Nobody knows how much time they have left, right?

[J5 GTX]

I wish that I felt that way.
I turned 50 in 2015 and since then, I think about mortality way too much.

That's your conscience talking to you because you have an unresolved dilemma.

What happens you die? Death is a monumental event in your life and worthy of much thought.

We have an eternal destination: Heaven or Hell. Life is too significant to be a happenstance event.
Some people say if you live a good life, you're o.k. after Death. What's good enough? As bad as I've done, I'm certain I can't straighten it out.

Ask yourself these questions and answer them truthfully.
Have you ever told a lie?
What are you? A ________.
Have you stolen anything?
What are you? A ________.
Have you ever hated anyone?
You murdered them in your heart.
What are you? A __________.

You have a big problem. A sin problem.

For the wages of sin is death, This is the second death. An eternal payment.

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.

But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

That's why Jesus is such a big deal. He paid the price (paid the wages) for your sins and mine. Will you receive that?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

[steve from staten island]

Everyone at one time has committed those sins you stated in your post. The difference is as far as I've been taught is have you admitted them and repented?

 

[J5 GTX]

Admitting or confessing sinfulness is the starting point.
Understanding that sins condemn us. To use a street term: there is Hell to pay.

Repentance alone is an act of self. Cleaning up your act , so to speak, has no eternal value.

A transaction must take place. Your sinful life given up and receive the gift of Eternal Life.
"that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart
that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God does it for us. We just have to trust Him and what He has done.

 

[Budnicks]

I used to worry a lot about death and sickness, misfortune and bad luck. Then I went to war. I don't worry now at all. About anything. I figure that after all I endured everything from here on out is a bonus. I just live my life and when It's done, it's done. I figure that If God wants me he will take me. Period.

Thanks for your service, sacrifices
& bravery, we can't say it enough...

I'm with you if it's your time, it's your time, enjoy life one day at a time...

IMO we never know what will become of the next day or none at all...
I've lost many friends & family, some were seemingly really healthy
some were nutrition & exercise freaks, it doesn't matter,
it was their time...

You could die walking across the street to get the mail
be a picture of health, taken out by a Prius...
We never know...

 

[shag766]

humph! a thread on mortality and a bunch of 50ish guys thinking about it, i wish 50. i changed doctor's awhile back, near 70ish, and asked some what the same question. her reply to me put it in a prospective i could relate to the best.



I recently had to choose a new primary care doctor. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, she said I was doing fairly well for my age. (I am almost seventy).

A little concerned about that comment, I couldn't resist asking her, 'Do you think I'll live to be 85?'

She asked, 'Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer, wine or hard liquor?'
'Oh no,' I replied. 'I'm not doing drugs, either!'

Then she asked, 'Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?'

'I said, 'Not much... My former doctor said that all red meat is very unhealthy!'

'Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, boating, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?'

'No, I don't,' I said.

She asked, 'Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?'

'No,' I said.........

She looked at me and said, 'Then, why do you even give a sh!t?

 

[steve from staten island]

Now thats funny!!!!!

 

[miller]

humph! a thread on mortality and a bunch of 50ish guys thinking about it, i wish 50.

Damn! That list fits me to a tee, besides anything else I don't get caught at. Sounds like I should already be dead!! (Heard somewhere...you only live once...) Think I'll keep on truckin', at 69.

 

[themechanic]

Realizing one's own mortality is a step in the right direction.

When you go is not as important as where you are going and what you leave behind.

 

[themechanic]

IMO we never know what will become of the next day or none at all...
You could die walking across the street to get the mail
be a picture of health, taken out by a Prius...
We never know...

Just add that to the aforementioned list of worst ways to die; being taken out by a Prius. Sheesh!

 

[Kern Dog]

Do you smoke tobacco, or drink beer, wine or hard liquor?'
NO, I rarely drink and do not smoke.

Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?'
Sure, but not even once a week.

Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, boating, sailing, hiking, or bicycling?'
Yes.

Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?'
No gambling. Fast cars? Oh yeah....Sex ? Probably an average amount with my Wife.

Where does this leave me???

I filled in my own answers to this one. A few years back I did an online test for life expectancy. It showed I should live to be 92. That would be great as long as I'm not in diapers or catatonic in a wheel chair.

 

[ws23jrt]

Quality of living is compromised if it is filled with worry about dying.

The wife of a good friend of mine (that passed a few years ago) is on her own and a full-time caregiver to her mother.
The blessing she has is that her mother (in her nineties) is not bedridden and is up and around every day. She (her mother) has some loss of reality due to mental deterioration but her mood is always smiling and happy and she likely does not even know how old she is.

IMO to be old and of sound mind but dead body would be the worst way to age. Tough on the psyche and torture for the family giving care.

People with this kind of dementia are always meeting new people and seem to be enjoying daily life in a way that is to be envied.

Living in stress about aging/dying just adds to -and compounds- what is natural to fear. Anxiety and depression are real and profound killers.

 

[shag766]

very well stated. i am still on the fence with the, where were going having being raised irish catholic or dogan if you like, but 2 thumbs up on what you leave behind. i keep telling the 2 kids that if i do this right all they are going to get is the family overdraft.

Realizing one's own mortality is a step in the right direction.

When you go is not as important as where you are going and what you leave behind.

 

[steve from staten island]

Ive meet some folks well into there nineties that are of sound mind and at peace with the Lord calling them home. My Grandmother passed at 97. She was as sharp as a tack till the day she died and completely calm and relaxed about dyeing. She explained that her husband was long gone, all her siblings on not only her side but grandpa's side also. All her friends, cousins, everybody from her generation. Her nieces, nephews, she lost one son, my beloved uncle. She told me it was her time and when God wanted her she was ready. When she was in the hospital just days before she passed she whispered to my aunt, i would really like a glass beer. Thats last beer and she was ready willing and able to go.

 

[Kern Dog]

Christ, Steve, that almost made we cry a bit. I play a smart *** but I am a softie when it comes to nice old people. My grandmother lived to be 96 and was also smart and alert. Her body just wore out on her. She often said that "God must have forgotten about me" as she went about her life.
I was never this emotional. I've read that it can develop late in life. I find that some great singers bring this out in me as well.
I was thinking about how the majority of the Mopar guys are "seasoned" and that as time marches on, there will be more instances of friends getting sick, some passing on earlier than anyone expected. It can be hard to stay positive in the face of that. I see lots of new FBBO members joining recently and that is a good thing! Sometimes seeing enthusiasm in others can motivate a person to dust off their car and enjoy it. Your car does not have to be showroom fresh to have fun with it. The smells and feel of an old car are so different compared to a new one. Just rolling to the store in a slant six Valiant is great. The vibrations and feel of a classic car can help distract you from the troubles of the day and let you relive some fond memories of when our hair was thicker, the belly was smaller and we were not so obsessed with age and politics.