The There that is Home...

Why do you always forget us?
   Why do you forsake us so long?

Lamentations 5:20

Do you ever feel like this is you?

Do you ever feel like God is allowing problem after problem to float your way without any end in sight?

Do you ever just want to sit down and not take one more step because you feel like it is pointless?

Many of us can find it very easy to sit down in our mud pits; to wallow in the sadness and pain of life. We can allow the misery we are feeling in the moment to overshadow the promises of God.

[Jesus said] “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

Jesus told us we would have problems. He told his disciples that they would surely face death because they followed him. But he also promised new life in the power of the resurrection.

This world isn't heaven. But, we occasionally see glimpses of heaven:

 ...in the beauty of a sunset or the laughter of a child;

...in the fragrance of a lilac or the touch of a friend;

...in the taste of a perfect dinner or a wonderful night of worship.

But heaven isn't here; we will have problems.

We will face death, disease and taxes. We will endure wars, poverty, unstable economies and corrupt leaders. And yet, through it all we can rest in the knowledge that this here isn't there. The there which is waiting for each of us is greater than any one moment we can imagine.

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...“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.”

Revelation 21: 1-4

We will have trouble...The pain of the moment will still exist, but in the midst of the mud pit we can see the light of hope shining in the distance as a beacon calling out to us...calling each of us HOME.

Scripture

Lamentations 5:1-4

Quote of the Day

“Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones pours through and shines down upon us to let us know they are happy.”

Eskimo Proverb

 

Question of the Day

 

What does heaven look like to you?

To Dream a Dream

I have a dream.

My dream is filled with beauty, peace and unconditional love. My dream can be summed up in one word: Heaven.

The cool thing about Heaven is that it is more than a dream. Heaven is more than a carrot on a stick being dangled in front of us. Heaven is real and heaven is a promised reality from God.

 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”... 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.” (Revelation 21:1-5)

God will make His home amongst. We will be with God always.

There will be no more tears, death, pain or sorry.

God will make all things new.

How amazing does this Heaven sound? No more pain - no more sorrow - no more death.

Just love...

What a wonderful dream...What a wonderful reality.

We have a true hope in the future God has promised us.

Each day we gain glimpses through the doorway into heaven. When someone is kind or generous without a motive, we experience God's love in action. When a child is born or when a song is so beautiful it brings a tear to your eye, we experience the delight of God. When God allows us the privilege of sharing His hope with another, we get a chance to glimpse living in Heaven - side by side with our fellow believers.

Heaven is real...and Heaven is a dream.

Only God could be both.

Scripture

Revelation 21-22

Quote of the Day:

We all long for heaven where God is, but we have it in our power to be in heaven with him right now--to be happy with him at this very moment. But being happy with him now means: loving as he loves, helping as he helps, giving as he gives, serving as he serves, rescuing as he rescues, being with him for all the twenty-four hours, touching him in his distressing disguise.

MOTHER TERESA, A Gift for God

Question of the Day:

What does Heaven look like to you?

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