Joseph Herrin (12-27-2012)
Late in the evening of December 25th (Christmas Day) I received a phone call from my mother informing me that my father (Thomas Joseph Herrin) had passed away that afternoon. His funeral is to be held in Biloxi, Mississippi at the V.A. cemetery on New Years Eve day. My father was a former Air Force veteran.
My father had been suffering health problems for more than ten years after having had multiple heart bypass surgery and a heart valve replacement. He had expressed to my mother that he would like to pass in his sleep, and that is apparently what happened. He had lain down for a nap in the afternoon and did not awaken. Such is the mercy and grace of our heavenly Father. My father and mother had been married for fifty-four years.
My earthly father was a devoted Christian, having been led to the Lord by a Conservative Baptist pastor in Portland, Oregon when I was around three years old. Throughout his life he regularly attended Conservative Baptist, and later Southern Baptist churches, until his health would no longer permit. In his later years he was an eager advocate of Biblical creationism. He studied the subject intently, speaking often to his children, and any others who would listen, on this subject. He even took out subscriptions to Creation Ex Nihilo (out of nothing) magazine for his children, also purchasing for them expensive Bibles that contained creationist study notes.
My father was a compassionate man. Although he disapproved of the path I have walked since 1999, and he frequently expressed disagreement with my teachings, I always knew that he loved me. Despite my father and I being separated by many physical miles and spiritual beliefs, our Heavenly Father allowed me to meet with him on several occasions in the past few years. At each meeting I hugged his neck and told him that I loved him. Unlike many men of his generation who have had difficulty expressing affection, my father also told me (and my two sisters and a brother) that he loved us. This was a manifestation of the life of Christ expressed through my dad.
Psalms 116:15
Precious in the sight of Yahweh is the death of His godly ones.
I will not be posting any blogs until the New Year, and will not be able to promptly answer e-mail at this time. Thank you for your prayers, and for your understanding.
May you be blessed with peace and understanding in these days,
Joseph Herrin
Heart4God Website: http://www.heart4god.ws
Parables Blog: www.parablesblog.blogspot.com
Mailing Address:
Joseph Herrin
P.O. Box 804
Montezuma, GA 31063
My thoughts are with you and your family during this time of grief. No matter how strong the hope that lies within us we still feel the loss when a loved one dies. Take time to grieve but also to celebrate a life in Christ.
Grace be with you and your family.
Earl Garretson
Dear Brother Joseph,
May the Lord bless you and your family with Peace and Comfort as you grieve the passing of your beloved father. It is true that it is painful to grieve even when blessed with the gospel of Yashua.
I pray God's abundant love for you and your family.
Sister Michelle
My thoughts and prayers are with you, brother Joseph in your time of grief. May God provide you and your family comfort. I'll be praying for you.
Love,
Tomeka Y. Franklin
I'm sorry for you loss, Joseph. All the best, my friend.
You and your family will be in my prayers.
Dear Brother Joseph,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Gordon and Deirdre
Brother Joseph,
I'm sorry to hear about the lost of your father. I will remember you and your family in my prayers. May God bless you and your family abundantly during this time.
Michael (San Jose)
Brother Joseph,
I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers and Blessing to you during this time and always.
9May the Lord continue to strengthen you and your family in this time of comfort, for surely His precious and loving grace is sufficient to meet every need. Keeping you and your family in prayer always.
Shalom, Maranatha and Love you in Christ Jesus.
Sister Libby
Dear Bro Joseph. I'm very sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. I know your sorrow also and I know that all prayers and kind words during this time are very meaningful. Love in Our Father, Sister Susan
So sorry, Joseph. You are in my prayers..
Our prayers are with you and your family during this time of transition. May God give you the strength you need and close off any misunderstandings. Your dad will not be forgotten.
God bless.
Deborah
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Joseph, You are in my prayers brother.
With love,
Steve