Duane's cousin Matthew passed away this morning after a long and painful struggle with deteriorating lungs from Cystic Fibrosis. Matthew suffered so much, and has been such an Godly inspiration on submission through suffering. Below is a picture of Matthew taken on Christmas Day with his younger siblings.
If you wish to read more about his testimony of submission through the recent months, visit his blog: http://rememberingmatthewcooper.blogspot.com/
At the end of the first part of his book, John Bunyan concludes the story of Christian:
"Now I saw in my dream, that these two men[Christian & Hopeful] went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also those that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the City rang again for joy; and that it was said unto them, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, "Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever".
Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them: and behold, the City shone like the sun: the streets also were paved with gold; and in them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.
There were also of them that had wings; and they answered one another without intermission, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!" And after that they shut up the gates, which when I had seen, I wished myself among them."
This evening I am wishing myself to be among Matthew and the heavenly hosts, gazing on our precious Lord and Savior, face to face. But we are yet here on earth, shall we not live for Him?! Please pray for Matthew's family in the days, weeks and years to come.
If you wish to read more about his testimony of submission through the recent months, visit his blog: http://rememberingmatthewcooper.blogspot.com/
At the end of the first part of his book, John Bunyan concludes the story of Christian:
"Now I saw in my dream, that these two men[Christian & Hopeful] went in at the gate; and lo, as they entered, they were transfigured; and they had raiment put on that shone like gold. There were also those that met them with harps and crowns, and gave them to them; the harps to praise withal, and the crowns in token of honour. Then I heard in my dream, that all the bells in the City rang again for joy; and that it was said unto them, "Enter ye into the joy of your Lord." I also heard the men themselves, that they sang with a loud voice, saying, "Blessing, honour, glory, and power, be to him that sitteth upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever and ever".
Now, just as the gates were opened to let in the men, I looked in after them: and behold, the City shone like the sun: the streets also were paved with gold; and in them walked many men, with crowns on their heads, palms in their hands, and golden harps to sing praises withal.
There were also of them that had wings; and they answered one another without intermission, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord!" And after that they shut up the gates, which when I had seen, I wished myself among them."
This evening I am wishing myself to be among Matthew and the heavenly hosts, gazing on our precious Lord and Savior, face to face. But we are yet here on earth, shall we not live for Him?! Please pray for Matthew's family in the days, weeks and years to come.
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