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No Way!

No Way!

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What do all of the following have in common?

The 2020 pandemic, rioting in the Pacific Northwest and in Washington DC, the presidential election, and war in Ukraine.

Garbage removal, yard care, snow shoveling, obnoxious music blaring loudly from car speakers, semi-truck drivers, commercial airplane pilots, championship trophies and cell phones.

Fishing, hunting, hiking, vacationing, flying in a plane, treasure hunting, and driving a Mustang GT.

The cosmos, mountains, oceans, lakes, sunshine, rain and snow.

Wolverines, dogs, giraffes, rabbits, rats, eagles, crows and hummingbirds.

Falling, tearing muscles, homesickness, an escaped dog, stolen plums, priorities, goodbyes, moving, unpacking and settling.

Memorial Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lent, Good Friday, and Easter.

Christian numerology, spiritual warfare, spiritual health, self-esteem, faith, trust, hope, peace, joy, providence, angels and heaven.

What could all these disparate items have in common?  There’s no way there could be a connection between so many different things!

Well … actually there are several.

The first connection is that over the past four years I have written about each of these at least once in this blog. 

Monday, April 22, marks the 4th anniversary of Heading to Heaven.  It seems incomprehensible that four full years have passed since I timidly and tentatively began this venture.  In complete honesty, there was no way that I ever would have imagined beginning such an endeavor!  It wasn’t even “on my radar.”  I only tackled it because the Lord laid it on my heart to do so during the many restrictions of COVID. 

And there’s absolutely no way that this blog continues to exist and prosper.  No way I’ve covered so many different topics.  Yet this is my 212th post – a new offering almost every Saturday over the past 48 months.  Almost 20 of the posts were original stories on spiritual matters.  (If interested in reading or re-reading them, you can find them in the sidebar of the site under the Archive category called “Allegories and Stories.”  In fact, all of the posts can be found there under various categories.)

The other connection … the much more important connection … that all the different topics mentioned at the top of this post share is this: our God is over them all and in control of them all.

This is no small thing!  Our loving Lord is fully aware of and actively involved in every detail of our personal lives – physically, materially and spiritually.  And not only our lives, but our family’s lives, our church’s ministry, and our city and world’s welfare!

“The Son [Jesus!] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him …” (Colossians 1:15-19)

There’s no way we can wrap our minds around this, but it’s true nonetheless.  And it demonstrates the magnificence of our God.  This fosters awe in us.  This is also the source of tremendous comfort.  The awesome, unimaginably supreme and magnificent God loves us, died and lives again for us, and is intimately involved in our day-to-day well-being.

No way!  Yes, way!

Thank you, dear Lord!

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It is my prayer every week that “Heading to Heaven” will bless someone somewhere at some time in some way.  As the byline states, my goal is that the words shared provide “encouragement now until we get where we’re going.” 

I pray this blog has blessed you at some point.  I know I have been blessed through my preparation and writing each week, and I have been encouraged by everyone who has read a post, and especially by those who have subscribed and those who have commented.  A sincere thank you to you all.

And thanks be to our gracious God.  Truly, all glory goes to Him for anything good that has come from this endeavor!  There’s no way this blog exists or encourages anyone without Him and his comforting truths. 

If you don’t already subscribe to the blog, please consider doing so.  Subscribing is free, and brings each new post directly to your email box.  Perhaps something I share will arrive at just the right time and encourage you?  Every new subscriber really is an encouragement to me.  If you are inclined to follow this blog, I would be honored.  The info on how to do so is immediately below.

Embarking on year 5?  No way!  But yes, here we go.  I invite you to share the journey with me.

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Psalm 89:1-2, 5-8
I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in heaven itself.

The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, your faithfulness too, in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord?

Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings? In the council of the holy ones God is greatly feared; he is more awesome than all who surround him.

Who is like you, Lord God Almighty? You, Lord, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

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 and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Prioritizing Priorities

Prioritizing Priorities

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We’re just back from a wonderful post-Easter trip to Washington.  So this week I’m resharing a post from several years ago.  I pray it is thought-provoking and beneficial to you.  It’s certainly a great reminder to me!

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We all recognize that priorities are important, but few of us actually prioritize our lives.  At least, that’s the way it seems to me.  (And I count myself among the guilty!)

If asked what is truly important in our life, we could provide excellent answers: God, family, health, home, security, freedom, etc.  Yet often our day-to-day decisions don’t line up with the top items on our self-proclaimed priority list.

Why is this so?  We’re logical, practical people; why are those key items we deem critical so commonly neglected and even downright disregarded – overshadowed by so many lesser things?

There are many factors, of course.  But ultimately the root causes are brought on by the unholy trio of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature (flesh).  Satan enthralls our sinful natures with the wonders, pleasures, and responsibilities of the world, leading us effectively and easily away from pursuing the truly significant things.  Satan is the ultimate deceiver and distractor, and sadly we are easily dissuaded.

Consequently, we are constantly chasing after the “urgent” in our lives instead of devoting ourselves to the “important.”  Typically the “urgents” overwhelm us, receiving tremendous attention, while the “importants” quietly recede into the background.

Or to say it another way, we focus a tremendous amount of time and energy on “nick-nacks” rather than on true “treasures.”  And this leaves us frustrated and somewhat discombobulated.  We realize innately that our focus is misplaced and our emphasis off.

Thankfully, our Lord never mixes up his priorities.  And we are one of his top treasures!  The One who created the cosmos and orchestrates the world’s events – both great and small – made our salvation a top priority.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).  “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Furthermore, our loving Lord is with us every second of our lives.  He provides for us, protects us, guides us, and blesses us (Jer. 17.7).  How fortunate we are to be at the top of God’s priority list!

So how do we recognize the highest priorities in our lives?  And a more challenging question: how we do we live properly prioritized lives?

Here’s an exercise to evaluate our top priorities, and the order of those priorities.  It’s a variation of a process someone shared with me once.

Think of your priorities as personal treasures.  Now imagine yourself ruled by a king.  The king is powerful, and he is greedy.  He demands all your treasures … except for 10 items. 

What 10 treasures would you keep?  Take your time and think this out.  You must be specific, and you can only retain 10.  Recognize that treasures can also be spiritual or non-tangible.  Write your choices down.

Now imagine that this greedy king decides he wants more, so you have to give up another treasure.  Now you’ll be down to 9.  What will you give up?  Record your decision.

Repeat the process until you whittle your treasures down to one item.  (This process becomes increasingly agonizing as you go along!)  But after making your final decision, you are left with the top priority in your life!  The rest of the order of your treasures/priorities has also been established in descending order by the choices you made along the way. 

I trust that the Lord, his Word, and your faith rank highly on your list in some manner!  As Jesus himself reminded us, “Seek first [God’s] kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

If you don’t care for my suggested approach, do an online search for setting priorities.  You’ll find many other alternatives.  The key is that you identify what your top priorities are.

Well done!  Your priorities are established.  But now the real challenge begins.  How do you live your life properly reflecting your top priorities?  How do the treasures you identified receive the daily recognition they deserve?

Here are a few suggestions to maintain course:

1. Print your list of priorities and display it in prominent places where you will see it and be reminded of what is truly important to you.

2. Commit to necessary changes. Simply noting your priorities won’t automatically translate into keeping those priorities; deliberate adjustments are needed.

3. Organization and self-established structure will help safeguard your priorities. Ranked sub-categories under your main points will help clarify your focus even more.

4. Set a schedule and routine that incorporates and supports your top priorities. Set times for specific key tasks, and hold to them.

5. Routinely address the most important things (your “treasures”) first. If less important things don’t get done, they don’t get done.  But you will still have given due attention to what’s most important to you.

6. Share your priorities with others who will encourage you and will hold you accountable.

7. Recognize that priorities can change over time, so reevaluate occasionally.

Establishing priorities … and living according to them … really should be a priority for all of us.  Because our “treasures” need to be properly treasured!

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Here are some wise Biblical words from an exceptionally wise man named Solomon.  The point of sharing these words is not to demonstrate that everything in this world is meaningless, but that many of the things to which we devote our time and energy are actually not so important.

Ecclesiastes 1:12-14
I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heavens. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:10-11
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 2:22-26
What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun? All their days their work is grief and pain; even at night their minds do not rest. This too is meaningless. A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment? To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness …

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 and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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How Is Your Health?

How Is Your Health?

One of the many things one must do when moving to a new city in a new state in a different part of the country is to find local doctors.  My wife and I have finally gotten around to that, and we both have appointments set with our new docs to get acquainted.  Which sparked the concept for this post. 

Of course, we know what awaits us on our annual doctors’ visits.  We are about to undergo the usual poking and prodding, checking and examining, questioning and updating.  Much of it is innocuous; some is annoying.  But all I suppose is necessary.

As I “look forward” to my physical checkup, I began to consider what would be examined in a routine spiritual checkup … if there was such a thing.  It’s an intriguing question.  Here is the list that came to my mind:

SE Level – SE stands for “Scripture Exposure.”  How frequently are we hearing or reading God’s Word, and for how long?  The SE Level is the most significant indicator of, and contributor to, good spiritual health.

Senses Functions – Our five senses play significant roles in our spiritual well-being.  We hear God’s Word shared in Scripture, sermon and song; we see God’s truths as we read and sing them, as well as seeing the cleansing waters of Baptism of others (and perhaps feeling them if we are the one baptized); we smell, feel and taste the wafer and wine in the Lord’s Supper.  The more active our senses are in the spiritual realm, the more impact the Holy Spirit has, and the more spiritually healthy we probably are.

Heart Health – This is easily monitored physically, but not so easily spiritually.  But a mental assessment can shed some insight.  What fills our heart?  What do we love above all?  What are we living for?  Where is our primary focus and what drives us?  What excites our heart?  The answers to those questions can shed some light on our heart’s spiritual health.

Mental Acuity – This aspect of our spiritual checkup evaluates how much of God’s truths we know.  Not necessarily Bible history, (though this is extremely beneficial also), but rather the simple doctrinal teachings of God’s Word.  Such as, what is our most significant problem? (Sin!)  Is full atonement made?  (Yes!)  How?  (Through Jesus suffering, death and resurrection!)  Why would God do this?  (Because of his immense love for us and his astounding grace!)  How does forgiveness and salvation become ours?  (Through faith in our Savior!)

Temperature – Are we spiritually hot, lukewarm or cold?  To state it a different way, are we “on fire” for God, fairly ambivalent, or caught in a cold “could-care-less” place?  The hotter our spiritual temp, the healthier we are.

Blood Pressure – We recognize our many and deep-seated sins, and they weigh heavily upon us.  Are we relying upon our own sacrifices to make atonement for them, or on the holy sacrifice of Jesus, and the blood he shed?  The weight of guilt is extremely unhealthy, spiritually speaking, but Jesus’ blood alleviates that pressure, (thanks be to God!).

PT – No, no physical therapy, but “Prayer Time.”  How much time do we spend each day in conversation with our God?  Just as communication is a key factor in our earthly relationships, so it is with our most important spiritual one as well.  The more PT in our lives, the more likely our relationship with the Lord is strong

Activity Level – As in, how much spiritual exercise are we doing?  Are we active in worship?  Are we active in service in our church?  Do we carry out spiritual ministry in our personal lives?  Are we ambassadors of the Lord (2 Cor. 5:20) in our interactions with others?  Spiritual activity is often indicative of spiritual health.

TF Reading – Spiritually healthy people exhibit high TF (“Trust Factor”) readings.  That is, they trust the Lord and his promises no matter what is happening.  Though their physical eyes may see problems with no answers, their spiritual eyes envision the wonderful solutions their God is providing and/or the incredible blessings He is bringing through difficulties.  This significantly reduces stress and boosts emotional well-being.

The reality is that not a single person reading this list is as spiritually healthy as they could be or desire to be.  Don’t be discouraged!  Rather, go to the Great Physician named Jesus, and find help and healing in his care.  This is what he says to us:

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick” (Mark 2:17).  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).  “The LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, … to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve — to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” (Isaiah 61:1-3, selected).

So, do you have any suggestions for items that you feel should be included in our spiritual checkup?  Please share them in the comments box below!

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 and start typing.  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.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

The Best Is Yet to Come

The Best Is Yet to Come

December 21st is always highlighted on my calendars.  The Winter Solstice is extremely important to me.  No, not because it’s exactly a month before my birthday.  Rather, it marks the end of the shrinking amount of daylight and ushers in the beginning of the “days” growing longer. 

I celebrate the Solstice every year!  Not with some radical or unusual activity, but with a moment (or a number of moments!) of joyful reflection.  We are finally trending toward Spring!

I actually enjoy aspects of each of the four seasons.  There are unique activities to engage in and events to enjoy regardless of which page on the calendar is currently displayed. 

But of the four seasons, Winter is my least favorite.  This was true when we lived in soggy and seemingly sunless Western Washington at this time of year; it is still true now that we live in snowy and icy Michigan.

December 21st is a marker of change; a turning of a corner; a day of hope; a reminder that more desirable seasons (at least to me) are on the way!

Which got me thinking.  There are a LOT of similar situations in life – times when we endure less pleasant prelims with our eyes on the better things that are yet to come.  So much of our current existence consists of getting through the “less pleasant” so we can enjoy the more pleasant.

Here are a few examples that came to my mind:

I well remember the grueling, gritty task of baling hay … and the fantastic feast the farmer’s wife laid out which followed.  Similarly, I recall being sweaty and filthy from working in the fields for summer jobs … and the refreshing jump into the Sebewaing River off the local railroad bridge to cool off and clean up.

Other examples would be mowing the lawn or weeding the garden or flower beds … and the pleasure of looking on the manicured result.  Similar interior tasks might be vacuuming the carpets, sweeping the floors, dusting the furniture, washing the dishes, or doing the laundry … and the satisfaction that follows.

A more extreme situation might be cleaning the toilet bowls … and the fresh smell and nicer appearance afterwards.

Even edibles can offer some cons before the pros that follow.  I find peeling potatoes a pain … but I thoroughly enjoy tators with my meat.  Or how about the typically monumental pre-holiday meal prep … which culminates in the magnificence of tables covered with delicious food surrounded by loved ones?

Cleaning fish isn’t pleasant … but a fish fry of fillets is scrumptious!  Eviscerating a newly harvested deer is messy, and deboning and processing the meat time-consuming … but the steaks and sausage that end up in the freezer make for many enjoyable moments the rest of the year.

Also, I’ve never particularly enjoyed waking up early in the morning and walking into a forest or woods in the dark.  However, being there as the woods “wakes up” is priceless.  Not to mention the anticipation of what might happen shortly.

It’s even that way before vacations.  I know I’m not alone when I say it’s almost too much work to go away.  This is often true about most extended trips, but especially when preparing for a camping, fishing or hunting trip where extra gear is involved.  But then one catches their breath and experiences the joy and blessings of being gone!

This preliminary unpleasantness followed by satisfaction creeps into many (maybe most or even all?) life events.  Christmas decorating, shopping, and wrapping all happen before the celebrating.  Many hard years of education lead, finally, to graduation; much planning and preparation precedes the wedding; and a tremendous amount of time, work and stress are involved in moving … until finally getting settled.

Of course, I would be remiss not to mention nine months of uncomfortable pregnancy – and painful labor and delivery! – that the wonderful women in our lives endure before holding a newborn baby in their arms.

So much of life involves difficulties leading to blessings.  It could even be said that life itself is a challenging preliminary to what follows! 

Certainly God fills our lives with astounding blessings and allows us to enjoy incredible experiences.  Yet, sin is always with us, and our sinful lives lived in a sin-wrecked world carries a good share of hardships and heartaches. 

The Apostle Paul addresses this very thing, and suggests a very specific mindset about it.  “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Simply stated: Life is hard!  So lift your eyes off your temporary troubles and focus instead on your eternal home in heaven where there are none!

“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love him ” (1 Cor. 2:9) – THESE are the inconceivably wonderful blessings our Savior has waiting for us in his salvation.  We are comforted and encouraged when we concentrate on them while struggling in the here-and-now.

Even if perhaps someone dismisses the concept that life in this world is a struggle, I would think they would have to agree that the very end of life certainly is.  Death is no picnic.

But even there, the undesirable leads to the most desirable thing!  For believers in Jesus’ atoning suffering and death, and his victorious resurrection … death is but the doorway to life.  True life. A perfectly joyous, pure and unending life with Jesus – the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life!

Yes, the best is yet to come!  As the name of this blog infers, by God’s grace we are “Heading to Heaven!”  And that indeed is the very best conclusion of all, making everything else easier.

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Did some different examples of unpleasant prelims leading to pleasant results occur to you while reading this post?  If so, please share them in the comments section below!  I’d love to read them.

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Revelation 7:14-17
And [the angel] said [to John], “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Revelation 21:3-7
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. 

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 and start typing.  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.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

All Good Things (from A – Z) Come from Above

All Good Things (from A – Z) Come from Above

In last week’s post, we discussed counting our blessings.  This week we’ll approach the same concept, only alphabetically.

For our Thanksgiving worship service way back in 200l, I enlisted the help of my three oldest sons, Christian, Craig and Caleb, to compile an alphabetical list of things we enjoy because of our generous God.  (They would have been ages 12, 10 and 8 at the time.)  I then pulled the list together into a prayer.  Here is that prayer:

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For apples, animals, and airplanes;  for the alphabet, athletics and all our abilities;  for America and for angels …. we thank you, Lord.

For buttons, blankets, bathtubs, boats and books;  for our bodies, babies, boys and brothers;  for the Bible, believers and the birth of Jesus …. we thank you, Lord.

For colors, computers, clothes and cars;  for courage and care;  for our cities and country and the clouds that float over them;  for church, Christmas and Christ …. we thank you, Lord.

For doctors and dentists;  for daylight and each new day;  for all Jesus’ disciples and true doctrine …. we thank you, Lord.

For exercise and the earth;  for our eyes, ears and everything you give us;  for Easter morning and the joys of Easter …. we thank you, Lord.

For flowers and forests;  for our flag and our freedom;  for food, friends and family;  for our forefathers, fathers and our Heavenly Father;  and for faith in our Heavenly Father …. we thank you, Lord.

For green grass and ripe grain;  for goodness and gentleness;  for grandparents, grandchildren and girls;  for God and God’s great grace …. we thank you, Lord.

For health and happiness;  for our houses and our homes;  for the Holy Spirit,  his work in our hearts, and our heavenly home …. we thank you, Lord.

For ice cream and islands;  for instruments and intelligence;  for injuries and insults that never occurred …. we thank you, Lord.

For judges and justice;  for joy and for jumping;  for Jesus and the justification he earned for us …. we thank you, Lord.

For kites, kittens and keys;  for kindness and knowledge;  and for the King of Kings …. we thank you, Lord.

For lakes and light;  for life and love;  for lips to praise our Lord …. we thank you, Lord.

For mountains, mouths, months and money;  for music, milk and memories;  for men, marriage and mothers;  for missionaries and for me …. we thank you, Lord.

For numbers and names;  for night and for neighbors …. we thank you, Lord.

For oceans and oxygen;  for obstacles through which you bring blessings;  for the open door into heaven because of our Savior …. we thank you, Lord.

For presents and pets;  for people and pastors;  for peace, praise and proper priorities;  for the Pilgrims who opened up a new land and celebrated the first thanksgiving;  for your fulfilled promises and your promises yet to be fulfilled, and for prayer …. we thank you, Lord.

For quickness, questions, and quiet …. we thank you, Lord.

For radios, responsibility and reflexes;  for rain and the roofs that keep it out;  for the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrections one day …. we thank you, Lord.

For the sun, streams and sky;  for seasons and sisters;  for sight, sound and smell;  for the Sabbath Day, Sunday School, our Savior and our salvation …. we thank you, Lord.

For television, toys, trees and trains;  for turkey on the table;  for tongues to talk and to taste and teeth to chew;  for teachers and truth …. we thank you, Lord.

For umbrellas and universities;  for the United States of America and for Us …. we thank you, Lord.

For voyages and victory;  for our voices and our vision …. we thank you, Lord.

For wheels and wagons, windows and walls;  for water, waterfalls, and women;  for the world and for Washington; [editor’s note: we lived there then!] and for your watchful care …. we thank you, Lord.

For Xrays, eXcitement, and all the eXtra gifts not mentioned in this Prayer …. we thank you, Lord.

For yesterday, youth and years;  for yummy things to eat;  and for You …. we thank you, Lord

For zippers, zebras and zest for the Gospel …. we thank you, Lord.

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James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …

Romans 8:32
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Psalm 100
1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.  2 Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the Lord is God.  It is he who made us, and we are his[a]; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.  5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

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 and start typing.  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.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

Counting Our Blessings

Counting Our Blessings

There is ONE source for our countless blessings: our gracious God!  And if we just take a moment to consider how very blessed we are by Him, there can be but one response: heartfelt and profound thanksgiving!  If we actually take the time to reflect, there are simply TWO many gifts from God to not be overwhelmed with wonder.

For example, consider the THREE persons of Trinity, and how incomprehensible, powerful, wise, wonderful and magnificent our God is in every way.  And this all-surpassing God is always present, protecting us and providing for us in every way!  Our response?  Absolute awe!

Then to consider that he loves us so much that he would actually suffer and die FOUR us … for you and me who don’t deserve it but are given it through Jesus our Savior nevertheless … there’s not nearly enough time to praise God sufficiently for his countless blessings.

Our FIVE senses provide abundant reasons alone to praise the Lord; our “SIXth sense” (our souls and the God-given faith in them) which recognize God’s love, mercy, grace and goodness show us even more and better reasons for praise!  We are forgiven and saved – made children of God and heirs of salvation through faith in Jesus!

Then there’s the Biblical number SEVEN, which represents God’s active involvement in our lives, working everything to perfection.  This was the case in the Bible, and it’s still true in our own lives!

EIGHTy years on earth isn’t sufficient time to properly praise God who is the giver of all good gifts … including the incredible NINE-fold fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control).  Thankfully, God is bringing us to the perfect joy and fulfillment of heaven, where we can worship him for his countless gifts forever.

Which calls to mind another Biblical number – TEN – which represents totality or completion.  When living forever in the presence of our glorious Lord and scar-marked Savior, we will finally recognize the totality of God’s goodness to us, and that his work for us and in us has been brought to perfect completion.  We are in heaven – forever saved.  Which will be the greatest blessing of all, and the culmination of all of God’s blessings.

ELEVEN trillion-trillion years will pass by there with us “bright shining as the sun,” and “we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”  (John Newton – “Amazing Grace”).

The TWELVE apostles will be there, with Paul the “THIRTEENth,” as well.  Not to mention all the godly men and women of the Bible, and those faith-heroes of history and our lives as well.  How incredible to be joined together in one holy, heavenly place, united in victory through the Savior.  How astounding to share the stories of our struggle along the way, and to marvel at how God has faithfully led us there and used us along the way for his good purposes.

FOUR-TEENs, children, and adults … for young and old; male and female; rich or poor; beautiful, handsome, or “not-so-much” … for all the throng before the throne of Jesus, it will be a sight never before seen … and a sight that never grows old.

FIFTEEN-thousand boundless tiers of the colossal heavenly amphitheater filled with angels encircled around the Lord, worshiping him enthusiastically and unendingly – the countless believers from the centuries joining their song.  And everyone present will be counting their blessings from God, and praising him for them for all of eternity.

But let’s not wait until then.  Now’s a great time to thank God for his innumerable gifts.

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A newer song on Christian radio inspired this post.  It’s called “Counting My Blessings” and is written and sung by Seph Schlueter.  Here is the refrain and some of the words:

One, two, three – 
Up to infinity;
I’d run out of numbers
Before I could thank You for everything!

God, I’m still counting my blessings;
All that You’ve done in my life!
The more that I look in the details,
The more of Your goodness I find!
Father, on this side of Heaven
I know that I’ll run out of time.
But I will keep counting my blessings;
Knowing I can’t count that high.

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

Psalm 31:19
How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Psalm 23:1,5b-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. … My cup overflows.  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

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 and start typing.  I, and many others, would love to benefit from your insights!

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Your Suggestion Is … ?

Your Suggestion Is … ?

The question has been asked of me a number of times: “How do you decide what to write for your weekly blog?”  My answer has always been the same: “God provides me with the topics.” 

And I’m not being flippant with that reply.  I am convinced that the ideas really do come from the Lord.  Sometimes in simple ways; sometimes remarkable ones.

Furthermore, I’m convinced that the Lord gives me the ideas he does when he does because he knows that someone who needs to read the words will read them … and be encouraged. 

And I’m not being prideful or wishful with that statement.  Too many comments – publicly shared for all to see or privately shared with just me – indicate to me that the Lord is working among his people through these posts.

This is humbling, but also gratifying and uplifting to me.  Because this blog has never been about me.  It’s always been about encouraging God’s people in their walk with him to heaven.

As I have often written, it is my weekly prayer that something I write will encourage someone somewhere in some little way in their spiritual journey.  This is truly my motivation, and to whatever degree the Lord accomplishes this, I rejoice.  And I give all glory to Him.

But back to my initial point regarding choosing a blog topic.  For some time now I have been thinking about casting out a request to the Heading to Heaven readers for suggestions on topics to address.  I’ve never done this before and thought, “Let’s see what happens.”

It’s not because I don’t have any ideas this week.  Actually, I just added two more thoughts to my multiple-page “Blog Article Possibilities List” this morning.  (Yes, I keep a list, and it keeps growing!  It is just another way the Lord provides themes each week.)  Rather, I’m asking because it seems like the right time to solicit ideas.  I’ve come up with 186 topics through the years; now it’s your turn!

Below are some approaches I have taken in the past.  Perhaps this list will spark some thoughts?

  • Exploring Bible concepts
  • Original stories on various spiritual situations
  • Description of different animals
  • Discussion of various aspects of nature
  • A look into the whimseys of humans
  • Some general observations
  • Holiday focuses
  • Anything, really, that will hopefully encourage God’s people

I’m truly curious and eager to see what suggestions come in.  (I pray some do!)  Please take just a moment to include a few.  I’m sure every reader can come up with one or two.  I really do want to receive them.  I will do my best to honor each request that comes in … perhaps not immediately, but over time. 

You can provide your suggestions in the comments feature of the blog, or in the comments section under the Facebook post.  Submitting them to me via Facebook Messenger will also work.  For those who have my contact information, a text or email would be fine too.

I’m looking forward to hearing from you, and excited to read what rolls in.  Thanks for reading the blog, and thanks for your topic ideas!

So, your suggestion is … ?

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

Romans 15:4

For everything that was written [in the Scriptures] in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

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 and start typing.  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.  OR simply comment you want to follow and I can add you!

Waiting and Watching

Waiting and Watching

As I write this, movers are packing up the fragile items in our house.  This is only Round 1.  They are returning in a few days for Round 2.  Then they load the moving truck – also a 2-day process.  (After 33 years in Tacoma, we have a LOT of stuff … even after extensive purging!)

I could share another previously posted message today, as I have been doing frequently lately while we transition to this point.  Instead, I thought I would use this post for a few brief informational comments.

First, I am honored that you follow this blog.  I am grateful that you took the time to specially subscribe to Heading to Heaven, and that you take the time to read what I write.  You didn’t have to and you don’t, but you did and do.  Thank you! 

I don’t claim any special insights and the purpose of this blog was never about me.  I only hope to encourage God’s people in their walk with Him.  I pray that in some little way now and then that occurs.

Secondly, I can’t imagine I will be able to share a post … even a “rerun” next Saturday.  And possibly not even the Saturday after that!  I’ll be quite tied up with a multitude of different things over the next few weeks.

So please wait and watch for the next post.  I don’t expect you’ll do this anxiously, but perhaps just a little eagerly?  Even a wee-bit?  Maybe?

I can tell you that the events of the past few months have provided me with a multitude of ideas to share, so stay tuned.  Or rather, wait and watch!

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 Few Lessons Learned from Life

A Few Lessons Learned from Life

Recently I was privileged to lead my final chapel service at Evergreen Lutheran High School where all my children have attended, and where my youngest son, now a senior, is wrapping up his high school adventure. 

Since it was my final message to the school body, and because graduation and summer break are so close, I decided to share what I consider ten incredibly important life lessons. 

I’m not super intelligent.  I’m not even smarter than the average person.   However, I have learned a few things over nearly 60 years of life, through 35 years of marriage and 33 years of ministry, and after raising 6 children.

Perhaps the “lessons” I shared with those high school students might be beneficial for all of us to consider.  In the chapel I shared additional thoughts on each point with the school body, but here I’ll simply list the points and a supporting Bible passage.  I’m confident, if you give some consideration to each item, that you can make your own applications.

1)  God loves you with all his heart!  Don’t ever doubt that!

(1 John 3:1)  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

2)  You are never alone; your God and his love are always with you!

(Romans 8:38-39)  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3)  Let God steer (guide you) through life! Trust him completely; he knows what he’s doing!

(Proverbs 3:5-6)  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

4)  Guard your soul ferociously! (And someday your children’s and family members’ souls as well!)

(Matthew 16:26)  What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

5)  You will always be under attack in this world! Satan will never stop trying to undermine your relationship with God.

(1 Peter 5:8)  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

6)  Beware the distractions of life! They are everywhere and can easily divert our attention from the most important things.

(1 John 2:15-17)  Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.  For everything in the world …  comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

7)  Prioritize God and God’s Word! Nothing else in this world is nearly as important.

(Romans 1:16)  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes …

8)  Choose your friends (and your spouse) wisely! They profoundly impact your life.

(1 Corinthians 15:33)  Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

9)  Treasure the precious moments (and family and friends) that God gives you!  Embrace them!

(James 1:17)  Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights …

10)  You need God, your Rock and Fortress!  You need Jesus, your Savior!

(John 14:6)  Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

So there’s my list.  What would you add or change?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Please share them in the comments section.

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!

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Learning to Learn: Blog Anniversary Thoughts

Learning to Learn: Blog Anniversary Thoughts

The day I share this will be the three-year anniversary of my very first post on “Heading to Heaven.”  This is my 162nd offering on this site, though I’ve run a few repeats over time.  Today we embark on year four!

It’s difficult to fathom that much time and that many words have been invested already!  The waters of time, and the thousands of sentences, have flowed rapidly by.

I had no bucket-list goal to start a blog.  In fact, it never really occurred to me before.  Rather, it was something I felt led to do during the restrictions of COVID.  Though the concept was beyond intimidating, with great trepidation and much prayer I ventured forth. 

And I’m still venturing.  I pray that someone somewhere has been encouraged by something I wrote at some time.

When I began this blog I had no idea what I was doing.  (And really, I still don’t!)  It has been an ongoing educational process.  Here are a few things that I’ve learned along the way:

God sometimes (often?) leads us down unexpected paths for his own reasons. God’s plans are God’s plans, and he gets us involved in some little way according to his plan.

I’ve gained just enough information about building and running a blog site to barely get by.

Our God can and does make miracles happen. All the time!  I’ve seen them on both ends of this enterprise.

I’ve learned that the Lord ministers to his people in many different manners … but always in the right way at the right time.

I’ve been reminded how powerful and pertinent God’s words are. They are life-changing and continually relevant.

Jesus’ love for you and me is unmistakable, unimaginable, and unrelenting.

I’ve grown from personal experiences along the way … both the significant ones and those less so. (Which finally makes all those learning experiences significant.)

I have gained so many insights – into God’s astounding creation, into life in general, and best of all, into God’s magnificence and his truths – as I researched topics and ruminated on the posts I shared.

God is always faithful; I never once struggled to find a topic to share. Never even had to worry about it.  Week by week, ideas always came.  (Thank you, Lord!)

I’ve learned (actually re-learned) that I thoroughly enjoy telling stories.  And especially if they convey aspects of God’s truth in a (hopefully!) creative, fresh, thought-provoking and beneficial manner.

As I wrote, praying to provide uplifting insights and encouragement for others, I was undoubtedly the one who benefited the most.

When others shared comments, I’ve been blessed and encouraged through their (your!) insights. Sincere thanks to all who have taken the time to do so over the years.

As is generally true of life, the more wisdom I’ve gained, the more I realize how little I know!

I’ve learned I am eager to continue to learn – especially about our good and gracious God. It’s a life-long process, and thouroughly exciting.

Experience has also taught me that after I post this list, I’ll think of some really important lessons I failed to mention!

Here’s an ongoing learning experience: I’m continually astonished, humbled, and grateful that anyone reads these posts, as well as every time a new person subscribes to the blog. Sincere thanks to all of you!

Finally, here’s something I would love to learn: do you have any requests for future topics or short stories?  If you do, please leave them in the comments below.  I’ll try to honor any suggestions that come in.

I’d also be glad to hear if you have been blessed in any way by “Heading to Heaven” through the years.  I’m not looking for praise; just affirmation that God has used this site, and encouragement to continue it.

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

Proverbs 3:13-15
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.  She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

Psalm 119:169
May my cry come before you, LORD; give me understanding according to your word.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding …

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Psalm 111:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Colossians 1:9-14
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you.

We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

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.