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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/28/2009 4:05:59 AM
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mvic
Posts: 1894
Joined: 1/17/2008
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quote:
Well I will not be around, but I would expect that they would honor my request and not be there.
RCJames,
Rest assured that when you are gone there will be many in these Forums, me included, who will miss you, and will miss your teachings and your wisdom.
As I said in an earlier post - funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living friends and relatives to grieve and to say a final farewell.
Grieving is a natural human emotion that should not be suppressed.
Of course, your Christian relatives and friends will be happy for you, as will I, in the sure knowledge that you are in Heaven with Christ. (Please put in a good word for me when you're there). Yet, all the same, they may well feel the need for a final gathering to honour you and to thank you for all you have done in life for our Lord. (Have you asked them how they feel about your decision?)
That's why we have memorial services. That's why we have tombstones. That's why we have books of rememberance. So that people do not forget the person who is gone. It's not for the benefit of the deceased.
I for one will never forget you !!!!
As for me, I've left instructions that just before my death they spray quick drying starch on my face then tickle me well. This way when rigor mortis sets in I will die with a smile on my face.
_____________________________
My Book
Time For Reflections The Blog you'll like !
Visit http://www.holyvisions.co.uk
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/28/2009 8:15:32 AM
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TMeeks
Posts: 1532
Joined: 1/27/2007
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
Grieving is a natural human emotion that should not be suppressed.
When God created man, unlike any other creature, He created us in His image. So, He infused in us special traits having to do with His own personality. And, while the fall distorted some of these, they are nevertheless part of our makeup. To deny these is to deny the creator and the creator's intentions in our lives.
One of the characteristics of God is bonding. What made Jesus so fearful as He faced the cross wasn't his physical death. It was the broken bond with His Father as he took on the sin of the world. The bonds between Father, Son and Holy Spirit were, from eternity past, inviolatable and unbroken.
If we stop and think about the implications of them, the most horrific words in all of Scripture are, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" And, it wasn't because God failed to rescue Jesus from the cross and save him from death. It was because the eternal bonds between Father and Son were ripped apart by the sins of the world being laid on Son. The angels must have been horrified by what they saw and for 3 agonizing days the unity of the Godhead hung in the balance. I even suspect that Satan thought he had won a great victory. But, the righteousness of God of Peace, through the blood of the eternal covenant (again a bond) brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus. (Hebrews 13:20)
God built into us bonding cells that are, in normally functioning individuals, continually being layered ever deeper as we interact with each other. There are physical molecular structures in our brains that grow as we bond. When a person says that a death "broke their heart" they are literally telling the truth, because the person to whom those molecules relate is no longer alive.
God did not build us to die. He built Adam and Eve to be bound together for eternity so he built into them very strong bonding characteristics. But, sin brought death... and, when death came into the world, so did mourning. It also brought selfishness and, in some, the need for control as a poor substitute for natural, loving bonding in some people. And, that is why mourning is different in different people. Intense in some and lacking on others.
It's also why the kind thing, whether we personally understanding this bonding or not, is to provide the time tested process of letting God work in people's lives to help them through the grieving process and it's clear in the Bible that this is what we call a burial or funeral. Taking that away might SEEM like a heroic and Biblical thing. But, in a very real sense it is not only selfish and anti-Biblical, it denies that we ARE STILL created in the very image of God. albeit, with the ravages of the fall trying to steal that away from us.
_____________________________
http://focusonliberty.blogspot.com
Is "Left" vs. "Right" really accurate?- Check out the Liberty Dial!
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/28/2009 9:54:40 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 6733
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
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quote:
ORIGINAL: mvic
That's why we have memorial services. That's why we have tombstones. That's why we have books of rememberance. So that people do not forget the person who is gone. It's not for the benefit of the deceased.
I totally agree, I have shared with the folks at the Chruch that if they wish to do a 'Memorial" service; then let it be what I spent my whole life teaching; Praise and worship God, preach the uncompromised Word of God, minister to the needs of those there, pray the paint off the walls; then go fellowhip and eat a lot of fried Chicken, Chili con carne, jalepeno cornbread, and peach cobbler.
That is how I wish to be remembered.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/29/2009 8:14:49 PM
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PastorPatricia
Posts: 188
Joined: 8/6/2005
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Thank you all, this topic has turned into an interesting discussion and I've appreciated everyone who has posted. The funeral was today, I did a reflection on John 11 Jesus statement that he is the resurrection and the life. I worked the salvation message into it and as he always does the Holy Spirit guided and directed my words. My pastor was pleased with the message and I thank God for the opportunity to minister and my pastor for trusting me to do this. God is good!!
_____________________________
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Is. 12:24
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/30/2009 3:42:56 AM
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TheTartanTammy
Posts: 811
Joined: 12/2/2008
From: North Britain!!!!
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PastorPatricia
Thank you all, this topic has turned into an interesting discussion and I've appreciated everyone who has posted. The funeral was today, I did a reflection on John 11 Jesus statement that he is the resurrection and the life. I worked the salvation message into it and as he always does the Holy Spirit guided and directed my words. My pastor was pleased with the message and I thank God for the opportunity to minister and my pastor for trusting me to do this. God is good!!
Amen, The Lord continue to bless you in your ministry from Him!!
_____________________________
TheTartanTammy
Isa 40: 11
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/30/2009 7:42:33 AM
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buckifn
Posts: 1738
Joined: 5/23/2006
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I really don't care what people say or do when I die. I will be where I have longed to be . The important thing is do they have Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Nothing else matters.
No need for a funeral..Im leaving my legacy now.
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 6/30/2009 9:34:57 AM
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rcjames
Posts: 6733
Joined: 7/15/2005
From: Oklahoma
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PastorPatricia
Thank you all, this topic has turned into an interesting discussion and I've appreciated everyone who has posted. The funeral was today, I did a reflection on John 11 Jesus statement that he is the resurrection and the life. I worked the salvation message into it and as he always does the Holy Spirit guided and directed my words. My pastor was pleased with the message and I thank God for the opportunity to minister and my pastor for trusting me to do this. God is good!!
Cool.
Thanks
RC
_____________________________
Just a country Preacher's humble opinion
Read the first chapter of my latest book here;
http://www.deliveranceofsara.com
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RE: Reflection for a Funeral - 7/2/2009 12:48:55 PM
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bzirk
Posts: 1429
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Where the deer and antelope play
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Kerrlaw
quote:
ORIGINAL: rcjames
I totally agree, I have shared with the folks at the Chruch that if they wish to do a 'Memorial" service; then let it be what I spent my whole life teaching; Praise and worship God, preach the uncompromised Word of God, minister to the needs of those there, pray the paint off the walls; then go fellowhip and eat a lot of fried Chicken, Chili con carne, jalepeno cornbread, and peach cobbler.
That is how I wish to be remembered.
Thanks
RC
Sounds wonderful. Put me on the mailing list. 
I'll bring the Pepto-Bismol.
Yep, it sounds like a Southern Funeral -- food and preachin'.
Okay, back to subject.
I respect RC's qualms about hosting a funeral service in the church house for someone who is not a Christian. I don't agree with him, but I respect his view.
_____________________________
bZirk
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