There is a place of quiet rest,
near to the heart of GOD;
a place where sin cannot molest,
near to the heart of GOD.

(refrain)
o Jesus, blest redeemer,
sent from the heart of GOD,
hold us who wait before thee
near to the heart of GOD.

There is a place of comfort sweet,
near to the heart of GOD;
a place where we our savior meet;
near to the heart of GOD.

(refrain)

There is a place of full release,
near to the heart of GOD;
a place where all is joy and peace,
near to the heart of GOD.

(refrain)

(Near to the Heart of GOD, by Cleland B. McAfee)

GOD took Rene' home last evening. I received a call shortly before eight and was told that she was gone, they were waiting for the doctor to come in and pronounce her. The cancer had spread so far, GOD made the decision to end her suffering and to take her home with him to heal her.

I stayed up pretty late, thinking, feeling sorry for Rene' and all of us she has left behind. I wasn't really good company. I finally went to bed and drifted off to a fitful sleep. Finally about three this morning I woke up and immediately Rene' came to mind. Her death, her family, everything. I lay there for quite some time, asking all sorts of why questions and to be very honest I was feeling very sorry for Rene', her family, her friends and yes, even for me. All of the sudden I had a new thought come to mind. Pearly gates! Streets of gold! Rare jewels glowing! Heavenly sunlight! No pain! No suffering! No strife! No disease! Angelic music! What a wonderful place heaven must be! The cancer may have taken this earthly life from Rene' but by doing so it did not win. She celebrates the total victory. Victory in Jesus!

FATHER thank YOU for Rene', for the many lives she came in contact with during her brief time on this earth. Thank YOU for allowing us to know and love her. FATHER we have questions about pain, about suffering, about death. There is so much we do not understand about YOUR creation. We are thankful that YOU are a merciful GOD. We thank YOU for ending Rene's suffering on this earth and we rejoice in her being made whole now with YOU. FATHER we ask YOUR comfort for her family, for her friends. Surround them with YOUR love. FATHER, keep us on task. Help us to remain on course to the ultimate victory. Victory in Jesus, our savior forever. FATHER there are many others who need YOUR physical healing, We lift them up to YOU. We pray for those needing spiritual awakening, renewal. Heal our hearts. FATHER we pray for comfort for all those hurting from loss. Surround us with YOUR angels. We pray for our spiritual family, for our leaders. JESUS, YOU are my firm foundation!