July 21st

Many great people celebrate their birthday on the 21st of the month, just ask my wife! Well, the month of July is no exception, as it is known for the birth of Ernest Hemingway in 1899, and Don Knotts in 1924, just to name a couple that most have probably heard of. For most of my life though, I have known this day to be the birthday of a friend. Since I no longer have the luxury of celebrating with or wishing my friend a happy birthday, I decided to write something to share with everyone.

There is a quote from Ernest Hemingway that states, “Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another”. 

I don't know much about Mr. Hemingway, but I have to disagree with this quote. Not every man’s life ends the same way, and while it's true that the life and even death of some become more renowned than others, it's the start of every life that is the same, we all enter life in this world the same way. The book of Romans tells us that each and every one of us is born a sinner, that there are no “good” people, aside from Christ, and that the penalty for our sin is death. Because the price for sin is death, something or someone has to pay that price. The price for our sin was paid in full by Jesus Christ on the cross, this is a free gift that we have the ability to accept at will. Upon salvation, or acceptance of this gift, death is defeated in our own lives, and we are given eternal life in God’s presence. To reject this gift means an eternity in hell, where despite popular belief, there are no parties. It’s because of Christ’s work on the cross, and gift of eternal life, that we have the promise of being with loved ones again. 

If you want this gift, please take a moment and pray, and God will hear you. Admit to Him that you are a sinner and fall short of His glory and that you accept Him as Lord and Savior and welcome Him into your heart and life to dwell within and change you. If you make this prayer, please follow through. Give Him the opportunity to change you, and work in your life. You are guaranteed not to be disappointed. We have been given the incredible gift of life, the more you share it with others, the sooner He will return for His church… It’s been said that one of the most hateful things you can do to another person, is to withhold the truth from them, so please share. 

All of this to say that it is extremely reassuring to know that death for my friend, died long before his body. He may have been called out of this world, but he lives eternally now in the presence of God. For that, I am not sad, but grateful. Grateful that he is with our savior. Grateful that others have been saved because of him. And grateful that he has inspired me to walk with God again, now closer than ever, and be more outgoing with my faith. 

I can’t tell you how much I am looking forward to seeing my God, my friend, and all my loved ones who have been called home before me. When you accept this relationship with Christ, the closer you get to Him, the more homesick you are for His presence. This is an open invitation for all to experience.

Perhaps Today!

While visiting my great grandparents' house as a kid, there is something that stands out in those memories more than most other things; a small sign, handmade by my great grandfather that hung from their ceiling. The sign very simply stated, "Perhaps Today". It was just a simple, two-word, handmade sign, so why has it had such a vivid and persistent presence in my mind throughout the years?  

With the current events of the world in which we live, along with the many discussions on end times and the second coming of Christ, this little sign should have substantial relevance and meaning for believers. The sign is a reminder (at least to me, and the man I was named after) that we should not be so focused on trying to narrow down how close we could be to the tribulation and the second coming. Mark 13:32 tells us that no man, not the angels, and not even the Son knows when His return will be. We could all use this daily reminder that the next event in store for the church, is an event that is set to happen at ANY time. There is no prophetic event that needs to transpire or be fulfilled for it to occur; this event is the rapture of the Church.

We learn in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 that this should be a greatly anticipated event for believers. When that trumpet sounds and the Lord shouts from the heavens; not only will we be with all who have passed before us, and receive new bodies, we will meet Him in the clouds and forever be in His presence. We need to have affirmation of our eternal destiny now, so that we are ready when this event does take place. It makes no difference if we are alive on earth for this event, or if we are called home prior, we will be meeting in the clouds that day if we are a part of His beloved church. It makes no difference if the rapture occurs next week, next year, or not within our lifetime, we should be living each day with the reminder that we may finish the day in His presence; Perhaps Today!