On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” [Jesus] replied. “How do you read it?”

[The lawyer] answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Luke 10:25-27

Tuesday afternoon – and for the second time in the eight months we have been here – I attended a funeral for someone I really wish I would have known.

Jim Marrow was, as Rebekah described him, very much a Renaissance Man along with being deeply committed to his faith, his family and this community. I know we would have got along beautifully.

I may not have known Jim but I do know the powerful impact a life such as his can have on a community, and that’s what I want to write about today. Because it occurred to me, looking around a church where every seat was occupied with people standing and spilling out into the lobby, that this moment, this hour of worship and storytelling and fellowship and mutual encouragement, is exactly what we all need – every week – and all we have to do is to accept the invitation.

Because real faith is a rhythm of life not just a special occasion.

Because real faith is a rhythm of life not just a special occasion.

If we have forgotten…

If we have forgotten what it sounds like when a church full of people sing the great hymns together and God’s praise literally fills the space, then this is our reminder. If we have forgotten the deep quiet of intense listening and the occasional ripple of laughter that marks a great message, then this is our cue. If we have forgotten the invigorating buzz of greeting and conversation and laughter and handshake and embrace of a church hall so crowded the air-conditioning can barely keep up, then this is our prompt… this is our invitation.

We have Jim to thank for that. The memorial service was in a sense the final profound act of witness to everything that made his journey so beautiful and rich and profound and purposeful. The theme of the message is how one faithful life can resonate with such light and love, and it is also about how important it is that we live in the context of community and in the light of God.

If we fail to so invest ourselves then we will not nearly approach what is possible.

If we fail to so invest ourselves then we will not nearly approach what is possible.

The good news is that everything that made this memorial service so inspiring and comforting and encouraging, everything that filled us with light and love and the presence of God, is ours to experience every week, every day, when we choose to commit ourselves and our families to the faith where Jim Marrow anchored his life.

Church is nourishing like nothing else. I can’t think of a better tribute to a man like Jim than to follow his example – DEREK

Listen to the congregation sing!