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Thirty Days and Counting



Thank you, Charlotte & Ginger, for hosting Spiritual Sundays. I look so forward to the weekend and reading everyone's uplifting messages of faith!


You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14
The question today is “What would you do if you only were going to be on this earth for 30 more days?”

I was watching Kerry Shook on Christian TV; he and his wife, Chris, wrote the book, “One Month to Live”. This book sparks controversy and has become a catalyst for discussion in Christian circles. People are sharing their priorities. Small groups are abounding in the churches that participate in this challenge.

I asked a few close friends to tell me what comes to mind as they think about spending their last month on this earth. My girlfriend’s answer was similar to my husband’s. They both said they would quit their jobs! A guy in my office told me it would take about a month to put his life in order.

Overall, this topic led me to consider what is most important in my life. But should it take a pressure point of “one month to live?” Am I living everyday to its fullest? What if this is my last day on earth? Do I spend enough time with the Lord everyday telling Him how much I love Him? What about my relationships: any broken ones that need repair?

Before my last move to Arizona, I was given a gift of grace to restore a very important relationship. My good friend, Jan, moved only 45 miles away, but I let our relationship fall into oblivion. One day I heard a mutual friend mention how Jan had been through a battle with breast cancer. I couldn’t wait for my friend to leave so I could scurry through my address book and find Jan’s number. To my amazement, Jan received my litany of apologies gracefully. She accepted my invitation to spend the next day together. I will never forget her recount of the details of that sickness and how it brought her to a dynamic relationship with Jesus. She talked, I listened and forgiveness flowed. I drove back home in tears as I praised Him for being a healing God of not only our bodies but of our souls.

I think it is a good thing to discuss books like this in small groups. I think it’s necessary to be accountable to one another and to pray for one another once we define our goals.

Let me ask you, what would you do if you only had one month to live?

Comments

  1. Oh my Goodness what a great and touching post it was an honer to read and I think its something that should be on our minds alot more thankyou for putting things in perspecive.
    Jennifer

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  2. What a great question to ask? I would spend time with my loved ones and tell them about how I look forward to heaven. I have many unsaved loved ones and I always pray for them and share when I can and when they are willing to listen. But I think if they knew I had only one month to live, they might indulge me more and ...listen. The one thing I'd want to leave them with is the good news of the Gospel.

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  3. What a precious post!

    Oh wow, I don't even know how to answer this question. I think I would create videos for my daughter, one for each birthday. I would be very bold with every person I know whose salvation is questionable ... I would go visit family and friends that I never see ...

    Gosh, I just don't know. But shouldn't we always live as if tomorrow isn't coming?

    Great question friend!

    Love,
    Beth

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  4. That's a very challenging question that is difficult to answer.
    We easily get consumed by all the earthly cares, but I think this question will help us prioritize doing things that are more important than those worldly things. I know it's so easy to take those things that truly matter for granted. I always tell my husband and my son, let us spend time every day as if that is our last, that reminds us to show our love and appreciation for each other every single day.
    Then, my answer would be I need go beyond my family and reach those relationships that were broken or forgotten. That was a great story of restoring friendship that you shared. Thank you sister Mary for this powerful post! Have a great weekend!
    Love you in Christ, Rosel
    PS:
    You'll have me thinking from now on which in turn will help me remember how precious every minute is and I pray that I will be able to do more things for the Lord before He calls me home...

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  5. Hi my dear friend,

    This is a very, very good question. Because of our physical situations that my husband and I have been in and are still strongly going through, it is critically important to live within today. I cannot express that enough to people...and then comes the rest, in the forefront always being: living, breathing, praying and speaking to Him and for Him within us not only for our own needs, but for the needs of so many others as well and to help bring them along the pathway to their salvation.

    Love you,
    Alleluiabelle

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  6. Two weeks ago, I met with a client that had been given 6-months to live last December. It prompted me to think and to discuss this very thing with my husband over the weekend...

    I'm happy with my life and my relationships... so I would spend my last 30-days doing what I've been doing... I don't think I would change anything...

    I think I'm going to have to read this book though... such an interesting question to pose...

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  7. Thank you for asking this question to make us stop and reflect on how we are living right now. I'm going to have to think about this before I can answer. Thanks again for posting.

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  8. The church I attend here in the valley is doing something similar. The series is called: Live Like You Were Dying. We're 4 weeks into it, with 2 to go. It's sure had people thinking, and talking.

    I can't help but think of Psalm (90:12) that says: Lord, teach me to number my days that I might gain a heart of wisdom.

    In the end, that's the benefit of living in the moment ... and for Him.

    Be blessed,
    Kathleen

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  9. Wow, what a powerful testimony. And that certainly seems like a good subject to discuss. I think it would be really interesting to find out what other people think about it. I sure think that a lot of things we think are really important would all at once seem completely unimportant. Thank you for giving me something to think about.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  10. This is a very thought provoking question, one not to be answered lightly. I will spend some time with this one this week. Thanks for sharing, Be Blessed this SS
    Willnette

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  11. One redeeming thing about going through loss and divorce is that you can build your life back up again like you want it. I spent most of my 20's broken, but I'm happy to say that my 30's are just the way I want them to be. I wouldn't change anything I'm doing now (except maybe implore the Navy to bring my husband home).

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  12. With only one month left to live, I would spend it telling the lost members of my family about Christ. Thanks for sharing. Happy Spiritual Sunday. I have a twin brother who has cancer, and although I've told him many times, he's against the things of God. Please pray for him.

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  13. That's a great small group study! The most important thing is to make the people in our lives feel loved and cherished.

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  14. WOW! This is a topic that we all seem to sweep under the rug. This is a question that I have thought about in the past.I'm still not real sure what I would do.
    This is a great post,and I'm so glad that you shared it today.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  15. This is a wonderful question for all of us to ponder on. I'm sure that I would spend as much time with my family as I could. I'd spend more times praying for all those that are lost and doesn't know the Lord. What a powerful question. Thank you for making me think.

    Blessings,

    Gigi

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  16. Thank you once again for helping us get our priorities in order.
    GOD BLESS you....your post always minister to my heart.
    andrea

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  17. Boy, this really gives me something to think about. I would want to give my children and family peace about me leaving them. Be a witness about how I will be unhappy to leave them but the Lord would be waiting for me and I'm not afraid to go home. Wow, I would want to be near those loved ones as much as I can in those 30 days. Well, this is my first thought anyway. a question that makes one think. Your post was very moving.

    Blessings...Jeanne

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  18. What a great post and thank you for sharing your story with us about your broken relationship with your friend that is now mended. I'm sure the both of you feel better for it! What would I do? I think I would want to spend all 30 days telling my family how much I love them...a lot to think about here. Thanks.


    Blessings,
    Jean

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  19. What a great post and a great topic for discussion. I'm not exactly sure what I would do -- several things come to mind. I'll probably think about this in the days to come... it can only lead to good in re-prioritizing those things that are important.

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  20. Great question. We're studying Philippians in my Bible study and I've been so inspired by Paul's focus and intensity. He truly thought Jesus would be coming back very soon. He lived his life soley and urgently to advance the gospel. He remained hyper-focused on the task at hand. He had a clear sense of purpose and didn't let anything deter him from it.

    That's how I'd like to live every day. And who knows, we all could have only 30 more days.

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  21. Always love reading your blog....That was a great post....

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  22. Hi sister Mary! Not sure if it's only me who's having problem accessing what you just posted "Isn't She Lovely?" It keeps saying that this page doesn't exist. I just want to let you know. God bless. Have a great day! Love to you.

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