Dying Well

If we live well, then we will die well. The end of our lives pours out the accumulation of our experiences, our convictions and our beliefs. The greatest love is for one person to lay down their life for their friend. This type of love is not a spur of the moment decision. This type of love is the final embodiment of a way of life. Jesus laid down his life at the end, but he continually sacrificed himself while he ministered. He died sacrificially because he lived sacrificially. On the cross, he gave everything because he had already lived openhandedly. Am I giving my life today for the ones that I call friends? Am I now laying down my life for my friends? If I do not live well, then I should not expect to die well.

A Mime's Life for Me?

My grandparents on my Dad’s side were deaf and mute. From an early age, that has caused me to think about how life would be without hearing or without the ability to speak. In many, many ways, I think that losing the ability to speak would be beneficial to my walk with the Father. Knowing the right answers is not the same as living the right way. Talking about the benefits of generosity is not equal to being generous. Proclaiming undying commitment does not accomplish the keeping of that commitment. I need to live as though forgiveness is real…not just words to be spoken.

25 (Plus 2) Random Bodie Facts/Thoughts

"Trendy" is not a good word to describe me. But, there has been a challenge going around Facebook and other places asking people to compile a list of 25 Random Thoughts or Ideas. So, dear blog reader, please allow me to apologize now for the following list. We will resume with something that matters tomorrow.

Two Universal Truths: The Boston Red Sox are the greatest baseball team and if Raspberry Ice Cream would have been the first ice cream invented, we would not have any other flavors because you cannot improve on perfection.

1. I often wonder if I have seen a cow that I have eaten later.

2. I try to go to Toys R Us at least once a month just to look at all the toys.

3. Great horror films trust that the audience's imagination is more terrible than anything that can be shown on screen.

4. I still laugh at the classic Warner Brother's Looney Tunes cartoons.

5. "Pinky and the Brain" are one of the few recent cartoons worth watching.

6. I have always wanted to visit Transylvania and it is one of just a couple of things on my "Bucket List."

7. Whenever I hear of some horrible criminal, I always wonder if someone could have reached them when they were younger.

8. Gargoyles are our friends. At least that is what they tell me.

9. When I had my bypass surgery, I had over 150 staples in me. It kinda made me feel like Pinhead from "Hellraiser" - kinda.

10. There is no greater gift than friendship - none.

11. It is a WHOLE lot easier to talk about doing great things than it is to do them.

12. Seeing mentally or physically challenged young or old people can make me cry.

13. There is no sin worse than betrayal.

14. People that are insecure in their beliefs cannot tolerate humor or challenge. Those that are secure in their beliefs can tolerate both.

15. Sometimes we like big causes like Global Warming because it makes us feel better about all of the needs closest to us that we are ignoring.

16. Many of the people that we do not think will stay with us will. Many of those we think will stay will not.

17. You will never see a hearse towing a UHaul trailer.

18. Five is my favorite number.

19. Black is my favorite color.

20. If a monster suddenly appeared, I would probably run toward it instead of away from it. After all, how often are you gonna see something like that?

21. People lie a lot. We lie much, much more than we'd like to admit.

22. Stuffed animals kinda creep me out.

23. I was named after Cheyenne Bodie the gunslinger and I have an autographed picture of the actor who portrayed him signed to his "namesake" Bodie.

24. Another thing on my bucket list is going to Oktoberfest in Germany.

25. I absolutely cannot believe I actually filled one of these out. Zach and Oliver, never doubt my love for you.

Identity Tag

Our opinions of ourselves are often based on the opinions others have about us. If we have been labeled by others, we are tempted to take those labels and wear them. What have others called you in the past? Stupid? Ugly? Lazy? Fat? Worthless? Selfish? Immoral? Maybe on the playground or perhaps in the midst of an argument, who gave you the label that you wear today?

Our view of self must be grounded in the opinions of those who love us most and know us best. For a follower of Jesus, it is obvious where that view should originate. To give someone who does not know us intimately the power to render a verdict on our worth is reckless. To build our lives on the truth is the path to peace. “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)

“A humble knowledge of oneself is a surer road to God than a deep searching of the sciences.”- Thomas a Kempis

“If you do not ask yourself what it is you know, you will go on listening to others and change will not come because you will not hear your own truth.” - Saint Bartholomew

“Let us remember that within us there is a palace of immense magnificence.” - Saint Teresa