We’ve Got Mail—Letters From Our Readers
“As I read your excellent article When Death Becomes Birth [Issue 73], I agreed with your interpretation of death as not an end, but a beginning. As a pastor, I have preached this theme at every funeral I have officiated.
If you really want to get the definition of a shocking event, please contact my 80-year-old parents, who, like you, have lost many friends to sudden serious illness. They were told two months ago that their youngest child had Diffuse Large Cell Type B Aggressive Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma (Stage 4). I have made all the arrangements for my funeral, just in case the chemotherapy does not succeed.
Recently while I was under anesthesia for the lymph node biopsy, the doctor said that I started singing, “There’s within my heart a melody; Jesus whispers sweet and low, ‘Fear not I am with thee, peace, be still,’ In all of life’s ebb and flow.”
I am 47 years old. If it is time for me to go, I am ready for this new beginning. It doesn’t take the aging process for this to happen.
I inherited this disease from my grandmother, who died from Leukemia at a relatively young age. Although I am not afraid of death, I do not think that my parents, siblings, extended family, church family and friends share my view.
Hundreds of people have called, emailed, and sent cards during the last sixty days since my diagnosis. Many of them stated that God could not possibly let me die because I have so much to do as a pastor. Gently I reminded them that God can call me home at any time. I hope that they will not be mad at God. I would rather that they rejoice that my life continues when death becomes birth.
Thank you for your wonderful journal, which I have savored for years. Keep up your good work.
In His Everlasting Arms,
Rev. Joy Heaton, Waverly, VA
“Joy: I have followed your life and ministry from a distance and often thanked God for you and so many courageous and capable women pastors like you, many of whom you have influenced.
I write better than I read, so I am sitting here responding to your special email, with eyes that are moist and a hurt that hurts with your dear family. Your words give us all courage and hope, yet in my humanity I (perhaps like you) can deal better with my own death than with that of friends and colleagues. . . . Love in Christ, Joe E. Trull
P.S. An afterthought: I think to print your letter(with your permission) in CET would bless many others, as it has me.
“Yes, you have permission . . . I believe that the only way any person will truly know WHAT s/he believes about death is in the moment facing death. Now I know that I believe it is not truly the end because I was raised to know the One who took the fear of death away from me. It is my husband, parents, family, church, and friends who have a harder struggle than I dol.
However, I believe my best sermon for all of them is being preached right now . . . and I’m not even in a pulpit.
Life is fragile, but, oh so beautiful! If my days are fulfilled at 47 years, I have had a wonderful life. For every person whose hand I have held as I lowered them into baptismal waters, I will be there to welcome on the other side in the maternity ward. I count it all joy! Grace and Peace to You and Your Family, Joy.
Note: Many readers responded by phone, email, and letter with gratitude for Bill Hull’s article “Finding God in the Darkness” (12/08) and the editorial “When Death Becomes Birth” (2/09).
“Thank you for your email and sending the ethical materials [Journals, books, CDs, Audio} to our college. Could you also send them to a teacher at Myanmar Institute of Theology?”
Nang Sawm Piang, Trinity Theological College, Singapore
Note: In 2009, the Piper Fund allowed us to send a set of Journals and all of the books and CDs we offer to Christian schools in ten different countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
“Just a note of thanks to Darold Morgan for the review of my recent book, Globalization and Grace [Fall, 2008]. He has seen my intent as well as any of the reviewers and I am delighted that he approves of the direction of my argument. I have appreciated this journal for some time, and I pray you will keep up the good work.”
Max L. Stackhouse, Princeton Theological Seminary.
“The Journal is absolutely splendid! Foy would be proud.”
Ross Coggins, Sherwood Forest, MD.
“The Winter 2009 issue . . . is one of the most creative and stimulating collections of thought pieces in a while—both original and copied—otherwise I would never have read “Letter From a Birmingham Jail.”
Dr. Richard D. Kahoe, Woodward, OK.
“Thanks for CET—keep it coming! This gift is given in memory/honor of those who blessed m in my two terms at NOBTS.”
Dr. Reid Whittington, Collinsville, MS.
