Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Every get that "caught in a warped circle of negativity" feeling?
Does that ever happen to you? Where things are just going wrong and going wrong and your not sure why but you do know you can't shake it or get rid of it? I sure do...It hit me the other day that there IS h--- on earth! This experience is it! When you just feel icky inside, irritable, nothing is going right, everyone around you is cranky, its just a BAD day....This is a little taste of the "other" place...This has really struck me lately and in doing so only confirmed my desire to (avoid) it at all cost. Can you imagine spending e-t-e-r-n-i-t-y going through this on a much deeper level? Ooooooooh not me! Recently read enough of a book called "23 Minutes In H---" If anyone has any doubts about HOW WONDERFUL Heaven is read the first chapter or two of this book and you'll change your mind! Thats kind of what jumpstarted me on this quest to post here, this whole blog actually...If the "other" place is soooooooooo horrid then Heaven must be the complete oposite! And how wonderful that is...So on my icky days its actually a nice reminder that Heaven awaits if I but continue to run the race till the end. How SWEET will be my reward if I can but persevere...My prayer for you is that you will also be inspired to aim high, aim for Heaven and then keep your eyes fixed on the prize till you claim it for your own! See ya there!
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Why God created us and why the "other place" exist
This is why I think God created us. He doesn't need us, He was/is just fine without us however think that He is SO full of love and generosity that He wanted to SHARE it! Think that is why we are here in a nutshell.
Think that He wanted us to enjoy Him and enjoy all the beauty He had created. He wanted to see us happy! Think about it. When something makes you happy you want to share it with another. It doubles your joy. Think God made us that way. Remember we are created in His image and likeness. This is just one aspect of that.
I am reminded of the wedding parable when the Host invites so many to come and enjoy the festivities. Isn't that us? Are we not invited? And yet some choose NOT to go, not to enjoy the blessings and gifts. Think God as our Inviter then feels offended maybe angry that we have snubbed His gifts in our insolence. Shame on us if we do. Hence He created a place for those that choose to reject Him and His gifts. It is I believe our choice to accept the bounty or reject it therefore rejecting our Good God.
Speaking of gifts, this also came to me and felt it worth mentioning. God has given us so many gifts and yet we have the ability to use them correctly or inappropiately. For example food. Food is GOOD, we need it for nurishment and yet many use it to commit the sin of gluttony. Gift misused! God created so much for our happiness and use and as the Good Giver/Father He expects us to use them well. Believe if we misuse then we will likely end up in the "other place". Another example. The physical union of husband and wife. Perfectly wonderful and created by God and yet there are those, many in fact that misuse it by "using" this gift before marriage or outside of it. God will not be insulted this way. Unless we repent of this misuse and then correct our behavior we again will most likely end up in the "other place". SO folks lets just enjoy ALL that God has given us, use it wisely and we will be happy here as well as in Heaven our ultimate home!
Think that He wanted us to enjoy Him and enjoy all the beauty He had created. He wanted to see us happy! Think about it. When something makes you happy you want to share it with another. It doubles your joy. Think God made us that way. Remember we are created in His image and likeness. This is just one aspect of that.
I am reminded of the wedding parable when the Host invites so many to come and enjoy the festivities. Isn't that us? Are we not invited? And yet some choose NOT to go, not to enjoy the blessings and gifts. Think God as our Inviter then feels offended maybe angry that we have snubbed His gifts in our insolence. Shame on us if we do. Hence He created a place for those that choose to reject Him and His gifts. It is I believe our choice to accept the bounty or reject it therefore rejecting our Good God.
Speaking of gifts, this also came to me and felt it worth mentioning. God has given us so many gifts and yet we have the ability to use them correctly or inappropiately. For example food. Food is GOOD, we need it for nurishment and yet many use it to commit the sin of gluttony. Gift misused! God created so much for our happiness and use and as the Good Giver/Father He expects us to use them well. Believe if we misuse then we will likely end up in the "other place". Another example. The physical union of husband and wife. Perfectly wonderful and created by God and yet there are those, many in fact that misuse it by "using" this gift before marriage or outside of it. God will not be insulted this way. Unless we repent of this misuse and then correct our behavior we again will most likely end up in the "other place". SO folks lets just enjoy ALL that God has given us, use it wisely and we will be happy here as well as in Heaven our ultimate home!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
No marriage in Heaven...
Remember most of what you read here is my opinion and therefore it may or may not hold water when an "expert" should look it over...
That said here is my opinion of why Our Lord says there will no marriage in Heaven.
This is something that has troubled me in the past, not understanding it too well. After much contemplation on the subject this is why I believe it to be so.
Jesus says no one will be given in marriage nor married in Heaven. Well, why do humans (or even animals) "marry" at all? Is it not for the sole purpose really of continuing on the human race? Or animal kindgom? Is it not God's intention that we should continue to repopulate the earth until He comes again in glory to take the "sheep" home with Him? Of course it is!
It is a "human" need to do so. This body of ours has so many needs. We must eat or die, we must sleep or not be able to function. We must work or waste away. We must socialize or become islands that are mentally well, not right. We have so many needs do we not. That is how God created us on this earth in this corporal body. When we leave this corporal world we pass into a different world. One that is totally different from here. There we have no need to continue the human race, our mission has been accomplished, we have "arrived" at our destination. We have no need for food as the new body we will have will have no need for it. Christ will sustain us. We will have no need for sleep, we will not be chained down with physical needs and wants. They simply won't exist. We will have no desire for a spouse because first God will supply any desires we have for companionshp or for anything really. Second we won't have the biological need to procreate because we will be beyond that if you will. Hence we won't feel the attraction to the opposite sex nor the biological draws that humans are endowed with here, there will be NO need, hence they will not exist. So if you have no need of physical unions for the continuation of the human race why have marriage? You won't! God is so brillant, we humans are so slow on figuring stuff out. It has taken me years, yes, years to figure this out...So don't feel bad.
Another area related is will we know our spouses? I believe of course we will. However I think our relationship to them will be altered. Let me explain. Seems to me that you will of course recognize your spouse but your committment to them will be released. Hence you can simply be you and not part of a "couple". You will shine with your heavenly blessings-the special rewards God granted to you due to what you gave to Him while on earth and your spouse will do the same but as an individual. You will have a bond of sorts it seems to me but not a "hey I'm with him/her" sort of thing. You will have a history together and feel that you will together rejoice in that but again you will not be bound together. She will go off this way and he another direction, both smiling and completely happy and yet not bound. Grateful perhaps for God's amazing design in bringing them together on earth to work as a team to further God's design and yet realizing that their mission is complete and now once more they are individuals. Does this make sense to you as it does to me? Hope so. Hope to edify and lift up, to explain not confuse and draw down.
I know there are some that will rejoice in thinking "wow free at last". Not sure thats what God intended for us but it will basically be true won't it? And yet feel that once you get to Heaven all hard feelings will be gone. Also that we will see things in a totally different perspective, God's perspective. He is the Master Weaver and works all things unto His master plan/masterpiece.
Sometimes it hits me how we have such small ideas about God. He is so much larger than life if you will...He is so capable of doing anything He pleases. We so tend to forget that. He is the Master Orchestrator, conducting so many things at the same time without missing a beat. Amazing God we have. How blessed are we to be called His Children?
On that happy note, signing off for now...
GG
That said here is my opinion of why Our Lord says there will no marriage in Heaven.
This is something that has troubled me in the past, not understanding it too well. After much contemplation on the subject this is why I believe it to be so.
Jesus says no one will be given in marriage nor married in Heaven. Well, why do humans (or even animals) "marry" at all? Is it not for the sole purpose really of continuing on the human race? Or animal kindgom? Is it not God's intention that we should continue to repopulate the earth until He comes again in glory to take the "sheep" home with Him? Of course it is!
It is a "human" need to do so. This body of ours has so many needs. We must eat or die, we must sleep or not be able to function. We must work or waste away. We must socialize or become islands that are mentally well, not right. We have so many needs do we not. That is how God created us on this earth in this corporal body. When we leave this corporal world we pass into a different world. One that is totally different from here. There we have no need to continue the human race, our mission has been accomplished, we have "arrived" at our destination. We have no need for food as the new body we will have will have no need for it. Christ will sustain us. We will have no need for sleep, we will not be chained down with physical needs and wants. They simply won't exist. We will have no desire for a spouse because first God will supply any desires we have for companionshp or for anything really. Second we won't have the biological need to procreate because we will be beyond that if you will. Hence we won't feel the attraction to the opposite sex nor the biological draws that humans are endowed with here, there will be NO need, hence they will not exist. So if you have no need of physical unions for the continuation of the human race why have marriage? You won't! God is so brillant, we humans are so slow on figuring stuff out. It has taken me years, yes, years to figure this out...So don't feel bad.
Another area related is will we know our spouses? I believe of course we will. However I think our relationship to them will be altered. Let me explain. Seems to me that you will of course recognize your spouse but your committment to them will be released. Hence you can simply be you and not part of a "couple". You will shine with your heavenly blessings-the special rewards God granted to you due to what you gave to Him while on earth and your spouse will do the same but as an individual. You will have a bond of sorts it seems to me but not a "hey I'm with him/her" sort of thing. You will have a history together and feel that you will together rejoice in that but again you will not be bound together. She will go off this way and he another direction, both smiling and completely happy and yet not bound. Grateful perhaps for God's amazing design in bringing them together on earth to work as a team to further God's design and yet realizing that their mission is complete and now once more they are individuals. Does this make sense to you as it does to me? Hope so. Hope to edify and lift up, to explain not confuse and draw down.
I know there are some that will rejoice in thinking "wow free at last". Not sure thats what God intended for us but it will basically be true won't it? And yet feel that once you get to Heaven all hard feelings will be gone. Also that we will see things in a totally different perspective, God's perspective. He is the Master Weaver and works all things unto His master plan/masterpiece.
Sometimes it hits me how we have such small ideas about God. He is so much larger than life if you will...He is so capable of doing anything He pleases. We so tend to forget that. He is the Master Orchestrator, conducting so many things at the same time without missing a beat. Amazing God we have. How blessed are we to be called His Children?
On that happy note, signing off for now...
GG
Sunday, February 7, 2010
8 Beatitudes
Heard the eight beatitudes sung beautifully today and it hit me how they seem to be telling us some things to expect IN Heaven...Thought I need to think about this just a little more and then post for you in hopes it will help you as it is helping me....
Just need to look at them and then post while referring directly to the exact wording...
Hope you all will enjoy this new venture into the wonders and joys that await us in Heaven!
Thanks!
GG
Just need to look at them and then post while referring directly to the exact wording...
Hope you all will enjoy this new venture into the wonders and joys that await us in Heaven!
Thanks!
GG
Sunday, January 24, 2010
More thoughts on Heaven
Something that keep forgetting to attempt to convey but at least want to try here now is that if we all just thought about how truly incredibly spectacular heaven is we would do ANYTHING to get there. Let me elaborate. If you believed that we are here as for a test to see if we choose heaven and God or choose the other place. And it IS our choice. If we really pondered the wonders, beauties and undreamed of realities of heaven we'd soooooooooo want to be there no matter what it cost to get there! I truly believe this and so want to convey this to you. Just not sure HOW to say it in a way that will convince you. Keep thinking wow! Heaven is so AWESOME I want (everyone) to go there! Don't want anyone to miss out on this! Keep thinking of more and more wonders that await us there. Keep thinking of God's promise of "the eye has not seen, the ear has not heard" what marvels await us. Lets face it folks, we are going to spend ETERNITY somewhere...Where would you rather be? I've no doubt about where I want to be and everyone I know to be too! Think about this. For me thinking on the neg's of life and doom and gloom only gets me down. But thinking on Heaven just lifts me up, it makes the mundane more bearable, the difficulties more bearable...Just knowing that we are only here for a number of years, in the scheme of things a short time but that Heaven can be ours for eternity...Oh the joy one feels! No more tears unless of joy! No more pain, you know achy joints, headaches, fevers, ladies:cramps, no more hunger or the need to eat even.
I also pondered the fact that Jesus says in heaven there will be no marriage...Didn't understand that before but now I do...Here there is a need to procreate in order to continue the human race. In heaven that need no longer exists. Hence no marriage. And the reason on earth for marriage is sustain a family. Again in Heaven there is no need for this...SO actually even though spouses may be there together they no longer have need of the "union". So they would have a history together and a family hopefully all reunited there in heaven but not have to be "tied" to the other one. For some of us this will be a blessing...(smile) free at last you might say...But again we are separate entities are we not. We make a choice to join forces for the sake of family. In heaven we don't need this union so we are allowed to shine for who we are in God's eyes. Its unique and lovely thought to me, what about you? We won't need to be a "couple" in heaven,we would still be friends and all however. Not condemning life on earth nor family life of course not, this is a conversation on heaven and how things will be different there.
So just some more thoughts for what they are worth. You all may laugh but this blog was started more for myself than anything. SO many thoughts kept popping into my head and couldn't keep track of them all. Then started thinking others might benefit from them as well...Hope this truly can become a reality. This is a dark, dark place we live in...If your a Tolkien fan then let me say we certainly live under the deep shadow of Mordor these days...So spreading a little light as my motto says is what I hope to do for you...Give you something beautiful and real to think about...
Here is a poem that some have seen before but seems perhaps its fitting here as well..
"Walking Through Mordor"
Yea though I walk through the valley of Mordor
I will fear no evil.
Though all is dark and dead
And I see no light yet will
I continue-
I know that places of light still exist.
I have tasted elven wine,
And slept beneath peaceful skies.
I have experienced strong friendships,
I have known peace.
So though I walk through the valley of Mordor
Yet will I hope
I know the eagles will come
I know that yet again will I rest
And I know that ahead
Lies a beautiful future
Beyond my wildest dreams....
-LMC
This poem was inspired by the Trilogy story line as well as the Bible verse: Psalm 23
It reflects what I was going through when it was written which was really a dark, dark time. It also shares my belief in what is written on this blog that good will come, and Heaven awaits at the end of the journey for those who persevere....
So spread a little light yourselves...We must be as candles in a dark room. Let us share our light with others and give what comfort we may...Our reward will indeed be great if we do!
Peace friends,
GG
I also pondered the fact that Jesus says in heaven there will be no marriage...Didn't understand that before but now I do...Here there is a need to procreate in order to continue the human race. In heaven that need no longer exists. Hence no marriage. And the reason on earth for marriage is sustain a family. Again in Heaven there is no need for this...SO actually even though spouses may be there together they no longer have need of the "union". So they would have a history together and a family hopefully all reunited there in heaven but not have to be "tied" to the other one. For some of us this will be a blessing...(smile) free at last you might say...But again we are separate entities are we not. We make a choice to join forces for the sake of family. In heaven we don't need this union so we are allowed to shine for who we are in God's eyes. Its unique and lovely thought to me, what about you? We won't need to be a "couple" in heaven,we would still be friends and all however. Not condemning life on earth nor family life of course not, this is a conversation on heaven and how things will be different there.
So just some more thoughts for what they are worth. You all may laugh but this blog was started more for myself than anything. SO many thoughts kept popping into my head and couldn't keep track of them all. Then started thinking others might benefit from them as well...Hope this truly can become a reality. This is a dark, dark place we live in...If your a Tolkien fan then let me say we certainly live under the deep shadow of Mordor these days...So spreading a little light as my motto says is what I hope to do for you...Give you something beautiful and real to think about...
Here is a poem that some have seen before but seems perhaps its fitting here as well..
"Walking Through Mordor"
Yea though I walk through the valley of Mordor
I will fear no evil.
Though all is dark and dead
And I see no light yet will
I continue-
I know that places of light still exist.
I have tasted elven wine,
And slept beneath peaceful skies.
I have experienced strong friendships,
I have known peace.
So though I walk through the valley of Mordor
Yet will I hope
I know the eagles will come
I know that yet again will I rest
And I know that ahead
Lies a beautiful future
Beyond my wildest dreams....
-LMC
This poem was inspired by the Trilogy story line as well as the Bible verse: Psalm 23
It reflects what I was going through when it was written which was really a dark, dark time. It also shares my belief in what is written on this blog that good will come, and Heaven awaits at the end of the journey for those who persevere....
So spread a little light yourselves...We must be as candles in a dark room. Let us share our light with others and give what comfort we may...Our reward will indeed be great if we do!
Peace friends,
GG
Friday, January 15, 2010
Ever Notice?
Another thought that keeps going through my head what about yours? Ever notice how when your singing praises to God at church or wherever your heart just soars? Never noticed for a long time, too busy with "distractions"...But lately its been really hitting me hard. Sometimes at church I could just go on singing and singing till I collapsed from exhaustion! It also hit me how I've always heard that in "Heaven" you do alot of singing praise to God. Used to think "huh?" How fun is that. Think starting to understand that now... Do an experiment yourself, next time your singing praises notice (how) you feel inside...Bet you'll be surprised as I was! So maybe singing in Heaven will alot more rewarding than any of us previously thought...As a local pastor says on the radio here "not a sermon, just a thought".
GG
GG
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
More Thoughts...
Still thinking about Heaven and HOW wonderful it must be, has to be....
I just very recently lost a dear canine friend Sophia... I always make a scrapbook for my pets after I lose them and so am in process of doing this for her. In my search for "add on's" found this page of stickers with these two quotes: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 And a second verse: "With God all things are possible". Mark 10:27. Still one more "And all these things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22. Well I do believe that I shall see my Sophia again! I believe that God will so blow my "human" expectations out of the water that I'll probably be just dumbfounded, breathless and laughing for joy when I get there...Oh can you even try to imagine the wonderful, wonderful things that await us there? If a parent loves to see the faces of their kid(s) on Christmas morn replace that thought with God seeing our faces on Heaven's first morn for us! How He must just wait eagerly anticipating our arrival to surprise us! Praise Him for this! Feel so badly for those that "miss the boat" and go to the other place....We must pray that all make it to Heaven like intended by our Creator. After meditating on the other place wouldn't wish that on anyone...
Sophia, wait for me, I'll be there with your mama, Joanne, Huxley, Harley, Blackie, rescue Princess, all my pet birds especially Pinkie and my goats especially Claire and Theresa,my chickens,horses etc that I've lost over the years... What a pleasant thought to think this way instead of dwelling on all the pain of earth.
Sweet dreams to you all...
GG
I just very recently lost a dear canine friend Sophia... I always make a scrapbook for my pets after I lose them and so am in process of doing this for her. In my search for "add on's" found this page of stickers with these two quotes: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9 And a second verse: "With God all things are possible". Mark 10:27. Still one more "And all these things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive." Matthew 21:22. Well I do believe that I shall see my Sophia again! I believe that God will so blow my "human" expectations out of the water that I'll probably be just dumbfounded, breathless and laughing for joy when I get there...Oh can you even try to imagine the wonderful, wonderful things that await us there? If a parent loves to see the faces of their kid(s) on Christmas morn replace that thought with God seeing our faces on Heaven's first morn for us! How He must just wait eagerly anticipating our arrival to surprise us! Praise Him for this! Feel so badly for those that "miss the boat" and go to the other place....We must pray that all make it to Heaven like intended by our Creator. After meditating on the other place wouldn't wish that on anyone...
Sophia, wait for me, I'll be there with your mama, Joanne, Huxley, Harley, Blackie, rescue Princess, all my pet birds especially Pinkie and my goats especially Claire and Theresa,my chickens,horses etc that I've lost over the years... What a pleasant thought to think this way instead of dwelling on all the pain of earth.
Sweet dreams to you all...
GG
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