Read this quote the other day in “Children of Hope” (get your free copy here) regarding the AIDS pandemic and those involved in caring for the children left behind. It’s from Wes Stafford of Compassion Ministries …wow…

“If you don’t have something in your life that can make your heart
pound, that can move you to tears of joy or tears of sorrow in about
30
seconds, then my friend, you are not truly alive. Life is too
precious
to go on in such a half-awake condition. You can better. You deserve
better. If you don’t have such a cause or mission in life then
please,
take mine!” -Dr. Wes Stafford Too Small to Ignore

For others, this is a different season.  The big Five-O might not seem that old anymore.  These folks are wiser and more experienced in life than their younger counterparts.  Sure the machinery is a little worse for wear, a clear sign that they are closer to death than ever before but each day feels invigorating; full of the possibility of executing yesterday’s dreams in order to ensure tomorrows success.  Those in this stage of life have the benefit of hindsight with the capability of foresight; idealists that live as realists.  They pay bills, long for vacations, lead companies and take lots of pictures of their grandchildren.  This is a special time, a precious time.  Tick-tock.

And then there are those in the final chapters of this physical life.  Theirs is a season of rest, reflection and remembrance.  Each day the sun dips a little closer to the proverbial horizon.  Profound wisdom bubbles over whenever a question is asked but specific memories struggle to find the surface, “Why, when I was your age…”  Slow now rules the day.  They wait, often alone, for the inevitable passing of time, victims of a society that refuses to honor the aged.  Questions flood their days.  Has their life made a difference?  How will they be remembered?  They smile knowingly.  Youth is indeed wasted on the young.  Oh, to do it again…. 

Friend, something’s eating at me and honestly you should probably let it take a few bites outta you as well: If I am a child of the King and will eventually die a physical death, will I be remembered for what I did or what I didn’t do for the Kingdom?  Should the Lord tarry and generations from now are living in the repercussions of my particular time on earth, will it be time that affected the temporal or the eternal?  It matters not what ministry you’re involved in or what season you are presently in.  Maybe you’re just starting out in this world, fresh and full of intentions.  Maybe you’re rounding a milestone anniversary or possibly approaching the twilight of your years, time is no respecter of persons.  The universal clock is ticking.  Will you live a life of regrets or will you run in the fullness of God’s dream for your life?  What opportunity to advance the Kingdom is staring you in the face and you simply haven’t responded?  I want my children to remember me with affection, my friends to remember me in love and my King to welcome me with, “Well done.” 

So many questions, so little time.  Tick-tock.  Now go have some egg-nog and get absorbed…n

Here’s the deal: you and I are gonna die.

Yeah I know. Kinda morbid for the holidays.  You were expecting eggnog and reindeer.  Sorry.  Probably on another blog:) But if you think about it the season is all about a King who came to earth to die so Christmas is kinda about birth and death…yeah.  Hmmm, if you’re still with me just let your thoughts wander to the physical end of your life for just a moment.  Granted, no one on earth knows exactly when that is but the event is inevitable.  Outside of Enoch and Elijah and unless you and I, as born-again believers are part of the Day that Jesus described as “two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left,” (Mat 24:40) everyone who has ever stepped foot on this planet has either tasted death (there has been an end to their physical body) or will taste it soon.  Whew!  Long fragmented sentence to say yes, we’re gonna physically die.  The clock is always ticking…

For some, death is a long way off; like eighty, ninety years in the future.  In Gods great and perfect timeline, He has chosen now to bring them into the world.  They’re taking their first breaths of air, uncurling little fingers and staring at the world with eyes that haven’t quite learned to focus yet.  They’ll eventually say their first word, ride bikes around the neighborhood, trade baseball cards, have their heart broken, feel invincible.  They have nowhere to go but forward yet most don’t even give a moments thought to tomorrow.  Now is now and the future is lunchtime.  Most struggle to comprehend death, let alone see it ever happening to them.  You and I were there once…

 (to be continued…get absorbed…n)

A little oatmeal…a little coffee…some ponderings..

There are really two parts to life: before Christ and after.  Addressing both parts is difficult.  One needs repentance and the forgiveness of sin…a casting off of the yoke of slavery…a turning from their way to Gods..an understanding of GRACE and what that means for their lives.

The life IN Christ is a commitment to grow and learn how to LIVE now in this GRACE that we have been freely given.  We must understand that although we chose to receive this gift, we didn’t initiate it.  God has had His thoughts toward us before we were born.  We simply must learn how to steward GRACE and what implications that has for our life and others around us.  If I have freely received then in what manner should I give?  To do anything else is to submit myself to a yoke of slavery once again… Freedom is encouraging, comforting, joyous, humbling and empowering. Christ disarmed principalities and powers, made a public spectacle of them and triumphed.  So then let no one judge you legalistically and let no one cheat u of your reward (Col 3:11-23) A yoke of slavery is discouraging, prideful in the sense of trying to please with actions… To carry death means to move slowly dragging a heavy load.  Life is freedom.  Life is IN Christ…get absorbed…n