[Earth : What Is Seen] as [Heaven : ???]

I love to imagine what heaven will be like.

There will be lots of food I can eat without gaining a ton of weight...or going into anaphylactic shock. I can fly whenever I want and even visit the stars when so inspired. I'll always be learning and discovering new things, and there will be no dust. Trust me, I looked it up. The only benefit of dust in the air is for water molecules to gather on in order to form rain droplets. God's going to water it all from the ground like He originally intended. (Genesis 2:5-6) Though, that does mess up my hope for a good thunder storm...

However you see heaven - or the new earth - to be like, it won't even compare. Honestly, we can only begin to dream of the wonders which are in store for those of us who love Him:

What no eye has seen 

   and no ear has hear, 

and what has never come 

   into a man's heart, 

is what God has prepared 

   for those who love Him.

1 Corinthians 2:9

So go ahead and spend some time dreaming with God. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

For the Spirit, who searches the deep things of God, just might infuse those dreams with what He knows.

Points To Ponder

Verses 9 and 10 of Galatians 6 were given to me this morning by a dear sister in Christ. Luckily, I was in a position where I had to sit for two hours - not even being able to use my hands - and was able to meditate on the healing, comforting, and encouraging power of that passage.

When I got home, I went back a read the verses just prior and was instructed even more. Galatians 6:1-10 is a great section of the Bible we really should ponder anew every once in a while. Not only will it keep us humble, but willing to serve as well.

Take a few minutes today to search this Scripture with the Spirit and your heart.


¹ Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you won't be tempted also. ² Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he is deceiving himself. ⁴ But each person should examine his own work, and then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to someone else. ⁵ For each person will have to carry his own load.
    ⁶ The one who is taught the message must share his goods with the teacher. ⁷ Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, ⁸ because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹ So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. 
Galatians 6:1-10

Taboo Too

Recently I heard a discussion on the issue of Christian men and women who are involved in Internet pornography. Not surprisingly, a study done in 2006 showed the percentage of men is much higher than women: 50% of men and 20% of women. One 2007 survey done in Australia even had it as high as 75% in men.

We are all aware of this issue and know- whether we follow it or not - that it is a sin. But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:28 We know about pornography. I want to discuss something even more subtle, yet just as destructive: Romance novels.

I realize I might get some flack about this, but I believe from the bottom of my heart this is true. Men tend to find pleasure from sight. That's why scantily dressed women and porn attract them so easily and the percentage of men involved in pornography is higher. Women, on the other hand, are attracted through emotions.

Ladies, I say this with the utmost love and concern. Is what you are reading in any way compromising, replacing, or affecting your emotional relationship with your husband. Are you creating unrealistic scenarios and desires that are not respectful to and do not honor the husband God gave you? If you have ever even once wished your husband were more like Mr. X in such-n-such novel, then you need to reconsider what you look at. If so, this is just as destructive as him looking at pornography.

Single ladies, are you relying on reading material to "substitute" and fulfill the desires you have for your husband to be? Have you considered that you are setting the emotional bar so high that no man could ever compete with the fictional thrills you have created. The danger here is that even though what God has planned for you will ultimately be better and satisfy you more, you may never give it the chance because he doesn't fit the image you have created in the seed of your emotions.

Sisters, we have to take this seriously. If we are to honor our God, husbands, and families we must not read any fictional material that can compromise our desires. Ladies, this is war and it's your choice if you want to win the battle or concede.



 ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. ⁸ If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ Christ died and came to life for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. ¹⁰ But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. ¹¹ For it is written:
    As I live, says the Lord,
    every knee will bow to Me,
    and every tongue will give praise to God.
 ¹² So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.
 ¹³ Therefore, let us no longer criticize one another, but instead decide not to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother's way.
Romans 14:7-13



Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things.
Philippians 4:8

Let's Talk

OK. Enough for now. My toes have been smarting for a week now, and I think yours have too. Funny how I've received fewer and fewer hits every day.  :-)

I want to hear from you today.

What are you doing today? What is on your heart? Are you mad, frustrated, bored....?
What's getting your goat right now?
Did you read something interesting, or a Scripture that's piqued your interest?
Do you have any questions about God- either serious of whimsical? I'm always questioning God about stuff -as I think you can tell - but I want to know about you.

Post a comment either with your name or anonymously, but either way...

Let's talk.

How Willing?

How dedicated are we to maturing ourselves as Christians?

When it comes to self-help topics, I admit we do fairly well. We love to know how we can benefit. Our hearts are usually even in the right place in that we want to do it for God's glory and not just satisfy our personal needs.

But this is where we fail: How willing are we to help mature others?

I'm not talking about lambasting them with the rights and wrongs. We are called to encourage, support, and correct one another out of love: Love for them and a common love of our Savior Jesus Christ.  By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35 When we truly love someone, we want them to grow in the Lord and be satisfied as well.

How much time are you willing to dedicate to others in this way?

Don't make the excuse that you don't know enough. The Lord will be with you as you seek Him together. We are never called to stop mentoring or being mentored.  Honestly, I have learned more since I started ministering to others than I ever did before, and you will too.

Please prayerful consider how you can help in maturing your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
We need each other.
We need you.

Your Narrow Path

Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it.
Matthew 7:13


We all know this. Though it may be difficult at times to discern or choose, we know that the gate to eternal life - Jesus Christ - is narrow and there are few who enter through it. But what about your steps on that path?

I truly believe that God has planned a very specific path for each of us. (Jeremiah 29:11) It is the life He created for you, and only you, to live. There is no one else who can walk it: It is yours alone.

There will be many times in your walk with Him on this path that it may take a sharp turn, drop suddenly down, or take a leap up. It is often confusing, terrifying, or even lonely, but we are not to fear, for He is with us. His rod and His staff will comfort you. (Psalm 23:4) Our job is to keep stepping, not concerning ourselves to much with what the path will bring (Matthew 6:34). When we stay near to Him, listening and being guided by His Word, just enough of the path will be lit at our feet (Psalm 119:105).

Take heart! This is the path made just for you!
He is clothing you, His bride, with a designer gown which no one else can wear.

And you will be beautiful in His eyes... (Song of Solomon 4:7)

My Prayer Of Praise

Praise You Lord for stirring my heart! (1 John 3:1) I am so excited to get to worship You today with my local brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 10:24-25) How I long to take the bread and cup, once again, in remembrance of what You did for me Jesus. (Luke 22:19-20) Thank you for the privileged of worshiping You. Thank You for calling me - the greatest of sinners - to be Your precious child. (1 Timothy 1:15) May Your glory be shown great through my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)