Senseless Ramblings of the Mindless

I think about heaven alot and what it would be like. I don’t see it as a fluffy cloud and all harps either. God loves us and why would He have us sitting on our hinnys on a cloud and playing a harp? And why do people think everyone just sits on a cloud and watches everything happening on earth?

My idea of heaven would have clouds that have all kinds of shapes. I love watching lightening storms and the rain. I can’t imagine heaven without rain and the beautiful displays that streak across our skies. I can see God putting whales and dolphins together in the ocean with all the other sea creatures and they hang our and play together. Not eating each other. When God created the land and the ocean here on earth that’s how it was to begin with. I can’t see that it would not  be that way in Heaven.

I see dogs and kitties playing in the meadow. God knows that my hearts desire is to see my dogs and loved ones there. My hope is that Brandie, Maverick, Pepper Puppy and all the other animals that I loved here on earth will be there to meet me. I also can’t imagine heaven having no rainbows or rivers. I think that Heaven will look like what the Garden of Eden looked like to begin with. Before man destroyed it and sinned. I can totally see Heaven looking this way. The Bible talks about a New Heaven and a New Earth. Maybe the new earth will be as it was intended without sin.  I’m sure God has it all figured out and I will trust that. Even though I think the snakes and spiders need to stay away.

The Bible says that there will be no more death or tears. And when I read that I wonder if we will have the memories of those who are not in heaven. Because if we have those memories, we would be sad that they aren’t here with us. SO, I’m putting this out to everyone I know and care about, you best get your life in order and accept Christ. Now I do hope we have tears of joy. Because there is nothing like having that feeling of peace and happiness weel up inside us and we can’t help but let the tears fall where they may.

I heard this one girl tell me that she believes that Heaven is a place where you can go after you die and you will come to the pearly gates and if you didn’t decided to believe or live according to Gods(Jehovah) will, then you can still enter and get another chance to live there. I actually found this sad in many ways.

Where Pearly Gates Comes from;

Gates Made of Pearls from EHOW

 In John’s vision at Revelation 21:21, the gates of heaven are actual pearls: huge ones that cover the 12 entrances to the city. In Bible times, pearls gathered from the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea commanded a high price. Jesus used this fact to illustrate the value of God’s Kingdom in his parable of the priceless pearl, recorded in Matthew 13:45-46. A merchant finds an exquisite and very expensive pearl, and eagerly sells all his other wares to acquire the rare jewel. Gaping at the celestial gates made of unusually large pearls may have convinced John that heaven was more magnificent and impregnable than any city on earth, including mighty Rome.

Tying in the symbolism of Jesus’ parable about the merchant who sold all his goods for one pearl of high value, readers may discern that the pearly gates of heaven represent an individual’s choice to give God exclusive devotion. Doing so ensures entrance into the grand future that awaits them when God’s kingdom rules over mankind. Countless people worldwide express this hope when they pray “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is heaven.” Revelation 21:25 says that at that time the gates of heaven will remain open day and night, since all humans will be living in peace, as described at Isaiah 65:17-25, and nothing will disturb the security of heavenly Jerusalem.

I asked some people on Facebook what they think heaven will be like and here are a few of the answers I received.

• Facebook Comment 1–  Heaven is the place where God dwells. It is a location that is wholly spiritual in nature. Christianity defines Heaven as being in the presence of God with places prepared for the faithful by Jesus and is viewed as eternal bliss beyond that which can currently be known. Those who are allowed into heaven are given new bodies that do not decay and death will be gone.
• Facebook Comment 2– Heaven will be a place that we will have all we want and desire. Everyone will have their own kind of Heaven.
• Facebook Comment 3– When we get to Heaven we will be welcomed by those we loved on Earth. We will be judged before we get to enter the gates and if we were good enough, then we can go through them and be there otherwise we will be cast into hell and God wouldn’t be in Hell.
• Facebook Comment 4 (Child) – Heaven is a place where you are happy and Jesus is there. It’s going to be really pretty and everyone will love each other. There is going to be angels there singing too.
• Facebook Comment 5– There is no Heaven or Hell. Everyone is believing there is this guy they called God. There is no God!
• Facebook Comment 6 – After the Kingdom of Heaven begins on earth, after Christ’s return, the New Jerusalem descends out of heaven and heaven, in the New Jerusalem, will then be on earth.  Revelation 21:1-2
• Facebook Comment 7- We will have perfect bodies and the streets will be lined with Gold. It’s going to be something bigger and more beautiful that we can imagine.
• Facebook Comment 8- If you die before Jesus Christ’s Second Coming you will go directly to heaven and be in the presence of God.  If you never see heaven, you will most certainly see hell and that is also a one-way trip from which there is no return.

I live in Utah and many times the LDS will talk about three heavens. And I believe these are the context they are talking about. The Old Testament has no word for universe, and to express the idea there is the frequent “heaven and earth.” We read of “the heaven and the heaven” (Deuteronomy 10:14), and of a man’s being “caught up into the third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2). With God in heaven are likewise the souls of the just (2 Corinthians 5:1; Matthew 5:3, 12). In Ephesians 4:8-16, we are told that Christ conducted to heaven the patriarchs who had been in limbo (limbus patrum)

Now when it comes to marriage in heaven, some people get a little hostile over this topic. It can be argued till the day till this world is no more. But here are a couple of verses that I found on the marriage thing.

• “When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
• Mark 12:25
• “At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.”
• Matthew 22:30

Luke – Chapter 20:34-36

34. Jesus replied, “The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.
35. But those who are considered worthy of taking part in that age and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage,
36. and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.

I guess I took this post in different directions, and it can be a bit confusing. So I put a question on my Facebook page to get ideas of what others think Heaven will be like.

It’s been coming and I have been waiting patiently for this to happen. And I don’t want to say it out loud too much because it will get me in trouble with the basketball angels in the sky, lol… Just kidding on the basketball angels. Even though we never know when it comes to God.

So I want to say this for all the doubters out there. The SUNS are awesome this year… This last game the Suns played the Clippers and they won with a score of 107- 88… OH YEAH…. It was happy dance time considering the Clippers at the time of this post is in the number 1 spot with ( PCT at 647) and 22 wins-12 losses spot and the Suns are in the number 2 with a the pct at 633 with 19 wins and 11 losses. That is like a difference of a game or so.

The Suns are playing tonight against Memphis and I hope they win. If they can beat the clippers, they should be able to beat Memphis. So I hope I’m not putting bad energy out there by posting my happiness with my team. It has been such a long time since they have done this good. I think it has been since Barkely, KJ, Ainge, Majerle has played. Well, they did good also with Nash when they won the Western Conference in 2005.

We lived in Phoenix when the Suns and the Bulls went head to head. And oh my gosh it was a tension filled house hold. My husband and daughter Beckiah was for DA BULLs and Jessica and myself went for the Suns. When the Bulls pulled out the win, my husband got in his car and honking horns. Not cool…

But there were houses painted Suns colors and most windows had placards in the windows. It was craziness. But fun at the same time. We were already living in Utah when Nash helped get the Suns to the Western Conference in 2005. I was still happy and I was glad the teams that got to the playoffs was the ones that did. It’s nice to see my team doing what it should be doing. They are a bunch of newbies and rookies, but they are doing great so far. So we need to keep it that way guys.

Nash was awesome on the Suns and it still bugs me to no end that he is playing on the Lakers. It was suppose to be his chance at winning a title. And guess where the Lakers are right now?  OK! You don’t have to guess, I will tell you! The Lakers have 13 wins and 19 loses. They are next to the bottom for the Western Conference. They have lost 6 in a row now. I’m OK with that. But I do still miss Nash on the Suns team where he belongs.

I’m thinking I need to make a trip to Phoenix to watch the Suns play. I have been wanting to do that for the longest time and have never made it. I also wish I could watch the Suns on my TV or computer because they never show them here. I’m pretty bummed over that. I gather the networks only had one televised game of the Suns based on last years and previous seasons game play. ESPN did add a couple of post Christmas games to the roster, but they are slacking in my book.

My friend Jennifer and I were talking about at what point do you not take part in something. I’m paraphrasing this conversation though.

There have been events and activities in the past that I have felt OK with going to while others I wanted to stay clear. I wanted no part in it. God has gifted me with this intuition on things. When I follow my own lead, I always end up regretting it. And when I follow His lead, things go much smoother.

I try not to be judgmental of other groups and love others as God tells me to do. But there are some groups and organizations that I have problems with. If they aren’t following in the same God I believe in and that is the God in the Bible, I have issues. I don’t tell anyone they have to believe the same as me. But I think that when we associate with groups that aren’t like minded, it is like we are saying it is OK. Some people and groups believe that churches must be united at all costs, despite its different theologies, belief systems and denominations.

And I’m not OK with that. I do think I use to be more tolerant, but something happened with my thinking. Maybe it’s a God thing. When I pray and have God search my heart and make me aware. Sometimes I’m not prepared for His answer or my reflection.

I do want to say that we are commanded to love others as God loves us. We are to forgive others as we have been forgiven. I have friends of many faiths and those who have no faith at all. I have friends that are gay, lesbians, straight and a little off kilt and we are to love all. I don’t always agree with those around me, because I’m pretty direct in what I believe. But I also refuse to judge others because they don’t see things the way I do. Not sure why that is, lol. But it is what it is 🙂

I have been reading this book about Asia Bibi who is on death row for drinking from a cup. The reason I bring her up is that she is a Christian living in Pakistan. Pakistan is a Muslim country and Christians are the lowly of the lowliest. She made a statement in her book about how she would hear the prayers 5 times a day coming from the mosques. I believe that is what they call them.   I don’t understand or know anyone that is Muslim and I’m sure for the most part they are loving people. Well unless you live where Asia does .  She never went to pray or take part in holy days because she worshiped God. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her faith and prayers only went to Him. She only used the voices over the speakers as a way to tell time and know when her kids and husband would be home. She felt it was a sin for her to take part in those things around her, even though it was law and she could be killed for not doing it. She didn’t cave in and do what was popular or expected of her. She did what God wanted her to do and that was to pray to only Him and to serve Him alone. I think we as Christians could learn from her imprisonment. We buckle under simple pressures and ideology. She stands up to her captures and will lose her life to stand up for God.

I was talking with another friend today and he pretty much hit the nail on the head and I can’t argue. Well, I can, but it would do no good since he is right. This is what he said. “It seems like some in this city are worshiping tolerance more than the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” And I have noticed that a lot over the years in so many ways. We are getting to where anything is acceptable if it is in the name of unity and love.  I’m all for loving others and being united in Christ. But to what point are we willing to do anything in the name of unity and love. And if you don’t agree with others choices or freedoms, then all the sudden you are racists or judgmental. That’s hogwash. I know Who I believe in and why I believe. And that is who I need to praying to and those who profess to be Christians should be. Really all people should, but I can’t force anyone to do that if they don’t want to.

For myself I would much rather hear what God says and what the Bible says instead of what is OK to everyone else. I think as a whole our society and world has gotten away from God. And the reasons we are getting so far away from Him is because we are in the people pleasing business. We aren’t worried about pleasing God anymore. We just don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings by opposing their thoughts and views.

There are a number of things that take place all over the world that calls for unity and love and I’m all for loving others. But I also feel that as a Christian I need to focus on what God wants me to do. Even if I may not like it at the time, I still need to do that. And as Christians we should be in the pleasing of God instead of the pleasing of people.

My prayer for all those around me, in our world, leaders and missionaries will be that they learn to listen to what God is putting on their hearts instead of what man is spewing out. Mans hearts are easily deceived, but when we allow God to be in control of it, we will be OK. Things may not be easy and I’m pretty sure I have plenty of my own bad thoughts and that horrible sinful nature seems to raise its ugly head.

2013 is almost over with. Soon we will be going into a year year. I got thinking about what the difference is between 2013 and 2014 and I have decided nothing but one number.

We will still have our ever loyal newscasters telling us all the bad things happening and once in awhile, we may hear of something good. We will be shocked and surprised by who died and what is going on in our country. We will still have Christians persecuted, put to death and martyred in the name of Christ. To them is just a number and another day.

I guess for me, I don’t really pay attention to New Years. Now I do pay attention to getting older and that I’m not impressed over one bit. But when I think of how we measure time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years, it doesn’t really matter. Time is a man made thing, not a God thing. We measure everything by time and gauge our happiness, successes and failures based on time.

People ask me what I’m going to do on New Years Eve and my answer is the same. I will wake up, grab something to eat, watch some TV, and go to bed. And of course there are all the other things that we put into a 24 hour time slot.

My theory is on New Years is that hopefully if there is some kind of good luck thing, which I’m not into the whole superstitious thing. But if there happens to be, I would hope that if I go to bed early, have a peaceful night then maybe that will continue though the year. So far that has never worked. And I don’t expect it to because life happens. Everyday there is something new to look forward to or surprise me.

Like I said, there is only one difference between 2013 and 2014 and that is the last number. Even though I would have to say if Christ came again, that would be AMAZING!

If you happen to be one of the millions of people who crowd into huge groups to watch the ball drop or waiting to kiss a loved one or stranger, I wish you a Happy New Year. My wish for you is to know the true blessings of Jesus Christ and to find peace that only He can bring.

Here in our area we have “Prayer Over the City”. I don’t think I will be going to this event this year, but I do want to offer a prayer for everyone all over.  I didn’t write this, I don’t know who did. But I thought it was fitting.

A Prayer for the New Year

What shall I ask for the coming year
What shall my watchword be
What should thou do for me, dear Lord
What can I do for thee?

Lord, I would ask for a holy year
Spent in thy perfect will
Help me to walk in thy very steps
Help me to please thee still.

Lord, I would ask for a trustful year
Give me thy faith divine
Taking my full inheritance
Making thy fulness mine!

Lord, I would ask for a year of love
O let me love thee best
Give me the love that faileth not
Beneath the hardest test.

Lord, I would ask for a year of prayer
Teach me to walk with thee
Breathe in my heart the Spirit’s prayer
Pray thou thy prayer in me!

Lord, I would ask for the dying world
Stretch forth thy mighty hand
Thy truth proclaim, thy power display
This year in every land.

Lord, I would ask for a year of joy
Thy peace, thy joy divine
Springing undimmed through all the days
Be thy days of shade or shine.

Lord, I ask for a year of hope
Looking for thee to come
And hastening on that year of years
That brings us home to you.

First off, I’m sorry this post is so long. I hope I don’t bore ya all.

I had some people last week ask me why I don’t complain or get upset about all the medical things I have going on with me. And it is very simple and that reason is my faith and Facebook. Some may wonder why I say Facebook and this is my reasons. Even right now with my pain level and being on home health and such. So I do my blog and get my mind off stuff.  I have so much to be thankful for.

1.      Sick Children are all over my Facebook. I have been praying for these children who are battling cancer, heart problems, Muscular Dystrophy and a whole lot of other things. When I go to these sites or they update their status’s, they are filled with hope and strength. Yesterday Abby Grace who is around 4 or 5 earned her wings. Every week there is another child I get requests to pray for them.  And every week another child dies. Little Abby’s parents are heartbroken of course. But all the messages they post are filled with love. They don’t blame God and others. They take things one day at a time and trust in God. I dreaded hearing that this little girl I never knew passed away. I have about 30 kids that are fighting for their lives and still have a smile on their face and are the strongest and most courageous kids I have ever seen.

2.      Adults that are going through chemo and are facing uncertainties. There are countless friends on my list that are facing cancer and fighting for their lives. And it isn’t just cancer, its other diseases. I belong to a group for survivors of Guillian Barre Syndrome. Just last week a young mother lost her life because of this. I have the CIPD variant of Guillian Barre Syndrome and my heart aches for those who are just going through it or those who never regained what they lost. I will post a link to a page that will give you more information on GBS.

3.      People without hope pop up all over my Facebook and in blogs I read. They believe what life is like now is always going to be this way. Some have lost jobs while others are unable to work. Getting out of bed is difficult for them because of the severe depression they go through. I do have my pity party moments, but I can’t stay in them too long. I can’t imagine going through life and have no hope for happiness or anything else. Because of my faith in Christ, I know without even thinking twice that there is something better when we get to heaven. I know that God will never leave me and that He sent His son to die for our sins. For those who don’t understand this, I feel for them.

4.      Family issues have been out of this world for my immediate family. They live in a very small area in AZ and they can’t get out of the fog they are in. Everyday there is something going on.  There is stress, hatefulness and disregard for one another. I’m so very thankful that I don’t live like that. I have my independence and choose what to do each day. I’m not dependent on others to decide how my day is going to be. I always thought I had it bad until I go see what bad really is. When you have one person that is doing things to tear apart a family for their own personal gain, it is sad.  I feel bad that they can’t see that there is more to life and it doesn’t have to be that way.

5.      Gaining weight is a biggie for me. I really hate that I gained weight. But then I think about why I do and that is because of medicines that keep my blood pressure down. They say the meds will prevent a stroke.  Even though it isn’t working for my blood pressure(249/135) . But there are many who can’t get these medicines. People are dying because they can’t get the care they need. I was in this same boat before I got my disability and Medicare kicked in. I can understand from both sides.

In my life I have been truly blessed. My life is very far from perfect and things have happened that can’t be changed. But I have the assurance that God loves me and even if I died tomorrow, I have peace in knowing where I will be. When I see posts on Facebook from people who have no concept what it means to have a loving and personal relationship with Christ, it is very sad. I can’t complain about my situation because I have it so much better than many. Well, I could, but it wouldn’t make it better. I have my times where I feel like things are caving in and I do not like that I have to go back into the hospital or this organ isn’t working right. But, I’m blessed beyond measure.

My friends are the best friends in the world. Even when it comes to friends, God puts the right ones there when I need them the most. Now, there are those friends that I have trusted and been burned. And for those friends, they taught me lessons and they are the past. My eyes were opened and I have chosen to make the best out of it. For those who don’t have friends that wouldn’t be afraid to say it as it is, you are blessed too. I read about how some people feel alone and unloved.

When it comes to my pets and I have a few of them. They don’t know how good they have it because they don’t get treated as some do. I can’t imagine life without dogs. But it is heart breaking to see dogs that are being put down left and right because they have no home or are abandoned. I’m blessed because God put it on my heart to love all creatures great and small. Even though I may have issues with spiders and snakes. I have no love loss there. I’m blessed in knowing that I can make a difference in the life of the dogs and birds I have.

Unemployment is another thing people post about. They have been looking for jobs and loosing everything they fought for. They can’t pay the bills, put food on the table or get medical care. At least my husband is working, even though he isn’t home often. So many struggle to get through the day. And I do thank God for being there and making sure things are taken care of.