My Motorcycle Injuries

I handled the second of two recent funerals today. I often say that people rarely call the preacher when things are going well, and as a result death is sometimes a part of what I deal with in the ministry. I never really find it to be a difficult thing because I maintain the perspective that I am doing what I always do, which is to present a biblical perspective to the things that people are facing in life. Still, the two people for whom I have done these services were friends and it's not really easy to grieve when you’re the guy in charge of the service. I guess my thought today is that I’m grateful. I appreciate the fact that I still get to see so many wonderful things happen in the lives of the people that I love and I’m thankful that my body functions in such a way that I can be an active part of it all. Life is full of incredible joys.  My leg and my hand are getting progressively worse, albeit in very small increments, but I’m generally healthy and active. Pain and discom...

I lost a member of the church today to death. She was 84 years old, but a very strong woman with a desire to live. She had worked as a nurse before retiring many years ago. She had suffered many health setbacks throughout her life and had battled things such as heart problems and cancer, but she overcame all of it many times over. She was tough. Throughout the years I had visited her many times in hospitals and rehab centers, and I consequently grew to know her better than I ordinarily would have. She had a great deal of regard for the office of the pastor and always treated me with far more respect than I deserved. I have had to do the funeral services of many church members over the years, and I will be doing her service sometime in the near future. I spoke to her husband and sister earlier today and they will let me know what is needed from me on Monday. These things never come easy for me because it almost always involves people that I know and love, and in a sense I cannot grieve ...