The Immediacy of Death

Today, actually less than 30 minutes ago, an incident took place at the end of my driveway. 

My girls called me and said there was a car parked at the end of the driveway and it looked like someone was laying on the ground.  I saw the car so I put on my shoes and went out.  Sure enough, there was a woman in hysterics with another woman holding her.  An older man was lying on the ground unconscious as another man was doing chest compressions while on the phone with a 911 operator. 

I went to the man's head and put my sweater under it - he was lying on my gravel driveway.  I told the guy doing chest compressions that I had a cold and shouldn't give him mouth to mouth.  We were going to switch, me do the compressions and he do mouth to mouth but we never did - he kept talking to the 911 person.  As I think about this now, what a dumb thing to even think.  Here's a guy lying on the ground unconscious, most likely dead, and I'm worried about passing on my cold to him.

Not very long after other vehicles stopped.  There was an off duty fireman and a lady who took over doing CPR.  You could hear the guys ribs breaking with the compressions.  During this whole time the man's wife is sobbing uncontrollably, begging him to breathe.  I then noticed a little girl.  She was their grand daughter, and she was with them in the vehicle when this whole thing started.  She was bravely trying to console her grandmother.  I felt useless, and totally and utterly powerless. 

I started to pray - what else could I do? - but I didn't know how to, I didn't know what to say  Was this guy saved?  If so, then his passing would not be a bad thing.  He would immediately be with his Lord and would be more alive than I was.  What if he was not saved?

If he was not saved then...what can be done?  There is no longer any hope for him.  Just like that.  So sudden.  That quickly.  Having a nap in the car and then...judgement.  God is your judge.  God is your enemy.  You appear before Him, not in robes washed white because of the forgiveness of sin that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, but in the filth and corruption of all your sin.  I looked in his unseeing eyes and wondered how to pray, what to say.  As with all things, he is in the hands of God.  And God is merciful, and God is just. 

The ambulances arrived and they did their work on him, hooking him up to the defibrillator and shocking him.  When they took him away he was still unconscious.  Will he regain consciousness?  If not, will he be welcomed into heaven?  Or is it too late for him?  How do you pray in a situation like this?

More Paul Washer

Repentance - Paul Washer

A few years ago I discovered John MacArthur on Larry King Live. I attribute this discovery to the Providence of God.  I was so encouraged by him, that he could be on national television and present the Gospel, the truth of Scripture, no matter what.  Since that time Lord has used him to encourage me so much.

I have since discovered Paul Washer. I thank God that He is raising godly men, like Paul, who are not afraid to speak the Truth, and who hold to the Truth without compromise.

If God is so powerful and so good, why do bad things happen?

Voddie's answer...

I Can Hardly Wait!

I have this longing. Within the last few years I've really taken note of it, and it is continuing to grow stronger.

I long to be in Heaven with my Lord!

I long to be in that place, with my Lord, in my resurrected body...a body that is totally without sin. I will know Him perfectly. I will know Him without any burden of sin getting in the way. My thoughts will be pure, not tainted. My actions will be right, not selfish. Most importantly I will worship God as He is meant to be worshipped, as I should worship Him - fully and completely, with my whole being!

 In that place all things will be pure. The true Church, the Body of Christ, will be there. We will be there with our Lord. We will be His and He will be ours. I so long to be pure!

No more dealing with worldliness in the church.  No more dealing with apostasy in the church. The Truth will be known. 

This is my hope and the hope of all the Elect – “...to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far.” Philippians 1:23. 

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your salvation!

Phil Johnson is leaving the Blogosphere

Phil Johnson, Executive Director of Grace to You and creator of probably THE most amazing blog in this entire universe (Pyromaniacs), is retiring from blogging. Frank Turk, one of the writers at Pyro, posted this hilarious video in response to Phil's retirement. Phil, thank you so much for your faithfulness to the Word of God and to His Church. It was through discovering John MacArthur in 2008 that I first heard about you and it was through Pyro that I got to "know" you. You WILL be missed!

This video is part of a further blog article written by Chris Costaldo. The link can be found (here). Watch the video and then link to the article.