“Scatter My Ashes …”
The popularity of cremation as a means of disposing of the bodies of the deceased is rising. “The Huffington Post” reported in August of this year that more than 40% of Americans now choose to be cremated, rather than buried. A generation ago the option was rarely discussed. How times have changed!
But once cremation is accomplished, what does one do with the ashes? The stock answer has been, “Put them in an urn.” But folks are becoming creative.
A story on Yahoo News today reports how one man’s ashes will be launched into the sky this weekend via fireworks. The man’s son, a funeral director in Missouri, says his father always loved fireworks, and that this seems a fitting way to scatter his ashes.
Just the day before, a similar story appeared. The ashes of John and Lois Lafferty will soon be sent into the sky by means of a weather balloon. Lois’ daughter (John and Lois were married later in life) spoke of how they always loved to travel. Now they will take their final journey together. When the balloon reaches 72,000 feet, their ashes will be released, and will settle on mountaintops, valleys and oceans. A romantic idea!
Did these, whose ashes will be scattered, want this? The articles don’t mention this. Personally, I have no instructions for my loved ones when my use of this physical body has ended. But there is another “scattering” I’m definitely interested in.
As should be obvious, its all exceptionally straightforward and its difficult to happen here. lowest price on cialis Directions and Dosage for Super P Force Tablets Super P Force tablets should be taken according to the recommended dosage and safety instructions. buy viagra pills According sildenafil canadian pharmacy to the January Issue of the Archives of Neurology, senior citizens that participated in moderate activities like swimming, aerobics or yoga have been found to be very effective and safe in treating Erectile Dysfunction. Children should be getting viagra in australia kept away from the medicine. This interest is based on Peter’s summation of Jesus’ life in Acts 10:38: “… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good …” Peter also noted the miracles of Jesus, but I’ve not been empowered to do those kinds of things. But doing good works wherever I go? I absolutely can do that.
In fact, Jesus commanded me to do such things: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Doing good works is not about building my legacy, or drawing attention to myself. It’s about showing what a wonderful God I serve, and hoping others will catch the idea.
There’s another scattering I need to be interested in: the scattering of God’s word. Jesus told a parable in Luke 8 about a farmer who sowed seed in various kinds of soil. His point was not about agriculture, but evangelism, i.e. telling others the good news of salvation. As Jesus explained in Luke 8:11, “The seed is the word of God.” When my life is over, will others have benefited because I have scattered that seed?
What happens to my ashes is of little concern to me. But what I do with my life now …
Come to the light God offers! Study His word, the Bible. Worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Get in touch with us if you’d like to discuss these ideas further.
Timothy D. Hall.
