Are you afraid of dying?

[orvals]

In reading the posts Pilgrim's Progress came to mind. After all the years of traveling toward the celestial city Christian and Hopeful finally came to the banks of the river with no name (death) and as Christian began his journey over the river he was in fair spirits but as he drew near the middle and his head went under for the first time his confidence in the promises of God wavered and it was Hopeful who quoted scripture and encouraged his friend to continue on. And then Christian broke out in praise as he remembered the word of God "when thou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the rivers they shall not overflow thee". To every man is given a measure of faith, some will face death with a certain amount of fear while others with certain delight but the longer one has to confront their emotions the more faith will be excercised.

Recently I was faced with the very real possibility of death and found to my great joy that, at least on this occasion, I was concerned with preparing, writing letters to my children, my wife, making sure directions were given, insurance etc. I praise the Lord these were not needed none the less I found a small amount of fear, not in dieing, but in meeting my Savior, wondering and fearful if I would hear "well done thou good and faithful servant"?

I would certainly have some great fears concerning lions, torture etc. but am encouraged that God's grace would be there at the exact time of need.

orvals

[Tim]

Death by fire would probably be my biggest fear.

[cpomann]

I was diagnosed in May of 2005 with inoperable stage IIIB lung cancer. All the info I can find sets the goal of treatment to try to extend my life from two to five years. By the book there is a 20% chance of making the two year mark. I think my diagnosis came within a month or so of Peter Jennings. I assume most of you know how his story came out.

Looking at the world situation, having had a good life (which I didn't deserve but which was given me anyway), having my kids all grown and independent, having my parents pass already, beginning to experience the pains of aging (I'm 58 and will never be 19 in this body again), I read with joy the writing of Paul "Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

I would love to be taken up in a whirlwind, or to ride up in a chariot of fire. I would love to see the Lord appear in the eastern sky even this very morning and to rise and meet him in the air. I do not relish the thought of laying in a hospital bed, attached to breathing machines, being comforted by a morphine drip. But I am ready for whatever comes, convinced that I can do (even endure) all things thru Christ who strengthens me.

That "whatever comes" even includes continuing in recovery and having to stay in this present evil world.

[IM4given]

2 Corinthians 5: 6-8

Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

[Martyr_4_FutureJoy]

On 2/15/2007 at 11:11 PM, bibletotingunslinger said:

I thought I was going to be killed once, I was scared, I wasn't saved, Then got saved, not scared now, but wished I could quit sinning. :coffee

I died once,  and kept the police report of my death for another 35 years before losing it in a move.

It is a choice to quit sinning.   A choice of the will - who to serve,  Jesus or sin. 

For instance, Jesus said His rules are not burdensome, but light.  

How hard is it for you not to drive 80mph thru a red light seven times a day ?

How hard is it for you not to bow down to buddha or catholicism or not to worship the dead ?

See?  It is not as hard as you think (hopefully). 

Be becoming like a little child.    How difficult is it for a 3 year old boy to walk along with his father and go to the park, the store,  church,  even to a holistic doctor ?    The boy holds his dads hand and looks up with big bright eyes (if he never got a shot),  and says OKAY DAD!   let's go, or what's next !

Simple faith like a little child,  as Jesus says.  

[Bouncing Bill]

On 2/14/2007 at 12:39 PM, Madeline said:

Are you afraid of dying? There were several times in the past I thought that I was going to die, didn't bother me the least bit. Even now I have the full hope and assurance that I will be with my Lord when I depart.

Love,
Madeline

I am not afraid of dying, but I do not like some of the processes of getting there. 

[Martyr_4_FutureJoy]

A few rambling tidbits.

These days in the USA,  many people don't like the drudgery of daily life,  being depressed,  having pellagra,  being diagnosed with szo, or bip,  or anxi a tea.  (legal diagnosis of forms of deprssion and anziety).

Without stopping or changing any rx medicine they are on,   some few of them start finding out about how important a good diet is,  and what to avoid that causes all those symptoms . 

As they change their way of life while under their doctors 'care',

   they get happy,  in company with others who are happy,  pursuing a good way of life,  a way that reduces instead of increasees stress and anxity.

The Bible says be anxious for nothing, but in everything give thanks.    Jesus says embrace suffering! (don't run from it).

Rejoice when in fiery trials.   The world .   A dangerous place.   

"Save yourselves from this generation" (I forget the exact quote in the New Testament)   But it is vitally important.

The descriptioni of the first century assembly was that they were CONSTANTLY full of peace and joy, daily.

The description of a

few assemblies and some individuals today/ the last 40 years/ 

likewise full daily of peace and joy although with much persecution.  

Not many though.

Acquainted with grief ,  a man of sorrow.   The Giver of Life. 

The processes of society are not Godly,  not life giving,  not uplifting, not edifying. 

The methods, means, ways, everything all in all in Jesus is healing, nurturing, peaceful, disciplined, sometimes scourging (no one is a son of God if they are not scourged),  separating from the world (holy, complete, righteous).