Harvey Young: Surrender to What Counts!

This weekend is the Tulsa Workshop (ISWW = International Soul Winning Workshop). I will not be at the workshop today because Jan and I will attend Harvey Young’s funeral in Fort Gibson. These two events–the workshop and Harvey’s funeral–converge in my mind today because of a conversation Harvey and I shared exactly five years ago …

The Funeral: to an unknown “god” or “God”

The friends and relatives assemble, the hushed whispers tell a story of layers of grief unexpressed, a thick fog that often envelops the valley of death. We need words of comfort, so we call a minister whom no one knows, least of all the deceased who was by all accounts never much of a church-goer …

Talking about death–does my speech betray me?

Most have heard the phrase, “Your speech betrays you.” The phrase seems to have roots in the biblical account of Peter’s denial of Jesus since he was identified in part by his speech (Matthew 26:73). You probably know some of the contemporary applications: Christians who curse, people who say one thing and do another…. You …

Carl Capers: A Tribute

Births are part of life.  This week Jan and I are anticipating the birth of another granddaughter.  Funerals are equally part of life.  Many in our society seek insulation and isolation from death.  I am amazed at how many young people have never attended a funeral.  I am on the “call list” for a local funeral home–a minister on …