June 4, 2007

[Rev. Doc]

Your Place

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you."
John 14:2

There was a 5-year-old African-American boy who will never be forgotten by those who knew him. A nurse, Gracie Schaeffler, took care of this lad during the latter days of his life. He was dying of lung cancer, which is a terrifying disease in its final stages. The lungs fill with fluid, and the patient is unable to breathe. It is terribly claustrophobic, especially for a small child.
This little boy had a Christian mother who loved him and stayed by his side through the long ordeal. She cradled him on her lap and talked softly about the Lord. Instinctively, the woman was preparing her son for the final hours to come. Gracie told me that she entered his room one day as death approached, and she heard this lad talking about hearing bells. "The bells are ringing, Mommie," he said. "I can hear them."

Gracie thought he was hallucinating because he was already slipping away. She left and returned a few minutes later and again heard him talking about hearing bells ringing. The nurse said to his mother, 'I'm sure you know your baby is hearing things that aren't there. He is hallucinating because of the sickness."

The mother pulled her son closer to her chest, smiled and said, "No, Miss Schaeffler. He is not hallucinating. I told him when he was frightened -- when he couldn't breathe -- if he would listen carefully, he could hear the bells of heaven ringing for him. That is what he's been talking about all day."

That precious child died on his mother's lap later that evening, and he was still talking about the bells of heaven when the angels came to take him.

Prayer: Thank God for that place He has been preparing for us.

"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
~C.S. Lewis

Dear Friends:

Just to let you know that this will be the last Daily Devotion that I will be posting to the site. My church work has demanded more and more of my attention recently and it has become harder to find the time to get these together. I appreciate everyone who has stopped by on a daily basis and for your encouragement over the past few years. My continued prayers are with you and again, thank you for being a part of CAA and the Daily Devotions.

Rev. Doc

[K. Ayato]

We will miss them!

[Zilch]

Aye, I'll miss 'em also. Good luck with your church though, and God bless for the times you uplifted me. It's been no small thing, I can assure you that.

[Jingo Jaden]

Bye Rev, thanks for all of your great help

[Kamille]

Many members have told me that you were the one who made CAA flyers for Animazement this year. I thank you so much. I would have never found this great community if it were not for you.

[USSRGirl]

I'll be sorry not to read your inspiring devotionals any more Rev. Doc. I've read several of them and to be honest yours are far better than many I've read online and in tracts like Our Daily Bread (and even a quote from C.S.). I'll be praying for God to give you the strength to meet the challenges of being a pastor, and thanks again for your thoughtful stories.

[rocklobster]

Your devotionals were quite inspiring. We definitely need a replacement soon!

[rocklobster]

I would suggest Ashley take over.

[Mave]

I wish you all the best in wherever God leads you. Thank you for your contribution to our spiritual growth!

[SP1]

Thank you so much for doing these. I must admit I have totally stole these to use in some of those "I need a devotional right now" moments. Of course, said where I got them. Unfortunately, that particular audience wasn't likely to cruise an anime site and check it out.

[PSA374]

God bless you in your servicework Rev. Doc
I thank God for people like you who also contributed to the CAA.
God bless you in all aspects of your life.

To God be the glory,
PSA374

[Tsuki]

Thank~you

[rocklobster]

Gotta make sure people see this instead of those stupid spambots all the time. This section of the forums is sure getting them a lot lately.

[rocklobster]

It's happening again.

[Bobtheduck]

It's happening again.

And again.... Bump

[rocklobster]

bump

[Mave]

*joins in bumping*

I posted in the Comment section about this.

[K. Ayato]

Bump

[K. Ayato]

And again.