Mike Tune

Introduction to the Bible - Deuteronomy

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:00:00 +0000

Chuck Swindoll says that Moses spent his first forty years thinking he was a somebody, the next forty learning he was a nobody, and his final forty learning what God can do with a nobody. It was near the end of these last forty years that Moses spoke the words we find in the book of Deuteronomy. The late Peter Craigie, Bible scholar and former vice-president of the University of Calgary wrote: “Deuteronomy is a book about a community being prepared for a new life. Hardship and wilderness lie behind; the promised land lies ahead. But in the present moment, there is a call for a new commitment to God and a fresh understanding of the nature of the community of God’s people. . . [I]n the midst of world events, a relatively small community was being urged by Moses, the “man of God,” to commit itself wholeheartedly to the Lord, before engaging in the struggle for the promised land.”

Deuteronomy contains five speeches of Moses and begins with the line “These are the words . . .” That is, in fact, the Hebrew title of the book The English title comes from a later Greek translation of Deuteronomy 17:18 where the King is commanded to make a copy of the law of God. The translation made the text say the king was to make a “second” law, a “deuteronomion” to keep with him and be his guide. The translation was carried over into the Latin translation and continued into English.

I) Deuteronomy begins (chapters 1-4) with a call to justice and a review of how Israel came to be east of the Jordan river in the territory of Moab. Moses reviews Israel’s failures and successes and points out that they owe every success to God. Moses wants Israel to know that God is serious about being His people and reminds them all (five times) that, despite the fact he has been with Israel since they left Egypt, he will not get to enter the promised land. The reason is due to his own failure, and Israel’s.

II) Chapters 5-11 set forth the law of God in an abbreviated form (the Ten Commandments) and calls Israel to obedience. The Ten Commandments serve as a foundation for all the laws of God and all are, in some way, related to one of the ten. The ten commandments were spoken directly to Israel by God, and written by God personally on stone.

III) Chapters 12-26 provide an elaboration on the Ten Commandments, showing how the commands apply in a broader sense.

IV) Chapters 27-28 list curses for those who do not follow the law of God, and blessings for those who do.

V) Chapters 29-34 is a final call to faithfulness and concludes with the death of Moses.

Obedience is paramount in Deuteronomy. Israel should obey not in order to receive the promises, but in order to keep from losing them. This is a significant point. The false doctrine of Salvation by Works does not just teach that works are involved in salvation. It teaches that by "works" one can "secure" his own salvation. The people of Israel however had already been saved by God’s grace. If they wanted to stay saved, and wanted their lives to go well, they would have to be obedient. The same is true of us. Again, as Peter Craigie puts it: Deuteronomy “provides a paradigm for the kingdom of God in the modern world; it is time for renewing commitment within the New Covenant and turning to the future with a view to possessing the promise of God.”

Introduction to the Bible - Numbers

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 13:18:00 +0000

The Hebrew title for the fourth book of the Bible is “In the Wilderness,” a much more appropriate title than “Numbers”, which doesn’t tell you much about the book. Numbers takes up in the second year after Israel’s Exodus from Egypt. It begins with a census of the people at Sinai and continues with Israel’s move to enter the Promised Land. It gives us the details of her refusal to enter the land, and then provides us with a chronicle of her forty year wandering in punishment for her disobedience. At the end of the 40 years, there was another census (chapter 26) and a review of some of the laws Israel was to give attention to when she finally entered Canaan.

Every one of the first five books of the Bible serves to emphasize something about God. Genesis emphasizes his power and grace. Exodus His deliverance. Leviticus His holiness, and Deuteronomy his jealousy. Numbers is about God’s presence.

Numbers can be divided into three sections:
1) At Sinai (chapters 1-9) the census itself underscores God’s presence and care. As he knows the very number of the hair on our heads, he knows exactly the number of people who belong to Him. They don’t move without him and when they move, He is there.
2) In the Wilderness (chapters 10-21) contains the stories of at least seven rebellions against God. Though God had every reason to desert his people, he did not.
3) As Israel prepares to enter the land again (chapters 22-36), Moses tells Israel a story she would not have known had he not put it down. It is the story of an attempt to curse the people of God by a foreign nation. Through it all, unseen by Israel, God protected them.

Everyone numbered in the census of Israel was counted as a member of the community of God. God delivered Israel to be one community. There are more references to that community in Numbers than in any other book of the Bible. The worst thing that could happen to anyone in Israel was to be placed outside the community, known in Numbers as “outside the camp.”

Three thousand years after Moses, Numbers remains a relevant message to the people of God. The God who was a constant presence for Israel is a constant presence for us. He knows our number, and walks with us. He is present when we rebel, and present, working out his will and protecting us, in ways we cannot see. In a way, we are all traveling through the wilderness looking to enter the promised land. Until we do, we must allow God to be our leader and guide, and we must, as the Church, stick together as the people of God.

And that title, “Numbers,” how did that come about? When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, then Latin, those census reports stood out in the translators minds. The Greeks called it “arithmoi,” and in Latin, it became “Numeri.” From there, it was but a short hop to “Numbers” in English.

Introduction to the Bible - Leviticus

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:12:00 +0000

In the Hebrew Bible, the book of Leviticus is named “And He Called,” which is the opening line of the book in Hebrew. When the Bible was translated into Greek, it became known as the “Book of the Levites.” The Levites served in the priesthood of Old Testament Israel. When the Old Testament was translated into Latin, the book became “Leviticus,” and the English name came from there.

God called all Israel to be a nation of priests (Exodus 19:6), but the people were not spiritually mature enough to function in that capacity. God therefore selected a group of Israelites, the tribe of Levi, to show the people what it meant to be priests for God. The regulations in Leviticus point to a priestly way of living that all Israel was expected to learn and respect.

A key term in Leviticus is the word “holy” - used more in Leviticus than any other book of the Bible. Generally meaning “separate,” it is used specifically in the Bible describe God. He is God, and there is no other god, and none like Him. When God called Israel to be holy, he called them to be unlike any other people, separate and distinct upon the earth. The book of Leviticus helped Israel to see what that meant. The book may be divided into three sections:

I) Holy Things - Chapters 1-7 in which a system of sacrifice is detailed.
II) Holy People - Chapters 8-10 in which Aaron and his sons are consecrated as Priests.
III) Holy Living - Chapters 11-27 in which lifestyle requirements are spelled out for God’s holy people.

I urge you to keep two things in mind as you read this book.

First, Leviticus reminds us of the seriousness of God’s calling. We are not called to be like the rest of the world, nor are we allowed that option. Many have conjectured why God divided animals into clean and unclean, and why Israel had to be so scrupulous in observing that distinction. I would contend the last word has not been written on this subject, but I’m willing to believe God’s distinction was arbitrary and without any rational basis. Observing the law was guaranteed to make Israel different from all other nations and her dietary laws reminded her at every meal and gathering that she couldn’t “fit in” with the world.

Second, Leviticus prescribes very strict rules about approaching God in worship. God could be approached only in certain prescribed ways, otherwise disaster could be the result. Christians should always keep this in mind. The world cannot guide us in approaching God, for it knows nothing of His holiness.

New Testament writers use the language of Leviticus to refer to Jesus. He is our “sin offering” and “peace offering” and “High Priest.” Israel’s spiritual immaturity kept her from approaching God directly, forcing her to seek mediation with God through the priests. But in Christianity, the sacrifice of Jesus has made us all priests (1 Peter 2:5) and we all have bold access to God’s throne of grace through Christ (Hebrews 4:16). Our lives must, through holy living, demonstrate our awareness of this great privilege we have.

Introduction to the Bible - Exodus

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 03:35:00 +0000

When Genesis, the first book of the Bible, ends, God seems to be everywhere. The story of Joseph, son of Jacob, is the longest personal narrative in Genesis and closes out the last thirteen chapters of the book. When Joseph was kidnaped and sold as a slave, the Bible says the Lord was with Joseph and caused him to prosper. When Joseph was falsely accused and imprisoned, the “Lord was with Him and showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” God caused Joseph to be released from prison and elevated him to second in command over all Egypt. God is there at every turn, and through all the hardships, Joseph honored God with an exemplary life.

When Exodus begins, however, God seems nowhere to be found. Four hundred years pass between Genesis and Exodus, and at the beginning of Exodus, all of God’s people are enslaved. You can only imagine how the Israelites felt: God had let them down.

But the story of Exodus affirms that God has not disappeared, nor has He ceased watching over His people. In what will be the greatest story in the Old Testament, He delivers His people from Egyptian bondage so that they can worship Him.

In the Hebrew Old Testament, Exodus is called “Names” from the first line of the book: “These are the names.” Exodus 19:1 mentions “going out” (or “exiting”) of Egypt, and when the Old Testament was translated into Greek, this became the new name of the book. The book can be divided into parts.

I) God delivers the descendants of Jacob (known as the “Israelites” because Jacob’s other names was “Israel”). Exodus 1:1 - 13:16.

II) Israel journeys under the protection of God to Sinai. Exodus 13:17 - 19:2

III) God tells Israel what he expects of them - both in how they live and how they approach him in worship. Exodus 19:3 - 34:28

IV) Israel’s obedience to God illustrated in their building a place for worship. Exodus 34:29 - 40:38.

Sometimes, our lives look and feel like God is nowhere to be found. But He is there, planning our deliverance and bringing it to pass. That was surely the way it must have seemed for Jesus. Perhaps that’s why his death is called, in the New Testament, an “Exodus” (or “departure” in Luke 9:31). And yet, God was there for Him, just as he is for us. Between now and our own Exodus, God calls us to a lifestyle that honors Him in obedience, and worships him in praise.

Introduction to the Bible - Genesis

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:37:00 +0000

Genesis may well be the most important book in the Bible. It introduces us to God, tells us how mankind began, how sin began, and how the concept of the “People of God” began. It provides introductory insight to the justice, mercy, love and grace of God and provides us an essential background for everything else in the Bible.

The main characters of Genesis are Adam and Eve, Noah, Abraham, his son Isaac, Isaac’s son Jacob, and Jacob’s son Joseph. The story begins in the fertile crescent of Mesopotamia and ends in the land of Egypt.

Nearly 400 years after the death of Jacob (also known as “Israel”), his family had grown from 70 to over a million. They were so numerous the Egyptians feared their nation and culture might be over-run and so they enslaved the people of Israel. God delivered them and brought them to the land He had promised Abraham. But by that time, Abraham had been dead over half a millennia and his descendants, before entering the promised land, needed to know something of their roots. At that point, Moses wrote Genesis to tell them that story. Originally written in Hebrew, the Hebrew title of the book is “In the beginning.”

Ten times in Genesis the author begins a new section with the words “This is the account” (or, in some Bibles, “These are the generations”). The translation of that phrase into Greek gives us the word (in Greek) “Genesis” and that’s where our title comes from. The book begins with God, and God is the prominent character throughout. I have divided it into 5 parts:
I) God and the beginning 1:1 - 11:32
II) God and Abraham 12:1 - 21:7
III) God and Isaac 21:8 - 28:4
IV) God and Jacob 28:5 - 37:1
V) God and Joseph 37:2 - 50:26

Genesis is important because without it, you will not understand the significance of anything else in the Bible. In Genesis 12-13, God promised to make Abraham a great man, and through his descendants, bless all the nations of the world. Exodus through Deuteronomy tells how God made Israel a great nation. Joshua tells how God gave them a land. Judges through the end of the Old Testament recounts God’s patience with His people and the blessedness and seriousness of their status. The gospel accounts of the New Testament show how God ultimately extended His people to include those outside the Jewish nation. The book of Acts shows the fulfillment of that promise and the rest of the New Testament, down to the book of Revelation, deals with the lives of those people as they struggle (like Israel did) with their new status. The book of Revelation holds out hope -- to all who embrace God -- of a new heaven and earth where all struggle ceases and where the people of God dwell in His intimate presence forever.

Hymn Stories - Rock of Ages

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:14:00 +0000

In 1769, Augustus Toplady was a minister in the Church of England. The story goes that one Sunday afternoon, while out for a walk, he saw the dark clouds of a storm gathering. As the sky became increasingly threatening and the thunder became more ominous, Toplady began to search for a place of shelter from the storm. He saw a small ledge between two towering boulders. “Toplady crept under the sheltering rocks and crouched in their mighty shadows while the storm raged. While the wind roared and the thunder crashed, the words of this hymn came to his mind and, taking a scrap of paper, he began to write them down:

Rock of Ages cleft for me
Let me hide myself in thee
Let the water and the blood from thy riven side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure, cleanse me from its guilt and power.”

At least, that’s the popular version of how this song came to be. The true story is somewhat less romantic.

Preaching at this time were John and Charles Wesley. The Wesleys were terribly concerned about the state of their Church – the Church of England. Years before, John Calvin had advanced the notion that God had already determined the saved and the dammed and there was nothing anyone could do about it. Many people, holding to this view, came to think that it didn't matter how you lived, because if you were saved, you couldn't be lost, and if you were lost, there was nothing to do to be saved.

The Wesleys disagreed. They urged personal piety and obedience upon all, telling them that Christian lives should be marked by obedience and faith and a true sorrow for sin.

Unfortunately, Wesley was mis-heard by many of his critics, and few of them were as vocal as Augustus Toplady. Wesley's critics insisted that Wesley was preaching a "salvation by works" theology wherein it was possible to save yourself through good deeds and sorrow for sin.

The struggle between John Wesley and Augustus Toplady was fierce. Toplady called Wesley a “lurking, sly assassin” guilty of “low serpentine cunning” and “dirty subterfuges which sing a divine into the level of an oyster woman.” Wesley replied that Toplady was “too dirty a writer for me to meddle with; I should only foul my fingers" (John Pollack, John Wesley: Servant of God (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1989) p. 228).

Toplady wrote the hymn to rebut what he perceived as a “salvation by works” theology. John Wesley had himself penned a hymn which called Jesus the "Rock struck for me". The hymn continued with these words: "let those two streams of blood and water which once gushed out of thy side bring down pardon and holiness to my soul (Pamela J. Kennedy, Hymns of Faith and Inspiration (Nashville, TN: Ideals Publishing Co., 1990) p. 48.)."

In the first verse, Toplady used Wesley's own words against him, noting that the preacher had admitted that Jesus, the “Rock of Ages,” was the source of his salvation.

In the second verse, Toplady pressed his point: We cannot save ourselves.:

Not the labor of my hands can fulfill the law's demands.
Could my zeal no respite know, Could my tears forever flow.
All for sin could not atone. Thou must save, and thou alone.

The third verse was more personal for Augustus Toplady and in it, he emphasized the need to depend on Christ alone. Most of his life had been spent in poor health and at the time of the hymn, he was suffering from TB.

Nothing in my hand I bring; Simply to thy cross I bring.
Naked come to thee for dress; Helpless, look to thee for grace.
Vile, I to the fountain fly.
Wash me savior or I die.

Toplady died two years later at the age of 38. It is ironic that a hymn born out of such dissension and controversy would have brought such peace and hope to Christians over the past two centuries. It is equally sad that two men, both dedicated to God, refused to listen to one another. Had they done so, they might have found that in truth, they were really in agreement.

The Bussiness End of Death - 6

Mike Tune — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:04:00 +0000

I promised a checklist: Here we go.

Right now, you need:
_____ A Will

_____ A Medical Directive

_____ To name a person, to take care of your affairs in case you are not able to care for them yourself. Your family & close friends need to know who this person is and you should grant him/her a power of attorney (only effective when it is delivered).

In preparation for death:
_____ Where will you be buried?

_____ Which funeral home?

In preparation for the funeral:
_____ A short personal biography including your date and place of birth, accomplishments and achievements.

_____ Who will speak at your funeral? Minister __________ Eulogy _______________

_____ What songs will be sung/played?

_____ Who will serve as pall bearers?

The Business End of Death - 5 (The Funeral - Part 2)

Mike Tune — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 13:19:00 +0000

Funerals normally have at least one prayer, several hymns, a eulogy (where the deceased’s life is reviewed with fond remembrances from family and friends), and a devotional thought based on scripture.

Music
If you have hymns, the first consideration will be “how” they are to be done (even before you decide “which” ones they will be).

* Will the hymns be sung, or will they simply be instrumental? If instrumental, you will need to arrange for a talented person or persons to do that (and there will be a fee involved).

* If the hymns will be sung, will the singing be “live” or will it be by recording? If by recording, the family is responsible for making sure the funeral home (or the church) can actually broadcast the recordings for the service. The family will also need to provide those recordings. Neither the funeral home nor the church is responsible for arranging this.

* If the singing is “live,” will it be done by a soloist, chorus, quartet or singing group? Neither the funeral home nor the church is responsible for making such arrangements. You or your designated funeral arranger will have to arrange for this. Does your church have such a person or group that does funerals? If not, a live chorus (or even quartet) is not the way to go. If the singing is done “live” will it be “congregational” (everyone sings)? In the Church of Christ, all our worship singing is done acappella. Acappella at a funeral works well provided those who attend can sing, and are used to singing acappella. I have officiated at funerals where the family wanted acappella singing, but where most of those in attendance did not sing acappella and therefore, it did not work well. Unless the funeral is held at a church building, congregational singing will require the family to arrange for hymnbooks or songsheets for those gathered.

You will need a list of the hymns to be used. Normally, there are four or fewer hymns.

Eulogy
The eulogy is a time for recounting the deceased’s life, including accomplishments. You should prepare a document that will highlight your life (where you were born, where you went to school, whether you served in the military, etc.). Do not presume your family knows this. I have now lost count of the number of times family members didn’t even know where mom or dad were born (it’s disgraceful – but there it is). What about this person has made his life special? There should be one main person to speak and his or her presentation should be no longer than 12 minutes.

Here is also a time for family and friends to participate and tell stories that illustrate why the deceased’s life was important to them. Two cautions: First, you should know precisely who is going to speak. The minister or person in charge should not just say: “Would anyone like to come up and say a few words?” There is always the chance that no one will respond. The silence will be deafening. Second, everyone who speaks should have a prepared script from which to read, and they should be sure they can read it without reducing themselves to a puddle. I normally recommend immediate family members not speak during this time unless they can do so confidently. It is appropriate for those who do not want to speak to have the minister or someone else read their remarks. No one person should speak longer than 3 minutes, or have a script longer than 2 typed pages. This part of the service should last no longer than 20 minutes if it is done well, less if it is not done well.

Devotional Meditation
Normally presented by the minister (who may also do the eulogy). The devotional meditation should last no longer than ten minutes. The minister will use that time to emphasize one or more of the following: holy living, the brevity of life, the finality of death, the certainty of judgment, and the promise of hope.

Program
Sometimes there are programs but if so, unless the funeral home or your church specifies otherwise, the family is responsible for preparing these. The following is a suggested outline for a funeral:
2 Hymns
Eulogy
Hymn
Devotional Meditation
Prayer

At the end of the funeral, the director of the funeral home will dismiss the assembly. The pall bearers will bear the casket to the hearse and the family will follow the pall bearers (check with your funeral home on this – customs are different in some areas) out to the hearse and to the graveside.

Graveside
At the graveside, the minister may say a few words, or read a scripture and have a prayer (or you may elect to have close friends do this). The casket is then lowered into the grave. Most funeral homes require families to leave while the grave is filled in, then return later.

Next week: A summary checklist

The Business End of Death - 4 (The Funeral - Part 1)

Mike Tune — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:07:00 +0000

Funerals are really for the living. When someone dies, and there is no funeral, it’s like having a close friend leave your party without you having a chance to say goodbye. There is an emptiness, a disconnect.

Funerals may be simply at the graveside, and if you are not expecting many people to come, that may be the best location. It will certainly save on the funeral cost because there will be no need to rent a chapel. But if the weather is poor, or hot, or if there are over 20 people in attendance, a graveside funeral can be a poor place to say goodbye.

The funeral itself will normally be held either at a church, or in the chapel at the funeral home. When I began in ministry over thirty years ago, funerals consisted of a few hymns, and a sermon by a minister which might mention a brief biography of the deceased. Today, funerals have at least one prayer, several hymns, a eulogy (where the deceased’s live is reviewed with fond remembrances from family and friends), and a devotional thought based on scripture. A funeral should be less than an hour in length, and normally, funerals at which I officiate last somewhere between thirty and forty-five minutes.

You will need six “pall bearers” to carry the casket after the funeral to the hearse. The funeral home will ask for their names in advance and provide special seating for them. Pall bearers should be physically fit enough to do this job - able to lift about forty pounds with one hand and walk with the load a distance of fifty feet. Sometimes families choose to honor close friends by making them “honorary” pall bearers. These have no obligation to carry the casket, but will proceed behind the casket and in front of the family.

Will the casket be open during the funeral, or closed? I recommend closed. The family will be given a chance to gather privately around the open casket before the funeral. Once the casket is closed, it should not be reopened. Grief is a powerful emotion and can cause unexpected responses. I have officiated at funerals where the casket was re-opened after the funeral for everyone to pass by, and I have had, at that point, grief stricken family members nearly crawl in a casket and refuse to let go of the deceased.

Trust me. It can be horrible.

But perhaps this is a good time to mention how Christians should handle grief.

Losing a loved one is tough. We grieve. Our hearts are broken. But Christians know that life does not end at death, and our hope has never been fixated on this life. We always knew we were going to die, and we know our friends and family are going to die. But according to the promise of God, we look for a new heaven and a new earth, a country in which righteousness dwells. And so, while we mourn the passing of one we’ve loved, we do not mourn like the world. Our expressions of grief should be neither inconsolable nor dispassionate and stoic. They should be the grief of a people who know that, for the Christian, death is swallowed up in victory. Our grief is tempered by our hope.

Next week: Music, eulogy and "at the grave."

The Business End of Death (Part 3 - At the Funeral Home)

Mike Tune — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 15:05:00 +0000

Normally, in this country, once you die, your body is removed to a funeral home. I covered some considerations regarding “which” funeral home in my previous blog. If you are to be buried in a different city from the one in which you live, you may need the services of two funeral homes: one for where you live, and one to handle the arrangements for the burial. Costs do not double, but are higher for such an arrangement.

There will be costs for transporting the body, embalming, the casket, and the burial plot. Many jurisdictions also require a vault. The vault is a large, normally concrete, box that is lowered into the ground first. The casket is then lowered into the vault and sealed with a concrete cover. The vault is there to preserve the integrity of the grave site. If you walk through old cemeteries, you may notice that some graves will be marked by sunken depressions in the earth. This means the casket has deteriorated and come apart. The vault keeps that from happening (and keeps embalming chemicals and other effluence from getting into the soil and ground water). If you opt for a cremation, you may avoid these charges, but a lot of that has to do with whether you actually have a funeral.

We will look at funerals in my next blog, but for now, you should remember that funerals are not for the deceased. They are for the living. They provide an opportunity for your community of family and friends to come together, to remember your life, and remember their lives with you. It offers a time of closure and support for the family.

You can save your family some discomfort by making arrangements for your funeral before you die. You can pick the casket, select the burial plot, and decide how much of a service you want to have. You may also pre-pay for all this. The advantage of pre-payment is that you avoid price increases over time which can be substantial. Funeral homes will not “bill” the family or the estate. While most funeral homes will come get the deceased and transport the body to their place of business, that’s all the service anyone will get until payment is made. If you have an insurance policy to cover the burial, sometimes they will take that as payment, but there will be papers for the official beneficiary to sign releasing the benefit to the funeral home. Someone will have to pay for the services. If you have a Power of Attorney, remember that it ends with your death. Unless you have actually placed a friend or family member on your checking or savings account, no one will be able to access your funds to pay the funeral home. If you make these arrangements, be sure to write them down and entrust them to the person who is charged with carrying them out. Your family should know who that person is.

For every funeral, there are usually two parts: The “visitation,” for people who are unable to come for the funeral to come by and pay their respects – usually in the evening. Funeral homes charge for the time and usage of their facility for this service. Then, there is the funeral itself. The funeral home will charge for time and use of the facility again. It is not necessary to have the visitation separate. Sometimes the visitation occurs an hour (or more) before the funeral on the same day.

For Church members, sometimes the funeral is held at the church building. This is particularly helpful if you expect a large number of people. On the other hand, if your Church building will seat 500, and you only expect 50 to 100, it’s much better to have the service at the funeral home.

Here’s a checklist:
* Which funeral home(s)?
* Burial or cremation?
* Place of burial?
* What kind of casket (price parameters – or urn for cremated remains)?
* Where will the funeral be held? When?
* Which flower shop will you use?
* Will there be a visitation? When?
* Flowers. Friends and family and your local church will send some. But customarily there is a spray of flowers that goes on top of the casket (but is not required).

(Next time: The Funeral)

The Business End of Death (Part 2 - Selecting A Funeral Home)

Mike Tune — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:32:00 +0000

We will all face death. At least our own, but likely also the death of some we love. When the time comes, it's important to be ready. As a minister, most folks expect me to write about the spiritual preparation for death. I am going to do that, but there is a business end as well, one that all too often takes us by surprise.

The following looks at death from the perspective of someone arranging his own funeral. (You can also read it to help you decide what decisions you need to make for a loved one who has passed and has not previously made their own arrangements.) It will be important to write down your wishes and entrust that document to a trustworthy person you have legally empowered to carry out your directives. You should let your family members know who this person is so there will be no confusion about the matter later. That person should live in your community and be able to act without the help of others.

When death occurs, there must be some official pronouncement. When my mother passed away, pronouncement was made at her home by the hospice nurse. A friend passed away recently at a hospital. Medical personnel made the pronouncement there. The next step after the pronouncement is to call the funeral home. In a hospital or nursing home, the staff will likely make the call on behalf of the family. At home, the responsible family member will have to do it.

But which funeral home?

I have stood at the foot of many a bed as family members asked: "Who do we call? Which funeral home?" If you have no intention of having a funeral, or if the casket will not be opened, it may not matter. But if you have a traditional funeral, it certainly will matter. I was called to a hospital ER some years ago to be with the family of a man who was having a heart attack. It was massive, and the doctors were not able to save him. The wife wanted to see her husband before the funeral home came, and asked that I accompany her. The doctors advised against it, but she insisted. I have never seen a more frightening corpse. The heart attack left him with a wild expression of pain, an expression I can see to this day. It is the work of the funeral home to get rid of that expression – and they don’t all do it equally well. Lengthy illnesses also often leave one a mere shell of the person they once were. The skill of the funeral home comes into play here as they restore your looks to something more recognizable by your friends.

So how do you choose?

Go to some funerals. You ought to do it anyway, especially of church members because, after all, you and they are part of the same body – the body of Christ, the family of God. You should be supportive of your spiritual family. Find out the funeral home in charge. See the restoration yourself. Also, watch in the funeral for how the service is conducted. Talk to the family afterwards and see how they felt about the funeral home. Was the funeral well organized? Were the arrangements and instructions from funeral home personnel clear and dignified at the graveside? Observation will help you make a good decision. My wife and I have narrowed the list of preferred funeral homes by going to funerals and making a list of those we didn't like.

Where will your funeral be held and where will you be buried? It does matter. If your funeral is in one city (or State), and the burial is in another, you will need to make arrangements with two funeral homes. The expense does not double, but it will increase and if transportation of some distance is involved, the costs will be considerable.

All I have said here is: "Choose a funeral home." If you just can't bear to think about it, or go to the trouble, imagine how difficult it will be for those who love you to make this decision for you.

Next week: At the funeral home.

The Business End of Death (Part 1)

Mike Tune — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 14:33:00 +0000

Unless Jesus returns first, fully one out of every one people will die.

That includes you and me.

And yet, for so many people, death takes them totally by surprise – as if they knew it was true, but they never expected it to happen to them. The World Bank figures the average life-expectancy at 67 years. In this country, men live, on average, 72 years. Women live 79 years.

It’s not just that death takes the dying by surprise. It also takes their family and friends by surprise.

This series of blogs is not designed to ease the pain of loss. It is designed to be informative about the business end of death - specifically, planning for it. One caveat. I am a minister, not an attorney. The following advice is the result of personal experience, not legal expertise.)

There are three documents everyone needs:

The first is an Advance Medical Directive. This is a written document signed by you in the presence of two unrelated witnesses. For you, it has two purposes: first to designate whether you wish to be kept alive by artificial means to prolong the dying process. Second, the document appoints a specific responsible party to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make the decisions. Do not presuppose that if you do not do this a family member (wife, child, etc.) will be able to do it for you. It may be a decision your wife or child simply cannot bring themselves to make. Families are often conflicted over this process and hard feelings frequently arise (for example: “you didn’t fight to keep mom/dad alive.”) Additionally, if you are single, doctors and medical personnel simply will not talk to anyone, family or friend, about this matter. You must make this decision.

The second document is a Durable General Power of Attorney. This is a written document signed by you in the presence of a notary public (who should affix her/his notary seal to the document). It has only one purpose: to appoint someone to take care of your affairs (financial and otherwise) should you need someone to do that. This becomes especially important if you are not married, or if for some reason your spouse is unable to perform those duties. If you should have a stroke or other debilitating illness, and have no Power of Attorney, no one will be able to pay your bills, or even talk to the doctors on your behalf. Doctors and medical personnel will be reluctant to talk with or consult with anyone who is not a spouse or have a Power of Attorney.

Depending on your stage of life, you may need several of these. Neither the IRS nor the Social Security Administration will accept a Power of Attorney unless it is their Power of Attorney. They each have a specific form thaqt must be filed in advance. The Power of Attorney allows the person you designate equal authority over your assets while you live. Be careful whom you designate. It doesn’t just work if you are incapacitated.

The Power of Attorney ends at death. I accompanied family members to a funeral home to make arrangements for a parent. When all arrangements were made, the Funeral Director asked for a check. A son whipped out his deceased father’s checkbook and started to write the check. “Are you on that account?” the director asked. “I have Power of Attorney” was the reply. The Funeral Director said: “Not any more. Your father is deceased.” This is why it is also important, if you are single, to have someone else on your checking account, and why it is important to have someone legally designated to take over with instructions on how things are to be done.

The third document is a will. If you have no will, and you die, it will not matter what you said during your lifetime about the disposition of your assets. The government will dispose of it according to prescribed legal protocols. History is full of hurt feelings because of disagreements among family members at the death of a loved one. You are responsible for keeping the peace by planning during your life.

Next week: Planning a funeral.

God Is Still God

Mike Tune — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 13:38:00 +0000

From 1930 to 1947, Gladys Aylward served as a missionary to China, spending much of her time caring for orphan children. When the Japanese invaded China, and her city of Yangcheng, Gladys was forced to flee. She refused, however, to abandon her children. And so, with only one assistant, she led over a hundred orphans over the mountains to a part of China that was still free.

I’ve traveled with children. My own, and those of others. It’s never a picnic, and it surely wasn’t for Gladys. She grappled with despair as never before. Once she stayed awake all night while the children slept, praying that the enemy would not find them.

The next morning, Gladys was a wreck. The older children sensed it, and tried to encourage her. A thirteen year old girl reminded her of the story of Moses and the Exodus and compared Gladys to the great Israelite leader: as he led the children of God, so she was leading children of God.

Gladys, in tears, cried: “But I’m not Moses.”

And the young girl replied: “But God is still God.”

They went on to make it through, a tremendous story of heroism and faith.

Habakkuk wrote:"Of what value is an idol, since a man has carved it? Or an image that teaches lies? For he who makes it trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak. Woe to him who says to wood, `Come to life!' Or to lifeless stone, `Wake up!' Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.”

There is no one else to trust but God. Everyone and everything else will let us down. But not the Lord. There will be times we will feel inadequate, but God has never left us “on our own.” He is still the God who He covers the sky with clouds, supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills; who provides food for the cattle and for the young ravens when they call (Psalm 147:8-9). He still spreads snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes (Psalm 147:16). Jesus said: ‘If he clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and gone tomorrow, will he not clothe you?’

David wrote: “If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed. Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever. For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever . . .” (Psalm 37:23-28).

You may not be as strong as any character of the Bible, but God is as strong as he ever was, and He wants you, more than anything else, to lean on Him.

Lee Iacocca On Prayer

Mike Tune — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 19:58:00 +0000

I've just finished reading Lee Iacocca's new book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone? It was a great read, though if you like your truths vague and sugarcoated, you might want to skip Iacocca. "Vague" isn't one of his strong suits.

At the end, he has some advice for people in, and headed for, retirement. His last recommendation is to "Say Your Prayers." He writes: "With the passage of years, when you see that there's a lot more behind you than there is ahead of you, you start praying harder. . . I never spent a lot of time wondering what comes next. There was too much to do in the here and now. Getting older has humbled me some, and I say my prayers a little more fervently these days. . . There's no escaping mortality, and the older you get, the more you are reminded of it. Death is the great equalizer, and we all look pretty much the same lying in the coffin. Life is where you can make things happen" (pp. 253-255).

I'm not sure he intended it, but there surely seems to be a bit of desperation there - kinda like: "Oops, time's running out. Better pray!"

God doesn't intend his children live that way, though I am surely glad Mr. Iacoccca IS praying more. God wants us to pray not just in anticipation of the end of life, but pray through life. As difficult as it is at times, life is surely easier when we are in daily conversation with the one who's running the show. The Bible says Jesus often spent time in prayer (Luke 5:16). In his last words to his disciples, Jesus told them three times to be sure and pray. The assurance was that what they asked for, they would receive (John 14:13; 15:7; 16:24-26).

Years later, Jesus' brother, James, would write: "You do not have, because you do not ask God" (James 4:2).

There are four reasons to pray: First, because God asks us to. Second, because we can. It's a huge privilege. Third, because life goes much better when we do than when we don't. And fourth, we will, as Iacocca points out, one day meet the Lord. It will go much better if we meet Him as a friend rather than as a stranger.

Greetings:

Church of Christ in Falls Church — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:13:00 +0000

Hello and welcome to my personal, "preacher blog." This has been a new addition added during the redo of the website here at Falls Church.