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L Life, brevity and uncertainty of
The story is told about a man who, shortly before World War II, predicted that a global conflict was coming. He decided to find a place where he could be safe, whatever happened. He carefully studied the map of the world and chose what he believed to be one of the most remote, least populated, and safest islands on the face of the earth. He moved to that island.
The island? Guadalcanal, the scene of one of the bloodiest battles in human history.
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Instead of trying to escape death—which is a futile pursuit—we should be embracing the life that God has given us.
Source: Ernest A. Fitzgerald, in "The Minister's Manual for 1994," p. 63.
Topics/Tags: Life, brevity and uncertainty of; Death, preparation for
"I live in the Huon Valley in Tasmania. The normally tranquil Huon River that has its origins in the rugged southwest wilderness, home of the famous Huon Pine, flows along the bottom of our garden and out to sea. Last year we had several floods, one very serious, that brought a lot of fallen timber down river including some quite large trees.
"I managed to salvage enough timber washed up at high tides to provide firewood for many months. But as I've stood on the bank of the river much has floated by, out of reach, to end up who knows where. Someone elses firewood perhaps or will it drift on, out to sea, never to be seen again?
"It caused me to think about life. Like those out-of-reach logs 'we shall not pass this way again'. I'm not being morbid - I have so much to give thanks for - but it does make you think. Every day brings its work, its opportunities, its responsibilities. What are we doing?"
Source: Pastor Ron Clarke, Clergy/Leaders' Mail List #518: "We Shall Not Pass This Way Again"
Topics/Tags: Life, brevity and uncertainty of; Opportunity
Seems the preacher and his song leader were both avid baseball fans. These guys didn't just [like] baseball, they lived, breathed and [ate] baseball. What time they weren't about church duties, they were attending a game, watching a game on the tube, or coaching a Little League game in the park.
One day, one of them mused about whether there would be baseball in heaven and quite a conversation ensued. Every thing is perfect in heaven, isn't it? We will want for nothing in heaven, will we? [Surely] there will be baseball in heaven!
They finally made a pact that whichever one got to heaven first would somehow try to contact the other and let him know for a fact whether they had baseball.
Well, as it turned out, the preacher died first. A week later he appeared to the song leader in a dream and said, "Well, I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is, there is indeed baseball in heaven. The bad news is, you're scheduled to pitch this Saturday."
Source: unknown
Topics/Tags: Life, brevity and uncertainty of; Death, preparation for; Eternal life; Heaven
Browse By Topic L Life, brevity and uncertainty of