Day 80 Live Life Well

 

3/21/2026

 “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our 

common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you 

exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once 

for all delivered to the saints.” 

Jude 3

 

Yesterday morning after a time of refreshment with the Lord, while checking my mail for prayer and news updates pertaining to the ministry, I happened upon the news that Chuck Norris, age 86, died 3/19/2026 after a sudden hospitalization from a medical emergency. The family did not elaborate and asked for privacy.When a celebrity passes away I am always interested in their spiritual condition, but with this man, I already knew about his legacy of faith. I knew that at the moment he passed into eternity all of heaven was applauding his homecoming. It's a victory for a child of God to pass into the eternal arms of Our Father, and although the family realize he's living his best and eternal life now, a life without sickness or pain, and without having to endure any of the chaos in this world as it intensifies before the imminent return of our Savior, they grieve his loss. His wife, Gena, especially grieves the passing of a life partner, one who shared every living, breathing moment for so many long years. What a legacy!

Over the past few months, almost daily I'd see a commercial pop up on my screen with Chuck talking about the new health regimen he and Gena were following that added so much energy and new vitality to his life. He was still practicing karate and exercising daily and living life enthusiastically and gratefully, so it was surprising to learn of his sudden decline and death. The important thing is that he lived life, and he loved life, and he shared that love with everyone. Greg Laurie posted a brief description of his time spent with Chuck, as did Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Donald J. Trump. It is significant to me that he was such a great supporter of Israel, and this is because he understood covenant and was acquainted with the whole counsel of the Word of God. In 1990 he started a program for kids called Kickstart Kids, his own Education Karate Program recognized by the Texas Education Agency, "a physical education program that teaches character through karate." Personally, I will remember him in his great movie Delta Force and the television series, Walker, Texas Ranger. Besides being a karate champion, he was also a veteran having served in the United States Air Force. He also was named an honorary Marine for his support of the military. He will be missed, but one day, we who wait will see him again.

Today's news reported that Nicholas Brenden, age 54, who starred as Xander in Buffy, Vampire Slayer series, passed away of natural causes in his sleep. According to the news report, Brenden had problems with substance abuse and mental health issues, and a history of a heart attack, a congenital heart defect, and a diagnosis of cauda equina syndrome. His family posted the following:

 “We are heartbroken to share the passing of our brother and son, Nicholas Brendon. He passed in his sleep of natural causes. Most people know Nicky for his work as an actor and for the characters he brought to life over the years. In recent years Nicky has found his passion in painting and art. Nicky loved to share his enthusiastic talent with his family, friends and fans. He was passionate, sensitive, and endlessly driven to create. Those who truly knew him understood that his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was. While it’s no secret that Nicholas had struggles in the past, he was on medications and treatment to manage his diagnosis and he was optimistic about the future at the time of his passing. Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination, and heart. Thank you to everyone who has shown love and support.”

I did discover that he had exposure to Christian and Mormon beliefs, and that he had a tattoo of a cross on his shoulder. An article also said that he no longer attended church. Sadly that is becoming the norm. I was looking at Brenden's artwork posted on his website, and it mostly consists of photographs he has taken, generally with one person walking down the street or people alone. It's almost as if he understood the loneliness felt by those who feel alone in this world. It's always sad to hear of the passing of someone who is passionate about the gifts that God has given us to share with others. His family shared that "his art was one of the purest reflections of who he was." My prayer is that He met the living God who loved him enough to die for him so he could have eternal life. Only God sees the heart of another and knows their deepest and truest selves. I pray that this young man met Jesus face to face today, because without Jesus life has no true meaning: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Luke 9:25)