Are YOU Ready

1. 85

   gmwilliamsposted 10 years ago

   
   Death is an inevitable aspect of living.  We are born and we must die.  Pure and simple.  However, death is oftentimes the mysterious, even unmentionable subject that is conveniently avoided or just hinted in passing.   Many times we refuse to give thought to death and dying until the last moments of our lives.   Many see death as a source of great apprehension, even trepidation instead of a natural, evolutionary process.  Death should be seen as a friend and companion which teaches us to appreciate life and what IS indeed IMPORTANT.   Your opinions?

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      BarBogaposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I believe in life after death ...

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   2. 81

      Dreamworkerposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree with you.  I have faced death a few times in my life and can tell you that dying is much easier than living.  I have no fear of death.  What I do fear is long term pain and suffering.

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2. 59

   b.croweposted 10 years ago

   Its true we resist death. We fear what we don't understand. For those who may not believe in a life after death, then death is the end. For others who opt for faith in a God who has conquered death then death is not a permenant state.

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      gmwilliamsposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      What you have stated is so true.  For some, death is definitely the end and total finality while to others, it is simply the beginning.......

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3. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   "Death is an inevitable aspect of living." Instinctively we know there is no such thing as spiritual death.
   The heart dies and the soul goes on… The soul goes on and on and on…

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4. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   What is really amazing is this:
   Jesus appeared in his body after he had died on the cross.
   
   1. After his death, Jesus' body had been put into a tomb which was sealed with a stone. On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene entered the garden and saw that the stone had been removed. She ran and told two of the disciples about it and they went back to investigate. When they entered the tomb, all they found were the linens Jesus had been wrapped in.
        The two disciples returned home, but Mary stayed, crying. She peered into the tomb and saw two angels. They asked her why she was crying. Then, she turned around and saw a man. At first, she thought it was the gardener and she asked him where the body of Jesus had been laid. But, it was not the gardener; it was Jesus himself. He asked who she was looking for, knowing full-well who she was looking for. Finally, He said her name and she recognized Him.
   
   2. That same evening, He appeared in the midst of eleven of the disciples who were hiding from the Jews. As he appeared, he said, "Peace be unto you."
   
   3. One of the disciples, Thomas, was not there that evening, and did not believe the others when they told him about the visitation. Thomas said he would only believe it if he saw and touched Jesus' wounds.
   Eight days later, Jesus appeared in the midst of the twelve disciples, again saying, "Peace be unto you." He showed Thomas the wounds on his hands and the gaping one in his side and asked him to touch them.
   
   4. One morning, he appeared on shore after some of the disciples had been fishing all night with no catch. Suddenly a multitude of fish were caught in their nets. Then, they dined on land with Jesus who provided bread and hot coals to cook the fish.
   
   Very Interesting.

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5. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   "Death should be seen as a friend and companion which teaches us to appreciate life and what IS indeed IMPORTANT."
   
   Meandering thoughts:
   
   For me, death is not a friend or a companion. Death is not an entity that helps you, smiles at you or talks to you. Death is the shutting down of the heart. Nothing more.
   
   Yes, our hearts will eventually shut down. Contemplating this eventuality is kind of mind boggling. It could happen at any time. I would say most of us basically feel that it will happen sometime in the distant future, while others feel they will not live long. By the time you are old, you might think death would be a relief. Some do not want to die. Some don't mind.
   
   Knowing I am going to die someday, makes me want to do what I want to do while I can. What do I want to do? What do I want to experience? What is it that I like about this life?
   
   Joy of life. Is this something I feel for some reason or for no reason?  Do I need a stimulus? Or can I just be and feel Joy?  After death what will I do for stimulation… or will I just feel my own joy without the body-based activities I am addicted to now? 
   I would say that part of our preparation for life after life would be to get in touch with our souls. To know one's soul... since that's what we take with us. Our own consciousness. Some say that without the body, we will not have consciousness.
   That is a really good question:
   Do we?
   I would say that unless our consciousness goes with us, I would be afraid of death. I like being conscious.

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6. 81

   Kathryn L Hillposted 10 years ago

   Can Jesus help us in the quest for consciousness after the heart shuts down?
   Since he was a master at maintaining his consciousness (and his body !) after his heart shut down, I would say yes. I would say that EVERYTHING he talks about teaches us how to maintain consciousness so that when our physical bodies die, we do not loose touch with our spirits. Being conscious beyond the body is everlasting life. Thats why he says heaven and the kingdom of God is within. I am speaking freely of Jesus since it is the season of His birthday.
   
   Thanks for this freedom of speech.

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7. 60

   Cgenaeaposted 10 years ago

   This picture is so eerie and darn near spooky. It grabs my attention every time I see it, gm. It is however, a BEAUTIFUL shot.

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8. 63

   vivamaxineposted 10 years ago

   I believe that there is no need to fear death.  If dying were a very frightening experience, I think we would be aware of it, we would see it.  Were this to be the case, living would be unbearable.  I believe when this experience comes to us something in the brain removes our lifelong fear of death and makes it O.K.,after all it is inevitable. Perhaps it is something that becomes welcome, I think since there is no alternative we probably embrace it.  At the end of our time  I believe that it is often a blessed relief.

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