Heaven

There is a Heaven which is much greater than the sum of all that we know, feel & experience here on earth.  

Mind boggling, I know.

I haven't blogged in awhile I know, but I recently (yesterday) got all fired up on the topic of Heaven.  I am on vacation (highly recommended) and yesterday's daily devotion was on the topic of Heaven so I wanted to ramble on a bit, ponder & think.

As often is the case, I'll start with the main point (see bold above).  Given this I want to study Heaven, think about Heaven, talk about Heaven and bring Heaven into this world (see  Matt 6:10).  Why?  Because I want to live my short life on this blue planet with the perspective of my true home and eternal perspective even though I don't get it.  I don't get Heaven.  I've never been to Heaven.  Never seen pictures of Heaven.  And, as I said above...  "Mind boggling, I know."  But even though that is the case, I still want to live my short life full of purpose, joy, freedom & grace, knowing that my life is but a vapor that will be on this blue planet for a short time, but with God in Heaven for longer than my mind can comprehend.

I've read a couple books about Heaven which I highly recommend:  1) "The Great Divorce" by C. S. Lewis and 2) "Hinds Feet on High Places" by Hannah Hurnard (& "Mountains of Spices", the 2nd book).  I may comment on these later, but for now, a book I haven't read:  "Heaven" by Randy Alcorn is one I'm looking into (see 2nd bold text above).

I'm going to end this brief entry with a few snippets from the introduction of the book "Heaven"...

John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Since the dawn of humankind, there has always been death and a preoccupation with eternity or the afterlife.  Fortunately Christians not only know that we will live for eternity, but we know where.  We are destined (created) to live in this place so we should be obligated to know about it, how it will be and live now as secure residents of Heaven.

Cyprian (an early church father ~300AD) said "Let us greet the day which assigns each of us to his own home, which snatches us from this place and sets us free from the snares of the world and restores us to paradise and the kingdom.  Anyone who has been in foreign lands longs to return to his own native land...  We regard paradise as our native land."

Ponder.

Think.

Comment, if you'd like.

A Brief Thought

Cease striving.  Be still and know that I am God (Ps 46:10).

For those of you that know me, you know how busy and full I pack my life.  This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but there's little "margin time" if you know what I mean.  Funny being as how "margin time" (unscheduled time, where I'm not running to the next thing) is one of my favorite times.  This is probably a symptom of a too full life.  

Picture your favorite drink being poured for you and the server intentionally pours 5 glasses worth into your glass.             More is not always better.  

You may not have time for this (pun intended) but I googled "margin time sermon"...  Several hits.  Here's a link to one...    http://dashhouse.com/sermons/2000/9/17/building-margin-into-your-life.html

I'll end with an excerpt (emphasis added)...

Less productivity - It's ironic, but marginless living results in reduced productivity. The harder we work, sometimes the less we get done. Proverbs 21:5 says, "Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty." Hasty shortcuts can slow you down. It can make you feel like "the faster I go, the more behind I get." This is counter-intuitive, but most of us would get more done if we slowed down. We would be more focused. We would have more time for what matters most. Proverbs 19:2 says, "A person who moves too quickly may go the wrong way."

See also my blog post "never enough time" from 4/3/11

Ephesians

   Hello faithful readers and welcome to my next entry!!
   As you may know, I've been trying to get up early more consistently in 2014 and I'm not making any promises, but so far it's been good.  I read Ephesians today!
   So a note on "reading the Bible".  Yep, I said it, there it is.  Reading the Bible, like any spiritual discipline likely has some baggage attached to it.  Christians say you should read your Bible, go to church, pray, the list goes on.  I only l say this to acknowledge that I know it's not that easy to read the Bible.  I get it, but that being said, I think Ephesians is a good short letter mostly full of the good news with a few other things.  All in all, a fairly digestible letter (only 6 chapters).  Allow me to summarize what I got out of it today and that will close  this entry.  

The primary message of this letter is two fold:  1) Know, understand, realize, remember your place as a child in God's family.  2) Lead your life from that place.  You are on God's team, He's given you a jersey, so follow in Christ's example and wear it as a dearly loved child of God.  

That's really it, I could (and maybe should) stop, but I got a few more notes/specifics.  If you're interested keep reading, if you don't have the time re-read the highlight above and ponder ;)

Ch 1: This letter is written to the peeps of faith, those that believe, God's people (good to keep in mind as we read the letter).  
Ch 2:  Paul reminds us were we were (far from God, chasing the desires of the flesh) and where God has brought us (into His family, His will, His purpose, His calling, His grace, His peace).  Paul also reminds the reader that God's plan is for everyone in equal share (the Jew and the Gentile alike).  
Ch 3:  One family and endless treasures from God (not earthly, but where the earth and our lives intersect.  See John 10:10).  
Ch 4:  Some ways to lead our life in Gods family (point 2 from the highlight above):  humble, gentle, patient, loving, united, full of peace.  We each have unique gifts from God.  Use them for God.  Quit following your old nature, but life life from your new nature.  Tell your neighbor the truth, we are all one family.  Encourage others with your words.  Kind, tenderhearted and forgiving.  
Ch 5:  Follow Christ's example.  In every situation, answer from WWJD?  Shine the light of Christ.  Thankful to God.  Be careful and intentional in how you live.  Make the MOST of every day living life to the fullest (joy, peace patience, etc.).  Don't waste one day, make every one count.  
Ch 6:  Work hard for your boss as if you are working for God.  Stay alert and pray for Christians everywhere.  

That's it!  Thanks for reading.  I pray that your are encouraged by my words.  
Let me know what you think and enjoy the day (don't forget who you are).  

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

     In the spirit of new years resolutions, here I am with a little word to share with you...

1. Action verses for the New Year
   1. Make the most of each day for the days are evil (Eph 5:15-16)
   2. Whatsoever (whatever) you do to the least of these, that you do unto me (Matt 25:40)
2. Be in the Word (for the New Year)
   1. Repeat it, talk about it all the time, remind self & others (Deut 11:18-21 or 6:7-9)
   2. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto thy path (Ps 119:105)

That's what I got for you today.  :)

     Also, FYI, I do not have an official "new years resolution" but I do have some things I want to do more in 2014.  All related, but in a nutshell, I want to get up earlier more often, spend a little time in the office to center before starting my day (see verses above).  I think that this could lead to many other good and productive things in my life in the New Year.  Feel free to ask me how that's going.  I'd welcome your accountability.  

Sincerely,

Benjamin

Giving it all to God?

   I was pondering this morning and said, "Lord I want to give you 100% and be 100% about your business and not my own."  Then I thought, do I really want to do that?  What am I giving up?  What will I have left if I give it all away?  The Bible says to count the cost before you build right?  So I have a few questions:  1) What will it cost?  2) What will I get?  3)  Is it worth it?  4) Do I want to do it?  5) What does it look like.  All good questions...  Let's ponder...

1) What will it cost?  Now this is a tricky question and it depends on how you measure and see currency.  As an example, if I buy an ATV on Craigslist and pay $3,500 for it, that's a clear transaction.  The cost for the ATV was $3,500.  I gave $3,500 and in return I got an ATV.  My money is gone and in it's place I have an ATV. 
   So what does it cost to give 100% of your life to God?  Well, I have 24 hours a day now and if I give it all to God, I still have 24 hours.  What may be different is my priorities and agenda with those 24 hours, but I still have 24 hours to spend and invest in relationships, ministry, work and life.  For me (and it's a daily process, take up your cross daily) that's pretty much what my life is.  On the one hand, I'd say I've already given my life 100% to God, but on the other hand, I need to remember to do it daily, every day.  So many distractions, temptations, etc. which is why it's a daily process. 
   So what does it cost to give your life 100% to God?  I'd say it's like buying the ATV for $3,500 except...  a) You get the $3,500 back with the ATV and God says, use it wisely my servant.  Give generously.  b) You get a bigger better ATV (like the one you bought, but newer, new tires, EFI, and all the extras).  Yes, that's what it's like when you give 100% to God.  You get it all back plus extra and a spirit of freedom, peace, joy, peace, patience, etc.  Not a bad deal. 

I think we've answered the other 4 questions already:  We get a new better life.  Yes, it's worth it.  Yes, I want to do it.  It looks like fun, freedom, peace, purpose, joy, etc. 

Here's a few verses on the topic:
Mark 10:28-31  ROI for investing in God.
Rom 12:1-2  Giving it all to God
Mark 4:19 = life of distractions.  Mark 4:20 = multiplying the investment
1 Cor 3:10-15  Consider carefully how you build/spend your time
Heb 12:1-3  Run the race, don't be entangled in sin
2 Tim 2:4-6  Don't be entangled in the world's ways, but race and compete...

Col 3:17 & 23  Whatever you do, do it for the Lord (whole chapter is great)

Luke 9:23  Take up your cross daily

Phil 2:3-4  Consider others needs above yourself

Real life practical example:  (rubber hitting the road)  So it just happens to be that I did buy an ATV off Craigslist.  The guy didn't give me my money back.  It's gone.  The guy didn't put a winch on it for free.  It's pretty basic.  BUT I do have a nice ATV which is fun, freeing and has afforded for joy solo (riding around the lake this winter) and with friends (driving through the woods in the summer).  So all in all, I like it and it's a fun toy.  I'm not trying to justify my toy, the point is not the toy (could be any non-necessary excess we Americans indulge in), the point it how we invest our time and our money (the only two things we have).  I've invested some money in an ATV and I invest some time taking care of it and playing on it.  When I'm doing those things (recreation) I'm thankful to God (Eph 5:20) for the ATV and the wilderness and I'm mindful of others (Eph 5:21 & Phil 2:3-4).  In the end it's ultimately between you and God (and whoever you want to share it with along the way). 

Death Bed Wisdom

Got this article from a good friend.  Check it out. 

My request:  Don't read it, say that was nice and then leave unchanged (unless you are living 100% they way you want to).  Rather, apply it.  The time is now...

http://inspirationandchai.com/Regrets-of-the-Dying.html

Grace

Today's topic is grace and I'd like to bring it home.  There's the church definition (ethereal, heavenly, spiritual, etc.) but what does that mean in real life?  What is the real life application?  If we understand and are impacted by grace, how does it impact the lives we lead and the people we interact with?  

I think if the impact of grace fully hits/impacts us, then the second part (how others are impacted by us) will naturally flow.  

Let's start with grace, what it is and how it works.  Let's look at two very familiar Bible stories:  1) woman caught in adultery and 2) thief on the cross.  Note that in both of these stories, there are two main characters: in #1, it's the woman and Jesus.  In #2, it's the thief and Jesus.  So before we get into either story, let me say that grace begins between us (individually) and Jesus (nuff said).  

These two stories are somewhat similar:  Both have a sinner being condemned by society.  In the woman's case, Jesus' words turned the crowd’s thoughts towards their own sin and slowly, one by one, they dropped their accusations (starting with the older ones).  Then, Jesus also, forgave the woman of her sins, and asked her to go, and sin no more.  He forgave her and asked her to stop sinning because He knew that this would be the BEST life for her (see John 10:10).  

This is not in the Bible, but I imagine that if Jesus came through that town 10 more times and was presented with that same woman, caught in that same sin, I'm convinced that Jesus would respond lovingly, "your sins are forgiven, go now, and sin no more".  That my friends, is grace.  

Now, on to the thief:  Unfortunately (from an earthly perspective) the people have already delivered the death sentence to the thief.  He is hanging, bleeding and dying.  Sure, God could have removed him from the cross, healed his wounds and said, "go now and sin no more".  Interestingly enough, the thief, did not even ask for that!  The words the thief chooses are profound and describe what he desires.  Check it out...

³⁹ One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” ⁴⁰ But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? ⁴¹ And we indeed are suffering justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” ⁴² And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” ⁴³ And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

This my friends is grace.  The first thief is mocking.  The second recognizes his sin and that he deserves to die.  He also recognizes, Jesus' innocence and yet they are both under the same death sentence.  Then, from a place of humility, all he asks is "remember me when You come into Your Kingdom".  In these few words, the thief says that Jesus is King and asks to be remembered.  This thief is saved per Romans 10:9 "If you declare with your mouth 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

OK, so now we got the church definition of grace and we unpacked two familiar Bible stories.  Let's get down to brass tacks:  How does all this church stuff impact how we walk?  I see three main facets:  1) Humbled 2) Justified & 3) Changed.  Both characters in the stories and ourselves (see Rom 3:23) are guilty of sin.  From this place of humility, guilt we are impacted/motivated to go and sin no more (end facet 1).  Now that we have received the free gift of grace (see Eph 2:8) we are justified 100% fully members of God's family, we are confident of our place.  This is a great place to be. We are forgiven, loved and can have peace and joy in life/relationship to God.  So now, to the third facet, how this naturally flows into our lives at work, play, friends, family, etc.  

What we have been freely given, we are to freely give.  Love one another (John 13:35).  In humility, consider others over yourself (Phil 2:3).  Why do you look at the spec in your brother's eye? (Matt 7:3)  We have great power:  If you forgive anyone his sins they are forgiven (John 20:23).  And lastly one reason we don't need to judge and point out others sin is because the Holy Spirit is on it and will do it (see John 16:8). 

So how are you doing?  I’ll leave you with this:  You can tell a tree by it’s fruit (Matt 7:16).  What fruit are you producing?  Can an observer of your life tell that you are saved by grace and distributing love and grace?  What are some tangible ways this is seen?  What evidence is there? 

Second question:  Are you 1) humbled?  2) Justified?  3) Changed?

Stay tuned for our next topic:  Talking about God vs. Talking with God.