Funeral and Revelation 19 - the complexity of ministry...the grace of God.

Today, as I prepare for the funeral of a dear congregation member tomorrow, I cannot get the song Blessed Assurance out of my head...but I don't really want to either. Blessed assurance - a gift of God's unfailing grace. Funerals have become for me a sacred time of sharing with the family in their time of crossroads - crossroads that are permeated by God's presence, God's tangible presence.

God's tangible presence in preparing for a funeral (1 Peter 1), in preparing a sermon (Revelation 19), in harvest...
- the harvest referred to in a UM graveside prayer adapted from 1 Peter 1:3-9 saying, "As the harvest of your faith you reap the salvation of your souls."
- the harvest referred to in Revelation 19 as "the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings..."

Blessed assurance - there is much I do not know, but I do know that God will provide, has provided, is providing...God is good ... all the time, all the time ... God is good.

Just ask Miss Virginia, I will when I see her.

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Passion and purpose in a new DMin...

The new Global Missional Leadership Doctor of Ministry program: http://bit.ly/VngV9 - launches Jan 2010...one word - Wow!