(…continued) “In the midst of life, we are in death. Of whom may we seek comfort but of Thee, O Lord…” “You only live once,” Fred said. “Once is enough,” said the lady at the counter. But it is not life she is tired of, it is death; death in all of […]
2725) Once is Enough (b) Read More »
Author and Presbyterian pastor Frederick Buechner (1926- 2022) tells this story: My wife and I were buying groceries one day; I was on one side of the small store and she was on the other. I said loudly, “Don’t forget the ice cream,” and she said, “All right, but don’t you forget you are trying
2724) Once is Enough (a) Read More »
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYVXqr7M7QY ———————————————————— Don’t Look Now, But I’ve Got the Blues, 1958, by the ‘King of the Blues,’ B. B. King (1925-2015) My pockets are empty, I feel so low If somebody loves me, ain’t said so And I got holes, in both of my shoes Don’t look now, but I’ve got the blues. There ain’t
2714) “Don’t Look Now, But I’ve Got the Blues” Read More »
(…continued) Three months later (pages 99-100): Thirteen weeks after the accident David told me the details. He told me quietly, peacefully, matter-of-factly that he had seen the car coming at him and Johnny. I was stunned. I wonder how many of these scenarios are packed away inside the minds of the
2457) Patience, Until… (2 of 2) Read More »
Above: John-Paul Floyd (1988-1995) ———————- In April of 1995, six-year old John-Paul was playing in front of his house with his brother David when both were struck by a car. David survived with bruises, but John-Paul died instantly. The boys’ father, Gregory Floyd, wrote about the family’s’ heartbreaking journey through sorrow in A Grief Unveiled
2456) Patience, Until…. (1 of 2) Read More »
(continued…) Expressing and sharing our grief are essential, but something more is needed. Isn’t there anything more to be said to a grieving person other than to say death is a natural part of life, make sure you go through the five stages, express your feelings, reach out to others, time will bring
2350) What Then? (part two of two) Read More »
Martin’s wife died when she was only 47, many years before I became his pastor. Now in his late 60’s, Martin would still go to the cemetery every single day to visit his wife’s grave. Martin would get out of his car, walk over to the grave, and just stand there for a while; looking
2349) What Then? (part one of two) Read More »
(…continued) The progression Paul talks about is not automatic. Suffering does not always lead to perseverance and then character and then to hope. Suffering can also lead to despair, like for Carl; or to denial, like for Dan. Suffering doesn’t always lead to hope. But if in our suffering we look to God,
2313) Infinite Hope (part two of two) Read More »
One of the worst things in life is to be without hope. One can have, or not have, lots of money, and still have a good life. One can have, or not have, many friends and an full social life, and still be content. One can have, or not have, good health, and still
2312) Infinite Hope (part one of two) Read More »
(…continued) The song “Sounds Like Life to Me” by Darryl Worley is a good song, and a true song, and it says some of the very same things as those Bible verses in yesterday’s meditation. And it can be a helpful song for someone like Johnny Ray who is just going through some tough
2197) That’s Just Life (part two of two) Read More »
