A TEARFUL TRIBUTE

My dear friend with the brain tumor died relatively quietly Tuesday at a local Hospice House with her daughter and son-in-law with her.

I am saddened I have a complicated stress test during her Celebration of Life Friday.

One of her requests was no one was to wear black, but bright cheerful colors. So like her! I wish I could be there to tell some of the very funny things she, I and my best friend did and said that kept us in peals of laughter. Today I have chosen a font color of Autumn in honor of her request.

She was one of few with whom I could discuss both politics and religions. We giggled and laughed at her extreme liberalism and my self-described one-step-right-of-center--nobody-cares-till-it-is-time-to-vote-stance. On religious issues we agreed far more than not, plus contributed to charitable efforts of our respective churches, not so much because of the church efforts but our respect for each other's devotion to the efforts. 

We talked and listened to gospel music, especially the Gaithers, one of which was SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS.

I, being the perpetual student, wondered what it would be like to sit at the feet of the only Perfect Master Teacher I perceive walked the earth. She being the more impetuous thinker, said, (I remember verbatim to this day), "The first thing I am going to do when I get to Heaven is jump in His Lap and Hug His Neck."

Her remark reminded me of the Master's admonition we had to change and become as little children to enter heaven. (Matthew 18:3ff)

Tearfully and joyfully tonight, Jan, I know you are sitting on the Lap of the Holy One. Some day, hopefully, I will join you and hope you will be among the throng waiting to welcome me, and my many pets from Rainbow Bridge, walk into the Land of NO TEARS, PEACE and FOREVER LIGHT.

SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS


SITTING AT THE FEET OF JESUS LYRICS

Lyrics: J. H. (author unknown except by initials)
Music: Asa Hull

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Oh, what words I hear Him say!
Happy place! so near, so precious!
May it find me there each day;


Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
I would look upon the past;
For His love has been so gracious,
It has won my heart at last.


Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
Where can mortal be more blest?
There I lay my sins and sorrows,
And, when weary, find sweet rest,

Sitting at the feet of Jesus,
There I love to weep and pray;
While I from His fullness gather
Grace and comfort every day.


Bless me, O my Savior, bless me,
As I sit low at Thy feet;
Oh, look down in love upon me,
Let me see Thy face so sweet;

Give me, Lord, the mind of Jesus,
Keep me holy as He is;
May I prove I’ve been with Jesus,
Who is all my righteousness.

Christmas Eve

Today, Christmas Eve, is the day before man has designated to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ.

This day in 2009, would have been Mother's 101st birthday [if my math is right!]. In tribute to her devotion and beliefs, which she tried to instill in the hearts and memories of her children, I am publishing a popular reading. My" less than thorough research" determines this was a part of a sermon to which I am providing a link at end of the reading.

One Solitary Life

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village. He worked in a
carpenter shop until He was thirty. Then for three years He was an itinerant preacher.

He never owned a home. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family. He never went to college. He never put His foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place He was born. He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness. He had no credentials but Himself...

While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends ran away. One of them denied Him. He was turned
over to His enemies. He went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves. While He was dying His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – His coat. When He was dead, He was laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen long centuries have come and gone, and today He is a centerpiece of the human race and leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that were ever built; all the parliaments that ever sat and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has that one solitary life.

[This essay was adapted from a sermon by Dr James Allan Francis in “The Real Jesus and Other Sermons” © 1926 by the Judson Press of Philadelphia (pp 123-124 titled “Arise Sir Knight!”). If you are interested, you can read the original version here.

I found this link interesting because it also gives viewpoints of Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson on Jesus, along with other readings.

Here is a YOU TUBE presentation by Bing Crosby.

On ths Eve of Christmas I wish everyone, regardless of beliefs everywhere: Joy, Peace and Good News (Tidings) on Earth.