thanks to so many people who have encouraged me, given me advice or prayed for me following my mention that i was speaking at a funeral of a friend today. inevitably it was sad, but the church was packed and the funeral went well. and the talk i prepared seemed to be about right. in a strange way there’s nothing like death to focus your mind on christian hope in the midst of hurt.

in particular thanks to paul thaxter and doug gay – the talk was a combination of their shared insights with a few of mine thrown in the mix and indeed i quoted directly things they had shared with me. i also read stewart henderson’s incredible poem this day in paradise that he scribed on my dad’s death. thanks too david for your suggestion to write the whole talk out – that was really practical and helpful.