If you have been checking your local newspaper recently, the increasing amount of  young people dying is stunning. Men and women, from all ages from 50 and under, are moving on to eternity in rapid fire. They are dying from accidents; cancer or heart disease. In the cities, urban violence is claiming untold youth.

But what is really disconcerting, more than the scary increase in youthful deaths, is the content of their obituaries! I have been following the daily Obits in the paper for the past couple years and the content of these people’s lives is stunning!

Here is just a sample of a few obituaries. These are more than local samples. These are representative of a national culture, mindset and soul, which have lost their way!
“He was an avid poker fan; loved fishing; playing videos games and his guitar….”
“He loved hanging out with his buddies; hunting; fishing and tattoos…..”
“She was a sorority sister; loved life, animals and was very giving…”
“She cared about her cats; loved bingo and cared about people (in that order)…”
“He loved his Cubbies; NASCAR and going to the BRICKYARD 400 every year…”

READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE

When God calls a man, as men like Pastor Mike Smith, the Apostle Paul and I can attest to, He literally knocks us flat on our backs…off our high horse! It could be a mission on the Road to Damascus to persecute Christians, or in my case – burning the candle at both ends in the fast moving work/party life of the media world or in Pastor Mike’s case – a life of fame, sex, drugs and rock and roll – EXTREME ROCK AND ROLL!!

As you see and hear in this video, Mike has a story you only read about or see in some Christian movies. There is no more fired up men of God like those who have been rescued from a literal Hell on earth and the lake of Fire. The Apostle Paul lays out his heart in all his writings for all to see how grateful he is to Christ for saving him. Watch this short 30 minute presentation from Pastor Mike, who now leads two churches in the Mt. Auburn area – The Mt. Auburn Church of Christ and Berea Christian Church. He is also the father of 8 kids and married to Lisa. His ministry there is really impacting families and especially young family men like a fired up Matt Gideon, Jim Cook and others!

This was recorded on iphone at the January 8, 2011 meeting of Business Men in Christ at the Route 66 Hotel and Conference Center, Springfield, Illinois.
(BL)