Yesterday afternoon, Merle Phillips, a dear saint and friend of ours went home to be with the Lord after an 18 month battle with cancer. As his wife Charlene put it so perfectly, "At 2:25 p.m., Good Friday got better for Merle." What a joy it will be for him to spend Easter with Jesus, face to face!
This man was a true gentleman, to the very end. Merle was created in God's own image - we all were - but he especially resembled God in this way. One of God's character qualities is that He is the "ultimate gentleman" - in other words, He will never force you to accept the gift of salvation He is offering you, and He will never make you even acknowledge His existence, but He quietly loves you and yearns for a relationship with you just the same, and continues to hold the gift out to you each day of your life until you accept it ... NO STRINGS ATTACHED! Forgiveness is instant and complete, and your eternity with the God who loves you is guaranteed.
Charlene told me recently that one of the verses Merle quoted often is Proverbs 16:7: "When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Merle didn't just quote this, he LIVED IT!
Wish I had a picture of him to post, but I don't so it must not matter. I know Charlene covets the prayers of the saints as she walks through her grief ... but her tears are mingled with joy because Merle is out of pain and at home with the Lord.
Happy Easter - HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!
1 comment:
We really liked your tribute to Merle. He was a very kind gentleman. He will be missed.
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