Some may have been wondering why Ray’s Lenten series was never finished. For those of you who have not heard, Ray Beaver passed away suddenly on February 24, 2005.
I hope you have all enjoyed reading this blog as much as my father enjoyed writing it. Sharing God’s word was all my father had ever wanted to do. He was to have answered a call to a new parish in Oregon on Palm Sunday. He was overjoyed at the prospect of beginning again in a new town. Unfortunately, God had other plans for him. He will be missed by us all.
I will leave you with three items. The first is the Psalm that was read at both his installation and memorial service, both held in Canada. It was his favorite Psalm and he liked the thought of the oil running down through his beard. The second is one of his favorite verses, 1 Timothy 1: 12-17. It is easy to see why he would draw inspiration and comfort from it. The last was his favorite hymn. It inspired him when he first became ordained and continued to throughout his life.
Psalm 133
How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard of Aaron,
running down over the collar of his robes.
It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion.
For there the Lord ordained his blessing, life forevermore.
1 Timothy 1:12-17
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
I Danced in the Morning
I danced in the morning when the world was begun,
And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun,
And I came down from heaven and I danced on the earth;
At Bethlehem I had my birth.
Chorus:
Dance then wherever you may be;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he,
And I’ll lead you all, wherever you may be,
And I’ll lead you all in the dance said he.
I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee,
But they wouldn’t dance, and they wouldn’t follow me;
I danced for the fishermen, for James and John;
They came with me and the dance went on.
I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame;
The holy people said it was a shame.
They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high,
And left me there on a cross to die.
I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black;
It’s hard to dance with the devil on your back.
They buried my body and they thought I’d gone;
But I am the dance and I still go on.
They cut me down and I leap up high;
I am the life that’ll never, never die;
I’ll live in you if you’ll live in me;
I am the Lord of the Dance, said he.
May God continue to bless you and your family,
Lisa
