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Friday, September 25, 2009

Famous Last Words

No, I'm not preoccupied with death. My last blog was about cheating death with certain lifestyle changes. I then thought I was onto a different topic and thought, until I saw on MSN.com giving you a quiz on last words uttered on the death bed of famous people. That got me thinking about my life and what would I say with my final breath.

Here is what a few famous people said before they died.

  • Humphrey Bogart said "I should never have switched from scotch to martinis" before he died.
  • Marie-Antoinette said "Monsieur, I beg your pardon" before she was executed. She said that to the executioner because she accidentaly stepped on his foot on her way to the guillotine
  • Lady Nancy Astor awoke during her last day to see family standing around her bed. She said "Is it my birthday, or am I dying?"
  • Conrad Hilton [Hilton Hotel] supposedly said when asked if he had a final advice for the world, "Leave the shower curtain on the inside of the tub."

Let me add some of my favorite quotes.

From Jesus while on the cross He said "It is finished." Meaning, my sins have been paid for and taken care of because of Him dying on the cross....AND raising from the grave.

Them my very most favorite is because He rose from the dead and is able to say in the last book of the Bible in Revelation 22.20, "Yes, I am coming soon."

Can't wait. I hope my last words will be "yahoo" because I am then I'm going to see Jesus.

posted by Steve Walters at 1:52 PM

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Can you cheat death?

Recently, I came across an article in Newsweek from this past summer. Normally I read the weekly magazine and then toss (er actually recycle). Sometimes I will tear out a page that caught my eye and I want to reread and think over.

The June 22 issue had an article entitled, "Can you Cheat Death?"

With life expectancy for the average American man 75.2, for a woman, it's 80.4. There are factors beyond our control that can stretch or shrink one's probable life span. However, this article pointed out some other factors that are in our control that can lengthen or shorten our life span.

Here are behaviors and the years you will supposedly add:
If you regularly go to church. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +1.7 years
If you floss daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +2 years
If you eat five servings of veggies/fruit . . . . . . . . +3 years
If you are a married man . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +5 years
[on a side note, if you are a married woman it doesn't add or subtract years]
If you regularly play puzzles like Sudoku . . . . . . .+5 years


Here are behaviors and the years you will supposedly subtract:
If you get less than six to eight hours of sleep . . . .-1 year
If you frequently feel stressed out . . . . . . . . . . . . . -5 years
If you eat red meat more than twice a week . . . . .-5 years

Problem is, I know that I should floss daily, eat more veggies and fruit and play puzzles, but I haven't since reading this article. Yes, I will go to church regularly and I will be married until whenever I reach my life expectancy.

Remember, there is not only behaviors to extend your physical life but there is also factors that can enhance your spiritual life. Talk to God. Spend time evaluating your life. Remind yourself that you are not eternal but mortal. Acknowledge that you can't get through life on your own but that you need God's help.

God said in Jeremiah 29.11, "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future." [CEV]

posted by Steve Walters at 9:19 AM

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Planning....by God

Soverienty?
or
Sovrenity?
or
Sovereignty "supremacy in rule or power"

I always have a hard time spelling 'sovereignty.' Seems like all the spelling rules I learned in grade school are either ignored or I didn't pay attention when those particular rules were taught.

Regardless, this past week I learned about planning versus sovereignty.

Each week I take time to lay out the upcoming week, putting down when I should work on a project, write, read, make calls, blog, etc.

This week I had laid out well. I had most of my projects slotted perfectly with the appropriate minutes or hours needed.

Except....it didn't work out the way I had planned.

There were calls from people who had questions, problems and situations that needed dealt with. There were meetings that went long and projects that took longer than I had planned.

I heard a friend call the pastorate, " a ministry of interruptions." It is during those times that I remind myself of the soverignty of God and trust in His timing and schedule for my life.

I'm sure you too have experienced the same. Lots of planning and ideas and schedules that go by the wayside. May you have the perspective that your life is a "ministry of interruptions." Where God may be giving you an opportunity of ministry because of a phone call or a drop in visit.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways..." - Isaiah 55.8

On the journey,
Steve

posted by Steve Walters at 3:29 PM

Thursday, September 3, 2009

This blog has moved!

Dear blog readers,

Christ Community Church has a new website. Hopefully you will find www.cccomaha.org to be useful for all things up and coming at CCC. One of the necessary changes was to move this blog. To continue to receive updates, please subscribe using the following link:

http://feeds.feedburner.com/cccomaha/ccc-sarpy

Thank you,

Greg Nunamaker
Web Manager
Christ Community Church

posted by Greg Nunamaker at 1:50 PM

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Satan has been mischaracterized

Last week I mentioned an article in the World Herald from 8.4.09 about Henry Kelly attempting at a recent conference to clear some misconceptions about Satan. I promised more commentary on this article.

Let me continue.

Kelly states that if we make Satan God's enemy we then turn into a dualistic religion where there is a good God and an evil angel. He said that people instead should focus on the causes of bad behavior: Be more accountable; don't blame it on an invisible force below.

I date myself by quoting Flip Wilson of TV comedy and when there were only three channels to choose from. On his show he would state in a sketch: "The devil made me do it."

That is what Mr. Kelly is saying we should avoid. Don't blame sin on Satan. Satan tempts us, but there is a choice we make.

Now, I disagree with Henry Kelly that society and culture has created a misunderstood angel. The Bible is very clear that "your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion look for someone to devour." We know that Satan was out to divert Jesus from His mission [Lk 4.6-7 ] rules the kingdom of darkness [Colossians 1.13] and is the "Father of Lies." [John 8.44]

However, I do find myself agreeing with Kelly in that we essentially make excuses for our behavior by blaming it on Satan. When in actuality our behavior is a choice.

Here is the summary of sin. "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is draged away and enticed. Then, after has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." [James 1.14-15]

Remember, temptation is not a sin, but choosing to sin because of the temptation is wrong.

Send me your thoughts and reactions to: stevew@cccomaha.org

On the journey,
Steve

posted by Steve Walters at 11:56 AM