DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition

Subject: DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition Wed Mar 12, 2008 4:29 pm

I have a friend who's mother is in the hospital with a grim prognosis with Leukemia. She has been given 1 week to live, at the most. People are mourning, my friend's mom now lies in the fetal position, terrified of the end. She accepted Christ, and I know in her heart she knows to be absent from this hell hole means to be present with the Lord, cancer free. I am very close to this family as well, and am saddened I cannot be at their side.

It begs the question: Why do Christian's mourn and not Party? Seriously, shouldn't we be ecstatic this person will go on to glory?

I mean, I know having cancer sucks, and I mean big time. It's painful and cruel as far as diseases go. However, our birth wasn't all sunshine and lollipops either. We just don't remember it.

Death is a rite of pasage, just like someone's first smoke, first drink, first love, whatever. Its the only one besides birth thats guaranteed. And for a Christ-Follower, it's not a period, but a comma. Once you get out of here, everything's gravy. So knowing that, what do we really mourn for? We shouldn't mourn for the dying follower, they've got closure already. Are we mourning for the abscence? Sure, I guess... But shouldn't we make like the Irish and throw a ripper instead celebrating that person's life and new level of glory? Makes more sense to me...

I am sad Shiela is dying, she'll be missed. I dated her Daughter, she's my son's grandmother, she was a co-worker, she was fun. But now she gets to be with Jesus! I'm actually getting jealous!
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Subject: Re: DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:24 pm

We mourn because our flesh will ache for the loss of the loved one in our lives. We will miss them each day, talking to them, sharing with them, spending time with them.

And some of us do have wakes instead of funerals. My mom's wake was a blast, but then again, my maiden name is Jameson. We have quite the Irish heritage! sunny

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Subject: Re: DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition Wed Mar 12, 2008 10:48 pm

Subject: Re: DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition Thu Mar 13, 2008 7:00 am

here, here, lol

yeah though, i think, truthfully, when mourning for the dead it is usually just the mourners getting over it....

however i think one can mourn for other things, or even the living and i know of more than one community that prays through mourning, which makes perfect sense to ME but, most people just find it wierd
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Subject: Re: DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition Thu Mar 20, 2008 6:07 pm

I met some people that celebrate at funeral times, because they know that person is going on to a better place. I mean as Christians we all believe that but sometimes its hard.
We had people close to my old group of friends pass and yeah we cried but we also drank a few to celebrate the good times and share memories. Some people have a regular party with cake and lots of laughter and joy mixed in with the tears to show you happiness that they have been freed from this world.
I like that Jim Morrison quote "Life is a dream, death is the awakening"
When I pass I want everyone to be happy for me.
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In July I lost my Mom. Although she was born a Jew she had become a strong believer in Christ. She told me a few days before she passed that she was ready to be with Jesus. My sisters were very broken up and thats understandable. But I felt an incredible peace. Of course I cried and I will damn sure miss her. but....
Any how. She left us very specific instructions.....Rule no. 1
NO FUNERAL!!!!! She wanted a party, a bbq, with purple baloons and Beatle music.
So we threw her a massive party. It rocked. I think it provided the closure same as a funeral but a lot more fun.

Subject: Re: DEATH - Not the End, But a Transition Sun Mar 23, 2008 8:36 pm

bigj -that's a great way to go!
I mean as saved people we shouldn't really fear or dread death and I think that if everyone that is left behind is all extra sad and crying and just extra mournful, it could scare people about death. I mean no one wants to die painfully but if you are saved then you have to know death is a transition. And maybe if you make the "funeral" more like a party and celebration maybe,just maybe it could actually be a saving tool for anyone who attends.
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