No one escapes death Are you prepared?

 

Read: John 11

“I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:23-26

 

Good Morning!

Death is inevitable. When I think of it, I often think of the story of Lazarus. Not so much of his death but of what Jesus said to Lazarus’ sisters Mary, and Martha in John 11:25.

 Until it hits home, we typically do not give much thought to death. I recently experienced the loss of a cousin, whom I grew up with. The impact her transition had on me was greater due to our close age.

 After battling her illness for more than two decades, it had finally taken a toll on her. In our last conversation, her present condition has led her to contemplate the mistakes she made towards others and seek forgiveness  I told her time would not allow to forgive everyone, but you have to first start with self-forgiveness.

 As we grow older, how do you address the inevitability of death?  Are you prepared? Are you fulfilling all of the things that Jesus instructed us to do? Are you acting as a disciple? Are you ministering to others? Are you feeding the sick? helping the homeless? Visit those in prison? Are follow the Ten Commandments. Are you letting your light so shine that others can see your good works?  Are you doing these things in the name of Jesus? We all have fallen short of the glory of God but we strive to be like Christ.

 In the Bible Story of Lazarus (John chapter 11), Jesus reminded Martha “I am the resurrection and the life”.  He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.”

 I asked my cousin, “Do you believe in God the Father, God the Son, and  God the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross, rose on the third day and He died for your sins?” She said yes to everything. Through your asking of God’s forgiveness and repenting of your wrong, according to God’s word, you are forgiven. In my heart, I want to stand on Jesus’ words to Martha…. “I am the resurrection and the life”.  He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live.”

 Each day that passes brings us closer to the presence of the Lord. Let's make good use of our time.  We get caught up in our jobs and things we think are most important to us. God is oftentimes an afterthought.

 All of us, including me, need to prepare ourselves for that day. What are we doing to be ready for when God calls you home?

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Seven Days of Grief

So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. Job 2:13

Job just encountered the greatest lost of his life; seven children perished, all worldly possessions destroyed and sickness consumed his body from head to toe.

For some reason society believes that we should console one another through word or speaking politically correct words of condolences.  Here we read how Job's friends consoled him during his grief - by sitting silent for seven days and seven nights.

Consider your friends and family grieving; opposed to words could you comfort them without speaking a word? Sit and meditate for one day or one hour.    
~The Souls Remedy







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The Gift of Transparency

Submitted by: 

 Buddy McElhannon

Two thirds through my veggie taco lunch I looked up and spotted a familiar face.  A former colleague – now a vendor rep – saw me and made a beeline for my table. Ken had retired a few years ago and moved into vendor sales.  He had the personality of a salesman, always smiling, always talking, and always seemed like he was about to make a sales pitch.  His manner occasionally bordered on the obnoxious but I only hesitated a moment when he asked if he could join me.  Hoping he didn’t notice the cautionary tone, I welcomed him with a “Sure, have seat.”

Our conversation was light, catching up on who was still working, who had retired, and who had died.  Unfortunately we knew more of the latter and less of the former.  We briefly discussed retirement plans.  I could tell from the way he talked he was unaware that I had lost my wife 2 years previous.  I decided not to mention it, as I just did not want to spend another 20 minutes talking about it.   But something prompted me and when Ken took another bite of his sandwich I simply stated, “I don’t know if you heard but I lost my wife 2 years ago to cancer.” 

God working through the hearts of men

Ken’s response was typical, a look of shock followed by a heartfelt, “No, I didn’t know, I am so sorry.”  What followed next, humbled me yet again at how a loving God works in the hearts of men.  Ken stared at me as if not knowing what to say next.  His blank silent look only magnified the growing moisture in his eyes.  He looked briefly away and then as if a decision had just been made he turned back to me and said.  “Now I know why I met you today.”

He was no longer a salesman.  He was a wounded heart thankful for an opportunity to talk with an understanding soul.  He related how his wife Patty had just had her annual mammogram with the result being an order from the Doctor for a biopsy. Needless to say, they were stunned. They had yet to tell anyone, not even their daughter. This always confident salesman now possessed all the assurance of baseball batter in a slump.  He had no idea what to do, what to say or how to help his wife.  With a look that reflected both desperation and gratitude, he confessed, “I may need your help.”



What is love

I simply encouraged him and told him to take one step at a time, wait for the results and just be there for his spouse.  I commented that as much as he wants to fix it (doesn’t every man), right now he needs stay close to his wife, be a good listener and a strong shoulder.   And call me when they get the news and we will talk some more.  He once again smiled at the providential meeting and asked for my prayers.  I reached out, touched his arm and said “how about right now.”  We bowed our heads and I prayed, “Lord, may Ken and Patty know your loving and healing presence.  Be with them now and give them strength and faith to follow you through this storm.”

Shaking hands we then turned and walked in opposite directions.  That lonely lunch had become a battleground of faith.  I remembered my morning prayer.  “Lord, help me to help others.” 

The gift of transparency had been unwrapped again.

Scared as Hell: The afterlife as a zombie

The exaltation of Zombies

The Walking Dead - Zombies

Is it safe to say that people who love zombies are necrophiliacs? I recently heard a Podcast where zombie fans personified and glorified these ‘undead’ creatures.  This exaltation of zombies was for the USA Network series The Walking Dead, which happens to be the highest rated prime time program on cable.

The title says it all; a weekly thriller about resurrecting corpses that dead-walk the earth hunting warm bodies. To witness this delirium would be horrifying.  During an open cast call for zombie extras I was taken aback by weird comments. Hordes of people gleefully expressed it being a dream come true to act out nightmares as zombies. Others thought it was cool to contort their bodies and dress up in gruesome make-up.

What is death?

The last enemy that will be abolished is death. I Cor. 15:26

Death symbolizes the end. Once departed from the land of the living no one knows what lay beyond the heavens but we have an idea what Hell is like. A fiery furnace: where there shall be wailing
and gnashing of teeth!

The words of your mouth are deadly

People are fearful of death, yet mobs gather to watch horror movies, glorify death, Satan, and Hell.  Giving no regard of what enters the spirit. The point can be argued it is just a movie. But there is power in words and actions. For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he Prov. 23:7.  Be mindful of what you speak, it does not take much to corrupt the heart and spirit.

Jesus at the River Jordan
Tigner Rand 

Life as a zombie

God’s word tells us if we don’t profess Jesus as Lord, the savior, honor and praise his name a person will have a life of eternal death. The tongue has power of life and death Prov. 18:21.  But the path of many is foolish confidence that God or the afterlife is not real. Hades is totally disconnected from God it is the abyss, a lake of fire and brimstone.

The Final Call

Zombie lovers, do you want life everlasting as a zombie? I hope not! It is never too late to accept Christ. He can break strongholds. Be in the multitude that will awake and ascend in to heaven and not those who will experience the shame and endless contempt of Hell!