West Cobb Church / Ken Williams Blog

Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived.  I’ve seen many people die.  Some are so fearful that they insist on being resuscitated, even though their body is ravaged with disease.  Some spew anger on everyone close.  Others stew in their bitterness and resentment.  But Randy Jones was different.  Randy was a friend of mine in Leesburg.  A few years older than me, he was diagnosed with melanoma cancer several years ago.  Even in his last days, Randy oozed with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit… love, joy, and peace.  Randy walked with God.  And even though his life was cut short, he died well because he lived well.  He cherished the love and forgiveness of Jesus and clung to the promise of heaven.

Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived.  The first century soldiers who executed criminals knew this all too well.  They crucified the dregs of society and saw evil spew out of these criminals, even as they gasped their last breath.  That’s why Jesus shocked them.  Even as He was dying, the Fruit of the Spirit radiated through him.  That’s why one of the guards watching Jesus said, “Surely this man was the Son of God.”

Watch a man die and you’ll know how he lived.  Randy Jones lived a humble, joy-filled life, oozing God all over people.  Randy was far from perfect, but he was forgiven and grateful for it… even when he took his last breath.

What about you?  As you think about Easter, what are you grateful for?   There’s one word that jumps off the page at me when I think of what I’m grateful for at Easter.  I’ll share it in tomorrow’s blog.  In the meantime, keep blogging your thoughts…

As we prepare for Easter, I’d like to hear about your favorite Easter memories, as well as your thoughts to this question: What does Easter mean to you? I’ll share my thoughts toward the end of the week.

(If you’ve never posted before, click on the word “Comment” above to read everyone’s posts.  Then go to the bottom of page to add your thoughts.)

Thanks!

“Sit down in the swing, Ken, while I get us some lemonade.” Those words were music to my ears.  When I was in my mid 20′s and serving full-time in my first church, I’d stop by the house of Polly Smith, a sweet southern belle.  Polly was 70+ years old and oozed wisdom.  We’d sit in the shadow of a giant oak tree, sipping homemade lemonade and talking about life.

One hot summer afternoon, I told Polly that I wasn’t very excited about heaven.  “I know that sounds unspiritual, Polly, but heaven just doesn’t ‘do much’ for me.” Without hesitation, Polly replied, “Well, that’s normal, Ken.  You haven’t lived long enough.  But that’ll change.  One day, you’ll know more people in heaven than you know on earth.  That’s when heaven becomes your home.  And when that happens, you’ll be ready to go home.”

As I read about these servants in the Bible, I sense that their hearts were set more on heaven, than on this earth.  Maybe it’s because life didn’t offer as many ‘goodies’ as it does today.  Americans live under the ‘illusion of the good life’.  We honestly believe that life on this earth can be really good for us.  But no matter how good life gets, it doesn’t fill that heaven-shaped hole in our heart.

When I hear Esther say, “If I perish, I perish,” I realize that she didn’t live under the ‘illusion of the good life.’  Heaven was her home.  Following God meant more to her than anything else.  And it’s this perspective that gave her boldness, in spite of her fears.

Polly Smith is still alive today.  Her body is failing her.  Most of her friends are gone.  And when God calls, she’s ready to go home.

What about you?  Where’s your home, this earth or heaven?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Also, I want some of you to share how God draws your gaze toward heaven…