To die is gain!

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. - Phi 1.21

I don't think we can meditate on this passage enough. "To live is Christ". If you had one word to sum up your life, what would it be? Success? Money? Sex? Power? Something so noble as love? I will not (at this moment) claim that to have any of these things is idolatry and false worship, but I will challenge you to consider Paul's self confessed summary of his life's purpose...Christ. To partake of the sufferings of Christ, to continue to ministry of Christ, to conform himself to the life of Christ, to enjoy Christ as treasure. This sums up Paul's life. Is it too invaluable for us to do likewise, which brings me to the second half; "to die is gain". What do you hold as valuable in your life? Money? Power? Status? Possessions? What do you enjoy in your life? Family? Friends? Sex? Music? Movies? Books? The finer things? Oh, can we begin to taste, and can we get an insatiable desire for Christ, so much that nothing else satisfies, nothing has more value? When you die, at the loss of EVERYTHING you have, you will leave it all behind, will this pain you or will you run towards Christ and say "Gain!" "Such a deal!" "I won!" To lose everything in this world, all people, all things, all pleasures, will you look at Christ and say "Gain!" This is what Paul would do. Is this type of pursuit lower than you?

Piper's journal

John Piper's journal entry narrating his father's death is a very nice thing to read. It shows the character of Piper very well.

William Piper has passed on.

John Piper's father has passed away. Continue to pray for the family and all who are effected by this loss.