Dying Words of John Knox

"The time is approaching, for which I have thirsted, wherein I shall be relieved of all cares, and be with my Savior Christ forever."

Planning to Die

I watched a little of the funderal for Fred Winters today on the internet. Fred was shot and killed last Sunday while preaching at FBC Maryville.

Funerals have a way of shaking me into reality. They make me want to be a better husband, dad, pastor, and Christ-follower.

Just a few weeks ago, my wife and I went on a date. As we were eating, I pulled out a piece of paper and began to ask her questions about the future. At the end, we talked about our funerals. We talked about songs, passages of Scripture, friends, etc. We talked about how we wanted the glory of Christ to be lifted up.

Jonathan Edwards: “Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.”

Amen! A Thousand Times, "Amen."

"When I am gone, say nothing about Dr. Carey; speak about Dr. Carey's Savior."

-William Carey

Grieving for the Glory of God

Here is a brief run down of the funeral for Maria Chapman.

Here is a news video with some footage of the funeral.

Father, when my day of grieving comes, let me grieve for your glory. Make me trust your goodness and sovereignty and help me worship like I really believe the gospel. Thank you for the Chapman's example, giving us all hope, and challenging the unbelieving world to repent and believe. You give and take away. Blessed be your name.

Will You Treasure Christ in Your Last Moments?

Spurgeon told this story in one of his sermons. It reminds me how badly we need to know and love the gospel. There will come a day (today) when we will be tempted to think that we have merited our salvation. Do you know and love the gospel well enough to fight that temptation even on your death bed?

John Knox on his death-bed was attacked with selfrighteousness.
The last night of his life on earth, he slept some hours
together, during which he uttered many deep and heavy moans. Being
asked why he moaned so deeply, he replied, “I have during my life
sustained many assaults of Satan; but at present he has assaulted me most
fearfully, and put forth all his strength to make an end of me at once. The
cunning Serpent has labored to persuade me, that I have merited heaven
and eternal blessedness by the faithful discharge of my ministry. But
blessed be God, who has enabled me to quench this fiery dart, by
suggesting to me such passages as these: ‘What hast thou that thou hast
not received?’ and, ‘By the grace of God I am what I am.’”

Redeem the Time...Because the Days are Evil

I was shocked out of my morning slumber by this picture on CNN.com. I am assuming this is one of the persons killed by the gunman in a Utah mall.

What shocks me is the contrast between her lifeless body and the store she is in front of. It is certainly not sinful to shop at a store like this. However, I doubt anyone wants to meet the Judge of the universe after having spent 30 mins and $79.95 in this store.

This reminds me of Jonathan Edwards' 7th resolution: "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life."