Preparing For The Inevitable

The Bible says in John 5:24-26: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.” The featured quote for this episode is from Edgar Allan Poe. He said, "Even in the grave, all is not lost." Our topic for today is titled "The Spirituality of Dying, Part 6" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- A Spiritual Reality Those steps recommended by the Christian art of dying — expressing willingness to die, showing belief in Jesus, offering final thoughts and encouragements to family and friends, giving hope in the life to come — do more than create a peaceful and welcoming environment for the d

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:7: “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” The featured quote for this episode is from Mark Twain. He said, "The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." Our topic for today is titled "The Spirituality of Dying, Part 5" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- Letting Go Jim’s renewed sense of purpose and spiritual vision came about with some difficulty. First, Jim said, he had to learn to trust that God would take care of his family. “I am a control guy,” Jim explained. “It was unfathomable for me to figure out how God could take care of my wife and kids without me on the scene.” But reading Luke where Jesus talks about leaving family members behind for fidelity to Christ, Jim was struck by Jesus’ words. It was exactly what he couldn’t do. Jim said he heard God ask, “How much do you love me, Jim? Do you really love me enough to trust

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:10: “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”   The featured quote for this episode is from Steve Jobs. He said, "If you live each day as it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right."   Our topic for today is titled "The Spirituality of Dying, Part 2" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll.   --- The Veteran   Paul, a World War II veteran, was dying of complications from diabetes. A father of four girls and one boy, he lived with his family in Wisconsin. After the war, he worked to raise his large Catholic family. However, those memories of the war remained an important part of his life and eventually his death.   Becky, one of Paul's daughters, said that even in his old age he remained close to his army buddies. "He had several guys from his hometown that were all in the service with him. They all made it throu

The Bible says in Revelation 14:13: “And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.”   The featured quote for this episode is from H.P. Lovecraft. He said, "That is not dead which can eternal lie, And with strange eons even death may die."   Our topic for today is titled "The Spirituality of Dying, Part 1" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll.   Because of his Alzheimer's, my hospice patient, Edward, and I were never able to communicate well. I would get off the elevator in the convalescence center, look around the tables where the elderly and ill residents occupied themselves with simple games, slept or watched the activities outside. Each week for a year I scanned the tables and looked for Edward, leaned over in his wheelchair asleep.   I usually woke him up, knowing I was one of his only visitors and th

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life — things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death — the death of people you love and your own death.   The topic that we discuss in this podcast is very appropriate in light of the sudden and unexpected death of the legendary singer and songwriter known as Prince. He was found dead in an elevator on his property this morning. Just seven days ago, he was performing in Atlanta. His passing reminds us that death often comes suddenly, and comes for us all.   The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:2: “A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted.”   The featured quote for this episode is from John Donne. He said, "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, the continent is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friend's or of thine

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life — things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death — the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 7:1: “A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.” The featured quote for this episode is from Natalie Babbitt. She said, “Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever, you just have to live.” Our topic for today is titled “The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 6” from the book, “The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come” by Rob Moll. — A Beautiful Injury As Donne’s final weeks attest, he remained spiritually alive even as his body neared death. He eagerly awaited and looked for his entrance to life with God. He prayed, and having let go of things on earth, began to clutch those of heaven. Yet, while Donne died well, those who love

The Bible says in Psalm 39:4: “Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.” The featured quote for this episode is from John Donne. He said, "Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bells tolls; it tolls for thee." Our topic for today is titled "The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 5" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- A Public Event As bells tolled across England and Europe announcing another death from the plague, Christians were reminded at every moment that death was a public event and instructive to the church. While death was a spiritual event, according to Christian tradition, it was and is not a private affair simply between a Christian and God. Indeed, the loss of a single brother or sister in Christ wounded deeply the community of faith. "No man is an island," wrote Donne in his Devo

The Bible says in Psalm 23:4: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” The featured quote for this episode is from humorist Charles Bukowski. He said, "I carry death in my left pocket. Sometimes I take it out and talk to it: I say, ‘Hello, how you doing? When are you coming for me? I'll be ready.’" Our topic for today is titled "The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 4" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- A Dying Face The early ars moriendi taught that the spirit of the Christian was quite alive, wrestling with angels and demons, even as the body died. Therefore, death was to be actively undertaken. Though Christians changed in their beliefs about what happens at the moment of death, they never dismissed the idea that the spirit was still active. Modern science teaches that in the process of dying, when death is not cause

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:5: “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” The featured quote for this episode is from H.P. Lovecraft. He said, "That is not dead which can eternal lie,And with strange aeons even death may die." Our topic for today is titled "The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 3" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- Reforming the Art of Dying In centuries gone by, Christians acknowledged that the dying process is a deeply spiritual event. Today, those who have been able to be present at the death of a loved one often agree, describing it as a spiritual experience. Yet Scripture tells us

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:6-8: "Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." The featured quote for this episode is from Marcus Aurelius. He said, "It is not death that a man should fear, but he should fear never beginning to live." Our topic for today is titled "The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 2" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- The Christian Art of Dying Since the beginning of the church Christians have cared for the dying and sought to practice their deaths in ways that express belief

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" The featured quote for this episode is from Euripides. He said, "No one can confidently say that he will still be living tomorrow." Our topic for today is titled "The Individual, the Church, and the Ars Moriendi (the Art of Dying), Part 1" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. In late winter during the 59th year of his life, John Donne braved the weather and rough roads of the English countryside to keep his final preaching engagement before the king in London. He had spent most of that winter, which would be his last, battling "consumption," and on several occasions he nearly died. But he was eager to simply preach again. Donne had grown to love h

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in Ezekiel 18:32: "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live." The featured quote for this episode is from Dean Koontz. He said, "Because God is never cruel, there is a reason for all things. We must know the pain of loss; because if we never knew it, we would have no compassion for others, and we would become monsters of self-regard, creatures of unalloyed self-interest. The terrible pain of loss teaches humility to our prideful kind, has the power to soften uncaring hearts, to make a better person of a good one." Our topic for today is titled "Losing the Christian Death (Part 3)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- We Have No Christian Dying There is an untapped reservoir of Christian b

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in Job 14:14: "If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come." The featured quote for this episode is from James Patterson. He said, "The funny thing about facing imminent death is that it really snaps everything else into perspective." Our topic for today is titled "Losing the Christian Death (Part 2)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- Lacking Spiritual Comforts Christians once saw a window to the next world as a fellow believer entered eternity. Visions of heaven, Jesus and family were once common on the deathbed. This provided faith-sustaining, hope-inducing and grief-allaying comfort to those who survived the death of a loved one. Wells quotes a newspaper account of the 18

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:26: "The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death." The featured quote for this episode is from Benjamin Franklin. He said, "Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five." Our topic for today is titled "Losing the Christian Death (Part 1)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. Instead of fighting death until the end, church history teaches us about the good death — one in which a believer seeks to faithfully express her hope in eternal life. It is a tragedy that the church has lost this vision of the good death. We are sending fellow believers into eternity unprepared for their journey. They may be sure of their destination but unsure how to get there. For Christians in previous centur

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." The featured quote for this episode is from Benjamin Franklin. He said, "Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal." Our topic for today is titled "Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care (Part 4)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- Are Christians Too Pro-Life? A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people of religious faith (95 percent of whom were Christians) were three times more likely to choose aggre

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death.  The Bible says in  Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The featured quote for this episode is from Ernest Hemingway. He said, "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." Our topic for today is titled "Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care (Part 3)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll.  --- Miracle Makers  Despite the opportunities of gradual dying, some Christian thinkers and theologians have tended to focus on the challenging questions of bioethics—how and when to apply or withdraw medical technology. At the same time, individual Christians have often placed their hope in the effectiveness of

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death.  The Bible says in Psalm 146:2-4: "While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being. Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish." The featured quote for this episode is from Martin Luther King Jr. He said, "No one really knows why they are alive until they know what they'd die for." Our topic for today is titled "Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care (Part 2)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- A Unique Opportunity Unfortunately today, fewer people are caring for more elderly.  Chronic illnesses mean that dying takes a longer period of time and involves more complicated medical issues.

The Bible says in John 11:25-26: "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?" The featured quote for this episode is from Anaïs Nin. She said, "People living deeply have no fear of death." Our topic for today is titled "Gradual Dying and End-of-Life Care (Part 1)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. And, I want to remind you to take advantage of our special offer. If you enjoy this podcast, please feel free to purchase a copy of this book -- "The Art of Dying" by Rob Moll. It is available on our website for just $20.  While 20th-century medicine drastically changed how we die, it has also had a more subtle — but no less profound — effect. Because of modern medicine, dying often takes a long time. One study found that most elderly are diagnosed as having a disease three years before it will eventually end th

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death.  The Bible says in Matthew 10:28: "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." The featured quote for this episode is from Helen Keller. She said, "Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see." Our topic for today is titled "When Death Arrives (Part 5)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. --- Death & Evil While dying well is often a matter of living well, to live well we must come to grips with our death. It is difficult, but it can also be invigorating. “It is only by facing and accepting the reality of my coming death that I can become aut

This podcast will help you get ready to face the inevitable unpleasant things that will happen in your life -- things like trouble, suffering, sickness, and death -- the death of people you love and your own death.  The Bible says in Romans 14:8: "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's." The featured quote for this episode is from Hunter S. Thompson. He said, "Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming 'Wow! What a ride!'" Our topic for today is titled "When Death Arrives (Part 4)" from the book, "The Art of Dying: Living Fully into the Life to Come" by Rob Moll. My own first personal encounter with death came when I was twenty-seven years old. My wife and I went to visit my great aunt who was dying of cancer.  My aunt lived a