I'll Fly Away

While attending a worship service this past Sunday, one of the songs that was sung was "I'll Fly Away". The song was a melodic Baptist standard and was sung acapella as is the tradition in the church we attended. The song was perhaps a bit more poignant this time than in the past. The opening verse of the song says, "Some glad morning when this life is over, I'll fly away..." it made me think of something that had been on my mind for the past few days. One of our neighbors had passed away a few days ago. His wife once told me of the appearance of a red bird when she had lost loved ones in her family. The morning after her husband's passing while standing of the porch with my grandson, a red bird began to sing from an overhead wire. His song made us take notice of his nearby perch and his vibrant red color. We knew the bird was a male by his crimson plummage. My thoughts went immediately to the red bird's timely appearance in my neighbor's story. Since my brother-in-law was having serious heart surgery, it gave me pause to consider the story. I thought to myself, that's her story not mine, nothing to worry about as the surgery had been successful. My grandson and I went inside to answer the phone that was ringing. The call was from a friend telling me about the neighbor's passing the night before at 10:30pm.
I was initially taken aback by the news and had to wait until the news had sunk in to react. The story of the appearance of red birds seemed to have borne out the events of the previous night. For indeed, this "glad morning" my neighbor had "flown away". Leaving this earthly plain as a red bird has a certain appeal as we see our soul set free. Free to soar. Free to fly.
The red bird's song was a familiar one to me. His call to "Purdy, Purdy, Purdy" had been the subject of a discussion that I had with my youngest granddaughter who had come for a visit the previous summer. I had told her upon her return home that she needed to come back as this bird was "driving me crazy" calling her. We had laughed about the bird's song when she was here. "There he goes again," I would say, "calling you". "Hear him saying, 'Pretty, Pretty, Pretty', to you." "Walk out there, so he can see you!"
My neighbor may have been calling to his wife on his "glad morning" after the many weary days of 90+ years. Reminding her of her story with a loud and crystal-clear song, "Purdy, Purdy, Purdy" ( I use southern dialect as I know he is a Southern red bird.)
Perhaps "one glad morning" you, too, will "fly away to a home on God's celestrial shore". After many "weary days", you will fly to a "land where joy shall never end". As you contemplate your soul taking flight, be grateful for the promises of God. Love God. Love one another. Prepare to "fly away" some "glad morning"!

Memorial for the Prince of Peace

Isn't it amazing that over a billion people watched the worldwide coverage of Michael Jackson's memorial. The media attention was incredible from the day of his death until the memorial at the Staple Center and now seems to be never-ending. You could run but not hide from the story as it unfolded. This person made his life the center of media attention and ultimately paid the price for his fame. It is truly sad that he commanded the same attention (if not more) in his death than he did in his life. His life was fraught with evils and temptations that seemed virtually insurmountable. It is our fascination with his life that seems to diminish us all. The King of Pop is dead! In considering the "circus" we have witnessed thus far it begets thoughts of what a "media circus" would have looked like upon the event of Jesus' death...
"We have breaking news from Jerusalem... The self-proclaimed King of the Jews is dead!" Jesus of Nazareth has been crucified on Golgotha! We have reporters on the scene to bring you the breaking news! We go now to Golgotha where our own reporter, Marcellus, comes to you from the foot of the cross where Jesus died just minutes ago.
Yes, Marcus, I am standing at the foot of the cross of Jesus of Nazareth, son of the carpenter, Joseph and his wife, Mary. On a placard over his head is an inscription that reads, THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. On his right and left are two thieves that were crucified at the same time as Jesus. Witnesses say that Jesus cried out, "IT IS FINISHED", just a few minutes ago. One Roman centurion was said to have exclaimed, "Surely, he was the Son of God!" Marcus, the weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse here, I'll send it back to you.
We have a reporter at the Temple where minutes ago the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. What can you tell us, Absalom? Well, Marcus, witnesses here say that the earth shook, the sky darkened, and this beautiful curtain was torn asunder!
Let's go to palace of the Roman governor, Pilate, for reaction to the news of events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus. Marcus, numerous attempts have been made to get reaction from Pilate, he simply has no comment. Thank you, Aurelius, keep us posted if there is a Roman reaction to Jesus' death.
Absalom has the high priest, Caiaphas, in the Temple. Well, yes, Marcus, this is Caiaphas, the high priest, one of Jesus' accusers in his trial before Pilate. What is your reaction to the events of the day, Caiaphas? "It's shameful trickery, the curtains were old and the wind simply caused them to tear. We have posted guards to insure no more of this blasphemer's prophecy comes to fruition." Marcus, as you have heard the religious leaders want no more talk of Jesus and miracles, back to you.
Marcellus has found one of Jesus followers in the crowd near the cross. Marcellus, what does this man say? Marcus, I just questioned this man known as Simon Peter and he flatly denies that he knew Jesus. There are others who seem sympathetic to Jesus' cause, I'll try to get some of them to speak to me.
That's the breaking news on Jesus' death for now, stay tuned for our coverage of Jesus' life and the events that led up to his death. Coverage of "Memorial for the Prince of Peace" will continue after this short break...
As coverage of this story continues throughout time we hope that you are tuned into the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Can you imagine a "media circus" befitting the Son of God? Can you imagine the relative importance of His story in your life? Have a grateful heart for Jesus Christ, our Saviour. Love God. Love one another.