Statistics

The warmest of greetings to all those who have chosen to walk with us on the long road of obedience in the same direction.

I hope his letter finds you well and strong in faith today. GOD IS WITH YOU NOW!!!

STATISTICS
JEHOVAH SHAMMAH

Harold Berry who for many years served as missionaries with his wife in the Congo. His wife Alice was the granddaughter of Smith Wigglesworth when the trouble broke out in the Congo in 1960 and several missionaries were martyred Harold and Alice moved on to serve in other African nations. Alice proceeded him in death he carried the grief until his own death. When he was 93 he heard of the ‘Home Going’ of a wife of a friend in ministry. He took the time to call him from South Africa where he lived. Here is what he told his friend in the conversation. “When Alice died, My Home had become a House.” Each time he returned it was empty and uninviting. One day, as he entered, he felt a hand on his shoulder and he heard a voice say Jehovah-Shammah. Harold was a Bible student, but he couldn’t remember just where that was in the Bible.

Then it came to him, the last verse of Ezekiel: 48:35. There it was: “… and the name of the city from that day shall be Jehovah-Shammah, the LORD is THERE.”

It so blessed him for from that day on, his house became a home again. This should be a blessing for all of us as well for the LORD is here.

As I was writing this letter from a story recorded by my friend Ernest Anderson, our missionary friend Larry Mead called whose wife Dolly has gone on to be with the Lord, he called to ask about the services for Dave Dauwe. I asked him if I could read him what I was writing when he called and he understood the emptiness of the house without Dollie being there. We have lost several friends lately, and to all of them when the house is empty that is when we need Jehovah- Shammah (The Lord is There).

I believe in statistics and here is a statistic you can trust to be true. “ONE OUT OF EVERY ONE OF US WILL DIE”. Knowing this is inevitable it is my responsibility to encourage you to prepare for that day.

This should not be frightening at all. In the last two weeks Don Cabenella and Pastor Dave Dauwe along with Debbie Doolin have heard the Lord say to them, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” We know from the Word of God, “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” It is to their families and friends, I can say, “Jehovah- Shammah, (The Lord is There) GOD IS WITH YOU NOW!!!

LIFE IS MADE UP OF HAPPY AND SAD MEMORIES. I have learned that sad memories fade away and happy memories gain strength through the years. I remember the Happy Day when Jesus came into Dave Dauwe’s life in front of the pulpit, right in the middle of the altar, on a Sunday morning, it was like he swallowed a 50-thousand-watt light bulb. I remember the Happy Day when Don Cabenella was set free and from that day followed hard after the Lord. For me those are HAPPY MEMORIES.

THANK YOU FOR LOVING JESUS AND HELPING US AS WE PURSUE THE WILL OF

GOD FOR HERITAGE AND THE PURPOSE OF GOD IN ALL OUR LIVES.

I believe in you.
Pastor Cleddie