Today’s Podcast

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1. Thanks for joining me today for “A Little Walk with God.” I’m your host Richard Agee.
2. Jesus told the onlookers at His march to Golgotha not to weep for Him but for themselves. How do you grieve and are you ready to avoid the grief that will come at His return?
3. Scripture
   1. Luke 23:28-31
   2. Jesus (to the people in the crowd):  Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me. Weep instead for yourselves and weep for your children.  Days are coming when people will say, “Blessed are the infertile; blessed are the wombs that never bore a child; blessed are the breasts that never nursed an infant.”  People will beg the mountains, “Surround us!” They’ll plead with the hills, “Cover us!” For if they treat Me like this when I’m like green unseasoned wood, what will they do to a nation that’s ready to burn like seasoned firewood?
4. Devotional
   1. Military travel gives opportunity to observe various cultural differences in the grieving process
   2. Native-American
      1. Tribes are different
      2. Some burial is not important and may not even bury the body but let nature dispose of remains
      3. Some bury observing the importance of a circle symbolizing the circle of life
      4. Most are not concerned about preserving the body, so embalming is not a concern but mutilation is taboo. Asking for native american to donate organs may be seen as disrespectful
   3. Asian-American
      1. Very concerned about the body
      2. Watertight casket
      3. Warm clothing
      4. Stoic so might be depressed from internalizing grief
      5. Picture or plaque of the deceased along with personal items kept in the home as a memorial or shrine
   4. African-American
      1. Family and friends gather
      2. Might express great emotion
      3. Cremation not as readily accepted as in other cultures
      4. Sharing meals with loved ones
      5. Wear white as symbol of resurrection
      6. Integration of church observances
   5. Haitian-American
      1. Family and friends gather at home of deceased
      2. Wear dark clothing to funeral and as sign of mourning
      3. Share meals before and after the funeral
      4. Express great emotion
   6. Hispanic-American
      1. Dependence on priest for arrangements
      2. Gathering of family and friends
      3. Many family and friends participate in procession and in service
      4. Family members often make promises in name of deceased
      5. Money gifts common to help defray expenses
   7. European-American
      1. Family and friends comfort family at home of deceased
      2. Funeral director or clergy help in arrangements
      3. Dark clothing although now more color to mark celebration of the life of the deceased
      4. Funerals usually more somber
      5. Gather at home of survivors for meal or refreshments after funeral service and interment
   8. Lots of forms of grief, Jesus says don’t grieve for Him, but for us. He’s coming back and we need to be ready when He comes. Imagine what that day must be like if those who are left will be asking the mountains to fall on them rather than face the events God has in store for them. We might grieve in different ways, but don’t be caught needing to grieve on that day. It won’t be a pretty sight grieving for yourself.
5. If you want to learn more about my church, you can find us at SAF.church. If you like the devotional, share it with someone. If you don’t, tell me. I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for “A Little Walk with God.”

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