The listening post: As I continue to listen to several CoG sermons per week; I sometimes ask, what are they not saying? What is on their radar screen and what is top of the mind? One thing one never hears about is the slaughter on our highways and what we as christians can do about it. Even with the new safety features built into our cars, some 33,000 die every year just here in the states. This is far more deaths than our soldiers experience. And yes it effects the church… your church. Chances are one or more people sitting in your congregation have lost a loved one due to a traffic death. Even ten years hence they still suffer and often the pain is transferred to church life. Any time a person suffers a great inexplicable lost it is likely to work itself out in relationships and they are likely to want you to suffer in some way so that you can participate in some way in their loss. In addition for every death there are many injuries, taking energy, focus and money away from the mission of the church. It would be interesting to hear how you treat vehicle deaths; do you blame it on the devil or as God’s judgement or perhaps time and chance? Would patience and a constance awareness of the danger help save some lives?
Wow. Really something to think about.
And I’ve heard of very few churches even offering a support group for those grieving. What are our churches thinking ?
Good question Waiting for the answer
Preach against rage driving
When we preach about the christian values of patience, long suffering, contentment and consideration of others we need to tie those virtues in with driving. At first you will get snickers and oh sure and there is no way I’m going to let THAT PERSON BEAT ME TO THE PARKING SPACE but if you will mention this in passing two or three times per year it will start some conversations inside cars as families move about.
Hello. I’m not a minister, but I would like to share myl experience with a death by a car wreck. First, it is like any other tragic death to any member of the family. My husband was a Minister of Music with the Church of God for 35 plus years. He sang with the Forward in Faith trio for a while. He was a good Christian and everybody loved him. He had several songsl published in the song books that used to be a available for churches every year. The last chorus that was published was titled ” Every Day With Jesus”. Being from the Chattanooga area, I love reading the comments from your forum. He had retired due to Alheizmes disease. He got the car keys and said he was going to the grocery store. Could not stop him. After hr had got some groceries and headed home which was about a mile, his foot got stuck behind the brake with part on the gas. He lost control and went up and down a ditch four times before coming to a complete stop in from of several kids from school. Two of those were his grandchildren which devastated them severely. The church where we were working at suffered very much. He was a very big part of the church and carried a big load on his shoulders. The pastor ended up leaving because he could not endure his death. The church not only lost a successful Minister of Music buy lost a pastor and several members. It has been 7 years now and they hired a new pastor a few months ago. They are looking for a Minister now Music And I pray they find one. I don’t blame God for his death, it was a misfortune that it happened because he was doing a good work. Do I question Gods timing?, yes and no. Yes as to help me understand, which he did. I gave it all to God. The biggest problem I have endured is the loneliness. I was identified as the choir directors wife or the organ player. Now, I am a nobody. I had a stroke so I can’t drive and have yo be in a wheelchair. I don’t get to go to church and have been pushed under the rug. So to speak. My encouragement to care givers watch your love ones and keep dangers up just like we do toddlers. Put your trust in God. He is our source of love. To the church, don’t forget your Ministers wives or husband’s. Or as far as that goes church members also. I miss church very much. It is all i have ever known. From the hills of Tenn. To the flat land of Arkansas. We are one in the sight of God. We are all working toward the ultimate prize in the sky, of eternal life with God. Time is precious. Hold on to it. God bless you. Sharon Davis
New port AR.
Sister Sharon, thank you for taking the time to tell your sad and heart rendering story. We are caught up in the mystery of such things and we will beginning today start lifting you up in our prayers. May the balm of Gilead sooth your inner soul and touch your body as well.
Thank you.