You've probably heard of the highly advertised prophesy that May 21, 2011 (tomorrow) will be the day of the Rapture, the day Jesus calls his believers home in a blink of an eye and those who have denied him will remain on Earth.
It's not the first time a person has predicted a specific date of this event. Obviously, no one has been right. Matthew 24:36 says no man knows that day...so I expect this current false prophet will be wrong, too.
But oh...I wish he was right. In fact, the only reason I wish he was wrong would be that he was late by a day, and we wouldn't see tomorrow's sunrise.
You see, I want to see my savior face to face more than anything else. I do not cling to anything in this world, and would leave THIS SECOND if given the chance. And let me be clear- I want to go whether it means I am one of millions in the blink of an eye, or if I die in a lone situation and my loved ones are alive and well behind me.
My view is not popular. I spoke my desire out loud in a group of friends one day, and was labeled "depressed". With few exceptions, anyone I have told this to has told me a list of things they want to do before they die.
"But what about your kids?" people ask me. I tell my children often that I long for heaven more than anything else. They know that is where I want to be. Will they be sad? I'm sure of it. But they also have this...a wonderful father, 4 amazing grandparents, 10 aunts and uncles, cousins and second cousins galore, who love them. And they know Christ personally, so I know the Holy Spirit would provide them comfort.
"What about your husband?" See above. Plus, he's a crafty, lovable guy. He wouldn't be alone for long!
To most, it may make no sense, this longing I have. But to me, I don't understand how a Christ follower could think otherwise. What does this temporal earth have to offer that comes anywhere close to eternity in paradise, in the presence of the creator of the universe???
I do wonder, however, why this desire is so strong in my heart. If I am missing something here on earth while I keep my eyes focused above. I do not believe in coincidence, and know without a doubt my work here is not through. If God had wanted me home, he has had lots and lots of opportunities to snatch me away (illness, skiing adventures, car wrecks, tornados)! So- there has to be a reason I am still here. What is it? I probably won't know this side of heaven,,,,but there is yet another reason I want to go NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's my mind, in case you wanted a peek inside. We'll talk more next week...or not. After all, I highly doubt blogs are a tool used in heaven! I'm off to live life while I have breath to live it!
Friday, May 20, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Jonacio el Magnifico
This is Jonas' stage name when he does magic. Have I mentioned it is his passion? Probably not, as I've hoped it would fade away. But I think it is time I acknowledge that he loves magic and practices all. the. time.
Which I've heard is key to becoming a good magician. Those illusions and tricks and slight of hand have a whole lot to do with timing, and that comes with time and practice. There was a magician on the cruise ship in January, and after his show we asked him a few questions. When I told him my son wanted to be a magician, he said "Tell him to spend hours in front of the mirror, perfecting."
While this is not the hobby I would have chosen for my son (I don't have anything AGAINST it, but would have preferred the piano, or baseball, or reading), I have done what I can to encourage him. Gifts I have given him have included books on illusions and a magic cape. And I try really really hard NOT to let on that I know the secret behind the trick when he shows me a new one.
As I said in my last post, he tried out for the Mesquite Children's Chorus. We found out Tuesday that he did not make the final cut. But he also found out on Tuesday that he did make the talent show at school, in which he will do...a magic show. I heard the slightest bit of disappointment in his voice when he told me about the chorus, but it was immediately covered with pure joy at telling me about the talent show. I am very happy that he is very happy!
And last week, Jonas told me that he had been thinking about how he could use his love of magic in the real world. See, while I try to encourage his passion, I also inherited enough realism from my mom to back it up with "Don't expect magic to pay the bills. Enjoy it as a hobby, but have a backup plan". Jonas proceeded to tell me that he thinks he could use his illusions to help tell people about God and Jesus.
"Go on," I said. I was intrigued.
"Like the flood and Noah," he explained. "I could do an illusion where I poor a bunch of water in a cup or bowl, and then have a dove appear, after I pause awhile to tell the story, and then show the audience that the water is gone! Or, I could create a prop that looks like a tomb, and put a boy-doll in it, then make it disappear after I count to three, like Jesus did."
Don't know about you, but I think his plan is excellent. Again, it may not pay the bills, but it will help him share his love of magic and of God. Which, in light of eternity, is much more important. :)
Which I've heard is key to becoming a good magician. Those illusions and tricks and slight of hand have a whole lot to do with timing, and that comes with time and practice. There was a magician on the cruise ship in January, and after his show we asked him a few questions. When I told him my son wanted to be a magician, he said "Tell him to spend hours in front of the mirror, perfecting."
While this is not the hobby I would have chosen for my son (I don't have anything AGAINST it, but would have preferred the piano, or baseball, or reading), I have done what I can to encourage him. Gifts I have given him have included books on illusions and a magic cape. And I try really really hard NOT to let on that I know the secret behind the trick when he shows me a new one.
As I said in my last post, he tried out for the Mesquite Children's Chorus. We found out Tuesday that he did not make the final cut. But he also found out on Tuesday that he did make the talent show at school, in which he will do...a magic show. I heard the slightest bit of disappointment in his voice when he told me about the chorus, but it was immediately covered with pure joy at telling me about the talent show. I am very happy that he is very happy!
And last week, Jonas told me that he had been thinking about how he could use his love of magic in the real world. See, while I try to encourage his passion, I also inherited enough realism from my mom to back it up with "Don't expect magic to pay the bills. Enjoy it as a hobby, but have a backup plan". Jonas proceeded to tell me that he thinks he could use his illusions to help tell people about God and Jesus.
"Go on," I said. I was intrigued.
"Like the flood and Noah," he explained. "I could do an illusion where I poor a bunch of water in a cup or bowl, and then have a dove appear, after I pause awhile to tell the story, and then show the audience that the water is gone! Or, I could create a prop that looks like a tomb, and put a boy-doll in it, then make it disappear after I count to three, like Jesus did."
Don't know about you, but I think his plan is excellent. Again, it may not pay the bills, but it will help him share his love of magic and of God. Which, in light of eternity, is much more important. :)
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