September 2019
Seth Halpern Editor “Rest in Peace” is a phrase we often hear and say regarding a person who died. We here it often on the news and on the posts of Facebook and Twitter users. Whether we knew the person ourselves or through another, we use this phrase as a sympathetic acknowledgement of death. “Rest in Peace” or the abbreviated “RIP” form has been used seemingly more than ever with the recent horrible mass shootings in Gilroy, Dayton and El Paso. I seriously doubt that anyone attending the Garlic Festival or shopping at Walmart that day would have thought that this would be their last day. After hearing about the tragedy at the Gilroy Garlic Festival, I said something that
A Joyful Noise by Paula McBride
the news, the blaming begins: “Too many I wish I hadn’t. I said something that was guns, not enough control”; “Security is not thought to be in any way “prophetic”. too loose at events or in stores or public It was just in a fit of frustration, anger places”;” Not enough is being done for and sadness for humanity that I uttered the mentally ill”, etc. The politicians find the words, “This tragedy will be focused on only until the their platforms next senseless “What about each family and everyone mass shooting” I that must go on without has an opinion. didn’t know that But what about their loved one who may my words would the ones who become reality have been in perfect perished? What within 24 hours. health? Is “Rest in Peace” about each family Oh, the horror! that must go on enough?” My soul grieved without their for the loss, bloodshed and the pain loved one who may have been in perfect that each victim’s family would suffer. health? Is “Rest in Peace” enough? Today, I went to the funeral of a friend “Why?” I asked. I was not alone in asking from the church where I’m involved. that question. After the first few hours He went to work one day recently and of grief and mourning by all who heard
When Did Things Go Wrong? by Tim Cole
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Milo & Friends
"Meet My Friend, Sadie"
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suddenly his heart gave out and his vehicle crashed. Mike was a good man, a hard-worker, devoted family man and friend of many. He (and we) were no more expecting that to be his last day on earth as those people in El Paso, Gilroy and Dayton. He was in decent health as far as any of us knew. In fact, we have many in our small church who have significant physical problems that keep them in and out of hospitals regularly; they are continually on our prayer lists. Not Mike, he was one of the strong and healthy men who would regularly be called on to help move tables and lead church workdays. All those at our church believe with full confidence that Mike is truly “Resting
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