No sun – only the Son
I love to sleep.
I’m a night owl, as I’ve mentioned before….but I do love my sleep.
I’m not a morning person….I’m getting better, but I don’t wake up early as a rule, though I do LOVE early mornings.
So, where am I going with all this? Well, I’ll tell you.
Dark….or rather the lack thereof.
So, wouldn’t that be DAY, Toni? Not necessarily. Besides, I’m referring to the light of the Son, not the sun.
Ok, so maybe I’m a little weird, but I was thinking yesterday about the fact that in Heaven, there will be no night. (If I say anything theologically wrong, please, someone, correct me!) And, I know that we will have no need of the sun for the Light of Christ will be more than sufficient.
So, I was wondering, why no night?
Well, for starters, the Light that emanates from Immanuel cannot be extinguished. Therefore, no night. Simple enough. But, what about no night for sleeping?
I don’t know about you, but I sleep much better in the dark than in massive amounts of light. So, I wondered why there would be none.
And then, a few things occurred to me:
1. We will be in the Presence of the Lord God Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, Immanuel, Yeshua – who wants to sleep then??
2. We will be so busy being about the business of our Lord and Savior, that we just won’t have time.
3. And, what if the words from Isaiah 40:31 would apply in Heaven? Yet those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; They will mount up with wings as eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Or maybe the sleep we need here on earth is a result of sin. And once we’re in Heaven, there will be no more sin, and therefore no need of sleep. Sin cannot hide in the Light. And the Lord cannot abide with sin.
So, at this point, it’s still a question for me – what does no darkness in Heaven mean? No sleep? No need for sleep? Is it an illustration of the lack of sin? Or is it simply that being in the presence of the Creator of the universe will require our eternal undivided attention, thus removing the need for, or possibility of, time used for sleep? Since Jesus is peace, and we go to Him to get rest, perhaps therein lies the answer.
Uninhibited Volunteering
My girls have recently become involved with 4-H, which means, I have recently become involved with 4-H! LOL.
It’s ok, I enjoy the company of other people, and gravitate toward others, rather than always being alone.
The girls volunteered for offices within the club, and I am now the proud parent of a Reporter and Health & Safety Officer for our local 4-H club. I’m really proud of them, though they almost bit off more than they (or I!) could chew.
So far, the girls have (combined) volunteered for: offices in the club, livestock showing, photography, forestry, community service of course, being on the Christmas Committee, and a few other things. Now, I don’t mind all that, as long as they remain devoted to whatever endeavors they choose. For instance, forestry will be very challenging for my oldest, only 10, but has the potential to develop into something wonderful. I’m excited about the possibilities they have available.
Tonight,my 10-year-old volunteered to be the leader of the Christmas Committee, which will be in charge of delegating for the club party in November. She is the 2nd youngest, next to my younger daughter only, yet will be heading up this committee. This is a great leadership learning opportunity for her, and will give her another chance to serve others.
So, it all got me to wondering. (And we all know what happens when I start wondering!)
How often do we volunteer OUR time as adults? Do we jump in and offer to provide a service for someone less fortunate, or for a friend who simply can’t do it?
I’m not hounding, and I’m not advocating that you become someone who cannot say, “No.” But, as I look at my own life, I wonder how much I put my own selfishness in the place of serving someone. God commanded that we work 6 days and rest for only 1. Yet, I feel cheated if I have to “work” on the weekends.
I’m a person who doesn’t like to feel that everything is scheduled….our homeschool is very much a “go-with-the-flow,” and reflects our lifestyle in a good way. But, God has been showing me that some structure is not bad. It doesn’t mean I have to schedule everything, but simply have a basic guide. And, I’m learning something else….
When I have that basic guide, I can schedule in some volunteer service.
If I can know that my own personal work will be accomplished by a certain time, then I know I can offer my time to another. And, if my own work is done, it is selfish of me not to offer my time.
My goal over the coming months is to schedule some volunteer work as a family, and perhaps even individually. John has been wanting to serve dinners on Thanksgiving for years. Perhaps this is the year. I’ve always said, “But, we don’t know where to go?” Well, isn’t that taking the easy way out?
I want my children to know that there are others who are much less fortunate than we are. That even though we are not rich, and may never be, that serving others through volunteering is a way to serve the Lord God Almighty, and to show the love of Jesus Christ His Son to those who may not yet know Him.
Here’s hoping you’ll volunteer, too.
Happy serving!
Toni
More than you can imagine!
For anyone who knows me, you know that the biggest struggle for me comes from covetousness. Satan knows EXACTLY where to hit me – right between the eyes every time. Bigger house, newer car, nicer clothes, motorhome, a boat, etc – these are all things I’d love to have. Yet, I know that being a believer in Jesus Christ does not guarantee me any earthly treasure. However, sometimes knowing and letting go are two very different things.
At church tonight, one of our elders spoke about Heaven. He spoke mainly about the New Heaven, the one to come after the Great White Throne Judgment. Fellow believers, let me tell you, this is EXACTLY what I needed to hear.
Do you realize the sheer size of the holy city of Jerusalem when it comes down to earth at that time? Even if it were built just like human cities, the size alone would astound even the most skeptical of critics. Fifteen hundred miles wide, long, and high! This city is a 1500 mile cube! Not only the size, but consider this: the paving material is, as our elder put it, “the most prized possession in the world today – gold.” But, this isn’t the kind of gold on your wedding band. In comparison, that’s cheap. This gold is so perfectly pure that it is like glass.
Then, there’s the “pearly” gates. First, imagine how enormous gates for a city such as this would be. David said that 1500 miles would cover the USA from the Canadian border into Mexico, and from the Mississippi River into the Pacific Ocean. Now, imagine that height as well. So, again….how big do those gates have to be? And each one is created from a single pearl. I don’t know about you, but I had heard the pearly gate thing before, and have read it. But, when I really think about the SIZE of it, the wonder comes back again. One pearl equals one gate. Unfathomable.
The foundations of 12 different precious jewels. I think maybe the idea here is that God uses what we perceive to have immense value as building materials. But, when you think about it, it makes sense. God sees more value in us than He does those jewels.
So, how does this tie into the covetousness thing? Glad you asked.
On one hand, it doesn’t. It is simply a wonderful reminder of what awaits us in Heaven when we get to see our blessed Saviour.
However, on the other hand, I needed to hear it tonight, because this week has been one of those weeks I have really struggled. On this hand, this reminder taught me something…something simple, yet very profound hit me as I listened. Maybe, just maybe, I’m like Fanny Crosby. She once said that if she had the chance, she would have been born blind all over again. Why? Because the first face she would ever see would be that of her Saviour, Jesus. Now, I have my eyesight, hearing, full use of my arms and legs, but maybe there is still a correlation: not having everything I long for here on earth means that when I get to Heaven, it will be that much better.
Yeah, right now we live in a mobile home…hey, we’re adults, let’s call it what it is…we live in a trailer. But that does not define me. I buy clothes at Walmart, garage sales, and resale shops. But that does not define me. I drive a used minivan – and I still owe on it. But that does not define me. I do not have a perfect figure, and I am a diabetic. But, that does not define me.
What defines me is who I am in Christ. He has forgiven my sins! Even mine! And, everyday I wonder why. As humans, we are so caught up in what we do to deserve something, that we find it hard to understand how the Creator of the world can forgive us so freely – without us doing anything to “deserve” it. What defines me is knowing that I have a place secured in Heaven…that my Saviour went there to prepare a place for me, and is returning again to bring me home. How or when, only Heaven knows.
Either way, the song Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus says it perfectly, and I’ll leave you with these words, because tonight, the Lord used them to speak to me:
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Strangers in a Strange Land
Anyway, my sister lives in a big city in southeast Texas – on the coast. Our family lives about 20 miles out of our small town. Let me add a little more detail – just to be sure this post makes sense!
The town I live in…to be more exact, live outside of, has only one Super WalMart. We have one Bealls, a Brookshire Brothers grocery store, a feed store, Tractor Supply, Lowes, and two vets. There are of course several smaller businesses there as well, but we are still a relatively small town of about 8247 people. This is also in deep east Texas, where the people are hard-workers (for the most part), laid back, and lead simple, quiet lives.
The town my sister lives in has, on one corner, a WalMart, Walgreens, Target, Home Depot, nail salons, etc. And that’s just the ones I can remember. My town has no mall….to get to one we have to drive 1 ½ hours south or 1 hour north. For my sister to get to a mall, she has to drive about 15 minutes, and that’s due to traffic.
So, here’s where the meat of this post comes in:
I needed some jeans while I was there (and got to buy TWO sizes smaller than the last pair I bought!!!), and wanted something other than WalMart jeans this time, so she and I went to the mall. (OK, to be honest, we went to the mall to pick up my favorite brother-in-law’s cookie cake because it was his birthday, too.) Anyway, we were starving so we grabbed a bite to eat in the food court before we made our rounds. As I looked around, I actually told my sister, “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore!”
Now, I grew up in the city (albeit not one as big as where she lives), and have lived in or very near large cities most of my life. But for the past 2 ½ years, we have lived here in the country. And, I must admit, I was not prepared for how much it has changed me.
The mall itself seemed like something out of Star Trek. Even the malls we do have nearby are no comparison. After people-watching during our Arby’s meal, we made our way to the store I would buy my new (smaller!) jeans in. I picked ‘em out, tried ‘em on, and went to pay…the cashier took my payment, and this is the part that I had to laugh at: she wrapped my blue jeans in tissue paper and put them in a brown shopping bag and tied it with a bow! My sister jokingly said, “You don’t get service like that at home, do you?!” Nope. We get WalMart bags!
I did a little more shopping, and we headed back to the house. I really was amazed at how much different the city seemed to me now that I had lived in the country for a while. I was, in fact, uncomfortable there. I felt terribly out of place – like people could look at me and tell that I didn’t belong.
But you know what? I didn’t mind a bit. Because that’s what Christians do, anyway. We experience that out-of-place feeling daily in our lives, regardless of where we are. We can be at the convenience store around the corner or the post office.
Wherever we are, we are out of place. We are strangers in a strange land, because our home is not here. Our home is in Heaven and the moment we feel too comfortable here, we have lost the focus on what is important. Sin abounds in this earthly residence, but in Heaven our citizenship is secure and wonderful.
Jesus promised us that this world would hate us, because it hated Him. But we are not to fear – for HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD!
So, today I want to remind you that if you feel completely out of place in the world, don’t fear. Rejoice! This is NOT your place! You are designed for far greater things than this old world! God made you to enjoy the Heavenly home He created just for you!
Facts don’t change…but the outcome can
The facts are in. They cannot be disputed. They cannot be changed. Deal with it.
Obama is President.
It is not what we, as Bible-believing Christians, wanted, but it is a truth.
He is making unprecedented changes in record time – much to the disapproval of conservatives everywhere.
We knew it would happen. We knew he was going to go for the biggest change – and he promised the very changes he is making. And then some.
An assault has begun, nay, been stepped up, on the very fabric of American freedom and foundation.
Again, those who listened to his campaign rhetoric, knew what was coming.
Nope. We can’t change what happened. We warned everyone we could think of that an Obama presidency would mean disaster for families, conservative values, and sanctity of life preservation. But, when the votes were tallied, he won. And, since then, many of us have done nothing but complain.
Now, I am not in any way suggesting that we should stop fighting Obama – on the contrary, we should scrutinize his every move, and make a phone call if he does anything in the direction of a liberalistic ideal. We should fight for our every right as we still have them – and fight to get back any we lose along the way.
However, more even than fighting the President, we should take action where we live! How? Support organizations which uphold the values and principles we stand behind. Prayerfully and financially (along with volunteer efforts, etc.) support organizations such as the American Center for Law & Justice (ACLJ), Focus on the Family, etc., which fight for these things everyday – often with more pull than a single individual can muster. Instead of arguing across the fence about our right to keep and bear arms, join the NRA! When there is an opportunity to have your voice heard, don’t sit at home and say, “I just can’t believe what those {goofy} liberals are doing now! When will it stop?” Get up, get out, and get going! Stand in front of an abortion clinic. Talk to women who are considering one and offer CHRISTIAN advice. Do something!
But there are more opportunities: volunteer at your local pregnancy help center to help prevent abortion in unwanted pregnancies, volunteer at local soup kitchens, encourage your church to have a more active and widespread outreach ministry, pray for our leader.
God never intended for Christians to be spectators – LIFE is not a spectator sport! Nor are we meant to be mere commentators! He never wanted us to sit around bickering and complaining about things we cannot change. He did mean for us to reach out to make a difference. He did mean for us to find ways to serve the downtrodden in society. After all, isn’t that where Jesus spent the majority of His own time?
So while we do need to stay abreast of what is happening here on our own soil, in the White House Oval Office, and abroad, we cannot let it dictate our mood or attitude any longer. If we do, our words will be ineffective because there will be no action to speak of.
I encourage everyone reading this to find at least one way each week you can make a difference: write to your senator/congressman/woman, etc., volunteer, support a worthy cause, etc. Do something to promote worthy “change” – not just moan about the bad.
When you say, “I’ll pray for you”
Your cousin’s mother-in-law is going for surgery in a week. Your cousin asks you to pray. You say you will.
Your best friend says she is worried about her finances and asks you to pray for God to show her what to do. You promise to pray daily until He answers her.
Your brother asks you to pray for his marriage. You agree to pray daily, without fail, until his marriage is back on track and winning again.
But, life happens. You pray, but the prayers are for things you need just to make it through the day. You ask God to help you find your lost car keys, make it to the doctor’s office on time, and to make that last $50 stretch until payday. You remember your promises to pray for your friends and family, so you say a rushed prayer while you drive to the grocery store. You know you should do more, but the time just slips away.
Does this sound like you? I’m not judging, because I have been there all too often, myself. The question is, who are we short-changing when we fail to pray like we promised?
In my humble opinion, we are doing ourselves a disservice. Don’t get me wrong, the person we are praying for definitely receives a benefit, too, but we miss even more. We miss the opportunity to go before the God of the universe and plead for a fellow believer. And sometimes, we have the opportunity to plead for the salvation of another human. We get to wrestle with demons for that person’s eternal destiny!
But, all too often, we don’t. We miss the boat. We throw up a quick prayer and hope God counts it as a real one. Yes, quick prayers are good sometimes – sometimes they are all we can manage in certain situations! But, when there is something big – salvation, health, marriage, etc – at stake, we owe God and the recipient more than a few seconds.
I challenge you to spend a minimum of 3 minutes of prayer for EACH person or situation you have agreed to pray for – daily. For 5 people, that only adds 15 minutes to your prayer time. You can do it! (You may need to get up an extra 15 minutes earlier, but, you can do it!)
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Bible Reading Challenge Wk of 1/5/09
Here’s this week’s schedule:
1/5: Gen 12-14 Matt 5:1-20
1/6: Gen 15-17 Matt 5:21-48
1/7: Gen 18-19 Matt 6:1-18
1/8: Gen 20-21 Matt 6:19-34
1/9: Gen 22-25 Matt 7
1/10: Gen 26-27 Matt 8:1-20
1/11: Gen 28-29 Matt 8:21-34
So, by the end of this week, we should be through Genesis 29, and through Matthew 8. Good stuff!
Happy reading and don’t forget to leave those comments!
Blessings,
Toni
***As a side note: If you come in to the challenge later, all the weekly schedules and discussions will be located in the section titled…um, “Bible Reading Challenge,” LOL….just in case you need to play catch up!
