LIFE EVENT | Frank Becker

Week Five, 2024

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:22

It was a large funeral to say goodbye to a prominent member of the community. When we entered the doors, the greeter said we could either go to the chapel or to the “speak easy.” The what? Yes, there was a full bar loaded with partying participants.

The bar was lively, and the chapel was much less meet and greet. It was strange, but when we left, the sign out front told it all. The words “funeral home” had disappeared and in there it said, “Life Event Center.” They must cater to those who want their last event to be a reflection of their life.

For those of us who believe in the Word of God, that event is a mile marker in a continuing process. It’s like conception (the beginning of life) precedes physical birth and life continues.

As I exited, I thought of a song.

Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven’s open door
And I can’t feel at home In this world any more.
– Jim Reeves, 1962

I had a friend who was the organist at a local funeral home for many year,s and she could tell stories, like the crowd that came forward to put beer money for the decedent in the casket. Another friend ran a funeral home for many years and said that decedent’s funerals should reflect the way they lived, but many did not.

For those who follow the Christian faith, Bible passages for funeral readings can be an important part of the service. While funeral prayers and scriptures have always been part of a traditional Christian funeral, many services held in non-religious funeral venues also use funeral bible verses or funeral prayers as part of the service. Bible readings for funerals can give structure and meaning to a service, helping to support the family and friends of the deceased with their grief.

But here is the point. Our funeral is not a final event, but a pace marker of transition in our life, which begins at conception and lasts for eternity. The only question, regardless of the style of our funeral is where we will spend eternity. For those who have given their life to Christ, it will in with Him in heaven. For those who have not it will be elsewhere.

Where will you spend eternity?

SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

When we are looking for someone to lead a company or lead a nation or even to marry, don’t look at the outward appearance. Good looks and fancy resume don’t guarantee a successful outcome. Use God’s playbook and look at the heart. See if it is committed to following God’s precepts in carrying out the mission. The heart is more important than anything else.

By the way, how’s your heart? Rich Jensen

— o —

A New Hampshire man, Geoffrey Holt died last week with a big secret. The 83 year old caretaker of a mobile home park in Hinsdale, a town of 4,200 people, lived a curious life. Although he once taught Driver’s Ed, he had given up driving his car and rode around town on a lawn mower. He lived in a trailer with very little furniture, no TV or computer and wore threadbare clothes.

His secret? Holt was a multimillionaire. While working as production manager at a grain mill, he invested his money wisely. Over the years Holt amassed a small fortune–$3.8 million. In his will, he gave it all away to benefit Hinsdale, to be used in the areas of education, health, recreation, and culture.

“He seemed to have what he wanted, but he didn’t want much,” said Edwin “Smokey” Smith, Holt’s best friend and former employer. While most of us will never become multimillionaires, like Geoffrey Holt, we can use what we have, while we’re alive to bless the lives of others.

— o —

The percentage of people belonging to some form of Christianity decreased from 52.2% the 2016 Census to 43.9% in the 2021 Census. Meanwhile, those declaring that they had no religion increased from 30% in the 2016 Census to 38.9% in the 2021 Census.

— o —

“How do we put our faith to work?”

In response, these 5 things came to mind:

1) By living what we say we believe. That is by glorifying God through our day to day living… through our work… through our fun… even in the mundane.

2) By doing what Jesus did – loving others, helping others, sharing life with others. Not because we have to but because He first did for us.

3) By going therefore – That is, by going to make disciples. Whether next door, down the hall, across the country or around the world. Put your faith into action.

4) By loving your neighbor as yourself (goes back to number 2). And who is your neighbor? Everyone – even if they don’t look like you. Overcome hate and disdain with love. Shine where you are.

5) By taking up our cross daily and following Him… loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength – loving him with all that we are. Love like Jesus. See as He sees. Respond like He would respond. Allow His heart to become our heart.

Let’s be clear – Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ, the Son of God is what saves us. But as we live and grow in our faith in Him, we are called then to put our faith to work. So others can see Him in us… so others might know of His great love, grace and mercy.

Now is the time for us to shine, to be a light in a dark world… or at least our little part of it. Go now… “Get off the bench and do something… get out of the pew and put your faith to work.” Marty Stubblefield

QUOTES YOU CAN USE

God will continue to remove the imperfections within us until He can look at us and see His reflection. Dan Shock

You can’t keep trouble from visiting, but you don’t have to offer it a chair.

True faith shows itself in action. Dan Shock

The real question is not whether machines think but whether men do. B.F. Skinner

If you just set out to be liked, you will be prepared to compromise on anything at anytime and would achieve nothing. Margaret Thatcher

The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help. Ronald Reagan

The man of power is ruined by power, the man of money by money, the submissive man by subservience, the pleasure seeker by pleasure. Hermann Hesse

Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway. Earl Nightingale

Even though we have the full Bible today, we also can get caught up in false teachings. Things like, “If you are a Christian, you will lead a trouble free life”, or “You will get monetary blessings beyond your imagination”. They always sound enticing …

A wise man once said… absolutely nothing.

Pennies do not come from heaven. They have to be earned here on earth. Margaret Thatcher

The Bible taught us many things about our lives, but we did not learn that unless sin and its author, the devil are banished, no spiritual life can exist eternally. Stephen Bernard

I thank God for the mountains. I thank Him for the valleys. I thank Him for all He’s brought me through. For if I never had a problem, If I had never had to worry, I’d never know what faith in God could do! Through it all, through it all. I’ve learned to trust in Jesus. I’ve learned to trust in God. Bill Gaither

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. Theodore Roosevelt

If God had perceived that our greatest need was economic, he would have sent an economist. If he had perceived that our greatest need was entertainment, he would have sent us a comedian or an artist. If God had perceived that our greatest need was political stability, he would have sent us a politician. If he had perceived that our greatest need was health, he would have sent us a doctor. But he perceived that our greatest need involved our sin, our alienation from him, our profound rebellion, our death; and he sent us a Savior. D A. Carson

God sent His son at the appointed time. Trust God’s timing. Edgar Aponte

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Selected portions of Thoughts on Life can also be read at TheLife.com.

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