Relevant

This image illustrates for me what is relevant today. In fact, that is what last weekend's public school retreat at Camp AuSable was all about. Seeing my grand daughter happily prancing across this bridge summed it up for me.

What a blessing it was: to spend time with others praising God, to hear my son's testimony of what God has done for him, to escape into a wilderness of His wonderful creation, to watch my grand daughter peacefully  enjoy life away from the troubles of the world. What a blessing it was to catch this fraction of a glimpse of what life will be like in heaven.

Years ago, I had a dream that made everything crystal clear for me. I was in the kitchen of an old country house, having tea with friends who are yet unknown to me. As they sat at the cafe type round table, I turned to the sink to add more water to the tea pot. While turning toward the sink, I caught out of the corner of my eye, my mother running after my sons down the hallway. At the split second I was turning to ask my friends Did you see that?, there was tremendous noise, and my question turned to Did you hear that? My friends were no longer at the table! Immediately, my mind processed. The noise was the trump of God! JESUS IS HERE!  I exclaimed as I ran toward the screen door. There He was full of glory in the clouds with His host of angels! While reaching for the handle of the screen door, I hesitated, Wait.... my family. Jesus' voice gently said to me JUST COME.

Then, I woke up. I realized that I could no longer sit on the fence of salvation. I could no longer be (as my son put it) a church hopper frantically trying to find a church that would be appealing to my husband and sons. I could no longer deny the biblical truths of the Sabbath, the state of the dead, and the fact that we are in the end times. I realized that if God could bring me from the darkness of this world, He could do the same for my family.

I implore all who read this. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES for in it you will find truth and as Jesus said "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Blessings to all. I pray that each and every one of you finds the peace and love found only in a saving relationship with Jesus.

Stairway to Heaven

This image immediately brought to mind stairway to heaven. Though I am certain that most people have heard this idiom used (Googling yielded over 15 million results), I would guess many do not know where it truly originated.

In the book of Genesis, while on a journey to find a wife, Jacob had a dream about a stairway that reached to heaven. In his dream, the Lord told Jacob that the land on which he slept would belong to him and his descendants. How awesome a dream to have! 

But not everyone has such vivid dreams. And that doesn't matter because God's word is filled with promises that God makes to people.

Read the bible and you will find a wealth of promises like blessings for wisdom or protection.

What's the catch? God wants us to believe in Him and truly seek Him out. He is all powerful. He wants to spend eternity with us. As the apostle John wrote "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life".

God made the ultimate promise with the ultimate sacrifice, His only Son, Jesus. Personally, I can imagine how hard it is to lose a son. BUT God didn't just lose His Son, He gave His Son so that people could live. AND, His Son complied with His wishes because He wants people to be in heaven for eternity as well.

Wow, I don't know about you, but, just like the hike that brought me to this place, this image helps me to stay focused on the hope for salvation that I have through our Lord Jesus. I hope it does the same for you.