Every Creature

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power, forever and ever!" Revelation 5:13

Last week our 16+ year old cat, BW, died. He had been a member of our family for nearly 15 years and had brought much joy and laughter to our lives. He was a beautiful black-and-white cat who had come as a 'free gift with purchase' when we bought our house in 1994, so we don't know his actual age. When we left Spartanburg, SC, in 2003 to go to our first assignment as missionaries in War, WV, he became an inside cat and was a constant companion to us in a strange place and a strange new lifestyle. He was the first thing we saw every morning -- sometimes from 2 inches away!

A friend emailed the verse above to confirm to us that animals indeed would be in Heaven. Throughout the last week, as we've grieved the loss of our beloved pet, God has used other friends to comfort us and remind us that God created animals first and He knows when even a sparrow falls. Certainly, a 12 pound cat does not go unnoticed by our Father.

Just this morning in church I looked up at one of the banners hanging on the wall of the sanctuary. "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord." It didn't say "everyone." It reminded me of Genesis 1:30 that refers to animals as having "the breath of life." Then the words of the Doxology rang out "Praise Him all creatures here below."

I sat quietly thanking God for being the Comforter that He is. When I get to heaven and am reunited with my Grandmother and other relatives and friends, I believe that among the "creatures" there, I will see those, like BW, who shared my life here on earth.

Living Water

He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Revelation 7:17

Recently, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit a very special place. It is a new home for girls that is almost ready to open. The words beautiful, peaceful, restful, restoring, comforting, tranquil and safe immediately came to mind as I entered the door. In a few weeks, in a setting that most of us would expect on a church retreat, God's chosen servants will minister 24/7 to those who surely fit into the categories of "forgotten," "invisible," "the least of these."

In few weeks, this home will become the place of transformation for young girls ages 12 - 17. They will come there, often in the middle of the night, escaping the horrors of human trafficking. They have endured the unimaginable atrocities of the commercial sex trade and have somehow survived. Most are shells of what they were or could be. They have pulled as far from the pain as they can and it will literally take an act of God to reach them. They have no more tears to wipe. They have survived by building walls.

Please pray for the girls who will be brought to Living Water for Girls. Pray for the therapists, nurses, teachers, counselors and other staff who will help them rebuild their lives. Pray for the Board of Directors and for the Founder who has tirelessly followed God's direction in establishing this place. Pray that each girl will hear the healing Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pray that God will show you how you can become involved. Then do what He says.