Today is a different kind of thanksgiving for my family. Today, I will be attending the funeral service of my uncle Jonny who passed away last week. Jonny’s life story is one of true regeneration, one whose life was made new by the redeeming work of Christ. The following is his obituary posted in the Dallas Morning News:
Pylant, Jonathan Virgil Nickname Jonny, age 53, a resident of Carrollton, was called home to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ after a sudden and peaceful death on Friday, November 13, 2009 in Jonestown, Tx. An extraordinary man, loving husband, father, and grandfather. Born May 31, 1956 in Midland, Tx to Thurman and Laura Pylant. On Febuary 22, 1983, he was united in marriage to Connie Ren Simpson. He is preceded in death by his beloved parents and brother, David Pylant. He Leaves his wife of 26 years, Connie Pylant, two brothers; Topper Pylant and Joe Pylant, four sons; P.R. Pylant, Jonah Pylant, Isaac Pylant, and Jonathan Pylant, three daughters; Roxanne Turner, Rikki Fontenot, and Emily Pylant including their spouses; 13 grandchildren and other loving relatives and friends. He was employed with AT&T for 10 years and was currently working as a Global Account Director. He attended Bent Tree Bible Fellowship Church in Carrollton, Tx. Jonny’s life would seem too short to many, but those who were touched by him understood that the quality of existence far exceeds the quantity of time in which one lives. He was a true man of God and touched many lives. He truly left a legacy and will be missed. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Beck Funeral Home, Cedar Park, Texas. Funeral Arrangements under the direction of Beck Funeral Home, 1700 E. Whitestone, Cedar Park, Tx. 512-259-1610.
Today we give thanks for the redeeming grace of Christ. Today we give thanks for the hope of eternity. And today we give thanks that the Spirit of God comforts our souls as we walk through the valley of shadows.
When I served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Elm Mott, one of the men in my church gifted me with my own personal copy of the Book of Common Prayer. He actually signed it “to the Bishop of Elm Mott.” For my fellow Baptists, the Book of Common Prayer is the worship guide book of the Episcopal Church. It contains suggested order of services for worship services, weddings, and funerals. It also contains prayers and daily scripture readings. I have been using the lectionary of daily readings for the last decade as my guide to the daily reading of Scriptures. You can find the complete text online. Continue Reading »
There seems to be a little debate over the occurrence of the “first thanksgiving” in the new world. Some point to St. Augustine, Florida where a thanksgiving ceremony took place on September 8, 1565 after a group of 600 Spanish settlers arrived safely. The Mass of Thanksgiving was followed by a feast and celebration.
Most Americans think of the celebration in 1621 as the “first thanksgiving,” but even that is not entirely correct. When Captain John Woodleaf led his group of English settlers to the colony of Virginia in 1619, part of the group’s charter required that the day of arrival be observed yearly as “a day of thanksgiving to God.” The Charter of Berkely Hundred read, Continue Reading »
Please take 5 seconds to give me your feedback about the “Life’s Healing Choices” study that our church just completed. Of course, I would ask that you only register your opinion if you were a part of FBC Benbrook during the last three months.
Jesus wants us to believe that those who are insulted, persecuted, and slandered for righteous living are blessed (see Matthew 5.10-12). Saving the question of blessing for another day, I still wonder why the righteous would be persecuted. After all, don’t we want the people who share our space to be merciful, pure, and peaceable? One would think that the people who dispense mercy, work for justice, love selflessly, and give generously would be the heroes of any community. But Jesus warns us that, sooner or later, righteous living will bring persecution. Why will “they” hate “us” so much? Continue Reading »
In the eighth and final beatitude, Jesus shares these shocking words:
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5.10-12). Continue Reading »
Blessed are the peacemakers, those who work to sustain and create harmony in their personal relationships. Peacemaking is not only avoiding the attitudes and behaviors that cause disharmony, but it is also taking the positive steps towards restoring harmony when it is lost. Turning to the Scriptures, I offer to you today a few biblical principles about the action steps that peacemakers take in restoring harmony. Continue Reading »
