Some years ago, my then 12-year-old son, who was just out of the hospital admiring his tender appendectomy stitches, and I visited the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Covina, California. We walked the corridors of the mausoleum, looking at the brass plates identifying the persons whose remains were placed there. A brief statement identified them as teachers, civic leaders, actors, military men, devoted mothers or fathers.
They all had two things in common - they were born, and then they died.
As we wandered through the three-story building, my attention was caught by a very large brass plaque on a crypt honoring a woman whose life had been devoted to Christian missionary service in the Philippines. The words on her plaque were a clear testimony of her faith in Jesus Christ and urged the reader to place their faith and trust in the Savior. I was impressed with the lasting testimony this woman presented, even in her death.
We have a far greater opportunity to present a lasting testimony by placing scriptures in memory of people who die. I recently spoke at a church service being held to remember the passing of a faithful Christian servant and member of that church. During the service I explained the purpose of the Gideon Memorial Bible Program to the congregation, i.e., to provide scriptures in memory of people who have passed away, or to honor someone whose life has blessed ours. The pastor described the deceased church member and his blessing to the church. Then the congregation gave an offering to purchase and place scriptures in memory of this individual.
Like those folks at Forest Lawn, this man had two things in common with all mankind: he was born and he died. Isaiah 40:6-8 puts it clearly; ". . All flesh is grass . . the grass withers . . but the word of our God shall stand forever."
The opportunity to place scriptures that will endure the test of time is significant. With almost 2 billion Bibles and New Testaments placed around the world since 1908 by members of Gideons International, I am confident that the vast majority of those Bibles and New Testaments are still "on duty," as it were - ready, willing and able to impact the lives of men and women, boys and girls around the world. I recently picked up a Bible placed in a California hotel room in the 1960's. Inserted in the Bible was a business card from a Georgia architect; he wrote, "Jesus saved even me, how about you? Put all your Faith, Trust, & Hope in him and ask him" That Bible will continue to do service for Jesus as it is now sent to a jail, prison, or rescue mission. How many people did that one Bible impact during its 40 years of devoted and faithful service, "on duty" 24 hours each day?
Placing scriptures in memory of someone reminds me of that brass plaque at Forest Lawn. Even after death, a person's witness and testimony can continue on and reach the lost for Christ.
As we wandered through the three-story building, my attention was caught by a very large brass plaque on a crypt honoring a woman whose life had been devoted to Christian missionary service in the Philippines. The words on her plaque were a clear testimony of her faith in Jesus Christ and urged the reader to place their faith and trust in the Savior. I was impressed with the lasting testimony this woman presented, even in her death.
We have a far greater opportunity to present a lasting testimony by placing scriptures in memory of people who die. I recently spoke at a church service being held to remember the passing of a faithful Christian servant and member of that church. During the service I explained the purpose of the Gideon Memorial Bible Program to the congregation, i.e., to provide scriptures in memory of people who have passed away, or to honor someone whose life has blessed ours. The pastor described the deceased church member and his blessing to the church. Then the congregation gave an offering to purchase and place scriptures in memory of this individual.
Like those folks at Forest Lawn, this man had two things in common with all mankind: he was born and he died. Isaiah 40:6-8 puts it clearly; ". . All flesh is grass . . the grass withers . . but the word of our God shall stand forever."
The opportunity to place scriptures that will endure the test of time is significant. With almost 2 billion Bibles and New Testaments placed around the world since 1908 by members of Gideons International, I am confident that the vast majority of those Bibles and New Testaments are still "on duty," as it were - ready, willing and able to impact the lives of men and women, boys and girls around the world. I recently picked up a Bible placed in a California hotel room in the 1960's. Inserted in the Bible was a business card from a Georgia architect; he wrote, "Jesus saved even me, how about you? Put all your Faith, Trust, & Hope in him and ask him" That Bible will continue to do service for Jesus as it is now sent to a jail, prison, or rescue mission. How many people did that one Bible impact during its 40 years of devoted and faithful service, "on duty" 24 hours each day?
Placing scriptures in memory of someone reminds me of that brass plaque at Forest Lawn. Even after death, a person's witness and testimony can continue on and reach the lost for Christ.
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