A little taste - part 2: Q&A

We need truth.

We want the truth to match up with our desires or ideals, but in the end we all need truth. Children have mastered one method of finding true answers and understanding of any enigma: Asking questions.


If there's an afterlife, that's the mean there's a god?
Not "a god" necessary, but there would definitely have to be something greater than our understanding.

If there's a god, does that mean there's an afterlife?
No. It could even mean there's an afterlife for some, reincarnation for others, something else still for others, and nothing for some.

If there's an afterlife, could there be an afterdeath?
Umm…sure, I guess.

Is this topic beyond us?
Okay, if we've no basis whatsoever to base the afterlife off, then there are unlimited possibilities about every aspect of it! There has to be something more if we are to discover the truth, but just knowing or thinking about an infinite list of possibilities won't guide us into the answers we seek. That method may be consider a noble or an enlighten approach, but, that will overwhelm or confused us. Searching for truth is great, but it does not compare to actually finding it.

What would be valid or legitimate sources of knowledge concerning the afterlife? How would their legitimacy be judged?
Hard to say. The sources should be proven true on the things it already says. Also, if the source has made predictions, all or some of those should have come true (depending when the prediction was referring.) Also, this goes beyond natural limited of our knowledge, so the source should have some expertise on the supernatural or spiritual.

Prelude: Part 1

Romans 8:31-32 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

¡Hola! ¿Cómo estás?

                Nov 15^th, Tuesday night

So I spent my last hours in San Diego at the Castillo's, who were kind enough to drive me to the airport for my late night flight and the kids even helped me finish packing. As a matter of fact, the kids even made up a goodbye song for me .It went "Marcus is leaving, we're so sad." But that song had a happy tune, so the kids couldn't help but smile when they sang it.

                16^th, Wednesday Morning 

My brother picked me up around 9 AM at the airport in Charleston. We went out to eat breakfast at Denny’s and then we went to my nephew’s elementary school.  Technology is so advanced now, even in first grade. Smart boards allowed the kids to drag a projected digital image across the board with their finger tips and all the kids have iPads to play educational computer games.  Man, I feel old. When I was in elementary, my teacher still used the blackboard and chalk.

               
19^th, Saturday

Seeing your own family again is great… at first.  But, when you’re home by yourself because everyone else is at work/college that initial nostalgia wears off and boredom sets in. And how do you kill boredom? Road Trip! And what are the important elements of any Road Trip? People (who you rarely see, but are often on your mind)( living far enough away, but not too far away)… and a vehicle.

I name all my cars. First Shelby, then Jaden. This one is "Silver"!

()

Verses on my mind:

Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  (The word "careful" is translated from the Greek word “merimnaō”, which would be translated in today’s English as “anxious”.The same word is used in Matthew 6: 34, which reads “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

A little taste - Part 1

The statement "Everyone dies" is not commonly contested nor is it often considered a great revelation. What happens after death, however, is highly contested. Interestingly, what a person believes occurs after their passing seems to greatly effect their life.
So how are we to be sure what happens after death? "Take it by faith" is said, but, honestly, we would all like some proof. We would almost give our lives from a little taste of the after life.
What if it's nothing? Not darkness, because that we've realize as darkness, but truly nothing. No more thoughts and the inability to comprehend that you're thinking no more thoughts.  You've never again remember scent of your husband's aftershave, or your daughter's smile or the taste of blackberry jam. You also won't remember the time your cheated on your wife, hearing the news that your son was killed in war or being evicted after losing your job. Truly, no rewards or consequences. We couldn't even care about your legacy we leave behind. All life is gone in a flash. Everything utterly meaningless.


And who's to really say that isn't true? Just because we don't want to believe, that doesn't make it so.


In that same manner, what if there's an afterlife? Heaven, hell, reincarnation or something else. Obviously, this is more the worrisome of the options. While no afterlife can be a depressing notion, it is simple and not too frightful. But the concept that you can end up in hell from making a wrong choice or no choice at all is beyond scary.


SO before our hearts cease beating it would behove us to know to the best of our ability what happens next.