MORTALITY

I was called to the bedside of a good friend yesterday.  She is suffering from cancer.  She was surrounded by family and friends who spoke tenderly to her.  They kissed her forehead and caressed are arms and shoulders.  They offered ice chips and cool washcloths.  It was a picture of family love and tenderness!

Early this morning I prayed for my friend and her family. 

Then I prayed for myself.  Someday, I too, will be making the transition from earth to Heaven. 

Like most people, I'm sure I'll struggle to let go of this world and its realities:  family, friends, familiar roles, possessions, memories, etc., etc..

Yet most of us - even secular people - believe that Heaven will far exceed this world.  It will be a better place where we will be free from pain, suffering, tears, stress, and so much more! 

For Christians, we have clear hints of what Heaven will be like from the Bible.  If we have accepted Christ's substitutionary death for our sins, we will be welcomed there!

Being certain of Heaven is as easy as praying:

Dear Jesus,

I acknowledge that I have sinned.

I'm sorry!

Forgive me.

Come and be my Lord!

Help me to live to please You!

Amen.

Lions and Tigers and Bears - OH MY!

While on vacation (last week) in Banner Elk, NC, I hiked a trail that ascended over three miles up Grandfather Mountain. 

At the trailhead I signed in and read a large warning:  YOU ARE ENTERING BEAR COUNTRY!  Appropriate tips followed. 

It was a challenging hike - a strong vertical climb!  Deep woods! 

At one point I came up on an older gentleman who was slowly making the climb.  I wanted to let him know I was approaching, so I spoke:  "Nice day for hiking!"

I had hoped not to startle him, but I did.  He jumped and turned around to see me;  the first words out of his mouth:  "I thought you were a bear!"  Guess what was on his mind as he hiked?

If the five words - YOU ARE ENTERING BEAR COUNTRY - can set our minds for the duration of a hike, then couldn't God's Word set our minds for the duration of a day?

Colossians 3:2 (NASB)
"Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth."

ALTERNATIVE ENDING: "A Missed Opportunity!"

Jesus was in the middle of one of those crazy days when there just wasn't enough of Him to go around! 

Suddenly He was confronted by a man of some importance.  His name was Jairus and he was an official in the local synagogue.  With urgency Jairus implored Jesus, "My little daughter is at the point of death;  please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live." 

Jesus left immediately for Jairus' house;  the crowd followed, closely packed around Jesus - nearly impeding His way.

In the crowd was a woman who had been dealing with a hemorrhage for twelve years.  Doctors and treatments had persistently disappointed her.  She had come to Jesus with the hope of being healed. 

However, once again she'd been disappointed.  Jesus was now hurrying off to heal a sick, little girl.  Something inside her suggested that if she could just get close enough to touch His clothing, she would be healed. 

She thought about it - even seriously for a moment.  She was close enough - she could make that happen!  But she didn't want to intrude.  She didn't want to endanger the little girl.  She didn't want to anger the synagogue official. 

She would simply wait for another opportunity!

Jesus arrived at Jairus' house in time to heal his daughter!  And everyone rejoiced.  But a disheartened woman walked slowly home, with her head down.

COMMENTARY

Our minds are ingenious at producing reasons for not acting!  But if we don't act on the impulses that the Holy Spirit gives us, we WILL miss out on significant blessings!

Acts 10:34 (NASB)
...God is not one to show partiality.

God does not put one ahead of another!  He loves all His children and is capable of meeting all our needs without being stressed!

ALTERNATIVE ENDINGS: "Ghost Boat - A.D. 30"

It’s a mystery.  Search and rescue teams have been called in from Capernaum and several other communities.  They’ve been searching the lake for bodies.

Some reports indicate that the boat was observed leaving the north shore the previous day with eleven men in it.  That would have been pushing the load limit!  However, one eyewitness said that there were experienced fishermen among the group. 

If these reports are true, it raises concerns that all eleven might have been lost in a sudden storm that blew through overnight! 

Fishermen found the “ghost boat” early this morning bobbing in the middle of Galilee Lake.  Some suggested that the eleven were followers of Rabbi Yeshua whose reputation is growing in the area!

One traveler told the following incredible story:

When I was leaving from the south shore early this morning, I observed a group of men laughing and high-fiving one another!

They told of having been crossing the lake overnight.  Apparently their Rabbi came to them in the early morning hours WALKING ON THE TROUBLED SEA!

At first, they were terrified!  Then the one named Peter asked Jesus if he could also get out of the boat and walk on water.  Jesus said, “Yes, come!” 

Peter also walked on the water!  When the others saw this, they crowded out of the boat and the whole group of them finished the trip to the south shore walking on the water – LEAVING THE BOAT BOBBING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE!!!

COMMENTARY

Our faith affects the faith of others!  When we exercise our faith, we encourage others to do the same!

When we fall prey to fear, we cause others to live safely and stay in the boat!

RETIREMENT

Erwin McManus (Wide Awake, p.47) says:

Abram was seventy-five years old, so you can't tell me you're too old.  He was seventy-five when God said, "Abram, I have an entirely new adventure for you."  So it seems like retirement happens right about the moment you die when it comes to God.  There is never a point in your life where you lack value or significance.  There's always something for you to contribute.

Sarah had Isaac when she was in her nineties.  Noah started building the ark when he was 100.  Moses led Israel right up until the time of his death.  Samuel judged Israel until he was an old man.  Zechariah and Elizabeth had John (the Baptist) when they were in "advanced years." Anna (the prophetess) recognized and blessed Jesus when she was in her 80's.  John (the Apostle) was an old man when he received the Revelation! 

God is passionately pursuing lost people!  As long as He leaves us on this earth, we are to aggressively assist in His mission! 

God's retirement program is HEAVEN!  Until then - stay at your post!

HEAVEN REFRAME

Francis Chan (in Crazy Love) suggests that genuine believers think a lot about Heaven!  I agree! 

However, it might be different than some of us expect!  Read what Erwin McManus (Wide Awake) suggests:  [pp.54-55]

I have a friend who once said to me, "I can't wait until I go to heaven because then I'm going to get all of my questions answered.  I just can't wait.  I have so many questions to ask God."  Have you ever felt that way?

I said, "What in the world made you think you're going to get all the answers?"

He said, "Well, I am, aren't I?"  And he was turning white, very distraught.

I pointed out that the Bible doesn't say you're going to get all the answers.  In fact, it never says you're going to know everything about God.  It says you're going to know God.  A more likely scenario is you step into eternity, and suddenly all your questions are overwhelmed by new ones.  One second in the presence of the Creator of the universe, and you're going to get a truckload of new questions.

Eternity isn't the place where you get all the answers.  Eternity is a place where you get all new questions, a place where you will always be learning.   God is infinite.  How long does it take to get to know everything about an infinite God?  Oh, I'd say, about eternity.  You were designed by God to be curious and to learn.  Part of this is God's desire to draw you to him, to keep you searching until you find the one who created you so you can know him intimately, so your life can be changed and your dreams can become a reality.

How's THAT grab ya?

ZIPPING

Would you like to fly through the air at thirty-five miles per hour at anywhere from thirty to one-hundred-fifty feet above ground?

If your answer is "Yes!" then try zipping! 

Debbie and I did it yesterday at Hawknest Mountain in North Carolina - and it was a wonderful two hours! 

The guides were very helpful and patient.  One was always ahead of you and the other sent you off.  Although you're operating far from the ground, you are always cabled to a secure spot.  Safety is highly prioritized!

Our group of ten really bonded and cheered one another on.  We had so much fun!  At the end, the guides told us that we were the best group they'd ever led! 

It was a bit of a rush the first time you lift your legs and start flying.  All you hear is the zipping noise made as you slide along the cable.  The views were outstanding from 5,000 feet high in the Smokies! 

If you ever get the chance, spend the money!  Our group included a woman celebrating her eighty-first birthday!  You can do this!