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Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label life. Show all posts
Monday, May 1, 2017
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Top Five Regrets
I read a sobering and enlightening article the other day entitled, "Top Five Regrets of the Dying." I actually just skimmed through their list of five and was impacted by the insight that those who were close to dying had on life.
There is something about death that helps us to put aside the unnecessary, and really see what matters. I have never walked in the shoes of someone who knew they were dying soon. I have no idea what that would feel like, nor do I have any idea what thoughts and emotions would be running through my mind. Yet, I know somehow that God wants us to be conscious of our own mortality, and the brevity of our lives.
The reality is that we all are dying. As my good friend says, we're all part of that great statistic - ten out of ten people die. In light of eternity and the "vapor"-like existence of our lives, we are actually close to dying. Our lives are like grass, here today and gone tomorrow.
Yet, our lives matter. Greatly.
What we do matters. How we live matters. How we love matters. Which brings me back to the article. Those on their last days and weeks have provided a short list of things that are beneficial to us who are also dying, it just may not be as obvious as those referred to in the article.
So check it out, read the article or skim the list. I think you will find it adds value and perspective to your life, as it did mine.
Click here to read.
There is something about death that helps us to put aside the unnecessary, and really see what matters. I have never walked in the shoes of someone who knew they were dying soon. I have no idea what that would feel like, nor do I have any idea what thoughts and emotions would be running through my mind. Yet, I know somehow that God wants us to be conscious of our own mortality, and the brevity of our lives.
The reality is that we all are dying. As my good friend says, we're all part of that great statistic - ten out of ten people die. In light of eternity and the "vapor"-like existence of our lives, we are actually close to dying. Our lives are like grass, here today and gone tomorrow.
Yet, our lives matter. Greatly.
What we do matters. How we live matters. How we love matters. Which brings me back to the article. Those on their last days and weeks have provided a short list of things that are beneficial to us who are also dying, it just may not be as obvious as those referred to in the article.
So check it out, read the article or skim the list. I think you will find it adds value and perspective to your life, as it did mine.
Click here to read.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Time is Short
There is one thing that has been in my heart lately - that time is short.
It's one of those things that doesn't show itself in obvious ways, but it's running in the background of my mind. Kind of like those annoying programs that won't stop but continue to "run" in the background of your computer, using its memory space. Difference is, what's running in my head isn't annoying. It's sobering, and empowering.
Paul says to the Corinthians that, "the appointed time has grown very short."
James reminds us about the brevity of our lives when he asks, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
It's one of those things that doesn't show itself in obvious ways, but it's running in the background of my mind. Kind of like those annoying programs that won't stop but continue to "run" in the background of your computer, using its memory space. Difference is, what's running in my head isn't annoying. It's sobering, and empowering.
And Jesus, in Revelation 22, says three times in the chapter - "I am coming soon."
Yes, time is short. We cannot get caught up in the ways of this world. We cannot allow our feet to sink too deep. We are just pilgrims passing through, and our true home is in heaven. Everything in this earth will encourage you to play it safe, live for security, live for pleasure, and live for this life only.
Life is simply what Leonard Ravenhill said, "A dressing room for eternity."
So where is your vision today? Where is mine? Is it on the eternal? The everlasting? Or are we caught up in the things we see and the cares of this world?
I love what Ravenhill also said as a prayer, "Stamp eternity on my eyeballs!"
Oh Lord, help us to realize the brevity of our lives, the value of the moment, and that time is indeed short.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Blessed
Our trip to NY to be with family during the loss of my Grandmother was such a meaningful trip. The time with family was priceless and meant so much to me. With my sister and I living out of state and my other siblings and cousins starting their own families or dealing with busy schedules, one evening all together makes for special memories.
Though it was an emotional trip, continually fighting back tears it seemed, it was a blessed trip. My Grandmother was a good woman who knew the Lord, so I can't even imagine what it is like for her right now, in heaven with Jesus! Many wonderful things were said about her, and I am thankful for my "Grandma" the Christian heritage she and all my Grandparents have passed down to all of us, as I now do my best to share that heritage with my children.
We greatly appreciate all prayers for us and my extended family during this time.
Blessings.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sanctity of Life
Today is Sanctity of Life Sunday. 4,000 babies will be aborted while still in their mother's womb... Today.
Problem is, killing children while still in the womb is legal. We as a nation are OK with it. It's the genocide that wont be on the evening news tonight. I would venture to say that it will be barely mentioned in our churches.
I'm reminded of the Casting Crowns song again, speaking of America, and our philosophies that save the trees and kill the children.
It doesn't make any sense.
One thing we can do is pray. We can pray that this atrocity stops, and that life in the womb is protected once again.
We can also be a voice. If you ever had a question regarding when life begins, check out the video at the link below. I believe you will see that life begins at the moment of conception.
I will not be silent.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
Problem is, killing children while still in the womb is legal. We as a nation are OK with it. It's the genocide that wont be on the evening news tonight. I would venture to say that it will be barely mentioned in our churches.
I'm reminded of the Casting Crowns song again, speaking of America, and our philosophies that save the trees and kill the children.
It doesn't make any sense.
One thing we can do is pray. We can pray that this atrocity stops, and that life in the womb is protected once again.
We can also be a voice. If you ever had a question regarding when life begins, check out the video at the link below. I believe you will see that life begins at the moment of conception.
I will not be silent.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
and before you were born I consecrated you;
I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
Monday, December 12, 2011
About Christ
It's time to get on my soapbox... Ah-hem....
Christ is central. Christ is King. All things were created through Him and for Him. As King, His commands are to be followed. His commands have benefits for life. Yet, in discussing the benefits of following Gods commands, we must not forget that they are just that - commands.
For instance, one might discuss the benefits of forgiving those who have hurt you. That you can better your life through forgiveness, and live in greater freedom as a result. Your forgiveness prevents you from being all you can be, you know.
While all this is true, we must be careful regarding the message we are believing, and relaying to others.
Forgiveness is more than just a self help, better my life, positive way of living. It is a godly way to live. It is the way to live that follows in Jesus footsteps, and it is the only thing that makes sense knowing how much He has forgiven us of. And, forgiveness is a command.
There are definite benefits to many of the commands of Christ... forgiveness over bitterness, giving over receiving, love over hate, joy over depression, faith over fear... All of these have great byproducts to the Christian life. But without Christ, they are just positive mental attitudes. Just attributes to add value to your life. It is Christ that brings depth and meaning to these virtues. It is for Christ and because of Christ that we forgive, love, have joy, etc. And, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit in a born again believer that enables us to truly walk all these things out in a heavenly way.
Without Christ, these things are little more than a humanistic path to a better life. A life that is all about me still. But when it's all about Christ, these virtues are commands, and flow naturally from the new life we have in Him.
So let's take heed and be careful today to keep Christ at the center of all his commands and benefits. If we don't, we flirt with the danger of becoming a church and a people that is little more than a social club, instead of the Bride of Christ.
Unfortunately, it seems to me that many have adopted this social club, better myself gospel that keeps me, and not Christ, at the center of my world.
I will step down from the soapbox, for now...
Christ is central. Christ is King. All things were created through Him and for Him. As King, His commands are to be followed. His commands have benefits for life. Yet, in discussing the benefits of following Gods commands, we must not forget that they are just that - commands.
For instance, one might discuss the benefits of forgiving those who have hurt you. That you can better your life through forgiveness, and live in greater freedom as a result. Your forgiveness prevents you from being all you can be, you know.
While all this is true, we must be careful regarding the message we are believing, and relaying to others.
Forgiveness is more than just a self help, better my life, positive way of living. It is a godly way to live. It is the way to live that follows in Jesus footsteps, and it is the only thing that makes sense knowing how much He has forgiven us of. And, forgiveness is a command.
There are definite benefits to many of the commands of Christ... forgiveness over bitterness, giving over receiving, love over hate, joy over depression, faith over fear... All of these have great byproducts to the Christian life. But without Christ, they are just positive mental attitudes. Just attributes to add value to your life. It is Christ that brings depth and meaning to these virtues. It is for Christ and because of Christ that we forgive, love, have joy, etc. And, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit in a born again believer that enables us to truly walk all these things out in a heavenly way.
Without Christ, these things are little more than a humanistic path to a better life. A life that is all about me still. But when it's all about Christ, these virtues are commands, and flow naturally from the new life we have in Him.
So let's take heed and be careful today to keep Christ at the center of all his commands and benefits. If we don't, we flirt with the danger of becoming a church and a people that is little more than a social club, instead of the Bride of Christ.
Unfortunately, it seems to me that many have adopted this social club, better myself gospel that keeps me, and not Christ, at the center of my world.
I will step down from the soapbox, for now...
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