Archive for August, 2009

Funerals

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

I spoke recently with a veteran Baptist pastor friend of mine. He told me that the church he serves is an “older” congregation, and he lamented the fact that he was conducting a funeral “every other week” — literally. Well, I gave it some thought and realized that the same is true for me. Our church has an older membership. We are reaching young families. Our nursery is full. Our pre-school is over-flowing. That is all good. But we definitely have an “older” congregation that has been the backbone of our church for decades. And we are losing them, one by one. That is sad, and it is hard emotionally. We hate to let go and say good-bye.

But we take heart in the fact that a glorious heaven is the reward for those who have loved God and served Him all these years. The Bible says that “eye has not seen, nor ear heard” the wonders and glories which God has in store for those who love Him. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!”

The day is going to come for each of us. We never know when. It may be when we are older. And then it may be when we are yet young. The most important thing in life is to know Christ as one’s personal Savior. John 3:16

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Ethics & Honesty

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

I am a regular reader of The Orlando Sentinel, and I follow politics closely, as I believe government has an extensive impact on the spiritual welfare of our society. So, imagine my surprise today to read in the Sentinel excuses from the media over ruining the campaign of a Congressional candidate.

I met Congressman Tom Feeney once very briefly at a Christian rally to coordinate support for the Florida constitutional amendment banning so-called gay marriage. (It passed.) Other than that, I know little about Mr. Feeney, except what I read in the newspapers. Last year as he was running for re-election, the scandal of his supposedly unethical and illegal overseas trip was all over the news. Charges were to be filed. He could be convicted. Etc. Naturally, he lost the election.

So, now the Justice Department comes out and says he did nothing illegal — no charges to be filed. Whoa! Now, that is news which would have affected the election — last fall.

But today’s Orlando Sentinel still blames Feeney. He should have known better, etc. The voters still had the power to deliver their own verdict, says the Sentinel. A Sentinel columnist says Feeney was victimized — but still has himself to blame.

I do not know if I would vote for Feeney. But on this one he has been unfairly treated. And the media, which was quick to publish the suspicions last year, ought to owe up to the injustice.  “The truth shall set you free” is a principle of Scripture.  (John 8:32)  Mr. Feeney, like all political leaders, at least deserves to be judged by the truth.

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