We all have family and/or friends who are not in our lives for one reason or another. Some may be because of a falling out, but the ones that affect me more are the ones who are not alive anymore. I often pray about the words written in *Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: 2 A time to be born, And a time to die* Over the past few years I have had different people that I have known and loved leave this world for  one reason or another. Some I am confident went into glory, others gone possibly to hell, and some I am not confident about at all, but I pray found grace. As I look through my phone, some of their contacts are still in there, as a reminder to be praying for their family’s. I am encouraged by the words of Charles Spurgeon, “There is an essential difference between the decease of the godly and the death of the ungodly. Death comes to the ungodly man as a penal infliction, but to the righteous as a summons to his Father’s palace. To the sinner it is an execution, to the saint an undressing from his sins and infirmities. Death to the wicked is the King of terrors. Death to the saint is the end of terrors, the commencement of glory.” I read a poem that reflects life to come for the believer: I have a place in heaven Please don’t sing sad songs for me, Forget your grief and fears, For I am in a perfect place Away from pain and tears. It’s far away from hunger And hurt and want and pride, I have a place in Heaven With the Master at my side. My life on earth was very good, As earthly life can go, But Paradise is so much more Than anyone can know. My heart is filled with happiness And sweet rejoicing, too. To walk with God is perfect peace, A joy forever new. –Author known to God. My friends, my Beloved, when someone is missing and their whereabouts cannot be established and the circumstances of why can be confusing, but when that someone you love is “Absent” that person is in a place where they are expected or required to be, in your heart, and at the end of their days, hopefully in heaven. Final thought, not everyone will Rest In Peace but all will be judged by a Righteous Judge. In Christ Love, douglas

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me in financial support of the ministry activities that God has entrusted to me at pastord.blog@gmail.com