Grave stone

We were hoping that the stone would be installed before Padi's birthday, but it was a surprise to hear from
Ash Memorials yesterday that the stone had been put into its place.
It was a lovely day to visit Pantmawr, Ally spotted the stone a way off. We know that mistakes happen with these things so were relieved to see that every detail was correct. It's not clear from this picture, but there is a full stop after the 2013 date. In the planning, I quite thought that it would be good if the bible text was along the bottom but of course this would mean it could be obscured by flowers laid at the foot of the stone. However, with the text immediately following that full stop, 'But now', it indicates, to my mind at least, that there is more to come. Every time we gaze upon the grave or call it to mind the word 'now' will speak back to us of Padi's enduring state of glory. Death is not the end, and 'in Christ Jesus' there is wonderful peace, hope, joy and glory. The last two lines speak of the fact that we are all sinners, willingly and willfully alienated from our Maker, yet with the blood of Christ atoning for us, we gain admission into union and communion with God forever. We are made nigh in this life, but how much more after death! That last line, 'made nigh' is no more true of anyone than Padi himself, in the immediate presence of God. This is explained wonderfully by Dr Martyn Lloyd Jones in his exposition of Ephesians 2:13, accessible from this link to the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Recordings Trust.
I don't think I'd appreciated what a memorial stone was really for before this one. It seems a bit odd, in a sortof morbid kind of way, but I really like it and would be quite happy to hang up a picture of it or use it as my computer 'wallpaper'. I'll probably have to settle for a plaque with the verse on it. I have to admit that we were trying to avoid using too many words as every additional letter is more money. Other stones have pictures of the deceased, icons of their football club, long lists of doting relatives' names or entire poem verses about missing the person, all of which must cost a small fortune! That is their choice, of course, and I respect it as such. But the words we have are so simple and profound, I really think this is one of the best grave stones I have ever seen. We believe in the resurrection of the body and, if he's not too taken up with what is taking place, if he can spare a glance at the inscription as he ascends, he will approve and find it a pleasing sight.

Ground anchor

Our 19th wedding anniversary has sped by. We had a lovely day. It started with a 'hit and run' visit to our chosen purveyor of memorials, Ash. We were delighted with their service. I wont forget seeing the list of suggestions for things to put on a memorial though - many were sublime. In the end we made the basic decisions so that a stone could be ordered and we could decide on an inscription later. One of the requirements for a grave stone, even one set on top of a thick concrete pathway, is to secure it by means of a 'ground anchor'. The stone has to be secure enough so that it could not be moved by 'two grown men'. Thus a large steel rod is needed to go down into the ground and up inside the stone. This sounds pretty impressive. After all, a memorial should stay put for many centuries, one might expect. Then I got to thinking about it and actually what have we got there...? A stone of a few kilos, certainly not tonnes. It's fixed to a line of concrete upon the surface of the planet. As you know, this thin surface crust is floating on a huge sea of floating magma on a planet spinning around a relatively tiny star. How permanent really is any thing planted on the face of the earth? We need an anchor that lodges somewhere out of reach of 'change and decay'.

We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the Rock which cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.  Owens

As Alex pointed out at Friday Fellowship, all cultures have always believed in an afterlife, from the ancient Egyptians to even some modern atheists. One overwhelming message from this observation is that what we can see and feel is less permanent than what we cannot, i.e. the soul. And yet such scant attention is given to preparing the soul for this great transition of death. Interestingly, all cultures have also always believed in a judgement after death, the results of which, usually depending on how good you were, determine how you will spend eternity. With the clear testimony of revelation, we can, we must make sure of the outcome of this judgement before it happens. Make peace with your Maker now, while the offer stands: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).
In case you're wondering, we decided on the following inscription:

Er Cof Annwyl Am 

Padrig Luc Johnson 

19th December 1997 – 21st July 2013

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13

The first line is Welsh for 'In memory of beloved...'
In case you're also wondering, I'd taken the day off for our anniversary and so we went on from Ash memorials to have a great time at the superb Tuesday morning fellowship meeting. It was wonderful to go over some of the points that had come up in the Lord's Day services and enjoy fellowship with God's people. Then we went for a fine lunch with an excellent view at the New House Country hotel.