As the world has been reporting about Queen Elizabeth’s passing and funeral services, I came across these messages by Christian groups that you may find enjoyable to read, hear and reflect on. I was also touched by these two pictures that I came across.

Someone put photos of the Queen at every decade of her life, starting from 20s to 90s. At times, I do grieve the passage of my youth and this seems to speed up faster as you get older. I am so glad that I have decided to follow and serve God in my late 30s. Last 12 years went rather quickly and I have just entered a new decade, my 50s this summer. I am very thankful that I am much less shackled to the world culture that highly values youth and beauty. I really think if I didn’t choose to follow Jesus wholeheartedly 12 years ago, then I would be in panic today and pursuing all kinds youth serums, potions, injections and activities to grasp onto my fleeting youth! Thank God that I came out of this dead-end race. 

Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! – Proverbs 31:30 (AMPC)

Billy Graham’s autobiography “Just As I Am”, wrote respectfully about his encounters with the Queen. Below link has few exerts from his book. (By the way, I highly suggest his autobiography to read about his encounters with very famous people and also to receive wisdom on having good working relationships with variety of secular and Christian groups, political and religious leaders to further God’s kingdom.)

Queen Elizabeth: A Friend of the Faith and a Friend to My Father, Billy Graham

Living Waters is an evangelical ministry. They are always doing street evangelism. If you watch this video to the end, then you’ll see one of the person that Ray Comfort speaks to become saved on the spot! Wow. Please watch it so you can see how street evangelism works, just in case God calls you to this. You just never know. I did this a few times in my college years because my church and the college ministry group that I was part of did these activities regularly. Street evangelism was one of their mission. I can’t say it was my favorite church activity because I was a little embarrassed going up to strangers but it was also exciting since it was so unpredictable! It’s an activity where you pray a lot before, during and after. It definitely trains you to become more dependent and sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Hmm…as I’m reflecting on my experiences with street evangelism, it seems like this is a great activity for all believers for training in the works of the Holy Spirit. I’ll be praying about this now. Before I digress more, please watch this video. It’s 14 minutes long. Watch and see if you can predict which person on the street will become saved. 🙂 https://livingwaters.com/queen-elizabeth/

Please let us keep United Kingdom 🇬🇧 in our prayers. They are going through new leadership transitions – in their royal family and in parliament. 

This was the Bible verse of the day when Queen Elizabeth passed away. I’m not sure if biblegateway.com has these daily verses planned ahead or not, but it was very timely.

Isaiah 46:4 (The Voice) – And when you are old, I will still be there, carrying you. When your limbs grow tired, your eyes are weak, And your hair a silvery gray, I will carry you as I always have. I will carry you and save you.

2. Sheep’s 🩸

I came across this story and I had to share this amazing fact with you.

“A rattlesnake bit one of my sheep in the face about a week ago. Deadliest snake that lives around here. The sheep’s face swelled up and hurt her terribly.

But the old rattlesnake didn’t know the kind of blood that flows through the sheep. Anti-venom is most often made from sheep’s blood. The sheep swelled for about 2 days but the blood of the lamb destroyed the venom of the serpent.

I was worried but the sheep didn’t care. She kept on eating, kept on drinking and kept on climbing because she knew she was alright. 

Often the serpents of this life will reach out and bite us. They inject their poison into us but they cannot overcome the Blood of the Lamb of God that washes away the sin of the world and the sting of death. Don’t worry about the serpent or his bite, just make sure that the Lamb’s Blood is flowing through your veins.” – Author Unknown

This is true! Read this news article. – https://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-05-23/sheeps-blood-provides-rattlesnake-anti-venom/1576314

“About 2,000 sheep are injected with rattle snake venom each month and the venom anti-bodies are collected later from their blood…We start with a much lower dose and slowly ramp it up, so that they increase their amount of antibodies they produce until we get a hyper-immune animal that is producing a significant quantity of rattlesnake anti-venom or anti-bodies.” 

Boy this process sounds a lot like what God does with us, huh? 😣 We are becoming hyper-immune to the rattlesnake’s bites to share our anti-venom with others in danger and need. Like this lamb who got bitten in his face, please do your best to rest and relax as your blood is naturally fighting the venom and always stay in the sheepfold (the church community) with other sheep. The older ones will surround you as you are healing and recovering. And it’s okay to minimize your activities and services too while you are healing. Just rest in the Lord Jesus and heal first. 

With love and prayers from your librarian.