It’s time for the Sunday Night Check-In. Welcome to the four new subscribers - glad you’re here, and thanks! This past week we had our fill of severe weather and flooding rains. I don’t know about you but it feels like April is trying out for the Daytona 500 - it is going by FAST! Some say time goes by faster as you get older. There are a lot of songs about time - check out the poll below! If the song about time you like best is not listed here, throw it down in the comments!
One of my favorite reflections about our lives and time passing by is Landslide by Stevie Nicks. I’ll listen to that while working on this post.
Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy of JESUS LIKES YOU! I’m grateful for your faith in me to buy this project. I’m reading of people buying them for gifts, and that makes me happy. This past Wednesday, and then again today, I signed books for friends who bought them- that was a special feeling (even though my handwriting is atrocious!)! I’m just thankful that the effort has been something valuable to others. One of my first paid advertisements is going to show up in the Gospel E-Books newsletter tomorrow (Monday), so I hope that it will receive wider exposure. I don’t have a publishing company behind me, just the word of mouth of friends!
The highlight of my week was traveling down to the Mississippi Gulf Coast to help the Carpenter family say goodbye to our dear friend Harry. When I moved to Pascagoula thirtysomething years ago, Harry and Charlotte Carpenter were very involved and beloved in the Central Church of Christ. Over the years Harry has had several significant losses, and I was honored to be asked to speak at some of those funerals. This week Harry departed this life. After so many significant losses, he is now at rest. While it was not a happy occasion by nature, the friends and family of Harry had plenty of joyful stories to share with one another. That is a reflection of the kind of life Harry lived. Many friends gathered to say goodbye. It was a quick trip, but a rich one. Continue to pray for Harry’s children and family. (Harry Carpenter Obituary).
In part of my reflections, I shared four things that go through my mind at funerals.
There is someone I’m going to miss.
One day this is going to be me.
This life is not all there is.
Are you ready?
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” ―A.A. Milne, The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh
While we were in Pascagoula we drove by our old house, the Central Church of Christ building, and down Beach Boulevard. After Katrina, there was a nice park development constructed on the point adjacent to the shipyard. We were there at sunset and took a few pictures.
I remember driving out to the point very early one morning with John Robert to witness a meteor shower. Between the lights of the shipyard and the Chevron refinery, there were not many stars to see. But we tried! Being in Pascagoula always stirs the memories of John Robert, which are precious to us. We left through Moss Point, passing by Burnham Drugs, where he worked his senior year.
At Forsythe this month we are continuing with some lessons from the Book of Acts under the theme, Into Our Hands. This week I spoke from Acts 3, the healing of the lame man by the Beautiful Gate (notes HERE). Sunday afternoon we had our annual Family Day at ULM. That involves renting a pavilion and cooking out burgers and dogs, a baseball game, and lots of fellowship. We always enjoy this and appreciate those who make it happen! It was a gorgeous day.
READING
On our journey to the Coast we listened to Louise Penny’s The Brutal Telling. I finished it this afternoon. Penny has such a way of creating sympathy toward unsympathetic figures. These murder mysteries (#20 is to be released this Fall) all take place in a little village of Three Pines. This idyllic location sounds warm and wonderful until you realize that at this point there are over a dozen murders there and it seems like a good place to avoid. I’m always reminded of the humor to be found in the little book, Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village. Three Pines is in Canada, not England, but you get the idea. I’m looking forward to Bury Your Dead, the next novel in Penny’s series. In our Bible reading program, we are enjoying Matthew’s Gospel.
RECOMMENDED POSTS
Keep Going - some great quotes and thoughts on the Coffee News.
Kendra Bork’s reflection on Welcoming New Christians and not being a stumbling block.
Cork’s memories of his mom. Have a tissue handy.
Get started studying Jude with Adsum Try Ravenhill.
In The Holy Lens this week we will pray through Psalm 61-67. You’re invited to join us.
Thanks once again for allowing me to check in with you. This is the most regular feature of Hope Remains. It has been a while since I have shared any devotional reading here. Part of that was the completion of the book project. Part of that is that I’m committed to the daily posts at Holy Lens. Still, I wouldn’t be surprised, now that the book is finished, if a thought or two didn’t arrive in between times. I’m always happy to hear from you in the comments and appreciate your likes and shares. I hope you have a spectacular week. Work hard, rest well, and stay connected. The world needs you.
Beautiful pictures and I am glad you were able to see the home place and have good memories. Sorry for your loss of a dear friend. It sounds like you are at peace with things and that sounds healthy.
On a much lighter note, I finished up Louise Penny’s 6th book early in the week and I was really glad I had listened soon after book 5. She does a masterful job of weaving 3 stories lines in this one and because it felt like things came to a good close, I took a week off from Louise and listened to a Spotify playlist called 19 great flute concertos not Mozart. Well it has been an amazing week of listening to fabulous playing from a great variety of flutists and my husband even enjoyed a few with me. This has sparked all kinds of practice and ideas for projects and so God is good for the return of desire for good things. I have just about finished your book recommendation “Overcoming Apathy “ which gave me some good insight. I think your classes should have good discussion on this topic.
I plan to start Penny’s book 7 in the morning. Something to look forward to.
Have a good week!
Good day Sunday John, thanks!