This is an unusual topic, but both items are important and common in our Western tradition. What is the difference between the two? It is really quite simple: caskets were first used in the 16 th century, and “ coffin ” comes from an old French word (coffin) meaning “a little basket” which originally referred to a small box or chest for precious items like jewelry. The physical difference between a coffin and a casket is in their shapes. A coffin traditionally has six side

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection for Easter) In the novel (and film) The Robe , Tribune Marcellus Gallio was “assigned” to a remote post in the far eastern reaches of the Roman Empire—Jerusalem. He was sent there as punishment for an indiscretion he committed in Rome. It was an exile intended to end his career. While there, he was given what should have been a simple job for any high-ranking officer of the Roman Empire’s army: oversee the crucifixion of the Jewish rabble

When my wife Joice was dying in March 2021, I sat by her side and said “ goodbye ” many times as I held her hand and stroked her head. Each of our Waco grandchildren went to her bedside and also said their “ goodbyes .” Our Aussie families did the same by internet and phone and one of our PNG couples sent a recording of a song they composed and sang for her. Joice did not like to say goodbye. She would talk to our guests as they were leaving at the front door and then cont

We probably all agree that God’s concept of “time” and our earthly reckoning of it are quite different. We are assisted by our calendars and computers, God is not. Nevertheless, there does come a day when our “times up” here on earth and we are summoned for heaven. David’s prayer to the Lord can help us put our life here on earth in perspective: “ Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered— how fleeting my life is. ” (Psalm 39.

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection) When I was young, kids my age often assembled plastic models from kits: cars, ships, airplanes, jets—even the occasional rocket. As for me, I saved my few dollars for something truly special: I built models of monsters. The Aurora Plastics Company signed a deal with Universal Studios to create model kits for some of the studio’s most famous movie monsters. My first was the Wolf Man. By the end of my tween years, I had painted and assembled

A dying person may say that they want to “go home.” What do they mean? Where is their home? Obviously, many think it is heaven. I read on Internet that “The idiom for death as ‘going home’ refers to the spiritual idea of the soul returning to a divine or eternal resting place, a concept known as "homegoing," especially prominent in African American culture, viewing death as a joyous return to God/Africa, rather than an ending, with services often called " homegoing celebrat

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection) That bull was moving! It happened about the time everyone was headed back from lunch. The bull, lighting out for the territory ahead, was giving it his all. As he sprinted down a very busy street, he was pursued by a man in a red pickup truck, lasso and whip at the ready. Four police cars completed that fast-moving parade. It was a sight. Drivers pulled to the side as the bull and his entourage headed toward the traffic circle. Folks

When someone commits suicide in the Kewa culture, or tries to, they are “eating the rope.” The “rope “is made of a strong vine and can be fashioned into a loop and knot (a kind of noose) and slipped over the head and around the neck. Metaphorically, one is “eating the rope.” I once saw a woman who tried to “eat the rope” but failed. She had put the noose around her neck, jumped off a vine bridge over a small stream and tried to kill herself. However, some men working nearby

(a Steve Orr Bible reflection) They tried to kill “Bohemian Rhapsody”—arguably the greatest achievement of rock group Queen—before the public ever even heard of it. Record producers just could not wrap their heads around it. The song seemed to whirl about like one of its lyrics: “any way the wind blows.” Some parts seemed to be going somewhere, but then never arrived. Some seemed completely out of context. Several interjections didn't seem to relate to anything. And m

Last week was “Ash Wednesday” and I participated in its service at our church. At one point my friend to the left of me made the sign of the cross on my forehead and reminded me that I was made from dust and would return to dust. (Genesis 3.19) I did the same to the woman on my right. Everyone in the room performed the same deed and received it in return. I was reminded that God had “ formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of