Before we die...

Memorable Quotes from
Bill Bailey: Part Troll (2004) (V)

Bill Bailey: The BBC did a survey of the top 50 things to do before we die. Not while we're still alive, before we die.

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Bill Bailey: No.18, see the Earth from space, conveniently forgetting become an astronaut at some point.

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Bill Bailey: I'd want to put some interesting ones in there, "No.67: lunge wildly at the pope", just to see what would happen.

(from www.imbd.com)

If you've ever been to a post-funeral gathering, or a leaving do, or anything like that I guess you've listened to stories of old letting you know things about the person who is being remembered: Things that you had never heard, and that may change your view of them completely, things which you wish you'd known before as you would have loved to take the time to talk to them about it, their experience, how it made them feel.

I'm also guessing that at times like this you may have thought, or even heard said out loud, something along the lines of, "I don't know why we didn't find out more about him/her while they were still around, rather than wait until now when it's too late."

It's happened to me lots. So why do we wait until it's too late? Instead of doing something after they've departed, why do we constantly forget to talk, to find out about each other while we're still around? For me, tomorrow may be too late, so why take the risk? I have to start talking with people - really talking with them, finding out who they really are.

I encourage you to do the same this week: Find one person that you like but don't really know, and talk to each other about what really matters to you both.

In the Twinkling of an Eye

Whatever your belief in God, life after death, one thing is for sure - life is precious. Whether our belief is that once we die, that's it: nothing; or that we come back as some lower life form until we seek enlightenment; or that we are changed into a spiritual entity, having been made perfect and living in the presence of God forever, this passage of scripture can have impact - it can tell us that we must live life to the max, we must get from it the most that we can, we must hold it lightly, because one day, unknown to each of us, this life will end, 'in the twinkling of an eye'. It's precious.
So, why don't we talk about death enough? Why don't we explore what it really means to live? Why are they such taboo subjects? To be honest, I guess we're just scared - partly because of the pain of even the thought of loosing a loved one to death, and maybe the thought that we, ourselves, will one day die. I can't comprehend quite what it means that I will be changed - one thing for sure, I am excited to find out; but I am also excited to find out what is waiting around the next corner whilst I am still alive.

1 Corinthians 15:50-57 (NIV)

"I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory."

"Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?"

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

"If your gift is to encourage, then encourage"

I wrote this in a forum I am part of, in response to another thread on there, but thought I would share it here, too.

The Bible says that "If" our gift is encouragement, then we should encourage others.

This does not mean that one person may have the ability, and another may not - it means that some people it is going to be a major part within their ministry and way of life - it's a spiritual gift. But we all have a responsibility to encourage - we all have the ability to do so.

This encouragement may take the form of speaking empowering words to someone who you see is doing something incredible, or someone who is struggling like crazy, but with perseverance. It may also be sharing part of yourself and your testimony (not just meaning how you came to faith in Yahweh, but of what God is doing in your life today) publicly or privately with others when appropriate.

So, let's encourage one another - regardless of whether we share the same faith or not.

Anyone care to share?!

Getting Things Into Perspective

In July, I moved into a very beautiful three storey house, where I had the top-right end of it to myself. Catering for myself has been really good - I've avoided frozen ready-meals. The only frozen veg I've used is peas! I feel better for it by a long way.

Then, last Sunday, I got told by my landlord & landlady that for various reasons I would need to move out before the end of September. They have been very good about this, and there is certainly no bad blood between us at all, due to the circumstances; but the fact remains that I was getting fairly settled into the place and really loved the area I was living in. I am not worried at all, as I know that there are enough people I count as friends who will not see me go homeless until I find a suitable alternative for myself. It would have been easy to kick up a fuss I suppose - I just didn't see any point.

Two days later, I got a message saying that someone I had lived and worked with whilst on the Lee Abbey Community a few years ago, had suddenly dropped dead that same Sunday. He was my age. It was obviously a shock hearing that someone I knew and got on well with, although not 'best friends' at all, was suddenly gone: Someone with a fantastic heart and personality, who had a great future ahead of him, someone my age, just stopped being. As with many incidences, this has made me consider life and how much I, we, take it for granted a lot of the time. And as someone else said when I was talking about it yesterday: "It will affect you for a short time" - this is true, then I shall go back to being blissfully ignorant about the fragility and gift of life again for a while - I wish I wouldn't, but inevitably I, and you, will.

I just hope that each happening like this leaves part of me changed properly, and impacts how I view life, gifts, and others, daily - not just "For a short time".

A New Start in a Familiar Place

Today is the first day back at work after a fairly long break over summer. I'm excited! Why? This year I don't have to concentrate on both placement and uni course, but instead I have more hours in which to really concentrate on what I'm doing here in the schools, local community, and church. (I'm also looking forward to the first pay cheque - as is Mr Bank Manager!!)

I can't quite believe I've been here a year already - the time has flown by. Today is one in which I need to sit down, and work out a rough plan for the coming months. It's been productive so far at least. I'm excited to see what can be achieved before the next summer holidays come round again. I guess I'll just have to wait and see...