"Abstract goals lead to abstract results" - Anon.
"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it on my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you." - Philippians 4:13-15
I have often been known to take time to daydream. (Also known as wool gathering, watching the cobwebs grow, etc.) Imagining the impressive charitable contributions I would make upon obtaining a massive fortune, after buying a house, yacht, three King Charles Cavalier puppies, and a small music studio somewhere on my own Caribbean island of course. Trouble is, I don't see that as a reachable goal at my point in life, and the path to that goal is somewhat obscure, to say the least. So I continue the course laid before me, and count it good that God has allowed me to provide shelter and food for my family, even in the midst of illnesses that have tried to put obstacles in my way.
Just so, being a Christian isn't about having a vague concept of goodness, or thinking you have "made it" so you can wool gather at will. Being a Christian is about believing something, and then living like you represent it. In the early days of Christianity, there were many different ideas about just what it meant to be a Christian. Anybody could say they were a follower of Christ, but just what was that supposed to mean? It was different with every group of followers, some wildly different. The Church Fathers got together, and came up with this:
1. " I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of Heaven and Earth."
2. "And in Jesus Christ, His only son, our Lord."
3. "Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary"
4. "Suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried."
5. "He descended into Hell. On the third day He rose again."
6. "He ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father"
7. "From which He shall come, to judge the quick and the dead."
8. "I believe in the Holy Spirit"
9. "The Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints"
10. "The forgiveness of sins"
11. "The resurrection of the body"
12. "And the life everlasting, Amen"
Twelve statements, covering everything needed to call yourself "Christian". The very basic of being a child of God. Whatever reason you have for being a Christian, this should be your road map, your vision to the goal. Did you become a Christian out of fear of Hell? Fair enough, but rather than look back in fear, look forward in joy. Were you socially motivated? (That can be anything from peer pressure to simply wanting to look good in front of others on Christmas and Easter.) That still means those twelve tenants must be believed, not just in words, but in the heart.
Part of living a Christian life is believing that God loves you, and if He loves you, then you have purpose and meaning. And if there is purpose, it is sometimes in His vision, but not ours. He sees the path of our whole lives, while we can only see a step at a time. The creed above illuminates the path. Numbers 1,2, and 8-12 give us what to believe, and 3-7 tell us why. We may not always know what we encounter on the way, but our goal is the same: Jesus. The end of our journey is not death, the end of our journey is Him. He is our goal, our target, our prize, our victory.
Hebrews 12: 1-2 says
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
No abstract goal. Only the real, true, living Lord. Amen.
Friday, July 28, 2017
Friday, July 21, 2017
Fly, Bluebird, Fly
"Spirits high, Bluebird. To the sky, Bluebird. Free, you and me. Lord, I want to be winging free." - Gary Mills
Sometimes, it's tough to be a Bluebird. By that, I'm talking about Camp Bluebird, the adult cancer survivor camp that is held twice a year. These are some great friends, and we share, in its many forms, the unique bond of cancer survivor. For two weekends a year, we ARE the norm, not the ones set aside by the label "cancer". For two weekends a year, we laugh, cry, pray; sometimes all at once. These are friends that go beyond "acquaintance". These are friends that I love to be with, and am proud to be a part of, even if my membership dues of cancer were rather steep. (To me, anyway.)
Today, we have lost a member of our group. I won't give the name, out of respect for the family. She was a sweet, funny, beautiful lady, with a heart so full of love it burst out of her, overflowing. The cancer came back for her, unexpectedly, and took her away. It was quick, and left us with a sudden vacuum where she had filled our lives. But part of being in this group is celebrating when a person is cancer free, and celebrating when they pass on as well.
I know so many who have had cancer, that want to act as if it was never there, and avoid anything that brings it up. I have a co-worker here, who also had colorectal cancer, and she looks away anytime I'm around. The fear of it coming back is for many, I believe, so great that avoidance is the only answer. But cancer will not be avoided, or ignored.
I recently read a devotional talking about cancer in trees. Sometimes, you may see, on a tree trunk, a large ballooned out part, looking like the tree just bulged out at that spot. That, according to botanists, is cancer. It hits a tiny spot, then spreads out in every direction. It looks ugly and deformed. But woodworkers actually love those cancerous spots. Their wood is multi-colored, and swirls, and can be crafted into magnificent works of art.
Don't get me wrong. I don't like cancer. I don't like that it takes lives. I don't like the toll it takes on families, finances, emotions, strength. But God can make good out of anything, if we give it to him. Without cancer, I would have never found such wonderful friends as those from Camp Bluebird. Without cancer, I would have never found my voice as a writer and blogger. Without cancer, I would have never found my voice as a pastor. I would never have had the guts to even try.
In the things we face in our daily lives, sometimes the cancer is all we can see, whether it be disease or stress or hardship or loss. Step back, and know that God is seeing from a different viewpoint. Let His vision guide what you comprehend. That is why He speaks of "peace that PASSES understanding". (Emphasis mine.) Rest in Him, and fly.
Sometimes, it's tough to be a Bluebird. By that, I'm talking about Camp Bluebird, the adult cancer survivor camp that is held twice a year. These are some great friends, and we share, in its many forms, the unique bond of cancer survivor. For two weekends a year, we ARE the norm, not the ones set aside by the label "cancer". For two weekends a year, we laugh, cry, pray; sometimes all at once. These are friends that go beyond "acquaintance". These are friends that I love to be with, and am proud to be a part of, even if my membership dues of cancer were rather steep. (To me, anyway.)
Today, we have lost a member of our group. I won't give the name, out of respect for the family. She was a sweet, funny, beautiful lady, with a heart so full of love it burst out of her, overflowing. The cancer came back for her, unexpectedly, and took her away. It was quick, and left us with a sudden vacuum where she had filled our lives. But part of being in this group is celebrating when a person is cancer free, and celebrating when they pass on as well.
I know so many who have had cancer, that want to act as if it was never there, and avoid anything that brings it up. I have a co-worker here, who also had colorectal cancer, and she looks away anytime I'm around. The fear of it coming back is for many, I believe, so great that avoidance is the only answer. But cancer will not be avoided, or ignored.
I recently read a devotional talking about cancer in trees. Sometimes, you may see, on a tree trunk, a large ballooned out part, looking like the tree just bulged out at that spot. That, according to botanists, is cancer. It hits a tiny spot, then spreads out in every direction. It looks ugly and deformed. But woodworkers actually love those cancerous spots. Their wood is multi-colored, and swirls, and can be crafted into magnificent works of art.
Don't get me wrong. I don't like cancer. I don't like that it takes lives. I don't like the toll it takes on families, finances, emotions, strength. But God can make good out of anything, if we give it to him. Without cancer, I would have never found such wonderful friends as those from Camp Bluebird. Without cancer, I would have never found my voice as a writer and blogger. Without cancer, I would have never found my voice as a pastor. I would never have had the guts to even try.
In the things we face in our daily lives, sometimes the cancer is all we can see, whether it be disease or stress or hardship or loss. Step back, and know that God is seeing from a different viewpoint. Let His vision guide what you comprehend. That is why He speaks of "peace that PASSES understanding". (Emphasis mine.) Rest in Him, and fly.
Friday, July 7, 2017
Just Like Ronnie Said
"I know in my heart that man is good, that what is right will eventually triumph, and that there is purpose and worth to each and every life."
- memorial marker at the Ronald Reagan grave site
That statement wouldn't go over well with most Christians of a Calvinist background. Actually, most church statements will say that man, because of original sin, is degenerate. So, that statement wouldn't even be agreed to by most people that just watch the nightly news. Why would someone as intelligent as Ronald Reagan make a comment that could have come from Bonzo? (Bedtime for Bonzo, Bonzo Goes to College-come on, look it up, people!)
I think Reagan was looking at mankind in faith; faith in what we hope to be, not what we often are. And I think that is the way God looks at us. Not blindly, but seeing beyond the bad, to the good. AND, I believe that is how we are to look at each other, beyond the bad to the good. Just like we want others to look beyond our bad to the good. Dottie Rambo wrote beautiful lyrics for a song titled "He looked beyond my fault and saw my need". Shouldn't we do the same?
This is harder sometimes more than others. Sometimes we see the whole world going to the pits of Hell. (Except ourselves, of course.) Elijah thought that after he confronted the priests of Baal (I Kings 19) but God put him straight. Even though we feel alone, there is a sense of urgency, of expectation that something better is coming. In Romans 8:19-21, the Bible says:
19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.
In Matthew 19:28-29
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,[a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold[b] and will inherit eternal life.
So, maybe, Ronnie had it right. We need to look expectantly to the good. Because, in faith, it is there. And this new world we look to, we yearn for, is for all. We only need to accept Him as Savior and Lord. It is even there for those we may not like. C.S. Lewis said that we would be surprised to see the people that make it into Heaven, and I think he got it right. His salvation is for ALL who will accept it.
This hope is here and now as well, not just in the future. In II Corinthians 5:5, it says
5 God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.
A guarantee is like a deposit, a down payment, a TASTE of the Great Banquet that awaits. His Sprit in us is just the beginning of what is coming. So let's look at each other a little more kindly. After all, we know what's ahead, and we wish it for everyone, as God wishes it for everyone.
(Except for you. Yeah, you. I see you out there. Just no hope...dang, there I go again!)
- memorial marker at the Ronald Reagan grave site
That statement wouldn't go over well with most Christians of a Calvinist background. Actually, most church statements will say that man, because of original sin, is degenerate. So, that statement wouldn't even be agreed to by most people that just watch the nightly news. Why would someone as intelligent as Ronald Reagan make a comment that could have come from Bonzo? (Bedtime for Bonzo, Bonzo Goes to College-come on, look it up, people!)
I think Reagan was looking at mankind in faith; faith in what we hope to be, not what we often are. And I think that is the way God looks at us. Not blindly, but seeing beyond the bad, to the good. AND, I believe that is how we are to look at each other, beyond the bad to the good. Just like we want others to look beyond our bad to the good. Dottie Rambo wrote beautiful lyrics for a song titled "He looked beyond my fault and saw my need". Shouldn't we do the same?
This is harder sometimes more than others. Sometimes we see the whole world going to the pits of Hell. (Except ourselves, of course.) Elijah thought that after he confronted the priests of Baal (I Kings 19) but God put him straight. Even though we feel alone, there is a sense of urgency, of expectation that something better is coming. In Romans 8:19-21, the Bible says:
19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.
In Matthew 19:28-29
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world,[a] when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold[b] and will inherit eternal life.
So, maybe, Ronnie had it right. We need to look expectantly to the good. Because, in faith, it is there. And this new world we look to, we yearn for, is for all. We only need to accept Him as Savior and Lord. It is even there for those we may not like. C.S. Lewis said that we would be surprised to see the people that make it into Heaven, and I think he got it right. His salvation is for ALL who will accept it.
This hope is here and now as well, not just in the future. In II Corinthians 5:5, it says
5 God is the one who has prepared us for this change, and he gave us his Spirit as the guarantee of all that he has in store for us.
A guarantee is like a deposit, a down payment, a TASTE of the Great Banquet that awaits. His Sprit in us is just the beginning of what is coming. So let's look at each other a little more kindly. After all, we know what's ahead, and we wish it for everyone, as God wishes it for everyone.
(Except for you. Yeah, you. I see you out there. Just no hope...dang, there I go again!)
Monday, May 22, 2017
Surviving Life - A New Blogspot
A friend of mine, Lisa Moorehead, has just begun a new blog. It's titled "Surviving Life...In loving memory of Ben". For any parent who has ever felt the crushing loss of a child, or whose child is one deeply chained by an addiction, this let's you know you are not alone. The blog is to document Lisa's journey through this process. I would highly recommend it to you at www.lisamoorehead1.blogspot.com.
The story is as old as time. Adam and Eve lost their son, Abel. Eli lost his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. King David lost his son, Absalom. But these all pale to the willing sacrifice of God's own son, Jesus. Can you imagine the pain and suffering, even knowing the outcome, that God must have gone through, watching and crying through each drop of blood spilled?
Because of that, I think God feels deeply for others that have lost a child as well. He understands the pain, and wants to be there through the process of healing. There are no miracles to get someone through, but there is always His love. It can be tough trying to accept that love, sometimes even blaming God Himself for the loss, but even in our anger, He waits to love us through.
If you, or someone you know, has gone through this, please check out Lisa's blog. Thanks!
The story is as old as time. Adam and Eve lost their son, Abel. Eli lost his sons, Hophni and Phinehas. King David lost his son, Absalom. But these all pale to the willing sacrifice of God's own son, Jesus. Can you imagine the pain and suffering, even knowing the outcome, that God must have gone through, watching and crying through each drop of blood spilled?
Because of that, I think God feels deeply for others that have lost a child as well. He understands the pain, and wants to be there through the process of healing. There are no miracles to get someone through, but there is always His love. It can be tough trying to accept that love, sometimes even blaming God Himself for the loss, but even in our anger, He waits to love us through.
If you, or someone you know, has gone through this, please check out Lisa's blog. Thanks!
Friday, May 12, 2017
One Minute After You Die
"Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
- 1st Corinthians 15:51-52
The other day, I saw a tract in the bathroom at work with the title "One Minute After You Die". I did not read it (I'm not in the habit of picking up things left in the bathroom!), but it did set me to thinking. There are several ideas on what happens at death, and I'd like to look at a few here.
One is that death is final and forever. Gone, Kaput, Bye-Bye, Worm food. When the physical self ceases to be, all thought, dreams, likes, dislikes and wants will all end with it. Anything that made up who you were (personality, creativity, your true essence) is forever gone. Not a fan of this mode of thought.
Another is like that, but states that brain activity continues for a short time after death. This would allow for the near-death experiences we hear of, the white light being the electrical impulses still traveling the neurons. Seeing family and friends our memories acting as dreams for one last time. But in the end, the result here is the same as before. Gone. Also not a fan.
Some will admit to the existence of a soul, but believe that soul is reincarnated (comes back) into a different body after death, leaving at most, trace elements of the life it led before. Eventually, when a soul reaches perfection, is sent heavenward. While this would greatly reduce Heavenly overcrowding, what happens to the lives of all those who went before the final reincarnation, each life different and unique? Seems a waste. Not a fan.
So, my thoughts? I think the soul goes on, but that it is separate and unique, just as we are all separate and unique. I believe the soul is eternal, because it is how we are created in God's image, in Spirit. We are also created in His image in body, though, in that He came down to earth in human form. So...what now?
We are told to worship with all our "heart, soul and might". (Deut. 6:5) Mentally, spiritually, physically. Because what happens in one area, will affect the others. In that "One Minute After", I imagine our souls are going to look pretty battered and bruised. But then the unimaginable happens. "We shall be changed". Not from who we are, but INTO who we were meant to be. The personality, the memories, the character, all enhanced by God's gracious love. Made pure, by His Holy Breath, just as we were given life in creation by His Breath. In that "One Minute After", we shall see God as He truly is, and be seen as who we truly are. And the new bodies created to house the perfected souls shall be imperishable. Perfection, without weakness or sickness. Perfect houses for perfected souls.
Your thoughts may differ on the matter. As always, these are "my" Thoughts and Musings. There is even debate on when that change may happen, at death or at Jesus' return. But think on this. On any of the first three, whatever you do, say or think, will eventually be of no consequence. Those things that make you "you" will be gone. If, however, you feel the soul DOES go on, then everything you do to nurture it continues on for eternity. Every act of kindness, thoughtful words, or simple sharing of yourself is carried on forever. And EVEN should that be wrong, your doing so leaves the world a better place.
But it's not wrong. And your soul deserves the care of Christ. Because you are His, not as slaves, but as brothers and sisters. God's own, loved children. Let Him love you deeply, richly, as he so desperately wants to do. Then, love each other as He loves you.
(And if you SHOULD be reincarnated, I hope you never come back as the third verse of a hymn. Those things NEVER get sung!)
- 1st Corinthians 15:51-52
The other day, I saw a tract in the bathroom at work with the title "One Minute After You Die". I did not read it (I'm not in the habit of picking up things left in the bathroom!), but it did set me to thinking. There are several ideas on what happens at death, and I'd like to look at a few here.
One is that death is final and forever. Gone, Kaput, Bye-Bye, Worm food. When the physical self ceases to be, all thought, dreams, likes, dislikes and wants will all end with it. Anything that made up who you were (personality, creativity, your true essence) is forever gone. Not a fan of this mode of thought.
Another is like that, but states that brain activity continues for a short time after death. This would allow for the near-death experiences we hear of, the white light being the electrical impulses still traveling the neurons. Seeing family and friends our memories acting as dreams for one last time. But in the end, the result here is the same as before. Gone. Also not a fan.
Some will admit to the existence of a soul, but believe that soul is reincarnated (comes back) into a different body after death, leaving at most, trace elements of the life it led before. Eventually, when a soul reaches perfection, is sent heavenward. While this would greatly reduce Heavenly overcrowding, what happens to the lives of all those who went before the final reincarnation, each life different and unique? Seems a waste. Not a fan.
So, my thoughts? I think the soul goes on, but that it is separate and unique, just as we are all separate and unique. I believe the soul is eternal, because it is how we are created in God's image, in Spirit. We are also created in His image in body, though, in that He came down to earth in human form. So...what now?
We are told to worship with all our "heart, soul and might". (Deut. 6:5) Mentally, spiritually, physically. Because what happens in one area, will affect the others. In that "One Minute After", I imagine our souls are going to look pretty battered and bruised. But then the unimaginable happens. "We shall be changed". Not from who we are, but INTO who we were meant to be. The personality, the memories, the character, all enhanced by God's gracious love. Made pure, by His Holy Breath, just as we were given life in creation by His Breath. In that "One Minute After", we shall see God as He truly is, and be seen as who we truly are. And the new bodies created to house the perfected souls shall be imperishable. Perfection, without weakness or sickness. Perfect houses for perfected souls.
Your thoughts may differ on the matter. As always, these are "my" Thoughts and Musings. There is even debate on when that change may happen, at death or at Jesus' return. But think on this. On any of the first three, whatever you do, say or think, will eventually be of no consequence. Those things that make you "you" will be gone. If, however, you feel the soul DOES go on, then everything you do to nurture it continues on for eternity. Every act of kindness, thoughtful words, or simple sharing of yourself is carried on forever. And EVEN should that be wrong, your doing so leaves the world a better place.
But it's not wrong. And your soul deserves the care of Christ. Because you are His, not as slaves, but as brothers and sisters. God's own, loved children. Let Him love you deeply, richly, as he so desperately wants to do. Then, love each other as He loves you.
(And if you SHOULD be reincarnated, I hope you never come back as the third verse of a hymn. Those things NEVER get sung!)
Friday, May 5, 2017
JCS to A.HAM - A Musical Oddesy
In the summer of 1973, I listened to a double album that "rocked" my world. At a church retreat, our youth leader played through the soundtrack to "Jesus Christ, Superstar", and went through the different scriptural references in each song. Up until that time, Broadway and Movie Musicals were basically the same; story lines built up to lead the characters into song. (One of the reasons many people don't like musicals, they will say "People don't just burst out into song!" Any musician and their significant other will realize the fallacy of that statement! But I digress.) JCS evened out the playing field by having everything in song, much like an opera.
This was an opera like no other, though. Guitars wailing, drums beating, Ted Neely and Carl Anderson screaming notes so high only dogs should have been able to hear. And the story Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber told became different in their hands. Never again would I hear the story in hushed monotones of Shakespearean English. They put PASSION into the Passion. I will still listen to the soundtrack around Easter each year, and the instrumental section on the crucifixion, led by Andre' Previn's magnificent direction, will still raise goosebumps on my arms.
Fast forward 44 years. Just this week, a friend loaned me a copy of Hamilton: An American Musical. And I was thirteen all over again. The mastery of music telling a true story, the obvious talent in the writing, arranging, and production. And the singers/actors themselves, bringing the story of Alexander Hamilton to life. But what made me go back was the true PASSION with which the story was told. So many times we look at history as only dates and body-less facts. History isn't about the thumb tacked dates on a time line, it's about the lives lived between those dates. The love, the hurt, the joy, the life. And Hamilton brings that out with exuberance.
In that same way, Religion isn't so much about do's and don'ts, rights or wrongs. They are there, yes, to give us a model by which we can live by, but the law is secondary to WHO the law points us too. Just as in History, dates and mere facts are secondary to the lives lived, so are laws meaningless without the LIFE lived, Jesus, for without HIM, there is no salvation. No law can save, only Jesus. The law can help us be more like Him, but only He can make the true transformation.
In the summer of 1973, that began to become real to me in ways I never imagined. The Bible began to turn from a rule book, into a love story, of which I was the object of affection. And I was loved with PASSION. Enough so that God's only begotten son, Jesus, gave His life for me. We will never be perfect, as He is perfect, even though we should strive to perfection. But we are loved. With passion. Let us love Him, and each other, with nothing less.
This was an opera like no other, though. Guitars wailing, drums beating, Ted Neely and Carl Anderson screaming notes so high only dogs should have been able to hear. And the story Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber told became different in their hands. Never again would I hear the story in hushed monotones of Shakespearean English. They put PASSION into the Passion. I will still listen to the soundtrack around Easter each year, and the instrumental section on the crucifixion, led by Andre' Previn's magnificent direction, will still raise goosebumps on my arms.
Fast forward 44 years. Just this week, a friend loaned me a copy of Hamilton: An American Musical. And I was thirteen all over again. The mastery of music telling a true story, the obvious talent in the writing, arranging, and production. And the singers/actors themselves, bringing the story of Alexander Hamilton to life. But what made me go back was the true PASSION with which the story was told. So many times we look at history as only dates and body-less facts. History isn't about the thumb tacked dates on a time line, it's about the lives lived between those dates. The love, the hurt, the joy, the life. And Hamilton brings that out with exuberance.
In that same way, Religion isn't so much about do's and don'ts, rights or wrongs. They are there, yes, to give us a model by which we can live by, but the law is secondary to WHO the law points us too. Just as in History, dates and mere facts are secondary to the lives lived, so are laws meaningless without the LIFE lived, Jesus, for without HIM, there is no salvation. No law can save, only Jesus. The law can help us be more like Him, but only He can make the true transformation.
In the summer of 1973, that began to become real to me in ways I never imagined. The Bible began to turn from a rule book, into a love story, of which I was the object of affection. And I was loved with PASSION. Enough so that God's only begotten son, Jesus, gave His life for me. We will never be perfect, as He is perfect, even though we should strive to perfection. But we are loved. With passion. Let us love Him, and each other, with nothing less.
Friday, April 28, 2017
Love - It's the greatest
So now, faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1st Corinthians 13:13
I'm sorry for the time between posts. Last Friday, I found myself officiating the funeral for a good friend, Roger Matthews. His passing, while not unexpected, came quickly, with friends and family at his side. The day before the funeral, I went to the family house to see what I could offer in the service, what they most wanted to say, and ran into something a little unexpected. While the family was going through Roger's things, they ran across my wedding announcement from 22 years ago! Made on an old Brother Word Processer in 1995, it still looked good as new. (We thought we were pretty on top of technology back then, too!) On the announcement was the familiar quotation from 1st Corinthians 13, a description of true love. They wanted this to be the theme of his service, because, in Roger, the family felt he truly embodied that love.
Well, I'll admit, I've seen the scripture used in plenty of weddings, but not a funeral! As I tried to grasp what I needed to say, I thought back on Roger myself, and listened to stories the family had about him. For me, he was grandfather to my nephew and niece, Trent and Alison, but I was always treated as a family member. For the family, time and time again, there were stories of unselfish giving of himself, thinking about his family first, friends first, others ahead of himself, so many times. And that is what love is about.
He was a man who loved music as well. Born into a musical family, guitar player and wonderful singer and arranger.
Great sense of humor. A story from his sister...As he lay in bed, with family around, the music in the background was slow, sad sounding gospel tunes. As his sister was about to have had enough of the sadness, Roger said, quietly, "Can't y'all put on some rock and roll?"
I got a chance to look at his Bible, an old Revised Standard Version. You can learn a lot about a person from their Bible. This one was well used, the cover worn through in places, and the binding barely holding on to the pages. Inside were MANY notes. Roger had no problems writing in his Bible, and there were underlined passages on almost every page. And the notes he wrote filled in many of the margins, a lot of them with exclamation points! But one thing stood out, in the front of the Bible, were his own handwritten interpretations of two verses of scripture, Romans chapter 8, verses 26 and 28.
26 "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words."
28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose."
Under his thoughts on those verses, also handwritten, were the words "The two most wonderful things I can know!"
Love, in that 1st Corinthians 13 sense, is impossible to achieve on our own. So, how did Roger have it? Because he was not on his own. He held to the faith that in order to love, we must first be loved. And must hold on to our love, to then give to others. Roger's faith was in God's love for him, so strong that he could afford to give that love freely. The Spirit helped in weakness, and God's love worked through him.
I, and many others, will miss Roger's presence here, but his love will always remain, because Faith, Hope and Love abide, these three. But the greatest of these...is Love.
1st Corinthians 13:13
I'm sorry for the time between posts. Last Friday, I found myself officiating the funeral for a good friend, Roger Matthews. His passing, while not unexpected, came quickly, with friends and family at his side. The day before the funeral, I went to the family house to see what I could offer in the service, what they most wanted to say, and ran into something a little unexpected. While the family was going through Roger's things, they ran across my wedding announcement from 22 years ago! Made on an old Brother Word Processer in 1995, it still looked good as new. (We thought we were pretty on top of technology back then, too!) On the announcement was the familiar quotation from 1st Corinthians 13, a description of true love. They wanted this to be the theme of his service, because, in Roger, the family felt he truly embodied that love.
Well, I'll admit, I've seen the scripture used in plenty of weddings, but not a funeral! As I tried to grasp what I needed to say, I thought back on Roger myself, and listened to stories the family had about him. For me, he was grandfather to my nephew and niece, Trent and Alison, but I was always treated as a family member. For the family, time and time again, there were stories of unselfish giving of himself, thinking about his family first, friends first, others ahead of himself, so many times. And that is what love is about.
He was a man who loved music as well. Born into a musical family, guitar player and wonderful singer and arranger.
Great sense of humor. A story from his sister...As he lay in bed, with family around, the music in the background was slow, sad sounding gospel tunes. As his sister was about to have had enough of the sadness, Roger said, quietly, "Can't y'all put on some rock and roll?"
I got a chance to look at his Bible, an old Revised Standard Version. You can learn a lot about a person from their Bible. This one was well used, the cover worn through in places, and the binding barely holding on to the pages. Inside were MANY notes. Roger had no problems writing in his Bible, and there were underlined passages on almost every page. And the notes he wrote filled in many of the margins, a lot of them with exclamation points! But one thing stood out, in the front of the Bible, were his own handwritten interpretations of two verses of scripture, Romans chapter 8, verses 26 and 28.
26 "Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning too deep for words."
28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose."
Under his thoughts on those verses, also handwritten, were the words "The two most wonderful things I can know!"
Love, in that 1st Corinthians 13 sense, is impossible to achieve on our own. So, how did Roger have it? Because he was not on his own. He held to the faith that in order to love, we must first be loved. And must hold on to our love, to then give to others. Roger's faith was in God's love for him, so strong that he could afford to give that love freely. The Spirit helped in weakness, and God's love worked through him.
I, and many others, will miss Roger's presence here, but his love will always remain, because Faith, Hope and Love abide, these three. But the greatest of these...is Love.
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