The next level

......... Compared to what’s coming, living conditions around here seem like a stopover in an unfurnished shack, and we’re tired of it! We’ve been given a glimpse of the real thing, our true home, our resurrection bodies! The Spirit of God whets our appetite by giving us a taste of what’s ahead. He puts a little of heaven in our hearts so that we’ll never settle for less. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5 MSG)

If you don't understand this verse, you better drop to your knees and pray for your salvation. 

I know how absolutely blessed I am. You probably get tired of hearing it. I haven't done anything to deserve it. God gives this gift to those that love him and the best is yet to come. I have been abundantly blessed by my God from above because he wants to prepare me for heaven. I see HIS amazing grace as a teaser that leads me to wanting more and more heaven. I can not wait until the day I get to walk those streets of gold. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for me and for you. I know this world seems so evil and it is heard to find good. If you look hard you can find it and I see the love of Jesus every where. The great blessings I see now are like a drop of water in the ocean. 

I praise my wonderful Lord for this life I have. I don't want to minimize the blessings of this life. But, I have to admit, I am amazingly anticipating the life I am promised in eternity. God doesn't want this relationship we have to end. He has prepared a loving home for me where the blessings of this life can be magnified. Praise God. I can't wait. I want all of you to be with me.

Until then!

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. (Philippians 1:23-24 NIV)

I overheard someone making a comment about their struggles in life being "better than the alternative", meaning that a life of misery is preferred over death. I have to disagree!

I certainly love my life. Being with my family is a gift I never get enough of. The idea of separation from the ones I love makes me think twice about leaving to live in eternity. Yet, the promise of glory, for eternity, with Jesus is a powerful alternative to the struggles of this life. To think of no more stress, pain, crying, sin, death, and destruction, is a great promise that draws me. I am also greatly comforted knowing my family will join me there. Each of my family members have chosen to follow Jesus. Leaving here will not be a goodbye. So, we can all look forward to Heaven with our loved ones and the King of all kings. It is glorious to picture my entire family sitting around the feet of Jesus.

Praise God for the home he builds in eternity! I look forward to that day. Until then I will continue to serve him, love life and praise his name right here where I am! 

Heaven

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, (Luke 22:29 NIV)

I just read a great study on Heaven, my ultimate place to be. As a kid, I always thought of Heaven as being the clouds. I think that comes from the thought "he ascended" into Heaven. Yet, we really don't know where Heaven is. I understand there is some reference in the bible about it being in the North. I've never heard that until now. I also have heard reports Heaven is here on Earth. It's fun to speculate, but it really is of no consequence. Wherever Heaven is, it's where Christ is and that's where I want to be.

Heaven is a literal place. It says it in the bible. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. That's about as clear as it could be. I long for this place and the peace it provides. It's not that my life is impossible. My life here on Earth is wonderful. Life in Heaven will be infinitely more so. The peace, the joy, the knowledge we will have is incomparable to our day to day existence here. 

Praise God for my new home, a home that is being prepared specifically for me. Lord I long for a time when I can be with you for eternity. I longing for the wonderful peace and joy. Thank you for caring so much that you sent your son to die for me that I might have eternal life. Thank You!

I'm just camping!

For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1 NIV)

This is my summer home! I know it may not seem like much, but I long for the warmth of summer and camping. This year Stephanie and I are heading to the northeast for 18 days. Niagara Falls, Montreal, Quebec City, Nova Scotia, Maine, Acadia NPK, and New York are all on the itinerary. All we'll have is a camper, Vic, and the pleasure of time together. It's a real part of Heaven. This home is temporary, just like my real home in Garrett. 

My life on this Earth is only temporary. My beautiful home will not last. It's a tent compared to the mansion waiting for me in paradise. I enjoy "camping" here in this life, but it's as fleeting as my summer vacations. God promises us a great mansion when we join him in Heaven. We will spend eternity with him and living in the most plush surroundings. It will be a site to behold. I can't wait. 

Thank you Lord for this glorious life and the promise of streets paved with gold and mansions for all the faithful. I will spend the rest of my time here on this "celestial camping trip", recruiting others to fill your many rooms! I praise you Lord and ask for the opportunity to share your wonderful plan with the lost. Guide my footsteps, my words, and my deeds. Help me to make sure they are for your purposes and not my own! Amen!

I'm ok with nothing to do!

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. (Revelation 22:3 NIV)

I'm sitting here at my daughters home in Eureka, Missouri. So far this morning I watched my youngest granddaughter in her jumper, screaming with excitement, I've taken Ayla on a morning trip donut shopping, and made my middle granddaughter cry. Over all I would say I've had a pretty good morning! 

The best part of spring break is no real schedule. I don't have to be anywhere, I don't have a bell going off every 85 minutes, I can eat lunch when I want, and my nap becomes the most important part of the day!

I look forward to Heaven and the peace it brings. I know it's so much more than naps, no schedules, and no stress. People always talk about learning why events happened in their lives. They want to know the "Whys" of the universe. I certainly have things I would like to know. But, that's not my goal. I want to just have peace. I want to rest, relax, and enjoy eternity with Jesus. I want my family and friends with me. Peace that surpasses all understanding. That's the goal!

Thank you Lord for the promise of eternity with you. I praise you for the present life I live and my future in eternity!

Where would you rather be?

We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 NIV)

This Hoosier winter has been ruthless. Extreme snow storms, deadly cold, and never ending winter forecasts have helped us label this the worst winter on record. It's painful to the body. I shoveled another 4 inches of snow today and my body knows it. I started my motorcycle while I was shoveling. The rumble helped me endure the miserable work. I have to keep reminding myself there is hope. Winter can't last forever. I would rather be anywhere but here. I love my home in Indiana, but right now I prefer to be in a Florida or Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, or countless other warm climates. I am sure all of us in Hoosierland would agree. But, we're here. We will endure. We will survive and winter will become just a bad memory.

As a Christian I have those days where I long to be in Heaven. The stress of the daily work grind, disagreement and discontent of colleagues, parents and students, relationships, and numerous other issues can weigh you down just like winter. It's easy to forget we have hope beyond this world. I love my life, but there are times I would prefer to just be with my Heavenly Father, in his kingdom. But until that day, I will serve. I will dedicate my life to Jesus. I will comit to share the gospel in word and deed. With the Lord's help we will make it until the day he comes back to get us. 

Come Lord Jesus! Save us!

I found my keys!

I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:18 NIV)

I have lost many sets of keys in my life. I remember one time when my daughters were very young, I lost my keys around Halloween. We looked everywhere. I had to get new keys for work, my vehicles, and for home. Around Thanksgiving we were cleaning. I was getting ready to throw out the remaining Halloween candy and guess what I found in the bag of Candy? Yep, I found my keys inside the bag of un-eaten Halloween candy.  Nobody had any idea how they got there. 

I'm pretty confident God would never let me hold the keys to Hades. But, I'm glad he has them. My loving and powerful God is in charge of Eternity. He has overcome death, and wants all of us to join him in Heaven. He grudgingly opens the locked gates of hell. I am so thankful that he has promised me a home with him and that he has prepared a joyous place to live forever. While I'm here on this earth, I will work to bring others with me. I will do all I can to live a life that sets an example for others. I want to lead them to the cross and the sacrifice that Christ made. I pledge to help keep the gates of Hades closed, never to open for the ones I meet!

My Rights!

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12 NKJV)

Rejoicing in in Heaven is not a right earned in this life. You and I can't do enough good to earn heavens eternal reward. It's really is even easier than that. We just have to receive Jesus as our savior and God gives us the right to join him. HE GIVES us the right. He gives us the rights of joining the family. 

My family is getting together this weekend. All except my youngest daughter, Kelley. I so wish she could be with us. Being together as a family is so much fun. Staying involved with each other, watching them grow and mature, laughing, and playing are what family is all about. God's family is the same thing. Once you have received him, you enjoy the the activities of the family. God's family loves to share with each other, helping each other grow and mature, laughing, and playing together. I love doing that through Church and my CMA family. It's not true to say I've earned the right. I haven't earned it. It was given to me by the Grace of my Heavenly Father. I am blessed to be a part of my Church and CMA. It's a gift. Praise God for his mercy and grace.

Rest

As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. (Psalm 17:15 NIV)

Earlier this week I was exhausted. I had to get some sleep. The last two days I have caught up on my sleep and feel much better. I went to bed early and had a nice long nap each day. I praise God for the rest he provides when I need it. 

I should have one goal in my life ...... To see the face of Jesus with my family, friends, and coworkers. When we leave this Earth we will get to be in the presence of Jesus for eternity. The rest we have will be more glorious than any nap or long night of sleep. After all the pressures and stresses of life we will be satisfied and relaxed. The hope of that future drives me through every day of my life. Praise God for his plan for my future here on this Earth and in Eternity with him.

Tent Camping!

2 Corinthians 5

1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3

I have mentioned before how much Stephanie and I enjoy tent camping. But, we have had several situations where our tent was not the best place to stay the night. This summer we made a late stop in LaJunta, Colorado. When we started to set up the tent it was extremely windy. We got the tent put up in 40 moh winds with stronger gusts. Stephanie went to take a shower and I stayed with the tent. It was all I could do to keep it from shredding and complete destruction. When Steph returned, we had no choice but to pack up and head to the nearest Holiday Inn. The tent just wasn't designed for that weather.

Sometimes our Earthly body is not adequate for life hear either. I am sure we all have been touched in some way by cancer. We all know people who have died from heart disease, or other physical ailments. This life is not always easy. The great news? We have an eternal home God has prepared for us. All the moaning and groaning of this life will pass away. Praise God he loves us so much he is willing to share his kingdom with us. My body and my life here on Earth is no more adequate than a tent camper. I left that inadequate home for the safety of a Holidsy Inn. Say yes to the Father. Say yes to a permanent, safe dwelling prepared for you. God is ready for you, are you ready for him?

I told you so!

Acts 27

 ²¹ After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. ²² But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. ²³Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me ²⁴ and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ ²⁵ So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. ²⁶Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.”

Ok, I have to admit. I think this is a little funny. Paul was a prisoner on this ship and he warned the crew that they shouldn't sail. All of the sudden they got stuck in a Hurricane, a "Noreaster". I am sure when he told them "I told you so" it went over like a lead balloon. SO now, with the storm raging, he's providing great words of courage and comfort, except the last sentence. They are going to crash! Yet, he's just not sure where!

I hate it when someone tells you "I told you so". But, I really enjoy telling someone else! Am I the only one who thinks that way? But, there is one time I would love to share those words. When we all get to Heaven, I am looking forward to saying "I told you so" to all those who are there with my help. That will be a glorious time indeed. But, I sure don't want to share that sentiment with those who will NOT be there with me. How can I prove to them, RIGHT NOW, the reality of eternal life through Christ. The only way to attain it is through the Son of God. The  only goal I have in life is to take all of you with me to paradise. I want all my family there. I want all my friends. I even want all my enemies! 

Lord, give me the words, give me the opportunities, give me the boldness to share with others. Help me to convince them of the wonderful life you have prepared for them both HERE and in ETERNITY! I am your vessel, your hands and your feet. Amen!

Home Sick!

Psalm 137

 ¹ By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept 
   when we remembered Zion. 
² There on the poplars 
   we hung our harps, 
³ for there our captors asked us for songs, 
   our tormentors demanded songs of joy; 
   they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

Have you ever been home sick? I really can't remember a time I was. When I was a kid, I spent my summers all over the place. I would spend weeks with my Aunt Anne at Tri-Lakes or at my Grandma and Grandpa Lewis' in Waupaca, Wisconsin. I would spend time at church camp or one of another multitude of activities. I can't ever remember being home sick. Is that bad?  Even now when Stephanie and I travel over the summer, we are away for at least 3 weeks. I can't say I have been home sick. I love being with my Grandkids and with my daughters. I DO miss them all the time. I love Garrett, the people, my friends, and my co-workers. I love the house God has blessed me with. But, to me, being away on an adventure is great. Knowing that all the people I love and my home will be there when I return is enough to let me enjoy where I am.

When the Jerusalem fell and the Israel was shipped off to a foreign land, they were home sick. They were so home sick they couldn't even make music. They missed the good ole days. They missed everything about Jerusalem. 

I am so blessed to have a great relationship with my Lord. I know their is a great Heavenly home waiting for me. Every once in a while I get home sick for Heaven. That might seem strange since I've never been there. But, the time I get to spend with God and the joy he brings me here on Earth is enough to tell me what I'm missing. The pain of "my captivity" on Earth will be gone.My joy will be complete. But,  until God decides to bring me home, I will enjoy the adventure here on Earth. Knowing Jesus is waiting for me there is enough that I can enjoy where I am. Thinking about what it will be like helps me get through the rough times. Nothing on Earth will last except the Love of my God. Praise God!

Heavenly "Walmart" Greeters!

Psalm 84 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ¹⁰ Better is one day in your courts
   than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
   than dwell in the tents of the wicked. 
¹¹ For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
   the LORD bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
   from those whose walk is blameless.

Here is an excerpt from http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/03/18/walmart-greeter/

Confessions of a Walmart Greeter: All in a Day's 

Work

By Karen LoBello, Posted Mar 18th 2010 @ 11:30AM

Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., initiated an open-door policy seldom seen in business today. He was actually receptive to employee suggestions. One Walmart staffer proposed, due to increased shoplifting problems, that it might be beneficial to post greeters at each Walmart entrance. Sam's vision included a welcoming experience for customers, so he took the employee's advice. The rest is history. Walmart greeters serve as shoplifting deterrents and as the face of Walmart.

A Walmart greeter is the first person a customer encounters when he enters the store. Since it's the consumer's initial point of contact, the intention is for it to be a pleasant one. Although the pay is meager for Walmart greeters, the impressions they make are not. I once witnessed a Walmart greeter run quite a distance to alert a woman that her laundry detergent was leaving a trail behind her. It's all in a day's work.

Meet Ken

Ken, a Walmart greeter in the small town of Mesquite, NV, has been brightening my days for over a year now. He quips that he applied for the job because he was "getting in his wife's way" at home. He is retired from another profession, as are many Walmart greeters.

Typical day

Ken tells me his workday starts very early in the morning. He follows a basic routine each day. After clocking in, Ken scours the area where he'll be posted to make sure it's in tip-top shape. He dusts the window sills, picks up the cigarette butts left from the night before, and clears out any debris. He makes sure that the carts are all lined up and ready to go.

Meet and greet

A Walmart greeter's main job reflects its title: Greet the customers enthusiastically. Ken says that he is also responsible for putting pricing tickets on return items. One of his most challenging responsibilities is making sure that all goods are accounted for as buyers exit the store. He has run across a few indignant patrons when he's asked to see their receipts. Ken has no complaints. He says that the good outweighs the bad in his job as a greeter at Walmart.

Can You imagine what it would be like to be a "Walmart" style greeter in Heaven. That would be the job to have. You would get to witness everyones first look at Heaven. After, a long and painful life here on Earth, the pleasure of Heaven and the face of Jesus will be an amazing sight to see. Seeing God in his glory for the first time will be a spectacle we will all want to witness. I can't imagine any more excitement as that when we will see our families enter the gates of Heaven. I want to be the first one to greet them. Walmart greeters may not make a lot of money. You wouldn't have to pay me a dime to be a greeter at the door to Heaven. Praise God, He loves us and cares for us so much that, he not only sent his son to die for us, but he built a home for us to live for eternity. Not just any home, but a mansion with streets of Gold. A home where there is no more pain and suffering. He built a home designed specifically for us. Praise God! I can't wait!

Heaven's KOA!

Psalm 61 (New International Version, ©2011)

 ⁴ I long to dwell in your tent forever
   and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.^[b] 5 For you, God, have heard my vows;
   you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

In the old testament, much of the nation of Israel lived out of tents. We have come a long way from living as desert wanderers, living out of tents, to the grand homes we live in today. But, if you remember even God lived in a tent! When God came to visit Moses and the Israelites, he went camping!

As the weather heads toward "camping weather", my excitement grows to go camping. I'm not really sure why I love camping so much. Camping is really a lot of work. Cooking over an open fire, dealing with unpredictable weather, and all sorts of critters, can be quite an adventure. A weekend camping trip in the rain can be miserable. But, I still love camping. I like to think more of the smells of clean air, the quite of the night, the sounds of the birds in the morning, and the slowness of the pace. Sleeping in a tent draws you closer to nature. You don't have the thick walls, the insulation and the isolation from what God has created. 

God might have thought the same thing. Maybe that's why he chose a tent when he visited the old testament believers. He wanted to be closer to his creation.  Just like he wants to be closer to us. He doesn't want anything to separate us from him. He doesn't want the walls and he hates the isolation. He even sent his son to destroy the sin that keeps us away from him. Now he has gone to prepare a place for us. He has prepared a mansion with many rooms. I'm sure some people would disagree, but when i get to heaven, I hope I get to sleep every night in a tent. I hope Heaven is a big KOA and I get to sit around a roaring campfire listening to Jesus. I long to dwell in God's tent forever. I long to slow down, to relax in his arms, and to worship him. What a glorious camping trip that will be! You better get your reservations in now!

One thing!

Psalm 27 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD,
   this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD 
   all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
   and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
   he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
   and set me high upon a rock.

Have you ever wondered what you would wish for if you discovered a magic Genie in a Bottle?  I can't say I've spent a lot of time dwelling on this, but it can be fun to think about.  Most people think about asking for money or material things. Some people will think about asking for world peace, or an end to world hunger. I know what David would ask. Psalm 27:4 tells you what he would ask for. "Let me spend my life with you." There is really nothing better than being in the presence of the Lord. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure we really have any idea what it will be like. We just have to believe that it will be like nothing we have ever experienced.  But, we should have this as our only request. All other things are really unimportant. The troubles of this world, the worries of this day, the brokenness, the stress, the pain, all mean nothing when we focus on the goal. When we focus on the final outcome, we can better deal with this life.

Dear Lord, We want nothing more than to be in your presence. We ask you Lord for the grace that permits us to seek you in your heavenly place! Please Lord hear our request. Amen!

Our House!

Psalm 26 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁸ LORD, I love the house where you live,
   the place where your glory dwells. 
⁹ Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
   my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
¹⁰ in whose hands are wicked schemes,
   whose right hands are full of bribes.
¹¹ I lead a blameless life;
   deliver me and be merciful to me.
 ¹² My feet stand on level ground;
   in the great congregation I will praise the LORD.

Steph and I love our house. It is a great place where we can relax and recuperate from our hectic lives. God has provided us with our home. We have just about everything here we could ever hope for. But, we both think our "Home on the Lake" was the best home we ever owned.

It is as peaceful a place we have ever lived. It is located on the end of a cul-de-sac jutting out on a point in a small lake. The lake has a very low speed limit for boats and is very quiet. I just loved sitting out on the pier and quietly enjoying the fishing (I never really cared about catching anything!) During the winter when the snow blanketed the frozen lake it was just like a piece of heaven sitting in front of the fireplace. When the geese arrived and departed every year I always enjoyed the show.

We don't own the home anymore. We sold it to our daughter and her husband. SO, we still get to go there once in a while. It certainly is one of our favorite places to visit. We still call it our house!

God's home is infinitely more peaceful. God has prepared a place just for us. If you add all the things you love about your home and then multiply it 1 million times, you still won't get an idea about what he has prepared for us. God loves us so much that he will soon rescue us from this life. We are just living in a temporary home, until the new place is ready for us. I can not wait to get to experience this place. It makes it even better to know that my family will be there with me. I hope that all of you will join me too!

A Slice of Heaven!

Psalm 16 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁵ LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
   you make my lot secure. ⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
   surely I have a delightful inheritance. ⁷ I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
   even at night my heart instructs me. ⁸ I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.


This is kind of a strange verse to me. I was not so sure of its meaning until I started looking at some other versions and other verses. Being the "geek" I am, I love to do research on bible verses to get deeper into their meaning. Sometimes you can over think a verse and kind of destroy the meaning. Even if you like looking into verses deeper, it is always best to go with what God is speaking to your heart. The Holy Spirit will speak clearly if you really let it.

God has given us a great inheritance. We have been willed the most perfect plot of land. We have been given the most fertile farm land and we have been promised the most valuable mine in the world.  We have been promised a plot of land that would rival the grandeur of Yosemite and the peacefulness of the Smokies. God has promised us an inherited slice of Heaven. We can not begin to describe what the property will be. But, we can be assured that God's plans are beyond what we can imagine. Therefore, we should keep our eyes on the Lord, listen to his instruction, keep his council close and rely on him. I can't wait to det the deed to the property of this promise. Praise God!

I live in a Sanctuary!

Psalm 5 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ¹ Listen to my words, LORD,
   consider my lament.
² Hear my cry for help,
   my King and my God,
   for to you I pray.
 ³ In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice;
   in the morning I lay my requests before you
   and wait expectantly.
⁴ For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
   with you, evil people are not welcome.
⁵ The arrogant cannot stand
   in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
 ⁶ you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
   you, LORD, detest.
⁷ But I, by your great love,
   can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
   toward your holy temple.

It is such a privilege to get invited to someone's house. You don't just invite any average person to your home. Most of the time you have open invitations  to Family. Everyone else needs an invite. I know some people who invite everyone all the time to come to their house. They entertain constantly. It's like an open house every day. When my kids were young and in school, we had that type of invitation to their friends. As I have gotten older, I view my house more and more like a sanctuary. My sanctuary, my home, is an escape from this world. God has blessed me so much with a great family and he has also blessed me with a great sanctuary. I can come home at night and crash. I can sit quietly in peace and read my Bible. I can relax in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. I can work off the daily frustrations  on the lawn or in the garage. I can release the stress by escaping to the sanctuary. My home is a place where I can get together with my grandkids, daughters, and son-in-laws. You know when you are at home, the people there love you. They love you unconditionally. They don't have any expectations or demands of you. They just love you.

God's house is the same. God loves for us to be with him in his house. As a matter of fact, he has gone their to prepare it specifically for us. He hasn't created this sanctuary as a place of judgement or punishment. He has designed this place for us to be in peace. He has designed it for us to relax in his presence. There is nothing we have here on Earth that can compare. It is great to realize and to focus on that final resting place, his home, our home!

Dear Lord, Thank you for providing a place for us to escape. Thank You Lord for Home. I also Thank you for the Heavenly home you are preparing for me. I know I have done nothing to deserve it. But, through your "Great Love" for us is by grace and we Love you! Amen!

My favorite Cities!

Revelation 21 (The Message)

 ¹I saw Heaven and earth new-created. Gone the first Heaven, gone the first earth, gone the sea. ²I saw Holy Jerusalem, new-created, descending resplendent out of Heaven, as ready for God as a bride for her husband. ^3-5I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, he's their God. He'll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone." The Enthroned continued, "Look! I'm making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.".....................^21-27The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass. But there was no sign of a Temple, for the Lord God—the Sovereign-Strong—and the Lamb are the Temple. The City doesn't need sun or moon for light. God's Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth's kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won't be any night. They'll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will get in.

I love Garrett. That's the town I live in. They have done a great job making the downtown look great. In the summer time we have a great group of people who take care of the flowers lining Randolph street (our main street). Trees have been planted, most of the buildings are well taken care of, the local ford dealership has recently redone its building, and several other buildings have been recently remodeled. Most of our store fronts actually have businesses which is not true for most "Main Streets" in America. We have our "bad" areas of town. I'm not talking about the people, I'm talking about the buildings. But, we have some beautiful churches, some great parks and, even though I'm biased, our school and grounds are first rate. Our School is working through the process of planning a new school building. I am so excited because the process is getting closer to reality. I am so thankful I live in a community where people care about our town. It's not Heaven, but it's pretty great!

Think about the best town you've ever been in. during my Motorcycle trips, I have been in some great towns. I love Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Washington D.C. is a great place. McKenzie's family just came back from visiting New York City and they loved it. Stephanie and I loved Thunder Bay, Ontario. It has some fantastic views of Lake Superior and was really pretty. A lot of people love Las Vegas. I hope some day to visit San Francisco. I hear it is great! But, none of these places are anything close to what we will see when we get to heaven. In my travels, I have never seen streets of pure gold, translucent as glass. I can't wait to witness this. I have never seen a city that was completely "Brand New" with no blemishes or "Bad Areas". Won't that be amazing? I can't wait to feel the peace, to have no fear, to have no more tears, no more tension or stress. I can't wait to not have a care in the world. i can't wait to be able to relax in the loving arms of God! Thank you Lord for your promises! Thank You Lord for the City that awaits those who believe! Amen!

See you there!

Revelation 20 (The Message)

 ^11-15I saw a Great White Throne and the One Enthroned. Nothing could stand before or against the Presence, nothing in Heaven, nothing on earth. And then I saw all the dead, great and small, standing there—before the Throne! And books were opened. Then another book was opened: the Book of Life. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. Sea released its dead, Death and Hell turned in their dead. Each man and woman was judged by the way he or she had lived. Then Death and Hell were hurled into Lake Fire. This is the second death—Lake Fire. Anyone whose name was not found inscribed in the Book of Life was hurled into Lake Fire.

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I will never be in the Who's Who in America but I have my name written in the Book Of LIfe. I anxiously await the eternal life I am promised sitting with the one on the throne. I hope to see all of you there!

Dear Lord, I thank you for setting up this future for us. I can not wait to reach my Heavenly home. Please give me the strength and wisdom to spread your word to those who do not know you. Please help me to share your plan and to help those in my community come to know you and find their names in the Book of Life. Amen!