God's Coffee
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visittheir old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaintsabout stress in work and life. Offering his guests coffee, the professor wentto the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment ofcups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive,some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all thestudents had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
"If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leavingbehind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only thebest for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it isjust more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all ofyou really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for thebest cups... And then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this:
Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us."
God brews the coffee, not the cups.......... Enjoy your coffee! "The happiest peopledon't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything."
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Monday, February 26, 2007
Controversy - The Lost Tomb of Jesus
Updated: 2007-02-26 14:50:44
Scholars, Clergy Criticize Jesus Documentary
Film Contradicts Beliefs at Heart of Christianity
By MARSHALL THOMPSON
AP
NEW YORK (Feb. 26) -- Filmmakers and scholars on Monday unveiled two stone ossuaries they said could have contained the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but several other scholars derided claims in a new documentary as unfounded and contradictory to basic Christian beliefs.
Jump Below: Watch Video
"The Lost Tomb of Jesus," produced by Oscar-winning director James Cameron and airing on the Discovery Channel on March 4, argues that 10 ancient ossuaries -- small caskets used to store bones -- discovered in a suburb of Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus and his family. One of the caskets bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son, according to the film. The very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven. "There's a definite sense that you have to pinch yourself, that what you're doing, that email you just sent, is real," Cameron said at Monday's news conference. He told NBC'S "Today" show earlier Monday that statisticians found "in the range of a couple of million to one" the likelihood of that grouping of names appearing together on ossuaries in one place. Simcha Jacobovici, the Toronto filmmaker who directed the documentary, said that a name of one of the ossuaries -- "Mariamene" -- is a major support to the argument that the tomb is that of Jesus and his family. In early Christian texts, "Mariamene" is the name of Mary Magdalene, he said. Most Christians believe Jesus' body spent three days at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City. The burial site identified in Cameron's documentary is in a southern Jerusalem neighborhood nowhere near the church.
Watch Video
In 1996, when the British Broadcasting Corp. aired a short documentary on the same subject, archaeologists challenged the claims. Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television. "They just want to get money for it," Kloner said. Shimon Gibson, one of three archaeologists who first discovered the tomb in 1980, said Monday of the film's claims: "I'm skeptical, but that's the way I am. I'm willing to accept the possibility." The film's claims, however, have raised the ire of Christian leaders in the Holy Land. Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight. "I don't think that Christians are going to buy into this," Pfann said. "But skeptics, in general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many people hold dear."
"How possible is it?" Pfann said. "On a scale of one through 10 -- 10 being completely possible -- it's probably a one, maybe a one and a half." Pfann is even unsure that the name "Jesus" on the caskets was read correctly. He thinks it's more likely the name "Hanun." Ancient Semitic script is notoriously difficult to decipher. Kloner also said the filmmakers' assertions are false. "The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time," he said. William Dever, an expert on near eastern archaeology and anthropology, who has worked with Israeli archeologists for five decades, said specialists have known about the ossuaries for years. "The fact that it's been ignored tells you something," said Dever, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. "It would be amusing if it didn't mislead so many people." Osnat Goaz, a spokeswoman for the Israeli government agency responsible for archaeology, said the Antiquities Authority agreed to send two ossuaries to New York, but they did not contain human remains. "We agreed to send the ossuaries, but it doesn't mean that we agree with" the filmmakers, she said. Associated Press Writer Marshall Thompson contributed to this report from Jerusalem and AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll contributed from New York.
Scholars, Clergy Criticize Jesus Documentary
Film Contradicts Beliefs at Heart of Christianity
By MARSHALL THOMPSON
AP
NEW YORK (Feb. 26) -- Filmmakers and scholars on Monday unveiled two stone ossuaries they said could have contained the remains of Jesus and Mary Magdalene, but several other scholars derided claims in a new documentary as unfounded and contradictory to basic Christian beliefs.
Jump Below: Watch Video
"The Lost Tomb of Jesus," produced by Oscar-winning director James Cameron and airing on the Discovery Channel on March 4, argues that 10 ancient ossuaries -- small caskets used to store bones -- discovered in a suburb of Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus and his family. One of the caskets bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son, according to the film. The very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven. "There's a definite sense that you have to pinch yourself, that what you're doing, that email you just sent, is real," Cameron said at Monday's news conference. He told NBC'S "Today" show earlier Monday that statisticians found "in the range of a couple of million to one" the likelihood of that grouping of names appearing together on ossuaries in one place. Simcha Jacobovici, the Toronto filmmaker who directed the documentary, said that a name of one of the ossuaries -- "Mariamene" -- is a major support to the argument that the tomb is that of Jesus and his family. In early Christian texts, "Mariamene" is the name of Mary Magdalene, he said. Most Christians believe Jesus' body spent three days at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City. The burial site identified in Cameron's documentary is in a southern Jerusalem neighborhood nowhere near the church.
Watch Video
In 1996, when the British Broadcasting Corp. aired a short documentary on the same subject, archaeologists challenged the claims. Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television. "They just want to get money for it," Kloner said. Shimon Gibson, one of three archaeologists who first discovered the tomb in 1980, said Monday of the film's claims: "I'm skeptical, but that's the way I am. I'm willing to accept the possibility." The film's claims, however, have raised the ire of Christian leaders in the Holy Land. Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight. "I don't think that Christians are going to buy into this," Pfann said. "But skeptics, in general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many people hold dear."
"How possible is it?" Pfann said. "On a scale of one through 10 -- 10 being completely possible -- it's probably a one, maybe a one and a half." Pfann is even unsure that the name "Jesus" on the caskets was read correctly. He thinks it's more likely the name "Hanun." Ancient Semitic script is notoriously difficult to decipher. Kloner also said the filmmakers' assertions are false. "The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time," he said. William Dever, an expert on near eastern archaeology and anthropology, who has worked with Israeli archeologists for five decades, said specialists have known about the ossuaries for years. "The fact that it's been ignored tells you something," said Dever, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. "It would be amusing if it didn't mislead so many people." Osnat Goaz, a spokeswoman for the Israeli government agency responsible for archaeology, said the Antiquities Authority agreed to send two ossuaries to New York, but they did not contain human remains. "We agreed to send the ossuaries, but it doesn't mean that we agree with" the filmmakers, she said. Associated Press Writer Marshall Thompson contributed to this report from Jerusalem and AP Religion Writer Rachel Zoll contributed from New York.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Marine Made Time to Laugh
After the funeral service for Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Pathenos and as his coffin is leaving St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, his brother, Marine Sgt. Christopher Pathenos (center) consoles their mother, Paula Erney, (left) and Matthew's girl friend, Jessica Determan (back) as they leave the church.
(Wayne Crosslin/P-D)
ST. LOUIS — On his first tour of duty in Iraq, Lance Cpl. Matthew Pathenos had a knack for making his Marine comrades laugh and forget the ugliness they'd see on patrol.
The stories about Pathenos, a young Marine reservist from Ballwin, spilled out of a typed letter — sent in a hurry late last week from his best friend still serving in Iraq.
The more than 400 mourners at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church on Saturday heard the one-page letter read aloud at the funeral for Pathenos.
"The best thing about Matt was his ability to wake up every day with a smile and hold it all day long," wrote Lance Cpl. Robert Cross.
Cross joked about how Pathenos would greet him when he returned from patrol."He would always ask me if I had a rough day at the office and then proceed to tell me how he spent all day cooking and cleaning the house for me," Cross wrote.
"It was those little jokes that made me forget about the horrible things that we see right outside in the city."Pathenos, 21, was killed Feb. 7 in Fallujah while conducting combat operations in the Anbar province of Iraq.
He was riding in a Humvee when it was struck by an improvised explosive device.
Pathenos had been in Iraq since October and was due home in April. Pathenos is a 2003 graduate of Parkway South High School.
His older brother, Christopher Pathenos, is a Marine sergeant.
In a photo tribute at the church, pictures show the inseparable brothers: Matthew and Christopher in matching plaid jumpers as little boys, on the golf course as teenagers and later as young men sporting military garb and the traditional "high and tight" Marine haircuts.
Christopher Pathenos completed two tours of duty in Iraq and was back home in St. Louis when the family got word of Matthew's death, said Melanie Johnes, their stepsister.
Christopher had been motivated to join the Marines after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. "For Matty, the motivation was more Christopher, seeing how the Corps treated him," Johnes said.
"We're a very patriotic family, and Matty died for our freedom," she said.At the funeral, mourners filed past the flag-draped casket. Some wiped away tears, and a few wailed, as they said their goodbyes. Christopher Pathenos sat in the first row of pews, wearing his dress Marine uniform.
The Pathenos family for generations has come to the ornate sanctuary of St. Nicholas church. It's where Matthew was baptized, and where his great-grandparents, grandparents and parents were married.
"These parish walls have seen the happiest of times for our family and tragic times, this being the most tragic of times," said Matthew's uncle, Nicholas Pathenos, a Greek Orthodox priest from Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
Nicholas Pathenos last spoke to his nephew a few weeks before he was deployed. They talked about planes. Matthew got his pilots license at age 14. He teased his uncle that a Cessna aircraft was better than a Piper.
"I told him when he gets back, we'll go flying," the uncle recalled.Matthew Pathenos belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, which has its headquarters and service company at Lambert Field. He was in Iraq with a sister unit, the Detroit-based 1st Battalion, 24th Marines.Christopher Pathenos has told family members he'll return to Iraq if needed.
Johnes said, "But we pray that won't happen."
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Matthew Pathenos - Served for US! Pray for him.
Matthew Pathenos, member the unit 3rd BN 24th Marine, was killed in action in Iraq.(Handout)A Marine Corps Reservist from Ballwin has been killed in Iraq, his family says.The reservist is Lance Cpl. Matthew Pathenos, 20, a 2003 graduate of Parkway South High School. He died in Fallujah on Wednesday.The family said in a statement issued through the Marine Corps Reserve:"Like his brother Christopher, he was proud to be a Marine and volunteered to serve his country, Matthew paid the ultimate sacrfice for our freedom and the future generation’s of this country. He loved his country and family and we will miss him terribly.
"The family asks that their privacy be respected during their time of grief. Services will be held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church date and time to be announced."Pathenos belonged to the 3rd Battalion, 24th Marines, which has its headquarters and service company at Lambert Field. He was in Iraq with a sister unit, the Detroit-based 1st Battalion, 24th Marines. Last spring, the Lambert unit tabbed about 80 members to fill vacancies in the Detroit unit before it deployed to Iraq. About 50 were Reservists who, like Pathenos, had missed the local battalion's deployment to Iraq, in 2004. The rest volunteered for a second tour of duty in Iraq. The 80 left here on April 29 for Camp Pendleton, Calif., for training before moving on to Iraq.
The Detroit unit arrived in Iraq in early June and has almost wrapped up its seven-month stint in Iraq.
NOTE from Siggy...our PGPG member...
Dear Rick,
Thanks for your prayers. I have gotten to know Matthew's parents, Gus and Bren. They are cousins of my extended family and I often see them at social gatherings. I just met Matthew before he was deployed to Iraq. He was so excited and proud to be serving. At Christmas, instead of the usual Kekeris family gift exchange, we pooled our money together and sent him "care packages" of items he had on a wish list. He was so appreciative and shared them with all his Marine brothers. He said many of the Marines never get a thing from home and there wasn't one thing sent they couldn't use. I was looking forward to his homecoming... just not this way.
Thanks again,
Mary Frances
Monday, February 12, 2007
Mason UPDATE...Good News Thanks to Prayers
Hi Everyone! We just wanted to give you all an update on Mason. He's been home from daycare for a week now and is doing much better. His respiratory issues are almost a "nonissue" now - which is wonderful. We went to Children's Hospital on Friday for his CF test and he did wonderfully. We found out on Friday evening that he tested negative, which was music to our ears. They also did some bloodwork which also came back normal. What that means to us now is that Mason, like his brother, has a pretty severe case of asthma. We will continue to treat him acutely as we have been and monitor him more heavily when he does get sick again. HOpefully this is something that both Mason and Jack will outgrow as they get older. Until then, Tim and I just educate ourselves a bit more on Asthma and learn how to let both of the boys be at the best health that they can be given our circumstances.
So......the news was what we wanted to hear! Thank you everyone for your prayers and good thoughts. It obviously gave us the outcome that we wanted.
So......the news was what we wanted to hear! Thank you everyone for your prayers and good thoughts. It obviously gave us the outcome that we wanted.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Jack and Mason need your prayers
Dear PGPG...the following request is from one of our charter members, Sue. Please pause to say a prayer for our group, then read on for we have a new mission. RGB
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Rick - My nephews have been two sick little boys. This prayer group has done wonders for so many people. I ask once again for their help. Please pray to give this family the strength they need to get through this time and the upcoming tests. I ask not only to prayer for the two boys, but to see them happy and healthy and playing in their backyard. I thank all of you in advance for taking the time to pray for others. The email below is from my sister-in-law. Sue
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Short version (things are crazy at work today and I've wanted to email you but am JUST getting to my email). For those of you who don't know the beginning of the story, Mason has been sick off an on since July with ear infections and respiratory infections of one kind or the other. Two weeks ago he was hospitalized for 2 days with RSV. He was on oxygen, IV antibiotics and breathing treatements every 4 hours. We were released the day after the ice storm hit St. Louis. We had about 5 days of a "somewhat healthy baby" until he started to slide back down the hill and developed another infection. We had a visit from our Paramedic squad on Wednesday morning due to a "asthma like attack" and had him at the Pediatrician yesterday for his 9 month checkup. He is now back on oral steroids (the second time in a month), oral antibiotics and increased albuterol for his breathing treatments.
Tim and I have made the decision, with the recommendation of the Pediatrician to pull him from daycare on Monday and my Mom is coming in from South Carolina to live with us for 3-4 weeks (OMG!) to watch Mason during the day for us while we get him healthy. Once he is healthy, we will reevaluate as far as sending him back to daycare or finding other arrangements for him.
We are taking him next Friday to St. Louis Children's Hopsital for a CF (Cystic Fibrosis) sweat test - Yes, I am scared shitless. Dr. Graham is cautiously optimistic that it will come back negative but we're doing it to hopefully "rule it out". If the sweat test comes back positive, we do blood work and find specialists to deal with CF - if that's the case then we also test Jack to see if he has it (due to his respiratory issues). If the CF test come back negative then she said we're probably dealing with a pretty serious case of Childhood Asthma - I guess the lesser of the two evils but still scary.
Tim and I at this point are both comfortable with how the Pediatrician is handling things. We felt better last night when we left, moreso than we have in months.
Mason slept pretty well last night. I on the other hand didn't because of my brain spinning about everything but know that that will get better once we get the CF test behind us next week. So......please keep us in your prayers. He's a pretty sick little baby and we're doing everything we can to get him healthy.
Just wanted to let you all know what was going on. Please say a prayer for Mason. We just want him to be healthy and happy.
On a good note - he continues to grow and will be soon passing up his brother on the charts. At 9 months Mason weighs 19 lbs 4 oz and was 28 1/2 inches long. He and Jack are wearing the same size diapers!
Libby
Tim and I have made the decision, with the recommendation of the Pediatrician to pull him from daycare on Monday and my Mom is coming in from South Carolina to live with us for 3-4 weeks (OMG!) to watch Mason during the day for us while we get him healthy. Once he is healthy, we will reevaluate as far as sending him back to daycare or finding other arrangements for him.
We are taking him next Friday to St. Louis Children's Hopsital for a CF (Cystic Fibrosis) sweat test - Yes, I am scared shitless. Dr. Graham is cautiously optimistic that it will come back negative but we're doing it to hopefully "rule it out". If the sweat test comes back positive, we do blood work and find specialists to deal with CF - if that's the case then we also test Jack to see if he has it (due to his respiratory issues). If the CF test come back negative then she said we're probably dealing with a pretty serious case of Childhood Asthma - I guess the lesser of the two evils but still scary.
Tim and I at this point are both comfortable with how the Pediatrician is handling things. We felt better last night when we left, moreso than we have in months.
Mason slept pretty well last night. I on the other hand didn't because of my brain spinning about everything but know that that will get better once we get the CF test behind us next week. So......please keep us in your prayers. He's a pretty sick little baby and we're doing everything we can to get him healthy.
Just wanted to let you all know what was going on. Please say a prayer for Mason. We just want him to be healthy and happy.
On a good note - he continues to grow and will be soon passing up his brother on the charts. At 9 months Mason weighs 19 lbs 4 oz and was 28 1/2 inches long. He and Jack are wearing the same size diapers!
Libby
Timothy's Funeral 2/6/07
Timothy's Memorial Service will be at Wayside Chapel, 1705 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78213.
Reception will immediately follow in the Wayside Chapel fellowship hall. There will not be an open casket for viewing. However, a large picture poster of Timothy will be displayed and Kristen and Michael are putting together a table displaying things Timothy loved, written, etc.FYI - Timothy's article obituary is in the Metro section of today's San Antonio Express News. Also on this page is a dear brother and Wayside Pastor, Bill Cose (who prayed for Timothy, visited Timothy in the hospital several times and deeply ministered to our family throughout this entire experience). Pastor Cose was promoted the day before Timothy. Please pray for Mildred (his dear wife of many, many years), children and grandchildren. Bill Cose's Memorial Service is also at Wayside, Monday, 2/5/07, the day before Timothy's.
Under the circumstances, we're doing well. After the service and all family and friends "leave", there will be different issues to deal with (our sense of loss will deepen). Pray for God's grace, comfort and strength in our lives. I slipped tonight. At one point during the Super Bowl, I said from the kitchen, "Hey Tim, what's the score?". Hey, we're human and will weep, but not as if we have no hope. We love you and, again, appreciate all your prayers and incredible support. Kevin (for all)
Reception will immediately follow in the Wayside Chapel fellowship hall. There will not be an open casket for viewing. However, a large picture poster of Timothy will be displayed and Kristen and Michael are putting together a table displaying things Timothy loved, written, etc.FYI - Timothy's article obituary is in the Metro section of today's San Antonio Express News. Also on this page is a dear brother and Wayside Pastor, Bill Cose (who prayed for Timothy, visited Timothy in the hospital several times and deeply ministered to our family throughout this entire experience). Pastor Cose was promoted the day before Timothy. Please pray for Mildred (his dear wife of many, many years), children and grandchildren. Bill Cose's Memorial Service is also at Wayside, Monday, 2/5/07, the day before Timothy's.
Under the circumstances, we're doing well. After the service and all family and friends "leave", there will be different issues to deal with (our sense of loss will deepen). Pray for God's grace, comfort and strength in our lives. I slipped tonight. At one point during the Super Bowl, I said from the kitchen, "Hey Tim, what's the score?". Hey, we're human and will weep, but not as if we have no hope. We love you and, again, appreciate all your prayers and incredible support. Kevin (for all)
Akiane - Child Prodigy
Thanks to "siggy" for providing this inspirational story of a prodigy of God. Please click this link and see a real life angel here on earth.
http://tinyurl.com/yxewot
Akiane Kramarik (born July 9, 1994) is an American artistic prodigy and poet.
Akiane Kramarik was born in Mount Morris, Illinois to a Lithuanian atheist mother and an American father. She is of Polish, Hungarian, Slovakian, Russian, Bohemian, Chinese, French, Danish, Jewish and German heritage.[1]
Primarily a self-taught painter, Akiane Kramarik started drawing at age four, painting at six, and writing poetry at seven.
Her first completed self-portrait sold for ten thousand US dollars.[2]
Her art is inspired by her visions of heaven and [in her view] her personal connection with God.
Akiane's mother did not initially believe in God, but has since become a Christian.
Kramarik's art also depicts wildlife, landscape, and people.
By age 10 she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show[3] and CNN.[4]
http://tinyurl.com/yxewot
Akiane Kramarik (born July 9, 1994) is an American artistic prodigy and poet.
Akiane Kramarik was born in Mount Morris, Illinois to a Lithuanian atheist mother and an American father. She is of Polish, Hungarian, Slovakian, Russian, Bohemian, Chinese, French, Danish, Jewish and German heritage.[1]
Primarily a self-taught painter, Akiane Kramarik started drawing at age four, painting at six, and writing poetry at seven.
Her first completed self-portrait sold for ten thousand US dollars.[2]
Her art is inspired by her visions of heaven and [in her view] her personal connection with God.
Akiane's mother did not initially believe in God, but has since become a Christian.
Kramarik's art also depicts wildlife, landscape, and people.
By age 10 she appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show[3] and CNN.[4]
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Leave~Taking by Sandra Bury
Dearest Kyler family.........there are no words. Thank you for sharing Timothy with us. Thank you for being a witness of deep faith. Thank you for allowing us to pray for you. Sending you a gentle embrace with the promise of our prayers in the weeks and months to come as you continue on this new part of the journey.
Love, Sylvia Pituch and family/Allentown PA
Leave~Taking
By Sandra Bury
When the coming of your death
Became an awareness on the planet
Some wondrous events began.
The word went out that you were preparing to leave,
To leave this place that you call home.
The word was heard by the wind
And it promised to blow
Under you and push you.
The clouds heard the wind and billowed for joy.
“You may land on us and float for a while.”
The rain said, “I’ll wash the air clean,”
While each star polished itself to a brilliant shine.
In the presence of your impending death
The earth prepared to send you forth.
The gravity that had held you so tightly
Began to lose its grip.
It called, “Let loose, Let loose,
Let loose and fly.”
As you began to float, a squirrel noticed and remembered;
Remembered how you saved,
Saved those things that were important.
He told the rabbit, who told the turtle, who told the bird.
“He’s coming,” they whispered.
The bird sang your memories a joyous release.
The song was heard by a lone wolf.
The lone wolf stood on a cold tundra
Howling her appreciation of all the lessons you learned so well.
Some distant great pines heard the howl
And knew of your leaving.
They swayed, releasing their fragrance to waft with you.
The fragrance was gathered in
By the swiftest of hawks, flown high
With the wisdom that the great hawk knows.
The hawk told a passing eagle who
Swooped and soared until,
Finding your spirit loose on the wind,
Carried it forward to a joyous rainbow.
The rainbow said, “Come, I’ve been waiting.
The colors are all for you!”
When the moon heard this, it shouted,
“Prepare! A life well lived is approaching!”
The stars again polished their shine
Until the illumination penetrated the system.
Your soul saw and knew it was going home,
Home to the light, home to the sun and home
Beyond home, beyond home.
And it met with all that it had always known:
The silent and brilliant mystery.
The source.
The entire mystery burst with the splendor of
“Welcome, welcome, we have been waiting.”
The source, with all the ancestors gathered round,
Enfolded you and danced your coming.
While far away, in the world you had known,
A group of your loves and friends
Gathered to speak your praises,
To sing your leaving and
To forever remember.
Love, Sylvia Pituch and family/Allentown PA
Leave~Taking
By Sandra Bury
When the coming of your death
Became an awareness on the planet
Some wondrous events began.
The word went out that you were preparing to leave,
To leave this place that you call home.
The word was heard by the wind
And it promised to blow
Under you and push you.
The clouds heard the wind and billowed for joy.
“You may land on us and float for a while.”
The rain said, “I’ll wash the air clean,”
While each star polished itself to a brilliant shine.
In the presence of your impending death
The earth prepared to send you forth.
The gravity that had held you so tightly
Began to lose its grip.
It called, “Let loose, Let loose,
Let loose and fly.”
As you began to float, a squirrel noticed and remembered;
Remembered how you saved,
Saved those things that were important.
He told the rabbit, who told the turtle, who told the bird.
“He’s coming,” they whispered.
The bird sang your memories a joyous release.
The song was heard by a lone wolf.
The lone wolf stood on a cold tundra
Howling her appreciation of all the lessons you learned so well.
Some distant great pines heard the howl
And knew of your leaving.
They swayed, releasing their fragrance to waft with you.
The fragrance was gathered in
By the swiftest of hawks, flown high
With the wisdom that the great hawk knows.
The hawk told a passing eagle who
Swooped and soared until,
Finding your spirit loose on the wind,
Carried it forward to a joyous rainbow.
The rainbow said, “Come, I’ve been waiting.
The colors are all for you!”
When the moon heard this, it shouted,
“Prepare! A life well lived is approaching!”
The stars again polished their shine
Until the illumination penetrated the system.
Your soul saw and knew it was going home,
Home to the light, home to the sun and home
Beyond home, beyond home.
And it met with all that it had always known:
The silent and brilliant mystery.
The source.
The entire mystery burst with the splendor of
“Welcome, welcome, we have been waiting.”
The source, with all the ancestors gathered round,
Enfolded you and danced your coming.
While far away, in the world you had known,
A group of your loves and friends
Gathered to speak your praises,
To sing your leaving and
To forever remember.
Friday, February 2, 2007
Our Inspiration Earth Awaits us in Heaven
On Friday, February 2 (tonight) At 9:12 this evening, Timothy Chandler Kyler was taken to his heavenly home...quite peacefully.
We are deeply grateful for your prayers and support.
Well, done Timothy!!!!
We love you!!!
We'll miss you!!!
Praise be to God.
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Kevin (for all)
The Angel Among Us is surely Above Us.
Greetings from our 4th floor hospital room. We have so appreciated the prayers, support and visitors from many over the past week.Up until this past Tuesday, we have been blessed by Timothy's strength of heart, mind, body and spirit.
As always, Timothy lends a smile when he's able...even if it is the last 5% of his strength. He loves being loved. The outward may fade, but the spirit remains.
Although Timothy has not had any outward signs of pain, his heart rate increased from about 100 to 130 over the past 24 hours. This could be due to contributions from several things - which we've discussed with Dr. Patel. Because it is difficult to positively know Timothy's level of pain (which could be zero) and because Timothy is now 100% non-responsive, we have decided better to err on the side of comfort. Timothy is receiving minimal, but continual doses of pain medication (fentinol, not morphine).
We've all made tender exchanges and are "ready" for his home-going.
The atmosphere in the room is quiet, somber with hymns playing softly in the background. Although we continue to pray that God to be glorified through Timothy's earthly healing, we will accept and grow in God's grace no matter what the outcome.
On this present course, we are watching gradual respiratory failure - difficult at best. Family members have surrounded us and TImothy is not a moment without the touch of a warm hand, gentle hug or sweet whisper. We begin to view the body as a prison, not the actual person. This is also difficult because Timothy, in spite of 20 something rounds of chemo, surgeries, hospitalizations, etc. retains the face and complexion of an angel. His peaceful countenance a testimony of his character and peace with God.
Time to go. Please remember us through the weekend.
Kevin (for all)
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