There are advantages to staying awake in church

For one, you can think with your eyes open

Our pastor who is approaching middle middle-age says lots of good get-you-thinking stuff over a range of Biblical and life themes.  Some are central in his message, others passing comments . . .  over the last six months there’s been three bytes on the “order of life and death” – this morning’s is the third one . . . 

• 100% of all people in any cemetery were once alive.

• This week I visited my doctor; he checked my heart and assured me it would work for as long as I live.

• Don’t over celebrate good health, it only means you are dying more slowly than other people.

Cogitating on this morning’s “giveaway”; “Don’t over celebrate good health, it only means you are dying more slowly than other people.” Got me right into ruminating, yet another advantage of staying awake in church . . .

Here’s my “think-train” . . .

1. He’s told us already (constantly and nicely), that belief in and confession of Jesus gives us the gift of eternal life – our soul and spirit will live forever, so it’s life all the way on that one, no work needed here!                                                                   
2. I’m going to die, it a human thing – just a matter of speed and time, so this is not a call-for-faith deal, just how it works.                                                                    
3. Two lives here, well I’m not a cat, so hey, can’t complain; two are better than one – One settled, the other still open, running and can be worked on. It’s a no-brainer, “what am I doing with life #2?” The first one is gained by faith in Jesus; the second one is out-working my faith in and with Jesus. So it’s working to grow and not to gain, that’s how faith and human life works.

Oh, by the way, he used this cool text . . .

 Isn't it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, "Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I'll handle the works department." Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove. - James 2:17-18 (Message Bible)

“So, what did you think last time you were awake in Church?” 

If you weren’t awake . .

• “What did you dream about, which now you are awake, should be outliving by your faith in and with Jesus?”