ROBIN WILLIAMS

"Carpe diem.  Seize the day.  Make your life extraordinary."

I know they were memorized words from a script - but they were words Robin Williams spoke in the film DEAD POETS SOCIETY.  

I went to bed feeling deep, deep sadness for the choice that Robin made to end his life.  He who brought so much joy to others through comedic relief didn't find joy in his own life, and ended it by his own hand.  A sad, tragic loss.  

I agonize for his family and others who loved him on a personal level.   I know what it feels like to be the child of suicide:  the if only's, the what if's, the maybe's...and when someone so dearly loved internationally chooses this way out of personal depression the model creates a risk for others to take the same self-absorbed way out.   (And suicide is self-absorbed.  None of us truly live just to ourselves.  We are interconnected.  Our lives matter to someone - - even perhaps to many someone's.)

I hate suicide!  Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.  Even long term depression is temporary in light of eternity.  

The only answer for life's deepest struggles is Jesus.  I know that a lot of people will be tempted to end their own pain with Robin's choice as their permission.  Don't do it.  Get help.  Eternity weighs in the balance.   

What happened is tragic.  My prayer is that God will redeem this horrible situation for good in others' lives - - that people who are in depression and in need of help will seek the only One who can meet life's deepest sorrows.  Truly, the Light of the World is Jesus.  

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16.  

God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  He who has the Son has life, but he who does not have the Son does not have life.  I John 5:11-12

I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.  No one comes to the Father but by me. John 14:6

Salvation is found in no one else.  For there is no other name...by whom we must be saved  Acts 4:12

Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7

Find a Bible believing church.  Find a Christian counselor.  Get help.  God truly cares - and Jesus is the answer to all of life's dilemmas!  Seize the day.  Make your life extraordinary with God's help.  We can't do it alone!

(My mother committed suicide when I was 7 1/2 years old.  I speak from experience.  It is a horrible ending to grapple with for those left behind.  I am sharing this hoping someone who reads it will choose life - - not just living longer, but true life - - by asking Jesus into your life and circumstances; reading your Bible, praying, finding the fellowship of Christian believers in a Bible-believing church so you dan grow Spiritually.  I believe someone is meant to read this - - that God will use it for good in your life.)

LENT 2014 - DAY 14 - Humor Even in sadness

My middle daughter's 'other mother' just got horrible news this past week - - horrible news that means her husband, sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren and others who care for her also got horrible news.  She experienced loss of  half of her vision in each eye, and on Wednesday was told that she has inoperable brain cancer.  It is shocking news!

When my daughter and son-in-law sat down with their 3 children (ages 7, 10 & 14) on Wednesday after the diagnosis, they told them the truth about what was found, and the prognosis.  That news brought immediate tears.  In comforting the children they explained that the Doctor said Nana should go do everything fun she has ever wanted to do right away, while she can, and that they'd still be going on the cruise planned for next month....  (It is one of Nana's 'bucket list' items, and was already scheduled in December.  Amazing timing....you'd think God had it all in His knowing and was working out important details....   It's obvious to me He was!)

So, through tears and sobs, our youngest granddaughter said, "Maybe Jesus will come back before Nana dies so she doesn't have to die."  That thought was quickly followed by, "But it sure would be a bummer if He came back before the cruise."

In the midst of the most extreme sadness, levity.

The next morning, my granddaughter told my daughter, "It's O K if Jesus comes before the cruise.  I'm sure we'll have an even better one in heaven."  She's 7 - and eternity is etched in her soul.

Life is short.  Eternity is a L - O - N - G time.  God gave us a manual  - a travel guide - and it tells us the route for getting to our final destination.  B-I-B-L-E:  Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

The Old Testament looks forward to the coming of the Messiah and the New Testament reveals him and God's eternal plan.  Yeshua ha Meshiach, Jesus the Messiah.   If someone has never read the Bible, I recommend starting in the New Testament - and John tells us the most basic of basics:

John 3:16 is not just for signs at ballgames - but it is truth encapsulated:

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have eternal life.

Verse 17 is also instructive:  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.

He paid the price for our salvation.  It is a gift bought with His blood as the final sacrifice ever required.  We can accept the gift - or reject it.  It's our choice.  That's Bible basics at its core.

A SHARED LETTER

I received a compelling letter in this morning's e-mails regarding the unrest in Kashmir, in India. The letter reported that many people have lost their lives in what they feel is a fight for freedom. In the last few days rioting has intensified to a new level. Christians are beginning to be targeted because of rumored accounts of Quran burnings in America. Westerners working in the area have had angry mobs outside their homes. Buildings associated with Christianity have been burned and the airport has been closed with several workers having no way to leave. Their spirits are remaining strong, however, as they are relying on the hand of God to protect them. The national believers are also at high risk.

The author of the letter asked that we pray that God would keep them strong!

This person's letter struck me forcefully for several reasons - - but one of the most distressing realities is that the threat of one pastor in Florida whose congregation is only 50 people could have such wide-ranging, devastating impact. Yet - - the Good News that we proclaim over and over in myriads of churches across the world - - seemingly falls on deaf ears.

But, I know that trouble is the doorway to opportunity -- and what an awesome opportunity to proclaim the true Gospel -- the LOVE of Jesus Christ for all of mankind. It's time to take the lemons and make lemonade.

The truth of the core of the Gospel - - the good news of Jesus Christ - - is John 3:16!
'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.' And verse 17 - 'For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved."

God is still in business. He offers His love freely - - but accepting it requires the cost of laying our lives at His feet, and sacrificing our wills to His. Eternal life begins the moment we accept Him - - and then it is no longer about us - but all about Him. And in being His servant, we are finally free. God - the creator of the universe - the Master of all that is, or was or ever will be - comes to reside in the hearts of those who choose to accept His sacrifice of His Son. There is no other way to God. We have this one brief window before the door to eternity closes forever.

Anyone thirsty for some lemonade?