THE RUMORS OF HIS DEATH WERE GREATLY EXAGGERATED

Rev. Chuck Swindoll of the Stonebriar Church in Frisco, Texas tells a humorous story about having reported to work one day, and upon entering the lobby of the church having heard the familiar sound of a ‘canned’ organ refrain emanating from the sanctuary. Of course, since he’d officiated at many sober ceremonies in the church, he immediately recognized it as the mournful sound of funerial music.

As he strode across the foyer, Pastor Chuck looked left and right, but sensing he was the only employee within shouting distance, he pulled open one of the doors to the chapel, and walked inside. Suddenly, the good minister realized he was alone with a casket, and a large framed photograph standing next to it.

Scratching his head, the pastor strode down the long expanse of carpet to see what this was about. He had checked his schedule before leaving for the church, and he knew that nothing of this sort was on the agenda that day. And as the preacher got closer, still closer, he recognized the man in the picture.

Charles Swindoll!!!

He found himself staring back at himself.

The story goes that Pastor S. was tempted to check his watch to see if it was still running, and his pulse to see if his heart was still beating. And it was then he realized that he was the butt of another recurring reciprocal joke which members of the church staff played upon one another. But this was a joke to beat all jokes; (and no doubt one with which he may have retained mixed emotions).

Talk about being late for one’s own funeral, the bemused parson seems to have arrived a bit too early for his own.

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 45. Copyright pending
 
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