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So true.

I recently lost my sister-in-law, she was a good woman who loved my eldest brother well. He died on the operating table in 2001, she was devastated by his passing.

I totally believe they are now together.

oriental scene
paintings glow in luster
in pagoda's shadow

bentfeather

Made by a Master Craftsman

Once joined in love
never truly long parted
even by some measure of time
for what is forged under God’s eye
is strong
and good
and forever

"I totally believe they are now together."

That is the comfort to those who know Jesus. In fact the Apostle Paul uses "this old house" analogy to proclaim that to be absent in the body (dead) is to be present with the Lord.

2Corintians 5:1 ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.

4 For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.

6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

This was also talked about in Thesalonians...

1Th 4:13 ¶ But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

The Apostle wasn't saying not to be sad, as when someone leaves on a trip, but don't mourn as though you have no hope. We use the word hope alittle differently today, then when it was penned in Thessalonians. The Greek word "elpis" means an expectation of good.

While we can not know completely, the hearts of others, concerning their relation with God, we ourselves can have assurance of our own salvation.

1John 5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I appologize if my post distracts from the beauty of your Lair. I really didn't intend on preaching. I both find comfort in the Bible and I find beauty in the style in which alot of it is written. I only hope that some of this may ease some of your sorrow.

Sincerely