January 11, 2021: As We Close Our Eyes in This World, We Open Them in Heaven with Our Lord.

I am dedicating this post on Salvation2Surrender to Russ Bogue.

I have previously share with our readers about my close friend, Russ Bogue. He has been fighting cancer in both his lungs and brain. He has been fighting this long and painful journey for about two years now.

Russ is now coming to the end of that fight and will soon be going home to see his Lord. He has stopped eating and drinking anything for the last few days. The doctors give Russ about a week to 14 days before he passes from this world to be home in heaven with God and his Lord Jesus.

John 5: 24

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

Russ and I had the opportunity to go through the book "Absolute Surrender", chapter by chapter. We would meet weekly at our local Panera Bread for coffee and discuss what surrender means in one's life.

One morning at his home, Russ prayed to be absolutely surrendered to his Lord. Russ had already been going through chemotherapy for about a year and was hopeful in the treatments. As the months went by, Russ was ready for whatever the Lord had for him. Russ had fully surrendered his self-will and was at peace.

As I have visited Russ a few times over this past year, I have seen Russ lose a lot of weight and his outward appearance change considerable. But the one character of Russ that always stood firm was Russ' commitment of surrender to his Lord. The light in Russ' eyes would always show the love of Jesus to his friends and family that would come to visit him.

I am sad in my heart that my good friend will be leaving this world soon. But I have the hope and the promise from our Creator, that one day soon, Russ and I will be together again praising and worshipping our Lord together.

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

May we all come to know our Lord, Jesus Christ, with a true heart of surrender. There is a spiritual battle going on in this world with everyone. But the battle is not on the outside of us. It is in the inside... It is the "battle of the heart". God is calling for everyone to surrender to Him, so we too can find the same peace Russ has found. May you not lose this battle, but truly find the peace that God wants us to find in Him and receive the blessings He has waiting for us in heaven with Him.

UPDATE: As I went this morning to see Russ, to say my last good byes to him, I was greeted at the door by Nancy, his wife, and she told me that Russ had just passed on to be home with his Lord about fifteen minutes before. Russ, I know now that you are resting with your Lord in heaven. See you soon!