Browsed by
Category: Heaven

An Unfathomable Existence

An Unfathomable Existence

My dear cousin, Paul, recently took a trip.  It’s a trip he had been anticipating his entire life.  His destination was exquisite; his preparation complete.  Nevertheless, he wasn’t expecting to depart quite so soon.

But when his angel escort arrived, he was on his way.  His Lord in his perfect and loving wisdom had determined it was time, and was waiting to welcome him home to heaven.

I’ve spent a fair bit of time reflecting on his departure … and his arrival … since Paul embarked on life’s most significant journey.  I miss him tremendously, but I truly rejoice for him. 

It’s the ultimate bitter-sweet.  My great loss; his great gain.   How can I not be happy for him?  How can I not be devastated myself?

This is also the ultimate conundrum.  So often, we sinful mortals cling desperately to a sin-impacted world with all its struggles instead of longing for the perfect place Jesus has prepared for us. 

I believe the reason is simple: we understand this earthly existence with all its issues.  Consequently, we are relatively comfortable here, even with the hardships we endure here (and know we will have to endure).  Conversely, we understand precious little about our eternity of salvation and are much less comfortable with the unknown … even though God promises us it is wonderful.

It’s interesting that much of what the Lord shares with us about heaven is what it is not.  No hunger, thirst, or discomfort of any kind.  No sorrow, pain or death.  No night.  I suspect the reason the Lord describes heaven this way is simply because we can better grasp what heaven isn’t than what it is.  This flawed world is our standard.

Which means eternal salvation is unfathomable.  Not only is it impossible for us to comprehend eternity; we can’t even begin to grasp the wonders there.  Or the God who in love sacrificed so very much, and intervened to such a great degree in our lives, to bring us into heaven’s holy halls!

As I’ve thought about my departed cousin this week, I’ve wondered what he is experiencing.  How wonderfully overwhelming is that place?  What is it like to be continually and fully in the very presence of God?

The Lord tells us in his Word that at death the soul (spirit) of believers transitions immediately to God’s eternal care while the body remains behind (Ecclesiastes 12:7).  When the Lord Jesus returns in the skies at the heavenly trumpet blast on the Last Day, the body will be resurrected and rejoined to the soul (1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 51-57).

So already there is a profound difference for a Christian at death!  An existence without a body.  A newly perfect spirit in a perfect place in the immediate presence of the Triune God in perfect peace and joy!  For ever and ever and ever!

The concept is unfathomable for us who are still entrenched on earth!

In this world we rely on our 5 senses to evaluate information.  How does a holy soul free from the limitations of a sinful body process input?  And what kind of “input” does salvation put out?

Does the soul “see” the brilliant colors of the Lord’s infinite glory?  Does it “hear” the songs of praise to the Savior sung in hundred-part harmony?  Does it join its “voice” in the songs and shouts of acclamation to the Lord?  Does it “feel” the embrace of Jesus?  Does it “taste” the bounties of the victory feast in the throne room of the Lamb?

Certainly yes – somehow! But undoubtedly the soul experiences and participates in salvation’s activities in some incredible and incomprehensible way to us who are still stuck in the entry line.

Again, it’s ALL unfathomable for us now.  Yet it’s wonderful nevertheless!

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— [these are] the things God has prepared for those who love him!” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

I am so happy for you, Paul.  And I look forward to the day when you, along with Jesus, welcome me to that unfathomable but glorious place.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Philippians 1:21-23
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far …

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

The Perfect Home

The Perfect Home

The house where we currently reside was almost the perfect home for our family of eight for three decades.  Large.  Roomy.  Creative layout.  Neat features.  A spacious living room.  Multiple bedrooms.  Multiple closets.  And perhaps most important: multiple bathrooms and showers! 

The house was probably the closest it could be to ideal for us, which is why we liked it so much when we were looking to purchase a home. And, I’m convinced, also why the Lord secured the house for us even after another offer had already been accepted by the sellers!

But this house is not perfectly ideal.  There are some aspects of the layout that we wish were different.  There have been various issues we’ve had to address in the past.  And there are still issues.  (Some of which we’ll have to resolve before selling it.)

Interestingly, now that we are relocating, we found another house that seems ideal for the next station in our lives.  One level.  Large.  Roomy.  Creative layout.  Neat features.  A spacious game room and large fireplace.  Multiple bedrooms.  Multiple closets.  Several bathrooms.  And perhaps best of all, it’s situated on a lake with a dock and a lovely view across the water!

Most interestingly of all, when we expressed interest, our realtor was astounded that the house was still available after being on the market for several months.  I informed him I believed the Lord had set it aside for us.  I am even more convinced of this after watching the Lord line everything up for the purchase.  Once again, our gracious God intervened and provided us with an ideal dwelling for our future days. 

But that house isn’t perfectly ideal either.  There are some issues we will have to address now that we own it.  (Which is why I’m flying back to Michigan this next week.)  Just as there are issues in our current home.  And in your home.  And in every home. 

Of course, we are fully aware that more situations demanding attention will appear in the future!  They always do.

Finally, there is no perfect home here on earth … no matter how thoughtfully designed, or carefully constructed, or meticulously cared for, or ideally situated it may be.  There are always some issues in every house, and there will inevitably be more.  

But a perfect home does exist!  A place with no issues.  No imperfections.  No faults or flaws.  Nothing lacking.  No deterioration (ever!), and no repairs ever needed.  The perfect layout with perfect dimensions with the perfect color scheme!

It’s a place with the ultimate location and constructed of the finest materials.  Residents arrive escorted by angels on streets of gold through gates of pearl set in walls of gemstones.   The entire city is pure and transparent gold.  (At least that’s the visual the Apostle John gives us in Revelation 21.) 

The glory of God illuminates everything – shining brilliantly through the transparent gold!  There is no darkness or shadow anywhere to be seen. 

The panoramas from the place are stunning; the views exquisite.  The company is divine.  (Literally!) 

The purchase price of this perfect home happens to be exorbitant, but is covered completely by the holy, precious blood of the Savior. 

It’s the place where our God lives, and the place he prepares for us to live as well.  All who rejoice in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice are brought there one day.

Jesus described that perfect home, and the path to arriving there, this way: 

“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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. You know the way to the place where I am going. … I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  (John 14:2-4, 6)

God the Father provided even more information on that wonderful home to the Apostle John:

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!” (Revelation 21:3-5)

The message of both the Father and the Son are the same; in heaven God’s people will live in the very presence of God.  Which finally is the ultimate reason it will be the perfect home.

Though the perfect home doesn’t exist in this world, thankfully God has prepared one for us in the next world!  All the more reason to not become too attached to our current residences, for the best is yet to come!

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

The View from the Top

The View from the Top

As I weigh a call to possibly transition ministry to Michigan, and as I’m dealing with all that the call process entails, I’m finding little extra time to write.  So I’m resharing a popular post from several years ago.  As always, I pray it encourages you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I’ve often thought that a Christian’s life is like a backpacking trip in the mountains.

Backpacking, of course, is where one carries everything they will need for the duration of a hike in a pack on their back.  It’s camping … minus the vehicle and most of the other conveniences.

One can backpack in all kinds of environments: forest, prairie or beaches.  We have a fair share of all of those in Washington.  But the geography that seems to especially draw the backpackers in this state is the mountains.  I believe there’s a reason for that!  (More on this in a moment.)

There’s actually a multitude of reasons a person might choose to backpack.  Perhaps it’s the desire to get away from the crowds.  Perhaps self-sufficiency.  It might be eagerness to overcome difficult challenges.  Or maybe the draw is the joy of time spent with dear family members or special friends.  Maybe backpacking scratches the adventure itch.  Maybe the pull is as simple as providing a much-needed break from normal responsibilities.

But one of the greatest lures … at least for me, and I believe for many … is to be able to enjoy the view from the top.  Consequently, we are pulled to the mountains.  John Muir stated, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”  I (and others!) can relate.

However, in order to enjoy the top-tier views, one must begin below, at a lower level.  That necessitates a lot of uphill trudging to get where a trekker is going.  Keep in mind that one’s load is always heaviest at the bottom!  Not to mention that the hiker is undoubtedly at a higher elevation and the air is a bit thinner than he or she is accustomed.  So a backpack in the mountains typically starts hard, and then gets harder.

Inevitably the uphill slopes begin, and the hike becomes more grueling.  Sometimes one forges up a steep hill only to scramble back down into a valley on the other side.  Which means the hiker has to regain all the elevation he or she lost (and more!) on the other side of the valley!

Of course, there are a multitude of joys along the way: immersion in wilderness; scenes normally not seen; delightful conversations with companions; encounters with wildlife; lovely vistas and relaxing campsites; even unforgettable and life-changing experiences.  These are encouraging, but they aren’t the key reason the hiker is on this journey.  There is something bigger and better, greater and more grandiose, up ahead.

So the backpacker continues to lug his or her backpack ever higher.  Along the way, multiple inconveniences and even crises are encountered: tripping on roots and rocks; mosquitoes and biting flies; the sun beating down and burning one’s skin; rainstorms; thirst; disappointing meals; sore muscles or even injuries; rude people and thieving animals; sweat, dirt, and exhaustion.  Perhaps even a wrong turn or two along the way!

But finally … after lengthy days, many miles and thousands of steps … the backpacker crests a summit, and there is that revelation!  That epiphany!  That goal that the hiker strived for all along the way.  It’s the view from the top!

Now is the time to unstrap the backpack, pull out a water bottle and a tasty snack, find a comfy seat and soak in the scenery.  Was it all that was expected?  My experience is that it’s usually better!  Was the rugged journey there worth it?  Undoubtedly!

I believe that a Christian’s life is like a backpacking trip in the mountains.  It begins rough, and generally gets rougher.  There are many joys along the way, of course, but multiple challenges too.  There are lovely views and relaxing rests at times, but frustrations are common as well.  Our path contains some comfortable walking, and even some downhill slopes.  Yet the trend is always uphill, and sometimes steeply!

But that’s OK, because our goal is the view from the top.  Every step is one step closer to the destination; every obstacle overcome brings us just a bit nearer; every blessing a precursor of what awaits. 

And finally … after lengthy days, many miles and thousands of steps … the believer in Jesus crests a summit, and there is that revelation!  That epiphany!  That goal that he or she strived for all along the way.  It’s the view from the top!  It’s the first gorgeous sight of heaven, and it’s eternal immersion in the grace and glory of God!

Will it be all that we expected?  No.  It will be better!  Will the rugged journey there be worth it?  Oh, most definitely yes!

On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples, a banquet of aged wine — the best of meats and the finest of wines.  On this mountain he will … swallow up death forever.  The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces … In that day they will say, “Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us.  This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation”  (Isaiah 25:6-9).

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

A Challenging Past; An Uncertain Future?

A Challenging Past; An Uncertain Future?

Not to be overly dramatic, but the Seattle Mariners happen to be the team with the longest absence from the playoffs – by a large margin!  And not just in Major League Baseball, but in the top four men’s professional sports leagues!

The New York Jets (NFL) haven’t made the playoffs in 11 years.  It’s the same length of time with the Buffalo Sabres (NHL).  The Sacramento Kings (NBA) have missed out for 16 years now.  But the Mariners (MLB) drought extends to 20 years!

That’s two long decades!  A generation of time!  Over 252 months and an excess of 7,300 days of no post-season play!

The last time the Mariners made it, my youngest son wasn’t even born yet … and he’s about to enter his senior year of high school.  My second-youngest son was only 3 at the time and can’t remember a thing about their last playoff appearance.  He is now graduated from college and is actually working for the team.  Both sons essentially lived their entire lives without experiencing post-season play from their favorite ball team.

The “M’s” have come close a few times since 2001 (the last year they qualified).  In fact, last year they still had a chance to back into the post-season on the final game of the regular season … only to miss out again.  So the playoff drought continued for yet another year.

Wonder of wonders, as I write this, the team is actually holding the top position of three in the “wildcard” qualifiers, and their remaining schedule of games is judged by experts to be the easiest in the American League.  Furthermore, the team is finally at full strength.  (They’ve been playing without some of their better players nearly the entire season.)  So there is cautious optimism that maybe … just maybe … they can break this embarrassing streak.

But there’s a saying in “hardball” circles: “It’s baseball.” 

This brief, bland and generic phrase seems to say nothing.  But for those who know and love the game, the saying says it all.  Namely, that the game of baseball is incredibly fluky, uncertain and unpredictable.  Weird things happen.  Streaks of bad luck occur.  Injuries strike.  Slumps suddenly slam players or teams.  Contending teams can plummet from the heights and unexpected teams can rise up.

“It’s baseball.”  Which means no matter how good things may look at the moment, literally anything could happen in the next six weeks of the regular season.  The history of the Mariners has certainly born this out (in a negative fashion).  Their past has been challenging, and their future remains uncertain.

That’s the delicious beauty of the game … and the sickening reality.  No one can know what will happen on the next pitch, the next swing, or the next at-bat.  No one can predict the events of the next inning, the next game, or the next week.  The “experts” are routinely wrong, which is why the teams play each game to discover what will unfold.  And why one simply has to let the season fully unwind. 

Baseball is actually a microcosm of life.  Full of surprises (both good and bad!) and bound up in uncertainty.

However, there is one significant way that life is different than baseball.  At least different for Christians.

In baseball, one never really knows the outcome until the end.  In a Christian’s life, one always knows the outcome!  And, because of Jesus, we always win! 

To stretch the baseball analogy even further, as Christians we will absolutely have a joyous “post-season!”  Heaven awaits us!  No matter how challenging our “season” has been, our future is certain, and it’s delightful!

The Apostle Peter writes exquisitely about our certain hope for a wonderful future despite the difficulties we are currently enduring.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:3-7).

Who can know if the Mariners will finally make it to the playoffs this year, or if their reign of futility will stretch to 21 years?  I certainly hope they are still playing in October!  But that hope is a hesitant and uncertain hope.

My hope for heaven, however, is a confident one.  Not because of me, but because of my Savior who lived, died, and rose back to life for me.  (And for you too!)  So “let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

Goodbye to Goodbyes

Goodbye to Goodbyes

This is a post I shared two years ago after visiting family in Michigan.  I just returned from a similar visit, and the sentiments expressed here seemed exceedingly poignant … at least to me.  But as always, I pray they bring some insight and encouragement to you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hate goodbyes.  But then almost everyone does, don’t they?  Goodbyes to loved ones are rarely “good byes.”  In those situations, the word is the ultimate oxymoron.

This is a fresh and sensitive topic with me.  Recently I found myself saying goodbye to a number of family members. 

We had traveled back to Michigan to be with loved ones, and the good Lord allowed us to see many!  We spent time with both my parents and my wife’s parents.  We were able to visit with some of our siblings, their spouses and some of their children – our nephews and nieces.  In fact, the members of our entire immediate family (parents, children and grandchildren) were gathered together in one place for almost a week! 

(Because of various circumstances, many of these precious visits occur just once a year.)

Naturally, this led to multiple and heartfelt hellos.  Every day of our vacation brought joyful greetings of one kind or another; warm hellos springing from the shared bond of faith and family.  Hellos that reflect blood ties and past experiences, and which anticipate the wonderful things that the coming moments together will bring.

I love hellos.  Especially hellos to those people embedded deep in my heart.  But every hello in this world ultimately leads to a goodbye, doesn’t it?

Of course, there are a multitude of things to which we sooner or later bid adieu.  Houses, cars, places, experiences, jobs, schools … even previous health and appearance … can all merit “farewells” as we meander on through life.  And then there are those gut-wrenching goodbyes to our pets.  Make no mistake, some of these goodbyes can foster high emotion. 

But the worst goodbyes of all are the goodbyes to people we love. 

Why are goodbyes to loved ones so difficult?  Well, we thoroughly enjoy our time together.  Consequently, goodbye means a pause in those joyful moments, and often bounces us back to the reality of our other responsibilities and less enjoyable activities. 

However, that’s not the fundamental reason we hate goodbyes.  The real reason is very simple; we abhor goodbyes because we don’t know if we will be together again in this world.  The uncertainties of our earthly existence are ever-present in our awareness, and we all recognize that sooner or later there won’t be another hello. 

This inescapable fact rocks us.  It makes farewells to loved ones we rarely see agonizing.  But it even lurks in our consciousness with our day-to-day goodbyes … as much as we try not to think about it.  One can’t live a few years in this uncertain world without recognizing the uncertainty inherent in goodbyes.

My purpose in writing about goodbyes is not to bring anyone down.  Rather I want to underscore a few key points that I have fallen back on as I negotiate painful farewells.

Here’s the first one:  The fact that a person has agonizing goodbyes means that God has blessed them richly with dearly-loved family and friends.  Every close relationship in our life is a precious gift.  Each difficult goodbye we must endure simply emphasizes how profoundly blessed by God we are.

The second significant aspect of painful earthly goodbyes is that they encourage us to eagerly anticipate the day when there will never be any more goodbyes, but only hellos forever and ever.  This is such a foreign concept to us earthlings that we can barely consider it or comprehend it. 

But the day when God ushers us into heaven marks the end of experiencing goodbyes and the beginning of an eternity of hearing only hellos!  “Hello” to the Lord himself and Jesus our Savior.  “Hello” to the multitude of angels.  “Hello” to the great men and women of faith from the Bible and history.  “Hello” to our ancestors who lived and died in Jesus.  “Hello” to our family and friends who preceded us to heaven.  And “hello” to every family member and friend who follow us there!  Never again will we say “goodbye.”  Only “hello” over and over again forever and ever.

The Apostle John was given a glimpse of this wonderful heavenly home where goodbyes are gone and hellos predominate.

“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 [or goodbyes], 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 21:3-5) 

A goodbye to goodbyes.  Now that really will be a “good bye!”

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

A Certain Hope

A Certain Hope

Twenty seasons of futility.  That’s how long it has been since the Seattle Mariners participated in Major League Baseball’s playoffs.  Their last appearance in the post-season was 2001. 

In case you missed it a few sentences ago, let me restate it – that’s 20 years and counting of no October baseball!  Or two decades; an entire generation!

My second-youngest son was only 3 when it happened last.  My youngest son, who will be a senior in high school this fall wasn’t even born.  No wonder they are both rather cynical when it comes to the Mariners.

This was supposed to be the year they competed.  The playoff spots increased by two, opening more opportunity.  Furthermore, the M’s general manager rebuilt the team, stocking up on fantastic young prospects.  They have nurtured those prospects for years, and in this off-season added several players with strong major league resumes.

Before the season began, Mariners’ office personnel, local sports talk hosts, the players themselves, and almost the entire fan base were certain this would be the year that their reign of futility would end.  And perhaps it will be yet.  (Last year they made an exciting run in the second half of the season, finishing just a few games short of qualifying for the post-season.)

But key injuries, performance setbacks from some of the young players, and underwhelming play by expected contributors with “track records” have the Mariners in fourth place in the American League West Division, and seven games back from qualifying for a wildcard berth.

As I write this, teams have played about 70 games, with approximately 90 games remaining.  Hope isn’t yet gone, but it’s waning.  At this point the climb into the playoffs for Seattle’s baseball team will be a daunting task.

A person’s favorite team having a strong season is anything but certain.  No matter who is making the team player decisions and how astute he or she may be, and regardless of how talented the players may be on the team, there is no sure thing in the MLB. 

Nor is there in life really.  Actually, in any aspect of life!

Injuries occur.  Unexpected events transpire.  Extenuating circumstances pop up.  Setbacks set us back.  The bottom line is that none of us are guaranteed a rosy tomorrow.  We aren’t even guaranteed tomorrow itself!

How wonderful it is, then, that as Christians we are guaranteed eternity in a heavenly paradise!

How do we know heaven is ours?  How can this wonderful sounding but seemingly abstract blessing possibly be a certain hope for you and me?

Because it’s handled by a Sure Thing … by the very Son of God himself!  Jesus secured a place in heaven for every single person who clings to him in faith! 

The recurring theme throughout Scripture is that Jesus saved us.  Salvation certainly isn’t something we sinners deserve, and we can’t secure it by anything we do.  Rather we deserve quite another fate.  The Bible lays it out simply and clearly: “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).

Let those magnificent words sink in and settle comfortably in your soul.  The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Is it really possible that you and I who are imbedded in an uncertain life in uncertain times in an uncertain world can actually have a certain hope of heaven?  Yes!  It’s beyond “possible;” it’s reality!

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life … I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13).

Will the Mariners miss the playoffs for the 21st year in a row, and extend the longest streak of futility in all the primary professional sports leagues?  It remains to be seen.  Their future is uncertain.

Our future as believers in Jesus, however, is anything but.  We have at least one certain hope, and it trumps all others!  We are headed to heaven!  And when the Lord brings us across “home plate” and into our eternal home, we will see that certain hope fulfilled … forever.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you …” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

Indescribable!

Indescribable!

Really, how does one describe the indescribable?  We struggle to put into words the incredible things we experience and the views we see here on earth.  If we sometimes struggle to adequately describe our present world, how could we even begin to describe the wonders of the world waiting for us in heaven?

The Apostle Paul writes this:  “… No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9 – NIV 1982).

In other words, the wonderful home in heaven which God has prepared for his faithful people is indescribable!  Since no eye has seen its splendor and no ear has heard its sounds, how could any mind conceptualize what it is really like?

Of course, the Bible does give us some insights into that wonderful place.  Jesus’ simple words provide a cozy picture of that new home: a room in the Heavenly Father’s mansion in the presence of Jesus himself.  “My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that 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.” (John 14:2-3).

Jesus’ description makes heaven sound wonderfully comfortable; John’s description from his God-given vision in Revelation 21 displays it as beyond extravagant.  Here are his mind-boggling words:

“The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.  The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone.  The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst.”

“The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl.  The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.”

“I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 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” (Revelation 21:18-23)

Is that description of the heavenly wall, gates and street intended to be taken literally, or is it symbolic of the matchless beauty and priceless worth of being there?  Is it God’s way of propelling us to absolute awe by providing a picture we can “sort of” grasp?  Who here on earth could know?  However, I believe the description of God’s glory illuminating heaven is undoubtedly the way it is.  Nothing shines brighter, so no other source of light is needed there!

Then John provides this little nugget regarding our salvation: “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’” (Revelation 21:3-4). 

Those tears?  They are tears of joy at being allowed to exist in the very presence of God … forever!  I suspect that the Lord will frequently need to dry our joyful tears through our never-ending time there.  We’ll be repeatedly – eternally! – overwhelmed by the magnificence of the place, and the sheer wonder that we are actually there (and never have to leave!).

The descriptions of how heaven looks and how heaven will be are impressive.  Perhaps even more impressive are the descriptions of how people feel and act there.  What I have always found fascinating is that very often the Bible’s descriptions of the blessings of heaven tell us what does NOT exist there instead of what does!  (Which makes sense because our frame of reference is life in this broken world.)

“There will be no more night” (Rev. 22:5).  For the blessed who are there, “‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat’” (Rev. 7:16).  ‘“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!”’ (Rev. 21:4-5). 

We can certainly conceptualize what is NOT in heaven.  But what IS there is inconceivable, and therefore indescribable. 

I suspect everyone envisions their existence in heaven differently.  We likely picture it in earthly terms with earthly concepts.   I confess mine is relaxing peacefully before some spectacular view of nature.  Others may have different thoughts on what would make for a “heavenly” heaven.  But here’s what will make salvation unmatchable: we will finally and forever be able to look upon our all-sacrificing Savior on his throne … and that view will be indescribable!

And then there’s the sight of the angels and all the other glorified believers who are there with us!

Not to mention the brilliant light and other-worldly colors.  The exuberant and unmatchable singing.  (Perhaps 100-part harmony sung by the redeemed and angels beyond count!)  The splendorous smells.  The sumptuous heavenly “feast” (Isaiah 25:6).  The ultra-fine feel of everything there.  (To once again use our earthly senses in an attempt to grasp the unearthly.)

But to transition to the spiritual, which will far transcend the physical: the pure holiness of everything in that perfect place!  (Including us!)  The absolute and all-encompassing security.  The perfect peace; the incredible joy.  The lack of any trace of negativity. The complete tranquility.  The utter bliss.  The eternalness of it all!

In the words above, I’ve shared some of the Bible’s descriptions and a few thoughts of my own regarding heaven.  But finally, the only way to describe heaven is that it is indescribable. 

The fact that we get to go there because of Jesus our Savior is indescribable too!  

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.  This inheritance is kept in heaven for you …” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

How incredibly blessed are we to be heirs of such magnificence!  And how incredibly blessed are those who are already experiencing that inheritance!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This post is dedicated to the many wonderful Christians who have arrived at their heavenly home in the past year … some of whom were very dear to me, and some of whom were wonderful supporters of this blog.

In particular, I want to mention Diane Quick, who regularly played organ for our congregation’s worship services for almost eleven years, and who was the third person to subscribe to this blog.  She jumped on board immediately.

I also want to acknowledge Lee Hunt, who was the eighth person to subscribe, and was one of my greatest encouragers on this endeavor.  He eagerly read every post, and discussed them with me almost every Sunday.  When I held a 50th post contest, God saw to it that Lee won.  He proudly wore his “Heading to Heaven” prize tee shirt many Sundays to worship in our church … which always warmed my heart and now chokes me up. 

Both of them have indeed “Headed to Heaven.” I pray that some of the things I shared on this blog (and from the pulpit) “encouraged them until they finally got where they were going.”  I will miss them both, as well as all my loved ones who are now rejoicing with the Lord in their heavenly home.  But I rejoice at their destination!  I know it’s indescribable, but they will have an eternity to try.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

Thoughts of Home

Thoughts of Home

It never fails.  If I happen to spot a flock of ducks or geese flying overheard, they always take my thoughts immediately back to the home where I grew up in Michigan.  It’s always immediate, and it’s typically bittersweet.

This may strike you as strange.  However, I recognize exactly why the view of a skein of ducks or geese winging across the sky transports me 2,400 miles across the Continent and 40 years back in time. 

I grew up about a mile from Saginaw Bay on the Southwest side of Lake Huron.  Every Fall, reams of ducks and geese in huge flocks flew … and still fly … over my parents’ house.  And every Fall I would watch with awe as they flapped rhythmically overhead, continuing their migration South or returning from foraging in the fields, to access the safety of the nearby Bay.

The number of flights seemed unending, and I could watch them untiringly.  Sometimes I would attempt to count the birds in a flock, and the totals in just one flock could easily reach hundreds.

I recognized the repeated V pattern of their skeins, of course.  (Sometimes the flights were in patterns forming a J or a W instead.)  However, I didn’t understand why they flew in those formations

There actually seems to be several reasons for the repeated flight patterns.  First of all, it is the most efficient way to fly as a group.  The staggered positioning results in a reduction of wind resistance for those in the following positions, conserving a significant portion of their energy.  When the leader grows tired, he or she falls back and another bird takes their place.

In addition, flying in formation seems to assist with the communication and coordination within the group.  They can more easily see one another and adjust their positioning and wingbeats accordingly.  The birds actually synchronize flaps based on the bird’s beats in front of them!

Ducks and geese typically fly at about 40 to 60 miles an hour, depending on the breed and the weather conditions.  However, their flight speed can actually be significantly higher when migrating with advantageous winds.  In such conditions, Mallards can fly up to 800 miles in 8 hours.  Astonishingly, Canada Geese can actually cover 1,500 miles in one day in favorable winds.   The elevation of ducks and geese in migration varies greatly, from as low as 200 feet to as high as 4,000.

Where we currently live in Washington with the abundant water supplies, it is also common to spot flights of ducks or geese.  (Though the flocks certainly aren’t as abundant or as large as where I grew up.)  But I am glad to see the ones I see.

Recently as my eyes caught sight of a V-shaped flight overhead, it took me back again to the home of my youth.  Yup, bittersweet once again. 

But it occurred to me that instead of looking back, I should let the flying birds take my view forward.  They are journeying to a better and more pleasant place.  But so are we!  The journey is difficult, but the destination is sublime.

Furthermore, when the Lord calls us home, we will fly to him … just as the ducks and geese leave behind the impending winter and wing to the more pleasant destination.  Moses used this very picture in Psalm 90: “Our days may come to seventy years, or eighty, if our strength endures; yet the best of them are but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

Yes, the migratory birds always remind me of my previous home.  How much better if they took my mind to my future Home in Heaven instead?  My past home was marvelous; my future home wonderful beyond comprehension!  My past home holds many fond memories; my future home holds a joyous eternity of memories to be made!

And here’s what clinched this new viewpoint for me: The flocks fly in the formation of a V.  They are a visual reminder of the Victory we have in Jesus our Savior.  Victory over sin, death and the devil.  Victory in regard to our eternal destiny.  Victory!  Ultimate Victory!

“’Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?’”  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God!  He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57).

Yes, the sight of a skein of ducks or geese winging overhead will still take me back home.  But from now on they will also remind me of Home.

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

The Ultimate Vacation

The Ultimate Vacation

Sooner or later, everyone needs a vacation.

God didn’t create us toil continually. In fact, he mandated a day of rest every week for the Old Testament believers (the Sabbath Day). The Lord can go nonstop; we cannot.

Which is why most of us eagerly anticipate vacation time.

Vacation typically means a break from the usual responsibilities and annoyances, a time for relaxation and refreshment, and precious moments with family and loved ones. The word “vacation” is usually synonymous with happiness. Some of our most treasured memories occur while on vacation, whether an extended one, or a one-day break.

We plan for vacations. We block out time on our calendars and ask off from work. We budget and make the appropriate reservations for them. And we typically want to stay on vacation for as long as we possibly can … not because we are lazy, but because of all the blessings and benefits of the time away.

We look forward to our vacation the entire year. Sometimes it is what allows us to keep plugging away when we are exhausted and discouraged. “If I can just make it to vacation,” we tell ourselves.

As I reflect on these things a few days before we leave on our own vacation, I can’t help but see the similarities between vacation on earth and vacation from earth (i.e. heaven).

Think about it. When we go on our eternal vacation, the following will be true:

We will be on eternal break from our earthly responsibilities.

We will leave behind all difficulties forever.

We will experience the ultimate rest, relaxation and refreshment.

We will spend the most precious moments of all with family and loved ones who have gone to heaven before us, and we’ll never have to say goodbye again.

Our happiness will be complete; we’ll be forever with the Lord.

Our most treasured moments will be occurring … continually!

We will be able to stay on this vacation eternally; it doesn’t end.

And our heavenly home is often what allows us to keep on keeping on in this difficult world. It is the eternal light at the end of our life tunnel which encourages us to stay the course.

All of which demonstrates why entering our heavenly home is going on the ultimate vacation. There is no vacation that could be better.

The Apostle John describes that eternal break in this way:

“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 21:3-5).

Yup, I’m looking forward to our vacation next week. But not as much as I’m looking forward to my ultimate vacation one day!

How to Interact on This Blog

To Comment – Please share your thoughts!  (Commenting is the fun part!)  To do so, click on the “Comments” tag under the title.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

To Subscribe – Go to the “Follow This Blog Via Email” column.  If you don’t immediately see that box, click on the “Comments” tag under the title, and scroll to the very bottom.  You should find it there.

Goodbye to Goodbyes

Goodbye to Goodbyes

I hate goodbyes.  But then almost everyone does, don’t they?  Goodbyes to loved ones are rarely “good byes.”  The word is the ultimate oxymoron.

This is a fresh and sensitive topic with me.  Recently I found myself saying goodbye to a number of family members. 

We had traveled back to Michigan just to see loved ones, and the good Lord allowed us to see many!  We spent time with both my parents and my wife’s parents.  We saw some of our siblings, their spouses and some of their children – our nephews and nieces.  In fact, the members of our entire immediate family (parents, children and grandchildren) were gathered together in one place for almost a week!  It was the first time in several years that this has happened.

All of which led to multiple and heartfelt hellos.  Every day of our vacation brought joyful greetings of one kind or another; warm helloes springing from the shared bond of faith and family.  Helloes that reflect blood ties and past experiences, and which anticipate the wonderful things that the coming moments together will bring.

I love helloes.  Especially helloes to those people embedded deep in my heart.  But every hello in this world ultimately leads to a goodbye, doesn’t it?

Of course, there are a multitude of things to which we sooner or later bid adieu.  Houses, cars, places, experiences, jobs, schools … even previous health and appearance … can all merit “farewells” as we meander on through life.  And then there are those gut-wrenching goodbyes to our pets.  Make no mistake, some of these goodbyes can foster high emotion. 

But the worst goodbyes of all are the goodbyes to people we love. 

Why are goodbyes to loved ones so difficult?  Well, we thoroughly enjoy our time together.  Consequently, goodbye means a pause in those joyful moments, and often bounces us back to the reality of our other responsibilities and less enjoyable activities. 

However, that’s not the fundamental reason we hate goodbyes.  The real reason is very simple; we abhor goodbyes because we don’t know if we will be together again in this world.  The uncertainties of our earthly existence are ever-present in our awareness, and we all recognize that sooner or later there won’t be another hello. 

This inescapable fact rocks us.  It makes farewells to loved ones we rarely see agonizing.  But it even lurks in our consciousness with our day-to-day goodbyes … as much as we try not to think about it.  One can’t live a few years in this uncertain world without recognizing the uncertainty inherent in goodbyes.

My purpose in writing about goodbyes is not to bring anyone down.  Rather I want to underscore a few key points that I have fallen back on as I negotiate painful farewells.

Here’s the first one:  The fact that a person has agonizing goodbyes means that God has blessed them richly with dearly-loved family and friends.  Every close relationship in our life is a precious gift.  Each difficult goodbye we must endure simply emphasizes how profoundly blessed by God we are.

The second significant aspect of painful earthly goodbyes is that they encourage us to eagerly anticipate the day when there will never be any more goodbyes, but only helloes forever and ever.  This is such a foreign concept to us earthlings that we can barely consider it or comprehend it. 

But the day when God ushers us into heaven marks the end of experiencing goodbyes and the beginning of an eternity of hearing only helloes!  “Hello” to the Lord himself and Jesus our Savior.  “Hello” to the multitude of angels.  “Hello” to the great men and women of faith from the Bible and history.  “Hello” to our ancestors who lived and died in Jesus.  “Hello” to our family and friends who preceded us to heaven.  And “hello” to every family member and friend who follows us there!  Never again will we say “goodbye.”  Only “hello” over and over again forever and ever.

The Apostle John was given a glimpse of this wonderful heavenly home where goodbyes are gone and helloes predominate.

“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 21:3-5) 

A goodbye to goodbyes.  Now that really will be a “good bye!”