Graduation Day

Graduation Day

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Fri. July 30th, 2004 Doris Mortel left this world of suffering behind as she made her way to a better place.

During that time, we received a thank you letter from our niece, Dara, who’s graduation we had attended.

Dearest Friends and Family,

Excitement, nervousness, anticipation and a little fear are some of the feelings I have been experiencing the last several months in preparation for my Graduation.

I want to say a big Thank you for all the flowers, cards, gifts, and your attendance to my Graduation.

I would also like to say a sincere thank you, for all the support and encouragement I have felt throughout my life from everyone. I could write a story about each one that this letter will be going to, who has at sometime or another been an inspiration to me.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this occasion so special.

Love Dara

And from that thought, I preached on “The Graduation of Doris Mortel”

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Preach to you… “Graduation Day”

Every one of us started this life as a baby.

Our parents taught us things in infanthood.

Some things we learned on our own.

To eat, cry, walk, talk, and so on.

Turned 5 and went to Kindergarten

Endured that year and graduated. Pictures taken, applause given, graduation cake and icecream were wonderful things for a 5 year old.

Graduated from 8th grade… thought we were big stuff, fixing to go to High School. Again, a party, congratulations, everyone excited for us.

And then 4 years of High School came and went…now we were developing some sense of purpose in life… had some idea of what we wanted to do and where we wanted to go.

And again, more congratulations, more applause, another party, another time of rejoicing.

And some pursue college… and again, another graduation….

And some receive promotions in their job… again, another time of rejoicing. Success has been achieved. Pats on the back are given.

But there is one Graduation that outshines them all.

And that is to PASS From DEATH unto LIFE

There are two meanings to this scripture that we read

1.From Spiritual death to Spiritual life

Eph. 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;

Songwriter said: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me,

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

the 2nd meaning of this verse is this….

2.A graduation From Physical Death to Eternal Life

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.

Doris Morel’s Graduation date was set by the Heavenly Father for Tuesday, July 27th, 2004.

Doris had …studied to show herself approved unto God.

Whatsoever her hand found to do, she did it with all her might.

She let her light shine in this dark world.

She lived a life that gave glory to her Heavenly Father.

She prepared for her graduation.

She invited her children to be there.

She wanted her family to be there.

She wanted them to be a part of her graduation.

Her Heavenly Father purchased a WHITE GOWN for her to wear.

The Angel checked to make sure her name was spelled correctly on her graduation diploma… known as the Lamb’s book of life.

And when that day came, and the hour drew near…

There was a hush as the Angel looked into the Book of Life and READ her name….

Doris (Babe) Mortel

“You have won this race. You have kept the faith. Welcome to heaven, my child.”

I’m just wondering… if it were possible for Doris to write us a thank you letter… what it might say.

(I’ve taken the liberty to imagine just what it might sound like)

Letter Fri. July 30th, 2004

Dearest Friends and Family,

Excitement, nervousness, anticipation and a little fear are some of the feelings I have been experiencing the last several months in my preparation for Heaven.

I want to say a big Thank you for all the flowers, cards, prayers for my family, and your attendance to this, my greatest Graduation.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: