Heaven

The other night in our bible study, we engaged in a conversation about heaven. The final stop, or hopeful stop for many. As we dove into this thing called heaven, we came out of the conversation with more questions than answers.

One thing I have realized the word heaven is used a lot. Perhaps, used too much, because people don't realize the weight of that word. For example, when Christians are explaining heaven to people .... what do you say? Golden streets? Praising God 24/7?

Heaven, heaven, heaven.... people say

The concept is very hard to wrap our minds around. Yet, we feebly attempt to try and understand the complexity of heaven. People claim that, they want to be there. But do they really? Think about it. Heaven is FOREVER!!! The right answer is to say, awesome can't wait.... But that to me, is the real question. Are you anticipating heaven? Our lives will eventually end.

What if, you knew your life was coming to the end. And that you would miss out on opportunities to experience life like... marriage, growing old, driving.... etc think about it. Would you be so excited about going to heaven?

People claim to be excited, but are you really excited? Heaven is about God and not us.

When our conversation came to an end. We came to the conclusion that heaven will be a lovely place. But to think that everyday, we are yearning for that moment would be lie. We have our lives to live. And believe it, or not we get caught up.

Needless to say, God is big and he delivers. Heaven will blow us away. Many try to understand heaven, but I rather wait and see.

Perhaps, getting use to the idea of heaven being forever is a process, a journey, that depends on the person. But one thing is certain when the world ends, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

Times Change

The other day I was running outside with my ipod. As I was nearing the end of my run. I noticed that their was a girl riding her bike. She looked like she was in middle school, but I couldn't help, but notice that she has an ipod too.

I finished my run I knelt down and I started to smile. When I was in middle school I never had an ipod, not to mention a facebook, or twitter. The girl riding the bike probably has a facebook. Now a days kids get cell phones in elementary school. Technology, has really been the thing, that has changed at a rapid pace. But times change.....

As time moves so, do people, sensibilities and life in general. From one decade to the next, things change.

So ipod or not. Times change, but the underline question that came to mind was how do we change with time? Is it the culture, our current situation in life. There are plenty of things, that change us, over time. For good or bad.

Times change, how will we respond?

Are You Intrigued By Jesus?

A couple of weeks ago I spoke in front of a group of homeless people. I had maybe, twenty or so show up. But before I go on, I must expound on my thought process for what I prepared for the homeless.

Homeless people hear a lot about Jesus. I think, at times they get sick of Jesus. The mystery of Jesus is no longer intriguing. People try to shove Jesus down their throat. Most believe they need Jesus and they do. But I'm beginning to believe, that a lot of them do believe. However the intrigue is not there anymore. I come to find that, people in dire needs have a strong faith in God. They have nothing else to lean on...

So I thought long and hard. Which led me to the story of Zacchaeus.(Luke 19:1-10) Zacchaeus was a short man, a tax collector. Zacchaeus was very wealthy, but when Jesus was coming through Jericho. Zacchaeus wanted to see, but was too short. So he climbed a sycamore tree. Jesus saw this and "when Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

Zacchaeus was intrigued by Jesus. Jesus saw his intrigued by him climbing the sycamore tree. I used this story for the homeless, to ask them are you intrigued by Jesus? Most people know the story of Jesus and what he is about. But are they intrigued enough to climb the tree?

Some have climbed the tree and have come off. Others are for the first time experiencing this intrigue of Jesus, the mystery.....

I gave a simple story with a simple question. That is all I wanted to accomplish. Hopefully, those people self examined this question. Which leads me, to this post....

We should always be intrigued by Jesus. There are times when we are not, but why?

Jesus wants us, to always be on the tree. But we got to put effort into it.

Intrigued????