'The Lord will provide'...this beautiful funeral basket was indeed provided by the Lord! My cousin called me Saturday evening with the heartbreaking news that her Mom had passed away. Sunday all florists are closed and we were wondering what on earth to do. Money in a card? but you can only send that to one family not all the familys' sorrowing. Hmmmm. My husband suggested going over to his favorite grocery store, which has a lovely but small floral section. I have been there many times with him and have NEVER seen the florist. Today we walked in, after church on Sunday ...lunch time to boot and there was the florist behind the small counter...cordial and wanting to help us. This is what she put together in about 20 minutes. I was so thrilled with it and my husband very pleased. The funeral was a very sad time...and loss of this beloved Mother will change the lives of her family for a lifetime. But my prayer and hope is that they will come to the realization that salvation is not something someone puts on you like a piece of clothing or; 'into the family of God when baptized as an infant' but something a person comes to realize for him or herself when hearing the gospel of Christ. This is the gospel in a nutshell...."For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures...." I Corinthians chapter 15, verses 3 & 4. If Christ came to this earth (and he did) and suffered the cruel death he did...to pay the penalty for our sins, should we reject such a sacrifice for any reason on earth? Are we like God? holy and all powerful? I know the answer in my own heart and soul. I am tainted with sin. I confess myself a sinner...sin is ugly and deforming and deceiving. It mars relationships, it hinders productivity, Satan uses our sin nature to tell us we are fine -we don't need God or his Son...sin wears a mask of deceit and we are comfortable behind that mask all to often. God's word pierces through to the heart and in the light of his presence, can we continue to live the lie that we don't need God? That we are perfect as HE is? "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God"...Romans 3:23 "The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 A gift must be received, and opened before it belongs to you. Looking at it from afar does not make it yours. My Mother had Christmas gifts in her closet for loved ones who never bothered to come and see her at Christmas time. It gave her heart a wrench of pain I know. It hurts the God who created us even more when we turn away from the sacrificial death of his beloved Son....our Saviour. Hell was created to deal with Satan and his fallen angels...not man. Anyone who goes to that place of brimstone and eternal fire, must first reject Jesus Christ, God in human flesh, taking the punishment for the sins of the world. Christ, my friend, is the pearl of great price, the word from God himself, that millions pass by....being blinded and deceived by Satan and Sin. Being told by this world that this is it....get all you want , be a good moral person (no one can truly be this!) and when you die just cease to be....the great lie. Don't believe it...be glad if this post has made you uncomfortable..makes you want to have the forgiveness and protection of God...and realize you ARE a sinner that needs to.. no, wants to get on your knees and pray something like this....Dear God, I believe Christ died for my sins on Calvary, please forgive me and save my soul. Help me to live for you....in Jesus name...amen. If you REALLY mean it...God will perform a miracle in your heart...and save your soul...here and now.