What is Heaven Like?

Have you ever dreamed of heaven? I love to talk about what heaven might be like. Especially with my children. We imagine what kinds of things we’ll get to do in heaven, pets we want to have, etc. I mean, have you ever really thought about heaven? A lot of people think it will be boring, that we’ll float around and play harps or lead meaningless lives. But that is far from the truth.

One of my favorite things “to do” when I get to heaven is to swim under water with the dolphins. Can you imagine? No drowning in heaven!

I love my horses here. They bring me a lot of joy. But, wow, in heaven, I won’t have to muck out stall, clean horse feet, or worry about hay, feed, blankets, and water in the winter. Joy!

The Bible tells us quite a bit about heaven, but I think the descriptions will pale in comparison to the real thing.

 

1. God has prepared a place for us that is far greater than anything we could think of on our own! “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2: 9
2. We won’t have to worry about violence or destruction there. “Violence shall no more be heard in your land, devastation or destruction within your borders; you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.” Isaiah 60:18
3. All the animals will be friendly! “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.” Isaiah 11:6
4. There will be no more disabilities. “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.” Isaiah 35:5,6
5. We will build houses! I will eventually have my ultimate dream home! Plus, we will enjoy working with our hands and the work will not be in vain. Things will work out right and never go wrong. And those of us with black thumbs will finally get green ones. I plan to have a big garden in heaven! “They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for like the days of a tree shall the days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their hands.” Isaiah 65:21,22
6. We will gather for worship each Sabbath. “From new moon to new moon, and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before me,declares the LORD.” Isaiah 66:23
7. We will eat from the tree of life! “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:1,2
8. We will get to see God face to face. Glory! “They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.” Revelation 22:4
9. There will be no more pain, sorrow, sickness, or death!! “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
10. We’ll get to sit down and have a chat with Adam and Eve or Abraham or even Noah and Moses! King David! Esther! Ruth! Oh, and Matthew, Mark, Luke and John! Who do you want to talk to? “I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 8:11
    

 

The Bible also tells us that the New Jerusalem will be adorned as a bride. Beautiful!

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” Revelation 21:1-3

1. The city of God is about the size of the state of Colorado. It is the shape of a cube: about 350 miles wide, 350 miles long, and 350 miles high! Plenty of room for everyone who wants to go! ” The city lies foursquare, its length the same as its width. And he measured the city with his rod, 12,000 stadia. Its length and width and height are equal.” Revelation 21:16
2. The foundation are named after the twelve apostles. “And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Revelation 21:14
3. Its gates are made of giant pearls and the streets are made of pure gold like transparent glass!“And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass.” Revelation 21:21

I hope you are as excited about seeing heaven and living there with Jesus forever as I am! I hope you’ll be there!

My Sabbath Bag – Activity Bags for Church Worship

For a long time I have wanted to make quiet activity bags for the children in our churches to use during the worship hour. I have been planning to make a stash of them that I can pass out to children as they arrive or to guests with children to use during church.

It occurred to me a few days ago (while again sitting in church watching little ones squirm) that a personalized bag for little ones would make a really nice Christmas gift.

I am sharing this idea with you, even though I have not actually made one yet! My idea is to take a plain canvas bag and decorate it with acrylic paint and use a fabric paint pen to write the child’s name on it along with the words “My Sabbath Bag.” Then, I would fill it up with some activities to keep them occupied during the quiet worship hour.However, making generic bags for all the kids in your church would be just as much fun! The bags can be as expensive or as inexpensive as you want to make them.

Here are some ideas to put into the bag:

• I Spy Bottles or Bags
• eeboo Children of the World Lacing Cards – or other themes
• Baby Moses Board Book or Other Bible Story Books
• Bible Activity Books
• Craft Stick Puzzles – kept in a easy zip top baggie
• Small Clipboard
• easy zip top baggie of crayons
• magnetic dollhouse – my girls loved this!
• puzzles
• a small stuffed animal

Really the possibilities are endless! I would suggest that you keep the items in the bag in keeping with the holy Sabbath day, but other than that, I think these could be so much fun to put together. If you do these for the children in your church, you could hang them on hooks in the bag of the sanctuary or in the foyer of the church, or have the Sabbath School teacher pass them out as the children leave class.

Oh, and one more tip – if you make a collection of these bags for your church, it would be important to number the bags and then place a corresponding number on each item that goes into the bag. You can make the bags all different so that the children don’t get bored with having the same exact bags each week!

It was a bright and sunny day…

We had a very nice church service with a baby dedication and wonderful fellowship. The weather was perfect. Not too hot, just right. Hannah and Laura found two ring neck snakes (one baby, one adult). All four of the girls were wearing new, pretty dresses. We left church about 4:00 and set off on our 2 1/2 hour drive home.

As we were driving through Jenkins, Kentucky, Hannah says, “Can we stop and get a lily pad?” The pond there in Jenkins is full of thousands of lily pads right now. Hannah really wanted a lily pad. So daddy parked the car and I got out with the four girls and walked down to the bank.

I looked out at the lily pads which were not right against the bank and said, “Hannah, I don’t think we can get one. We can’t reach them.”

Hannah says, “I can do it!” and proceeds to try to climb down to the edge of the water to lean and stretch.

I said, “Hannah, you’re wearing your new dress and it’s going to get wet.” (The dress is a long one.)

Sarah pipes up (bravely) and says, “Oh, I’ll do it.”

Sarah bent down and leaned. She still couldn’t reach the lily pads so I grabbed her hand to keep her steady…

Sarah: “I can’t reach.”

Me: (grabbing her hand) “I’ve got you.”

Sarah: “A little bit more foreward.”

Me: “What?”

Sarah: “I said, lean me a little more forward.”

Me: (leaning forward)

Me: (thinking) I’m going to lose my balance. I should have Emily grab my other hand.

Me: (gasp, losing my balance!) (over compensating and falling backwards)

Sarah: (losing grip of my hand) (splash! head first into the pond in her brand new dress!) GAAAASSSPPP!

Me, Emily, Hannah, and Laura: (staring at Sarah in the pond, our mouths hanging open!!)

Okay, so in my defense, it happened really fast and it could have happened to anyone!! Really!

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

Church was canceled this morning because of the foot of snow on the ground. So… I have spent the morning watching 3ABN. New Perceptions from Andrews University – Pioneer Memorial Church came on a bit ago and the choir sang this song. I love this song!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Making the Sabbath a Delight

Written by Glenn Holland.

Isaiah 58:13 (NIV): “If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day, if you call the Sabbath a delight and the Lord ’s holy day honorable, and if you honor it by not going your own way and not doing as you please or speaking idle words . . .”

Many people have a hard time discovering how to make the Sabbath a delight. As a guide, consider that the Sabbath was intended to be a time for spiritual and physical refreshment; a time to get to know God better and be physically renewed to face another week (Exodus 20:8-11).

I. Notice the sort of things that Jesus did on Sabbath. There are a total of ten recorded incidences in which Jesus did something on Sabbath.

A. Eating

• Picking grain with the disciples (Matthew 12)
• Eating with one of the chief Pharisees (Luke 14:1)B. Healing
• Man with crippled hand (Mark 3:1)
• Crippled man by the pool (John 5:2)
• Blind man receives sight (John 9)
• A woman relieved of an 18-year infirmity (Luke 13)C. Teaching in the synagogue
• Matthew 12:9
• Mark 1:21
• Mark 6:2D. Resting
• In the tomb (Matthew 27:58-60)Note: In no place do we find Jesus saying, “It’s been a tough week. Let’s sleep the day away!” There is no indication from the actions of Christ that the day was designed for inactivity. The only time we find Him resting on Sabbath was when He was DEAD.

II. What are some things that would be good to do on Sabbath? The following suggestions may help:

1. Visit a Sabbath-keeper you’ve never visited before.

2. Put a nature puzzle together.

3. Have a special family worship: Have each family member bring an object and tell how it reminds them of God.

4. Do a topical Bible study on a subject that interests you.

5. Read a good devotional book.

6. Count how many colors of flowers are in bloom near you.

7. Learn the difference between trees (tree identification).

8. Visit someone who is sick.

9. Visit someone who didn’t come to church today.

10. Visit someone who might be discouraged or hurting.

11. Offer to take the children of a single parent on a nature walk.

12. Learn a new Sabbath song.

13. Write an “I missed you” post card to everyone you missed at church today.

14. Read the words to hymns.

15. Take some home-grown food to someone who might be tight financially, and stay for a brief visit.

16. Make a “family tradition” Sabbath meal – something everyone likes, but easy to fix.

17. Sing songs around the piano (yours or someone else’s).

18. Have a meal with a friend.

19. Share what the Lord means to you with your own family.

20. Read or tell Bible stories to your children.

21. Invite someone to your home that doesn’t usually get asked home with anyone.

22. Have a group over, and show slides or videos of things God has made.

23. Listen to Christian music.

24. Start a Sabbath box for children: Special things for children to only do on Sabbath. Don’t have children? Help someone who does to create one or ask several children of similar age over for Sabbath fun.

25. Play charades with Primary age children – act out Bible characters and stories.

26. Divide kids, Primary – Teens, into teams and go into nature with a pan of sand. Ask each team to illustrate a Bible story in their sand pan, using objects in nature for characters, scenes, etc. Then have each team try to guess the other team’s story.

27. Bible crosswords.

28. Bible games (available at Christian book stores.)

29. Pray alone – OUTSIDE.

30. Teach values to your children.

31. Friday evening: Have sundown worship.

32. Weekend camping trip.

33. Study a certain thing (animal, flower, etc.) that you are not very familiar with.

34. Ask children if they have any questions about your religion. Give them time and REALLY listen.

35. Study the work of angels.

36. Spend a thoughtful hour contemplating the life of Christ, especially the final scenes.

37. Pray for victory over specific sins in your life.

38. Pray for the family you plan to visit NEXT.

39. Watch the sun set in SILENCE one Sabbath.

40. Watch the sun set and talk about it next Sabbath.

41. Call someone who wasn’t at church.

42. Review notes or tapes of an evangelistic meeting you really enjoyed.

43. Tell someone what brought you to the Lord, or to join the church.

44. Share with someone else something you really enjoyed doing on the Sabbath.

45. Spend time alone with God.

46. Tell your spouse something you appreciate about him or her (in the area of religion, if possible).

47. Volunteer to tell a mission story or children’s story at church.

48. Visit a nursing home.

49. Visit prison inmates; get involved in a prison ministry if one exists in your area. If not consider starting one.

50. Men: Spend some time with a boy who doesn’t have a Father figure. Share Jesus with him after you make friends.

51. Visit an orphanage.

52. Read stories in Sabbath School handouts (such as Guide or Little Friend).

53. Think of some special request for your home in heaven, and ASK for it!

54. Try to imagine what your house will look like in heaven.

55. Think of what you would like to ask Jesus when you get to heaven.

56. Who is the next person you would like to see? What would you say?

57. Imagine the person you didn’t get along with in elementary school as your next-door-neighbor in heaven.

58. Study the Sabbath School lesson.

59. Visit a widow or shut-in.

60. Set a goal to visit/pray with everyone listed in the church directory within a year. Start today!

61. Take a tape to someone who missed the sermon.

62. Have worship outdoors.

63. Write a letter to Jesus.

64. Review your baptismal vows.

65. Start a Sabbath afternoon Story Hour for children.

66. Invite guests at church home for lunch.

67. Invite the Junior/Teen class to your home for vespers.

68. Learn a memory verse.

69. Read a portion of Scripture or listen to the Bible on tape.

70. Study a particular Bible character.

71. Invite someone home that you don’t think can return the favor.

72. Give someone a ride to church.

73. Go to vespers (sundown worship service) at church. Get involved.

74. Make a list: What are you thankful for?

75. Start a prayer request list.

76. Make written records of answers to prayer. File them, and review periodically.

77. Take spiritual magazines, books, or papers to people you think might appreciate them.

78. Study Church History.

79. Read good Christian books.

80. Friday evening: Study the stars. Use a telescope or binoculars if possible.

81. Explore a new nature trail.

82. Show your pet you care about him/her.

83. Do something for “The least of these” (Matthew 25:40).

84. Ask the pastor for a name of someone who might appreciate a Bible study or Christian friend.

85. Take a meal to a widower.

86. Show appreciation to someone that has been a blessing in your life.

87. Share an answer to prayer with someone.

88. Join a singing band and visit a local hospital or nursing home.

89. Study a parable that Jesus told.

90. Friday sundown: Turn off the lights, and use candles or fireplace to give a peaceful atmosphere.

91. Give each member of your family a note of appreciation at sundown Friday.

92. Praise the Lord!

93. Read a Psalm.

94. Spend the afternoon in a national forest. Make a list of the things that remind you of God’s love.

95. Read Revelation 21. Study the foundation stones for the Holy City. List their colors; consider their size, etc.

96. Try to imagine living where there is no sickness, death, or pain.

97. Go to church.

98. Invite someone to attend church with you.

99. Talk with the oldest member of your church about what God has done for them.

100. Decide as a family what you plan to do next Sabbath.

Glenn Holland pastors a church in the Columbia Union Conference.