DEATH!

It's not a fun kind of subject, but it's part of life. For each of us personally, the end, in terms of this earthly existence. God's Word tells us that it's an "appointment" and following that comes the Judgement (Hebrews 9:27) For the believer in Jesus Christ to exit this body we live in now, is to be present forever with Him (2Corinthians 5:8)

Sometimes, and recently for me, someone dies and the HUMAN understanding tends to dwell on how "unfair" it is for someone to live a short life here, but when you get to know the character of God, and I'm just starting to get to know Him, you see that first of all, He is in control, and you can believe that if something happens that seems to be "unfair" there is a good reason for it that we more than likely won't know until we're in Heaven with Him. I can just about guarantee you that when someone dies "young" as we understand it, had they continued to live, something bad was going to happen and God in His mercy spared them from it.

You may say, "well then, why are there people who suffer long, painful diseases." That one's EASY to answer. I don't know. And none of us do. But we can put our complete faith and trust in God knowing that He's not some big mean old man in the sky who's out to prevent fun. He INVENTED fun. He created a sense of humor. He's not angry with you. Amazingly, though I give Him ample reason to be, He's not angry with ME. His mercy endures forever.

I will never regret having come to know Him. That doesn't mean I'm perfect by any means, but it DOES mean that He accepted me...weird old me just as I was. He's still got a lot of work to do on me, but He's changed me quite a bit, too. Yeah, it hurts, death does, but I've found the Lord to have the best set of "shoulders" to cry on. He is where compassion originated.

Hope what I've said will help you to stop hurting, or at least to hurt less. You'll find that sweet memories will eventually come and you'll tend to only remember the good times.

I love you

My brother in law shares this from God's Word Deut 29:29--

The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Matters of the Heart: At SOME Point You Have to Use Your Brain

If there's anything I believe in with all my heart it is the concept of redemption. We ALL sin, make mistakes, mess up or whatever you want to call it. No one deserves a second chance. Did you hear me? I said NO ONE DESERVES a second chance, but the funny thing is the ONE Person Who is capable of forgiving forgives freely. Therefore, I don't have the right to not forgive. Forgiving is not an emotion. It is a decision. You can decide to forgive someone and feel zero manifestations of it, but eventually, if you've decided to do so, you will.

What does this have to do with matters of the heart? Plenty. But first, let's not forget the concept of fool me once, shame on you. Fool me TWICE, shame on ME!

Forgiving doesn't mean becoming one's door mat and letting people continue to abuse you, no!

In the "relationship" arena, (this expression cracks me up, because there are all kinds of relationships besides romantic or lustful ones) hopefully one learns. I am single. There are a lot of reasons for that.

1. If someone is giving out "samples" eventually they will run out of them. Who's to know how low the supply is running out? How few are left. How many other guys (girls) has this person given a "sample" to.

2. If someone tells you they are damaged goods believe them. Beyond that, it's your choice but be ware...You can try to convince them of redemption, but if they feel they have a right not to forgive someone in their former "relationship" they are not capable of being at square one with you and it will be totally unfair. You will probably wind up hurt. Now, if you know redemption and live it before them and are patient enough, they may catch on, but God will not violate the will of a person. Hear me, He will NOT make someone trust you who is in this condition. He WILL NOT MAKE THEM LOVE YOU, no matter how you pray. PERIOD.

3. No one can make you hate someone. It, too, is a decision. Choose not to. This may require a little distance between you and the one you are tempted to hate.

4. Being single is not the end of the world. You may be misunderstood as a horn toad, or a number of other things but you can function without a "help meet." That doesn't mean it's all that fun, but you DO have the freedom to flirt. Do it, too much, and you'll be categorized by some, but you know what? Those people don't count!