I SPOKE AT A FUNERAL TODAY

Resurrection Sunday was nearly two weeks ago.  The week leading up to Resurrection Sunday God gave me the privilege of conducting four Passover Seders in four different churches, Tuesday through Friday, in Chandler, Tucson, Scottsdale, and Phoenix - following three Passover Seders in the beginning and middle of March.  What a joy!  The fast-paced schedule has continued.  How could the week following Resurrection Sunday be filled to capacity?  What’s “capacity”?  I thought perhaps there might be a bit of a respite?  What’s “respite”?  I must admit, while “respite” isn’t noted on my calendar on a regular basis (shame on me), I don’t think I’ve reached “capacity”!   I LOVE the ministry to which God has called me.  However, to offset crashing about 8:30 p.m. one evening, I took 30 minutes to watch part of a 1937 movie, “Captains Courageous.”  (It took me four evenings to watch the entire film)

I wasn’t sure what to share in the April blog as there is much I want to convey in the monthly newsletter.  (Do you receive the newsletter?)  I was pondering when I grabbed the 30 minutes to view the Spencer Tracy movie, “Captains Courageous.”  The black and white motion picture highlights a young boy’s life on the brink of disaster.  A 180 degree turn delivers him. 

I wasn’t sure what to share at the funeral….  My friend had asked me to speak at her service.  I met her when she was battling cancer; however, she spiraled downward rather drastically over the last month.  What would I tell the gathering of family and friends at her “goodbye” service?  You see, my friend resided at one of the retirement communities where we teach a weekly Bible study.  Over a year ago she jumped headlong into the class, invited many other residents, prayed the prayer of salvation…and then decided one day a few months ago that she was offended at a statement I made during the Bible study.  Several of us had shared with her that Jesus is the only way to God – that salvation is through Jesus alone – that Jesus’ horrific death on the cross totally satisfied God’s righteous demands – that He paid IN FULL the penalty for our sin – that He died our death – that we do not attain heaven through good works.  Our sweet friend had been entrenched all her life in believing otherwise – that good works were indeed the way to gain entrance into heaven.  Wouldn’t one with that belief system wonder, “How good is good enough?”  During her remaining weeks on this earth, we rang her doorbell rather consistently.  While continuing to sit with her and share Jesus, the question on our lips was, “Do you know where you’re going when you die?”  Repeatedly she replied with, “I hope heaven…but I think it will be purgatory.”  Of course, we came against that false teaching!  GOD stirred this dear woman’s heart.  During a phone call four days before she took her last breath, when I told her I was working on a lesson about the mansions Jesus is preparing for us, I asked, “Do you know where you are going?”  “OF COURSE,” she said.  “And, I know that you’ll be with me when you die.  What a reunion that will be!”  I asked, “You’re trusting in Jesus alone?”  I could hear the smile in her voice, “Jesus alone!”  Truly a 180 degree turn.

I spoke at my friend’s funeral today and praised God for a redeemed life now in the very presence of God.  GLORY HALLELUJAH!