Loving Hearts Live Forever
Memories shared by family and friends for those who have gone to be with the Lord.
Introduction By: Melody J. Ravert
Edited By: Anna Renault
Smashwords eBook published by Fideli Publishihng
© Copyright 2011, MJR Publications, LLC
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ISBN-13: 978-1-60414-327-0 / ISBN-10: 1-60414-327-4
Table of Contents
Emily Gross Gunkle Greenawalt Conner
Bertha Ann Jones Vaughn Pinder
Dedication
This collection of stories and poems are in loving memory of family and friends who have gone to live with our Lord. One day in the future, those of us who are Christians will reunite with our Christian loved ones.
For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4: 16-18 (NIV)
Some loved ones have two or more stories. This is because I wanted to share memories from different perspectives or relationships.
My sister Brenda reminded me of hearing a message at a funeral stating that the engraved date of birth and date of death is separated by a line--that line represents a lifetime of love, sacrifice, accomplishments, and a faith that guided them into eternity. So in this anthology, Loving Hearts Live Forever, the contributing authors would like to share some of these precious moments with you, the reader.
Introduction
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him (Jesus) the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
Isaiah 53: 6-7 (NIV)
It started in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve’s sin of disobedience.
Genesis 3
Once sin came into the world, we became separated from God. God is holy and just and cannot allow sin to enter into heaven. He loved us and wanted to have a close relationship, but something had to be done to wash and cleanse our sins. As in the Old Testament, this could only be done with a blood sacrifice of a perfect and spotless lamb.
Leviticus 5:7
If not, then all people would be expected to die both physically and spiritually.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 3:23 (NIV)
The problem with the burnt offerings and sin offerings was that although they were required by the law, they only covered sins for a time and did not remove them.
Hebrews 10:1-18
The Good News is that God had a plan. He sent His Son Jesus to be born on Earth and to die, making Him the only perfect and spotless Lamb. Jesus was the perfect sacrifice who removed our sins once and for all. Glory to God!
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
John 3: 16-18 (NIV)
For anyone who has seen Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ, they have a glimpse of what pain and agony Jesus suffered. Yes, Jesus died for the whole world, but we can make it personal—on the Cross, He was thinking of me.
Thanks be to God the story doesn’t end there. If it did, none of us would have a chance to be reconciled with God and spend eternity in heaven.
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.
I Corinthians 15:12-23 (NIV)
All believers of Jesus Christ who have died in their earthly form have a new body and are living with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 Those of us who have invited Jesus into our hearts and are still living will be changed when He returns.
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
I Corinthians 15:52-54 (KJV)
Our loved ones in Christ are in heaven with the Lord. My prayer is that everyone who reads this book will know without a doubt that you will see your loved ones again.
If you are not one hundred percent certain where you will spend eternity if you died or if the Lord returns today, then I ask you to examine your heart and make the choice to serve the Lord.
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Loving Hearts Live Forever
Stacy Leigh Allen
By: Karen D. Hoffman, a friend
One day sometime ago I met a lady Lord that you do know. She worked very hard every day of the week; it soon became apparent her friendship I would seek. Our backgrounds are quite different Lord, as you well know, but in your loving wisdom our friendship did grow. I thank you Lord for this special friend of mine, because Lord, she has always been so very kind. Lord, give her strength from day to day, and Lord, guide me to help her in anyway. I believe Lord you have helped me to see that friendships are not always what we think they should be. You mold them, you nurture them, and it is because of you they grow; thank you Lord for Stacy Leigh Allen that I now know!!!.
Melody, I wrote this poem to a young lady about 8 years ago. She has since passed and my prayer is that she found the Lord. She was very special to me, she was my employer but more important, became one of my best friends. She was Jewish, but very open to the Word of God and the New Testament. I was even able to give her a Bible, which she read cover to cover. My hopes are that she is with our Lord. I miss her so much.
I love you Stacy and always will, my dear friend.
Karen D. Hoffman
Adeline Martha Ashley
By: Richard L. Ashley, her son
In the 1940’s, as a single parent, Mom got a job cleaning houses for $5.00 a day. Working hard to save money, she could stretch a dollar farther than I can stretch twenty dollars. She told me, “Don’t spend your last dollar before you get another one.” She worked hard and walked to the homes that were close and rode the public buses to the homes farther away. One day, Mom gathered all her children. “I’ve been saving money for all of you. I want to give it to you, so you can enjoy it while I’m here.” To each child, she gave a check for $5,000.00. It must have taken over thirty years of sacrifice in order to give each of her five children that much money.
Mom taught me to drop loose change in a jar that quickly filled over time. One day, after saving many jars of change, I called my own three children together and had them count and roll all the coins and divide the monies between them. The total amount came to $1300.00.
Mom would make certain each child was in the house before dark, especially her daughters.
On one hot summer day, my mom was outside talking with a neighbor. I knew she had just made fresh iced tea and I asked if I could have some. She said, “Just one glass.” Once inside, after drinking the cool refreshing beverage, I was tempted to drink one more, which I did. This continued until the pitcher was empty. When she came inside the house, she asked, “What happened to all my iced tea?” I answered, “The Devil told me to drink another and another. I did, but now it’s all gone.”
She said, “Well, if the Devil made you do it, then I guess I can’t whip you.” She teased.
Richard L. Ashley
Adeline Martha Ashley
By: Brenda F. Stoehr, her granddaughter
A lot of traditions are passed from one generation to the next. When Adeline was a teenager, she was invited to a friend’s birthday party who lived down the street. Adeline was early; the party had not yet started. Just as the refreshments were being served, she could hear her mother’s voice from up the street.
“Adeline!”
Her mom would continue to yell until her daughter answered.
“Come home, Adeline!”
Her daughter would reply, “But we haven’t had the food yet.”
“That’s okay,” her mother would reply, “You’ve been gone long enough. Come home.”
As an adult, Adeline really enjoyed the company of her children and grandchildren. When we went to visit with her, she was a wonderful hostess and told us stories about her kids.
One thing that was really funny was when she was trying to talk about one of her grandchildren, she would go down the list in age order until she named the right person.
Adeline enjoyed the family get-togethers on birthdays and holidays. She was a real party animal. If family and food was around, Adeline would be there, too. Our family was very fortunate that when we got together, part of the time was like having church. We would have one of the cousins play the piano, another one on the organ, and everyone sang. I really believe in my heart that it was Adeline’s influence that brought this to part. Not many families can say that.
She left a good legacy to her family. After her parting, my Aunt Phyllis took over, after she went home to be with the Lord, my cousin Ginger and I picked up the torch to continue the ministry.
Brenda F. Stoehr
Doris Ashley
By: Brenda F. Stoehr, her niece
Doris and her husband Ronald were very active in their church and community. They were also very family-oriented and were always willing to help. Every New Year’s Day, Doris and Ronald would open their home to their family, neighbors and friends for an afternoon of food and fellowship. She was a great cook and loved to bake. As her daughters grew, she instructed them in the ways of helping in the kitchen.
Doris was a song leader in her church. In the spring and summer, she helped her husband offer their neighbors free hot dogs, snowballs and sodas. The kids loved it!
Doris and Ronald were married over fifty years and had four children.
Doris suffered much as she fought with Diabetes. She had her leg amputated, was bound to a wheelchair and had to go on dialysis. Through all of this, she had a positive attitude so powerful, it was contagious.
Doris was spiritual-minded and loved the Lord. She took time for people, especially her family and friends.
She loved to sing worship and praise songs to the Lord and was a good witness to the doctors and nurses who cared for her.
Norwood Roland Ashley
By: Richard L. Ashley, his brother
Norwood lived with my grandfather in Baltimore who took Norwood and I to the movies every Saturday. The movies only cost ten cents at that time. A bag of popcorn was only a nickel.
Norwood served in the Navy for two years. Suicide pilots on a Japanese aircraft dove into the ship and destroyed part of the stern. It had to be towed back to shore. Thankfully, no one on the ship
was seriously injured. Norwood’s nickname was “Hap” for Happy.
Norwood Roland Ashley
By: Mary Ashley, his wife
A couple of years after my first husband died, I said to my sister-in-law, Linda, “If you ever know of a bachelor or widower with a personality that would complement mine, a wonderful Christian, and one active in church, let me know.”
A couple years later, Linda told me about her uncle Hap who had lost his wife. I asked questions and wanted to meet him. Linda invited me to Sunday dinner, along with my children. In spite of the snow that morning in March, we were able to arrive on time. Norwood was a bit late coming from a service at a nursing home.
We married seven months later and continued doing nursing home ministry until he died. He played the guitar, we sang duets, and he brought the message every week.
He loved to make cassette tapes of his sermons to see how he sounded in order to make improvements where necessary. He loved his Boston rocker because it moved. Even while he watched his football and baseball games on TV, that rocker would rock and walk to the side. He’d have to get up and put it in place again. He loved to tell the players what ‘moves’ they should make. He truly loved his sports games! He would get tense when sitting still for any length of time. This tension existed even in church when the sermon was too long.
Norwood was quite comfortable doing ministry when it came to the seniors. We not only did services each week in a couple of nursing homes, but were also “Keenagers” leaders at our church here in Milford, Delaware for fifteen years.
Norwood also loved to fish, play golf and swim. That is why we moved to Delaware, to be near those things he loved to do.
Norwood was loved for his compassion, beautiful smile, kind words and gentle character. He was free with his hugs. He also loved periods of solitude where he could read, prepare his sermons and practice his guitar for the next service. As long as he knew I was around, he was happy. If I was to go out for a while, he would worry if I was gone longer than he felt necessary.
My son Karl once made a comment, “Norwood puts a high price on what is his!” Karl was referring to me and Norwood’s things.
My children loved Norwood very much because they saw his love for their mother.
In nearly twenty-five years of marriage, Norwood never once finished a meal I cooked without saying, “Thank you for that nice meal”.
What else could I say but that he was all I ever wanted in a husband. Twice, now I have had to look to God to be my husband as He promised. Of course, there is no one that could compare to our God, but some come close.
Mary Ashley
Roland Alfred Ashley
By: Richard L. Ashley, his son
My dad was in the trucking business. Our business number at that time in Winchester was 411.
One day I went with him to a flea market where he bought a horse whip, which he paid fifty cents.
I hope I never get a whipping with that, I thought. Luckily, I never did. He did use it on one of my sisters when we were late getting home from a double date due to a flat tire. I tried to explain, but he didn’t listen. I waited outside until he cooled off. Later, he did listen to me and apologized to my sister.
I enjoyed traveling to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Virginia with my dad in his big truck. In fact, when I joined the Army, I took a test and was most fitted for the trucking unit. This was a good thing since I knew more about trucking than anything else.