Certainly we will see Jim in heaven

This is a sad time for all of us and certainly for Jim's family. Let's remember them in our thoughts. They also need the collective strength and support of our prayers.

We have all suffered a great loss. No one has ever been able to explain why death comes when it does. Even though it's inevitable, death is often unwelcome. But it's a reality of life that all of us must face.

I'm not going to try to explain Jim's death. I don't know why this was his time to leave us. But I do know that God's timing for our lives, while sometimes shocking and seemingly without reason, is his to determine.

Right now we cry for Jim. Our feeling of loss is almost more than we can bear. But what we can gain from this is a clearer understanding of how short our time is together and how precious each one of us is. Because of Jim's death, let's cherish life and each other a little more.

As we grieve over the loss of our beloved brother Jim, may we look forward to the hope that awaits those who know Christ: "He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelation 7:17b).

In celebration of life over death,

Levi H.