Once in awhile you come across a person who exemplifies Christ in every way. I have come across one or two of those kind of people in my short 44 years of life. One particular person came into my life 16 years ago and today on THANKFUL THURSDAY, I would like to give honor to him and celebrate his legacy and at the same time encourage each of us to be givers...to give to others unconditionally!A few years ago a song became real popular by Ray Boltz. "Thank you for giving to the Lord". It was such an awesome message how throughout our life ~ there are many people who invest in us and mold us and sometimes we aren't even aware they are doing it until later in life. Many times we miss out on the opportunity to express our "thanks" to those kind of people until we meet up with them again in heaven. Certainly the streets of gold will be lined with people that invested in each of us.
When I think of such a person who invested in so many here on earth - I think of my friend and longtime neighbor, Frank. Brother Frank was a man of such Godly character and reputation. It wasn't just something he lived on Sunday morning....
- I saw it in him in our neighborhood.
- I saw it in him when he went above and beyond to help others.
- I saw it in him when it came to loving his family.
- I saw it in him whenever he spoke of God and His blessings.
- I even saw it in him when it came to how he took care of his lawn.
~ Everything Frank did ~
he did in love, he did with excellence and he did it unto the Lord!
Sixteen years ago, Frank and his family invited our family over for a bbq in their backyard and ever since they have been our "family". Frank and his lovely bride taught me so much about servanthood: serving God, serving others and serving your family.
This past weekend, just two days before God took Frank home, I visited and prayed with Frank for the last time while he was on this earth. I thanked him and his family for loving us, and I now look forward to seeing him on the golden streets where I will grab his arm and say..."THANK YOU FOR GIVING TO THE LORD!"
(please mute my blog music, by scrolling all the way down to the bottom of this blog, and then listen to this song "Thank you for giving to the Lord". If you don't mute my blog music you will have two songs playing at one time!)
EPHESIANS 5:20
" Always giving thanks for ALL things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Lord is looking for more "FRANK'S" in this world. Giving unconditionally is a condition of our hearts. Are you giving all you can to the Lord?
THANK YOU FOR GIVING!
For other THANKFUL hearts, please join my friend IRIS over at STING MY HEART! Find it all over HERE!
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Thank you for sharing your friend with us today. What an incredible testimony for Jesus he was. How wonderfully blessed you must have been to have had him in your life. You are so right - the world needs more Franks. Thanks for this wonderful reminder Laurie!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post and tribute to Frank. What blessings to have a friend liked him. This world certainly need more Franks. Have a blessed day!
ReplyDeletethat was a beautiful tribute for a man of God. thank you for sharing your wonderful friend with us. God bless you. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank God for bringing Frank into your life and using him in such wonderful ways to impact your life. He is a great testimony for Christ. Thank God for using friends to minister to us and help us grow in Him. Thanks for sharing this sweet tribute to your dear friend. Take care and have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful tribute. And how good of the Lord to give you an opportunity to express your grattitude to him before he was called home.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful. Thank you for sharing. We've got a man named Donny in our church --- wish there were more Franks & Donnys. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou've got a beautiful blog with a tremendous message. THANKS!
Kindest Thoughts,
Esthermay
What a beautiful message today in your tribute to your loving friend.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome tribute to Bro. Frank. He loved and served with all his heart and he was loved by so many. I had forgotten about this song and I'm adding it to my blog. Thank you for challenging me through your tribute of Bro. Frank and this song.
ReplyDeleteLove you, Laurie!
Great post and tribute to Frank. Sounds like someone we'd all like to know! Happy Thankful Thursday!
ReplyDeleteOh thanks for sharing what a nice testimony from the heart. Happy TT!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely testimony. I love that song "Thank you," in spite of Ray Boltz having recently "come out of the closet." (Hearing the song will only motivate me to pray for Ray's repentance.) It is a powerful song, and what a testimony of your friend's life!
ReplyDeleteBlessings Laurie...An awesome tribute
ReplyDeleteto a worthy servant of God, Frank
and a touching & inspiring post on how we can give thanks in all we do.
I love the Ray Boltz song and do not see many "Franks" in my world. But as I thought of this, there is a wonderful AG Frank and his wife Sharon...at my home church, who were SS teachers of my a. daughter in 3rd grade and still as a teen when she was in the hospital with
Lupus...they were there for her and me. Whenever, I go home...I always remember to hug them and say thanks. He is a deacon & a wise one. Sharon was in choir with me, and a fabulous church secretary for years. This couple & their daughters are such a blessing to my home church and many of our children, probably accepted Jesus with them!!! God bless the Franks
of God's Kingdom! This was such a
beautiful way to enlighten us on how to give unconditionally and
live for Jesus! I'm glad you had the chance to say farewell until
you can meet again! I pray that
the Holy Comforter surrounds all those who will miss this fine person!
Beautiful tribute to your dear friend who now walks the streets of gold.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to a man that truly has left a Godly legacy.
ReplyDeleteHave a blessed weekend.