Pastor Joyce Dreiman Home with the Lord

My mother-Pastor Joyce Dreiman was called home by the Lord on Easter Sunday 2008. I thought that was a blessing
because she went to be with the Lord on the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. To give you a little background-Pastor Joyce was diagnosed with lymphoma (Cancer) and had spent approximately a year with chemo-therapy, radiation and surgery for treatment. They had told her the cancer was gone. Approximately 2 weeks later-she had trouble breathing, was very weak and had terrible pain. I called an ambulance on Saturday and she died on Sunday. I would like to point out-that no-one is guaranteed another moment of life-so you must be prepared to meet the Lord or spend eternity in Hell.

I want to share with others that death is nothing to fear-if you have your heart and life right with the Lord. Pastor Joyce Dreiman served the Lord until she drew her last breath. So, what happened to her after her physical life ended? I was there and saw her face go from pain to the lovely glow of peace from the Lord as she went to be with him. The hardest part of this for me was telling her it was ok to go with the Lord-I would be ok. I told the medical personnel to let her go-not to do CPR ect. She went to be with the Lord in peace. I was sad not because she was now at peace-but because I was left behind. Of course, I didn't want her to die-I would have given almost anything to have more time to spend with her-but that wasn't God's will. The Bible shows us that the spirit is separated from the body. (John 11:25-26) For those who live in Jesus will never die. So, where did her spirit go-it went to be with Christ. This is shown in 2 Corinthians 5:8"We are confident, I say and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." When Jesus returns to earth-our physical bodies will be raised and will connect with our spirits. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 “Listen I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed-in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality. When, the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swelled up in victory.

I would like to share with you that it is a blessing that a loved one-such as Pastor Joyce is with the Lord and no longer suffering-but it is normal and perhaps God's plan for those left behind to experience grief. Here are some stages of grief: 1.Experience of shock, denial, numbness and disbelief. 2. This stage may involve outbursts of emotion, fear, panic or guilt. When the loss of a loved one becomes real to the person-they may experience loneliness, isolation, and depression. This stage leads to the start of recovery. Once the lost is accepted-then hope comes back. God may use this experience to help the person to reach out, love and support those who are suffering.

Here are some suggestions to help those who are grieving: 1.)Ask them how they are doing-but only ask if you really want to know and are willing to help. Someone once told me that when they asked someone how they were doing-they didn't really care and just expected them to say ok. Not really caring will only make the grief worse. 2.) Pray with them-Prayer is comforting and uplifting. 3.) Many times people need help financially, help with meals, repairs or housework. Reach out and help. 4.)Send a card with a personal message. Call them on the phone and just be a good listener. 5.) Every person deals with grief in their own way-don't judge them. Some people may cry continually and others may never shed a tear. 6.) Don't give people advice. Don't share how you have dealt with grief. 7.)Be there for grieving people. You need to be supportive, kind and compassionate. Let them talk about the wonderful memories they have and when they are ready-the wonderful plans God has for their future.