Summer approaches.

I've read articles about how to treat snake bites with the critters moving

about more freely in their kind of weather. I've read what the dermatologists

have to say about sunburn precautions in view of trips to the beach. And,

of course, the articles which suggest ways to treat your child's summer

boredom.

Now, it's my

turn. Let's say that with all the various summer activities there comes

the increased imminence of death. No fooling. Fishing accidents. Accidental

drownings. Highway fatalities as families drive the four corners of the

country. And, of course, snake bites that don't get treated soon enough.

"Boy,

that Hatcher fellow sure is negative. Here I am thinking about the joys

and journeys of summer and he is trying to spoil it all by talking death

possibilities. Can't this paper get someone more positive to write a column?"

I can hear your thoughts.

Nobody wants

to think about the latest mortality statistics: 100 percent of the population

dies. Maud Farris-Luse of Coldwater, Michigan was on her way to embarrassing

the mortality statistics, but finally March 18, 2002 she died at age 115.

At age 114 Guinness Book of World Records as oldest living person listed

her.

But we all

die! Not everyone will get snake bit. But everyone will die. Not everyone

will get sunburned. But we all will die. Not everyone will suffer with

a bored child. But everyone will die. If you, sir, live in Uganda, expect

death around 47 years of age. If you are a citizen/resident of the United

States, sir, you have extra time, but still expect death around 71.

Now, if I were

a concerned columnist of The Citizen newspaper, should I not care about

all your going about, putting yourself at greater risks this summer? And

should you not also be concerned about taking the very best precautions

as you make wise preparations for the summer fun? And, what about making

those kinds of precautionary preparations for your family members? Sending

the kids to camp by way of bus this summer? Taking to family to Hawaii

this summer by commercial jet?

On my last

trip to the Holy Land that's before it became a war zone I remember buying

flight insurance. Had the plane gone down in the Atlantic Ocean, my family

would have been in fine shape. I took out a $5 million dollar policy.

Although statistics were on the side of my plane making the trip, there

still was that possibility of tragedy.

Get serious

with yourself and family. Is there not a possibility that you or one of

your precious family members might not see the end of summer? Sure it

is possible. So, why not be sure? Why not be sure that you and your family

have eternal life insurance? I hope at this point that some of my fellow

clerics don't get a case of pious hiccups. They may think that calling

eternal life, a la salvation, should not be referred to as "life

insurance."

But when you

really begin to break it down, what's a person's provision when death

calls? The best provision is eternal life insurance that comes with a

personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

If I croak

before summer's end, I know that my wife can be comforted knowing that

my eternal life insurance policy was in full force, made possible by the

shed blood of Jesus Christ and the gift of his righteousness in exchange

for my sinfulness.

Before going

on that next trip or before you let junior out of your sight, maybe you

need to drop by a local church and talk with a local pastor about your

eternal life insurance. It makes mighty good sense!

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of

River's Edge Community

Church

1091 South Jeff Davis Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia 30215

770-719-0303

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