I Stand Amazed in the Presence

I was just at the funeral for Diane Doornkaat, one of our great ladies here at Parkview, who battled cancer and went home to be with Jesus on Saturday night.  Appropriately, I think, while most of her family was gathered at a wedding reception for one of her nephews.  It was a very tight family, and I just think it is so cool that they were all in town and all gathered for a celebration, while she went on to the real celebration.  As a matter of fact, I read this great verse from Revelation at the funeral. 

For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) Then the angel said to me: “Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”  Revelation 19:7-9

She slipped out, while her family was at a wedding, to go to the wedding supper of the Lamb. 

I love funerals for believers. I know they are sad, we grieve, we mourn, but we are comforted. Jesus promised us that. Comforted by the knowledge that our goodbyes are temporary.

But the one thing that really caught me was the lyrics to the old hymn that we sang during the service. The first line really got me as I sang it, thinking of her living it now.

“I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene.”  It struck me that SHE REALLY WAS standing, amazed, in the presence of Jesus.  It didn’t seem appropriate to feel envy at a time like that, but I did. She is there - she is home. She has finished the race. 

I’m still running.

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.
 
Chorus
How marvelous! How wonderful!
And my song shall ever be,
How marvelous! How wonderful!
Is my Savior’s love for me!
 
He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone. 

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

 Words and Music by Charles H. Gabriel   

Stay Amazed,

Tim

Comments

[Mr. Puggle]

Beautiful Post. Sorry you lost such an important person. :(

[James1:1]

Amen PT...