Michael Milton

Michael Milton and Faith for Living, Inc.

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November 25, 2017

Requiem for Pamela

“The Star.”  Edgar Dégas (1834-1917). French. Philadelphia Museum of Art.

I often compose verse and music as an extension of pastoral ministry. The impulse is predictable but not fully understood. The stories of lives intersecting with divine promises draws me not only to admire but to express. That happened yesterday when I learned about the life story of a lady who died this week.  I did not know her. I wish that I had. I am to conduct her graveside service for Christian burial. I always seek to interview members of the family. Their initial comments are most often the impressionistic stroke that I use. The details of life come after that: the people, the places, the times. I fill in the canvas of liturgy and homily, firstly, with the impressions. I add only a few details to the picture after that. The goal is not a eulogy nor an elegy, but rather a story, with Jesus Christ the Redeemer being the focus of the Story. Yet, to exalt Him in the story is in no way to diminish His own created child. My goal is merely to tell the story correctly, with colorful brush strokes (I do think in terms of color as I prepare a liturgy and a sermon; I chose to illustrate this reflection with a work of Edgar Dégas’s which, to me, coupled the story with an appropriate image of the redemption-point, but also with the warm pastel colors on the canvas) and to offer the Story, the familiar and yet always new tale, of a life lived from end to end with Jesus the Lord redeeming the broken parts, as an accessible epic for others.

I was deeply touched by hearing of Pamela’s gallant struggle against epilepsy and the secondary medical conditions that afflicted her all of her days.

Here is, at least, the verse to the piece I wrote, “A Requiem for Pamela.” I offer it with deepest respect for family and friends and as a story of hope for all.

Don’t let the light
Of a sun so bright
Cast its shadow upon you
Her lifelong pain
Was like a regal reign
A season of hardship transformed

Don’t hold her long
She has got heaven’s song
To learn

Don’t think the vial
Of the chemist’s trial
Clouded the faith in her heart
Love leaves a path
That pierces the black
And speaks to
The soul’s solitude

Don’t hold her long
She has got heaven’s Psalm
To learn

And though her body
Was seized
By a grim disease
Her spirit was waiting to fly
And on the day
When she passed
Beyond the earth’s
Mortal grasp
Her spirit soared to her home

Don’t hold her long
She has got heaven’s song
To learn

She’s not alone
She ascends to God’s throne
To dance

Requiem for Pamela © 2017 Michael Anthony Milton (Bethesda Music), BMI.

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I Want To Pray A Covenant Prayer
by Dr. Michael Milton

Faith For Living with Dr. Michael Milton
March 2, 2021
– A study from Psalm 91 and Mark 4. What does it mean to be in covenant with God?


https://accradio.com/programs/erskinefaithforliving/faithforliving030221.mp3

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I Want To Pray A Covenant Prayer
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March 2, 2021
Dr. Michael Milton
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What is Faith For Living?

Faith for Living is the 501c3 North Carolina non-profit ministry of the Rev. Michael A. Milton, Ph.D. that exists to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, through every means available, so that there will be a multitude caught up to be with Jesus Christ when He comes again. Faith for Living reaches out to support individuals, the Church, and other non-profits through communication, discipleship, and education.

Featured Music of Michael Milton

“Jesus Came” words & music by Michael Anthony Milton
© 1999, 2012, 2020 Bethesda Music (a div. of Faith for Living, Inc.) | BMI

Featured Book

“When your heart is broken, when your spirit is so crushed that you wonder if you will live again; when your life is in a total blackout; then, this book will give you the light and strength you need to carry on.”

—Russell, Amazon Reviews.

Songs in the Night is available in paperback and Kindle. Songs in the Night: How God Transforms Our Pain to Praise is NOW AVAILABLE in  Audiobook on AUDIBLE. Click here to purchase now.

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