Training Ground for a Deeper Faith!

Romans 8:26 “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They're the only ones who can take it." I think we can take it better those who don’t know the Lord because we have Him and a future hope on our side to give us grace to endure. We are made new again when we receive help for our weakness.

A man visited an orange grove where an irrigation pump had broken down. The season was unusually dry and some of the trees were beginning to die for lack of water. The farmer giving the tour then took the man to his own orchard where irrigation was used sparingly. "These trees could go without rain for another 2 weeks," he said. "You see, when they were young, I frequently kept water from them. This hardship caused them to send their roots deeper and deeper into the soil in search of moisture.

“Now my trees are the deepest-rooted trees in the area. While others are being scorched by the sun, these trees are finding moisture at a greater depth."

When we receive help for our weakness, we find our moisture, blessing, help, and strength in the Lord. Our lives on Earth are a training camp to ready us for Heaven. Don’t make a terrible ending to your life’s journey by giving up --- Finish your God given course well. Meanwhile, don’t desert your post, stay in the word and make your life Christ-centered. 

You know I love ya, Don 

Suffering is temporary ... so stop clinging to it!

The best is yet to come. Max Lucado; “No one cries when a plane lands safely and starts to embark. We never see anyone clinging to the chair cry because they have to get off the plane and arrive at their destination.“ As we read this text is causes me to wonder, why we cry and cling to the suffering of riding on the airplane when the destination is the goal.

I’ve heard talk on TV about people who are in their 70s as being the new 50! I also read a few weeks ago, that 100 is the new 60! I THINK THAT’S HIGHLY DEBATABLE! It depends on your health, obviously…and how you live your life getting to that age.

C. S. Lewis says: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: SUFFERING is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” What's the idea? God gets our attention very well when we're in pain or are experience troubles and suffering in this life. When things are going well, we don't pay much attention to Him.

Our suffering is a reminder that we will be made new again when … We recognize that suffering is a part of this world … We cherish our hope of something better … We receive help for our weaknesses

 You know I love ya, Don

God is Authentic, Genuine and the Real DEAL!

Revelation 21:3 – “God himself will be with them”

Why does it emphatically say God himself? Because our God is genuine and will not merely send us a delegate. He will actually come to live among us on the restored Heaven and Earth. Just as he was not willing to send a delegate to pay the price for our sin … He came, lived among us and died for us…God genuinely lives among us. Jehovah God is the real deal, he is completely authentic and comes with the seal of approval because of his presence.

In heaven, God’s glory will be the air we breathe, which will make us want to breathe deeper. In the restored universe, sin will never be able to push us away from our genuine God.  

Now listen, His Spirit living within us, allows us to breathe deep in preparation and in the strength of getting through.

Many books, self-help books and programs these days talk about messages from the spirit realm, supposedly from people who’ve died and now speak through channelers or mediums. They claim to have come from Heaven to interact with loved ones, yet they almost never talk about God or express wonder at seeing Jesus. No one that has actually been to heaven would neglect talking about the main focus of heaven: God HIMSELF!

Think of it this way… If you were sent a personal invitation to have a formal white tie dinner with Queen Elizabeth …  you had made all the arrangements and spent all the effort, time, and money to get to Buckingham Palace. You wouldn’t come back and talk about the wall hangings and place setting; … you would talk about her. Unless, she did not show. Everyone would be asking, “What was it like to be with the Queen?” Well, … the paintings were amazing. The table service was exquisite … no, you would talk about her elegance or how she spoke or why she wanted an audience with you.

Heaven without God is a fake. Life without God is fake! Spending eternity without God would be like the bride going on her honeymoon without her groom. If there’s no God, there’s no heaven.

You see … wherever God is, is heaven!

                        Wherever God is not, is hell!

Do you have God sightings in your life? He is genuine and genuinely wants to be your God. You know I love ya, Don

Resurrected Bodies!

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Philippians 3:21 – “Who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”

What kind of authority does Jesus have? According to Matt 18 -  “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him”. Why, because he made himself nothing, become a servant, was made in human likeness, took on the appearance of a man…and then humbled himself completely in obedience to His father, even dying on a cross.

With that power he is going to transform us…he is going to make our bodies as God has viewed and continues to view our bodies from the very beginning…perfect.

Will we have beautiful bodies? Yes, not in the fleshly sense, but in the perfect sense. We won’t over-eat or under-eat on the New Earth. With health, vitality, and freedom, we will all get plenty of activity. The bible does not address if calories will affect us the same way, but the bible addresses that there will be no stress. We most certainly will no longer experience heart disease, diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, arthritis, cancer, MS, HIV, or anything else that sin caused to affect our bodies. Revelation 5:9 and 7:9 address that there will be nations in eternity and we will be recognizable. We will also maintain our memories and our creative spirit. How creative are you in this life?

Will we have five senses in our resurrected bodies? Yes, and even more! Jesus is going to restore us. Psalm 139: 14 states, “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” When sin is no longer tearing you down, you will see clearly. You will taste flavors that are perfect. You will smell the rich passion of God’s creativity. You will hear sounds beyond the spectrum of the limited ears. You will touch the very essence of life in everything you touch. You will also have a new sense … a sense perfection. Do you appreciate your senses today as a glimpse of what is to come?

Will our new bodies have new abilities? Yes, We know that we will be made like Jesus in his resurrection. Jesus was able to walk through walls and he was able to ascend into heaven. When he was walking with those on the Emmaus road, he also disappeared. Moses and Elijah in Luke 9:31 “appeared in glorious splendor” and they were recognizable. What abilities do you have today that you simply do not use?

Will we take our scars with us? Yes, but they will be restored to fully functional use. Again, remember that the journey is preparing us for the destination. Our scars will be visible and part of our destination…but they will be fully restored as God intended for us to be.  I don’t know about you, but when I want something and have to wait for it and dream about it … I appreciate it all that much more when I get it. It doesn’t mean I forget about how I got it. 2 Corinthians 4:17 addresses this with, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

Our pain and struggles define our existence in Jesus. How could we know that He is able to get us through, if we never had to go through anything?

Will our new bodies have genders? There is some misconception because of Galatians 3:28, where Paul states that when we are in Christ there is neither male nor female. We must be careful to examine the text. Paul is not addressing gender. Paul is addressing equality. A better scripture is to examine Jesus on the shore after his resurrection in John 21. While the disciples were out on the water struggling to catch fish, Jesus calls out to throw their nets on the other side of the boat. During the conversation, they think they are talking to a man … not a woman or a genderless ghost. Our resurrected bodies maintain our identities … the JOY is that we are made perfect in our identity. It is not about marrying or bearing children, it is about being perfectly redeemed and restored in the likeness of Jesus.

Your identity is unique to you. The person next to you has an identity that is unique to them. Why are we so eager to squeeze everyone into the same identity box, when God created, appreciates, and celebrates our identity?

My friends, the journey prepares us for the destination. Jesus will transform our bodies by transforming us into what we were always intended to be.  

It will be exciting. I look forward to sharing it with you. You know I love ya, Don

Heavenly Minded: Foundation for a greater Existance!

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Colossians 3:3-4; “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

We weren’t raised with Christ and left in the graveyard. We may be physically on earth but spiritually we should be soaring. Heavenly-minded people are living a life with the foundation of an eternal existence.

Heavenly minded people live Isaiah 40:30, which states: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Heavenly Minded is to SOAR in life because Jesus lives and working in our lives today and is working to give us a greater future.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,

And feel the pride and joy he brings;

But greater still the calm assurance:

This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!

And then one day, I'll cross the river,

I'll fight life's final war with pain;

And then, as death gives way to victory,

I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,

Because He lives, all fear is gone;

Because I know He holds the future,

And life is worth the living,

Just because He lives!

My Friends like that Eagle, we weren’t made to remain on the ground, we were made to spiritually soar. “SOAR” We weren’t raised with Christ and left in the graveyard, we weren’t raised with Christ to mire in crud … we were made to reflect love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control…Run and not grow weary… Walk and not be faint…heavenly minded is the foundation for an eternal existence that fuels our every action and reaction. 

Being a Jesus follower is being heavenly minded because that is where Jesus is … He is our foundation for optimism. Jesus defines the best possible outcome because of his love. We are to diligently, actively, single-mindedly pursue the things of Jesus. We need to be a generation of heavenly minded people who see human beings and the earth itself not simply as they are … but as God intended them to be…

Heavenly minded is to live optimistically because of the foundation of an active Jesus, of right living, and an eternal existence.

Do you believe God walks on water?

            God is walking on whatever you are drowning in.

Do you believe God gave sight to the blind?

            God sees beyond what you cannot see.

Do you believe God parted the red sea?

            God can part the obstacles in your life.

Do you believe God healed the broken?

            God is ready to heal you broken relationships.

Do you believe God provided manna for the people?

            God is ready to feed your spiritual hunger.

Do you believe God raised Jesus from the dead?

            God is ready to lift you from the death and set you to soar with the eagles.

God is able and willing to mount you up and lift you to the highest heights as you set your mind on Heavenly things. Keep looking up and you know I love ya, Don

Heavenly Minded is the foundation for knowing an active Jesus!

Colossians 3:1; “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.”

Being heavenly minded lays the foundation that Jesus is working in your life. Jesus is seated on the right hand of God mediating on our behalf. He is active, he calms our spirit, empowers our work, and strengthens our resolve.

"Before refrigerators, people used icehouses to preserve their food. Icehouses had thick walls, no windows and a tightly fitted door. In winter, when streams and lakes were frozen, large blocks of ice were cut, hauled to the icehouses and covered with sawdust. Often the ice would last well into the summer.

One man lost a valuable watch while WORKING in an icehouse. He searched diligently for it, carefully raking through the sawdust, but didn't find it. His fellow workers also looked, but their efforts, too, proved futile. A small boy who heard about the fruitless search slipped into the icehouse during the noon hour and soon emerged with the watch.   ----   Amazed, the men asked him how he found it.

I closed the door,' the boy replied, "lay down in the sawdust, and kept very still. Soon I heard the watch ticking."

God desires us to focus our thoughts and therefore our minds on the eternal and not the worldly… Jesus is sitting on the right hand of God … When we focus on the Heavenly Work of Jesus…we calm down, we stop struggling and we listen to hear him.

Heavenly-minded thoughts are the foundation for a sharper focus on the work of Jesus. 

Keeping looking above! You know I love ya, Don

Scriptures that describe heaven.

Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Revelation 5:9-13 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” 

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 22:1-5  Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Happiness...to love another person is to see the face of God!

 Serving others is living the power of heavenly grace today. Dave Stone says that "service is the language of grace” and grace is the language for entrance into heaven.

One day a couple of church members were out distributing loaves of bread in a low-income housing complex. They came to an apartment where they heard arguing through the door, but they decided to knock anyway. A man opened the door and asked what they wanted. One of the visitors said, "We don't want anything. We just wondered if you know anyone who could use some loaves of bread?"

"Why are you doing that?" the man asked.

"Just to let people know that God loves them."

"What did you just say?" the man asked, rather anxiously.

"We're just handing out loaves of bread to let people know that God loves them."

The man stared and said, "I can't believe this. We just buried our three-week-old son yesterday, and now here you are at our door."

The visitors offered to pray with them, and the couple accepted their offer. As they were leaving, and the door was being closed, they heard the husband say to his wife, "See, honey? I told you God cares. We thought he wasn't paying attention to us, but he sent those people here to make sure we knew."

Too many people make excuses as to why they can't serve. Can you bake a cake? Can you cook some food item? Can you cut some one's grass? Can you call people and give them an encouraging word? Can you do housework? Can you do handy work? Can you donate anything of value? Can you stop along your way and give a smile? Can you invite someone to sit in church with you? Can you take an interest in someone's life?

The big thing is that you have to be ready to serve. You have to open your eyes and your ears to the needs of others. 1 Pet. 4:10 -- "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." It is in serving God and others that we truly receive the reward of heaven today.

Get out and serve...you know I love ya, Don

The reward of dwelling with God today!

 One of my favorite missionary stories is of Henry C. Morrison. Mr. & Mrs. Morrison were faithful missionaries who served the Lord in Africa for over 40 years. He recalls that emotional day when he and his wife boarded a ship on their way back to the United States. His mind flooded with memories of the wonderful experiences they had enjoyed on the mission field.

He began wondering what it would be like to return to his Midwestern hometown. “Will anyone there still remember us?”

Aboard that same ship that day with Henry and his wife was the President of the United States, Teddy

Roosevelt. He was returning from a big game hunting trip in Africa. When the ship pulled into the New York harbor there were thousands of people there to greet the arriving President. The crowds were cheering and the bands were playing. There were signs, banners and billboards everywhere saying, “Welcome Home” .

Mr. Morrison and his wife with their luggage in hand quietly made their way to the deck of the ship

to exit. No one had come to welcome them back home. There were no bands playing or banners flying in their honor. Henry Morrison went to his hotel room with a rather heavy heart. As he sat there on the bed, he asked his wife, “Honey, for 40 years we poured our lives into ministry and service. And yet we come back to America and not a single soul comes to welcome us home!”

His wife came and sat down next to her husband. She put her hand on his shoulder, and said to him,

“Henry, you have forgotten something, you’re not home yet!”

When we dwell with God in this life, we realize that we are not home yet. What great words those are! “We’re not home yet.” 1 Corinthians 3:16 states, “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?” As we suffering in this life, we can dwell with God and His spirit comforts us with the words that this is temporary...the best is yet to come. He reminds us that we are not home yet. We dwell with God today in knowing the best is yet to come....today is not about the here and now, but about the there and then.

You know I love ya, Don

What is Missing in Heaven?

Heaven....

 

To our earth-bound minds, Heaven is an abstract concept, a realm foreign to us. We accept by faith the reality of this spiritual realm, but it’s difficult to imagine what Heaven must be like. The Bible only gives us hints at what Heaven is like, and the descriptions we have appear in the form of poetry and metaphor. Galileo remarked, “The intention of the Holy Spirit is not to teach us how Heaven goes, but how one goes to Heaven.” The glories of Heaven far surpass our perception. Heaven is a real place, and the reality will exceed all images and symbols. The Apostle Paul was given a vision of heaven, but words failed him. Human language has limitations. All Paul could say was that he experienced things so astounding that they couldn’t be told (II Cor 12). Heaven is a reality unreachable to any of our senses. It’s like explaining the world to an unborn baby.

Heaven is “Paradise restored”. Because of sin, Adam made a grave of a garden, but Christ has made a garden of a grave. Sin resulted in expulsion from a garden, and salvation is restoration to Paradise. Some things will be missing in Heaven. There will be no death, no pain, no sin, no curse, no tears. God declares through the prophet Jeremiah 31:13, the Message: “I will turn their mourning into gladness, their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy.” The injustices and deprivations of earthly life will be fully and forever corrected. In Heaven we will be liberated from every loss. We will find Heaven a place where the Lord’s Prayer is fulfilled--where God’s Name is hallowed, His Kingdom is come, His will is done.

In heaven. Sad thoughts of earth such as murder, rape, divorce, deception, death, destruction...memories of loss and sadness, depression and hunger, disease or disability just won't have a place in heaven. These horrors of the fallen flesh will all be mitigated and eclipsed like the stars are eclipsed by the rising sun. Because the brightness of the risen son will be brighter than any guilt, any shame, any sorrow, and anything sin might might have used to destroy. We won't forget, but we will have no need to remember.

I pray you are not missing in heaven...you know I love ya, Don

A new heaven, a new earth, a new EVERYTHING!

 Revelation 21:1-7

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Heaven....

To our earth-bound minds, Heaven is an abstract concept, a realm foreign to us. We accept by faith the reality of this spiritual realm, but it’s difficult to imagine what Heaven must be like. The Bible only gives us hints at what Heaven is like, and the descriptions we have appear in the form of poetry and metaphor. Galileo remarked, “The intention of the Holy Spirit is not to teach us how Heaven goes, but how one goes to Heaven.” The glories of Heaven far surpass our perception. Heaven is a real place, and the reality will exceed all images and symbols. The Apostle Paul was given a vision of heaven, but words failed him. Human language has limitations. All Paul could say was that he experienced things so astounding that they couldn’t be told (II Cor 12). Heaven is a reality unreachable to any of our senses. It’s like explaining the world to an unborn baby.

Heaven is “Paradise restored”. Because of sin, Adam made a grave of a garden, but Christ has made a garden of a grave. Sin resulted in expulsion from a garden, and salvation is restoration to Paradise. Some things will be missing in Heaven. There will be no death, no pain, no sin, no curse, no tears. God declares through the prophet Jeremiah 31:13, the Message: “I will turn their mourning into gladness, their weeping into laughter, lavishing comfort, invading their grief with joy.” The injustices and deprivations of earthly life will be fully and forever corrected. In Heaven we will be liberated from every loss. We will find Heaven a place where the Lord’s Prayer is fulfilled--where God’s Name is hallowed, His Kingdom is come, His will is done.

In heaven. Sad thoughts of earth such as murder, rape, divorce, deception, death, destruction...memories of loss and sadness, depression and hunger, disease or disability just won't have a place in heaven. These horrors of the fallen flesh will all be mitigated and eclipsed like the stars are eclipsed by the rising sun. Because the brightness of the risen son will be brighter than any guilt, any shame, any sorrow, and anything sin might might have used to destroy. We won't forget, but we will have no need to remember. 
 I look forward to that great day...more to come. You know I love ya, Don 

The star is never as bright as the sun!

In Heaven our grief, sin, and burdens are like the stars. When the sun rises, they are there but no longer seen. (A Friend, Ethan Davis says...They are eclipsed by the glory....)

You know I love ya,

"Lights of Glory" Another Something to look forward too.

We sang, "Because He Lives" by Bill and Gloria Gather in church yesterday. In the third verse the last phrase is, "I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns." I could not help by think of these two verses....

2 Corinthians 4:17, "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all."
and
Revelation 21:23, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."

Theologians define the Light of glory to be, "A supernatural intellectual power infused into the soul, by which believer is enabled to demonstrate God, which never could do on their own with unassisted natural powers." It is called supernatural, because it is not a natural talent or power of our nature, as the talent for poetry, music, painting, skills, athletics, and others, all of which may be developed and highly improved by study, rehearsal, or practice. But the Light of glory is an elevation, expansion, or development of the mind, which comes directly from God, and is, in no sense, the result of human endeavors, except in so far as it has been deserved by a holy life and revealed in heaven.

Thus, God's light can also be seen on this side of heaven in glimpses. When a Christ-follower demonstrates the actions of Christ. Such actions as having a service attitude, a compassion filled heart, and a commitment to integrity while possessing a passion for life are all the things Jesus gave us before He turned to the ultimate sacrifice on the Cross. He loved us and knew that equality with God was something we could not grasp, thus he demonstrated light to us in life. We can also demonstrate this light in our daily lives in service, compassion, integrity and passion.

I also thought about a light that I am missing. As a Child, my mother would refer to my sister and I as lights in her life. I think she was referring to us as a source that brought joy and illumination to her world. As a parent, I understand what she was saying. Matthew, Alice, and Nicholas are a great source of illumination in my life. Nicholas died in January and that light is dim today, yet as we were sing and declaring that as Jesus lives, so I can face tomorrow because there is a light in Heaven, I could not help but think of Nicholas. So, as I see the Lights of Glory in that final day of life, I will see a new and complete restoration of father and son, a source of Joy and light, for a time is currently dim.

Thus, how do I live this truth practically today? The answer is in another verse came to mind in 2 Corinthians 4:6, "For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ." Yes, I grieve this very special little boy and his light is shadowed today, I know that I can face tomorrow, because Jesus lives and in His living, I also can shine a light of glory in the waiting.

You know I love ya and I am also thanking God for your being another light to me, Don

Heaven!

¹Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb ²down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. ⁶The angel said to me, "These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place." Revelation 22:1-6

What is Heaven like? This is probably one of the most asked questions in all of history. "Heaven is a wonderful place, filled with glory and grace" is what we used to singing in Children's church. There is also all that pearl and gold, fellow Christ-followers will be there, Jesus will be there and we will be filled with abundance for the rest of eternity.

I just finished a book by Anne Graham Lotz titled, "The cry of my heart". I highly recommend it. In the final chapters she talked about how "we" as a culture seek the eternal fountain of life. Yet, Jesus offers us eternal youth as a follower of Him. All we have to do is ask. The bigger question is do we truly desire more of Jesus? Heaven is going to be all about Jesus and what we do in this life will define how we spend the next.

I also recall Joni Eareckson Tada comment on heaven. Joni was asked what she most looked forward to when she arrived in Heaven. Of course, as listeners we all expect to hear that she will receive new legs and arms and then leap up to run and play...but that is not what she is most looking forward to. She said she looks forward to "receiving a new heart. A heart that is not prone to wander or leave the God she loves." Oh yes, that is what I am looking forward to as well. In heaven there is no more sin to separate me from Jesus.

I wonder what Heaven will be like...I know it will be better than anything this feeble mind of mine can conjure up. So, I look forward to it with my heart and my mind focused on Him. I want to be with Jesus and I am ready rid my life of sin.........."Come quickly, Lord Jesus, come!"

You know I love ya, Don

Heaven, New York, and Welcome Home

(Click on the picture to see it fully)
I love this picture. I took it last week at Keuka Lake in Mid-State New York. I am standing on the pier about six feet off shore and the water is about 12-14 inches deep. The water is so clear, it looks as if it was only a couple of inches deep. The weather was about 75 degrees and there was not a cloud in the sky! We had a great time!



I think I love this picture so much because it reminds me of 1 Corinthians 13:12, "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." The water was so clear it was hard to tell how deep or shallow the water was. I think Heaven will be like that. God's love will be so deep, pure, and immersing that it will be overwhelming (in a good way - like a good cup of tea or slice of Karen's homemade cheesecake) and there will be family and friends along with Jesus, and we will have a new heart! I am looking forward to my new heart that no longer has a sinful nature.

It was also good to come home...I love going on vacation, but it is always good to come home and drink your own water, take a shower in your own shower, and sleep in your own bed. Heaven will be like that too. There will be no longing for something more or a desire to wander, but we will be home. We will be able to look around and realized we made it home because we trusted and believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. (I pray I will get to see you there too.)

I find great comfort in these words and as gaze into the this great picture. I pray the words and the picture will give you comfort that some day all believers will make it home....you know I love ya, Don