What will you be remembered for?

Here's the way Jeannie Elif is remembered.

Nine years ago, during the middle of the night,

I received a phone call from my parents,

at which time they informed me that my mother had been diagnosed with cancer. Through the years of chemo

treatment scars, pain, nausea, and great suffering, my mother still pointed us to God's word,

which says, for to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in him, but also

to suffer for his sake. So for the beautiful way that my mother glorified Christ through her

suffering, I praise the Almighty God.

This is the Revive Our Hearts podcast for Thursday, October 1st, 2015.

The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us in chapter 13, remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Well, I find it so helpful to do exactly what this verse says, to look at godly women who have

served the Lord faithfully and to imitate the choices they have made to follow and serve Christ.

One woman who has served as an example to me was my longtime friend, Jeannie Elif.

I've known Jeannie since the early 1980s. She served alongside her husband, Tom

Ellif, in local churches where he was the pastor. And for a time, they were also missionaries

to Zimbabwe, Africa. Jeannie went home to be with the Lord earlier this year, July 20th.

And as I watched her memorial service, I was so moved to hear about her faithfulness to the

Lord. It was especially touching to hear testimonies from each of her four children, John, Beth,

Amy, and Sarah. And I'd like to share with you a portion of the tributes that her children shared

as a reminder to all of us of what matters most in life.

Jeannie's son, John Elif, who is a pastor in Hawaii, helps us to see why seeking the Lord

...