Death and the Life After by Billy Graham

Author:Billy Graham [Graham, Billy]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Christian Books & Bibles, Theology, Eschatology, Religion & Spirituality, Religious Studies, Self-Help, Death & Grief, Grief & Bereavement, Health; Fitness & Dieting, Religious Studies & Reference, Religious
ISBN: 9780849911231
Google: He3L2sSKVCYC
Amazon: B007V91IKE
Barnesnoble: B007V91IKE
Goodreads: 12587894
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Published: 1994-10-15T05:00:00+00:00

Questions to Ask

In his poignant book, which he called Mother’s Song, John Sherrill relates the decision he had to make concerning the life and death of his mother. When her death seemed imminent and he could not bear to see her suffer, he asked the doctor, “What would happen if we asked for those I Vs to come out?”

Sherrill said he tensed for what he expected as an outraged reaction from the doctor. Instead, the doctor gave him some yardsticks to consider. With the prayerful agreement of the entire family and the concurrence of the doctor, he eventually asked to have his mother’s lifeprolonging measures removed. He summed up some important questions to ask ourselves now, while we are healthy and alert. This is what he listed:

1.If doctors are able to help an elderly person through a health crisis, what does he return to? Will it be to a life of reason and tolerable health, or will it be to new breakdown and deterioration and pain?

2.What does the person himself want? Has he expressed a desire to live just as long as possible, no matter what the means? Or does he want to be allowed to die without using the extraordinary aids that are available to us today?

3.What is the person’s attitude now? Our feelings may change as death approaches. Even if we are unable to speak there are innumerable ways to communicate . . .

4.What is the attitude of the family?

5.What is God’s timing? We found that His signature is beauty, even in the midst of pain and sorrow. In Mother’s passing we encountered example after example (coincidences, kindnesses, unusual provisions). They were His encouragements, we believe now, that we had correctly interpreted the signs of His time. Is death the end? This is the question, of course, that affects all the others. Facing death is entirely different for someone who believes that there is an afterlife. Yes, we need to know the right questions to ask, for we live on borrowed time, and we want to use our inheritance as wisely as we can. Since God has given us sound minds, we must exercise them while they are able to function. This is not morbid, this is one of the greatest challenges we may ever face.

When death comes

will it come quietly

one might say creep—

as after a hard

and tiring day, one lies

and longs for sleep—

ending age and sorrow

or youth and pain?

Who dies in Christ

has all to gain

and a Tomorrow!

Why weep?

Death may be savage.

We cannot be sure:

the godly may be slaughtered,

evil men endure;

however death may strike,

or whom,

who knows the risen Lord

knows, too, the empty tomb.

Ruth Bell Graham

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