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Nothing to Lose

A few weeks ago when Steve Jobs announced he was leaving Apple, I wrote about how sad and shocked I was at the news.  I was even more shocked when I walked out of the church building last night and check my phone to see the tweets about his passing.

There is no doubt he was an inspirational man while on this earth. He created a lot of great technology, but he did leave some words that I could think have a bigger impact on people.  For instance this:

“Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.” –Steve Jobs

I think that is really profound, because even Christians who believe in eternal life continually attempt to hold on to something in this life.  And he is right –  it’s a trap.

7For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.1 Timothy 6:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Learning to live in a way that you believe you have nothing to lose is no small task, but I think it’s one that all of us should strive.

14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are justa vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  James 4:14 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

 

 

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Death Gets Pwn3d

Yesterday I had the chance to watch “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2”.  What a great fun movie!   As we were driving away from the Rave yesterday afternoon, Amy asked me what my favorite part of the movie was.  At the time I was not sure, but oddly enough like a one of those visions that Harry himself had, my favorite part resurfaced in the middle of the night.  As a matter of fact, even though I didn’t wake up, I remember the thought very vividly and I think that even a smile came to my face while I slept.

++++SPOILER ALERT - If you don't want to read about things that happen in the move skip the next few paragraphs++++

So what is my favorite part?  Well, it happened on the front steps of Hogwarts as Voldemort and his band of ‘followers’ stand facing those who were willing to fight against the darkness and evil that he pronounced.  When it seemed that all was lost with Harry dead, and the Dark Lord about to claim his ultimate place of power, Neville Longbottom stands up and gives the reason for his resistance against Voldemorte, and right as good ol’ Neville tells the face of darkness and death himself  “You are wrong”, Harry, who was off to the side, rises up.  Oh man – the look of happiness and glee on the faces of his friends, the look of terror on Voldemort’s face!  and the quickness with which his followers high tailed it out of dodge!  Man, it was so obvious then that the victory was won.

+++END SPOILER ALERT++++ 

So, why was it my favorite scene and why did it bring me so much joy that it would make me smile even in my sleep?  Well it reminds me of another event – one that really happened – that was so much like that event that you can watch on the silver screen. 

 36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. Luke 24:36-43 New International Version (NIV)

It’s amazing to think about the impact and the rallying effect that Potter’s revival had on his friends and supporters.  But it’s even more impressive to consider what an outstanding impact the actual revival of the Christ had on his supporters and can still have on us.

Death is defeated, destroyed, pwn3d!

I hope that brings a smile to your face!