Listening Means Learning. Duh.

Joe wrote on June 26, 2000, “I have come to see, that one learns nothing when he is talking, for talking entails what is already known.  The one who does the listening is the one who learns.”

Joe, you are SO right.  It actually seems too obvious: if you’re talking, it means you’re telling what you know.  Listening means hearing new information.  Duh.

Here’s another thing that seems too obvious: we’ve got a lot to learn, especially from God, because He sure does know a lot of stuff.  Duh.

I’m trying to listen to God during Lent this year.  Lent is the 40 days that lead up to Easter.  During Lent, people are encouraged to realize how dark and sinful their lives are so when Easter comes…it’s CELEBRATION time!  

God, teach us all to stop talking and listen to you more, you do know a lot of stuff.  Duh.

Melting Problems

In 2007, on Dec 12, nope Dec 31, Joe reminds us of the purpose of life: “The Lord is with us, surely that is why we are here.”

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” -1 Corinthians 10:31

I know that my chief purpose on earth is to bring God glory. (Check out No. 1 on the Westminster Catechism.)

But I gotta be honest Joe, right now my problems are overwhelming me.   I’m having an attack of the Me Monster who yells in my head, “Me, Me, Me, Me.”  Any other suggestions for getting my life back on track?

“When the Lord is with me, my problems melt away.” -Love, Joe

Ahhh.  Good suggestion: Focus on God = Melting Problems.  I’m gonna try it.

P.S.  Joe, I think you may have invented a new word to describe the weather: Good + Awesome = Gowsome!  I’m going to try to get it going and just maybe it will become as popular as your word “Cool.”

Video of Joe’s Quotes

Here’s a short video God led me to make for Joe’s memorial. It’s a combination of photos of him, his quotes, and even a rockin’ Elvis gospel song, “Where would I go but to the Lord?” Good question Elvis. There’s no where good to go, I’m learning that. Joe knew it.

Hold out ’til the end of the video when I reveal one of the all-time-funniest Joe quotes. It’s a real dooser!

THAT’S the kind of memorial I want

Joe’s family got together yesterday at his sister’s house to mourn his loss, remember his good times, share his schizophrenic times.  It was beautiful.  People brought songs to play, bookmarks they made, copies of Joe’s writings and photographs of him.   The kids made drawings of Joe on earth and now in heaven with Jesus.  It was a 5 hour reunion with two guests of honor: John Joseph Sanders and Jesus. One of his great nieces wrote on her drawing that Jesus welcomed Joe to heaven by saying, “Hey we both have names that start with a ‘J’.”

Here’s s video that I made in honor of his life.

What could be simpler: gettin’ ready for glory

They know where to find me.  Out here watching TV.
Jesus wants our friendship and love, what could be simpler and easier, not all hard.
-Love, Joe on Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Oh good Lord, good Jesus, we commend ourselves to your loving arms, loving goodwill, and your blessings.
We understand that now is the time to prepare ourselves for that glorious meeting.
-Love, Joe on Tues. Oct 9, ‘002

P.S. Grease is on TV at 7:00 tonight.

Joe Passed on to Glory today.

Joe Sanders 1942-2014
Blessed by the good Lord for 72 years.
Partying with Jesus today, for my first day of eternity. Hooray!

On Friday, February 21, 2003, eleven years ago, Joe wrote:

Hi Guys,
I’m really enjoying life.  Every time I meet and greet someone, I do it with a smile.
Love, Joe

*****

And we reply to him:

Hi Joe,
It’s us, those left here on earth.  Thanks for living your life with a smile as much as you could.  It made our world so much better.  We’ve got a lot to learn here while we finish out our earthly time.  Help us all to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus so we can party forever with you, Jesus and your mom and dad and your gramma and grandpa.
Love, Us
P.S. We miss you. 😦

Speaking of Heaven…

Joe wrote often of that great reunion after our earthly deaths.  When those who have believed and lived for Jesus on earth will be reunited in an eternal party!   Please make sure you will be celebrating eternally with Joe by allowing God to take the reigns of your life today.  Click to watch a YouTube video about: Eternal life bible verses.

Who, who, who– who wrote the book of love?  We are on the earth so little time, and will be together again, in Heaven. -Love, Joe on August 10, 2008

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. -James 4:14

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You say I am the best, ditto.  Everyday that goes by will be a day closer to Him, Hooray! -Love, Joe on Tuesday, Sept. 4, ’02

Song Lyrics by Rhonda Vincent:
Well I know that this old soul has been reborn
Had my eyes above it to the light of dawn
Darkness had to take its flight,
Then he filled my eyes with light
That’s the reason I’m singing this happy song
I feel closer to heaven every day

Click to watch Rhonda Vincent sing: I Feel Closer to Heaven Everyday

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Six weeks and I’ll be 60.  Hard to believe.  The upside is that I am that much closer to seeing Jesus, and Grampa and Gramma, and Mom and Dad.  We shouldn’t take going to heaven for granted, but should pray for it. -Love, Joe on February 2, 2002

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Isn’t the Lord good to us?  We’re on a fast track to Heaven.  Oh Lord, bless us Jesus. -Love, Joe on Friday, Mar 9, 2007

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You and I know, that in the future, we are going to have to face the Lord.  The thought makes me quake in my boots. -Love, Joe on Monday, Jan. 9, ’07

Like the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud on the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness all around. Such was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. And when I saw it, I fell on my face, and I heard the voice of one speaking. -Ezekiel 1:28

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Love letter from Jesus

Jesus patiently pursues us with a love letter that is very similar to Joe’s on July 15, 2002:

Hi Buddy!
How are you?  Fine I hope.  It seems like it has been a while since I have been with you.  I know that you are probably busy.  Take your time.  I will wait for you.
Your Forever Valentine,
Jesus

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
-Revelation 3:20

I do it for them, and Jesus too.

I make ice cream every week [I think he meant every week, but the postcard says different].  I get tired of making, but the guys really look forward to it.  If I skipped a week, they would really be let down.  So I do it for them, and Jesus too.
-Love, Joe on Sunday, Aug 19. 2001

In Matthew 25:40, Jesus paints a picture of the final judgement when He will say, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” …EVEN make ice cream.

God notices our hearts of service to others.  Though he clearly says salvation isn’t because of our doing good things but is only because of our belief in Jesus.   If we love Jesus, our good works will give us away as Christ followers…EVEN making ice cream.

Ask me. I work on it every day.

From Joe on some Monday:
-I appreciate you guys.
-Update on the Olds car.

THEN…”If you wonder what it’s like to have paranoia and scitzophrenia at the same time.  Ask me.  I work on it every day.”

Ask me.  He reminds us to stop and ask others around us with chronic trials.
Ask me.  What’s it like to be paranoid?
Ask me.  What’s it like to be schizophrenic?
Ask me.  What’s it like to be paranoid AND schizophrenic at the same time?  How do you do it?
Ask the homeless man what it’s like to look for a different place to sleep every night.
Ask the lady that’s confined to a wheelchair what her days are like.
Ask your wife what it’s like to have migraines when you need to be taking care of the kids?
Ask your friend what it’s like to have parents who are divorced.
Ask your child with learning difficulties how they get through the day.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
-Galatians 6:2