Our Pastor, Tim Beard, has been in the "church business" for almost 50 years. He was educated at Emory University, and in Jerusalem. He's well read, well spoken, well loved, and he's funny. He relates to people, he's a Bible Scholar and a Master Storyteller.
Everyday he sends out a Morning Prayer, via text message, to his "church flock" as well as to many others. If he's late - we wonder what's going on? Is he sick? Is something wrong with Marge, his sweet wife?
On Saturday, there had been a second text message.
"Tomorrow: The Coffin"
We got to church, and the Church Bulletin didn't list "The Coffin" as the sermon.
We got to church, and the Church Bulletin didn't list "The Coffin" as the sermon.
After the Choir's special of "The Way of the Cross Leads Home" Bro. Beard began talking about "The Cross." My thoughts were, at the last minute, he'd probably changed his mind. I was a little disappointed. Over the years, I had heard the sermons about The Cross - I wanted to hear about The Coffin.
I settled down and listened as he crafted a story with a perfect ending. He took us on a journey from The Cross at Calvary, through verses in the Bible, down through the years. I usually leave church with the feeling that he'd been talking to me. This day was no different. Had I looked at others and been "glad" that I wasn't them? Had I felt pity for myself? Had I asked, "what can I do?"
Burl Cain was the Warden at Angola Prison in Louisiana for 21 years. He was credited with changing the violent and deadly prison culture with "moral rehabilitation." In the nation's largest maximum security prison, which covers an area larger than the island of Manhattan, he brought God.
He had several interdenominational chapels built in the "little city," and in 1997 he asked Tex Reardon (who was associated with Billy Graham Ministries) if he could get Billy Graham to come to Angola.
Because Rev. Graham was in poor health, his son Franklin went. Two more chapels were built - one with a Steeple and a Cross high enough that it could be seen by the prisoners on Death Row.
And The Coffin?
Prisoners, who died in Angola, were buried in cardboard boxes. Cain viewed a prisoner falling into the empty grave, because the bottom had fallen out. He vowed that would never happen, again. There were craftsmen among the prisoners, and Cain decided to have Coffins built for the prisoners out of treated Plywood.
Franklin Graham, while visiting Angola, witnessed the beautiful coffins and ordered 6, for his family. Billy Graham was laid to rest in one of these Coffins. A Cross was carved into the top, and the names of the three men who had built it were engraved in The Coffin.
From The Cross at Calvary to the Cross on The Coffin at Angola, now resting in Montreat, NC.
Those questions Bro. Beard asked, on Sunday......I'm working on them!
Burl Cain was the Warden at Angola Prison in Louisiana for 21 years. He was credited with changing the violent and deadly prison culture with "moral rehabilitation." In the nation's largest maximum security prison, which covers an area larger than the island of Manhattan, he brought God.
He had several interdenominational chapels built in the "little city," and in 1997 he asked Tex Reardon (who was associated with Billy Graham Ministries) if he could get Billy Graham to come to Angola.
Because Rev. Graham was in poor health, his son Franklin went. Two more chapels were built - one with a Steeple and a Cross high enough that it could be seen by the prisoners on Death Row.
And The Coffin?
Prisoners, who died in Angola, were buried in cardboard boxes. Cain viewed a prisoner falling into the empty grave, because the bottom had fallen out. He vowed that would never happen, again. There were craftsmen among the prisoners, and Cain decided to have Coffins built for the prisoners out of treated Plywood.
Franklin Graham, while visiting Angola, witnessed the beautiful coffins and ordered 6, for his family. Billy Graham was laid to rest in one of these Coffins. A Cross was carved into the top, and the names of the three men who had built it were engraved in The Coffin.
From The Cross at Calvary to the Cross on The Coffin at Angola, now resting in Montreat, NC.
Those questions Bro. Beard asked, on Sunday......I'm working on them!
#thecross #thecoffin #Angola
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