The Holy Spirit is Awesome!! – Writing My Brother’s Obituary (Part II)

Today’s Message:

Confirmation That The Holy Spirit Was There…Writing My Brother’s Obituary

Hey Neighbor!

I had never been to a Memorial Service before, and I really didn’t know what to expect.

The clubhouse at My Aunt Jean’s Retirement Community Center, in Rialto was beautifully decorated.  The food was being prepared in the kitchen, and the people were streaming in…greeting one another and making their way to their seats.

However…there was no body…no casket…nor was there an urn filled with my Brother’s ashes.😞

Other than family, I didn’t know or recognize any of the faces in the room.

Feeling sort of lost…I sat there looking at the different faces, wondering what had been their relationship to my brother.

I wondered whether these unidentifiable faces were those of his (Tony’s) friends, neighbors, or maybe even his co-workers.

By Now…The Holy Spirit was urging me to get up to go find out who these people were…and so I reluctantly, obeyed.

I was not sure what I was going to say, as I approached a lovely couple that had been sitting very quietly….only about three rows behind me.

I introduced myself as Hubert’s Sister, and I asked them how they had become acquainted with my brother.

The husband and wife pair, began to tell Me that they were My Brother’s customers from Coco’s…the restaurant where he worked.

They went on to tell me about how they had learned of Tony’s death. They had gone into the restaurant, and had requested to be seated in Tony’s section, as they did regularly, when one of the female employees began to cry, telling them that Hubert had passed away, as she pointed to the Memorial that Management had setup for Tony, near the store entrance.

The gentleman’s wife went on to express how she and her husband had loved to dine in Tony’s seating area at Coco’s and she remarked about how cheerful Tony was…with his bright smile and those big eyes.

Now if You’ve already read Tony’s Obituary Part I…You would understand why I was standing there in awe…with my jaw dropped… listening to her story about Tony…thinking to myself,

No Way…That’s what I wrote in Tony’s Obit!!

You See…I didn’t really know much about where My Brother had working, prior to his death.

I wasn’t even completely sure of the name of the Restaurant!!

So while I was writing the obituary, I had called my Aunt Dorothy, who filled me in, giving me the full name of the restaurant.

She even had to tell me that Tony worked as a Waiter at Coco’s, because I wasn’t sure if he was the cook, or the waiter, or what…I just knew that he had previously enjoyed waiting tables.

So…I was  just standing there, listening in awe, as these people confirmed with their mouths…the words that I thought that I had written.

I’m certain they didn’t realize it…but they were confirming information for me that I was not privy to.

I had never visited Tony at any of his job locations, even when he had worked at home in Illinois.

When I wrote the obit, I could only imagine that Tony was good at his job, and that he must have had a good report with his customers, and that he had acquired many ‘regulars,’ after having been with the company for over 6 years.

So I was AMAZED!!

As I continued to ‘work the room’…ALL of the ladies I spoke with, went on and on about Tony being a ‘real’ gentleman, and about how handsome He was…

But these elderly ladies, also went on and on about how helpful Tony was…whether they wanted a piece of furniture moved, in their apartment, or if they needed something cleaned-up…Tony was willing to Help!!

They also mentioned how Tony would not accept any payment or tip for his service to them…Tony just wanted to help!!

Wow!!

So I’m sitting down by now, amazed with yet More confirmation of the Words…that I, again…thought that I had written!!

When the Service had finally begun, each person that wanted to share their stories about Tony, had been allotted 2 minutes to speak.

I was very touched by their testimonies; but there was one in particular that left me astounded….

As one of the Pastor’s began to speak about My Brother…he talked about how He (the pastor) would pull in through the gates of the facility, park his car, and begin to unload his groceries, when Tony would hurry over to help him to carry his groceries inside.

I thought Wow!!

Again…Words that I thought that I had written!!

That was when I realized that The Holy Spirit had been there with Me, All along through this entire thing!!

He had Comforted Me…when the tears wouldn’t stop flowing!!

He had Counseled Me…when I couldn’t understand the sudden loss!!

He had Helped Me…to set things in order and  get my tail in gear to California!!

He had been my Advocate…speaking for Me when I didn’t know what to say!!

He even Interceded on my behalf…as He brought peace between My Brother and I before He had passed away!!

He also Strengthened me…when I was too weak to Stand!!

He was there All ALONG…Standing By Me…

And when my word’s were not sufficient…

He was there…substituting His Words for Mine…

As He Wrote My Brother’s Obituary!!

And I must say…that I gave God All The Glory!!

And I Praise Him For His Holy Spirit!!

*****************************************

Thanks For  Stopping By, Neighbor,

God Loves You and So Do I!!

💕Tam

Hey Neighbor…Don’t forget to share the CareBibleStudy blog with Your Family, Friends, Co-Workers, and Neighbors – Loving Them as You Love Yourself!!

Trivia Thursday – Name That Snitch!!

And a young man ran to Moses and said, Eldad and Medad are prophesying [sounding forth the praises of God and declaring His will] in the camp. Joshua son of Nun, the minister of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, My lord Moses, forbid them (Numbers11:27)

Hey Neighbor!

In many urban neighborhoods, there is a notorious saying, that ‘Snitches get Stitches!’

Have you heard It??

Well, in not so many words, if You run to go tell on me, you might, potentially suffer some painful consequences.🤕🩼

Now several months ago, we uncovered a ‘jealous’ snitch in the book of Numbers, as shown in our lead scripture; where a young, ‘minister-in-training,’ Joshua, ran to go tell Moses of how Eldad and Medad, were prophesying, inside of the camp.

Here’s that Trivia-Riddle, where Joshua was exposed as our ‘snitch.’

https://carenrcinesl.wordpress.com/2022/06/30/trivia-thursday-riddle-who-am-i/

And The Solution/Answers to that weeks Riddle:

https://carenrcinesl.wordpress.com/2022/07/02/solution-saturday-answer-joshua/

Now, Moses quickly ‘squashed’ all that Eldad/Medad drama, which was actually due to a young Joshua’s ‘jealousy’ and/or his reverence for Moses; and where he (Joshua) assumed that Eldad and Medad were disrespecting Moses’ authority in the camp.

And, quite fortunately, there were no later consequences due young Joshua, for having snitched!!😂

But there were indeed consequences for another snitch, in a subsequent Book of The Bible.🫣

Why??

Well, this dishonest, and mischievous snitch, went and told on David, after realizing that David was on the run…and as he (David) was seeking refuge from a raving mad, King Saul.

Now later in this particular (Book) story, David remembered that our ‘snitch’ had been spying 🕵️‍♂️ on him that day…and David even discloses to the reader, that he (David) knew that something was about to go down, after he (David) had been spied out (by our snitch.)

Now David does not tell us if this ‘Snitch got his Stitches’ in that particular story!!😂

But ultimately, David did write a ‘song’ about it; where he revealed to us, how the Lord avenged this dastardly betrayal against His anointed, (David) and also how The Lord did forever ‘stitch’ up the lying lips of this mischievous snitch!!🤐

*******************************************

Can You place a Name on our ‘snitch,’ and Can you quote the ‘song’ 🎼 that David 🎤 composed about the ultimate demise of this deceitful ‘snitch.’⚰️

********************************************

💕Tam

Trivia Tuesday – Who Was #2 Guy on the Sanhedrin’s ‘Hit-list??’ 🥷

IT WAS now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were all the while seeking to arrest [Jesus] by secrecy and deceit and put [Him] to death (Mark 14:1)

Hey Neighbor!

In the Scripture above, we see where the chief priests and the scribes, were all plotting and planning to kill Jesus.

Plotting + Planning = Work‼️

Well, I guess these weirdos didn’t consider plotting and planning together, as work🤣

They claimed that Jesus’ healing the bruised and the broken on the Sabbath, was unlawful, but their meeting, plotting and planning must have been equivalent to resting, in their carnal, distorted thinking.

Anyway, so these characters wanted Jesus taken out🥷

Jesus was #1 on their ‘hit list,’ and we know that they hired that thieving, deceiving, Judas to be their accomplice, and to help carry forth their wicked plan.

But besides Jesus, these blood-thirsty, assassins had another guy on their ‘hit list.’

This guy’s name fell in the #2 spot on their hit list…and it wasn’t Peter😂…and John was already dead, having been beheaded by Herod.

Still this #2 guy’s very life, validated (in their minds) that Jesus was a real threat to their ‘seats of power.’

And therefore, these two men must both be killed!!

*******************************************

Can You Name This # 2 guy, on the Sanhedrin’s Hit List??

******************************************

💕Tam

Faith-Full Man’s Monday Riddle – Who Am I??

Hey Neighbor!

So many of the walking, talking, breathing characters in the Bible were flawed and at times, they did succumb to ‘faith-failures’…just like You and I!!

But when God re-establishes His first place our in our lives, and regains our ‘focus,’ His mighty power can still prevail within us.

Here is Your ‘Faith-Full’ Monday Man, from the Scriptures!!

Can you guess Who He Is??

Have Fun‼️

*****************************************

I can still recall the day when my eyes did first offend,

I should have been blinded then, gouging out the ‘lust-filled’ temptation to sin

Upon Her doorstep, I should have never placed my foot

Her slippery tongue turns the hearts of men to fiery ashes and soot

Consecrated was my head, but not my eyes nor my heart; Yes!! That’s how I failed

But God, in His mercy, permitted his Spirit upon me, at times, to powerfully prevail

When my eyes were no longer focused on the lustful desire for things beautiful, and for things unclean, that appeared ‘sweet’

That’s when the fervor of God, burned in my heart to bring down my enemy’s house, in a great and mighty defeat

*****************************************

Who Am I??

*****************************************

💕Tam

The Holy Spirit Is Awesome!! – Writing Tony’s Obituary Part I

Hey Neighbor!

It’s Flashback Friday!!

So today we are going back to a post that I wrote exactly 8 years and 1 day ago.

My older brother, Tony had passed away, very suddenly, and I was asked to write his obituary.

I was certainly not prepared to take on such a weighty responsibility, but I praise God for his Holy Spirit, Who was there with me…guiding my pen 🖊 as I dotted every ‘i,’ and crossed every ‘t.’

Here’s my story…😊

-I have told you these things while I am still with you. But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you-

(John 14:25-26)

 God is Truly Amazing!!

We had a beautiful Memorial Service for my brother, Tony in Rialto, California on March 15, 2015.  

As the arrangements were being made for his Service, My niece, Sherree called me and asked me if I would write the obituary for her Dad.  

Of Course, I was more than honored to do it, but I knew that it would be a tear-filled, bittersweet process.

But, I thank God that His Holy Spirit was right there with me…inspiring my thoughts as I pressed the pen against the page…He gave me the Words to Write.

He lead me to the old family photo album, and as I sat there flipping through the pages, He brought precious moments back into my rememberance as He began to fill-in and fill-up the gaps of the years that Tony and I had lost in silence…when We were not speaking to one another.

And So….I was just truly Amazed at How The Holy Spirit confirmed every word that He had inspired me to write…after I had made it to California, and once I was introduced to, and had been given the opportunity to speak with many of Tony’s friends, neighbors, and customers; all of whom had come to pay their respects, and to also share their memories about My Big Brother.

So….Tomorrow I will share more about How The Holy Spirit Comforted Our Family and Confirmed His Words during that Memorial Service.

The ‘H.S.’ (Holy Spirit) is Awesome!!

But For today, I would like to share with You, the Words The ‘H.S.’ shared with Me, as We wrote Tony’s Obit.

Here is Tony’s Obituary….

 

*************

Hubert F. “Tony” Horton, III, 45, departed from this life on February 23, 2015 in Rialto, Ca. He passed on to heaven peacefully, in his home, on Monday afternoon with his eldest Aunt.

Hubert was born to the late, Hubert F, Horton, Jr. and Tangee (Gillespie) Horton on December 16, 1969 in Centreville, IL.

He graduated from East St. Louis, Sr. High School in 1987 and received his Certified Nursing Assistant’s (CNA) License from Belleville Area College; both in Illinois.

Tony confessed his love for Jesus Christ at Mt. Paran Missionary Baptist Church in East St. Louis, where he served as a Deacon, and was also wed to Melissa (Rumph) Horton, on April 20, 1990. Their marital union was brief, ending in divorce, but produced a baby girl, Tony’s beloved Sherree.

Hubert resided in Centreville, IL. for 30+ years and worked as a CNA at Calvin Johnson’s Nursing Home in Belleville, IL., in addition to other, various restaurants, until he relocated to California.  Hubert briefly resided in Santa Barbara, prior to his enlistment into the U.S. Navy in 2002. Hubert Served as a Chef aboard the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln in the 2nd Gulf War, “Operation Iraqi Freedom.”

After the War, Hubert was Honorably Discharged from the Navy and returned to California, where he finally made his home in Rialto. He worked at Coco’s Bakery Restaurant in Rialto, as a Waiter. It was that bright smile and those ‘big eyes’ that kept his customers coming back to dine in his seating area.

Tony was passionate about his love for the Lord. He loved reading his bible and often carried it with him to work, where he anticipated opportunities to ‘steal away’ to read and pray.

Tony was happy, handsome, and extremely helpful. He loved to help his ‘Aunties,’ but he was also available to help other residents in their community center. He was ready and able to assist…whether he was opening your door, carrying in your bag of groceries, or cleaning up your house, Tony just wanted to Help!

Hubert is survived by (2) daughters; Sandra Sherre Horton of Fairview Heights, IL., and Kate-Lynn Horton of Illinois. He is also survived by his beloved Mother, Tangee Sherree (Gillespie) Horton of O’Fallon, IL., and (2) sisters; Lollie (Lloyd) Cotten of Belleville, IL. and Tamarra (Dewitt) Weary of Columbia, IL; and His First Cousin, Who Was ‘Like-A-Brother,’ Albert Nelson of San Bernardino, CA.

Hubert also leaves (4) cherished California ‘Aunties’ to mourn him; Dr. Lugenia Horton of Rialto; Dorothy (Horton) Nicholson of Santa Barbara; and JoAnn (Horton) Nelson of San Bernardino; and Lovella Horton of Perris, Ca. and (5) Uncles; Lloyd White of St. Louis, Mo; James L. Horton of Long Beach, Ca; Robert A. Horton Sr. of Washington Park, IL; Terrance A. Greenlee and Jeremy V. Greenlee of Chicago, Illinois.

Tony will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by a host of Uncles, Aunts, Nieces, Nephews, (1) great-niece; (1) great-nephew, Cousins, Friends, Neighbors, and Co-Workers.

******

Thanks For Stopping By, Neighbor.

There’s more to the story…Tomorrow!!

Until Then,

God Loves You And So Do I!!

💕Tam

Hey, Don’t forget to share the CareBibleStudy blog with Your Family, Friends, Co-Workers, and Neighbors – Loving Them as You Love Yourself!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trivia Thursday – Name That Midnight Move!!

But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him (Matthew 25:6)

Hey Neighbor!

No man may know the day nor the hour when our Lord and Savior shall return, but we do know that we shall be changed in a twinkling of an eye.

Now in the parable above, The bridegroom came for his bride at midnight, i.e. in the middle of the night, which reminds me of a song where the narrator speaks and declares that, “God moves at midnight!”

So as I sat and thought about that, I was reminded of at least two occasions where God ‘Saved’ the ‘day’ 😂…When He showed up at the stroke of Midnight, to set the captives free.

*******************************************

Can You recall an occasion, in the Bible, where God moved at Midnight??

******************************************

💕Tam

How To Get EVERYTHING You Want!!

-Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me.-

(Revelation 3:20)

 

Hey Neighbor!

It’s Another Flashback Friday!!

I was hoping to share the second portion of My cousins ‘important paper’ search: Take Off Your Cape and Rest in Christ’s Cape-ability.

But since it seems to have disappeared from my previously published posts, I decided to share this one instead.

It might seem a little graphic to some, but it’s time to stop sugar coating the truth!!

It’s time for real talk…with real Christians!!

Enjoy🤩

*********************************************

My 5 year old son, Hubie has a habit of yelling at our 14 year old daughter, Allie…in total rebellion to her attempts to redirect him.

He Screams…

“Allie!!  I can have WHATEVER I WANT!!”

Wow!!

Listen to the cry of the flesh!!

I know You hear it too!!

…those ear-shattering screams…coming from within Your soul…Crying Out,

“Give me EVERYTHING I want!!”

Give Me chocolate…

Buy me shoes…

Satisfy my sexual cravings…etc, etc…

Give me Everything I want!!!

But Why So Loud??

Well, The Flesh is attempting to drown out the humble cries of the Holy Spirit…Who is gently attempting to redirect Us…and get Us back on the right track with God.

He reminds Us that overindulging in chocolate will only make Us fat…

And those shoes will make Our ‘dogs bark’…

And sex- outside of marriage – will make Us itch and burn!!

Lol!!

The Holy Spirit is right there…gently urging Us to set Our sights on something greater than that which this world can offer…on those things that give Us eternal fulfillment…and on Someone Who can fill Our hearts with all that we thought was missing…and more!!

See Neighbor…Your heart does not have a hole shaped like a Hershey’s bar…nor does it have a shoe-shaped hole…and no style of sex can penetrate this hole. Lol!!

Why??

Because this hole that We all have been foolishly trying to fill is a Jesus-Shaped Hole‼️

Behold…Jesus is standing at the door of Your heart, knocking….

Can You hear Him??

Then…Go Ahead and Welcome Him In, and Give Him first place in your life..

Let His Holy Spirit Lead, Guide, and Direct You into All Truth…and Teach You to set Your sights on an Eternal life with Jesus in Heaven…

Where Ultimately…

You Will Have EVERYTHING That You Want!!

-Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need-
(Matthew 6:33)

********

Thanks For Stopping By…Until We Meet Again,

God Loves You and So Do I!!

💕Tam

Don’t forget to Be a Blessing…
Share The CareBibleStudy Blog with YOUR Family, Friends, Co-Workers, and Your Neighbors – Loving Them As You Love Yourself!!

 

Trivia Thursday – Name That Great Negotiator!!

…Shall misfortune or evil occur [as punishment] and the Lord has not caused it? Surely the Lord God will do nothing without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets.   (Amos 3:6-7)

Hey Neighbor! 

We’ve had a few difficult and/or tricky riddles and trivia questions, as of late; so today I am giving you an easy one🥰

Now, I love it when God says “Behold! I am about to do a New Thing!!”

Now this could either be good news, or bad news…depending on who is on the receiving end of God’s ‘New Thing.’ 😂

But Amos reminds us, as God’s mouthpiece, and as one who comes forth to communicate with man, after having been in the very presence of God, listening to His thoughts, His Words, and the plans He has for us….

Amos says that God, in His merciful nature, will not Do His Thing, without communicating His plan and His program to His prophet, first!!

Now there was another prophet in the Bible, who received a firsthand heads-up from God, while God was actually en-route to utterly destroy the wicked. 

And because this prophet was well-aware of God’s abundantly merciful nature…and because he knew that God would not ‘unjustly’ destroy the righteous, along with the unrighteous, this prophet negotiated with God, to spare his ‘righteous’ relatives, before God proceeded on His way to Do His Thing against a very ‘pride-full’  group of people!! 
*********************************************

Can You Name this Great Negotiator??

*********************************************
💕Tam

Trivia Tuesday – Name That Thirty (30) Year Old!!

Take a census of the Kohathite division among the sons of Levi, by their families, by their fathers“ houses, From thirty years old and up to fifty years old, all who can enter the service to do the work in the Tent of Meeting…(Num 4:2-33)

Hey Neighbor!

What was so significant about the age of 30, in the Bible??

In the scripture above, we see where the sons of Levi (Kohathites, Gershonites, and the Merarites) were deemed ‘ready’ for the warfare of the Lord’s Service at the age of 30.

But can you name at least three (3) more 30 year olds from the Bible, who God deemed ready to wrestle (spiritually) in the service of The Kingdom of God, after having reached this ‘milestone’ birthday??

One of these is exceptionally easy!!

*********************************************

Can You Name These (3) Thirty Year Olds??

********************************************

💕Tam

Faith-Full Man’s Monday Riddle – Who Am I??

Hey Neighbor!

Here is this Week’s Riddle; he was a ‘faith-full’ man from the bible who was not just a faith-full follower of Moses, but he was also a courageous, first-place leader of ‘lions.’

Can You Solve My Riddle??

Have Fun 🤩

********************************************

When the Lord called for the sacrificial offering, I was the first to arrive

Bringing forth rams, goats, and lambs; each of them numbering five

From amongst all of Jacob, I was head of the host and my tribe’s ancestral lead

Mary would nurse the Lamb, from the tribe of my seed

I was ‘numbered’ in the wilderness, by my brother-in- law, the high priest

Though I failed to be counted, when the Promised Land was reached.

*******************************************

Who Am I??

******************************************

💕Tam