Just...Wow!

I will grant you that I tend to go overboard at times with superlatives. But when you are limited to language to describe the Creator of the universe and all that He is or does, superlatives are not even enough. Such is the case when faced with the task of describing just exactly how the Holy Spirit has used Randy Alcorn's book, Heaven, to speak to my heart. So yes, "Just...Wow!" sums it all up.

I really wanted to wait to post until I'd completed the book and then do a one-time review. But if you've been reading this blog over the last month or so, you'll see that some days there were lessons I just had to share. (see "The Joy of Unfulfilled Dreams  "Doing What Matters...Watching the Clouds Roll By"   "And the Theme Continues"  and "Becoming Heaven-Minded") And I already see that even though this may be my last "official" post regarding the book, I pray that the focus on all things eternal doesn't end here. In fact, my plan is to buy a copy of the book and read it with my children for our devotional time once we start back to school. Why? Because I can't imagine a greater gift to my kids than teaching them that they were made for more than this life. They were made for an eternity of adventure and love with their Savior, Jesus.

I've decided to more or less present a summary here...a summary of what I've learned and some of my favorite quotes from the book. It truly has changed my perspective and reminded me that any sacrifices during this lifetime for the Kingdom pale in comparison to what God will redeem, renew and resurrect for the future.

• "Christian, meditate much on heaven, it will help thee to press on, and to forget the toil of the way. This vale of tears is but the pathway to the better country: this world of woe is but the stepping-stone to a world of bliss. And, after death, what cometh? What wonder-world will open upon our astonished sight?"--Charles Spurgeon
• Our enemy has deceived us into believing that this life is all there is....even Christians fall prey to this. Why else do we feel like our dying dreams, our squelched passions, our missed opportunities, our sacrifice of pleasure, time or money will never be restored to us?
• If instead we can remember that all of the above are only delayed, then what we feel we have "lost" will not be quite so traumatic. For example, I have since my early 20's had an almost overwhelming desire to travel. God has refined this desire over the years to include service to Him. I can imagine no greater joy in my life than to travel to new places (locally, nationally or internationally) and serve in His name. For far too long, I set aside this passion thinking it just wasn't possible because of family obligations. Now that our children are getting older, for the last two years, I've bemoaned the fact that we don't have the financial resources to do it. (Actually, wallowed is probably a better word than bemoaned). As I see the same passion growing in our daughter, I've become overwhelmed to the point of shutting down and even shutting God out because I "just don't see how it can ever happen." God's loving Spirit has comforted me in two ways: 1. If God calls us to missions for Him...He will make it happen, and 2. When the New Earth is redeemed and renewed to the glory of God, I will not only be able to see the things I've longed to see and experience the cultures I've longed to know...I will be able to witness the perfected versions...as God always intended they should be. Amen!
• "Another reason people assume Heaven is boring is that their Christian lives are boring. That's not God's fault; it's their own. God calls us to follow him in an adventure that should put us on life's edge. He's infinite in creativity, goodness, beauty, and power. If we're experiencing the invigorating stirrings of God's Spirit, trusting him to fill our lives with divine appointments, experiencing the childlike delights of his gracious daily kindnesses, then we'll know that God is exciting and Heaven is exhilarating. People who love God crave his companionship. To be in his presence will be the very opposite of boredom." page 395, Heaven
• "I feel within me that future life. I am like a forest that has been razed; the new shoots are stronger and brighter. I shall most certainly rise toward the heavens the nearer my approach to the end, the plainer is the sound of immortal symphonies of worlds which invite me. For half a century I have been translating my thoughts into prose and verse: history, drama, philosophy, romance, tradition, satire, ode, and song; all of these I have tried. But I feel I haven't given utterance to the thousandth part of what lies within me. When I go to the grave I can say, as others have said, "My day's work is done." But I cannot say, "My life is done." My work will recommence the next morning. The tomb is not a blind alley; it is a thoroughfare. It closes upon the twilight, but opens upon the dawn."--Victor Hugo, quoted on page 397, Heaven
• And one more, but definitely not the last, area in which I was redirected is just exactly where and how I'm spending the limited amount of time I have left on this Earth that is under the Curse. It's even helped me when advising my kids about relationships and their time spent. Allow me a rather lengthy quote to explain this:

     "In a sense, we're already in Heaven with Christ: see Colossians 3:1-4.
     Our intimate link with Christ in his redemptive work makes us inseparable from him, even now. As we walk with him and commune with him in this world, we experience a faint foretaste of Heaven's delights and wonders.
     Though it's true that Christ is with us and within us while we're on Earth, it also works in the other direction--we're united with Christ, so much so that we are seated with him in Heaven: see Ephesians 2:6
     Notice that the following description, written to believers alive on Earth, is in the present perfect (not future) tense, which expresses a completed action: "You have come to Mount Zion, to the heavenly Jerusalem, the city of the living God. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect." (Hebrews 12:22-23)
     In a metaphysical sense, we've already entered Heaven's community. By seeing ourselves as part of the heavenly society, we can learn to rejoice now in what Heaven's residents rejoice in. They rejoice in God, his glory, his grace, and his beauty. They rejoice in repentant sinners, the saints' faithfulness and Christlikeness, and the beauty of God's creation. They rejoice in the ultimate triumph of God's Kingdom and the coming judgment of sin.
     Heaven, then, isn't only our future home. It's our home already, waiting over the next hill. If we really grasp this truth, it will have a profound effect on our holiness. A man who sees himself seated with Christ in Heaven, in the very presence of a God to whom the angels cry out, "Holy, holy, holy," won't spend his evenings viewing Internet pornography.
     No wonder the devil is so intent on keeping us from grasping our standing in Christ--for if we see ourselves in Heaven with Christ, we'll be drawn to worship and serve him here and now, creating ripples in Heaven's waters that will extend outward for all eternity." (page 184-185)

And there it is...the reason why I need to become less media-focused...the reason why giving out of our meager income instead of hording all for ourselves...the reason why focusing on relationships that will carry over into eternity instead of chasing after those that really don't want to invest in my life either...the reason why giving away all that I have, even my life, if asked, well...matters. Because when I truly grasp that what matters in Heaven matters here..."it creates ripples in Heaven's water that will extend outward for all eternity." I've yet to find anything else that even begins to compare...have you?

Combing Out

Yesterday, I had a friend facing what could have been a very traumatic ordeal. I woke up with her on my mind and as I sat alone with the Holy Spirit, I kept praying for His peace to overtake her. What I read in Jesus Calling made me teary, because I knew He'd written it for my friend.

Problem is, she doesn't have a copy of the book. So I thought I'd post the quote on Facebook. Trouble with that was I knew she wouldn't have time to check FB before her day began. Holy Spirit said..."Text her". So I did.

It took three texts and that was only half of the message. It's such an amazing message for all of us that I feel compelled to share it here today:

"I speak to you from the depths of your being. Hear Me saying soothing words of Peace, assuring you of My Love. Do not listen to voices of accusation, for they are not from Me. I speak to you in lovetones, lifting you up. My Spirit convicts cleanly, without crushing words of shame. Let the Spirit take charge of your mind, combing out tangles of deception. Be transformed by the truth that I live within you.
The Light of My Presence is shining upon you, in benedictions of Peace. Let My Light shine in you; don't dim it with worries or fears. Holiness is letting Me live through you. Since I dwell in you, you are fully equipped to be holy. Pause before responding to people or situations, giving My Spirit space to act through you. Hasty words and actions leave no room for Me; this is atheistic living. I want to inhabit all your moments--gracing your thoughts, words, and behavior."
Romans 8:1-2
Colossians 1:27
I Corinthians 6:19

Combing out. What a great visual reminder to me of just how easily I get caught up in the seemingly tiny deceptions that satan sets out to trap me. "Voices of accusation", "shame", "deceptions", "hasty words and actions", "no room for (Him)" and "atheistic living" can describe any number of arrows hurled at me or from me throughout a typical day.

We were made for more than that, weren't we? Absolutely!

But God never promised it would be easy, did He? And I love this idea of letting Him comb out the deceptions. I have three daughters...I've done my fair share of detangling hair. I even have one that has a very sensitive head, although they've all done their fair share of jumping, yelling "OUCH!", crying, pleading with me to "STOP!!!!" and a few times just getting up and running out of the room to avoid the inevitable untangling that needed to be done.

Metaphorically (& sometimes literally!), don't we do the same thing to God when He attempts to untangle the deceptions that are comfortable to us? Honestly? I have. I'm guessing that we've all yelled "Enough!", "STOP!!!!" and even run away when He's tried to gently and tenderly comb out the tangled knot of deception.

Deception is where we're comfortable right? Think about it. If you've had the opportunity to come face-to-face with the dysfunction in your family, the arrogance and pride you've hidden behind, the cloud of doom, shame, blame or guilt surrounding you and actually had the courage to deal with it...you know what I mean. It's tough work!

But if you've ever had the pleasure of combing through your child's tangles...no matter the tears, the screams, the pain, the stress, the length of time...when that shimmering, smooth, soft, beautiful hair cascades freely down over their shoulders...you realize it was worth it all.

As one who had to face her family's and her own dysfunction, as one who has dealt with my own guilt, shame, pain, arrogance, pride, judgment, deceit, pretension, etc., etc. etc. I can wholeheartedly and honestly disclose to you a secret that your enemy does not ever want you to know...every tear, every pain, every minute of sitting still while He combed out the tangles was worth it all!  The free flowing beauty and awareness of His love, mercy and compassion far out pays anything I had to endure.

One more thought...He can't comb out and detangle a moving target. If you're on the run, He will chase you...but He can't do the work until you sit still. Maybe take a lesson from my 11 year old, Rebekah...the sensitive-headed child. You see, she learned a few years ago that if she read a book while I combed out her hair, the distraction lessened the pain.

If you have some tangles of deception that need combed out, my best advice would be quit running, pull up a chair and grab His Book. Start reading and let Him distract you from the pain with His Love.

Weightlessness

A few nights ago, I rented a movie from Redbox. What actually drew me to this particular movie was that it was directed by Clint Eastwood (whose movies I usually enjoy and often have a good meaning to them) and starred Matt Damon (whose talent I have grown to appreciate after seeing him in movies like The Good Shepherd, Ocean's Eleven, Invictus and one of my favorite Damon performances, The Informant! ).


When I read the synopsis of Hereafter, I knew this was "A drama centered on three people -- a blue-collar American, a French journalist and a London school boy -- who are touched by death in different ways." I didn't hold out much hope of the storyline having a Christian worldview and the reviews I saw weren't that favorable. Plus, I'd never even heard of this when it was released, so it must not have been one of Eastwood's best. Nevertheless, I was still drawn to it and was intrigued by the premise...these types of movies have always fascinated me.

And just as I expected, it really wasn't that good. Sure, it had a nice warm-fuzzy feeling about how peaceful dying is, but some of the acting (especially from one pre-teen actor) just wasn't that good. There were a couple of scenes when Matt Damon even seemed to be overacting but I think it's more likely that the actors he was sharing the screen with, just didn't have the ability to keep up with him.

All that being said, I AM thankful that I spent the two hours watching it. As God is so faithful to do, His Holy Spirit used this movie to glean from it two lessons that He is still in the process of teaching me...more accurately, I'm still in the process of learning them!

The first lesson? That when we are blessed enough to have witnessed or participated in the Divine (in this case someone experiences death and comes back to tell about it), it's rare to find someone else that will understand or sometimes even believe you. People who have no room for the sacred in their lives will often challenge you, observe that you're just rationalizing your unusual (by the culture's standards) behavior and write you off as an oddity...someone that's gone off the deep end. Yes, I have experienced this to varying degrees and not just in our present circumstances.

The second lesson? This is the one I get excited about! Because it's such a simple...child-like lesson, yet I know I will never fully grasp it until I see Jesus face-to-face.

I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone that may want to see it, but there is a scene when a young boy asks a psychic (who throughout the movie has proven his gift is real) to contact a deceased loved one. The dead person communicates through the psychic how great it is where he's gone to and the feeling of "weightlessness" is amazing. Honestly, as I'm typing this, I don't remember if the psychic in the movie says, or if I just thought "They all say that". Haven't we all heard or read an interview with someone that has supposedly died and come back and they all refer to this feeling of weightlessness. Nothing new right? Isn't this were we all get the theory that in Heaven we're going to fly or be unfettered by the laws of gravity, physics, temporal bodies, etc.?

But as I sat there watching this movie, as clear as a voice to my heart, Holy Spirit assured me that 'It's not the weightlessness of body they're talking about...it's the weightlessness of the spirit.' Huh?? But within about two minutes, I knew what He meant.

From the beginning of time, in Eden no less, we were never created to bear the burdens that we bear. The shame and guilt of sin; the worry over provision (ouch!); the feeling of futility and doubt; fear of what others or even we are capable of; fear of or shame from failure; insecurity; a feeling of "lost-ness"; self-pity; self-degradation; sins of racism, materialism, and every other -ism that may have been handed down to us and beyond our control; and yes, control...or the desperate grasp of control...yet, knowing that our whole world is spinning out of control.

And then we die and "poof" it's all gone...and NONE of those things matter. You stand before the Creator of the Universe who loved you so much that He came to Earth and died for you so that you have the privilege of standing before Him...naked and unashamed (naked, spiritually speaking...I can find no evidence for or against clothing being worn in Heaven!) Okay...NOW I understand why they all describe this feeling of weightlessness!

Just imagine if we could take our every care, burden, fear, worry...on and on and on and dump it F-O-R-E-V-E-R...what would that feel like?? I'm guessing it would feel a lot like "weightlessness".

But Jesus taught us to pray to our Abba (Daddy)..."Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven" (See Matthew 6:9-11) That means we can experience some of the sacred, some of the divine, some of the pleasure, delight, joy, freedom of Heaven in our here and now. As Christians we are commanded in Scripture to live out this Kingdom before a world that only knows hell. So why can't I experience and live out this Heavenly weightlessness as well? Didn't Jesus say in Matthew 11:29, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS"?

And is it just coincidence that I watch this movie two days before I hear Beth Moore talk about the fruit of the Spirit that is peace? If you've been reading my blog very long and you still believe in coincidence then you must not know the same God that I know. In Moore's discussion of peace, she points out that in Scripture over and over again, the supernatural peace that comes from the Holy Spirit can only be received by allowing Jesus to rule over that area of struggle. She repeats numerous times, "Peace Rules".

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:15)

Some of her comments include:

"The personal rule of Christ is always associated with peace."

"If I want increased peace, I have to increase my bowing to Him."

"When I am wigged out in an area of my life, it's because I haven't submitted to His authority in that area."

Makes sense now that when we die and God is the ONLY One that can rule our lives, we naturally have supernatural peace or...weightlessness. But I want to go further...I want to KNOW this weightlessness NOW. After all, "Your Kingdom come...on Earth as it is in Heaven."

One of the things Beth Moore teaches you at the very beginning of Living Beyond Yourself is to EVERY morning, meet with God in prayer and confess to Him any sin we need to confess, thank Him and believe He has forgiven it. Then admit and give to Him all of our concerns...one by one...from the smallest to the biggest. I'm even going so far as to shake my hands, make a gesture of wiping them off of me or blowing them away as I push my hands out to remind me that they are going away from me. Then when I've poured out my confessions and my concerns, I can ask the Holy Spirit to fill me up with Him...His rule, His love, His power, His mercy and ask Him to infiltrate every fiber of my being. I've made this sound easy, but some days it's downright difficult because I'm too distracted or too hurried or just carrying too many burdens.

But now, after watching this movie and having Holy Spirit work this word into my heart, I pray that I can go further in. And I don't want to do this just in the morning, but throughout my day, as fear, doubt, worry, risk, guilt, judgement, etc. assail me, my prayer is for Holy Spirit to make me aware of the unnecessary burden I am carrying and that I will yearn for a life of freedom from these burdens.

I pray that it becomes an active part of my life to transfer every care over to Him. Isn't that how He originally created man in Eden to live? Isn't that what He planned for me from the very beginning? Weightlessness!

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