A taste of heaven

Have you ever been given a gift that far exceeded anything that you could imagine? No really! One that you never even dreamed possible? This past weekend our Journey leaders went away for a time of refreshment before our new year started.

One of our leaders had asked a friend of hers if we might be able to use their lodge for the weekend getaway. Generously they granted the request but asked to remain anonymous. No one in the group had ever been to the lodge and we were thrilled to have a place to stay. A few of us went early to set things up for the women before they arrived.  I was so excited to put little gifts in their rooms to make each person feel appreciated.  Little did I know that our present was in front of us! As we approached the address on the map we noticed a very elaborate gate and intercom. I was starting to think that this little lodge was more than I had previously thought.  We entered into the drive and saw a large log house to the left and an even larger, no, massive estate to the right. Did I mention the landscaping? Everywhere we looked there were trees, flowers, ponds, fountains and beauty! My stomach began to feel like a washing machine.  I was nervously excited.  If we hadn't spoken to the caretaker at the gate, I would have thought that we were at the wrong place.  To say that this place was grand would be an understatement. We entered into the great room and I had no words!  I was trying to look as though I wasn't impressed in front of the caretaker but when he went out of the room I jumped up and down and giggled like a little kid!  I could not contain the excitement.  "How in the world did I get here?" I thought to myself. As we spent the next half and hour looking at the lodge I kept thinking,

"If I am this excited to be in this place, How much more am I going to be when I get to heaven?"

The bible describes heaven as a city that is filled with the brilliance of costly stones and crystal clear jasper. Heaven has twelve gates (Revelation 21:12) and twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). The paradise of the Garden of Eden is restored: the river of the water of life flows freely and the tree of life is available once again, yielding fruit monthly with leaves that “heal the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). However eloquent John was in his description of heaven, the reality of heaven is beyond the ability of finite man to describe (1 Corinthians 2:9).


Heaven is a place of “no mores.” There will be no more tears, no more pain, and no more sorrow (Revelation 21:4). There will be no more separation, because death will be conquered (Revelation 20:6).

The best thing about heaven is the presence of our Lord and Savior (1 John 3:2). We will be face to face with the Lamb of God who loved us and sacrificed Himself so that we can enjoy His presence in heaven for eternity.http://www.gotquestions.org/heaven-like.html

Nothing on earth can take the place of having a home in heaven.

Father,

Thank you for giving us glimpes of you!  Thank you for preparing a place for us in heaven.  May I grow in the knowledge of you and of your kingdom.  I yearn to know you more and to make you name known.

Jann

Leaving the past behind

A friend posted pictures today on Facebook from 2001. It brought back great memories of people, places and events. I was smiling as I saw people at camp, on missions trips and serving the community together.


Looking back on our lives can be a good thing.

There are however, some things that that we would like to forget.

As I reflect on past mistakes, I am embarrased to have people know some of the stupid things that I did. The first thing that comes to mind is the time that I left the church late one night. Crash! "What just happened?" I asked myself, as I sat there dazed. The confusion quickly turned to embarrassment as I realized that the parking lot gate post was down and I had driven right into it! My front window was

shattered! All I could think of was,"I hope no-one saw this!" I drove home as fast as I could still reeling from the incredibly dumb event that had just taken place. You should have seen my husband's face when I showed him the car.


We have two choices in regards to our past mistakes.

• Learn from them and move on.

Or

• Keep repeating them in a never ending cycle.

Scripture tells us that everyone of us has sinned and that we all will make mistakes. There is no way around it. But, we do have a choice in how we deal with them!

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:8-9

I love that God says we are to recognize our mistakes, tell Him about them and then let Him clean us up!

Remember also what He said to the woman caught in adultery, "Go and sin no more!"

This is the second part to making mistakes. Don't keep doing them!

Make a decision today to leave the past behind you and press on to that which you have been called to.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,  Ephesians 1:18

Father,

May we learn from our pasts to better serve you in the future. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace.

jann