It's all in a name

"Andrea!", I heard my sister call... "Just a minute", was my reply... I was in the middle of an email, and wanted to finish my thought before heading downstairs. It was almost dinner time, and my nephew Will had been sick... Gayle probably needed some help.

Before I could finish, I heard a little voice say, "EEEEAAAHHHH, EEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAHHHH". William had learned the power of a name. Granted, he only used the last two letters of my name - but he knew that if he called, I would come. His expectation was met as I rounded the corner and came down the stairs. And, I must confess, it felt so good to have him say my name... to hear him calling me. It is good to be known... and to be loved.

I've been thinking about names a lot this past week... as I've traveled to see friends and family - I'm known as Aunt Hammy, Aunt Neena, Aunt Andrea... names are important... and I am amazed at the power associated with a name... "and it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [Jesus] shall be saved." (Acts 2:21) Those who call upon His name can live eternally... that's powerful! In fact, Jesus promises that "The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before His angels." (Rev. 3:5) What an amazing idea - that the Lord of Hosts knows my name! That Jesus, King of kings, pleads my name before God Almighty... what a Savior!

The Lord's Hand of Protection

I was traveling down the interstate - less than 30 minutes from my destination. It had been a glorious day - spent with long-time friends - first a cup of coffee with Laura - and a long discussion of life and the sometimes difficult lessons learned... but the beauty of God's faithfulness and forgiveness...

From there I traveled north to the foothills of NW Georgia to see the Chandlers... and Camp New Dawn - their retreat and camping center. And we too, discussed the challenges of life and the Lord's faithfulness. After a few hours, I left there and wound through the passes and back roads that returned me to interstate travel and headed south to Kristie's.

Mom had just called me to fill me in on adventures of her travels when right before my eyes, cars became pinballs in the heavy traffic. A Honda was bounced to the left and then came spinning back across the road in front of me - careening to a stop in the ditch. Bumpers and parts and contents of cars littered the road. I lost track of a surburban and another gray car that went to the left. By the grace of the Lord, I was able to avoid the debris and get stopped. I lept from my car and ran toward the Honda. As I dialed 911 others arrived and we ascertained that one woman was in the car and still alive! Reports from the other side of the road also indicated that all had survived! Then I heard one of the other women yell, "Where's your baby? Where's your baby??" We all breathed a sigh of relief when the Honda driver told us she was the only passenger. The ambulance and then a firetruck arrived, then several more emergency vehicles. The professionals tooks over. That's when I cried. It was too much... I was overwhelmed.

Here is what the Honda looked like. The trunk was literally pushed to the back of the woman's driver seat.

For those who have been praying... THANK YOU!! Praise God for His hand of protection - on this mother, on the other drivers and on me! Thank Him for the firefighters, police, EMT's, etc that respond to these scenes - I don't know how they do it!

I'm staying put a few days... and will be back on the road on Monday... thanks again for praying!

Heaven

Have you ever thought about heaven? What it's like? I don't think about heaven very often - certainly not as much as I probably should... I mean - I look forward to it - and I'm thankful for the righteousness of Christ that wrote my name in the Book of Life - but I just don't spend a lot of time thinking about it. Usually, what prompts me to think about it is a hard day on this earth. Then I LONG for it!

Recently, a friend's grandmother passed away. What was interesting to me, and what got me thinking about heaven, were some of the events leading up to her death. Those in the room became acutely aware that she was seeing people and things that they couldn't. People who had gone before her... like her husband. Also, angels... and even Jesus. She was ready - wanted - to go with them.

So it got me curious... what do we know about heaven? My search led me to Revelation 21 & 22. Here is what I learned:

• Heaven is a holy city - the new Jerusalem and it will descend out of heaven from God.
• God will dwell with man in this holy city ~ He will be with them, and they will be His people.
• There will be no more tears.
• Death shall be no more.
• There will be no mourning or crying nor pain anymore.
• Those who "conquer" will receive this inheritance.
• Those who are cowardly, faithless, detestable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and liars will not - they will instead be thrown into the lake of fire.
• The new Jerusalem will have the radiance of a rare jewel - like a jasper - clear as crystal.
• There will be twelve gates with the 12 tribes names written on them.
• Als0 - 12 foundations - with the apostles names.
• There were be jewels every where and the streets will be paved with gold!
• The river of the water of life - which is bright as crystal - flowing from the thrown of God and of the Lamb - will flow through the middle of the street of the city - and on either side, the tree of life will yield 12 kinds of fruit.
• There will be no light of lamp or sun for the Lord God will be the light - His glory will give it light - and the Lamb is the lamp. There will be no night there.
• Nothing unclean will ever enter heaven... nor anyone who does what is detestable or false - but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of Life.

No wonder people talk about "going toward the light". I wonder if it is blinding at first - like when you've been inside a dark building and then you walk into the noon-day sun? You know - the kind of bright that makes you sneeze... I want to be like Todd's grandma - READY to go - seeing Jesus before I leave... taking His hand as I cross over into the next life.

I have so many questions about what it will be like... Oh, to never hunger or thirst again - but to live in the presence of the Lord - forever! I look forward to feeling wholly loved - all the time... I think it will be amazing... I can barely imagine!

Thank You, Jesus - that You shed Your blood on my behalf... that by Your blood I am clean and my name is written in Your book of life... O Lord - help me to conquer - to persevere and endure the trials of this world... to finish well... to glorify you! And my I remember that this world is not my home... I'm just a'passin through - heading to the city of Light!

Quick Update

Greetings Friends!

I hope this finds you doing well! I am preparing for another road trip - to visit friends/supporters. It is always a time of blessing and encouragement for me to spend time with these folks - and I pray they say the same of me!

I'm not sure where January went - but it got there quickly! I had a pretty full schedule, with teaching (including two Saturdays!) and then a trip to Denver. It was a great time. I was able to spend the weekend with several of the single Cadence women. You can see pictures by clicking on this link: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47768&l=decd6&id=582949158

This past weekend was a good time with my sisters and my nephews... William is two now - and Braedan will be soon (April). They are SO active! This is such a fun age - and I am thankful that the Lord has directed my steps so that I am here for these precious moments. These pictures show the aftermath of an enjoyable bowl of spaghettios!

Well - there is too much to accomplish today for the time allotted - so I will close with those precious faces - and promise to blog again soon... actually, I was meditating on heaven this morning - and hope to blog about that in the near future!

May the Lord Jesus bless you abundantly!

Andrea