The week is almost over. Only four hours remain in my Crisis, Trauma and Grief class.
I have to give a funeral sermon tomorrow… which means I need to write one.
I’m going to go to bed early and get up at 4 a.m. to write it. I’ve chosen to do a memorial service for a Springfield native who died in Iraq last year. I’ve found some photos of him and some things his fellow soldiers said about him. I’d rather not stay up half the night thinking about all of that and then dream about it all night. So… I’ll do it in the morning.
If any of you actually knew SFC Randall L. Lamberson… feel free to leave a few comments here. Hopefully before 7 am…
I got lost for a few minutes. I clicked on the co.mments thingy above this comment section.
About funeral sermons; I have given one to date. My friend was dying of kidney and lung cancer, when she asked me to preach her funeral. She was still undergoing treatment, I thought she might have 4 or 5 months to live.
God called her home 10 days after she had asked me to ‘preach her funeral’.
Fortunately, I knew her well. I know that helps in preparation. I know the scriptures well, that too is a large help. Above all, I know God and He knows me. I prayed and He sent the Holy Spirit, who showed me just what direction I needed to take.
It still was not easy, but it was right. I’m not bragging, I just want to give God the glory. Several of the attendees have told me since, that they still remember the closing prayer.
Part of the sermon had to do specifically with her faith.(that too makes it easier, if the deceased was saved) Most of it was scripture, not the typical, “In my Father’s house….”
I was led to preach a salvation message and plant the seeds of the Gospel.
Sorry, didn’t mean to go on and on.
I will be back to read more as time permits.
Comment by Carla — March 2, 2007 @ 12:23 am
It’s 0415. I’m writing a paper. I hope you’re up.
Comment by Patti N — March 2, 2007 @ 3:16 am
Prayed for you today. Hope it went well.
Any time for pizza soon?
Comment by Judi — March 2, 2007 @ 2:44 pm
Patti,
Nope. I slept in…until 4:30.
Judi,
Always time for pizza. Classes are over. Now I just have TONS of homework.
Oh and the memorial service message went fine. I was a tad bit emotional… but not to a sobbing extreme. Just the choked up “Oh I wonder if she’s gonna cry” thing.
Comment by Amy — March 2, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
I noticed just now that I had forgotten the time change. It was actually 0315 when I commented–you were definitely still sleeping.
I was up yesterday for 24 hours straight. Wiped out today, but turned in the first draft of my senior paper–70 pages! I need to write at least 10 pages more.
The section on wartime domestic stress still needs work. Anything anecdotal you want to offer?
Comment by Patti N — March 4, 2007 @ 12:04 am