Tag: Holy Bible

Loss & Sadness and God & Jesus and Hope & Faith.

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Yesterday they buried my brother-in law- and my best friend, Mark. After a beautiful service, we drove to the cemetery, prayed during a brief graveside service, placed flowers on the casket, and said our goodbyes. We then returned to our cars and went to a repast.

And then life goes on.

Or it’s supposed to.

And it will, of course, but it’ll never be the same. It can’t be. How can anything be the same when a huge part of one’s life is missing?

I’ll turn to see Mark, and he won’t be there. I’ll think of something funny to share, but he won’t be there to share it with. I’ll think of his unqiue sayings and instead of laughing, I’ll feel am emptiness inside because I’ll never hear those words, from Mark at least, ever again.

We’re supposed to move forward – and we do. But it’s never the same.

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Resolutions and the New Year (A Sermon)

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On December 31, 2023, I was provided the wonderful opportunity to be the guest preacher at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey.

Here is the sermon I delivered:

Today is the day when we close 2023 and look forward to 2024.  Today is when we reflect on our past year and look forward to a new one.

It’s on the last day of the year that we might celebrate the New Years’ Resolutions that we succeeded in maintaining and it is also when we set our sights to the new day that tomorrow brings as well as the new hopes for us to find ways to be our better selves.

I set a goal for 2023 that I completed just a few days ago.  I was able to keep my New Years’ resolution.  That’s always a good feeling. 

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