Insights...

A good friend lent me her copy of Todd Burpo's book, "Heaven is for Real." I was initially very reluctant to read it. You see, I'd always thought I'd read in the Bible that there was no return to life for those who've died, except for God's direct intervention. Good examples of this are Mary and Martha's brother, Lazarus, and the restoration of the dead for the final judgment. Speaking of Lazarus, here is the scriptural excerpt I thought I remembered as refuting the return of those who'd passed on...

"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and seeing Abraham far off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and you are tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they who would pass from here to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from there. Then he said, I pray you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father's house: For I have five brothers; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham said unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." (Luke 16:22-31) kjv 2000

Note, please, that it actually only says there can be no travel between heaven and hell. It is interesting to see that this passage merely says that the living will not be persuaded by such a return, it does NOT say that such a return is impossible.

However, the Bible DOES say the following...

"It will happen afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams. Your young men will see visions. And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days, I will pour out my Spirit." (Joel 2:28-29) bev

I profoundly believe that the reference to "men" here means "humans," not males per se. Why do I feel this way? The original man (or human) was Adam. Remember that God said, "It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself."
(Gen 2:18) drv

Next, we read, "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man."
(Gen 2:21-23) kjv

So you see, both Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, were both made from the very first human. It is, therefore, quite logical and entirely probable that God does mean "humans" every time the Bible says "men."

This would likely have no bearing whatsoever on my message, except that Todd Burpo's book mentions a young artist named "Akiane Kramarik." She suffered a near-death experience at a very early age, similar in some ways to Mr. Burpo's son, Colton. It caused her to become profoundly interested in art. Today, she is one of the most exceptional artists on the planet. Her work, entitled "Prince of Peace" represents Jesus, and was recognized by young Colton as looking like the Son of God that he (Colton) saw during his own brush with death.

I will not post an image of her work here, as I'm sure it is copyrighted. I do, however, recommend you look it up on your own. Akiane has published a remarkable book, entitled; "akiane her life, her art, her poetry." And, yes, the title is all lower case.

Both of these books are very moving. I feel they both represent young people with dreams and visions. I also feel that the time remaining prior to the Tribulation is very short, and these two books will help those who are undecided AND will strengthen the faith of those who believe. Please read them both, and use them to help you feel closer to Our Lord. But, whatever you do, do NOT allow the painting of Jesus become an object of your prayer. It is not to be a "graven image." Akiane has created an aid to help us feel closer to Our Lord, to feel we can identify with Him.

These young people have had some wonderful visions.

Thank Him who is responsible.

God's Advice Column

Pick up a local paper, skip to the second or third section, you'll probably find an advice column or two. They remain popular, no matter the condition of the economy, the political situation or even the age of the reader. I've never really understood why. And yet, almost everybody likes to give (and sometimes get) advice. Whether we're qualified to do so makes little or no difference. It makes us feel important to have something to say that others pay attention to...

Why is it that we feel inclined to place value upon something that other fallible humans say, rather than the wisdom relayed to us from God?

Take a look at some of God's gems;

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." (Prov 1:7) kjv

-Don't think of it as "fear," simply give God the respect He deserves!

"My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my commandments. For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life and peace." (Prov 3:1-2) drv

-Obey God's rules, pure and simple.

"Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." (Prov 4:26-27) kjv

-Don't veer away from God's plan.

"Go to the ant, you hater of work; give thought to her ways and be wise: Having no chief, overseer, or ruler, She gets her meat in the summer, storing up food at the time of the grain-cutting." (Prov 6:6-8) bev

-Do the Lord's work now, while you are able! Tomorrow may be too late!

"The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance are the way of evil and perverted speech I hate."
(Prov 8:13) rsv

-God hates evil, and those who practice it. Sincerely give your all to Him.

"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." (Prov 12:22) kjv

-Satan is the prince of lies, avoid his foul influence.

"There is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out." (Prov 13:9) bev

-At the last judgment, those who choose evil will be condemned forever.

"The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death." (Prov 14:27) kjv

-Respect God. He alone will keep you from eternal death.

"A mild answer breaketh wrath: but a harsh word stirreth up fury. The tongue of the wise adorneth knowledge: but the mouth of fools bubbleth out folly." (Prov 15:1-2) drv

-Keep a civil tongue in your mouth.

"The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow." (Prov 15:25) kjv

- Pride brings about a fall, remember?

"Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice." (Prov 16:8) web

-Goodness in poverty is great, foulness with wealth is deplorable.

"Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD." (Prov 18:22) kjv

-If you've found the perfect wife (like I did), this is patently obvious.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Prov 22:6) wet

-Kids need discipline, otherwise they turn to evil.

"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised." (Prov 31:30) kjv

-Don't put much importance on appearance, but rather on a person's relationship with God.

There is a LOT more where all this comes from! The book of Proverbs is very much God's advice column. Read it with a willingness to accept His recommendations, especially if your heart is telling you differently. The evil one will pressure you to make the wrong choices, and give you what seem to be logical reasons for doing so. God will never force you to choose His way, but the reward is eternal.

Choose wisely, take God's advise.