Sharing Thoughts about the Tribute Ceremoney for Pastor June Austin

Psa 84:5  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
Psa 84:6  Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings.
Psa 84:7  They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power]; each of them appears before God in Zion.  

Psa 119:1  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are the undefiled (the upright, truly sincere, and blameless) in the way [of the revealed will of God], who walk (order their conduct and conversation) in the law of the Lord (the whole of God's revealed will).
Psa 119:2  Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart. 

Today was the Dover Church Family Tribute for our "mom" Pastor June Austin.  

God gave me a Word during the Praise and Worship service. It was quite simple really, yet spoke tons.

"Beloved, I make all things new. I AM catching your tears and holding your hearts tenderly.  All IS well."

So many wonderful memories were shared, evoking much laughter and a few tears. Victory North/GWWM (the Mother Church in New Castle, DE.) graciously recorded and videoed it all. (I want a copy guys!) They also launched the Dr. June E. Austin School of Biblical Studies Scholarship Foundation! Mom firmly believed everyone should go to Bible School a nd get a solid foundation of the Word. I know she must be so pleased, although I can hear her sputtering a bit about all the attention! 

I arrived home bone weary and slightly weepy, fighting tears, because I really had not wanted to leave my church family today, I wanted to stay and just hug and hug and hug them some more and not let go. (But this was a day for letting go and trusting God with all of our hearts, each one of us.)

Yet nonetheless I did have to leave, and so I arrived home to 5 hungry cats who greeted me. As I stood in the kitchen preparing their bowls of food I found a song coming forth from somewhere deep within.  It was "Taps," which is played at "lights out" and also for military funerals.

For those who don't know the words, here they are:

Day is done,
gone the sun,
From the hills,
from the lake,
From the skies.
All is well,
safely rest,
God is nigh. 

Go to sleep, peaceful sleep, May the soldier or sailor, God keep. On the land or the deep, Safe in sleep. Love, good night, Must thou go, When the day, And the night Need thee so? All is well. Speedeth all To their rest.  Fades the light; And afar Goeth day, And the stars Shineth bright, Fare thee well; Day has gone, Night is on.  Thanks and praise, For our days, 'Neath the sun, Neath the stars, 'Neath the sky, As we go, This we know, God is nigh.

I thought, "how appropriate Holy Spirit, that you would remind me of that song this evening!" Wow. Our General has finished her fight, final maneuvers are complete, and she has taken flight. Her soul is at rest, and we need to be at peace and rest also.  

I say "General" because every Bible School graduation a new class of "cadets" had to learn the graduation song: "Onward Christian Soldiers."  She felt that was the most appropriate song for us to sing and insisted that that song be done at all the graduations. 

Let us sing it now with gusto at HER graduation and hold up high the Cross of Jesus always before us.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Refrain:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

Refrain

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

Refrain

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

Refrain

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.

Refrain

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

Refrain:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

Picture is of Mom at her 80th birthday Party. (Can you imagine the party for her, that is going on in Heaven?)

About the paintings:

Welcome Home painting by Ron DiCianni (left)

http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/dicianni/welcome_home.htm

Welcome Home Reunion by Danny Hohlbohm (Right)

http://shop.jesusartusa.com/products/Reunion%252dWelcome-Home.html