And then there is life after life

Being transparent, part 2.
Another perspective on death
Death makes people uncomfortable.
We went to a memorial service Saturday. Very touching. Hearbreaking.
As often as death occurs, we never feel at home with it. Anyway, I don't. It is so final...so sudden..so mysterious.

In my previous blog I said I didn't like that lives are cut short. Yet, I said, there is life after death.
Yes, there is.

There is a place called heaven. I know there is, without a doubt. I used to think when we arrived there we would sit on clouds and play harps...forever. I thought - Boring! I couldn't imagine sitting on a cloud for eternity.

However, that was before I knew anything about heaven. God's Word describes it in the book of Revelation, the twenty-first chapter. Heaven is beautiful! It is marvelous! It is a city...with gates made of pearl and streets made of gold.It's foundation is laid in precious stones. Wow. There are millions of people there -angels singing and praising God! God's very presence lights it up. There will be no more night and no more sorrow, pain or suffering.
There are mansions there.  I've got friends and family there. The more time marches on, the more people I know who are in heaven.
Imagine the huge reunion there will be over there.
I am reminded of times that were so wonderful I didn't want them to end. In heaven, wonderful times will be forever.
The best of times we have had here, will be even better, there.
There is everything to look forward to in heaven.
Who wouldn't want to go?

'One thing for certain...it is possible to know that's where we're going.

The Bible says, you must be born again in order to see the kingdom of God (John 3:3).
 It is true. It is what the Bible says.
'No one comes to the Father except through Me,'(John6:65) "He that believes in me hath everlasting life (John 6:47).  However, just because we don't witness a person coming to the Father doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

One day my Uncle Pat was workinng in his yard and suffered a heart attack. While he waited for the ambulance, he faded in and out of consciousness. At one point he looked at my Aunt Mary and said, "It is so beautiful Momma. You should see it... it is so beautiful." Then he died.

This happened years ago, when I was a young Christian. I was certain you had to answer an altar call to be saved. You had to be in the right church and do the right things. My Uncle Pat wasn't a regular church goer. The church he belonged to didn't teach salvation. Yet, I know he is in heaven. I have no doubt.

God uses altar calls. I've prayed with many people who have gone forward during an altar call. Yes, it is important to be in a church where salvation is taught and God's Word is brought forth.

Yet, I know God reaches people where they are. There are people who give their hearts to Jesus, while watching a TV program. Jesse Duplatnis gave his life to Jesus watching Billy Graham. Others are alone, desparate when they call out to Him. I was one of the 'alone'.

A Catholic priest answered my questions about the meaning/ purpose of this life and asked if I had given my life to Jesus. When I said I hadn't, he said that was what I needed to do. I remember going home, a nineteen year old with a broken heart, lying on my bed and crying to Jesus. My prayer - 'Take my life Jesus and live in me. Change my life. I give it to You.' I felt a peace I had never known. My life has never been the same.

I know one thing....God is in the business of saving lives. He sent His Son Jesus and He paid the ultimate price by dying for our sins. God uses extreme measures to seek and save the lost (those without hope). He goes the extra mile to reach people, so they will experience eternal life.
Even to that last breath, I know He calls.
I believe right before death, many respond.  Yes, I believe.

PS  Why gamble and take the chance...Jesus is the way, the truth and the life (John 14:6). He is the ticket to heaven - paid in full...eternity guaranteed! 
Ah....for heavenly days!

The short end of life....

Being transparent in this bubble of life...
Sometimes life hurts. Sometimes I don't understand and don't have answers.

I know life happens and so does death. Personally, I don't like death. It stinks.

A few weeks ago we had a sick calf. I stood over him while the vet gave him a shot. I petted him and told him it was going to be ok. I prayed for him (yes, I pray for animals). A few days later my husband told me the calf died. I wanted to cry.

A few days ago my husband called to tell me a friend of ours died. No warning..he was driving his tractor, had a heart attack and died. He was not old.
We visited him a few weeks ago. He laughed and told us about his plans as we walked through corrals. He was an entrepreneur and always had some new idea brewing. He enjoyed life.
I don't like death. It shouldn't have come and taken his life.

There are people who want to die...they are alone and just want to leave this ol' world. There are people who want to live and see their kids grow up...who aren't ready to die...not yet.
My kids and I have talked about such situations -why do some people linger.. maybe they aren't ready to meet their Maker...we don't know. Why do the young die? We don't know. Sometimes we can speculate...but to really know... I don't think so.

When Lazarus died, his sisters cried out to Jesus. "If you would've been here, our brother wouldn't have died." Jesus told them, "He will rise again." They cried anyway. "We know that someday we will see him. But, we want him alive, now!"
Of course, in that story, Lazarus was raised from the dead.

I believe people can be raised from the dead. Smith Wigglesworth prayed for the dead and they came back to life.  It happens.

Death wasn't on God's mind for us in the beginning...it is one of the results of sin. However, Jesus overcame death and the grave when He went to the cross and rose again.

There is living to be done. I don't like it when death comes and cuts it short. I just don't. Twenty, thirty,forty, fifty, sixty years old - all too young in my opinion.

Today is difficult. It just is. I know my God reigns. I know there will come a day with no more tears... no more pain...no more good byes. We will see Jesus. He will wipe away every tear.

There will be no more death.

However, as difficult as it is now, I know there is hope...even in death. Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever lives and believes in me shall never die." 

And the wind bloweth

Aaahhh, what a peaceful, easy feeling! Birds are singing. The air is fresh and it is still, still, still. The scene would be complete if Glenda the Good Witch of the North would appear and munchkins would walk out from under the bushes, singing, "We represent the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild..we wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land".

I must be somewhere other than home. I should call Auntie Em. She could tell me it was just a dream.

The wind blew nonstop for at least forever, probably two or three days...or was it more. It wasn't just wind, it was ferocious. Anything not nailed down, flew away.

 Our neighbor's fence lies helpless, in their neighbor's yard. A farmer on facebook said, "I found a plastic water tank, some feed buckets, a feed trough without a frame. 'Gotta hide that stuff before the nieghbors start looking for it..' (location: nowhere near here...). The wind is why my friend cut her long locks to a carefree two inches. It is the reason I don't  grow tomatoes upside down, hanging in a cute topsy-turvy bag on my patio.

Yesterday, the wind blew from this Colorado town, next to the Kansas border, to Parker Colorado. I fought to stay on the highway. It would have been easier to be carried away like Dorothy and Toto- in the air - in my home.
I was hoping the wind would die down when it was time to drive back to the Kansas border. It did - in Denver. The closer I got to home, the harder the wind blew.  The closer I got, the more weather alerts I heard - 'tornadoes, high winds, rain, hail.'  It was a challenge driving against the wind, trying not to be sucked in by semi trailer trucks.

 I pulled in my driveway, forced my way out of my vehicle, and into my home. Disheveled, and exhausted, I sighed. There really is no place like home. The wind blew, the rain and hail came...but I was safe. My husband was home and like Dorothy, I wanted to say, "This is my room and you're here and I'm not gonna leave here, ever, ever again!"

I used to wonder, why the wind blew. Ok...there are countless articles on wind energy. There are wind generators, wind turbines, windmills. I know, sailboats,and windsurfers need wind. The wind reduces smog, and helps with pollination..it's an invisible thermostat for our planet. Good....I love a cool breeze on a summer evening.

Sometimes, the wind over-does it. It is pretty inconsiderate.  It can be annoying and such a nuisance...like, "I'm going to make sure you know I'm here. I'm not leaving and there's nothing you can do about it..."

When we got married, my husband told me he would love me as long as the wind blows and the grass grows.
I'm glad he loves me.
When the wind blows, like it does., I'm reminded of his promise.
I know I'm set for a lifetime of his love.

I saw Him. The man they call Jesus the Christ rode into town on a donkey. My neighbors placed palm leaves on the streets. A royal welcome for the King. They were most excited.
"Reuben! Come join us!" I chose to watch them from my home.

I am a sceptic. I don't believe any of the stuff they say about the Christ. They say He is going to save us. They insist He is the Messiah we have been waiting for. He is going to deliver us from the rule of the Romans.  I have seen too much in my lifetime to think that one man is going to be able to free us. This Christ is not a trained military general. He isn't royalty. He is Joseph, the carpenter's son. I know of His family. He is not the Messiah.

Anyway, that is what I thought until yesterday. My friend Simeon and I were minding our own business, trying to ignore the crowd on our way to the marketplace. As far as we knew, the people were still celebrating their 'king'.  Then, we noticed, blood-curdling cries and jeers. There were so many people, we didn't know what was going on so we pressed in to get a closer view.

What I saw, made me cringe. Simeon and I looked at each other and turned to leave the craziness, when a guard grabbed Simeon.

I stumbled after my friend who was commanded to help a bloody pulp carry a cross. What could this man have done to deserve such a beating, I wondered. I had never seen anything like it. Crucifixions are common for criminals. Beatings are too. But, there was no resemblance of a human being left in this man. As I ran alongside Simeon, I heard the crowd...'crucify him', 'hey Jesus, where's your power now'. I realized...this was the same man, they were hailing their Messiah the day before. What had he done in twenty four hours that was so horrible?

I was sicknened by the sight and couldn't imagine how this Christ could still be alive. He was struggling for every breath, but He followed while Simeon carried the weight . What kind of people was I surrounded by. I was appalled by the spitting and cursing. I knew these were religious people and I had never heard such hate. I didn't care if this Jesus was a messiah or not, our worst criminals were treated with more respect.

We came to Golgatha. I witnessed huge spikes pounded through his wrists and feet. I wanted to turn away, but I couldn't help myself. I watched as they lifted the  cross and pounded it into the ground.
I hadn't noticed Simeon, but he was standing next to me, his face in his hands. He trembled as he whispered, "He is the Messiah..He is the Messiah.."
My head spun as I stared at the bloody flesh hanging on the cross. The Messiah? Jesus the Christ was our Messiah...hanging out die?

I felt nauseous. Everything grew faint. Although, there was a crowd surrounding me, I was alone at the cross...just me and Jesus the Christ. My heart ached for Him.

Then Jesus spoke. It was a whisper, but it seemed to ring through eternity. "It is finished."

Immediately the sky turned black...the earth started to rumble. Simeon was sobbing,  "He is the Messiah.."
We couldn't move. People were running and screaming. Jeers turned to fear.  But, Simeon and I were there when his family and friends carried His body away.

Later that evening, Simeon told me that Jesus had talked to him.  "He spoke to me about my life and how much He loved me. He looked at me. He could see right through me.." Simeon my big, tough friend, sobbed again. "I know He is the Messiah."

I was so stunned by the whole day, I couldn't sleep. I thought about the blood along the road, about the Christ. I thought about what I learned at Synagogue...'He was despised and rejected - a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised and we did not care....He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. ..He had done no wrong..But he was buried like a criminal'.

I finally slept. I dreamed Jesus the Christ spoke to me. 'For you. I died for you.' He wasn't on the cross. He was alive, but I could see the scars all over His body.

Today I still hear echoes of His voice in the silence. "It is finished."
I feel an expectancy in the air...something is happening. I have a feeling, Jesus the Christ isn't finished. I  know that I know,He is mightier than the cross He was nailed to...greater than the grave He was placed in. . . Somehow, I know...He is Messiah. God made flesh. Anything is possible with Him....anything...

Yes, you!

I have called you.

For such a time as this.
There is no mistake.
I knew all along.
I called you by name.
I came, I gave, all with you in mind.
You were on my mind.
You were planted in my heart.
You have been there since forever.
In the beginning of time, I knew you.
Never will there be another like you.
No one else can fill your shoes.
No one else can be what I have made you to be.

It's ok.
It's all ok.
You're with Me.
I'm with you everywhere you go.
I never let go.
I never give up.
I never, never, never, forget you.
No never.

I see you now.
I love you more than you know.
My hands outstretched.
My heart is yours.
My life, I gave for you.
Yes, just you.

You have purpose.
I call you to come
Come, go with Me.
Everyday...all day...

You are equipped.
I am with you.
I lead.
I guide.
Yes.
For such a time as this.

Monsters!

There are monsters.
 Sometimes they hide in the closet..or under the bed. Sometimes they don't even hide - those blatant, rude,  intruders. Sometimes it's right in the middle of the day, with no one in sight, and their voices interrupt my thoughts and peace of mind...trying to scare me witless.

'The nerve! Just when I am brave and nothing can scare me.... "Boo," just like that. As old (or young) as I am, I would think the days of scary monsters would be over....but, no.
They don't seem to want to give up. They seem to have all this time on their hands to investigate and delve into my secrets. For example,
I'm lying in bed...just getting ready to go to sleep and all of a sudden one of these monsters climbs up on my bed and whispers something. It may be just one little thing...then I can't sleep. Sometimes, I'm driving - usually in the city, and monsters climb in the back seat with their crude remarks about my ability to drive.

There was the day I was supposed to give a presentation in front of a relativeley small audience.Now, I've been speaking in front of people for a long time. The night before my speech, I went to bed and tried to sleep. This monster rose up on my bed. "What are you going to say?" "It's going to be horrible and everybody's going laugh." "You can't speak in front of people...you're going to freeze and make stupid sounds."(Note: not even words...he said, I would be a babbling idiot).

I could be singing along, baking cookies or taking a walk. All of a sudden they sneak up on me and whisper stupid stuff....stuff that hasn't happened - 'but it could'.

 I used to sit and cry. I used to pull the covers over my head and wish them away. Those monsters used to torment me till I could do nothing right. I couldn't even look in the mirror without their taunting.

Yeah, there are still monsters.

BUT!
I have One over on them. 'Stupid monsters. Sure, they still try to trip me up. Like I said, they don't give up. Sometimes, they try really hard and I stumble...look over my shoulder; or have to stop and catch my breath, while chills run up my spine.

Sometimes, I'm not as quick as I should be, but I'm so much better than I used to be. I had some "Dealing with Monsters" training. 

First, I got to know the Master Monster Terminator. I spend time with Him and have learned some pretty amazing things. Since I know Him, I can remind the monsters that Master Monster Terminator has their numbers - (He smashed the main monster years ago) and they turn and run. Master Monster Terminator has trained me with His Master Terminator weapons - and if I use the weapons when the monsters come around, they have to flee!

Sure, there are monsters....and they don't give up. But, they are pretty stupid to mess with Master Monster Terminator and His followers.


  The Bible says, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers and rulers and spiritual wickedness in high places. We must put on the whole armor of God...pray always and watch, diligently. Jesus took the keys from death and darkness. He gave us the victory!

Say Yes!

What would happen if we said 'yes' to everything God wanted us to do?

Recently, I attended a webinar hosted by Bill Myers. He is an author who didn't want to write. He said his worst grades were in Writing where he had Cs and Ds. He prayed and told God he could do anything but write.   But, he also told God he would always say 'yes' to anything He wanted him to do. God knew the hidden talent Bill had. He has now sold over five million books and is a film director and producer. He influenced Christian film with his animated, 'McGee and Me Adventures'.

I came away from the webinar thinking about my life. I said 'yes' to God years ago. I also told Him I would do whatever He wanted me to do. My life is so small, in my eyes...no where near Bill Myers. Yet, I know...we are all important in the puzzle of life.

What God wants me to do, doesn't always match what I think I should be doing. Sometimes He wants me to go places I wouldn't choose to go! Sometimes He calls me to step out into unknown territory. That's the adventure of a Christian life. We walk by faith and not by sight.

I remember a time God spoke to my heart and told me to pray for someone, who was famous in Christian ministry - in person! Ha! I thought. How was that going to happen? How was I going to pray in person with him. But, it happened. I was at his concert and God made a way for me to go backstage...we met and I prayed for him. Later, I found out, he was struggling with depression. God made the way and gave me the boldness I needed.

Sometimes, the doors WE want opened, aren't the ones He has in mind. I have heard myself say, "I could do this or this God...but not that or that..." I've learned never to say never. In my young mind I was going to live the city life! I live in rural America. He has a purpose and a plan. I have lived here for twenty years - married an attorney turned rancher...'looks like 'rural' is where I'll be!

Writing is another idea He has. I thought I would teach/be in the classroom forever.  But, whatever He has in mind for my writing; it is what He has called me to do at this time in my life. I love it. I know it is what I am to do.

If He calls us to do something, He gives us the desire. I have this driving force to write - like Stephen King says (that is where similarities end). Jerry Jenkins says it, too. "You write, because you just have to." I have always enjoyed writing and have written ever since I can remember- just for me - journals, stories.  Now it is what I do....for Him. It is humbling. I must get before my Father everyday and say, even though there is this driving desire to write -  'give me the words, Lord'.  Writing is my desire. The Word of God says He will give us the desires of our heart. As our hearts tune in with His heart...our desires become His. It is a great place to be. Is it easy? Only in Him and because of Him. Would I have it any other way? No. There is peace and joy being in His will. There is no other way.