Yep! Some days it pays to stay in bed, but then, most of us can’t! Keep up the good work!

Lee

Haaa!!

You win some … you lose some.

It must be a real challenge. I will remember this in case I do have to do a eulogy.

So glad you are part of my TGIF family.

TGIF!

Thanks Raoul. I appreciate your comments and I wanted to affirm what you said before it got away from me. Most of us in ministry try to walk a fine line at such services.

On one occasion I had a service in the midwest for someone I did not know, but heard that he was a Baptist church member, so I affirmed his faith and good life. Afterwards his son came up to me and said I missed the boat on the service and told me everyone knew his dad was a SOB and all knew he was going to hell! I shrugged my shoulders and simply said to his son that I was sure that no one wanted me to say that at the service!

It taught me to be more careful at such moments and not to affirm what could not be affirmed, but at the same time not to send someone to heaven when most thought that was not the case! Oh the joys of ministry!!

Thanks again for all you do. Some weeks are quite busy and I am traveling so I don’t always get to read your postings, but I try to do so as often as I can.

Blessings to you Raoul!

Lee

Hi Pastor Lee,

Thanks for your comments. I always wondered about funerals from a
pastor’s perspective.

Indeed, it’s a delicate balance of diplomacy and truth.

I was so sleepy when I wrote that piece last night that I couldn’t
review it anymore. I just sent it. I was praying in my sleep that this
will be received positively by my readers … especially the
non-believers (and there are a lot of them). I wouldn’t be surprised if
I get a lot of “unsubscribes” — so your letter is quite an
encouragement. Thank you.

Rick

I also never sent anyone to heaven at a funeral if it was obvious that they were not going there, but focused on those who loved. I only attended one funeral where the pastor said the person who died went to hell and if you don’t want to follow him, you need to accept Christ. It was a correct message and the WRONG time and showed no compassion for those who survived. I have often shared the Gospel at a funeral and encouraged persons to come to faith and that is especially easy to do if the departed loved one was a Christian and it showed. I am doing one of those services next week and I know the family would be offended if I did not share her faith and encourage others to come to faith. Most attending will already know the Lord (her kids and grand kids), but others may come.

Blessings to you and Jackie and thanks for your good word!

Pastor Lee of Arizona

I pray every day that I can be what God wants me to be. Trivial pursuits pale in comparison to the benefits of Eternal Salvation.

Thanks for the reminder and I hope your thoughts help steer those around us to focus more on the Eternal.

Tom

Thanks Raoul for your thoughts on this – I totally agree with you friend and it is valuable to share. As I have shared with you my friend Mark (An S.C. Grad – but that’s OK too.) – you often say, “It is only my opinion, but is should be everybody’s.”

Thanks Raoul!

Blessings,

(:>}) – Chuck