Death as gain...

If you haven't read it yet, you should really spend a minute or two considering the account of three Christians who were killed in Turkey a couple weeks ago... It has been making the rounds on the net, and I've wanted to post it with some thoughts. Never got the time for the thoughts, so I'm just posting it here for your reading. CLICK HERE to read.

And then consider James:

[Y]ou do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

...
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (James 4:14-16, 5:8-11, ESV)