Happy Friday and I hope and pray you've had a good week so far.
It has been a very difficult week for me and our church family with the passing of one of our members.
I received a phone call a week ago (April 12) around 4 pm from Holly Turner. She told me that her mom, Janet Halcomb, had a heart attack and was being taken to a hospital in Danville, KY.
Roughly 12 hours later, Janet passed away at the age of 56.
I’ve been blessed to be her minister for the past year at FCC in Lexington. I was also privileged to be her minister for nearly 8 years (2015-2022) at the Mt. Eden Christian Church in Spears, KY.
She leaves behind a loving husband of 41 years (Albert) along with three children and 10 grandchildren.
Janet's funeral was yesterday in Nicholasville, KY.
Whenever someone passes away quickly, I'm reminded of what James said about life on Earth being short. He says it’s like a vapor -- you are only here for a little while (James 4:14).
That’s why it’s so critical that we take care of the important issues and establish that relationship with God now.
So many people get to the end of their lives and look back and come to the shocking realization that they wasted it!
They wasted it on stuff that doesn’t matter.
I am happy that Janet Halcomb loved the Lord, her family, and others. She had her priorities in proper order!
She will be missed by many, but we have the promise that we will be reunited with her again in heaven.
I want to say a big THANKS to the First Christian Church family for all the love you showed the Halcomb family during a very difficult time.
I believe that the darkest valley we face is the valley of death.
Through the love and support of the FCC family, the Halcomb family did not have to walk through that valley alone.
I greatly appreciate that and I know they do as well.
Do you ever get frustrated with a prayer request that doesn't seem to ever get answered by God? I think we all have been there before.
Listen to what Rick Warren says, "Why do we wait? It teaches us to trust in God. We learn that his timing is perfect. One of the facts we have to learn is this: God's delay never destroys his purpose. A delay is not a denial. Children must learn the difference between 'no' and 'not yet,' and so must we. Many times we think God is saying, 'No,' but he is saying, 'Not yet.' "
I am looking forward to this coming Sunday as we'll be talking more about the subject of prayer.
I hope and pray to see you at FCC this Sunday. Our Bible School starts at 9:30 am and Worship at 10:30 am.
Have a great weekend!
In Him,
Greg H.
