Cruz-Rubio 2016

Who are you voting for for president?  I've mulled over all our choices and have reached some conclusions:  Trump has an Obama-sized ego.  Bernie Sanders is the vanilla Barrack Obama, and Hillary is just a disaster.  Of all the Republican candidates, I like several of them, but I believe Ted Cruz is the most qualified and has the best chance of winning.

I picked Cruz for several reasons: 1) he is a man of solid moral and conservative convictions; 2) he is a proud Texan who's willing to take on the Washington insiders; and 3) he can bring a needed shift in the direction of our country.

I know that the president can only do so much and that our hope for real change must be first and foremost in God.  I also believe that the greatest hope for real change in America remains the people of God — committed followers of Jesus Christ.

 

There's no question that an ungodly leader, like Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, can bring destruction to a nation, and a godly leader, like Cruz, can bring positive change.. Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous become great the people rejoice, but when the wicked dominate the people groan."

 

There are several godly candidates running for president (all of them Republican; I could not possibly vote for any of the ungodly Democratic candidates), and if our nominee ended up being someone like Dr. Ben Carson or former Governor Mike Huckabee, he would have my support.

 

But in looking for the leader who most closely shares my values — pro-life, supports traditional marriage, pro-Israel; having a good handle on economic issues, immigration, and national security; and not being part of the political establishment — Cruz comes out on the top of my list.

To take it one step further, I am hoping for a Cruz-Rubio ticket, and I think they have a real possibility of making it all the way.

Imagine Heaven (Part 3)

I've always wondered about heaven: Will I be myself? Will I see friends and loved ones? What will Heaven look like? What is God like? What will we do forever? What about children and pets?  John Burke's book offers some interesting theories on these and other questions.

Will we look the same in heaven?  The NDErs in the book say we will be recognizable in heaven much like the way Jesus was recognized after He was raised from the dead.  When we die, we get an upgraded spiritual body (version 2.0).  Then, after the resurrection of the dead, this spiritual body will unite with our resurrected earthly body (version 3.0). 

Burke says we will be "in our prime."  We will have all the energy of an active, full-of-life little kid!  Won't that be great!  I found it interesting that Burke says we'll have many of the same personality traits the we have now, like our sense of humor.  We'll still eat.  But we won't need to sleep because we'll never get tired.

How will we get around in heaven?  I plan to leave my scooter parked at the gate. Imagine being able to travel at the speed of thought!  If you want to go someplace, just think about that place and you'll instantly be transported there.  Of course, you can still travel the old-fashioned way, by walking, if you just want to stroll through heaven and take in the beautiful scenery.  What about walking through walls the way Jesus did?  It's possible, Burke says.

Will we wear white robes all the time?  We can wear a white robe, but Burke suggests we'll be able to wear casual, everyday clothes or whatever feels comfortable to us.  Others suggest instead of white robes, whatever we wear will shine because we'll have the light of Jesus in us and shining through us.

Hymns or Contemporary music?  That has been the debate by many churchgoers in this earthly life, but in heaven it won't matter.  NDErs describe the most beautiful music they've ever heard, unlike any music they've ever heard on earth.  It will be spontaneous praise to God, a new song to the Lord.

We'll also have heightened senses of sight, smell and taste.  The NDErs in the book say they saw new colors in heaven and colors they've never seen on earth.  They also report eating the most delicious fruit they've ever tasted.  They said they could pick fruit off a tree and instantly a new piece would appear in its place. 

Burkes says time doesn't stand still in heaven, but it will seem like it does.  We'll never be late because time won't be a factor.  We'll have an eternity to explore, experience and enjoy the marvels of heaven!

And if you were wondering, Burke says there will be pets in heaven!  We love our animals so much here on earth, and they will be with us in heaven.

There's just not enough words to describe heaven.  You'll simply have to experience it for yourself.  I hope to see YOU there!

Imagine Heaven (Part 2)

All of us long to know what life after death will be like.  In Imagine Heaven, John Burke compares over 100 gripping accounts of near-death experiences (NDEs) to what Scripture says about our future in heaven.

When people have a near-death experience, they often say they saw their whole life "flash before their eyes."  The NDErs in Burke's book report a similar experience when they visited heaven, having what they call a "life review."

But this life review isn't what you might think it is.  It's not a look back at your achievements and greatest moments on earth.  It's also not a review of your biggest sins.  If you've been saved, your sins have already been forgiven.... Jesus paid the price for your sins.

The NDErs describe the life review as a look at your actions and the ripple effects they had on other people.  For instance, how did your unkind words to someone make that person feel?  How did your angry outbursts affect those around you?  Or it could show you how your encouraging words blessed someone and helped them.

Our words matter to God.  The Bible says, " But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account."  I'm sure we're all guilty of saying things we shouldn't have said.  I know I am.

The NDErs report seeing lots and lots of books in heaven.  This is where God has recorded our every word, action and even our thoughts. God isn't showing us these things to condemn us.  Burke says the purpose of the life review is to ask ourselves, "Did I live my life for God?" and "Have I loved others the way God loved me?"

The main thing is love.  This is why Jesus said, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."

NDErs say they felt such incredible love from God and our purpose in this life is to love God and show God's love to others.

Have you lived your life in love?  That's the question we'll all have to answer one day.  When we have our life review before God, will He see our love for others?  I know I have some work to do to improve the way I show love to others so that when I have my life review, I'll hear Him say, "Well done good and faithful servant."

Imagine Heaven (Part 1)

Heaven is a prepared place for prepared people.  That's the message John Burke tries to convey in his book, Imagine Heaven.  I read the book, and it changed my whole perspective about heaven. 

When I think of heaven, I usually think of angels floating on clouds and people in long white robes   continually worshipping before God's throne.  That may be part of heaven, but there is much more to it.  John Burke says heaven is not like "a boring church service" that literally lasts an eternity.  Heaven is everything we enjoy in this life and much, much more!

Burke says people can't imagine how great heaven really is so they don't "live for it."  This life is only a shadow of the real life that begins when we get to heaven.

The book paints a vivid picture of what heaven is like by sharing the accounts of people who've had near-death experiences, which Burke calls "NDErs."  These are people who've been declared clinically dead, went to heaven and got a brief glimpse of the heavenly realm and came back to their earthly life. 

Burke interviewed or studied the near-death experiences of hundreds of NDErs, including Colton Burpo and Don Piper, both of whom have written their own books about heaven (Heaven Is Real and 90 Minutes in Heaven).  While their accounts can't totally be verified, Burke hopes these glimpses into heaven will make others live with heaven in mind.

"People don't realize how great life with God can be, starting with this life, but even more in the life to come," Burke wrote.

He wants people to see that our earthly life is just the opening act.  Real life doesn't begin until we get to heaven!

The NDErs in Burke's book describe a common experience when they leave their physical bodies to "visit" heaven.  They all talk about traveling through a dark tunnel or tube at a high rate of speed.  At the end of the tunnel, they report seeing a Being of light, which they believe is God.  The light is so bright, even brighter than the sun.  Once in heaven, people report seeing people they knew on earth who had died.  It's like a great welcoming committee, where their loved ones are waiting to greet them as they arrive in heaven.

As they look around in heaven, NDErs say they feel such an overwhelming sense of love and acceptance emanating from the Being of light (God).  The sense of peace is indescribable, NDErs say.  Even when they're shown a "life review" of all their good and bad aspects, they still feel God's incredible love despite all their faults.

I plan to write more about all these things in the coming days.  I just wanted to give you a taste of what I felt as I read the book.  It made me want to go to heaven, and it made me want to make sure I'm prepared to go there someday.  I hope this will intrigue you to make sure you're prepared too or that you'll want to read the book yourself! 

Heaven is going to be great.  Don't miss it!

Rain Storms

Storms are part of life.  If you're alive, you are going to go through storms.  We're still in the Bring The Rain series at church.  This week, Pastor Lynn talked about the rain storms in life.  The Bible says it rains on the just and the unjust.  Storms are a natural part of every human life.

But good things can come from stormy times.  God wants to bless us in spite of the storm.  He wants to bless us in  the midst of the storm, and He wants to bless us as a result of the storm.

We can grow from the storms in our life.  We can learn things about God in the midst of the storm.  We learn God is still faithful in the storms.

Life is full of peaks and valleys.  It's during the hard times that we have to trust God most.  It's easy to trust Him when everything is going well, but it takes faith and perseverance to hold on to the promises of God when trials come.   That's when we need to press in and draw close to God.

Pastor Lynn said the storms don't affect the words of Jesus.  God will always be with us.  His Word will always be true, and He will never leave us.  Pastor Lynn also said storms don't affect the character of God.  He will always be the healer.  He will always be our provider.  He will always be our savior and redeemer!

Pastor Lynn reminded us that storms are temporary, but God's promises are eternal. We can't give up.  We have to keep pressing in and keep our focus on Jesus.  The Bible says He is a Light unto our path and a Lamp unto our feet.  So keep looking upward and focus on Him.

Finally, Pastor Lynn said no matter what kind of storm we face, God is with us.  He loves us,  and He is there for us.  As Jesus told his disciples when He came to them walking on the water, "Don't be afraid.  Take courage.  I am here." 

In the midst of our storm, Jesus would say the same comforting words to us: "Don't be afraid.  Take courage.  I am here."

'Whatever Works'

The good thing about living in a small town is everyone knows your name.  The bad thing about living in a small town is... everyone knows your name. 
 
I'm not good at remembering names!  I recognize faces, but I don't have a clue who they are. But nearly everywhere I go I see someone who greets me by name.  This even happens when I'm out riding my scooter.  People will give me a shout-out, hollering "Hi, Chris!" out their car window.  Others will honk and wave (and most of the time it's not just the one-finger wave).

People also try to be helpful when they see me out on my scooter.  The other day, I was sitting at one of my usual hangouts, and a man in a van pulled up beside me.  He just wanted to check and make sure I was OK. On the side of the van, it said, "CareMore Health Services."  It was nice that he took the time to Care More.

Some people can be too helpful.  I was riding and enjoying the cooler fall-like weather, and I noticed a car passed me driving real slow.  I watched the car go to the corner and turn around.  Then, the car stopped, and a woman got out.  She ram up to me, saying, "Aren't you cold?"  As usual, I wasn't wearing a jacket (but at least I had on long pants instead of shorts).  Even after I assured her that I was OK, she kept insisting that I MUST be cold!  I had to hold back my inner Judge Judy who wanted to scream out "Hey, lady, it's 62 degrees NOT 32 degrees! I'm NOT cold!"  I don't even think about a jacket until the temperature dips below 40.

I know people just want to help, but sometimes I wish they would leave me alone and let me live my life as I see fit.  I've been doing this without their help for 40-something years.  It reminds me of the words of that old Billy Joel song, My Life:

 

"I don't need you to worry for me 'cause I'm alright /
I don't want you to tell me it's time to come home /
I don't care what you say anymore this is my life /
Go ahead with your own life leave me alone."

 

 

I do appreciate those who try to help, and I'll ask for help when I need it.  If I really want to do something, I can usually find a way to do it.  It may not be the traditional way of doing it.  It may not even be the best way to do it.  But if it works for me, then what difference does it make?  That's become my mantra.... 'Whatever works.' 

 

So if I don't take your advice, don't be offended.  Just remember there's more than one way to do things.  And for me, the best way is 'Whatever works!'