Covenant Church

Last week two people who were part of my life died. One I knew personally. The other I knew by newspapers, TV and listening to people.

One was age 90. He was faithful to His Lord, faithful to his family, and faithful to the Body of the Church. The other was age 50. He was faithful to his money, his fame, his career, and I do not know what else.

One died with integrity. The other died supposedly rich in this world's goods, but with huge questions prevailing about his sexual appetites and other tendencies.

One died with a clear message that Jesus is Lord of all. The other died without any public testimony of his knowing the Jesus of Calvary.

One was a hero of his country. He served proudly and bravely during WWII. The other left no conspicuous testimony of unselfish service to God or country.

One loved to give his meager living to hungry children and tell them about Jesus. The other enjoyed shopping sprees of hundreds of thousands of dollars in only an hour or two.

One grew old with grey hair and dignity. The other apparently had many surgeries to effect and maintain a marketable for-profit appearance.

One worked hard, as many as three jobs at a time, to make a few thousand in his 90 years. The other worked hard to sell his style of artistry and make hundreds of millions of dollars.

One worked hard to have money to support his family and to give to the poor. The other lavished money upon himself.

One centered his life in Jesus. The other centered his life in himself.

One was revered by all who knew him. The other left questions unanswered of moral behavior.

The one in last days talked of loving Jesus, his family and others. The other was planning a huge venue that would have earned millions more dollars.

The one was surrounded in final hours by loving family, friends, and fellow Christians. The other died alone or with only medical personnel around him. In his final days he was surrounded by a host of people who thought he would bring fame and riches to them.

The one received a 21-gun military salute as a war hero. The other is receiving adulation from the secular world.

The one's body is rested in peace. The other's body is being autopsied to determine cause of death.

One died poor in this world's goods. The other died rich in this world's goods. The poor man became wealthy at death…infinitely wealthy. The rich man, if he did not know Jesus, became poor at death…infinitely poor.

The one in death has hope of a body without pain. The other, if he did not know Jesus, is destined to eternal suffering.

The one is laid to rest in hope of the resurrection. The other left no public testimony of a Christ-based, Spirit-filled life.

The one will be mourned for who he was. The other will be mourned for what he did.

Which one do you want to be? You are making a choice by the way you live.

In hopes of the Resurrection when I shall see Jesus…And Mauro Biazon.

Pastor Bare

“A good name is to be chosen over great wealth…” Pr. 22:1

Note

Karen Blyler, one of our beloved sisters, preceded Mauro in death by only a few days. In character and love her faith stood tall. We have suffered sorrow, yet rejoiced for the hope of the resurrection!