knarflee
Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2019
- Messages
- 20
It was quiet now. Everyone had left the funeral home chapel and gone outside. It had been a packed service and many had stood around the walls. All seats had been full.
I was alone with Joanna as she lay there in her casket. Since I had privacy I cut a lock of her honey blond hair to keep. I remembered thinking it seemed wrong for me to do this. But she wouldn't mind now that she was somewhere else in the company of Jesus. I would never look on her sweet face again.
She had received him into her heart when she was about four or five. We had no TV until our children were eight or so. I'd read to them and they were home shooled for many years giving them a firm foundation in the Bible and the love of God. When she was a few years older she was water baptized. The pastor of our church had spoken with her beforehand and he had no doubt that she was a born again Christian. Unsaved children, babies, adults, cannot receive baptism regardless what any man made denomination says. After awhile Joanna and Nathan were filled with the Holy Spirit during a visit of a couple that ministered to young people.
Very bright, Joanna as I, loved to read and write. Starting about at about two years of age I would seat Joanna and Nathan on my knee and read to them. Also teach them their A, B, C's. Taking a tablet I would draw a sketch of an item beginning with the letter I was writing and go completely through the alphabet over and over. Being a amateur artist all of my life and being a Profesional industrial designer I tried to make the sketch subjects interesting. I would do the letter in upper and lower case, both printed and script. I still have notebooks filled with those letters. This was a great advantage to them in learning to read. A love of reading, and so learning, was planted deeply into the fertile soil of their young minds. Their mother, the bookkeeper for my small company, handled the lions share of home schooling using the Abeka curriculum. A faith based series of every subject imaginable.
At five years of age Joanna could pick up the KJV and read anywhere in it only slowing down only at such words as Nebuchadnezzar. We had well done our job of teaching them about God, Jesus, and leading them to salvation by our redeemer's blood. Their academic success was a bonus.
The eulogy at the chapel service that day was given by Dr. Ron Moseley, a very good friend and head of a Bible College on Hebrew studies. Ron had done extensive studies at the University in Jerusalem and other institutes such as Oxford. After Ron spoke I spoke an encouraging word from the Lord. It was completely the strength and anointing of the Holy Spirit that was carrying Martha and I through this. My own strength had withered away and was as nothing.
We had been inducted into a club we never would have voluntarily joined. The association of parents who outlive their child. It was not a joyful membership. Years before I had been given a dream by the Lord. I was on the high bank of a swift white water river and Joanna was in the midst of it clinging to a rock. I knew I couldn't reach her. When I awoke I told no one. It was a dreadful thing to bear. Some dreams similar to this one are sent by Satan to torment, provoke fear and dread. Satan's sent dreams are sent to wound and have a weird spirit about them. This one was not like that. It was simply cold and sobering. During a fast many years ago I was praying and the Lord spoke very plainly "you're going to see many hard things". At his words I broke into tears. His words racked me with brokenness. Many would have rebuked the devil saying God will never say things like that. So unwise since God will tell you many things, all not being ear tickling.
Many times as a recipient of the gift of prophecy I have heard things that were hard to listen to. When it comes to truth the Lord pulls no punches. Read the old testament prophets for a sample of harsh prophecies. Harsh but truth.
After Joanna's death on June 30,1997 the Lord spoke a word to me regarding her sister Laura born in 1988. She too was a miracle as we had lost a child when my wife was 43 years of age. Our first child Nathan God promised to us and sent two years later. Martha was 37, 39 and 45 when our children were sent. Can you see the great evil of abortion when God so specifically sends children?
A couple of years later there was no sign of life at the ultrasound while Martha was carrying Laura. The doctors said be prepared for the loss of another baby. We were devastated but called on friends and our church to pray. The next doctor visit the baby was thriving with a strong heartbeat and moving all over the place! God had heard and given life opposing what the doctor had said. We rejoiced and praised God!
The thing he spoke to me was this, "the anointing that was upon Joanna I have placed on Laura so that she will have a double portion". We have seen that word to be true. Laura excelled in academics and music. In high school she received the governor's award in music as first chair clarinetist along with a nice scholarship toward college. Only one of these is given per year to a high school and Laura had gotten it. She also received a academic scholarship. Praise God.
Laura graduated Summa *** Laude with a double major in English and history. Currently she is working on her masters degree in environmental science. She loves the out of doors and was park interpreter at Prairie Grove battlefield Park near Fayetteville Arkansas. She left that position and is awaiting word for her very favorable interview with Big Bend national park in West Texas. Being a native Texan myself with my GGG grandfather, Nathaniel T. Journey having been one of the early Texas Rangers, I can't think of a better state to be employed in. Over and over we see God's will being worked in our lives. Trust in the Lord and He will bring it to pass Amen.
I was angry and very wounded for years at the taking of my daughter. Finally I came to know that God had a purpose in what he did. Having had a harsh father it has taken me years to see that the Heavenly father is not like my sire. I suspect this is a common affliction to be worked out.
Isaiah 57:1 KJVS
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come .
Joanna is with the Lord Jesus in heaven for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. In those beautiful years when I would pray over our meals and thank God for another day Joanna would afterwards pipe up with that small cheerful voice and declare "GOD'S JUST GIVIN' US A, WHOLE BUNCH A' DAYS"!
When only twelve Joanna wrote this not knowing if was to be her epitaph.
Reflections of the passing seasons
by Joanna Lee Jennings, age 12
A frigid winter gale will blow
across a plain of grey
reminding of a perfect time
a sunny, amber day
The snow will blow across the hills
once cloaked in spring's sweet haze
In winter we'll remember these
the happy springtime days
The trees are bare, they wave their limbs
across a wintry sky
and we'll recall on winters' nights
the golden fall gone by
Our time here is very short. Let us shower the people we love with love.
Yes my little dear. God did give us a bunch a' days. But somehow it doesn't seem enough, not nearly enough.
PS: I have pictures to post but software on this site and others are no friendly for photo posting. Many picture storage sites such as photo bucket, do not allow 3rd party use.
XenForo is a good site software and allows you to upload pictures directly from your phone or computer gallery.
I was alone with Joanna as she lay there in her casket. Since I had privacy I cut a lock of her honey blond hair to keep. I remembered thinking it seemed wrong for me to do this. But she wouldn't mind now that she was somewhere else in the company of Jesus. I would never look on her sweet face again.
She had received him into her heart when she was about four or five. We had no TV until our children were eight or so. I'd read to them and they were home shooled for many years giving them a firm foundation in the Bible and the love of God. When she was a few years older she was water baptized. The pastor of our church had spoken with her beforehand and he had no doubt that she was a born again Christian. Unsaved children, babies, adults, cannot receive baptism regardless what any man made denomination says. After awhile Joanna and Nathan were filled with the Holy Spirit during a visit of a couple that ministered to young people.
Very bright, Joanna as I, loved to read and write. Starting about at about two years of age I would seat Joanna and Nathan on my knee and read to them. Also teach them their A, B, C's. Taking a tablet I would draw a sketch of an item beginning with the letter I was writing and go completely through the alphabet over and over. Being a amateur artist all of my life and being a Profesional industrial designer I tried to make the sketch subjects interesting. I would do the letter in upper and lower case, both printed and script. I still have notebooks filled with those letters. This was a great advantage to them in learning to read. A love of reading, and so learning, was planted deeply into the fertile soil of their young minds. Their mother, the bookkeeper for my small company, handled the lions share of home schooling using the Abeka curriculum. A faith based series of every subject imaginable.
At five years of age Joanna could pick up the KJV and read anywhere in it only slowing down only at such words as Nebuchadnezzar. We had well done our job of teaching them about God, Jesus, and leading them to salvation by our redeemer's blood. Their academic success was a bonus.
The eulogy at the chapel service that day was given by Dr. Ron Moseley, a very good friend and head of a Bible College on Hebrew studies. Ron had done extensive studies at the University in Jerusalem and other institutes such as Oxford. After Ron spoke I spoke an encouraging word from the Lord. It was completely the strength and anointing of the Holy Spirit that was carrying Martha and I through this. My own strength had withered away and was as nothing.
We had been inducted into a club we never would have voluntarily joined. The association of parents who outlive their child. It was not a joyful membership. Years before I had been given a dream by the Lord. I was on the high bank of a swift white water river and Joanna was in the midst of it clinging to a rock. I knew I couldn't reach her. When I awoke I told no one. It was a dreadful thing to bear. Some dreams similar to this one are sent by Satan to torment, provoke fear and dread. Satan's sent dreams are sent to wound and have a weird spirit about them. This one was not like that. It was simply cold and sobering. During a fast many years ago I was praying and the Lord spoke very plainly "you're going to see many hard things". At his words I broke into tears. His words racked me with brokenness. Many would have rebuked the devil saying God will never say things like that. So unwise since God will tell you many things, all not being ear tickling.
Many times as a recipient of the gift of prophecy I have heard things that were hard to listen to. When it comes to truth the Lord pulls no punches. Read the old testament prophets for a sample of harsh prophecies. Harsh but truth.
After Joanna's death on June 30,1997 the Lord spoke a word to me regarding her sister Laura born in 1988. She too was a miracle as we had lost a child when my wife was 43 years of age. Our first child Nathan God promised to us and sent two years later. Martha was 37, 39 and 45 when our children were sent. Can you see the great evil of abortion when God so specifically sends children?
A couple of years later there was no sign of life at the ultrasound while Martha was carrying Laura. The doctors said be prepared for the loss of another baby. We were devastated but called on friends and our church to pray. The next doctor visit the baby was thriving with a strong heartbeat and moving all over the place! God had heard and given life opposing what the doctor had said. We rejoiced and praised God!
The thing he spoke to me was this, "the anointing that was upon Joanna I have placed on Laura so that she will have a double portion". We have seen that word to be true. Laura excelled in academics and music. In high school she received the governor's award in music as first chair clarinetist along with a nice scholarship toward college. Only one of these is given per year to a high school and Laura had gotten it. She also received a academic scholarship. Praise God.
Laura graduated Summa *** Laude with a double major in English and history. Currently she is working on her masters degree in environmental science. She loves the out of doors and was park interpreter at Prairie Grove battlefield Park near Fayetteville Arkansas. She left that position and is awaiting word for her very favorable interview with Big Bend national park in West Texas. Being a native Texan myself with my GGG grandfather, Nathaniel T. Journey having been one of the early Texas Rangers, I can't think of a better state to be employed in. Over and over we see God's will being worked in our lives. Trust in the Lord and He will bring it to pass Amen.
I was angry and very wounded for years at the taking of my daughter. Finally I came to know that God had a purpose in what he did. Having had a harsh father it has taken me years to see that the Heavenly father is not like my sire. I suspect this is a common affliction to be worked out.
Isaiah 57:1 KJVS
The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come .
Joanna is with the Lord Jesus in heaven for to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. In those beautiful years when I would pray over our meals and thank God for another day Joanna would afterwards pipe up with that small cheerful voice and declare "GOD'S JUST GIVIN' US A, WHOLE BUNCH A' DAYS"!
When only twelve Joanna wrote this not knowing if was to be her epitaph.
Reflections of the passing seasons
by Joanna Lee Jennings, age 12
A frigid winter gale will blow
across a plain of grey
reminding of a perfect time
a sunny, amber day
The snow will blow across the hills
once cloaked in spring's sweet haze
In winter we'll remember these
the happy springtime days
The trees are bare, they wave their limbs
across a wintry sky
and we'll recall on winters' nights
the golden fall gone by
Our time here is very short. Let us shower the people we love with love.
Yes my little dear. God did give us a bunch a' days. But somehow it doesn't seem enough, not nearly enough.
PS: I have pictures to post but software on this site and others are no friendly for photo posting. Many picture storage sites such as photo bucket, do not allow 3rd party use.
XenForo is a good site software and allows you to upload pictures directly from your phone or computer gallery.
