The Train of Life
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
When you think of love, what comes to mind? Do you see an image of two people embracing? Do you see a breathtaking sunrise or sunset? Do you think of a luscious dessert? Does your mind drift to a favorite vacation location? Do you think of your family or a life-long friend? Perhaps a family pet comes to mind.
On Saturday, October 22, 2022, heaven gained a beloved member of this church, Celia Dye Irwin. Celia lived her 93 years on this Earth exemplifying 1Corinthians 13:4-7. I had the privilege of knowing Celia on many different levels for over sixty years. She was a neighbor, babysitter, second mom, God fearing woman, role model, 4-H advisor and friend. There is no woman I admired or respected more. From my earliest memory, Celia demonstrated what was important in life. As a young child, I remember spending time in and around The Presbyterian Church. Celia needed to stop by church frequently to drop something off, chat with Pastor Jack, help with a project, or cook. She was all about taking care of other people. Celia saw the worth and value in all people, even the tough ones! She spoke kindly to those she met. She had a knack for making people feel
welcome and important. Life lessons were taught in the garden, around the dinner table, and on the front porch while snapping beans and shucking peas. She lived her life thinking of others before herself. While her death leaves a void for those of us who had the privilege of knowing her, our hearts are full of her love. She has left us with a lifetime of memories to treasure until we meet again. Celia left a blueprint for us to follow in order to live a full life.
The following poem provides me with peace and comfort while inspiring me to reflect on my own life. What will others remember about you when you leave your seat empty on “The Train of Life”?
Nehemiah 5:1-19
Nehemiah 5:1-19 "And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the...
Nehemiah 13:4-22
Nehemiah 13:4-22 “In those days I saw in Judah people treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys; and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I warned them at that time against selling food.” (Nehemiah 13:15) Bad habits are hard to break (but easy to start). Good habits are hard to start (and easy to break). If you ever needed proof that sin is real and impacts all people,...
Lamentations 2:8-15 & Revelation 5:1-10
Lamentations 2:8-15 Revelation 5:1-10 The LORD determined to lay in ruins the wall of daughter Zion; he stretched the line; he did not withhold his hand from destroying; he caused rampart and wall to lament; they languish together… All who pass along the way clap their hands at you; they hiss and wag their heads at daughter Jerusalem; “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” (Lamentations 2:8, 15) Yowza! Boy is Lamentations ever appropriately...
1 Corinthians 15:51-58
1 Corinthians 15:51-58 Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, 52in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. 54When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will...
Jeremiah 37:3-21
Jeremiah 37:3-21 “Now Jeremiah was still going in and out among the people, for he had not yet been put in prison. 5Meanwhile, the army of Pharaoh had come out of Egypt; and when the Chaldeans who were besieging Jerusalem heard news of them, they withdrew from Jerusalem. 6Then the word of the LORD came to the prophet Jeremiah: 7Thus says the LORD, God of Israel: This is what the two of you shall say to the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me, Pharaoh’s army, which set out to...
2 Kings 22:14-23:3
2 Kings 22:14-23:3 “Then the king directed that all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem should be gathered to him. The king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him went all the people of Judah, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the...
Matthew 7:13-21
Matthew 7:13-21 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:13, 14). The broad road is paved with falsehoods, disobedience and conflict. When the final destination is “destruction,” why do so many people prefer and choose the wide gate and the broad road? The narrow gate is easy to miss. It is small, difficult to...
Matthew 5:38-48
Matthew 5:38-48 "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you." (Matthew 5:38-42) The statement "eye for an eye, a tooth...
Jesus Calls His First Disciples
Matthew 4:18-25 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called...
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 2:1-11 If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though...
