When You Die, Don't Worry About Your Body

 When you die, don't worry about your body... Your relatives and funeral staff will do it. I know this first hand. I’ve done it myself…

They will take you out of the house and deliver you to the funeral home of your family’s choice.

They will take off your clothes

They will wash you

They will dress you up

They will even apply makeup to make you look presentable

Many will come to the funeral to honor you.

Some will even cancel their plans and ask for leave to go to the funeral.

Your things--things you hate to be borrowed -- will be sold, donated, or burned.

Your keys

Your tools

Your books

Your CDs, DVDs, games

Your collections

Your clothes...

And be sure the world won't stop and cry for you.

The economy will continue.

You will be replaced at work. Someone with the same or even better ability will take your place.

Your property will switch to heirs.

And don't doubt the small and big things you have done in your life will be spoken of, judged, doubted, and criticized.

People who only knew your face will say, ′′Poor thing!"

Your good friends will cry for a few hours or several days, but then they will laugh again.

Your pets will get used to the new owner.

pc:  JRR Photos

Your pictures will be hanging on the wall for a while, then they will be put on furniture and finally stored at the bottom of the box.

Someone else will sit on your couch and eat from it.

Deep pain in your home will last a year, two, maybe ten... Then you will join the memories and then your story will end.

It will end among people, end here, end in this world.

But your story begins in a new reality... in your life after death.

The things you once have will lose their meaning. You cannot bring your earthly possessions here.

pc:  Getty Images

the beauty of your body

last name

property

loans

working position

bank account

the house

the car

academic titles

Classmates

trophies

Friends of the world

man / woman

the kids

the family...

In your new life, you will only need your soul.

The only property that will last is the soul.

           ..............................................................

The big question is: Do you know where your soul is going after this life is over?

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

The Bible is clear that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again (John 3:3).

John 3:18 explains in the simplest terms who will go to heaven and who will go to hell: “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." So, those who go to hell are specifically those who do not believe in Jesus’ name.

Simply, if you receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, by grace alone, through faith alone, you will spend eternity in heaven. If you do not receive Jesus Christ as your Savior, you will be eternally separated from God (Matthew 25:46).

The Bible says, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

We can choose to trust in Jesus’ payment for our sin, or we can choose to pay for our sins ourselves—but we must remember that the payment for our sin is eternity in hell.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" (Acts 16:31)

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Childhood Cancer: Written by a Parent Who's Been There Done That

Written by our friend Donna's sister.  Worth a few minutes of your time, especially as a Parent.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month

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A Female Relative's Avoidable Untimely Death

What would cause a vibrant woman to go from glowing health to raging infection/coma in a short span of time? Read the details in her GoFundMe page below which set up by her friend.

She is hubby's beautiful relative. I was in shock upon hearing the news of her death.

Norlyn's Go Fund Me page:

In fifth grade, Norlyn, a childhood friend of mine, travelled all the way from the Philippines to Canada to be with her family. It was there where she pursued her career as a registered dental hygienist.

A month ago, she went to visit her native land to celebrate her 40th birthday with her only son, Daryll. Before flying back to Canada, she decided to get a tattoo done. Despite being aware of the precautions with  having the new tattoo, she decided to go for a swim. Two days later, she had both a high fever and chills, which caused her family to bring her to the emergency room. The doctor told the family that she had an infection that had already spread throughout her entire body. She was kept in the ICU for a few days on life support because of her difficulty breathing; however, the doctors informed the family that there was nothing else they could do to save her. 

On February 10, 2019, Norlyn decided to join our Lord and passed away. Her body remains in the Philippines where her son is also staying at the moment.

I am creating this fundraiser because of the large expenses arising from Norlyn's stay at the hospital the last couple of weeks. Unlike Canada's health care system, the Philippines does not have a system that resembles OHIP implemented and, unfortunately, hospital bills tend to be exceedingly high. In the case of Norlyn, the medical costs reached a million pesos and she did not have life nor travel insurance. This GOFUNDME page is dedicated to provide financial assistance for her family and, particularly, her child.

She was a great friend, sister, daughter and, most especially, a mother. Most of the people who knew her do live in Canada, and the goal of this fundraiser is to bring her back home, so that she can have the funeral she truly deserves where everyone can say their final goodbyes in person. Norlyn was an exceptional person with a beautiful soul and smile. Although she is now in a place of bliss, her family and son, in particular, need all the possible help they can get to cover all the costs and bills that emerged from this tragic event...

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by RRE: 

1. I would not post the above picture if I were not so angry and shocked. Norlyn should have known better -- she worked in the medical field, for pete's sake!!  To risk exposing her vulnerable just-tattooed skin to pathogens is simply very foolish (read stupid) of her and cost her her life. Sad. Sad. Sad. May others heed the warning.

2. Tattooing is part of the practice of a lot of pagan religions. No wonder God warns against it.  Not only does it displease Him, avoiding tattoos could potentially save a life.

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead,

 nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

- Leviticus 19:28

3.  Unless Norlyn knew the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, she has perished. She is suffering even more and will be forever in Hell. No escaping -- ever. Endless ritualistic, repetitive prayer by the living will never get her out. No mention of praying for the dead in the Bible. Very tragic death in more ways than one.

Go Fund Me: Miss Jimenez

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Gun Death Stats in the USA

pc: wikipedia

Now here are some hard numbers... There are 30,000 gun-related deaths per year by firearms, and this number is not disputed. The U.S. population is 324,059,091 as of June 22, 2016. Do the math: 0.00925% of the population dies from gun-related actions each year. Statistically speaking, this is insignificant! 

 What is never told, however, is a breakdown of those 30,000 deaths, to put them in perspective as compared to other causes of death: • 65% of those deaths are by suicide, which would never be prevented by gun laws. • 15% are by law enforcement in the line of duty and justified. • 17% is through criminal activity, gang and drug-related or mentally ill persons – better known as gun violence. • 3% are accidental discharge deaths. So technically, "gun violence" is not 30,000 annually, but drops to 5,100. Still too many?  

Now let's look at how those deaths spanned across the nation.   480 homicides (9.4%) were in Chicago • 344 homicides (6.7%) were in Baltimore • 333 homicides (6.5%) were in Detroit • 119 homicides (2.3%) were in Washington D.C. (a 54% increase over prior years) So basically, 25% of all gun crime happens in just 4 cities. All 4 of those cities have strict gun laws, so it is not the lack of law that is the root cause. This basically leaves 3,825 for the entire rest of the nation or about 75 deaths per state. That is an average because some States have much higher rates than others. For example, California had 1,169 and Alabama had 1. Now, who has the strictest gun laws by far? California, of course, but understand, it is not guns causing this. It is a crime rate spawned by the number of criminal persons residing in those cities and states. So if all cities and states are not created equal, then there must be something other than the tool causing the gun deaths. Are 5,100 deaths per year horrific? How about in comparison to other deaths? All death is sad and especially so when it is in the commission of a crime but that is the nature of crime. Robbery, death, rape, assault are all done by criminals. It is ludicrous to think that criminals will obey laws. That is why they are called criminals.

But what about other deaths each year?

 • 40,000+ die from a drug overdose–THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THAT! • 36,000 people die per year from the flu, far exceeding the criminal gun deaths. • 34,000 people die per year in traffic fatalities(exceeding gun deaths even if you include suicide). Now it gets good: • 200,000+ people die each year (and growing) from preventable medical errors. You are safer walking in the worst areas of Chicago than you are when you are in a hospital! • 710,000 people die per year from heart disease. It’s time to stop the double cheeseburgers! So what is the point? If the liberal loons and the anti-gun movement focused their attention on heart disease, even a 10% decrease in cardiac deaths would save twice the number of lives annually of all gun-related deaths (including suicide, law enforcement, etc.). A 10% reduction in medical errors would be 66% of the total number of gun deaths or 4 times the number of criminal homicides ............ Simple, easily preventable 10% reductions! 

pc: A D Montgomery

So you have to ask yourself, in the grand scheme of things, why the focus on guns? It's pretty simple: Taking away guns gives control to governments. The founders of this nation knew that regardless of the form of government, those in power may become corrupt and seek to rule as the British did by trying to disarm the populace of the colonies. It is not difficult to understand that a disarmed populace is a controlled populace. Thus, the second amendment was proudly and boldly included in the U.S. Constitution. It must be preserved at all costs. So the next time someone tries to tell you that gun control is about saving lives, look at these facts and remember these words from Noah Webster Noah Webster: " Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed. " It’s not the lack of laws, it’s lack of Morality. (via Elijah M)

USA Bill of Rights

Top 10 Leading Causes of Death in America

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Bob Jones, Sr: Nothing But the Blood

 

Years ago I was standing by the death bed of an old minister down in Alabama.  The old man had been a preacher for fifty years.  I saw his son, who also was a minister, kneel by his father's bed.

"Father, you have preached for fifty years, and have done more good than any man I know."

The old man, with feeble but distinct voice, said:  "Don't tell me about that, son.  Tell me about the blood (death) of Jesus.  Nothing but the blood of Jesus will do for a dying man."

If a man who had preached for fifty years and who had lived a pure, straight life, in his dying hour had to rely upon the blood of Jesus Christ, don't you ever think there is any hope for you aside from this atoning blood?"

What can wash away my sin?
 Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can make me whole again?
 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 

~ Bob Jones, Sr


 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  (1 John 1)

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Cemetery Horror

What happened with the grieving family in the link below must have been horrifying and entirely plausible based on a couple of my real-life experiences.

A. My Grandma in Northern California was buried atop my Grandpa who had died a few years before she did. Was it a cost-cutting measure or a lack of space?  Anyhoo, you can be sure I peeked for any sign of him before her casket was lowered.

B. There was minimal space between plots at the two  Overcrowded Cemeteries we visited within Paris, France.

C. Here are pictures from my sister-in-laws recent burial in Illinois. You can see the outline of her husband's vault right next to hers. We joked that he'd be reaching over and knocking to check on her before long.

Is cemetery space becoming more and more of a premium -- akin to the overcrowding problems of China and India??

Link:
--> An Extremely Disturbing Picture

Wheaton College: Dad of Ethan Roser Asks for a Million More Ethans

Mark Roser's son,  Ethan, was killed in a sport-related accident at our son's college in the Spring of 2017. A fine, upstanding, Christ-loving young man --- gone in an instant. I wept then.  I weep now. Yet ...




Link
Student Killed in Track & Field Accident


Link
Family & Wheaton College Lean on Jesus

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.
Revelation 14:4-5

Superhero boy

As some of you know, I have gone through every mother's worst fear. On June 2nd, I lost my youngest son in a horrible car accident. I was driving. I had pulled away from a gas station, checking each buckle, and I began to drive the curvy, mountainous road to my family's house. My son was notorious for doing everything he could to unbuckle in the car ("The Flash doesn't wear a seat belt, and I'm the Flash, mama") We tried five point harness seats, boosters, I believe even zip ties at one point (probably not safe either) but he always viewed it as a superhero challenge. He was a superhero because he always succeeded. On average, I would usually pull over three or four times on any given trip to firmly make him buckle up again. We were only five minutes out when a large rock rolled into my lane. I had three choices: try to straddle the rock, move to the oncoming lane which was a double line large curve with an angry river at the other side. Rock, head on collision, river. I chose the rock. I chose wrong. And yes, he had already unbuckled along with his 8 year old brother. (They were switching spots and I didn't know.) The rock hit my axle, and sent us plummeting into the side of a cliff. Our 13 passenger van rolled and my son was instantly gone. Our lives were instantly ripped apart. The little boy who had been my pride and joy was cruelly taken from me in a matter of seconds. I remember being smashed between my console (no airbag engaged) and our three ton van. I had blood everywhere. I fought and fought and then blacked out. When I awoke, I was unbuckling my baby from her car seat (she was upside down) and working to get each child (5 of my children were with me) out of the van. When I came to Titus I worked with all my might to lift the heavy van off his tiny body. My 8 year old son was trying to help me. I could only see the lower half of his body. I rubbed his tummy and tried gentle compressions. But he was already gone. It was instantaneous, which only brings me comfort because I know he felt no pain. What followed was a blur. I refused treatment from the paramedics until they let me hold my dead son. All my children were whipped away and taken to an ambulance to be cared for. I was life flighted and sedated, for the shock made me inconsolable. It was two days later that I saw it all over Facebook. A news report reporting the death of my child as if they were reporting that the weather might change, or a new planet had been discovered. I was thankful they reported that no drugs or alcohol had been a factor. But that's not what hurt. The readers commented the cruelest things about how horrible of a mother I was. How I deserved it. How my children should be taken from me. I wanted to punch them, shake them. Tell them how close we were, how hard I fought to keep him safe. How we had a special good night kiss and a designated McDonald's date each week. I wanted to scream that he always told me he wanted to marry me, that I was the best mama ever. That he built me Lego ships, took naps in my bed while holding my hand with his dimpled little fingers.

But no one would have listened anyway. I feel led to write this to all you Mamas because I have a longing to look each of you in the eyes and tell you this: "Hold your babies tight". That's all I want to shout to the world.

I'm not who I once was; death and loss changes a person from the inside out.

I have held my dead sons body in the middle of a highway while I rocked him and screamed - no ordered God to bring him back.

-I have chosen a funeral plot for my four year old boy as I contemplated jumping from the cliff the cemetery overlooks just so I could be where he is.

-I have purchased a 200 dollars superhero outfit for my son to wear as he decomposes in the earth.

-I have kissed a corpse over and over and wept as I traced over every feature of his ice cold face and held his still dimpled, but lifeless hands.

-I have slept in a cemetery just to try and take one more nap with him. I talk to the dirt. To the ground where he lies with his lovey blanket and his avengers outfit.

And what I want to say (if you've read this far, you're so patient and so kind) is this. And you can share it with any mama you know.

- maybe finishing broccoli at dinner isn't as important as we might think. Watch how your children eat, soak in their hatred for corn (oh how Titus hated corn). Maybe they can still have ice cream - even just sometimes - while those veggies still sit on their plate.

-learn to pretend. Get into their world. Learn to play the Xbox with them. Embrace their beautiful, fleeting imagination. Let them really believe that they are Captain America or Queen Elsa. Get in their mind, see how they tick. The dishes will still be there.

- take every hug and kiss they bring you - even the twenty fifth one they use just to get out of bed at night. And really squeeze them.

-stop and look at the bugs, the rocks, the sticks, the sunset. Slow down mama, slow down.

- tell them you love them. But look in their eyes and say it like you mean it. Tell them they can do anything - anything they set their mind to.

-yes, we must hold them accountable but sometimes- maybe grace is the answer. Maybe, just maybe, they won't end up ruined if we let some things slide.

-never judge another mama. We don't know the whole story, we don't know. We just don't know.

-Go hug your babies right now. Soak in their smell, look at the innocent sparkle in their eyes that is lost somewhere between childhood and adulthood. Really feel how they squeeze you. Set down your phone and see them through the lens of your eyes not only the lens of your camera. Remember the feeling of their head on your shoulder, their hand in yours, their sloppy kisses on your cheeks. Nurse them one more time. Sleep is overrated. Listen five minutes longer about Star Wars, minecraft and Disney princesses. 

Mamas, hold your children tight. How blessed you are to have been entrusted with such unique, beautiful, tiny humans.

From my heart to yours,
Ashley

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Andy Williams Fans & Moon River

Since my youth, I've been influenced by the music I hear.  Andy William's version of "Moon River" has just been played and I want to bawl like a baby.  My parents were fans of Mr Williams.  The lyrics of the song remind me of two lovers with dreams and hopes and doors of opportunity in front of them -- as my parents did many moons ago. Their marriage, their family life, their three daughters, their decision to move to the USA, their careers --- all were part of their personal "river" on which they journeyed as husband and wife.  And now, their trip is over. Their river has run dry.  They've reached the end of the rainbow. They're gone and, for the moment,  we can not follow.  

Moon River, wider than a mile, 

I'm crossing you in style some day. 

Oh, dream maker, you heart breaker, 

wherever you're going I'm going your way. 

Two drifters off to see the world. 

There's such a lot of world to see. 

We're after the same rainbow's end-- 

waiting 'round the bend, 

my huckleberry friend, 

Moon River and me.

(music by Henry Mancini,

 lyrics by Johnny Mercer)

7.8.23.18

He is not dead

I cannot say, and I will not say

That he is dead.  He is just away.

With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,

He has wandered into an unknown land

And left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be, since he lingers there.

And you --- oh, you, who the wildest yearn

For an old time step, and the glad return,

Think of him faring on, as dear

In the love of There as the love of Here.

Think of him still as the same.  I say,

He is not dead --- he is just away.

 by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

O death, where is they sting?

O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through

our Lord Jesus Christ

~ 1 Corinthians 15: 55-57

Mr Art: Burial Service for a Soldier of Christ

On Tuesday, our beloved friend, Mr Art Modrzejewski, was buried.

 Farewell, Mr Art...till we meet again.  

This was sent to us this morning.

 Romy gave a copy to Patricia, wife of Art. 

Hi guys. I hope Mr. Art’s funeral went well. I’ll miss him a lot. I remember when he used to teach Sunday school. He always thought it was hilarious when he did “Blank Stories.” He would get five words into it and I would know the answer already. Whenever we led singing together something always seemed to go wrong. One of the last times we did it we were in the middle of a song and the air conditioner blew the hymnal pages. Poor Mr. Art had to sing a solo for about 15 seconds while I frantically tried to get back to the right hymn. Afterwards we both walked out of the sanctuary and just cracked up.  Email from Camille

Mr Art, Korean War Veteran: His Memorial & Funeral Service; and Reception

(that's me with the untamed hair)

Annie

Noah

Nathanael

So, this is how we spent part of our day Monday. Sad, but not without hope (through the Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth). As I looked around, I realized once again that Art thrived in NOT drawing attention to himself.  He was so low-key, I'd forgotten what a great artist he was.  And what a great calligrapher (Camille has a permanent sample of his work through her college quilt).  Or that he fought long ago in far-away in Korea (He must have watched M*A*S*H often).  His grandkids were super-excited because of the great crowd of friends and relatives.  It put a smile in my face that they had needed their mother Janice's reassurance earlier that morning that the E kids were indeed going to be in attendance. The luncheon afterwards was great, so I heard. I needed to be in Evanston with the children so I didn't go;  but Romy said it was well-attended and the food was delish. 

Today, Tuesday, is the burial. 
Our chance for a final salute to a great man.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress:  my God; in him will I trust... 
~ Psalm 91 (Soldier's Psalm)

Mr Art

August 9, 2009

Arthur Mojetski  passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2009 (leukemia complications).  He was a Godly man, never boastful; and strong and quiet in his ways.  He had a beautiful baritone voice, and was a talented artist (just as his name indicates).  He leaves behind his wife Patricia; and his grown children Steve, Kris, Cindy, and Stu. His beautiful grandchildren: Katie, Sam, Nate, Noah, and Annie, will miss him terribly. 
He made an impression on Romy, years ago when we first began attending our church, by telling him that we were an answer to his prayer for younger couples with children to attend PMBC. Every Sunday, for the past few years, he has almost always greeted at least one of our children.  Camille, away in college,  publicly burst into tears after learning of his sudden death.  Jared referred to him as one of his best friends. He and Pat were my role models.  Whenever I'd see them holding hands (which was often), I wanted what they had: a strong, affectionate, long-term marriage; and,the benefits that came with it -- children who loved the Lord, and the respect of one and all.
What a loss.  We are still in shock.  Our family will surely miss Mr Art.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom

  ~ Psalm 90:12