Phil Johnson of the Pyromaniacs has just lost his mom to cancer, so please pray for him and his family. Dan Phillips has a nice testimony of the unwavering faith of Phil's mom here. In his "weekly dose of Spurgeon" Phil shares some of Spurgeon's thoughts on the subject of death, thoughts I wholeheartedly agree with and commend for you consideration:
MAN IS UNWILLING to consider the subject of death. The shroud, the
mattock and the grave, he labors to keep continually out of sight. He
would live here always if he could; and since he cannot, he at least
will put away every emblem of death as far as possible from his sight.
Perhaps there is no subject so important, which is so little thought
of. Our common proverb that we use is just the expression of our
thoughts, "We must live." But if we were wiser we should alter it and
say, "We must die." Necessity for life there is not; life is a
prolonged miracle. Necessity for death there certainly is, it is the
end of all things. Oh that the living would lay it to heart!
So true. When those close to us die, we receive a gift in that it puts us in a position to grapple with our own immortality. Especially if they die before old age. Having lost a friend in a car accident and a close relative to debilitating disease has instilled in me the almost constant awareness that each day, each breath is a gift, and so as Lewis said (paraphrased because I can never find it when I need to): "Live each day as if it's your last, but make plans as though you'll make it to 100."
Life truly is a miracle...and it doesn't end with death, but is transformed into a life greater than our mortal minds can fathom.
Posted by: Myrrh | January 24, 2009 at 06:03 PM
I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma and told it was either stage 3 or stage 4. I did not know the difference. Nobody survives stage 4 I was told. There was no way to correct the biopsy, I just had to wait. When I was paralyzed with herniated disks I was told, "there, It is back" same thing with vocal chord polyps, and other health issues. I am 4 years past the death sentence. I try to explain to people that we are all under a death sentence, and we all need to remember our death. Memento Mori is not depressing when to die is to be with Christ. Four years ago God gave me a church to pastor. I would not have been up to it without seven years of Memento Mori. Thank you Jesus. how many could understand the blessings involved? How ever many days I have I will live for Him.
Posted by: willoh | January 28, 2009 at 02:14 PM
I have forgotten where I heard this, Maybe a message by Earl Radmacher from decades ago, regardless, it went like so:
Spurgeon was a guest in a rich man's new home for the first time and was taken on a tour of the house. After seeing first hand all of the expensive artwork, real sculpture, lavish gardens, and all out fancy digs in general, he was asked by the owner in a cheary expectant voice, "Well, what do you think?" Spirgeon dropped his head took a moment or two, and then slowly raised his chin looking full on direct into his questioner's eyes, and slowly replied, "These are the things that make dying hard."
Who else but Spurgeon could so economically disabuse one's pride of material ownership, and "spot on" zero in upon death's relationship to life?
Posted by: Richard Eric Gunby | January 28, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Death sounds so final, when in reality it isn't. Souls never die, but are immortal. In younger years I rarely even thought of death. Then at age 37 when I was saved,I was given a totally new perspective on the subject. Now, at age 66 2/3, & after two heart attacks, 5 heart by-passes, 3 cancers removed, & sundry other trips under the knife, I can honestly say that the possiblility of death holds no fear for me. Knowing that Christ is in charge of every move of a molecule up to turning the hearts of kings, I know that He is certainly in charge of when I will move into eternity as well as by what means. "Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus."
Posted by: Larry Hunter | January 28, 2009 at 05:27 PM