If you could see me now

IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW

When a death in the family occurs it seems that the hardest time for all of us is during the holidays where most of the memories occurred with the one who has died.  The oversize chair in the living room where father use to sit when gift opening took place now is occupied by a different person.  The little girl who died use to occupy the seat closest to the Christmas tree which now sits vacant. The couch that grandma use to sit in no longer is occupied.  Tears of sorrow are commonplace when those we loved are no longer present.

If only we could take a sneak peak on the other side of the great divide that separates this place from heaven.  If only we could get a glimpse of heaven much like little kids watching a big league game through the knot hole in the fence.  Imagine we could and imagine if you could see your loved one celebrating their first Christmas in heaven. You might hear the most glorious Christmas music coming from your loved one who is laughing and having a merry time jumping, running and hopping around in his brand new heavenly body. You might hear church bells ringing and people singing at the top of their lungs. In short, they are having a happy time without any ounce of sorrow.

Knowing this then shouldn't this give us the strength to carry on and celebrate the birth of Jesus here on earth. If knowing our loved one is rejoicing and having fun with other believers shouldn't we put on the happy face and joyously sing songs of praise to our living creator?  They can experience Christ, but we can anticipate seeing him.  If you could see Him now then you will want to celebrate Christmas and you will want to create the memories that will last for a lifetime because one day you also will be on the other side of the great divide enjoying Christmas with the creator of the universe, Jesus Christ.

God is in the remodeling business

Occasionally after dropping my son off at school I would pull into the nearby McDonald's where I would enjoy a fresh cup of coffee and catch up on the morning newspaper before my drive to work. This particular McDonald's holds quite a few memories for me as the place I would take my kids who enjoyed playing in the play land. 

This McDonald's looked different since they remodeled the store several months ago. Gone was the familiarity of the old place.  In it's place was a modern McDonald's that appealed to adults. When I glanced in the play area it to looked different having none of the things I remembered it when my kids use to play in there.

Corporations have a right, of course, to re-brand themselves to appeal to a wider range of people.  They have to in order to continue surviving in this dog eat dog  retail environment.  A fresh image and a remodeled store is what brings people into those stores and it is what drives the profits. As I pondered on this point it occurred to me that God is in the remodeling business. He is the one that takes broken people and gives them a new heart and a new purpose in life.  He is the one who can change a once angry old codger and give him a joyful spirit that draws people to salvation.  People who knew his former self are drawn to the cross when they see his new Christ filled self and the joy that permeates from him. As more people experience the new life that only Christ can give then the greater impact Christ can have on the world around him.

I must say that I like the new look of this McDonald's and it is that new look that brings me back for a simple cup of coffee.  

Paul first Christmas in heaven

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them.
                                                              

Paul decided to take a break from polishing the piano he was building. He hung his apron on the hook in his workshop and decided to venture outdoors to breath in the clean heavenly air.   As he strolled through the grass he came upon a lion playing with a small child. He watched in wonderment at how playful the lion seemed to be and then realizing he wouldn't ever see this scene in his former life. The last time he remembers seeing a lion was when he took his children to the zoo and the lion was behind a secure fence.He even remembers how there have been tragic deaths at the hands of the lion because parents did not heed the warning not to place their child on the fence for picture taking. But, this was heaven where sin no longer reigns and where he could stroll with the once feared animals with total peace of mind.

Paul often be lying on the ground having a time of reflection while reading one of the great works of the Old or New testaments  when one day this huge head would reach down and lick his face with it's tongue and sitting up he realized it was one of the many wolves that he had seen in this place. The wolf merely wanted to have it's ears scratched and Paul was more than happy to accommodate his request.

Paul waves to the Matty, Joshua, Maria and Suzanne who appeared to be playing hot scotch with a small lamb  just below their favorite climbing tree.  The children wave back before returning to the fun they were having.

Paul continued walking along the cobblestone path lined with beautiful pine trees toward one of many chapels.  He was yearning to listen and perhaps worship himself at the chapel. Since his arrival he has leaned that this is one of the many perks of this place which is the ability to worship at will. Paul loved going to church every Sabbath in his former home and the thought of being able to worship the God of the universe anytime was a great feeling for him.

 Since coming home to heaven Paul had been blessed with a wonderful singing voice which was something he was not as fortunate to have in his former home. He remembers how friends would jokingly refer to him as the shower singer because it was only when he was showering that his voice had any tone. Paul remember one Christmas years ago where a group of singers who were going caroling and friends encouraging him to find something else to do with his time because they were afraid he would draw them off pitch. Entering the equipment room upon his arrival he was blessed to receive a brand new spiritual body which included well oiled vocal cords for praising the Lord. 

Reaching over the peak of the hill he now could see the English Tudor style chapel and as he got closer he could hear the sounds of Christmas emulating from it. Paul was about to experience his first Christmas in heaven and from the sounds he was hearing he was looking forward to the experience.