Frank Sanchez Funeral Talk..50 years of Service-- Ecclesiastes 7:1

After the conclusion of Frank Sanchez's funeral, I find myself deeply saddened by his passing. Typically, I refrain from mentioning names without the family's consent, but now that the event has passed and many are already aware, I feel it's appropriate to acknowledge him. Frank, aged 90, was baptized in 1974, just a year before myself. Strikingly, he departed on the anniversary of his birth, precisely 90 years ago. Frank was deeply devoted to his family, a trait many of us admired. Some may recall his eulogy, which, for me, stirred mixed emotions. He hailed from my generation, a time when we harbored hopes of entering a new era.

Throughout his life, Frank faced numerous challenges, yet he remained steadfast in his commitment to family. His transition into service as an Elder was rightly celebrated as a testament to a life well-lived, a legacy we should all aspire to. I wish my American friends could have witnessed the eulogy; it held profound significance, especially within a Spanish congregation. However, it's moments like these that prompt me to reflect on my own mortality. Conversations with Norma my wife only amplify these thoughts. Sometimes, I question my purpose, particularly as I approach my rapid end in a disgraced position before God. What legacy do I leave before Jehovah? Do I risk becoming stagnant, merely observing from the sidelines? Even my ability to participate in special assemblies has dwindled, a point underscored in Frank's eulogy.

Frank will be sorely missed—a man of genuine sincerity and integrity. Yet, as a fellow Puerto Rican of Spanish descent, I can't help but feel a sense of resignation. Perhaps there's nothing left but to retreat into solitude, clinging to the illusion of divine kindness. Yet, deep down, I'm aware that Jehovah does not favor cowardice or defeatism—a principle rooted in scripture. So, what's the purpose in staying home today? A potted plant, regardless of its placement, withers without growth. Similarly, stagnation leads only to decline."

Comments

The Long Mars

The Long Mars by Terry Pratchett My rating: 3 of 5 stars "The Long Mars," the third installment in the Long Earth series, continues to expand the already vast canvas of Pratchett and Baxter's creation. While the concept of "Joker Mars" – echoing the familiar "Joker Earths" – is intriguing, it's just one of three distinct narrative threads woven throughout this book. We follow Sally Linsay on a journey across the Martian Stepped worlds, unraveling the mysteries her father, Willis, seeks. This exploration of the alien landscapes of the Long Mars is certainly compelling, but personally, it was the storyline involving "The Next" that truly captivated me. Joshua Valiente's arc, which delves into the emergence of these post-human children, is where the book really shines. It's a powerful exploration of prejudice, fear, and the potential societal clashes that arise when faced with the "other." The authors masterfully tackle ...

The Long Utopia

The Long Utopia by Terry Pratchett My rating: 3 of 5 stars In The Long Utopia, a novel in the Long Earth series, the artificial intelligences Agnes and Lobsang embark on a unique endeavor: adopting a human child, Ben, and attempting to build a normal pioneering life on one of the seemingly infinite parallel Earths. However, their peaceful existence takes a dramatic turn with the human pioneers discovering a peculiar species dubbed 'silver beetles'. These insects exhibit an unusual behavior of 'stepping down' to lower-numbered Earths. As the pioneers observe them, a terrifying realization dawns: the silver beetles are not merely migrating; they are systematically transforming their chosen parallel Earth into a colossal Dyson Motor, a structure designed to harness the star's energy. Lobsang, with his advanced analytical capabilities, understands the catastrophic implications. These silver beetles can step sideways to other parallel Earths, potentially converting an...

The Long Cosmos

The Long Cosmos by Terry Pratchett My rating: 2 of 5 stars Having just finished "The Long Cosmos," the final installment in the "Long Earth" series—a collaboration Stephen Baxter completed after Terry Pratchett's passing—I found myself a bit disappointed by the number of loose ends left unresolved. I think a core challenge in classifying this series as traditional science fiction lies in its fundamental premise, which sidesteps the real-world physics limitations of interstellar travel. Knowing the near impossibility of venturing beyond our solar system due to light-speed limits, the authors cleverly engineered the parallel Earth concept as their vehicle for cosmic exploration. Instead of launching spaceships, the characters simply "step" into new worlds. This ingenious workaround allows for adventure without grappling with conventional astrophysical constraints. While "The Long Cosmos" does bring humanity's journey across the infinite ...

Rancid

Search This Blog