HEAVEN

I've seen lots of pictures of what some have thought heaven looks like. I know that none of them can adequately depict how wonderful it is.  So, this picture may be a little silly frivolous but it did put a smile on my face.

Here is how the Bible describes heaven:

1Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 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. 4‘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.” (Revelation 21:1-4)

This verse indicates that there will be a new heaven and a new earth because the first the first ones have passed away. I have to admit that my finite mind cannot really comprehend all of this. In fact, I think it is beyond our comprehension. I do know one thing. I want to be there.

Children try to understand it and I think it's interesting to note some of the things they come up with. It also puts a smile on my face. Here are some samples taken from Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins' book Are We Living in the End Times.

The best part of heaven is the party Jesus is going to give us. Lots of babies will be in heaven. If we need our dolls in heaven, Jesus will have them there. Micah Leake, age 3

There are roads of gold, gates of pearl, and after you have walked through the gates of pearl, I think you might see a humongous throne. I think the throne is made out of bricks of gold and outlined with pearls, decorated with emeralds―maybe even rubies! I don't know if I'm right, but I do know you will have to have bare feet. Emily Edwards, age 7.

I think heaven would have fences in it with strawberries. David who fighted Goliath would be there too. I think heaven would have blueberries and gold in it. Old people will be there and God's angels. There also will be a big, big feast that keeps everybody full. Andrew Edwards, age 3.

Heaven will be like living in the clouds with Christ and you can roller-blade on streets of gold. Peter will give you fishing lessons. We'll all be able to fly. We'll play tag in the sky. The trees will be made of gold and the leaves of silver. My point is, heaven is going to be wonderful!  Isaac Allen Jones, age 11.

Don't forget the Miracle Makeover Blog party coming up next month. You can read about it on Spiritual Sundays and there are links there to find out more about it. I will be posting more details soon. I have had the privilege of previewing a video telling about the latest makeover. It will be available for everyone to view soon. Be looking forward to that also.

ROSES

I don't know about you, but I'm glad God created roses. And for me, it is especially pink roses.

I like this poem by Helen Steiner Rice.

Roses Always Make a

Garden a Bit More Lovely

Like roses in a garden,

kindness fills the air

With a certain bit of sweetness

as it touches everywhere.

For kindness is a circle 

that never, never ends

But just keeps ever-widening

in the circle of our friends.

For happiness is only found

in bringing it to others

And thinking of the folks next door

as sisters and as brothers.

For the more you give, the more you get

is proven every day.

And so to get the most from life

you must give yourself away.

And if this greedy world today

would only start to give

Life everywhere for everyone

would be more sweet to live.

Luke 10:27
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Luke 10:26-28 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter)


John 13:35
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-36 (in Context) John 13 (Whole Chapter)

Each week as I read what others have shared on Spiritual Sundays I am reminded of the love that is shown. Thank you to all who share there each week. Be sure to go to that blog to find out how we can show our love for others by being a part of the Miracle Makeover that is coming up next month.

Help Us To See and Understand

In trying to decide what to share this week for Spiritual Sundays, I ran across a little book that was given to me many years ago by a secret sister. Through the years, off and on, at the different churches we've been with, there has been a "secret sister" program. The little book is called Blossoms of Friendship, a collection of poems by Helen Steiner Rice. Inside the book was a cute little card revealing who that secret sister was. Her name is Jane Jones. I haven't seen Jane in several years and it was nice to recall our relationship of the past. The poem I chose was one called

Help Us To See and Understand.

God, give us wider vision

to see and understand

That both the sun and showers

are gifts from Thy great hand.

And when our lives are overcast

with trouble and with care,

Give us the faith to see beyond

the dark clouds of despair.

Teach us that it takes the showers

to make the flowers grow

And only in the storms of life

when the winds of trouble blow

Can man, too, reach maturity

and grow in faith and grace

And gain the strength and courage

to enable him to face

Sunny days as well as rain,

high peaks as well as low,

Knowing that the April showers

will make the May flowers grow.

And then at last may we accept

the sunshine and the showers,

Confident it takes them both

to make salvation ours!

As I stated at the beginning of this post, I'm sharing this on Spiritual Sundays. I hope you will go there and be blessed by reading what so many others have shared.

Doris Day

As you know, I like to share stuff I discover on the computer. One of my latest discoveries is a font called Doris Day. I'm kind of a font-a-holic so I had to download it. Doris Day is one of my all time favorite actresses. I think the font is pretty cool. Here's the link if you would like to download it. (It's free). http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,169842/description.html