Current events have many of us thinking about life and death.\u00a0 Whether it be the brutal murder of innocent civilians in Iraq, the downing of a civilian jetliner in Ukraine, or the apparent suicide of a world-class comedian; it is natural and perhaps even scary to reflect on the issue of our own mortality.<\/p>\n
That is why I am glad that in the providence of God, our church family was able to experience the recent death of one of our longtime members, Mr. Jack Viol.\u00a0 Jack celebrated his 100th<\/sup> birthday a few months ago and even though he often said that he was \u201cready to go home,\u201d he trusted the God of heaven for the timing.\u00a0 He was a joyful man even though his life was riddled with painful events like caring for two wives who preceded him in death.\u00a0 Jack cared for his wife Fern on a daily basis even though she struggled with the ravaging effects of Alzheimer\u2019s for 6 long years.<\/p>\n Mr. Viol was a graduate of Harvard Business School, class of 1937.\u00a0 He explained his view of eternity on the occasion of his class\u2019s 50th<\/sup> reunion.\u00a0 In an update he was asked to provide his classmates prior to the event, he explained his philosophy of life and death:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Bible says in Psalm 90:10a, \u2018The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years\u2026\u2019\u00a0 Almost all of the Class of 1937 will be in the privileged group reaching 80.\u00a0 \u2018Don\u2019t complain about growing old; many are denied the opportunity\u2019 but the opportunity for eternal life depends upon a clear mind, an understanding of God\u2019s Word and an application of it to your own life through your acceptance of God\u2019s Son as your own personal Savior and Lord<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n Then Jack went on to challenge his classmates with these sobering words;<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t be complacent.\u00a0 Psalm 14:1a tells us. \u2018The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God\u2019 and Jesus Himself said in Mark 8:36 \u2018For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n Those who knew Jack often enjoyed his clever, witty side.\u00a0 If there ever was a funny accountant, Jack Viol was him.\u00a0 But he chose to ground his life on specific truth from the Word of God and he looked for opportunities to share his view of life and death with others.\u00a0 Jack\u2019s life was not easy but his personal relationship with Jesus helped him overcome his emotional struggles.\u00a0 And when God\u2019s timing was right, Jack Viol went home to heaven not because of his own works but because of his faith in the shed blood of Christ.\u00a0 The Lord allowed him to live a full life and to die, very, very well.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"