Pastor Pusch

It seems that the last week or so has been the week of celebrity deaths. Ed McMahon, Billy Mays, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Steve McNair all left this world and made their way into eternity. That’s a sobering thought. Even more sobering is the fact that hundreds, if not thousands of people die every day. It kind of gives you a different perspective on just how short life is. The book of James describes our lives as a vapor; here for a moment and then vanishes away. What if the vapor of your life vanished today?

Last Saturday, the football world and others were shocked when they heard the news about the death of one of it’s good guy quarterbacks, Steve McNair. McNair was found shot to death on July 4, 2009 in a Nashville apartment. It was tragic news to those who loved the Tennessee Titans and quarterback Steve McNair. McNair’s death was the result of a murder/suicide as his girlfriend, Sehel Kazemi, shot McNair 4 times before turning the gun on herself.

Perhaps even more tragic than the actual death of Steve McNair were the circumstances surrounding his death. Steve McNair was husband and a father to 4 children, yet he was killed by his 20 year old girlfriend, Kazemi, who may have shot him out of the suspicion of yet another girlfriend. It’s possible that McNair was cheating on the girlfriend that he was cheating on his wife and children with. This is the more tragic story.

It seems that friends, coaches, and confidants have a different way of defining what “greatness” is about a person. While it is true that McNair may have been a leader on the football field and the different charity organizations he was committed to, the fact the Mr. McNair failed at the one responsibility that matters most makes me reconsider His greatness. As a husband and father myself , the responsibility that matters most in my life is the responsibility I have to my wife, Rena and daughter, Jovie Madelyn. That’s it. With that being said, there are other responsibilities I have in life that are important because it affects my family, my greatest responsibility.

Below is a portion of an article I read on Yahoo.com concerning the life and death of Steve McNair…

Publicly, McNair was a happily married man and proud father of four sons who split his time between his Mississippi farm and a home in Music City, where celebrities are cherished, not hassled.

His death, however, thrust a darker side of his private life into the spotlight.

“People have certain things that they do in life,” said McNair’s longtime friend Robert Gaddy, who called 911. “We don’t need to look on the situation at this time (but) on the fact we just lost a great member of society.”

After reading this small portion, my heart sank at the fact that one can be considered such a “great member of society” when that person is not a champion in his own family. Perhaps I’m a little old-fashioned in my thinking, but what was happening in the “darker side of his private life” truly determines the kind of man he indeed was. A man who cheats on his wife and by doing so neglects his children may have been good football player and giver to charities, but by no means does that make him a “great member of society.” It’s one thing had McNair slipped up and got caught in a sticky situation, it’s a completely different and more defining thing when family neglect becomes a lifestyle. While I am not here to judge the eternity of Mr. Steve McNair, I do think there are lessons we can learn about family and the society in which we live.

The question is floating out there concerning the legacy Steve McNair leaves behind. Will his personal life play a role in the history, or has our society simply turned to utter and complete apathy. I am sad today that McNair will never have a chance to make things right with his family. I am sad about the loss of a football giant and one who worked hard for people around the country. I am sadder still for his family who now has to piece together the tragic lifestyle their husband and father left behind.

“Some things are too sacred to joke about.” – Dr. Robert E. Woodard

“You can tell a lot about a man’s character by what makes them laugh and what makes them cry” – Dr. Robert E. Woodard

The first time I heard the above quotations was about 10 years ago when I began my college experience. While I’m sure I haven’t always lived up to the principles found in those two statements, I haven’t forgotten his impression. I do think there is a lot to be said as they are great words to live by. Dr. Woodard, though a tough professor, was a great encourager and had a heart of gold. I am thankful for the relationship I have with him.

Death would be one of those issues Dr. Woodard would have placed into the sacred category. Death is not just the termination of life here on earth, but it is a beginning of eternity in one of two destinations. Anytime we attend a funeral or learn of somebody dying (celebrity or not), it ought to be a sobering thought.

Surely if you have any sense of awareness of what’s happening in the world around you, you are then well aware of the iconic deaths that have taken place in recent days. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and Billy Mays all have stepped out into eternity over the last 3-4 days. Where they are, I do not know, however, I do know that Christ was the only avenue into the Father’s paradise for them; I hope they made that discovery.

Making Fun of Death – It took only a few minutes after the pronouncement of death for the jokes to begin circulating concerning the deaths of Billy Mays, Ed McMahon, and especially Michael Jackson (mostly coming from friends who heard them first). In my humble opinion, I think it’s absurd. ”Some things are too sacred to joke about.”

Side Thought 1: While there is great rejoicing that takes place after the deaths of the most notorious evildoers a.k.a. Saddam Hussein or Adolf Hitler, it is still a sobering thought to know that these stood before their creator and all was revealed.

Side Thought 2: Thousands of people step out into eternity every day, notorious or not. That’s sobering or at least it should be.

Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God
Chapter 2: You May Not Finish Reading this Chapter

I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard the question, “what if you were to die today?” It’s a thought provoking question indeed; one that merits our attention only if seen through the eyes of God. We must have a right perspective on death. Every time I’ve heard that question, in this form or another, it has always been asked in a negative light. I suppose I understand the shock value, but negative no less.

What kind of view do you have on death? For most, death is the end of life’s story as the final chapter has come to a close. It’s an end. For those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, death is only the beginning to an everlasting life into eternity. Actually, if you think about it, for one who has truly accepted Christ, their eternity really begins at salvation with death merely being a blip on the radar. Interesting. Even for those who believe, death is almost always cast in a negative light even though we know better or at least ought to know better.

Have you ever been asked, “Where would you be if Jesus came back in 60 seconds?” Or, “what if you knew Jesus was coming back this Friday at noon, what would you do? How would your life be different?” I’ve heard those questions a number of times. I’ve heard several talk about how they want to be first in line when Jesus appears. I applaud their confidence; however, my thought was an extreme opposite. Yes, I love Jesus. He’s changed my life. I know Him. I also know me. I know me so well that it would prompt me to want to run and hide because I know I don’t always live life as I should. Obviously, the truth is that God knows exactly where I am at any given time. (That alone is interesting to think about.)

A Different Question

What if today was the day that we stood before Jesus? Perhaps we never make it back home today or maybe God the Father gives the OK for Christ’s return, either way the question remains. What if today you stood before Christ? The writer of James gives us a unique picture by reminding us that life is but a vapor; a vapor that vanishes away. The truth is that life could end at any moment and when that moment happens we will appear before Christ to give an account for the life He gave us. The real question is, WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH LIFE NOW? Now is what matters. If you are living for Christ, what are you doing for Him now? What is your personal worship like (if there is one)? Wouldn’t it be best to stand before Christ knowing you were all about Him? We’ve heard the clichés’ “we’re not guaranteed another second, minute, hour, tomorrow, next week, month, year, etc.”, yet we live as though we are untouchable and that tomorrow will indeed come. I always think about tomorrow and next year and ten years from now as if it were guaranteed. I’ve put off ministry opportunities, witnessing, and other “God things” thinking that I can simply do it tomorrow. Knowing what scriptures says, but not really believing it could happen to me, I went about my days unintentionally.
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In chapter 1 we talked mostly about having a high view of God. We asked the question that if we believe God is truly who He says He is and we attribute all those names/accolades to Him; does our life reflect such thinking? Do we live a life that honors/glorifies HIS name and all that He is? The same question can be asked in chapter 2. Do we live a life that reflects the fact that our lives are merely vapors and that at any moments time, we may stand before Christ?

Go back a read the first two chapters and ask yourself, so what? What does this mean to me? How does this affect my here and now?
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The Apostle Paul on the Subject of Death
Philippians 1:12-26

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me.