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Bulletin
Lay Lake Church of Christ
Volume 4 April 26, 2009 Number 17
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What Would God Write On Your Tombstone?
Author Unknown
An old custom that seems to be out of style is the writing of epitaphs on tombstones. In many old cemeteries you will see the short sayings that tells how the family feels about the one buried in the grave. Some that I have noticed often are: “At Rest,” “Asleep In Jesus,” “Rest In Peace,” “He Died As He Lived, A Christian,” and “Safe In The Arms Of Jesus.”
Mr. Webster says that an epitaph is “an inscription on or at a tomb or grave in memory of the one buried there; a brief statement commemorating or epitomizing a deceased person or something past.”
In Heb. 11:4 it is said of Abel, “he being dead yet speaketh.” That is true of everyone. In fact you don’t have to be dead. We all speak through our influence every day. I wonder what God would write on our tombstones if we died today? Let us look at some He has written about Bible characters.
GOOD EPITAPHS:
“Walked with God” (Gen. 5:24).
“Perfect and Upright: Feared God and “Turned Away from Evil” (Job 1:1).
“The Friend of God” (James 2:23).
“But God Was with Him” (Acts 7:9).
“He Would Not Defile Himself” (Dan. 1:8).
“Full of Faith and Power” (Acts 6:8).
“A Good Man” (Acts 11:24).
“Fought a Good Fight, Finished the Course,“Kept the Faith” (2 Tim. 4:7).
“Full of Good Works and Almsdeeds” (Acts 9:36).
“She Hath Done What She Could” (Mark 14:8).
In all the cemeteries I have visited, I have never read a bad epitaph. From reading the descriptions, you would think only good people die. However, the Lord is more objective and truthful. Notice these statements about those who reject the Lord.
BAD EPITAPHS:
“The Traitor” (Luke 6:16).
“Loved this Present World” (2 Tim. 4:10).
“Fool” (Luke 12:20).
“Almost Persuaded” (Acts 26:28).
“Made Shipwreck of Faith” (1 Tim. 1:19,20).
“Left First Love” (Rev. 2:4).
“Sinned Willfully” (Heb. 10:26).
“Latter End Is Worse with Them Than the Beginning” (2 Pet. 2:20-22).
“Impossible to renew them again unto repentance” (Heb. 6:4-6).
“Lukewarm” (Rev. 3:16).
It is my hope and prayer that you and I will live:“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (Phil. 2:15,16).
May we hear the welcome words - “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matt. 25:23).
Prayer List
Elizabeth Smith; Don Dean; J. C. Hyche (David’s dad); Gladys Gaut (Kenny’s mom); Bill Nelson (Frieda’s dad); Harold Lee; the families of Teirson Hollis; Ryne Wilhite & Trey Amberson (these all died last week in auto accidents); the Jones family; Julia Shareef; Ronny Clements; Martha Eckert; Mary Merrell;; Adam Pilling; Robert Kelley; Corey Boothe, Matthew & Levi.
Upcoming Activities & News
Scripture Reading Today: 1 John 3:1-12
Men’s Meeting: All of our men are encouraged to attend our next meeting on May 3rd at 4:30.
Youth Devotional: Our next devotional is scheduled for May 3rd following our evening worship.
Wedding Tea: Ladies, you are invited to a wedding tea on May 3rd from 2:30 until 4:30 at the home of Ginger Cash in honor of Jason Watts and Kayla Dodson.
Volunteers Needed: Please see sheets on the bulletin board.
April Birthdays & Anniversaries
- 2 - Kayla Dodson
- 3 - Ronny & April Clements
- 7 - Ronny Clements
- 14 - Dick & Becky Smith
- 17 - Becky Smith
- 20 - Frieda Parrish
- 24 - Joe & Ginger Cash
- 27 - Mandy Payne