daily life as life goes on . . .

I’m involved in two funerals this week.

We say that you can’t take anything with you when you die – there are no U-Hauls behind the hearse.  Most of us do want to leave something behind of ourselves.  Something of lasting value.  Something that will be remembered.

But can we?

Our earthly legacy is only as good as its promoters.

I remember one man telling me that eternal life for him was his children.  What happens when they all die out – or are wiped out in a tragedy?  What about the pyramids?  One bomb could level that in seconds.  How about great ideas that you patent or inventions you make?  Archives can be lost and inventions bested.

In the end, true legacy must rest in eternity.  A beacon that points to eternity, from your life, reaps reward.

Saturday I will officiate a funeral for Ernal.

Some of you will be unable to pronounce that name properly.  Start with the word “eternal”.  Now just “ernal”.  And you’ve got it!

Maybe eternal was nit a far stretch for Ernal.  He was 99 years old. 

My Grandfather used to proclaim that he would live to be 100 or die in the attempt.

Ernal died in the attempt.  And as you often hear of those of advanced years – “none too soon.”

There is, at 99 years of age, a true sense of a better place.  Better eyesight, better health, better acuity of mind, better natural light (all flowing from God).  Just better!

So, I’d better get moving – on my sermon, on arrangements, and most importantly, on enjoying God here and now with a great future expectation!

I’m at church when one of my favourite children runs up to me.

“My dad is going to buy a seeder!” he triumphantly proclaims.

“Oh”, I reply, “is that a cedar tree, or a seater to sit on.”

The young man bumps his forehead with his hand.  His face is totally contorted in disbelief. 

I start to see the light! 

The best jokes are ones you don’t even know you have made!!!

I was reading a thank you article to those who pastor small churches.  I have been a part of a rural church for almost two decades.  We are more than a handful but less than a football stadium of people.

In the midst of the content was an unsettling insinuation.

Small churches require a sacrifice.  You always want to be getting way bigger than you currently are. 

I say small churches are good to work with.  You can always start another small church if you start growing. 

I’d like to turn the thought on its head.  Small and rural churches require next to no sacrifice.  People can love God and love people – probably easier in a small church.

I guess I need to write a blog about large churches and the sacrifice it takes to be part of the leadership of that church!!