Been thinking a lot about death lately. Have heard of several instances in the past couple of weeks about loved ones dying or having certain deadly diseases, both the saved and the unsaved. I tryed to get into the mind of an unsaved person getting ready to die, and O how frightful, even not being in the situation. To consider one without hope passing out of life, not having received Christ in life, and dying twice, without Him. In life, they have nothing to look forward to, whether they believe in hell or not, the consideration of death is torment. But, why is death so bad for we who are redeemed? Why are we saddened at the thought? While we live, it is unto Chirst, to the Glory of the Holy. When we die, we should already be used to it, for in life we die daily for Christ's sake, so do we die physically, only the end being the casting off of this piece of filth and seeing His face, thereby being at last changed into His image. That is a day "when life's trials and torments are no more, and we may worship before His very feet forevermore, when His glory is proclaimed through the mighty works He has wrought, and at His hand His enemies to shame are brought; when the unashamed statnd hand-in-hand with their Lord in the glory-land. This is a day, a beginning, to which life has lead; the glory of man's Head, Who is risen, but for three days was dead. Glory be to the Holy Three-in-One, the battle is finished, the war won." Do not fret death, for to fret it is to claim earthly treasures. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." As Dr. J. stated today concerning one who had passed, "I'm jealous." Profound, really, concidering the heart of man. Be jealous. Be very jealous.

Been studying Paul's first letter to Timothy lately. Was smitten by 6:8 - "And having food and raiment let us therewith be content." One of my favorite journal entries by Jim Elliot applies: "I have been musing lately on the extremely dangerous cumulative effects of earthly things. One may have good reason, for example, to want a wife, and he may have one legitimately. But with a wife comes Peter the Pumpkin-Eaters proverbial dilemma---he must find a place to keep her. And most wives will not stay on such terms as Peter proposed. So a wife demands a house; a house in turn requires curtains, rugs, washing machines, et cetera. A house with these things must soon become a home, and children are the intended outcome. The needs multiply as they are met---a car demands a garage; a garage, land; land, a garden; a garden, tools; and tools need sharpening. Woe, woe, woe to the man who would live a disentangled life in my century. II. Timothy 2:4 is impossible in the United States, if one insists on a wife. I learn from this that the wisest life is the simplest one, lived in the fulfillment of only the basic requirements of life---shelter, food, covering, and a bed. And even these can become productive of other needs if one does not heed. Be on guard, my soul, of complicating your environment so that you have neither time nor room for growth!" Even though I am far from having a wife, the same principle that he presents applies to every area of life. Once you first "mind earthly things," however small a thing it might be, you start your fall on a slippery slope that ends in spiritual destruction for you and those you might have impacted for Christ. "But Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." This statement according to the context is in direct relation to serving others, specifically others in authority to us, but the same heart attitude will serve those equal or subject to us. When we put others aside for however short a time, we become earthly minded and cannot be content with "food and raiment." "But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. . ."

Found yet another problem with today's church in Pauls first letter to the Thessalonians. 4:13-18: v.13 Paul speaks of handling the loss of loved ones. He admonishes them that they not sorrow after their deceased as they which have not received the Gospel. For the unregenerate, deaths wail, whether it flow through the lips or curdle in the heart, is always existant, at least to those who care. For the redeemed of the Lord death is merely the doorway to Glory; in that we can rejoice. Why can we rejoice? "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord." Now, here is the problem with the church: V.18: "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Whether the believer be rejoicing or mourning, we are exhorted by the Word of God to channel this Truth to other believers. Who does that? On top of that, who is comforted by those words? Who cares what trial someone is going through: exhort one another with these words. I have been counceled in the past to not use this form of exhortation with the sorrowful because "that's not what they need." Bogus. Any true Christian who is truly God-fearing will rejoice at these words amidst whatever trial. One who doesn't has already taken his eyes off of the prize and has focused on a distraction, however good a reason. I may sound insensitive, but according to how I know God and what I know in His scriptures, this is truth. I could be wrong, but I don't think so, obviously, seeing that I have posted it. To sum everything up, there is way too little comforting with "these words" in the church, the body of Christ, and way too much earthly mindedness.

Here is a picture of the Maranatha renound Marshall Mike. Most can only picture him wearing a suit and a hiking bag twice the size he is. I sure can't wait to get to know this guy more this summer at Ironwood.