“Why, Soitenly!”

[Jessica is safely home and going on 50 hours without sleep. Josh called and said we have our first "cold" case, meaning someone came to us unsolicited. The service is tomorrow. We also have several pending cases in which people have already contacted us concerning loved ones near death. Looks like we're actually in business [...]

On each day of the week of Tabernacles (Sukkot), the priest, along with his first century praise band, would take a golden pitcher to the pool of Siloam. It was a joyous and very noisy procession. As the water was drawn into the pitcher, the focus would be on Isaiah 12:3 With joy we shall [...]

Tabernacles (Sukkot) was the grand finale of the Jewish feasts … a week of unparalleled celebration and joy. People carried willow and palm branches with them, waving them at one another as continual expressions of praise to God.
During the week of Tabernacles, they would construct a small tent (or booth) on the roof of their [...]

Many years ago I worked for State Mental Health in Alabama … one of those "it-takes-one-to-know-one" jobs where I worked with retarded adults. Each year our clients were required to have a TB skin test and any shots needed.
One particular client, Steve, was terrified of needles. I drew the short straw and had to take [...]

[WE'RE IN BUSINESS!! The State of California issued our funeral establishment license number (FD#1034) on Friday. England Family Mortuary, Temecula Valley's Family Funeral Home is finally a reality. Now we just need business. Anyone feeling a little under the weather today?] 
Back to the Feasts of the Jews… If you are just joining us, the first [...]

[For those interested in the latest news regarding our daughter, Jessica, click here. She fell carrying a 40# backpack and sprained her ankle, so please keep her in your prayers. Thanks.] 
Yesterday I stated the problem requiring the need for atonement: How could holiness (God) dwell among wickedness (you … okay, and possibly me!)?
Inside the tabernacle [...]

What is your view of God? An old joke illustrates the view I grew up believing … and, I am embarrassed to say, what I taught for far too long.
Just after returning from a trip to Africa, a man sat in a restaurant with a friend, discussing his trip. The friend asked, "Did anything unusual [...]

While trumpets were blown all over Israel, the Levites would
gather and sing Psalm 81:
Sing praises to God, our strength.  Sing to the God of Jacob.Sing! Beat the tambourine.Play the sweet lyre and the harp.Blow the ram’s horn at new moon,and again at full moon to call a festival!For this is required by the decrees [...]

[NOTE: Keep Heather, Josh, and Jackson "Peanut" in your prayers. Heather is on 7 days of strict precautionary bedrest right now. And, our state inspection of the funeral home is happening this Friday!! We sure hope to pass that and start making some money to pay the very expensive funeral directors and the overhead!!!]
Trumpets. Jewish [...]

[Note: Found out from my doctor today that I've had pneumonia, but I'm on the back side of it. He wants another chest xray in 2-3 months, so that doesn't sound critical. It does explain why I could not rid myself of that constant coughing by self-medicating with a variety of donuts!  --Greg] 
When the Feast [...]