"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Mat 6:19-21
Pictured below is our dear, precious friends Jean Ranes, in 1997, with our daughter Joy. We met the Ranes at Rolla Bible Church in 1990. Mr. Ranes had been a chaplain in the Navy, they had been missionaries in Japan, and pastored a Presbyterian Church in Missouri. They had retired back to their hometown of Rolla, and we were very honored to adopt them as additional grandparents and they joined us for dinner once a week blessing our lives in so many ways.
In the summer of 1996, Mr. Ranes died from a brain tumor. When Mrs. Ranes joined us for dinner that week, she said with joy and tears , "Just think, Jimmy has been with Jesus a whole week!" In December of that year, Mrs. Ranes had a massive stroke, paralyzing her entire right side, and depriving her of any speech.
In the twelve years since her stroke, Mrs. Ranes has lived in a small private room in a local nursing home. She doesn't have a television in her room, but reads her beloved Bible from cover to cover, and then begins again. When ever we visit her, she is filled with joy. She delights when we read the Bible to her, cheering and smiling when the verses are especially precious. She directs us when we sing for her. She has demonstrated such contentment and delight in such seemingly depressing situations.
Everytime I am with her I see the mighty fruit that comes from being saturated with the Word of God. Twelve years of reading the Scriptures continually shines in her soul, and escapes out her eyes and her beautiful smile. I am grieved that I still fail to apply the lesson, and make time with the Lord and my Bible the preeminent priority of each day.
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"
Mat. 4:4
For the last month, Mrs. Ranes has not left her bed or eaten. No one is sure why, since she cannot speak. However, she is extremely joyful and even after a month still has the energy to enjoy the singing and Bible reading. When we tell her we will be back the next day to see her, she has shrugged her shoulders, smiled, and pointed to the sky as if to say, "I'll be happy to visit with you if I am here, but I may be somewhere much more delightful."
We thank God for the wonderful gift of knowing this devoted saint. She is one of our personal "great cloud of witnesses". She will not be here much longer, but will finally join Mr. Ranes at the feet of her beloved Savior.
Her favorite Bible verse, which she typed at the bottom of every card she ever sent us, or any of the children is "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever."
Heb. 13:8
Mat 6:19-21
Pictured below is our dear, precious friends Jean Ranes, in 1997, with our daughter Joy. We met the Ranes at Rolla Bible Church in 1990. Mr. Ranes had been a chaplain in the Navy, they had been missionaries in Japan, and pastored a Presbyterian Church in Missouri. They had retired back to their hometown of Rolla, and we were very honored to adopt them as additional grandparents and they joined us for dinner once a week blessing our lives in so many ways.
In the summer of 1996, Mr. Ranes died from a brain tumor. When Mrs. Ranes joined us for dinner that week, she said with joy and tears , "Just think, Jimmy has been with Jesus a whole week!" In December of that year, Mrs. Ranes had a massive stroke, paralyzing her entire right side, and depriving her of any speech.
In the twelve years since her stroke, Mrs. Ranes has lived in a small private room in a local nursing home. She doesn't have a television in her room, but reads her beloved Bible from cover to cover, and then begins again. When ever we visit her, she is filled with joy. She delights when we read the Bible to her, cheering and smiling when the verses are especially precious. She directs us when we sing for her. She has demonstrated such contentment and delight in such seemingly depressing situations.
Everytime I am with her I see the mighty fruit that comes from being saturated with the Word of God. Twelve years of reading the Scriptures continually shines in her soul, and escapes out her eyes and her beautiful smile. I am grieved that I still fail to apply the lesson, and make time with the Lord and my Bible the preeminent priority of each day.
"Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God"
Mat. 4:4
For the last month, Mrs. Ranes has not left her bed or eaten. No one is sure why, since she cannot speak. However, she is extremely joyful and even after a month still has the energy to enjoy the singing and Bible reading. When we tell her we will be back the next day to see her, she has shrugged her shoulders, smiled, and pointed to the sky as if to say, "I'll be happy to visit with you if I am here, but I may be somewhere much more delightful."
We thank God for the wonderful gift of knowing this devoted saint. She is one of our personal "great cloud of witnesses". She will not be here much longer, but will finally join Mr. Ranes at the feet of her beloved Savior.
Her favorite Bible verse, which she typed at the bottom of every card she ever sent us, or any of the children is "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever."
Heb. 13:8
1 comment:
this is a beautiful tribute to a dear, dear sister. How wonderful to share this lovely woman with us!
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