As I twisted free of my mother’s hand and ran under the trees, I saw the gate approaching and read the words. Could it really be true? A sign above a little square of grass deep in a Pine forest made me feel like part of some royal family. Who am I, the king ofContinue reading “Buy a Cemetery Plot. Then Go Celebrate! Proverbs 31:25.”
Category Archives: Death Where is Thy Sting?
Understand Old Testament Wrath in Light of Luke 20:38 and Ezekiel 33:11.
Reading Old Testament highlights can give the impression God loves to pour out his wrath. In fact, there is a popular notion that the God of the Old Testament is different from the God of the New Testament. Some personify it: God the Father is angry and full of wrath, but God the Son isContinue reading “Understand Old Testament Wrath in Light of Luke 20:38 and Ezekiel 33:11.”
Burial or Cremation? 1 Samuel 31:12-13.
An unforgettable movie line comes from the OUTLAW JOSEY WALES. Wales is busy tracking down Captain Terrill, a man with a bad habit of slaughtering the unarmed. After Wales, played by Clint Eastwood, shoots a pair of Terrill’s killers, he refuses to stop and bury the dead. To make his disdain for the dead menContinue reading “Burial or Cremation? 1 Samuel 31:12-13.”
Adam and Eve Sinned. Why Was Punishment Delayed? Genesis 5:5.
Image generated with A.I. God tells Adam and Eve not to eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil “for on the day that you eat from it, you shall surely die” Genesis 2:17. Next thing you know, the two sin. God shows up, pronounces judgment … and they do not die.Continue reading “Adam and Eve Sinned. Why Was Punishment Delayed? Genesis 5:5.”
MAMA TALKS ABOUT DEATH. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.
My mother has always spoken quite casually of her own death. When I was about 12 she said, “I don’t care what you do with my body. When I die, you can just put me in the trash can and drag me out to the curb.” Honestly, I have always found her attitude bold, courageous,Continue reading “MAMA TALKS ABOUT DEATH. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4.”
DEATH. 2 Kings 34:27-28.
We dread the death of friends and family. And most fear their own death. Those who don’t fear death hope nevertheless to postpone it as long as possible. It is rare to find one who welcomes death (though Paul wrote, “to die is gain” Philippians 1:21.) We SHOULD want to live. We should have plansContinue reading “DEATH. 2 Kings 34:27-28.”
BOXING WITH DEATH. 1 Corinthians 15:52-57.
Boxing requires offense and defense. Boxers can protect themselves by keeping their hands in front of their face and body. But when you “put up your dukes” in defense, you can’t punch. You can also dance around the ring: if he can’t reach you, he can’t hurt you. But if you keep your distance, you’llContinue reading “BOXING WITH DEATH. 1 Corinthians 15:52-57.”
HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD BUT OF THE LIVING. Luke 20:37-38.
The popularity of a view has no bearing on its truth. For example, if you took a poll at HEB asking about favorite salad dressings, the poll might give you an accurate prediction about sales of salad dressing. But if you took a poll at HEB asking how online advertising affects the demand curve, vis-à-visContinue reading “HE IS NOT THE GOD OF THE DEAD BUT OF THE LIVING. Luke 20:37-38.”
We Do Not Grieve as Those Who Have No Hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13.
People die every day. There are illnesses, accidents, crimes. The losses are the most difficult experiences of life on earth. Nothing can interrupt a life and send you into a tailspin like the death of a loved one. Nothing else comes close. Not losing a job, losing a dream, losing a friendship—nothing will rock yourContinue reading “We Do Not Grieve as Those Who Have No Hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13.”
“JESUS WEPT.” John 11:33-38.
“Jesus wept” John 11:35. People love this two-word verse. It’s fun to memorize, huh? But why did Jesus weep? There are several statements about emotions here, and they should be considered together: “When Jesus saw Mary crying, and the Jews who had come with her crying, He was ANGRY in His spirit and DEEPLY MOVED.Continue reading ““JESUS WEPT.” John 11:33-38.”
Household Words: 