Devotions: Changing Times - Ecclesiastes 6:1-6

Ecclesiastes 6:4 It comes without meaning, it departs in darkness, and in darkness its name is shrouded.

When I first became a pastor over 25 years ago, SID (Sudden Infant Death syndrome) was prevalent. It was the greatest fear that new parents had, because the experts had not worked out what was causing most of the tragedies. Some people blamed it on second hand smoking; others suggested that it was plastic toxins in cots; still others thought it was how babies were laid to sleep. Whatever the causes, the devastation was still the same. The hopes and dreams of young parents were absolutely shattered. And because I had two little darling daughters of my own, it made it emotionally exhausting to pastor to the families involved in such a tragedy.

Stillborn babies were also hard situations in which to offer help. Parents felt abandoned by God because the church and community did not know what to do or say. In fact, up until that time, it was usual for stillborns to be whisked away from their mothers, to be never seen again. No wonder families felt so isolated and abandoned.

And then, thankfully, things changed. A group of women pastors in Glasgow, Scotland, started to write beautiful naming ceremonies for stillborn babies and cot death infants. They allowed the mothers to both celebrate and grieve their children. The old biblical insensitivities, such as those that we can still read in Ecclesiastes (6:1-6) today, were rejected. Instead, the loving grief of God, who lost His own Son to death, was emphasized; the stillborn and SID children were blessed, baptized, and presented to God as being pure and perfect. Even Christ’s own words were used to describe the eternal bliss of those little children: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

Parents never get over the loss of a child; thankfully, churches and hospitals, schools and communities are better equipped to embrace and comfort them in their loss. As time goes by, the tragedy remains in the past, but the baby is carried in the hearts of their families. With the right help, support, comfort and guidance, sorrowing parents can grow through the experience, so that they in turn, may offer empathy and aid to those who may sadly endure the same.

Prayers:           Lord Jesus, we pray for those among us who have lost their children. We ask that You heal their pain and scars, and surround them with sensitive friends, comforting communities, and loving churches. Help them through each day and graciously allow them the blessings of everlasting love for them and their children. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to ask questions or make comments about this message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is one of John’s Christmas drawings called “Nativity Nap Time.” It is being used this Fall by a national non-profit organization for their winter campaign. Over 370,000 cards will be mailed out across the United States with this drawing. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4159555940_eb5f7bb5c2_b.jpg

Daily Devotion - Family Gathering - Acts 7

Acts 7:16         Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought from the sons of Hamor at Shechem for a certain sum of money.

The wee stillborn baby that I baptized last week was buried in his family’s cemetery. Generations of his relatives have been laid to rest in that hallowed place. It was very touching to see his wee white coffin being given its sacred place in such beautiful surroundings. His precious life within his young mother’s womb was both valued and honored by the whole family. At some future point, a little white cross or a stone angel will probably mark where he is resting.

Graves are witnessing sites to previous generations. I know of many families who reunite once a year at family graveyards to honor the past lives of their loved ones. I think that this is a wonderful thing to do, because it keeps the continuity of past, present, and future generations linked together.

When the bodies of Jacob, Joseph, and his brothers were taken back to Shechem, they were identifying themselves as true descendants of Abraham. They were also laying a perpetual claim to the land and fulfilling God’s promises. This is why Moses and the Hebrew children headed back there four hundred years later. This is also why the Jews laid claim to the land and re-inhabited it in 1948. Israel exists as a nation today simply because God’s promises are always fulfilled. Abraham’s foresight in purchasing the land thousands of years ago validates the existence of the Israeli nation today, not just according to the scriptures, but also through Middle East inheritance customs.

In years to come, when Old Mortality catches me, I’ll either be buried or cremated depending upon what my family decides. It would be nice to be laid to rest somewhere that future generations could gather together and say that this is where the Stuarts in America began. However, for me the real reunion and final family gathering that will mean so much more will be that glorious day when Christ gathers His followers to Himself and we become part of that great Christian family of faith, hope, and love in His Kingdom forever. Now that’s a family gathering  I am really looking forward to!

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, thank You for the sacred resting places of our people and loved ones. Thank You for the family reunions that take place each year at churches and graveyards all over the world. And we praise You for that coming glorious day when we will be gathered together in the Heavenly realms to be with You and all our loved ones forever. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing of an old Dutch Windmill in winter. If you would like to view a larger version, please click the following link: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1300/4705518404_6b5427a32f_b.jpg

Free Daily Devotions: Beyond Death - Psalm 6

Psalm 6:5 No one remembers you when he is dead. Who praises you from the grave?

Sometimes I feel sorry for the ancient Israelites. They didn’t have any real hope in resurrection and everlasting life. They believed that when someone died, the soul went to a place of shadows and, over time, it became a mere shadow itself. Death was something to be dreaded and feared. It meant the end of everything – life, relationships, and faith.

Thankfully, we are New Testament people and the good news of the Gospel means that death does not have the final word. Christ’s victory over sin and death has opened up a door between us and God. Instead of going to the land of shadows when we die, we are welcomed into the Kingdom of Light. Rather than losing our relationships, we are restored to God.

These blessings come to us through Jesus. There is no other way. He is the conduit of God’s everlasting compassion; He is the sole channel of God’s eternal grace. When we fully give our hearts to Him and place our souls into Christ’s hands, we are assured of these wonderful gifts and death no longer has any power to diminish us or our souls. Not only will we remember and praise God from the grave, we will be restored to rejoice with Him forever.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, thank You for the giving of Your holy and precious Life, so that we may be given the forgiveness of our sins and the promise of everlasting life. Help us to claim these sacred gifts by the giving of our hearts to You. In Your Saving Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, pleases end him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Daily Devotions: A Faithful End

How a funeral in Farragut became a place of blessing after last weekend's tragic plane crash.

Psalm 145: 14 The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

Podcast version click here

I was at a funeral last night. The deceased had been tragically killed in a plane crash last weekend, on the very same day that his son was getting engaged to be married. I went to the funeral because the mother of the dead man is a member of our congregation. It was a very sad event for her because she also lost her daughter to breast cancer last year. She has now survived both her children.

I wondered how the pastor would conduct such a sad service to the devastated family. I prayed for him constantly throughout the service. He was an old minister, who was also a dear friend to the family. I could see that he was deeply affected by this tragedy, but his years of pastoral experience enabled him to gently lead the whole gathered community to celebrate the life of the deceased and, at the same time, still retain faith, hope, and love for God.

Towards the end of the service, the elderly pastor asked the congregation to share some thoughts and memories. A beautiful letter, written by the deceased’s wife, was read and some other people shared their personal stories. The last speaker was the son of the man who died. He very courageously thanked everyone for being at the funeral and added these words: “You have all confirmed for me that my father was the person I always knew him to be.” I have never heard of a higher compliment being given to a father by a son.

In the midst of this tragedy, we all wondered how we could celebrate and endure such a loss. And yet God, in one of His mysterious ways, provided all of the ingredients, people, and thoughts necessary to enable the family and friends to be lifted up. It was a remarkable experience and for me it proved the promise encapsulated in this verse: ‘The LORD upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.’

Perhaps you feel downhearted or disappointed today. Maybe you’re a bit depressed and feeling low. My prayer for you this day is that God will come to wherever you are, and gently lift you up in body, mind, heart, and soul.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in the midst of our sorrows, be our Comforter. During times of trouble and tragedy, be our Strength. And in those dark moments when we feel down or depressed, isolated or alone, be our Friend. Both now and always. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

4 Minute Devotions: Mourning and Dancing

Ecclesiastes 3: 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

I think I must have conducted about 750 funerals over my 23 years in ministry. When I was a pastor in Scotland I looked after two parishes, so on average I officiated at about 2 funerals a week. I can even remember one busy week when I completed five funerals within seven days. I don’t know where I got the energy to do that, but it was expected of parish ministers all across Scotland.

After the services were over in Scotland, close friends and family often shared soup, sandwiches, and tea at a local hotel or in someone’s home. It was a community gathering and frequently family and guests shared some funny and worthwhile stories about the deceased. Instead of weeping and mourning, people honored the dead by laughing and celebrating. It also helped loved ones begin their process of grief and healing.

It’s no surprise that in the Bible we find these opposites side by side. Weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing all have their special places in our lives, even at funerals. It’s not just a way of coping with loss, it’s also a remarkable fact of the human experience – life goes on around us, no matter what we go through.

The Church of Scotland Book of Worship states it this way in the funeral liturgy: We were not meant for the darkness of death; instead we were created for light and life, and to share these with God forevermore.

I think that’s a beautiful way of dealing with death, finding faith, and eternally embracing God.

Prayer: Lord God, we thank You for the precious gift of life and the priceless blessing of faith. In the midst of our pain and loss, grant us healing and comfort. Throughout those times of weeping and mourning, let us also experience laughter and dancing. In Christ’s Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. I you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.