TERRE HAUTE —
Initially, the concept might conjure images of Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman jumping out of an airplane or sitting atop the Pyramids.
Instead, think “Lent Meets ‘The Bucket List’ in Terre Haute.”
The basis of the 2008 New York Times bestseller, “One Month to Live: Thirty Days to a No-Regrets Life,” goes beyond two guys with life-threatening illnesses sky-diving and globetrotting. That book by Texas pastor Kerry Shook and his wife, Chris, guides readers through a one-month process “to live life more intentionally.” As nearly 2,200 other churches across the country have done since the book’s publication, multiple churches in Terre Haute are participating in a “One Month to Live” challenge by reading and discussing it this month, and finishing by Easter on March 31.
That stretch includes the final 30 days of Lent — the 40-day Christian season of personal reflection and introspection of faith. The timing fits the challenge, said the Rev. Honnalora Hubbard, executive director of Terre Haute Ministries, a coalition of churches that is sponsoring the project.
“I think it’s a perfect match for walking through the Lent season,” Hubbard said.
The Shooks will take a few steps with local participants through visits to two churches on Sunday, March 17 — Mount Pleasant United Methodist for the 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. services, and Maryland Community for a 6 p.m. citywide service.
They’ll discuss “One Month to Live,” which aims to trigger a re-evaluation of life’s priorities. Those who’ve not only read the book, but also applied its stop-waiting-for-someday principles to their lifestyles, realize how much time they’ve given to selfish pursuits instead of causes that matter. “One Month” clearly contains a faith-based message to live, as best we can, the examples set by Jesus Christ. Yet, for people unconnected to a religious belief, the book urges changes valuable to anyone, “from spending more time with their families to strengthening their marriages to giving back to their communities,” as its synopsis states.
In a 2009 interview with an Oklahoma newspaper, Kerry Shook recalled meeting a Houston man — a friend of a friend — faced with a terminal illness. Shook told the guy he would pray for him. The man responded, “You don’t need to pray for me. I need to pray for you and the congregation. I’m not distracted by life anymore. I know exactly what I need to do.”
From that exchange came the book.
“This is all about living,” Shook told the Clinton (Okla.) Daily News in 2009. “In 20 years of living, Chris and I have walked many people through the last months of their lives, and we’ve never had anyone say, ‘If only I’d had more possessions, if I’d only gone sky diving.’ It comes down to relationships. That’s the priority all the time.”
In a nutshell, “One Month” tells people to harness the focus imposed by a life-threatening ailment to make changes now.
The challenge can make a difference for anyone, Hubbard said.
“There are people who’ll say, ‘I don’t know about this Christ, but I do know I need a change in my life,’” she said.
Hubbard has copies of the book for $5 (retail price is $19.99) available through Terre Haute Ministries, reachable by phone at 812-234-7100, Ext. 215, or by email at director@terrehauteministries.org. Copies are also available through participating churches. She’s also hosting a “One Month to Live” challenge discussion group on Wednesdays at Java Haute on East Wabash Avenue.
At the very least, the book makes readers pause, and think about what their life means.
“If you read it and nothing happens,” Hubbard said, “what have you lost?”
Mark Bennett can be reached at 812-231-4377 or mark.bennett@tribstar.com.
News
Lent meets ‘The Bucket List’ in Terre Haute
- News
-
-
Rose-Hulman professor researching ways to make homes storm safe
Tornadoes produce greater uplift forces than hurricanes, which can flatten homes such as in Moore Okla., south of Oklahoma City.
-
Group wants to connect downtown Terre Haute with the Wabash River
Fairbanks Park is underutilized.
The Wabash River is peaceful and inviting, but there is some concern about its cleanliness as well as pollution levels. Also, people can’t get on the river unless they have a boat. -
New conservancy district appoints first directors
Members of the first board of directors of a new lake conservancy district were appointed Tuesday by the Vigo County Board of Commissioners.
-
Vigo law enforcement signs Triad charter to protect seniors
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller joined Vigo County law enforcement and community activists Tuesday to sign the county’s first Triad charter, becoming the 22nd Triad in Indiana.
-
Wabash Valley Red Cross wraps up Save the Day Campaign
The American Red Cross Wabash Valley Chapter’s 2013 annual meeting concluded the 17th annual Save the Day Campaign, and the results lifted the spirits of all who were involved.
-
Some Vigo roads washed out
Spring storms resulted in $250,000 in damages to roads in southern Vigo County, with costs including sand and labor to save homes near river bottoms, said county highway Assistant Superintendent Dan Bennett.
-
County Council votes $78K toward rail spur
County officials voted Tuesday night to make good on a 2011 promise to help improve a railroad spur just north of Terre Haute for Menard Inc.
-
Spring flooding damages future CSO holding lagoon
Flood waters from the Wabash River have done costly damage to one of the city-owned “lagoons” on former International Paper property.
-
Vigo tops state average for IREAD-3 scores
The Vigo County School Corp. exceeded the state average in the percentage of students passing the state’s mandatory Grade 3 reading test, IREAD-3.
-
Storms cause minor damage in Valley
Tuesday morning storms in the Wabash Valley caused thousands of Duke Energy customers to lose power.
-
Kindergartner diagnosed with MD treated to a day with the fire department
“He’ll just never forget this day,” Stacey Manley said, a little bit tearfully, as she watched her smiling 6-year-old son Carter sitting happily in the captain’s seat of Fire Engine 2.
-
Casey, Illinois aims for another world record
The town of Casey, Ill., may soon weave its way into the record books as the small town with the most world records. After setting records for the world’s largest wind chimes and the world’s largest golf tee, Casey is now looking to become home to the world’s largest knitting needles and crochet hook.
-
Rose-Hulman projects will promote growth, learning for people with physical challenges
Life changed dramatically for college engineering student Drew Christy on Feb. 22, 2008 when he was involved in an auto accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury.
-
‘500’ gas stations being sold to Speedway LLC
After several decades in business, the area’s familiar “500” gasoline stations and convenience stores will soon be missing from the roadsides of Vigo and Sullivan counties.
-
Terre Haute woman faces 14 charges
A Terre Haute woman faces 14 criminal counts after her arrest Friday on drug-related charges.
-
Two adults injured in ATV accident
Two adults were injured Sunday evening while riding an all-terrain vehicle near Lexington Farms Subdivision off Moyer Drive in southern Vigo County.
-
Vigo schools’ medical claims down 4 percent
The Vigo County School Corp.’s medical claims were about $13 million over the last 12 months, down 4 percent from the prior year, said Diane Titchenell, an Anthem account manager that works with the school district.
-
2013 Government Directory now available
The 2013 Government Directory is now available.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
- More News Headlines
-
Jodi Arias: Death Penalty Would Cause More Pain
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro
Raw: Costa Rica Volcano Roars to Life
Today in History May 22
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Raw: Students Clash With Police in Chile
IRS Official Pleads 5th Amendment
First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion
Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister
Raw: Aftermath of Deadly Attack in London
Florida FBI Shooting Has Boston Bombing Links
Lawyer: Feds Investigating Susan Powell Case
Protests Outside Cincinnati IRS Office
Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God'
Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting
Raw: Aussie Zoo Shows Off White Rhino Calf
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod
