...

First, I wanted to say that you have my condolences. We get used to people being a part of our earthly lives, and when they aren't here anymore, it can leave a gap that's tough to deal with.

The worst is when someone dies unsaved... They refused to accept Christ as their savior, even to the end. Those people I truly mourn.

As far as "why" sometimes "good" people die and "bad" people live... Only God knows the truth... But I can offer some of my own thoughts on the subject.

First and foremost, I believe God wants us all to have eternal life with Him. He knows that what really matters in the scheme of things, is where we will be spending eternity. Our few short years on this earth are nothing compared to eternity. He has our best interests at heart.

It's harder for us to see the big eternal picture because we haven't experienced heaven yet, so far our only personal experiences are on this earth. And this life is right here in our face, so it can be hard sometimes to see past all the worldly things that are thrown at us constantly, to distract us from what really matters.

Maybe sometimes it's important for people to leave this earth at a certain time. As long as they will live with God in Paradise for eternity, that's the most important thing.

And the murderers who are still running around alive? They still have a chance to repent. As long as they are alive, they have a chance to realize their sins and repent and turn to Christ. It's the people who are "lost" who need the time on this earth the most... Every minute more they live, is another minute they have to repent and live for eternity.

I know it's tempting to look down on murderers as being worse that us because WE never killed anybody, but the Bible says that all sins are equal. Sin is sin, and if we are guilty of one we are guilty of all of them. And we have all sinned in some way.

None of us are worthy of eternity on our own merit, every single one of us needs the opportunity to repent that Christ gave to us. So that murderer deserves a chance to repent, just as much as anybody else. And to say that we don't believe that murderer should receive forgiveness, is to say that we ourselves shouldn't receive forgiveness. I'm not going to say that. I need that forgiveness.

...

On a different note; I kind of look at things in a funny sort of way, sometimes. Sometimes I look at our earthly bodies like "loaner" vehicles. God "loaned" me this vehicle to use on Earth until I either crash it beyond repair, or it breaks down on it's own, for whatever reason. But it's just a loaner. A temporary thing.

Based on how we do with our loaner vehicle, that determines if God feels we are up to having an eternal vehicle that never breaks down, and is always brand new.

Another way I sometimes look at it is that life is like an employee training period. We're given the manual(The Bible), and told to do our best. Though it seems like we are unsupervised and can goof off and not get in trouble for it, there are actually "cameras" everywhere and the Boss knows exactly how well we are or aren't doing.

Then if we prove that we can be trusted to follow the manual as best we can, even when we think the Boss isn't looking, once the training period is finished, we can move over to a permanent position... Eternal, even. Those who wasted their opportunity get "fired".

So in other words, "death" to a Christian is just a change. A change for the better. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more worries. Eternity in Paradise. Not something to be mourned.

The death of the unsaved? That's something to be mourned.

thank you so much

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I'm DangerNerd's wife. We met on an internet personals site back in December, 1996. He flew across country to meet me for the first time in late February of 1997, and we were married a few weeks later. We've been together 9 years now. :-)

If you want to mail me, my email is DangerWench@gmail.com

Yes, I do sometimes copy and paste my own answers to answer different people's similar questions. I still personalize/edit them when necessary... but for instance, my advice about diet and exercise it going to be pretty much the same every time, and that's a very common subject for questions here... so there's no point in typing the same thing over and over and over again. ;-)

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Yes, hubby and I were both virgins on our wedding night, at the age of 26. Yes, we are both Christians, but we greatly dislike what "Christianity" (or "Churchianity") has come to represent in many people's minds these days... Hypocrisy, greed, pride... Things which the Bible says we are NOT supposed to do. We are supposed to be a good example, not a bad one. :-(

If you have a Christian acquaintance who is hitting you over the head with "Jesus will bring you peace and joy and happiness" tell them to listen to this:

http://www.dangernerd.com/kirkcameron.mp3

(It's 9 megs, so it may take a bit to download)

If you can't download MP3's for some reason, you can download the zip file.

http://www.dangernerd.com/kirkcameron.zip

If they are an actual preacher/pastor, this one is geared more towards them:

http://www.dangernerd.com/raycomfort.zip

Send them the link, or burn it to CD and give it to them, whatever it takes.

If they really listen to that, they will see how the Bible itself says the way they are annoying you is wrong. :-)

If you are a Christian, please listen to it, even if you aren't beating people over the head with Jesus. I promise you, it will give you a new perspective. It's totally awesome.

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I'm also fascinated by prophesy, and I do think we are living in an age where we are seeing many things come true that were prophesied 1,000's of years ago.

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There has been a lot of hubbub lately regarding my views on the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-Based Christianity... Mostly due to my not making myself clear. I did have a big long explanation here, but this time I will opt for the KISS method (Keep It Simple, Stupid). Yes, the following is the simplified version. ;-)

The Catholic Church believes that the Bible is not the only authority. Their teachings include such documentation as Catechisms, and Papal Encyclicals (defined as "authoritative teaching instruments from the Vicar of Christ" (the Pope)) which have been written and added to throughout the years of the history of the Catholic Church.

Because of this, the Catholic Church has many teachings, beliefs, and traditions that are different from a Christian who believes the Holy Bible is the exclusive authority of Christianity.

A Catholic Christian believes in the Catholic doctrines, teachings, and traditions which include, but are *not exclusive to* the Holy Bible.

Most non-Catholic Christians believe the Holy Bible is the *exclusive* authority of Christianity... No other documents.

Much argument comes from this, as quite a few non-Catholic Christians (myself included) believe many of the man-made Catholic doctrines to be un-Christian and not corresponding with Biblical scripture. And obviously, Catholics disagree.

For more information about the differences between Catholicism and *exclusively* Bible-Based Christianity, see the following link:

Roman Catholic Doctrine vs. The Holy Bible

And a final note about that link... That e-book isn't written by Jack Chick, I have a lot of problems with Mr. Chick. Some of his tracts are great, and some of them are way "out there" if you know what I mean. I do not support Jack Chick. This e-book is written by Rick Jones, who was a Catholic for many years, not Chick.

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"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2Timothy 3:1 - 7)

"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring..." (Luke 21:25)

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Yahweh is my God, Yeshua is my Savior.

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