What is your concept of heaven?

“Most of us find it very difficult to want “Heaven” at all—except in so far as “Heaven” means meeting again our friends who have died. One reason for this difficulty is that we have not been trained: Our whole education tends to fix our minds on this world. Another reason is that when the real want for Heaven is present in us, we might not recognize it. Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.

“How happy are those who fear the Lord—all who follow his ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How happy you will be! How rich your life!”
Psalm 128:1-2 NLT

Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 NLT

He died for us so that we can live with him forever, whether we are dead or alive at the time of his return.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 NLT

If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.
C.S. Lewis

from the The Quotable Lewis

Hope in your eternal inheritance

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the wonderful future he has promised to those he called. I want you to realize what a rich and glorious inheritance he has given to his people.

I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him.”
Ephesians 1:18-19 NLT

God’s gift of salvation

“Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.Psalm 130:3-4 NLT

Healing II

This past Wednesday Donna visited the doctor, she has been seeing for her depression. The doctor couldn’t get over how well she looked, and her disposition. She indicated 2 weeks ago Donna was a low as anyone she has ever seen, and was ecstatic of how well she progressed. The Doctor took her off the medication for her depression, and stated we will see you in six weeks. The power of prayer is powerful, and over the past several weeks we have seen how God has touched our lives, with his healing power.

While at our men’s bible group this morning we have been praying a woman named Lisa, who was given several weeks to live, she coded twice, was on dialysis, and with thousand of people praying she was healed. No sign of any problems, no more dialysis, and confusion by the doctors. Lisa advised the doctor it was her faith in God, and the power of prayer.

Stop telling God how big the storm is & start telling the storm how big our God is!

We say we believe, and have faith, but do we! Let these be a reminder that of how big our God is, and believe there is more going on around us than we know. Open your eyes, hearts, be strong and give God the glory!

Randon thoughts

 

I am sitting outside this morning enjoying a cup of coffee, and the sounds of nature are enjoyable. A flock of geese fly by, birds chirping, leaves of trees rustle by a cool breeze. Then I hear the laughter of children playing, without a care in the world, how precious. Then there is the lone AC unit running, and sprinklers watering the lawn, yet off in the distant children running playing, laughing. Those sounds are beautiful if we take time to listen. It’s amazing how we take things for granted, sounds, landscape, nature, its all Gods beauty. If you get a moment today take a break, and just listen see what you hear!

Healing…..

It’s been two weeks since I was discharged for having an apparent heart attack. During my short visit my wife was injured by an elevator door closing on her, fracturing her shoulder, and wrist. Since last Wednesday I have been charged, wrecked, and moved if that makes sense. Our life group leader was talking about his mission trip, and He spoke about healing. It was very moving morning, He stated that everyone has the power to heal; you must believe you have the power to heal. So I came home and started reading scriptures versus about healing. These versus that really stuck out to me.

Luke 6:19 states
and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.

Acts 3:16
by faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.

My wife is going through a depression, talking to different people in the mental health field, they placed her on medication, and advised she needs to speak with a therapist. So the more I read, and thought about our life group, I believed in what we discussed. I continued to pray for Donna, and her depression, so later that day I laid hands on her and ask God to heal her. Well she is in the healing process, she is opening up, attended church two weeks in a row, which this series has been a big help, and is a little more active each day. So prayer is powerful, believing is strong, faith is stronger, God is the great physician, the almighty healer.

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues

The Power of Prayer

This past week started out a little rough, Monday I went to the ER with chest pains, was admitted and treated as I was having a heart attack. Immediately close friends started coming by praying, and the prayers were being prayed all over Wilmington, and Pittsburgh. Every symptom indicated that I was having a heart attack, but each an every test came back negative. Tuesday morning my blood test came back indicating I had some blockage, and with the pending heart cath I was preparing for a stint. Around noon, they wheeled me to the cath lab, and shortly after that the procedure.

After about an hour I was wheeled back to a holding area, and spoke with the doctor who stated “I don’t know what my arteries look like but he would be willing to make a trade”. Next thing I remember I was in my room on 4 hrs bed rest. Around 6:00pm I was being discharged, and advised I need to slow down. So the last several days I have been taking it easy, and reflecting on the past several months. One thing I can tell you if you have faith, and I mean FAITH in God, anything is possible. I believe the event of this past week was God’s work, as he is the great author, and physician. Prayer is powerful, and in each event there are signs, that we must understand.

Psalm 40:10
I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. 

Life Changes II

Donna and I are going through some changes in our life, and as bad as it may feel, it could be worse. Then I think how lucky we are to have friends, a support system from our Church (thank you Lifepoint) and all this is possible because of our faith. Each day I read a scripture from the bible that helps us with our life and faith. Today I prayed for strength, Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Today I pray for my brother and his wife as they ponder there future, as I spoke with him last night. He explained that he and his wife are contemplating separating and may be divorce, my heart breaks for him. As I have experienced this, and recently our younger brother went through over a year ago I have no words of wisdom, or advise except that he needs to pray for strength, wisdom, and understanding. My brother is a Christian, but has never been saved I pray that he seeks God’s salvation

Life Changes

I could use this post to complain, whine, but I’m not. Since the last week in August we have had something going on in our “Life”. From Donnas’ car accident, which led to her surgery, physical therapy, to Austin’s hospitalization to and the issues I had with my blood pressure. What I didn’t realize at the time my family was being attacked by the enemy. Sure I believed it, but as a man, husband, and father I new I could fix it. Boy was I wrong! I knew and believed that God that was with me, but what I didn’t do was give everything to him.

Since then even more has happened, but what I can tell you is I was so down, I couldn’t get any lower. About five weeks ago I went to one of our churches Life Group, with a group of Godly men, instead of saying the right things; I have given everything to God. Our family noticed changes, doors began opening doors. We are still being attacked spiritually, but we now have the tools to fight. As a family we have prayed, read the bible together, and are able to control what God has given us. There are so many passages in scriptures that have helped us, it is unbelievable. Recently our family went through a change that eventually will bear fruit, we didn’t have what we needed to get through it, guess what God was all over it.  Thank you to so many people who have been there through this journey that started before we were born, I can’t wait for the next step.

Strong and Courageous

Awesome verse, just wanted to share Joshus 1: 6-9 with you all!

⁶ “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”