Scripture

But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

~Hebrews 11:16, NLT

Quote

The first step to abundant life is to cultivate a heart that desires good and delights in the LORD Jesus Christ.

~Warren W. Wiersbe

 I knew that Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God, but verse 16 is a reference to all who suffered want and loss in this life because of their faith in Christ. I was helping a man in Lawrence county just a couple of weeks ago and the subject of housing came up. I told him, “I am 75 years old and I don’t even own a house.” The man has been knowing me for 40 plus years: he said in response, “Jack, you are just looking for the City, right!” I nodded in agreement. I have no idea what heaven will be like. I believe the gates of pearls, the streets of gold and the crystal sea are all metaphors. Heaven is infinitely greater than any word in any language. Besides, streets made of gold do not excite me. I want to be near Jesus. I want to be released from the burdens and cares of this world. I want to rest fully in His infinite love without doubts, fears or guilt.

My time here on earth has been longer than most, but even so, it has been brief. As James said, “It is like the vapor over a tea kettle, it appears for a second or two and then it is gone.” {JEV} Job said, “How frail is our humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble! We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear.” David said, “Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. My life is no longer than my hand! My whole lifetime is but a moment to you. Proud man! Frail as breath! A shadow! And all his busy rushing ends in nothing. He heaps up riches for someone else to spend. I fully agree with all three. One thing is certain: my children will not fight over the estate; there is no estate. The one thing I have not done is heap up riches. Hopefully and it is a hope; I will leave them a legacy. I know what you are thinking: “Your kids had rather have cash.”

Extra

Well it looks like the rain has ceased and I know that some of my neighbors down by the creeks are thrilled. They have water 20 yards from their back door. Lord willing, I plan to go watch the Brewer Boys later this morning. I hope you have a great Thursday and thanks for reading the blog.

Extra/Extra

I watched a Billy Graham documentary yesterday. I came across it accidentally. It was skewed a little toward the left: questioning Graham’s adjustments {changes that he made during his ministry}, his commitment to civil rights and he friendship with Nixon. It made much of Martin Luther King who to my knowledge, never preached the gospel in any of his crusades. Which begs a bigger question: who sponsored King, who financed his movement, who wrote his speeches? Someone paid his motel and travel bills; do a little research and find out who. I agree with Graham at every point and on every turn. He was a human and he made mistakes but he was an incredible man who shared the gospel with more than 250 million people. Don’t tell me it wasn’t a God thing. The far left and the far right {theologically} disowned him but they would do the same to me. I admire and respect the Grahams and I don’t see that changing.