As of 8:00 a.m. on this December 29th, 2016 there appears to be a list of 56 celebrity deaths that affected American culture over the years.  Most were known to me.  Some were aged and like all man kind they were destined to die sooner than later.  Others were young and they appeared to have full lives before them.  But one year ago, December 29, 2015 they each were here living, breathing functioning human beings.

I did not anticipate writing in my blog today about death.  This morning as I read the news, the Face Book feeds of friends who are mourning Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynold deaths, a mother/daughter passing just a day apart I have been thinking.  I have been thinking about life and about death for it comes to each of us.  I have lost several dear friends to death this year.    They were not celebrities who made the news but they were awesome special loved people. For me the news is not so grim, their time on earth is over but now they are in eternity, with The Lord.

As I look over the list of Who's Who, who have died in 2016, it is vast and it is profound as to the people that were impacted by a life or their lives.  We read of their accomplishments, their careers, their politics, their lifestyles, their.......  But for each person on 'the list', it is over here on earth.

Death makes each of us sad. I am sad for my friends are no longer part of my day to day life.  I am also sad by the mean quips from those who did not like a certain 'celebrity' and their deaths evoked ugly verbiage that served no purpose but to expose the ugly heart of the one speaking those words.

Death is not a period.  Death here on earth is a comma that leads us into eternity.  Many do not believe that there is one.  I for one do and most people if given time to reflect on their lives as they watch their lives ebb away get serious about eternity.  To have only this life and have nothing else, it is a bleak at best.

We may not like 'religion' I totally get that.  Religion is mans idea.  However, God and a relationship with Him our creator is His idea and not one to be messed with.  Your eternity rests on this fact!

My blog is not one read by many, if anyone.  However, as I write, I know that should I die now or tomorrow or ?, that I will be with God.   I just celebrated Christmas, the beginning of God making known to us humans that He desires to have a relationship with us forever.   Choosing to be a Christ follower is not a popular one.  People around the world are being murdered and tortured for this choice.   My life style choice, love for The Lord and announcing Jesus Christ as my savior (eternity outcome) are destained by many and mocked daily on social media, news and various forums of people saying what they think.   I can live with this.  I cannot die without this conviction!

I have made this choice because God drew us to Himself as He showed to me/us/you that we need Him to save us from our self destruction. Take note of how, many of our 'celebrities' actually died. Our decaying bodies alone and our inability to prolong a quality life should tell us that we are not in control!

If God were not real, personally involved in my life then I am one crazy old lady.  However, I know I am right and will die with my earthly death sentence, comma ushering me into Heaven.  I had to choose to accept God's terms but oh the peace that comes with that choice is amazing!

I did not want to make this blog any longer than it is.  I am going give a link to a passage of Scripture from a translation of the Bible, called the Message, it is just a bit easier to read in today's English.
The author, Paul, went to his earthly death by decapitation.  He could have renounced Jesus and His message and 'lived'  but because Paul knew it to be truth, he did not deny his belief.  Jesus changes lives.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015&version=MSG    

As I close I would love to know if you have read this blog, this passage of Scripture and what you have decided to do with it.