An Amazing Man of God ...

[Original publish date: 6/26/20]

Went Home to Jesus yesterday, June 25, 2020.

I met William (Brother Billy) Forrest 53 weeks and 6 days ago. My best friend of 37 years and I went to lunch at Denny's & invited an older gentleman from her daughter's church to eat with us. Little did I know how that one lunch meeting would change my life!

Brother Billy's wife, Christine, went home to be with the Lord on December 31, 2010. He told us that it was 8 years, 6 months, and 13 days since she left him. During our lunch conversation it was revealed that Brother Billy and his Christine met in school. She was the only girl that Brother Billy ever kissed on the lips! After graduation, they married and started out as share croppers with $100 to their name. Brother Billy became a preacher and started churches in Georgia. Brother Billy said his Christine taught him the value of saving, so they always put a little back. He played guitar, self taught, and sang! It was always a joyful time to hear him play and sing! He always sang to Christine each night before he would go to sleep.

I have never seen a mortal love so deep as the one that Brother Billy shared with his wife, Christine! The purity of his love for her and hers for him will stay with me for the rest of my life and beyond! Yes, Jesus loves me unconditionally and nothing compares to that love! Brother Billy would totally agree!

Tammie and I went to visit Brother Billy last Saturday, June 20th. It was 53 weeks to the day since I first met him. Brother Billy joined in as he could when we sang these songs:

Power in the Blood,

Yes, Lord, Yes,

I'll Fly Away

When We All Get To Heaven

Amazing Grace

T

After worship in song, Brother Billy led all of us that were there in Communion. It was a wonderful time! I knew that this would be the last time I would see Brother Billy this side of Heaven! He passed away 4 days later. I cannot be sad ... he finished the race ... loving Jesus with his whole heart, mind, soul, and strength!

I just wanted to do a quick blog post to honor the man that the Lord allowed me to meet and gave me the privilege and honor to minister to through prayer cards and letters. I pray for a special anointing of Salvation on those cards and letters! That anyone that touches them or reads them will feel a mighty call of Holy Spirit to accept Jesus as their Savior! I don't think he ever knew what a blessing he was to so many, myself included! Brother Billy, after 9 years, 6 months and 25 days: you went home to meet Jesus and are reunited with your beloved Christine! We will miss you very much but are so happy you are HOME now and free of pain!

In Loving Memory of Brother Billy: Power in the Blood

REV. WILLIAM J. "BILLY" FORREST, JR.

Be encouraged everyone! Look to the Lord! Rely and Trust in Him! We are in the final seconds before Jesus' return, nothing is happening here that God hasn't allowed. Christians, this is as bad as it gets for us! We go in the Rapture before the Tribulation starts. If you aren't saved, you need to give your heart to Jesus while there is yet time!

UPDATE: I also did not know, until a couple of weeks later, that meeting with Brother Billy at his house to sing and take communion together would be the last time my BFF & I would do anything together face-to-face. I did reach out to her in a letter on July 10, 2020 but nothing came of it.  God knew how, why, and when this would happen. Trust in Him for everything!

Maranatha,

Anna

Friends ...

Are friends forever, if the Lord's the Lord of them.

 FRIENDS ny Michael W Smith

"Friends"

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through

But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show

We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

To live as friends

Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends

💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻💖🙏🏻

Sometimes, a lifetime ends sooner than we expected. God holds us close as He carries us in our weakness. 

Jesus, you alone are my forever, unfailing friend!

Maranatha,

Anna

Friends

© Anita M. Weld 1996

What qualities make a faithful friend?

One on whom you can depend

To speak the truth without offense.

To share their thoughts without pretense.

It takes sincerely loving God.

To willingly walk the path Jesus trod.

To lay their life down for their friend

When help is needed, hand and heart extend.

A true friend is very rare indeed.

So many can't see beyond their own need.

Their hardness of heart won't comfort me

I can love as Jesus or choose to flee.

I have friends that let me be

All that I am and see what God sees.

I have truly found treasures so rare.

I honor those whose friendship I share!

Maranatha,

Anna