like to forget that.  But that is one thing we must never ignore because eternity is forever.  

Forever.  I cannot begin to fathom just how long that is - I just have to keep in mind that we continue after this physical life ends.  That's a wonderful idea if we are living our lives in obedience to God.  That's a terrifying idea if we are not.  And sometimes it is just plain confusing if we think we are pleasing God but have gotten wrapped up in denominational doctrines that have distorted God's pure Word.  God condemns that repeatedly in the Scriptures, reminding us to never change His Word in any way.  

If you are reading this and are not sure where you stand then, please, do something about it.  The International Bible Teaching Ministries  website has many materials available.  Clicking on any of the following links will take you there:

• The Church That Jesus Built  gives Scriptures identifying the one true church of the New Testament
• Plan of Salvation  tells what we must do to be a part of the church that Jesus built
• Gospel Tracts  and  Gospel Articles  have many teaching materials on many Bible subjects
• Bible Correspondence Courses  has a study program with a personal teacher to learn more of the Bible

Memorial Pictures

I had planned to post some pictures following Jimmie's memorial service at New Hope Road Church of Christ on September 1st, but never did.  They have been on my camera untouched until today.

The collage is one Julie made for Jimmie several years ago from some of his
favorite campaign photos.  It hung on his office wall.

A picture board of memories created by Julie

The last photo taken of Jimmie was with Jasper and so very special

. . . but I prefer to remember happier days.

 

Cole's Coins

There have been a variety of memorials for Jimmie since his passing more than two months ago.  Besides the services held here and in Malawi there have been tributes both written and in song.  And each time I get word that another IBTM online student has put on Christ in baptism I mentally give Jimmie part of the credit because he was the one wanting so badly to get the courses going as part of the IBTM Internet work.  But this week I saw a small memorial to Jimmie that, to me, was the sweetest.

Jimmie had been a collector of coins and foreign currency for many years, a hobby he picked up during his travels.  Last Christmas he wanted to pass this hobby along so he bought our grandson, Cole, a U.S. Quarter map that includes both the states and territories.  Jimmie also provided a bit over half of the coins needed for the map, so I have pictures of the two them beginning to fill it.  Then Cole continued to search for coins with occasional help from Grandad.  Yet, last August 23rd Cole still needed 5 states to finish it.  Suddenly, finding those remaining quarters became an urgent quest, but they were proving hard to find  Then Monday Cole got the last one.  He was so excited he practically flew on his way to show me!  Then minutes later he mentioned the reason why this quest had become so important.  "If Grandad knew I bet he would be really happy right now!"  I agreed.  I'm sure he would.

Baptism

Do you ever think we have become spoiled by modern life?  We want everything instant and easy.  I know I grumble when my clothes drier takes too long to dry a load  . . . and a microwave dinner that takes more than 6 minutes to cook?  That's just ridiculous!  We expect high-speed convenience in everything, from cars to computers, and turn to entertainment far more than is healthy.  Not that I'm knocking the modern conveniences.  I am thankful that they have made caring for a home and family easier.  But sometimes things that are important take effort.  I got a reminder of that in my email yesterday.

One of our IBTM online students was baptized this weekend.  I was thrilled with the news for that is always cause for rejoicing, but then I was amazed.  For this student lived in a remote area and the closest contact we found was 600 miles away.  But this student did not let that deter them.  They got on a train and traveled 600 miles to get their sins washed away in baptism.  I am so thankful this student realized the importance of that effort.  Fantastic!

Strange Mail

Yesterday's mail brought an unusual letter.  It was from our county's voter registration office telling me that since Jimmie is now deceased he is no longer a registered voter.  I assumed that was obvious, even to bureaucracy.   Then it made me wonder just how many dead folks will be voting in this upcoming election, and I was glad that our county pays attention to such things . . . even if it did make for some strange mail.

Speaking of strange mail, I got another one earlier this week from a company that owes Jimmie a small reimbursement.  I had finally written to them in September, identified myself as his widow, and included a copy of his death certificate.  Yet a letter now comes addressed directly to Jimmie requesting that he complete an affidavit of survivorship, have it notarized, and then tell them who to make the payment to. That's going to be a tad difficult.  Do people even read their mail or think about what they are saying?

And there are the strange phone calls.  I got one a few days ago from a guy with only a first name, on a phone that would not disclose it's number, but he claimed that he was from Mississippi and wanted to express his condolences on the loss of my husband.  Naturally, my first thought was that it was someone who knew Jimmie.  Then he immediately swung into a spiel, warning me that I'm in danger because my computer has spyware on it.  Apparently, he had not seen the memo about me having a brand new one with all the latest virus protection.  Then I got an eerily similar call the very next day from another first-name guy with the same warning.  I hung up on him, too.

Widowhood is certainly not for the faint of heart.

Cole and Jasper

I had promised a new picture . . .

. . . these guys get cuter every time I see them!

Snake!

"Gran, there's a snake on your porch!"  That exclamation from Cole interrupted me while on the phone to my sister and quickly derailed our entire conversation.  How do you chat about anything else after hearing that?  Julie found a monstrous snow shovel in the garage while I grabbed the only other long-handled weapon I could find - a rake - and we prepared to do battle.  But even though this snake was small (perhaps 8 inches long) its color, markings and shape indicated that it was probably poisonous.  Its demeanor quickly said that it was aggressive.  So when I mentioned calling someone instead Julie quickly agreed that was a very good idea.

The person I called was William Howard and, as usual, he was quick to come to the rescue.  He arrived ready for the fight, even brought his own long-handled hoe, the weapon of choice for dispatching snakes.  After he dispatched this one William took a look and decided it was probably a small water moccasin.  Whoa!  I am glad that we called for backup.

I have lived in this house for 13 years and this is the first snake I have seen.  Now I just hope he didn't have a mother hanging around.