Single Day

A single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else!  I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house of my God than live the good life in the homes of the wicked. ~ Psalm 84:10

Close your eyes for a moment---now imagine what heaven looks like.  Sounds like?  When I imagine heaven, I imagine beauty beyond description and sounds from the singing angles so beautiful that it overwhelms my soul.  To stand in front of my God, who I have tried to devote my meager life to and then to hear his voice is a dream come true.  When I look at the outlandish outdoors that I live in, or the brilliant beaches I have traveled to and realize that heaven will even be better that this, it's unimaginable.  Scripture says we can not imagine what our heavenly home is like.  I do know this, if one day there is better than ten thousand at my favorite vacations spot, it has to be captivating, mind-blowing and well worth it!  Of course, for all believers our journey home WILL be well worth it!  We have spent our lives living for our mighty creator and we will finally get to meet Him and hear, "Well done my good & faithful servant."  This will be THE day we have been waiting for.  It won't matter what persecution I have endured, I will be glad and overjoyed to be standing in HIS presence and nothing else will matter.  In the end, I would much rather be accepted by HIM and judged by others than judged by HIM and accepted by the wicked world.  To be accepted in this world is to acknowledge that He may not have been my whole hearts desire.  I pray no one will ever be able to say that of me.  I would be more than happy to be His gatekeeper for one day, than to be loved by the world forever. ~

Separate Us

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?  Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble, or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ~ Romans 8:35

I think I have a pretty good idea of what unconditional love looks like - maybe.  I have kids and I can't imagine one thing they could do, no matter how horrific, or hideous the crime, that I could completely turn my broken heart away from them for.  I also believe that if my kids were in terrible trouble and needed my help, I would be there for them no matter how harsh the corrective consequences may be.  I believe God treats us the same way times ten thousand - we cannot truly understand the depth of his undeserving love for us.  I don't believe that He turns His back on us no matter what trouble we may have cause, or no matter the danger we may find ourselves in, even if we willingly brought disaster upon our own stubborn heads, God is still with us and still loves us and waits for the invitation to help.  I believe He is a gentleman. He won't force a relationship with us. He waits until we call His name either in the stillness of the night, or in a shout for help in the midst of ugly danger and despair.  My friend, if your feel like God has left you, I have to tell you, that's not true.  YOU'VE left him.  He doesn't leave.  Nothing, but ourselves, gets in the way of God.  Nothing you could do would ever steal His love for you from Him.  He loves us even in our trouble, calamity,  persecution, hunger, destitution, danger, and our death.  After all, the Word promises that we will have trials and troubles and if Jesus did when he walked the earth, why wouldn't you? Being in relationship with Jesus does not and has not ever guaranteed you a trouble and trial free life; but our relationship with Him does promise us hope while we go through our struggles.  All you have to do is call Him. ~