Today is a very difficult day. This afternoon I am officiating a funeral for a man from our community. His family says he wasn't a very religious man...
I always struggle with what a pastor (typically a very religious person) should say at a funeral of someone who wasn't very religious.
This morning, I also received news that a young man from our community died tragically. Sometimes words seem so shallow when the pain is so deep.
We never know when it might be our time. We don't know how many more days we may have. This should motivate followers of Jesus to be passionate witnesses to the work and person of Jesus Christ. How are we doing church? Are we witnessing to Jesus in our words, in our actions, in our homes, in our work, in all we do?
When we finish our sermon series on the essentials, we will be doing a series called "Just Walk Across the Room." It is based on a book by the same name by Bill Hybels. I hope and pray this series will place an all-consuming passion in each of us to invest in the lives of those around us so that we may invite them connect with God through Jesus Christ.
Finally I offer a prayer for the grieving: Lord bless these grieving families in our community. Jesus, call in the Holy Spirit to comfort, guide, and counsel these families in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead. Amen.
