Wednesday, April 14, 2021
A reading for Mr. Philip A. Baker of the poem titled 'A Bell Tolls' by John Donne
A Bell Tolls
No man is an island entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent.
A part of the main.
If a clod is washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own or of thine friend's were.
Each man's death diminishes me.
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore send not to know for whom the bell tolls.
It tolls for thee.
The word clod is a lump of earth. The word promontory is a point for land jutting into the sea. I looked up these words for myself too.
Hello. Mr. Philip A. Baker is our beloved second cousin. I am Stephanie. Christine's mother, Dorothy and my husband Bob's mother, Angela are sisters.
To Philip's lovely mother, Christine, his wonderful sister Amy, his Aunt Linda and Uncle Ray, his cousin Angela, family and friends. Your sorrow is ours.
A special thanks to Meg Lansaw (please see her heartening condolence post). To the Bracken family ~ Kindly accept our condolence for your beloved son, George.
First, my memory. Philip enjoyed one of his fun-filled birthday parties a few years ago where he gave roses to loved ones of his choice. I was unable to attend. Philip asked Angela to give me a rose. I so needed that cup of kindness. I am ever moved by his expression of love for me. I saved the petals. I love Philip A. Baker.
Bob's memory is having been blessed to attend Dante's (D.J.'s) 30th birthday party a few years ago. He came home to me glowing from his time with Dante, Angela, Philip and our precious family. We spoke of Philip for quite some time, enjoying the party. Bob was so happy to celebrate with his family. Great party!
Bob and I would like to tell you about our most prized possession. The greatest gift of love with the greatest potential to love.
John 3:16 says "Because God the Father so loved (your name here), that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him will not be lost but have eternal life." So, right where you sit, you can pray in the privacy of your own soul. 'Father, I am believing in Your Son.' And you will be saved.
Jesus does not want us to be uninformed about believers who have fallen asleep (physical death) or to grieve excessively without hope as do the most of men. Grief is the Greek word lupeo which means sorrow. Hope is the Greek word elpis which means confident expectation. Confident expectation that God the Father will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him (Jesus controls the time of death for the believer) and those still left around to a meeting with the Lord in the air. The soul, the real person, doesn't sleep. Here the soul receives their resurrection body. A deliverance! Tremendous!!! And so we will be together with the Lord forever. Believing this = Hope. We are to comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. The Apostle Paul had received this information directly from the Lord for the express purpose that we would not be in distress. Grief (sorrow as opposed to distress) is tempered by the fact that He doesn't make mistakes.
Believers have a Father ("Daddy" in the Bible) to father us forever. "By the spirit we cry, "Abba (Daddy) Father." God Hears Us. We are never alone. He is perfect in all of his ways to us. He is a Good Good Father. It's who He is. And we are loved by Him... It's who we are...
Thank you for the opportunity to pay tribute to our cousin, Philip. We hope all who have stopped by today have found comfort here. With enduring love, Bob and Steph
