These are my Favorite Verses

A repost in memory of Mamaw, who went to Heaven 2 years ago today. On a cool Tuesday morning almost thirteen years ago, I received this envelope in my post office box in Guy, Arkansas. 

The postmark reads October 14, 1997 as best I can tell.  Thirteen years. Our 3rd child, Anna, would be born 7 years later, to the day.

The letter was from my Mamaw.  It wasn't a surprise to me, in fact I had requested it from her not long before receiving it.  She had asked me at some point if I would preach her funeral service when she died.  I agreed to the great privilege and asked her to share with me any favorite Bible verses.  She sent this letter to fulfill my request.

Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.  He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;  my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live,and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

[2] Timothy 2:15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
John [11]:25
Jesus wept.


If Jesus wept when he was sad; then it's ok for any one to cry, when you are sad.


Last:
To my children and grandchildren; I ask you to remember one of the commandments; that you love one another as I have always loved you. [John 13:34]


Aaron you can add to or take off any of this you want to.  These are my favorite verses.  Maybe you know some that would be more [appropriate] to say.
Just don't leave off the last.


Love you
Mamaw

Well, Mamaw wasn't a Bible scholar, but she couldn't have chosen a better selection of passages than she did.  She went to Heaven last Tuesday, May 25.  She had requested a graveside service only and of course, I honored her other request by preaching during the service.  I was able to mention every one of these verses as well as preach through much of Psalm 23.  Click here to read my sermon notes.  These notes contain more than an outline, but they're not quite a manuscript.
What the letter above says to me more than anything is that Mamaw was a woman who was prepared - in more ways than one - to die.  Her soul was right with God, her sins were forgiven, her home was Heaven, and she was ready.  For the past several years on many occasions as we would talk on the phone, Heaven would become the conversation topic.
Now she's there.  Now she's well.  Now she is resting... in peace.
Now these verses have become a glorious reality as she enjoys the presence of her King.

Other posts about Mamaw here.