I have lived long enough to begin to think about my death. Young men usually don't, for a host of reasons.

The lessons of life and death must be taught early and appropriately. To neglect such instruction is to hinder our children in their preparation for the rest of their lives.

In the light of the recent death of one of the fathers of a student in our school, a 31 year-old Christian young man with a four year-old son and dear Christian wife, the recent death of Dr. D. James Kennedy, who never knew my name but influenced my life immensely, and the death of the son of dear friends of my wife and me, I have been thinking about death often.

John 14:27 states: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Here's what that looks like and may you know the peace and hope that His Spirit gives in the midst of sorrow.

Dr. D. James Kennedy wrote prior to his death:

"Now, I know that someday I am going to come to what some people will say is the end of this life. They will probably put me in a box and roll me right down here in front of the church, and some people will gather around, and a few people will cry. But I have told them not to do that because I don't want them to cry. I want them to begin the service with the Doxology and end with the Hallelujah chorus, because I am not going to be there, and I am not going to be dead. I will be more alive than I have ever been in my life, and I will be looking down upon you poor people who are still in the land of dying and have not yet joined me in the land of the living. And I will be alive forevermore, in greater health and vitality and joy than ever, ever, I or anyone has known before."

Here are the words of a dear friend who, with his wife, suffered the tragic loss of their son who was at seven months gestation:

"The following is to shed light and explain what has taken place these last couple of days concerning my family.

On Wed., September 19th, Tracy and I lost our little baby boy named Zion Joseph at 30 weeks old. Zion died from being tied up by the umbilical cord in the womb. Tracy had to have a C-section operation and we have been recovering at Brookwood hospital.

We will be having grave side services for Zion this Sunday on private family land on a mountain. This is very interesting because one of the meanings of the word Zion is “mountain of praise”….

As many of you know, my family and I are very devout Christians that rest, love, trust, and hope in God’s plan, no matter how difficult it may be. The Lord has blessed us with 5 beautiful children and has done more for us then I can count or dream.

Life is very short and can be compared to nothing else. This has been very hard and my heart is broken for my son who I look forward to being with in Heaven.

Please take the time to tell your children how much you love them and or your parents!

For Christ and His Kingdom, Amen,

With many tears,

John"