5 Things to Do Before You Kick the Bucket

You’ve probably seen the “Before You Die” books like 1000 Places to See Before You Die, or 50 Places to Play Golf Before You Die.  The movie The Bucket List follows the same theme of making a list of fun things to do before you kick the bucket. Last week an extreme sports athlete was killed in Yosemite National Park while attempting a parachute jump from a 3,000-foot cliff. Someone commented, “At least he died doing what he loved.” (What is that supposed to mean? Have fun even if it kills you?)

I’ve created a bucket list that isn’t about having fun before you die, but the best way to leave this world and enter the next life.

#1 Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. This is the most important decision you will ever make because it determines your eternal destiny.

#2 Tell your family you love them. I know a woman who said her mother had never told her, “I love you.” When her elderly mother was on her deathbed, she finally said, “I love you.” The daughter broke down sobbing because she finally heard the words she longed to hear her entire life.

#3 Apologize to those you have hurt. You might be surprised how a sincere apology can heal a relationship.

#4 Forgive the person who hurt you.  You’ll stay chained to that person until you forgive. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the chain and sets you free.

#5 Enjoy every day of your life. Jesus came to give you abundant life. Enjoy the day, the hour, the moment. Once it’s gone you can’t get it back. 

Don't put off doing these things because you don't know how much time you have left before you kick the bucket.

www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com  www.makinglifecount.net  

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net 

The Story Your Face Tells

In the 1800s a couple of prospectors discovered gold and wanted to keep their discovery a secret so others wouldn't find out.  When they went back into town to buy supplies, neither of them said a word to anyone. But as they started back to the mountains, everyone in town was following them with picks and shovels.  Although they hadn’t told anyone about finding gold, their discovery was written all over their faces.

Your face is connected to your heart. Your facial expressions are the newspaper headlines telling the story of what's taking place inside your heart. If you are angry it will show up on your face. If you are depressed, it’s obvious to everyone. But Proverbs 15:13 says, "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face." Joy cannot be suppressed. It will always make a person smile.

We can decide the headlines people will read on our faces. What we think about determines our emotions—and this determines our facial expressions. We can change our moods by changing what we think about. Joy comes from not only thinking positively, but also seeing God’s hand at work in our lives and trusting Him with the outcome of every circumstance. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right …whatever is praiseworthy—think about these things” (Phil. 4:8).

What is the story your face is telling today? www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com www.makinglifecount.net 

Making Life Count Ministries

P.O. Box 680174

Prattville, Alabama 36068-0174

www.makinglifecount.net