Tuesday February 1, 2005

Words of a Christian ( Knight: Serving the King – Part III )

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

— 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (NIV) —

What do we hope in? Have you ever taken the time to examine your own heart and see what keeps you going? What is the foundation and the full basis for how you live life? Your motivations and intentions.

Nothing shakes a person like death. When you are face to face with death, it forces you to understand once again: where you heart is and what you really treasure about life. This is my personal experience and I have once looked down the barrel of a gun. For me, the reprecussions of that day still probably echo into today. When a person is brought to the realization of their mortality, one of two things can occur: Self examination. or denial. Either we are brought to a point of trying to figure out what is worth living for… and worth dying for. Or we just bury the thoughts in something… whether it be drugs or pleasure or whatever.

Christians believe in something beyond this life. We believe that death is abnormal. I think everyone agrees about that, in one way or another. That relationships should last in this life and beyond… doesn’t your heart agree? Doesn’t grief creep up upon you sometimes… wishing for just a couple more words, one last hug… one last touch? That people shouldn’t just disappear back into dust and nothingness? <cynic>What does science tell you about your soul? What does evolution tell you of meaning and purpose? NOTHING, because science cannot speak of such things. It is only logic – deduction, induction, and belief in recognizing patterns in the way things work.</cynic>

I believe that someday, I will fly without wings, without airplanes. Fly like in my dreams where the only thing holding me close to the ground… is my fear of heights. I’m sure people have seen the Matrix. I believe that when heaven comes, flight is going to become normal. If Jesus can make Peter walk on water, if God really created this world… flight is small beans… chump change, baby.

I believe that I will meet all my friends again. But in completely different circumstances. The greatest in this world, will be the lowest… and the servant of all becomes the greatest. Me and my buddies will be able to hang out with the most wonderful of people… Jesus, Job, Ester, PD, PL, BH, AB… for the rest of eternity. I’ll run into old friends I’ve lost along the way… people who’ve fallen asleep. We’ll catch up on old times and all the things we missed in each other’s lives. Doing the things that we always had a passion in and never got the chance to fulfill in our days on earth. In christian lingo: fellowship, worship, and godliness FOREVER.

Until you find something worth dying for… you won’t know what is worth living for. I hope and I pray that I may live for Christ… because He loved me & died for me… living for Him is such a small price to pay. Come with me and live for Him. I know of nothing else worthy of nothing less than my entire life.
 
What do you hope in?

Additional Info:  The Shunammite’s Son

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~ GCC Retreat ~
_Songs_

History Maker
Nothing But The Blood
Create in me a clean heart
How Great is our God

_Scenes_
Wading through a sea of shoes. Praying like there’s no tomorrow. Singing and dancing to the Lord >> Praise! Feeling the spirit move. Sleeping 4 hrs a nite. Staying awake through all the services and seminars, mostly . Listening to the sawing of wood… in stereo. Relationships 101: Women want security. Men want respect. Don’t FIND the right one, BE the right one. Listening to the speaking of tongues. Getting up close and personal with the brothers in my family group. Repent, get healed, and GROW!

Thank you to everyone who made this event possible. Special thanks, lastly but not least of all… to the Holy Spirit and Jesus!

-= Eye spy… a photo album =-