Milton and Anice,
We love you both and you are very special friends.
Milton, I appreciate your years of service to jail ministry. God hasn't forgotten. And your work at Phillips Oil Co. There is no telling how many people your life impacted and influenced for the Kingdom of God. We know it was a lot, cause I was at your retirement party... But, I met you at church and your giving, loving and participation in the advancement of the local church and of its mission to the whole world will be remembered in eternity. You are a man who loves and supports missions. Your Giving has preceded you into Heaven. No, you can't take your money with you, but you CAN send it on ahead by investing in missions. Thank You!
Anice, WOW! What can I say that is strong enough to express my admiration of your life and ministry. You both have ministered to us directly with words of encouragement and by your confidence that God will keep His Word to us, whether written on the pages of the Bible or on the secret pages of our hearts. And, of course, you were right about that every time! You have been a real friend to Beth and I.
In reality, I am blown away by the calling God gave you, many years ago to teach school and public school at that. I know that you have impacted and influenced more people for Christ than many evangelists who get paid to preach. I see your love of the children and your dedication and giving to see them blessed, taught, fed, bathed, deloused. I have seen you going to the school during your off hours to prepare, to decorate, and God only knows what else!!! It all shows that you have more than a job. You have served those children as though you were serving Jesus Christ Himself. Nothing you have done has been nor will be in vain. God will cause the children to remember your heart, and be drawn to Him.
Kenneth Copeland said that he recieved Christ in to his heart as he was led in what to say by his 3rd Grade Sunday School Teacher... not in the class, but on his own livingroom couch, 12 to 13 years later. He said he could still hear that man's voice in his mind and in his heart. I have no doubt whatsoever, that God will bring your voice back to many people and your love, your wisdom and your witness will be right there with them in some very dark hours of their lives!
Finally, Jesus said if you give one of these little ones a cup of water in my name, there is NO WAY you will be cheated out of your reward.
Know this; I will be cheering you and Milton all the way... both here as a friend and at the banquet... you know which one! The rewards portion of the Marriage Feast of the Lamb. That will be me standing in my chair (so I can see) and screamin' myself hoarse, if you can get hoarse in heaven. I'm gonna try!
Thanks for your long term friendship.
Merry Christmas, 2006!
Phil and Beth Strickland
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Dear Phil,
ReplyDeleteHow kind and sweet of you to remember us on your blog.
We left WC early yesterday a.m. and did not get back home until a little while ago so that is why you have not heard from us. Milton hasn't read the blog yet but will.
You are one of the very few men that I know that will express appreciation and give honor to those who it is due. Because of my work, I have received and been blessed by many honors but Milton is one of those behind the scenes workers so rarely even gets noticed by others. However, he doesn't expect it, need it, and knows that he will receive it all in Heaven. I have asked him if I can please visit in his mansion in Heaven because it will surely be bigger than mine. :) Thank you for honoring him.
Since I have lived with this Godly person for 41 years plus, I am one of the few people that sees the things he does for the work of God now and in the past. He is so much like Beth-powerful but with a meek and quiet spirit. Actually he is not nearly as pretty and she is.
Thanks again. Hope all of you have a blessed Merry Christmas.
Anice