SAD TIMES IN KENTUCKY (extra entry)

"...weep with them that weep." (from Romans 12:15)

I received an e-mail from a pastor friend from Kentucky just a short time ago. "Martin" (his real name) is going through a difficult time in that a woman he and his church have ministered to has committed suicide. He shared some graphic details that I think I'll leave out. Regarding the family of the deceased, this is the latest in a string of deaths and tragedies for this particular family. Martin has conducted several other funerals for them over the past few years. The woman had made a commitment to Christ about fifteen years ago and had done well for about six months and then fallen away from the Lord.

Situations such as this one are ALWAYS very difficult. People want to know "why?" and most of the time there just isn't a clear cut answer. People want to know "where so-in-so went" (in the afterlife) and depending on your theology, that's not always so clear cut, either.

Martin is going to have his hands full preparing for the funeral and preaching the funeral sermon as well as trying to minister peace and comfort to a completely distraught family. It's not something Martin (or any pastor) can handle on his own. If you know how to pray, Martin needs our prayers, and the family of the deceased needs our prayers, too.