An Uncommon Giveaway

I just finished reading through Tony Dungy’s new book: The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.  For those of you who don’t know, Tony Dungy was a NFL coach who is known for his uncommon exemplary Christian character. 

I am not much of a football fan, so when I read Tony Dungy’s original book, The Uncommon Life, I found myself not being all that excited or impressed.  There were a lot of really good principles on how to be a good person, but not a lot about how you can’t be that good person without Christ in your life.

However, the Daily Challenge expounds on the principles of Dungy’s first book and grounds them solidly in scripture and a relationship with Jesus, the feature most lacking in the previous book.  The Daily Challenge is basically a daily devotional with some stories from Dungy’s football career.  It’s obviously geared more toward the Christian male, but he does try to throw in some stuff for the ladies too.

I don’t think there were many things that were uncommon in terms of common sense for those who follow Christ if we’re really trying to follow His commandments, but it is always good to be reminded of those commandments for life on a daily basis, and I’d probably recommend this book over some of the less practical devotionals out there—you know the ones I’m talking about.  The ones that start out like this “Day One: Give Jesus a Big Hug Today.”

Overall, I’d recommend skipping the first book and just going with this one.

Buy this book for $10.87.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.  All opinions are my own.

Giveaway

A special thanks goes out to Tony Dungy and Tyndale Publishing for including a certificate for a free book to be redeemed in your local Christian Bookstore or via mail order to be given away to one lucky reader.

The Giveaway period starts today (01/18/12) and lasts for two weeks (02/01/12).

Head to the Giveaway page for more details on how to enter for your chance to get a free copy of The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge.

Too Much To Do

Have you ever known someone who has gone on a mission trip who came back talking about how long the worship services went?  I’ve heard of worship services ranging from four hours to the whole day on Sunday.

When I was a younger Christian in college, I even got to experience some of those hours long worship sessions with some of my closest friends.  We used to meet out in an old barn loft and just worship Jesus and pray, every night, for hours. 

How do you sustain this kind of marathon worship?  The truth is it’s because people in third world countries and college kids just don’t have much else to do.

And therein lies our problem.  The typical American Christian has their proverbial plate filled with French fry football, mashed potato movies, whole-wheat work, sugar-coated shopping, and not much room left over for the Bread of Life.  But without Jesus we’re starving.

The Christmas season is infamously busy.  There’s a lot to do over the next 20 days, but don’t let the cares of the season choke out the life of Christ within you.  And certainly don’t add to your already too full plate, when you should be scraping some of the fillers off.

Be sure that you don’t just make room for Christ this Christmas; fill your life with Him.  He’ll help you through the holidays much better than going at it without Him anyway.

Featured Non-Profit

This December with every post till Christmas, I'm featuring a non-profit worthy of support.  You can see a complete list here.

Today’s non-profit is 24-7 Prayer.

One of the greatest aspects of the 24-7 Prayer group is that they see prayer as mission.  In other words, prayer is a catalyst for mission.  Whenever you approach the throne of God, He will inevitably share His heart and a message for someone with you, and you will be directed to share it accordingly.  They have prayer/mission groups all over the world in some of the most needed of areas, where most Christians would never even go because they wouldn’t want to be associated with the people there, like the island of Ibiza.

They serve the Church as a catalyst to spark movements and communities of Christ-centered, mission-minded prayer, network with people in like-minded movements and communities to encourage and equip each other for prayer, mission and justice, provide resources on 24-7 Prayer and the building of praying communities, and gather and train emerging leaders to be catalysts for 24-7 Prayer, mission and justice.

You can give via their U.S. website:  24-7 Prayer US or via their international website: 24-7 Prayer International.

Watch the video below to get a glimpse of this ministry’s work in the name of Jesus Christ:

Come On! (Director's Cut) from 24-7 Prayer USA on Vimeo.

The Gospel Has Words

Have you ever heard the quote: "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words"?

The saying is often attributed to St. Francis Assisi.  It basically argues the idea that Christians spend too much time talking about Jesus and not living like Him, which has its merits to be sure, but one of the things Jesus did during His time on Earth is proclaim the kingdom of God--out loud, with words, using his mouth, talking to people.  He did not pull His punches.  He was not politically correct; in fact, He was deeply offensive, so much so that those who disagreed with Him killed Him.

And just to be clear, St. Francis Assisi probably didn't author the quote above, and if he did, he certainly didn't mean that Christians ought to solely use their "silent testimony" and never share the Gospel out loud lest they offend someone.  How do we know? 

We know because St. Francis Assisi was a fiery preacher that condemned sin and preached the Gospel.  He said crazy things like “repent, performing worthy fruits of penance, because we shall soon die . . . Blessed are those who die in repentance for they shall be in the kingdom of heaven. Woe to those who do not die in repentance, for they shall be children of the devil whose works they do and they shall go into everlasting fire."  And then he sent his followers out as missionaries to proclaim this message, not really a silent, “look at my actions” thing to do.

And most importantly, let’s not forget that the Gospel is good news.  Unless you’re a mime, how do you share news without using words to communicate it?  And without the good news of Jesus Christ, how can anyone be saved?

So, pursue social justice: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and champion the powerless; live out your faith: flee from sin, love your neighbor as yourself, pray for the sick, and obey the commandments; but don’t do it with your mouth shut: preach the Gospel, proclaim the kingdom of God, and give glory to God for any good that comes out of your life because He is worthy!

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14)

8 Ways to Invest Your Blessings

Jesus came to give us life more abundant, and when we believe on Him and walk in His ways, we receive blessings beyond anything we can ask or imagine.  And who doesn’t love blessings? 

But once you have your blessings, what do you do with them? 

This is the benchmark that divides the wheat from the tares in the church.  It’s the first thing Jesus plans on bringing up when we stand before Him: “here’s what you did with what I gave you . . .”

And so we don’t end up like the wicked servant who buries his talent, head over to Proverbs and Wisdom to read my latest article with 8 Ways to Invest Your Blessings.

Fruitology

There’s this word that gets thrown around a lot in the Christian world: theology.  At it’s root it means “God’s Word”, but most of the time it’s taken to mean “the study of God.” Sounds good right.  I think so.  That’s what this blog is all about.  “Studying to show myself approved” as it were.

But can you know a Christian based on their theology?

Think about it.  There are a lot of so-called Christians out there that know the right answers, that have the right words, seem to be doing the right things, maybe even have a semblance of spiritual power—they’re theology seems good.  On the other hand, there are some so-called Christians out there that don’t have all the right answers and are pretty ignorant of the ways of the church.  But do they have bad theology?

For that matter, should theology be the rule of thumb that is used in looking at a Christian?

Jesus gives the answer.  He says, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20)

What fruits is He talking about?

How about these fruits?  “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Peter reiterates the list, “Applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 

If these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:4-8) 

There’s only one perfect theology out there, and that’s Jesus Christ.  In fact John 1 calls Him the “logos" of "Theos" or "Word of God." It wouldn’t be far fetched to translate it, “In the beginning was theology . . . and theology became flesh.”  It stands to reason then if you know Him, and abide in Him, you’ll be fruitful.  All these things will be added to you.  It’s the great promise He gives if you seek Him first.  So take your nose out of the books once and awhile, and fall on your knees before our great God and King, and ask Him what He thinks about theology. 

You may just walk away a little more fruitful.

(Special thanks to my good friend and brother in Christ, Aaron Halvorsen, for getting me thinking about this subject with his post: “Trees Don’t Eat Their Own Fruit” on http://www.aaronandjenn.com/  He and his wife work with CRU at MIT and Emerson College.  I’d encourage you to visit their site and support their ministry sharing the Gospel at one of the top engineering schools and leading Liberal Arts Colleges in the nation.)

Be a Winner! Play in the Real World!

Medical studies show that having a 4 oz glass of red wine everyday can help prevent cardiovascular disease and prevent certain tumors from forming.  Yet, someone who drinks a bottle of wine a day can destroy their physical health, not to mention damage relationships with family, friends, and coworkers sometimes beyond repair. We would say, "they have a problem, an addiction."

But chemical dependencies are far from the only addictions out there.  Some people are addicted to gambling, some are addicted to social networking, some are addicted to shopping, some are addicted to sports (playing and watching), and some are addicted to video games. 

None of these things in moderation are necessarily bad, some like red wine actually have real benefits, but we don’t live in a moderate culture anymore.   Everything is excess. Do you want to know if you’re addicted to something? Look at your daily routine and give up that thing you do/think about most.

Whatever the addiction, the root is always the same.  Escape.  There is a hole in the addict’s life, dug deep by hurts, failures, greed, and pride.  And the addiction offers a distraction from the emptiness. 

People drink or do drugs because they want to feel differently about their life.  People gamble because they can’t seem to make enough to get ahead. They use social networks to fill the lack of real life connections.  They shop because they can’t seem to find that one thing that will make them better than the neighbors.  They live vicariously through sports stars because they don’t have the physical prowess they wish they did.  They play video games because of the success they experience there that they don’t have in real life.

And that’s the sad part about addiction.  The temporary elation the addict experiences isn’t real.  It isn’t lasting. 

There is more to real life than the pursuit of pleasure.

Real life is actually all about the pursuit of God.  He is the only pursuit worthy of excess. He is the only pursuit that will fill the holes in our soul.   And He is the only pursuit that will bring life.

Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul, and to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, making no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (1 Peter 2:11/Romans 13:14)

The Journey

You see a lot of motivational quotes around these days that go along the lines of “It is good to have an end to journey toward, but in the end it is the journey that matters most.” (Ursula K. LeGuin) or “Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.” (Greg Anderson). 

I don’t think any of these people have traveled across the Midwest with a toddler strapped in the backseat.

My wife, my son, and I are touring the country for the next couple of weeks visiting family.  Over the past few days, we’ve traveled north from the southern tip of Texas through Oklahoma and Kansas.  We stopped in Nebraska to see some of my family, and then headed up through Iowa and to Minnesota to see my wife’s family.  From there we’re heading to Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, and then back home to Texas.

We have loved the stops we’ve made along the road.  The people we’ve met have been great, and spending time with family is a joy we cherish, living so far away from them, but the journey itself is long and . . . well let’s face it America’s heartland is boring. 

Those amber waves of grain we sing about are great in lyrics and pictures, but after four hours of seeing nothing but them for miles in any direction, they loose some of they’re idyllic luster.  The destinations are definitely the lure and purpose of the journey.

Isn’t that a lot like how the Christian walk feels sometimes.  We have moments of God working incredibly in our lives.  And then we have long stretches where He seems very distant, and things get a little boring.  And we find ourselves singing along with the psalmist: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" (Psalm 42:1-3)

That’s why the Bible says things like:  “Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!” (Psalms 27:14), “those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth” (Psalms 37:9), “Wait on the LORD, And keep His way, And He shall exalt you to inherit the land” (Psalms 37:34), and “But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew [their] strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).

For the Christian the joy of the journey is the destination. Why? Because our God is faithful.  If He is your destination, the journey, though it be long and arduous, will be worth whatever duration or direction it may take. 

To Tattoo or Not to Tattoo?

That is not the question, but it certainly is one question a lot of younger Christians are asking these days.  In fact it was a question that I had to ask in college when a lot of my friends were getting them.  I decided against it, and here’s why:

There’s only one verse in the Bible that mentions tattoos: “'You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:28)

Usually the response to this verse by those who want to get tattoos goes a couple of different ways:

1. This verse is applying to pagan rituals that God didn’t want the Israelites participating in.  Tattoos today are purely adornment and not ritualistic.

2. This verse refers to Old Testament law.  We’re under grace now, so we don’t have to follow the law.

The issue that I struggled with was that while tattooing may not always be ritualistic in our culture; it’s still very ritualistic in other cultures today when they worship their gods or the dead.  I also had a hard time when looking at some of the other rituals included in this Leviticus passage: eating blood, divination, soothsaying, purposefully cutting yourself, selling your daughter into prostitution, not keeping Sabbaths, not revering God’s sanctuary, and turning to mediums or spiritists.

Are these things we can do as long as we’re not ritualistic about it?  Likewise are these things we should go do just because we’re under grace now?

Paul writes, “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law.” (Romans 7:7)  He also writes, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1) We are not under the law, but we should not purposefully seek to break it and sin either. 

If all the law would be fulfilled by, as Jesus says, “Loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-40)  Then getting a tattoo, having been restricted in the law, must somehow be an unloving act toward God or others.

When I came to that conclusion, I decided against it.  After all, did God not fearfully and wonderfully form me in my mother’s womb? (Psalms 139:13-14)  Is my body not the temple of the Holy Spirit? (1 Corinthians 6:19)  Would I graffiti the temple of God and defend my actions as artistic expression?  That’s not revering God’s sanctuary, which you’ll notice is in this list from Leviticus too.

Here’s the thing: grace is being forgiven for not loving God with everything you have (sin), so that you can love Him the way He loves you (righteousness).  The Old Testament law is founded on loving God with all that you have to offer.  I could not bring myself to sin so that grace may abound and get a tattoo.  I just couldn’t do it. 

Chuck Swindoll’s Paws and Tales: Putting Others First

This DVD features two brand new episodes from the Paws and Tales animated series.  In the first episode C.J. and Staci learn the value of helping others in need even if doing so interrupts our plans.  The second episode teaches C.J. that even when those in power seem to hold all the cards, talking to our Father can bring everything back into balance. 

The lesson in the first episode seems a lot clearer than the second, but both are good stories that teach children right from wrong according to godly principles. 

Overall, I really enjoyed watching these two stories with my son, who is two.  The concepts may have been above his head, right now, but the story certainly kept his attention, and but soon he’ll be able to apply these lessons to his own life. 

If I had to look for things to critique, there would be two main areas: quality and scripturally. 

The quality was not at all comparable to other titles available, secular or Christian.  The animation is stiff.  Chuck Swindoll’s glasses and outfits sometimes reflect the green screen behind him, so at times parts of him disappear into the computer generated background.  The songs in the extra features are catchy, but the videos are just clips from the episodes haphazardly edited together without any context to the words of the songs.  And finally, the DVD case is pretty Plane Jane. 

The other area I thought was lacking was that there wasn’t a lot of scripture to cement the lessons being taught.  Maybe Chuck Swindoll could have done some easy teaching at the end to show why these things are important from God’s perspective, or at least a memory verse a la Veggie Tales.

Overall though, they were fun stories and would be worth picking up if you’re shopping for some children’s programming with a good message.

Buy it now: $10.99

I received a copy free from the publisher.  All opinions are my own.  

You Were Born For This

Bruce Wilkinson, the author of the bestselling book The Prayer of Jabez, presents a follow up to that book all about miracles. 

When the publisher sent me the book and I first read the description, I braced myself for a super-charismatic-fire-from-heaven how-to book all about how to make God do crazy miraculous things in your life just by knowing the right spiritual buttons to push.  But I was pleasantly surprised, and somewhat relieved, to find that this is not what Wilkinson is encouraging in You Were Born For This.

In fact, the kinds of miracles Wilkinson talks about are rarely those signs-and-wonders spectacles that charismatics and conservatives get all worked up about one way or the other, though there are a few examples of healings.  Rather the book focuses on those amazing God-incidences (coincidences that God orchestrates).  Like when you’re in your hour of desperation because you can’t pay the bills this month, and a stranger shows up out of nowhere and hands you the exact amount you needed.  You’re left praising God and wondering about the mystery of it all.

I have certainly had a few of those experiences. 

What Wilkinson says in the book is that any one of us can be that stranger.  We can deliver a miracle to someone’s life if we’re just willing to be used by God and learn to listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.  You could be the one to hand a stranger money, you could be the one to offer encouragement when hope seems lost, you could be the one that introduces them to the love of Jesus Christ, etc.

Honestly, I was looking for things to dislike about this book.  I don’t like step-by-step guides to God and obeying God.  It’s all too self-helpish.  But this book doesn’t have one thing in it about seeking miracles to help yourself.  If you were to follow the directions exactly as he writes them, the worst you could do is be used by God to help someone in need.  I gave it a go while reading the book, and God did some amazing things.

Needless to say, I will be living differently after reading You Were Born For This.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to hear Jesus tell them, “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

Buy It Now $10.19

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.  All opinions are my own.

Halfway Herbert

Francis Chan tells us the story of Herbert who never finishes anything.  He finishes half his homework, he eats half his dinner, and he only brushes the top half of his teeth.  That’s why all his friends call him Halfway Herbert.  And when Halfway Herbert crashes his bike into his dad’s car, he tells his dad a half-truth so that he won’t get in trouble.

Halfway Herbert soon learns that a half-truth is a whole lie, and Jesus doesn’t take us halfway, He wants us to give Him our all. 

In the author’s note at the end of the book Chan writes, “The typical American pattern is to tell our kids about the love of Christ and wait until they are older to teach them about what it means to follow Christ.  Let’s not sell our kids short.  Let’s not underestimate what the Holy Spirit can do in the lives of our children.”

This is why I love this series of children’s books that Francis Chan has released.  They teach biblical truth in an accessible but unreserved way to children.  I find myself as convicted as the children in the stories by the lessons that are taught.

I highly recommend Halfway Herbert and any of the Francis Chan children’s books for the children in your family.

Buy It Now $9.35

How Do You Forgive?

Forgiveness plays a big part in our Christian walk.  Jesus says, “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Matthew 6:14-15)  In fact it’s such an integral part of His message for us, He says it in Matthew 6:12, 18:21, 18:35, Mark 11:25, Luke 11:4, 6:37, and John 17:3.  And these don’t even count the implied verses or when the apostles reiterate forgiveness in their epistles. 

So what does forgiveness mean in realistic everyday terms? 

I could go into a long study about the Greek word and how it means to leave behind, let go, give up a debt, which brings to mind the parable of the man who owed ten thousand talents in Matthew 18:24.  But I’m sure you’ve heard it all before.

In fact you’ve probably heard sermons about how you don’t forgive people because they deserve it, but because it will release you from bitterness.  Or maybe you’ve heard sermons about how God says, “vengeance is mine” (Romans 12:19), so just forgive them and God will get them in the end.  And these things are kind of true, but do they really reflect what forgiveness is?  Is forgiveness really all about you?  Is it really all about hoping that other person will get they’re just desserts in the end? Can you really say you've forgiven someone with these motivations behind your forgiveness?

What does real, Biblical forgiveness look like? 

When Jesus was dying on the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do?” (Luke 23:34)  This wasn’t a “release me from bitterness” prayer or a “you get them in the end, God” prayer.  Jesus asked that God would not take vengeance on those who crucified Him.  He asked that God would forgive them.

A short time later in Acts chapter two, Peter preaches to a crowd full of men who had crucified the Lord.  He specifically says to them: “this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36)  And three thousand of these men who Jesus prayed that God would forgive were forgiven. (Acts 2:41)

In Acts 7:60, we can see this same thing happen again when Stephen prays that God won’t hold his murder against his murderers.  In Acts 9, Paul who held the coats at Stephen’s stoning is saved.

When you forgive somebody, pray that God will forgive too. This is Godly forgiveness.  Truly, in the same way you forgive, you will be forgiven.

God's Wisdom for Little Boys

God’s Wisdom for Little Boys by Jim George and his wife Elizabeth George is a collection of character traits derived from Proverbs for what God’s little boy is.  For example the first page begins: “God’s Little Boy Is Helpful” based on Proverbs 3:27: “Whenever you are able, do good to people who need help.”

These traits and nuggets of wisdom are coupled with some amazing paintings by Judy Luenebrink; I think the cover page shown here demonstrates what a great artist she is.

As my son grows, I hope to make this a staple in his reading diet.  Learning the words of Proverbs in a fun and practical way will lead him in the steps of righteousness early on and hopefully impact him for eternity.  If you have a young boy in your life, I definitely recommend God’s Wisdom for Little Boys.  If you have a little girl in your life, there’s a God’s Wisdom for Little Girls available too, but I don’t have a little girl yet, so you’ll have to get a copy and let me know how it is.

Buy it now for $10.87

Ronnie Wilson's Gift

At nearly two, our son is starting to enjoy cuddling up to a good book read by his mother or me.  We have quite a collection of books that was given to us by his generous grandmother, including great titles from Dr. Seuss and Arnold Lobel.  There are good lessons in these for children.   There were a few Christian titles, but we still wanted to expand our boy’s choices of Christian children’s literature to fuel a hunger after God early in life.

As part of that quest, we came across the book, Ronnie Wilson’s Gift by Francis Chan.  The book tells the story of little Ronnie Wilson.  One day in Sunday School, Ronnie learns that Jesus gave him the ultimate gift through His death and resurrection.  Ronnie is so thankful that he wants to give Jesus a gift in return, but it’s hard to get your favorite baseball glove to heaven.  During his attempts to send Jesus his gift, Ronnie takes the time to help some people in need. 

At the end of the book, Jesus appears to Ronnie in a dream and tells him that all those things he did to help others was like doing them for Jesus, so Ronnie gives his baseball glove to a boy in need of one.

My wife and I cry every time we read it to our son.  Not because the story is particularly moving but because Jesus is particularly moving.  That He would empathize so much with those in need that He makes charity given to them equivalent to charity given to Him, our King, is mind-boggling!  No wonder we’ll sing of His love and His mercies forever.

If you’re looking for a gift for a child in your life, I whole-heartedly recommend Ronnie Wilson’s Gift.

• Buy It Now only  $10.39
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One Step Closer to Death

Take a moment.  Breath deeply.  Do you feel that?  That’s one less breath you’ll take in this life.  When you lay your head on your pillow tonight, you’ll have one less day to live.  Every step you take is one step closer to death.  There’s an old saying that goes something like “only two things are sure in life: death and taxes. “  But that’s not true.  People cheat on their taxes all the time.  No one cheats death. 

Time is marching ever onward and just as surely as you are reading these words; you will die.

The Bible says, “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.” (James 4:14)  

There are a few more sayings out there about the certainty of death: “Carpe Diem (Seize the Day)”, “Live everyday like it’s your last”, and "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we may die."  You may recognize that last one from Isaiah 22:13.

Jesus brings up the idea again in Matthew: “For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” (Matthew 24:37-39)

None of these Biblical contexts hold the idea of “Carpe Diem” in very high esteem.  Yes, death can come at any moment, but that is no reason to live like it’s at your doorstep, trying to get in all the physical experiences you can before you’re gone. 

As an alternative I would humbly suggest that you spend your time on Earth preparing for eternity.  Spend everyday God gives you on this Earth getting to know Jesus better.  Learn to recognize His voice and follow His commands.  Love God with all your heart, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. 

These are the things that will bring joy on this journey into the grave, and these are the things that will bring us into our Master’s arms on the other side of it.