What will they say about me?

swampfox · 06-10-2007, 11:42 PM

I have been reading the comments at the Univ of Michigan Hospital website about David Ashburn, aka Exturkinator. Doing so has made me wonder what other people with whom I have worked would say about me if I were to die tonight. Our audience is ultimately one person, the triune God who created us. However, David was so highly spoken of in the comments at UofM that I got to thinking about this topic. Would you or I get dozens of posts from folks all over who loved us and respected us half this much?

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves... 2 Corinthians 13:5

**Mathews XT Man** · 06-11-2007, 06:30 AM

To be honest..I dont care what people say about me....It's what God says when I meet him!!

**wtnhunt** · 06-11-2007, 09:23 AM

Welcome to the forums swampfox. Like Martin says here, I am not really so concerned honestly with what others think or would say about me.

Andrea · 06-11-2007, 10:17 AM

I understand what you're saying. If you live for God and show it, then people will say that about you when you die. I believe David was a true man of God and it shows in how others saw him.

swampfox · 06-11-2007, 10:33 AM

There is a sense in which we should live to please God rather than men. I fully agree here. But there is also a sense in which we should strive to live blamelessly, without fault, before a watching world. No guile should be in us. Turkinator was a winsome, generous, likable, diligent, smart, loving, and devoted man. He sought to be holy as his Father in heaven is holy. These are attributes that all of us (especially Christians) should strive after, right?

Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Psalm 33

Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! John 1:47

In 2 Cor 3, Paul said that the believers were living "epistles...known and read of men". I think it is important for those who profess to have experienced a new birth to live exemplary lives; old sinful ways having passed away, new Christ-like behavior coming to the fore.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor 5

**Jeramie** · 06-11-2007, 02:06 PM

I understand what youre saying swampfox and agree. We lead by example as Christ did. Knowing that others would have a kind word would prove I led a life I needed to live (such as exturkinator).

I agree, our memory should glorify God and how we carry ourselves has a LOT to do with that.

**Bachflock** · 06-13-2007, 06:01 AM

I think I see your point swamp... but did Christ live blamelessly in the eyes of all of man? He was truly blameless but man sought fault in He who was faultless. My point being, I will strive to live my life in such a manner as to honor God and if that creates strife for me then so be it. Easy to say, sometimes/oftimes hard to do. I agree, I want and desire to be recognized by those around me as someone who is honest, forthright, understanding, etc. Should I die on the way to work in a few minutes I have the eternal security of knowing I'll no longer live under the stinging and blurred vision of man but will stand in the purifing presense of God by the grace and mercy given through Christ. Yes, I hope those around me would recognize me for who I am and try to be but I must live to please God, not those around me and that will sometimes cause difficulties in this world.

**AdvantageTimberLou** · 06-13-2007, 06:16 AM

Life is not a popularity contest. All we can do is live our lives how we see fit and love those around us and live each day to the fullest. All of us have special attributes, David just happen to take his and help other people and help them extend their lives even more. David was an angel sent down to be amongst all of us and make us all think about our lives and where we are headed.

If you have happiness in your life and share it with those around you, you will also have sadness in your life as well as the day God says its time to come home, others will be sad that your gone but you have to keep the faith that someday we'll all meet again!

**wtnhunt** · 06-13-2007, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by AdvantageTimberLou

Life is not a popularity contest. All we can do is live our lives how we see fit and love those around us and live each day to the fullest. All of us have special attributes, David just happen to take his and help other people and help them extend their lives even more. David was an angel sent down to be amongst all of us and make us all think about our lives and where we are headed.

If you have happiness in your life and share it with those around you, you will also have sadness in your life as well as the day God says its time to come home, others will be sad that your gone but you have to keep the faith that someday we'll all meet again!

Very well said Lou.

swampfox · 06-13-2007, 12:26 PM

This question has always troubled me. There must be some balance here between earning the respect and admiration of those around us (like David did) versus engendering the reproach and ridicule of the unbelieving world. Jesus said, "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!" Luke 6

In John 15 Jesus said that we would certainly be hated and persecuted as He was. "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you."

In 2 Tim 3:12 Paul says, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution."

So how do we find balance between these two; being esteemed and loved on one hand vs hated and persecuted on the other? It is interesting to note that the most pure, potent, and tangible manifestation of God's love and beauty imaginable was found in the earthly life and ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. Can you imagine a more clear representation of God's love to men? Yet, the people of His day looked at this pure emblem of God's love and said, "Away with this man. He has a devil. Give us Barabas." Luke 23:18, John 7:20

Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you...Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1 Peter 4.

**jaret** · 06-14-2007, 01:15 AM

Good point, swamp.

As for me, I try to do my best to live my life for the Lord. It seems that right now each and every day is so full of things to do. I'm getting married less than 7 weeks, so that entails helping my bride-to-be out with whatever needs to be done as well trying to calm her down so she doesn't get stressed out. And there's many more things that need my attention as well, and some days there's almost no time to sit down and just relax.

I've been apart of this forum for almost 6 years and sadly, I didn't know David. He seemed like he would've been an interesting guy to talk with about hunting and just about life. And something else I feel that the Lord has brought to my attention is that I really haven't gotten to know people on this board either.

I really feel like our lives are sometimes the only Bible people will ever read. We can either friend someone and impact their lives for the better or just walk on by. So I guess my goal on here is not to try to be Mr. Popular, but to try to show that Christ-likeness from within my posts. Hopefully that made sense lol.

**Hoosierbuck** · 06-30-2007, 11:35 PM

Not all of the world hated Christ, he had many very devoted followers, but yet a significant population (for various reasons) hated and persecuted him. The same with his followers, then and now.
The people that speak well of Turkinator are people that he touched on a personal level, or whom admire his many positive attributes. These are not the ones who persecute...two very different audiences. If you live as Christ-like as you can, you are bound to spread the love to many people, who will speak well of you, but you will also raise the ire of those who hate Christ and they will be vociferous in their ridicule and antagonism.
If you do it right, Swampfox, then the faithful will speak well of you and the rest, well, they just howl against the trumpets...I need help everyday trying to "do it right" as I have not gotten there yet.
HB

**unioncountyslayer** · 07-01-2007, 03:17 PM

Is life a popularity contest? No, although the "world" makes it out to be one. I would however, rather people remember me for what I did for Christ's Kingdom rather than the opposite. I think as Christian's we need to leave a legacy. Although the only way to heaven is turning our lives over to Christ, it's what we do while we are on earth that defines who we are. When I go I hope that people will say, he was a good man, that loved his family, and above all loved the Lord and wasn't ashamed to talk about that love to others. So yes, I care what people say about me when I die, because hopefully even when I'm gone those that don't know Christ can get a glimpse of what HIS love is, and how much of an impact HIS followers can make on others lives. When you get to Heaven, you can ask yourself two questions: 1. Who is here because of me. 2. And the tough one, who is not here because of me. I hope that I don't miss or ignore too many oportunities to share my faith with others.