Remembering Granny Janny

Janis Williams passed away just after midnight, the morning of February 19, 2016.  Further below are some videos to remember her by.

On February 6th Paula and I went to see Janis for the last time, she specifically asked for us to get her a bible. I got her one while Paula went up to be her sister because she had just lost her Dad (Paula's step dad).

Janis and I spoke about the saving grace of Jesus. She stated how much she wished that her children trusted in Jesus like she did. One of the many things I told her that day was that we now have many reasons to be here in Texas but originally she was the sole reason for us coming some 16 years ago. I let her know that reaching our family for the sake of Christ, for the sake of their souls in regards to their eternal destinies, was and always will be a top priority for us. She really was the main reason we came to Texas in the first place. I assured her that our family, Paula and the children, cherish dearly all the time that we were able spend with her.

Below is one of our family favorites, a Hymn by Fanny Crosby. She was a sweet lady who lived most of her life in blindness yet her heart was able to see so much. Please keep in mind that the perishing and dying she refers to are not those who are dying physically but those who are dead spiritually, separated from God.

Rescue the Perishing:

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Rescue the perishing, duty demands it;
Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide;
Back to the narrow way patiently win them;
Tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died.

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

Below are some of our family’s favorite verses from the Bible. These that not only give us comfort in this often difficult world but they help us keep our focus clearly on what God’s will is for all of us:

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you , and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. 

Matthew 5:10-16

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 

Jude 1:22-25

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 3:16-18