Unless you actually spend an hour of practice with his name you will not be able to pronounce it. But King Bhutiubol Adulyadei won't mind: he has been dead for over a year. The posthumous king of Thailand has been waiting for his funeral. Embalmed in state he is about to be transferred to the crematorium.
This is no ordinary fire box. It has been a year in the making. Thousands of workers have constructed a mighty pagoda with associated minarets. There are statues of Bhudda, painted clay lions and arrays of dragons and other surreal creatures. In their own minds they are constructing heaven.
The costs runs into multiplied millions. To top off the event, as the king goes into the flames on his golden chariot, will be teams of dancing girls and a professional puppeteer with a cast that would put Sesame Street to shame.
All for what?
A funeral extravaganza that has depleted the national coffers of Thailand by hundreds of millions all to go up in smoke in a matter of minutes.
But, there again folks, if you believe in pagan nonsense that says we will all be absorbed back into the universe to be recycled in a higher state, that's the sort of money you have to pay.
My wife Pauline and I have $500.00 plots in a country grave yard where we will spend a few quiet years before the resurrection of the dead. John 14:16 tells us that we are headed for a wonderful place where we will be spending eternity with a lot of our friends.... and best of all there is room for more.
Why don't you book your own place today by believing in Jesus Christ?
Jubilate.
ian
It's not usual for a Lord's wife to go shopping in the local super market but lady Somerleyton did so last week.
She went to the grocery store called Morrison's and picked up a few things for lunch.
I suppose in England she would be recognized by a few of the locals, after all she and her husband live at Somerleyton Hall and own 5,000 acres of land just west of Lowestoft in Norfolk.
It would appear that the good lady was not only spotted but her necklace was also appreciated. She happened to be wearing a 2 million dollar diamond and emerald pendant around her neck while she picked up her eggs and milk.
Horror of horrors! When she got home the pendant, a priceless family heirloom was gone!
Where could it be? She might well ask the question because those of us used to wearing bling could provide some ready answers.
Any one who trips out in public with baubles around their neck worth two million dollars needs a lesson in how the rest of humanity think.
Now the employees at Morrison's have been told to keep their"eyes peeled" while Lord and Lady Somerleyton keep their "fingers crossed" and, to add to the anatomy, while the thieves keep their "lips sealed."
Well, we might all smile as we read this but let me end on a sombre note. Concerning things precious Jesus said:
"What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul, or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" This is not bling we are speaking of here and, concerning our soul, it is a question that the folly of Lady Somerleyton should bring to the forefront of all our minds.
Jubilate
Ian
