Heaven...Overrated?

The Way I See It #230

Heaven is totally overrated.

It seems boring. Clouds,

listening to people play the harp.

It should be somewhere you can't wait to go,

like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies

and soft music were enough to keep people in line

in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit.

They're basically getting by because they only

have to be better than Hell.

--Joel Stein

Columnist for the

Los Angeles Times

Have you seen this opinion?

As you may be able to discern by the format in which this quote has been typed, that it was not found on the side of a milk carton but rather was handed to me by an unsuspecting young adult pushing java (or in this case green tea) at a local dive dedicated to that great saint...Arbuck.

Although the bottom of the cup clearly reads: This is the author's opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks. Some one of at least a little power within the company thought that this might be a true statement, or simply a very interesting one. The problem however is that this opinion was stated by someone who has, at the least, been mis-informed about heaven and what will take place there. However the most likely explaination is that the author is unable to appreciate the bliss that Heaven offers because He knows not the King that rules in this very real "land."

Heaven is meant to bring the highest glory to God. It isn't meant "to keep people in line." Heaven isn't about what we get to sit on or listen to. It isn't about us at all. It is however, about God sitting on the throne and listening to the praises of His creatures who delight in Him as only He can turn their hearts to do.

Unfortunately many people get their information on Heaven from all the wrong places. Don't rely on someone who doesn't believe that doesn't like pizza to give you a good recipe for the dough. And don't rely on an unbelieving reporter to tell you what heaven will be like. Especially from the side of a cup.

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Shortly after reading this quote I visited my Pastor's blog. As luck would have it (or the providence of God; the more likely explaination), He is taking a survey on the question: "What is the Biggest Problem Facing Today's Christians?" The options to vote for are:

o Indifference

o Political Correctness or Modernism

o Charismatics and Pentecostals

o Cults or Sects

o Biblical Illiteracy

You may be able to suppose my answer in thinking of the American Church after reading the above text.

So what does this have to do with an illinformed columnist in LA? Obviously his sources are a bit off with their information. He and they are Biblically illiterate. Being associated with such a large reporting agency one would assume that Mr. Stein checks his sources. But reading reading the text of the Holy Scriptures or even understanding it will not be enough to make Joel Stein or his informants to be credible sources on the subject. The Spirit of God alone can make someone to know the Glories of Christ and the Heaven over which He will reign.

Where do you get your information about God and His Heaven?

Oh, So Very Long Ago

This is a week that will be remembered by most here in the U.S. as a marker of devistation for many. On Monday there was a terrible shooting an the campus of Virgina Tech. If you have been sheltered from this news do a little search and you will have much more information than I will give here.

I am commonly a listener to NPR (National Public Radio) and often forget that it is still playing while there are others in the car. Tuesday I was reminded that it was on by a small voice from the back seat. As we were nearly home from preschool the three-year-old who had spent all day sheltered within the walls of Ms. Megan's class room said "thirty people died." His voice wasn't sorrow-full or reporter-like but questioning. I quickly agreed with his statement, even though the number was incorrect, with a pitiful "yes."

He then asked why they died and the only answer that I could muster was smiply "There was a man who was very sad and he wanted other people to be sad too, so he killed those thirty people." He will have forgotten the awful events he heard reported by the time he's ten or eleven. He'll not, however, be spared from the hearing of such future events.

When I was in kindergarten the U.S. mourned the loss of a group of astronauts when the "Challenger" exploded shortly after it's launch. One year after the Oklahoma City bombing, on the day after a beloved Junior High teacher died following a battle with lukemia, the Colombine shooting occurred. Not long after was a school shooting just six hours away from my hometown. A couple of years after I began a career working with children three planes smashed into buildings filled with people just minding their own business. Two years ago I was blessed to visit Louisana in order to help with a small clean-up effort after hurricaine Katrina passed through the Gulf of Mexico and destroyed thousands of people's homes.

All of these things will be written into textbooks for children of future generations to read. I wonder if someone will be there to tell them the truth that they too are capable of making history. All it takes is a little determination and a bit of firepower and you too can become a face on the news and maybe in a history book for kids just like you to read in U.S. history class.

To quote that great philosopher Jack Johnson "Where'd all the good people go?"

There is a blog written by a young and lovely lady very far away that I read on occasion. She has a way of putting things in just enough light to show a bit of truth under their first layers. Here's a little taste from a post called: "What's that smell?"

"Understand less, live safer! We'd do everything in our power to protect ourselves from meanings. Identifying a big truth about ourselves is like living à la McEwan, that is, with a hidden rotting corpse in the cellar. Its stench would grow stronger and stronger - familiar, alarming, terrorizing. Hold back. Now. Till it's not too late. The only thing you need to know about yourself is your name. All the rest would stink, would break your heart and would stir the flesh flies."

As a believer in God's sovereignty over all aspects of salvation I go directly to "total depravity" upon reading this brief statement on the human condition.

Although I read Adela's site I can't recommend it fully to everyone stumbling upon this one. I can say however that I am often challenged by her writings to look beyond the outer layer of life this side of Heaven.

Hosanna!!

Praise Him! Praise Him! We are not left in desperate anguish.

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

We will be like Him! We will be Risen! We will be Risen Indeed!

The Saviour of promise will keep His promise!!!

At the Feet of the King

Yesterday was Palm Sunday. The day set aside to celebrate the entry of our beloved King into what should have been His capitol city; Jerusalem . We all know the tradgic story of this King who's blood would soon be spilled to cover the sins of those who would come to Him for forgiveness. Just a few days before this eternal Lamb's slaughter the people who would later proclaim "Crucify Him" shouted "Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!" and laid palm branches and cloaks down as His red carpet of welcome. This post, however, is not about what those people laid down so long ago.

Although we my say; "Hypocrits, driven and tossed by the winds of the moment" what is it that we have laid down at His feet? And how often have we picked our offerings back up as though to say "You can't do this thing which I have entrusted to You; You can't trample the sin from this flesh." The personally picked palm branches and worn cloaks are beautiful compared to that which we have to offer. Our sin-stained flesh is all that we can lay down. Praise Him that He washes it clean as only He can!!


Distracting Thought:
I just answered the doorbell to find two young ladies who have presented to the household with a well designed flyer. The flyer is meant to "Invite you to remember the greatest man who ever lived on the anniversary of his death".
I am offended that my Saviour has been stripped of honor even if it's just on a well designed flyer. (I can't describe how hard it was to leave out capitol letters in reffering to Jesus while quoting their words.) Yet how often do I strip Him of honor by forgetting to acknowledge Him at all? How often do I ignore the truth of His sacrifice by sinning again in what I have claimed to lay down?

Too, too often am I blinded by my flesh. Of all the words I could use to describe this weight on my heart only one little word is needed. Sad.

A Note From the Hillside

Thank you to any and all that have been praying on my behalf.

I know that God's Spirit is stronger than myself and will prevail. The climb out of the dung filled valley is going well as it has been steady and bears progress. Yet there is still so much to be delt with here below the tree-line. The branches aren't so covered with leaves to prevent the Son's rays that force their way into the tretcherous path which will return me to sweet communion and fellowship with God and His people.

Sprained, Strained, and Bruised

There are many pleasures of working with the youth among our Body of Believers. One that I truly love and dread at the same time are the physical games that we as a youth staff share with them. Some are more mental and strategy oriented while others are meant to stretch one's physical limits for the sake of team work.

The latter was the drive of last night’s activity. We played an excellent version of "Ultimate Frizz be," much like water polo or football. There is a goal at either end of a designated playing field which a team is trying either to protect or score through. The rules are simple however there are may variations that can be found through a Google search. We have played our variation a few times over the last weeks and the youth are getting very good at this game. This means, however, that the staff are in need of being more physical or craftier in order to keep up. I, however, am neither.

All this to say that I sprained my ankle last night.

This is not truly the point of this post. The second two adjectives used in the title are more apt than the first in describing current affairs for myself. I have found myself emotionally drowned for a month or two and this has led to a type of depression in the last couple of weeks. It is a very fleshly cycle that I am all too familiar with and have seen the evolution of over and over. Sometimes I am clearly able to see a path of higher ground before reaching this state through examining the graces of our no less glorious God, however, this time I have ignored them and as a consequence been blinded to those more mountainous trails.

About a week ago I said to myself "Uh, Oh. It's happening, I have to get off this path." I found no ladder or lift to transport me off the steep decline into the deplorable state and am now found. There was however a more treacherous route of escape. It’s been said that “the hand of a friend is God’s hand on lend” and this is just what was required as the first step on this path to Son-light which was just beyond the tree line at that time.

That tree line has now been passed and the remaining path toward relief is even more difficult than the previous. This path is covered with the watery dung of self-pity, indulgence and pride. There is now a trudging required. A trudging through the filth that I myself have laid down.

The time spent on slightly higher ground was spent trying to bury these things which wage war against my soul. The unburyable temptations of the world used is such a crafty way by the devil and the flesh to try to get the believer to fill the valley so that they may never again slip so far. This filth cannot stay covered with earth. It not only rises to the top but brings more sludge with it.

More rubbish to wade through as one tries to cover the old, unconfessed sins with the seeming purity of snow only to find that the snow has been manufactured by the ill-certified self from the same sewer refuse that it is being employed to cover. As this substance melts the filth is again revealed, requiring more vain attempts to mask its hideousness.

Such rantings of a sinful wretch can go on and on. I deplore my situation but know that I alone am to blame for it's grossness against my most holy God. Yet I praise Him that I can still say "my most holy God." I am painfully aware that this tie which binds my eternal soul to Him is never to be broken. However I am broken. His love overwhelms me in the knowledge of His wrath that is to be poured on those that are not bound to Him through His most precious and equally holy Son. I am as broken over their damned souls as I am for my wretched heart because I know that the love and blood that covers my mulitiude of sins is not my own. I cannot love myself as much a my wonderous Creator nor is my blood enough to blot out even my one sinful heart's transgressions.

The Saviour alone can rid me of this dark unrest and He alone is faithful to do so.

Forgive me for luring you in with such a simple story of torn ligiments. Along with your forgiveness I also ask for your prayers concerning this valley of vile filth that I am now laboriously trudging out of.

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd,

I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside quiet waters.

He restores my soul;

He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff,

They comfort me.

Your prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You have anointed my head with oil;

My cup overflows.

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

We Begin Again

It is very funny how things occur.


I have met with a delightful family in just these last few days and will begin watching their children in a little over a week's time. However, this was not the first hearing I recieved of this couple who were seeking child-care. A friend of mine mentioned to me, just after Thanksgiving, that she heard of a family who just moved back to the area from London, UK, that was looking for a nanny. At the time I wasn't sure that I wanted to attach my heart to another family and nearly set the idea completely aside.

As I posted last time, I just decided to re-enter child-care when I was told of this family once again from a totally different source. God has a perfect timeline and everything happening in it (which is everything) is done perfectly. He knew that my heart required a healing and provided for it just as He is providing now.

(Not to say that the infinite God responded to my decision but rather that His guidance is the reason for it.)

Though there is still growing and mending to be done, God has once again proven that He is over all that and more.

Blessings,

N.L. White

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To The Nanny Agency

On Friday of last week I made the decision to re-enter the child-care world. It was as if a message went out on the wind in many different directions. I called that day to speak to "The Nanny Connection" about an ad that they had placed in the paper and since that time I have not gone a day without an offer of employment.

My last post spoke of being a brave beginner and I have tried to be such in this time. I have, however, failed in the outward bravery department. I have had two interviews in the last two days and both have held questions that induced tears. The questions were about the last family I worked with. Perhaps I am seeing this step as the final one that says "I'm not going to work with them anymore."

Turn, Turn, Turn

"A beginning is always risky. It takes some courage to be a starter..."

-a fellow blogger

How many beginnings are thrown into our paths? Endless. Even the end of everything we know is a beginning to what is still somewhat a mystery.

I've recently began a job at a local retail store where I enjoy the people and don't mind the work. As I have commited to finishing out the Holidays with this store, the beginning is complete. However, there will be an end this arrangement. I don't know when or why but another beginning will be required then and new arrangements will be a must.

For one that dispises changes, there are many before me. There is a blessing in all of this. My God is in control. By saying "My God" the highlight is on His being over and even for me. He is faithful not only to meet my needs but to refuse the wants that will bring harm or shame to His glory.

Praise Him that He is careful to preserve His Glory and therefore faithful to those who are to bare it before the world.

-Christmas Blessings-

Science (Knowledge) of the Cross

There are many issues of conscience that the Believer may address: abortion, evolution, pornography, adultry, homosexuality, theft, murder, the lying tongue, empty religion. However, apart from calling one to recognize that he, himself is a sinner in need of the Saviour, they are not the forefront issue when addressing the unbeliever. In light of eternity these things are but trifles. Apart from calling one to repentance, addressing these things, even Biblically, thrusts nothing but hot air and empty words upon the unbelieving heart.

Though the "Gospel" is the good news of God and includes the whole of Scripture, an understanding of the events leading to the destruction of Sodom are not what serves as light to the path for men's souls into heaven's gates. Without the propitiation made by Christ the is no hope for the unbeliever, whatever his sin, no light that may shine into the darkness of men's hearts. Without His driven nails to break apart the barrier of sin that separates humanity from the love of God, we are left with nothing to penitrate the heart of stone which weighs the unbeliever down to the very depths of Hell.

A Brother-in-Christ, Steve Camp, has written on the Church's lack of penitrating involvement in the issues surrounding the AIDS virus. His point is that people need Christ whatever their situation.

The Unsung

About a month ago I wrote a song. When I thought moving to California was still an option. It was intended for those I would possibly have to leave just after the holidays. Now it's only a part of my journal, a rhyming reminder of what was happening at the time. The words are just as heartfelt today as when they were penned, however not nearly as necessary.

There are many things that God puts us through to mold us into the vessel He desires. I know that I will never be left without a song even if it is not sung. There are many songs that will be left unsung in the end but that end will be more glorious than all of them combined.

"The Beat Goes On"

By way of information to very few who don't already know. I have decided to remain here in Arkansas. I am already missing the kids and family very much, but they will come 'round for a visit very soon.

Thank you to all who have been praying on my behalf. Please continue to do so as I am now faced with subsequent decisions about staying here.

Breath By Breath

It seems that I have lots to say about my mom lately but bear with me.

When I was little I would wake up in the middle of the night because of a nightmare or a noise, or just that little kid thing. When I woke up I would go to my mom's room and climb into her bed and she would hold me. As I lay there I would try to match her breathing with my own. Because my lungs were a bit smaller than her adult ones, I never could get it quite right.

As I think of this tid-bit from my past I am reminded of Elijah and his experience in the cave while running from Jezebel the wicked queen.

Then [Elijah] came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.”
So He said, “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake. After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing.
It came about when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” I Kings 19:9-13

The amazing thing to me is that Elijah knew when to come out of the cave. The command was “Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” Elijah knew that the Lord was not in the “great and strong wind” or the earthquake or the fire but rather the “gentle blowing” was the sound of the Lord’s presence.

How is it that we may recognize the Lord’s presence? Many times we are looking to what we have assumed is the Lord’s calling or voice for our guidance. But how is it that we know if it be the Shepherd’s voice we are following? How do we know who’s breath we are trying to match with our own just as I tried to match my own to my mother’s so many years ago?

John MacArthur, Jr. has a small book “found: God’s Will” in which he highlights some scriptural directives that are the explicit will of God. The final chapter reveals the answer to the question every Christian asks at every stage of life; “What is the will of God?” Answer: follow the five principles laid out in chapters two through six and then go for it.

1. God’s will is that you be saved.
“The first thing about God’s will – He wants men to be saved. So much so that He stays His judgement. Paul said, ‘For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will have all men to be saved and come unto the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Timothy 2:3-4)

“It is God’s will that men be saved. If you are stumbling around in life and tossing up some periodic prayers to God but have never come on your knees to the foot of the cross and met Jesus Christ, then you are not even in the beginning of God’s will. God has no reason to reveal to you anything particular about your life because you have not met qualification number one: Salvation….

“If you have never committed your life to Jesus Christ, you cannot expect anything at all from God. He owes you nothing. He is not obligated to you in even the slightest sense.

“People reject this. The doctrine of salvation is unpopular because it includes the recognition of sin. And many people resist the idea that they need to be saved….

“Talking about sin and salvation is offensive to some people. Who wants to hear about sin? Most people mask it. Sin is not sin. Oh, no. Sin is ”a prenatal predilection,” psychologists tell us. Sin is an “idiosyncrasy of individuality.” Sin is “poor secretion of the endocrine glands”!

“But God’s will is that people be saved! And basic to salvation is the recognition of sin. This lays it right at your feet. Either you are not saved from your sin and you need to come to Christ because that is God’s will, or you are saved and need to reach others with the message of salvation. There is a world out there that needs Jesus Christ. God wants them to be saved, and you and I are vehicles for the transportation of the Gospel. That is God’s will….

“God so desired that men be saved that He gave the One whom He loved most, His Son, and sent Him to die on a cross. That is the measure of His love, and that indicates how much He wills that men be saved!”

2. God’s will is that you be Spirit-filled.

If you are intrested further please check this post in a few days and hopefully I will have added the next point and prehaps even the one following it.

Many Blessings,

N.L. White

I recieved a call for an interview at a local retail store today. It's on Wednesday afternoon. Should the Spirit lead, please pray.

The Sleep Came Softly Then

When I was somewhere within the ages of six and eight we lived an hour or so away from my grandparents’ home and often on the way there I would fall asleep to avoid car-sickness. On this particular trip I had done just that. I'm not sure what landmark we had just passed or just how long I had been green with unease before falling asleep, but it happened in the usual way. Sleeping in the car as a child is much different than the light dozing of an adult and I soon found myself in a bit of wonderland. Shapes were unclear and lights were blurred but much of the other world was very clear and yet vague at the same time.

In this place of imagination I was in a dimly lit room with rows of chairs and people dawning the traditional black of mourning when I realized that everyone was turned around looking at me and my brother as we were standing at the back of the room. My brother led the way down the very long center isle where at the very front was positioned a large black box which I knew held the body of someone who was no longer a part of even this very unreal reality. My brother lingered at the casket for a short time and then made his way to a row of empty chairs at the side of the room.

I felt an urge to approach the big black box myself but was hindered by deep senses of both grief and emptiness. Upon finally reaching the object which I dreaded the most at that moment I saw the loving face which had greeted my own into the world I knew as true reality. It was the face I kissed at night before approaching this shadow of life, this wonderland that I now stood weeping in. Yet, as the tears rolled down my round cheeks I stood as an adult within my six or seven-year-old frame. Had those tears not fallen in that wonderland none of the faceless onlookers would have known that a bit of grief existed in the child who had just been robbed of the only stable adult in her life.

As my body awoke and therefore slowly brought my shadow with it from this land of loss, I found myself alone in the back seat. My face was resting in a pool of tears and my lungs gasped for air while my lumped throat would only let short breaths in through the repeated sobbings. I sat there a few moments in the mess created by the imaginary parting from my beloved mother and as the crying subsided I thought I had found myself in yet another dimension of dreamland.

Lying helplessly in the seat I saw her face once again. I thought that she had returned from whatever I thought lay beyond the physical once again only to walk past the window. As the tears again began to flow, the door opened and the real and touchable arms that I had found comfort in so many times before cradled my trembling body. The lips which had touched my face so tenderly in the past were again placed upon my forehead. And as my mother spoke softly into my ears I once again found comfort. The strong pain passed but I did not let my mother out of my sight on that visit to grandma's. I never wanted to have those feelings again and was determined not to leave her side.

It's nearly November and I feel as though I haven't written anything in forever. I suppose it's because I was writing every two or three days during September. Well, I have very little to say. I'm still searching for employment here in Arkansas and praying about moving to California. The Lord is faithful in all things and I know He will prove Himself as such even in this.

Pushing the Pedel

Still looking for a job here in Arkansas. I have filled out a few applications, although that has never produced much for me. I suppose that people look at the list consisting of six years experience in child care and don't think that one with such a background can stock shelves or run a cash register. I do however have a couple of friends with connections on the look out for something I'm more familiar with that will last until the end of the year.

I know that the Lord is faithful to provide for His children and am fully grateful to Him that in the last six years I've not been jobless for long, even though there have been many opportunities for such. He has been faithful in the past to provide just the right job at the perfect time and at the perfect rate to meet my needs and I know that He will not fail to do so now.

P.S.

I tight rolled my pants today for the first time in about fifteen years. Boot-cut jeans are not meant for bike riding.

The Home Fire's Burning

It's great to be home in Arkansas.

The weather is good and the traffic is bad but the pleasure of driving with the windows down in my own little Suzuki out weighs the stop forever non-flow of the roads.

I am missing my hosts a bit and look forward to seeing them again in a few months however I must say that my bed is quite comfy and Wal-Mart makes all else feel like home. I've only been there three times since arriving nineteen hours ago.

I think that perhaps the food alone is enough to make me return to the west coast but only the Lord knows His plans for me and time must pass a bit for them to be revealed.

The Home Stretch

It's getting closer to my flight date (Thursday, October 5) and there are a few more details to cover both here and there. I have had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people while here in Northern California, some that I will call and more that I will call friends. The church I have visited here at Berkeley is truly a "sister church" and I have been blessed by their ministry both in the way of being welcomed and challenged in the faith. The extended family of my hosts has equally embraced me and has warmed my heart greatly during my visit here. And I cannot express in words the blessings that I have been given through the home I have called my own for the last month. However, I do look forward to the blessing of returning to my family of church and relation and the wonderful people there in Arkansas.

There has been much time for personal study and reflection upon God's Word as well as His person and character and I pray that the Lord will continue to give me the discipline to make the time when I return. Although I have been blessed to finish two books in personal study while here, I count the victory that I have been blessed with application as well. There have been many temptations and the Lord has provided many victories in my passing through them and He alone is to be glorified, however I know that there will be more to come and pray that He may prove Himself faithful all the more even though I, in the flesh, may fail.

Thank you all who have been praying and know that I have received much encouragement through God's people both here and at home.