This Is as Close as I'd Like to Get, Thank You

In Sunday's sermon Pastor Jeff said something that got my attention.  My paraphrase is this:  for non-Christians this [world] is as close to heaven as they are ever going to get and for Christians this [world] is as close to hell as we're ever going to get. 

Does that make you stop and think?  If it doesn't then you need to stop and think about the fact that you didn't stop and think. 

This world is as close to heaven/hell as you're ever going to get

based on the decision that you have made about Jesus.  

Thank God that I know Jesus and have chosen Him as the Lord of my life.  If this world is as close to hell as I'm ever going to get, I'm just fine with that.  Most days that pass find me longing for my eternal home.  I don't want to stay here forever; this life is hard and tough and there is a gross separation between the worldly and the spiritual.  Being here leaves me in the world, away from my true home, my spiritual home, and away from my spiritual family and a perfect existence that is spent praising my Creator.  Being on planet earth leaves me with a hole, a longing for the God of all the Universe and only eternity with Him is going to fill it.  There is good news for the Christian. 

The news is bleak if you're not a Christian.  This life is as close to heaven as you'll get.  The brokenness, the hurt, the uncertainty, the pains, the mortal body - all of this is the best there is if you don't know Jesus.  Hell will be a thousand times, no, a million times, no, a bazillion times worse than this life.  And the very, very, very worst part?  Eternal separation from the love of your God - knowing that He is there and all that you had to do was invite Him in to live in your heart but you did not do it.  Living with the knowledge, that after every knee has bowed and every tongue has confessed, that the perfect Lamb died for you but you made a choice to leave Him out of your life.  That decision will haunt your forever and you won't have the chance to change it once you've landed in hell. 

The good news is that if you are reading this, there is still time to change that decision. TODAY IS THE DAY!  Ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life.  Weigh the costs.  Discipleship is not easy.  It's not always fun.  But it is always rewarding.  Ask Him now.  If you're not sure you're ready, ask Him to make you ready.  He will.  He loves His people and He meets us where we are, but only on this side of eternity.  Once we've crossed that divide there is no looking back. 

I am praying for you today that you will know Jesus as Lord.  If you already know Him, I'm praying that you (and I) will have a desire to tell the others around us that He is alive and living and that He he died so that you don't have to. 

As for me?  I'm doing my best to stay the straight and narrow path and am looking forward to eternity with my Jesus.  This as about as close as I'd like to get to hell, thank you.

Just Goodbye for Now

Today we suffered a horrible loss as the family of Christ.  Our friend and sister, Christa, went to be with Jesus.  I hope that I do her some justice in this blog but I am not sure I will or even can.  I am stunned and shocked. My heart breaks for Andy and their children as they mourn someone who can never be replaced in their lives. 

Christa and I were friends, not BFF as they say, just friends.  We laughed together.  We cried together.  We prayed together.  I know that she loved Jesus, her husband, and her babies.  Well, all babies; yeah, think she loved all babies.  She was born to be a Mama. 

Christa lived a life worth living.  She lived a life of faith even in the dark times.  She was an example of joy and hope and radiance.  The power of prayer in this awful time that has united people who don't know each other but know our risen Lord reflects the kind of person that she was.  That God will be glorified in this tragedy that makes no sense to me somehow seems to reflect her beliefs in Him.  

Christa celebrates now with her Lord, and she is reunited with those gone before her.  I think she is holding her babies that she never got to meet before now and I think she just might be snuggling with little Caleb Emmons, too, and holding him tight until his mama and daddy gets there to do it themselves. 

Today is not goodbye forever,  just goodbye for now.  Christa waits for us on the other side of eternity.  We will see her again when we, the imperfect, put on the perfection of Christ.  Death has been swallowed in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54)  This is not the end, just a really crappy "now".  

We will continue to pray for Andy and  the family.  We will mourn.  And pray some more.  And grieve.   And pray again.  And we will somehow find strength to rejoice (Philippians 4:4)

Sons of Thunder

Don’t you love that name?  You can’t just speak it in a normal voice; you have to make it in that wrestling-announcer guy’s voice.  It has to be booming and large, starting low and rumbling to a crescendo as you say “Sons of Thunder”.  At this, crowds should arise from their seats roaring wildly while waiving logo banners, wearing SoT t-shirts, hats, and foam fingers as they wait for James and John to make their entrance into the frenzied arena.  (Okay, maybe, just maybe, this is a little too contemporary idea of the receptions experienced by James and John.)

How do you become the Sons of Thunder?  James.  John.  These guys were two of Jesus’ closest companions.  They were with Him in the garden before His crucifixion and they were with Him when He was transfigured.  They spent time with Jesus and, in the process, the Sons of Zebedee became the Sons of Thunder.

Do you know why they earned this name?  Because Jesus knew them.  He knew that they were impulsive and impetuous.  He knew their desire to be great and He knew their passion for Him.  Jesus knew them intimately.

Sons of Thunder, indeed, they were appropriately named by their Lord.  I can almost see Jesus chuckling when He first said this out loud.  Maybe it struck Him as funny in a way that they didn’t even know at the time.  However it was said, it was said because they walked with the Lord.

Jesus has a new name for you and for me (Revelation 2:17, 3:12).  He has named us because He has called us His own.

I can’t wait to get to heaven to find out what He calls me.

For interesting information check this link: Sons of Thunder