Planning Ahead

You can thank Jane and Judy for the subject of this post. Jane started it by saying that she wanted The Church’s One Foundation and I Know That My Redeemer Liveth played at her funeral. Judy commented that her father, too, had loved The Church’s One Foundation. 

We often teased Dad, when he was living, that we’d play this hymn at his funeral. He’d just smile. We did so on June 18, 1992. He was a man who focused on the big picture of what God is doing in the world.

At my husband’s memorial service, we sang I Know Whom I Have Believed because he really loved that hymn. He sang it all the time around the house, managing to consistantly mangle the words, which was what he did with the words to almost every song he ever sang. We also sang The Old Rugged Cross because it was a song sung at his mother’s funeral and a song that is familiar to people from a variety of backgrounds. And truly, he had been clinging to the cross.

So what about you? Have you given any thought to what hymns you’d want included in your funeral or memorial service? What reasons do you have for choosing those hymns? What about funerals for your loved ones? What songs have been played or sung?

And what about scripture? What scripture passages would you like to have read? What scripture passages have been read at the funerals of those close to you? 

Can I let you in on a secret? Just composing this post and thinking about this subject made me more joyful than when I started. The center of our hope can be seen in our funeral service choices, don’t you think?

Update on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 12:59PM by rebecca

Carla gave her answers on her own blog.

Tim Challies is Back in Business

[This post will remain on top until the deadline for entering the giveaway. Scroll down for newer posts.]

The business of giving good things away, that is. I’ve signed up for the giveaway and so can you. If you do, why not use my referral number, 

10154

or click on this banner

 
to give me another chance to win? This giveaway is sponsored by Monergism Books, and Tim calls it “the biggest and best prize yet.” And he isn’t kidding. Go find out all about the Challies.com

Great September Giveaway.

Update on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at 11:45AM by rebecca

The results of the giveaway have been announced. I didn’t win and I’m guessing you didn’t win either.

In more happy news, Tim is planning to have more giveaways with more exciting prices over the coming months. 

If you really wanted those commentaries, but didn’t win them, you can find them for less than regular price at Monergism Books. And Monergism Books conveniently ships to Canada.

Summer's End Stew

This is something I like to make this time of year because it’s a good way to use up little bits of vegies from the garden. Feel free to substitute whatever fresh vegetables you have available. I’ve used turnips, cabbage and spinach from the garden and it’s all good. This makes 16 servings, supposedly.

• 1-1/2 pounds beef stew meat, trimmed
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil
• 8-12 medium fresh tomatoes. (My garden tomatoes are too precious to throw in stew, so I substitute a can of tomatoes.)
• 2 cups tomato juice or beef broth or water
• 2 medium onions, chopped
  
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste.
  
• 4-6 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered. (I use my own homegrown new potatoes, so I don’t peel.)
• 3-5 carrots, sliced
• 2 cups frozen corn
• 2 cups fresh cut green beans
• 2 cups frozen peas
• 2-3 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 cup sliced zucchini
• 1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon sugar

1. In a Dutch oven, brown the meat in oil over medium-high heat.
2. Add tomatoes, tomato juice or broth, onion, garlic, pepper and salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for one hour.
3. Add potatoes, carrots, corn, green beans, peas and celery. Cover and simmer 30 minutes.
   
4. Add zucchini and simmer for 15 minutes more.
5. Stir in parsley and sugar.

Check out all the other soups and stew recipes in this month’s recipe round up at Lux Venit.