Good thoughts and prayers for your friends in their time of sorrow~

Prayers for the family and also for you...I know you are feeling the loss also~

Sending prayers for your dear friend and her family and for you too Ed. Tomorrow will be a sad day but you have a wonderful way of expressing thoughts and I'm sure her family will appreciate your gentle words.

You got 'em, Ed. Prayers for the whole family!

how terribly sad you've had to do both the hubby and wife...prayers are on the way...all i can say is thank you for being such a good friend...

today is the funeral for one of dh's hs friend's brother...he and his wife were riding a motorcycle and on a dangerous curve lost control...the man's wife is in a coma...were celebrating their 25th anniversary...

They are fortunate to have such a caring, close person to officiate at the funerals. It's difficult for you as well, but must be fulfilling too. I'm glad you got to see her a couple times before she passed. My thoughts are with the family and you as well, Joyful. Deepest condolences to all at this sad time.

Prayers sent for her family, and you too OJ.

Prayers for all, OJ.

Saying a prayer for all.

What a nice post from you for this family.

Prayers said, Ed. Bless you for doing this for the family.

I send prayers for the family and good thoughts for you too, Ed.

What a good friend you are OJ....my good thoughts and prayers go to you and to the family of your friend.

You've got it, OJ. I'm so sorry to hear of your sadness. It's good of you to take the service.

Prayers for the family.. and for you too Ed.

I'm sure it will be fine assure them that they will see their loved ones again. and they are safe in the Father's arms.

Bless you, Ed, for being for this family again in their time of need. They are in my prayers because you posted this. YOUR voice reaches out to even this lurker.

My condolences on your friend's death. Best thoughts to the family and friends too.

How lucky this family is to have a friend like you. My dedepest sympathy for the family and for you on the loss of mother and friend. I know your words will be of great comfort to them.

I am sorry you have lost a dear friend Ed and you and the family do have my prayers.

Sue

You're a terrific friend and a blessing to the family OJ.

Sending prayers for everyone.

Prayers for the family and prayers for you that you can bring them some comfort. You're sweet to do it for them; it has to be hard for you, too.

I think that things went well.

In the beginning, when thanking the people (hardly an empty chair) for coming to share their joys and sorrows regarding their friend, that their home and family and their friends were important to Jean and her husband who died seven years ago, and that I wanted the people to imagine that they were sitting at their friend's kitchen table, or in their living room, or on the back deck, so to feel free to make a comment, ask a question or speak as they felt moved to do.

I asked their daughter, who spent time in Hong Kong and Shanghai and has spent several years with an interest in Buddhist concepts, whether she would like to include some Buddhist readings ... and she said not, but that she appreciated the offer. When I asked whether she'd like to speak, as the males did, (equal time) she said that she feared that she'd break down and cry, and even before the gathering, she demurred, but when I offered, during the gathering, she came and spoke of her mother ... and for part of her talk, I stood with my arm around her. One of the boys made a montage of slides of various family members, involved in various activities (a substantial portion of it, eating) and played his trumpet, and another played a piece on the keyboard, along with the speaking.

I said that there's been scarcely any civilization where they had no belief in a spiritual power that takes an interest in our world, and that now, with many saying that science has made all of these superstitions unnecessary, so many have placed religion on a back shelf in the closet of the spare bedroom ... but even the modern folks say that they are spiritual (but not religious) - whatever that means. But I felt that we should make it a part of ordinary living - like salt that adds flavour to soup, or leaven which makes bread more tasty and interesting.

That when God made the world, s/he took a great risk, in giving us free will, which I deeply appreciate: not wanting to be like an ant, part of a line, following a predetermined path.

While God doesn't hit us over the head with a 2 X 4, forcing us to follow, s/he seduces us - tells us that s/he loves us deeply, and wants us to love, in return ...

... and to go out and build a world the way that s/he would like it to be.

What a wonderful challenge, privilege and responsibility that God wants us to be involved in - to be co-creators with Him/Her of the beautiful world that it can become, tomorrow.

Built on concern for and help to others, understanding, compassion and love.

Starting tomorrow, and the day after - but really beginning today: right now.

We have a sick old world, and we need to work hard not to build walls, keeping people either in, or out: but separating them, whichever. How much more creative to build bridges of understanding.

The daughter said ... that her mom would have been so pleased.

ole joyful

Very nicely spoken Ed. I'm sure that even though the service was very sad, it was also quite beautiful. We all have to face this someday, and none of us know when, I hope I'm fortunate enough to have someone speak kind words for me. And selfishly, I hope it's a long time from now.

My sympathies on the loss of another friend.

Prayers said.

Nicely said Ed. Having lost a son recently I can appreciate your remarks.

That was beautiful, OJ--I really like what you had to say. You did that family proud!

Sounds like a great service where people could say goodby, but remember the memories of your friend. No matter what religion it is, their is good in all. Have a great day, Ed, God be with you.

The great monotheisitc religions, Jews, Christians and Muslims, are based in Palestine and area, a small part of the world: wouldn't stretch from New York City to Buffalo!

While we haven't considered it much, what do we, who claim that God was in charge of the making of everything, think that S/He was doing in the rest of the world while those three religions were taking shape in that small area? Was God unconcerned with, inactive in Europe ... (other parts of) Asia, Africa, South and North America ... and over in the corner, called recently "Australia"? Was God, as far as those areas were concerned ... asleep?

I've been reading a book written by a woman who worked as a women's issues columnist for a major Canadian newspaper, later a magazine and another major newspaper, but throughout was discussing and promoting the issue of women's rights. With a Jewish background, she'd been accused, 50 years ago, of being part of a religious crew that killed Christ.

Actually - the Roman-appointed petty ruler (mainly tax collector) Herod, found no fault with Jesus ... nor did the Roman magistrate, Pilate.

The ones who insisted that he had to go - that their world wasn't big enough for their way and his ... was the religious bunch!

In Good Friday service the other day, just before I was to be first of several readers of Scripture relating to the judgement and crucifixion, the choir sang, "Were you there when they cricified my Lord?" ...

...and before I began my reading, I almost said that, yes, I was there. As were we all ... for we have not lived up to the standard of life that Christ did. We who have claimed His Name have all let Him down, multiplied times.

ole joyful