Oh, I Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven!

I just shed a tear as I got ready to write this. It’s not something easy to write a blog about, but God’s given me all the strength needed to do so anyways. I’m filled with sadness which is thankfully no feeling at all when compared to the comfort I received when talking to my friend who’s dying. He’s a friend who went to Israel with me in 2008, and I feel that God would like me to share my friend’s reaction to the death that the cancer will be leading him towards. I believe that this is how God wants each and every one of us to react when facing death.

He was recently told by doctors that he has only two weeks to three months to live. He was told that probably about three weeks ago.

Still, when my dad and I spoke to him at his celebrating life party, he expressed that God performs miracles in many different ways. He told us that he’s going to introduce us to so many of those ways through out our lives here on Earth. And well, he believes that the way God’s going to heal him this time is by bringing him home. Where is home? Why, home, my dear friend, is simply Heaven.

My dad’s response was that he was jealous. And you want to know something? We all very well ought to be! There is no place better to be than worshiping, loving and spending time with God Almighty in Heaven. I mean, no sickness, pain, nor sorrows.

Of course, God has to use us here on Earth first. He needs us to help lead others to the cross. Yet, I promise you, that once God’s used you in all the ways necessary here on Earth, he’ll definitely perform the best healing possible for you. Oh, I can’t wait to get to Heaven!

Return Dear Jesus

I don’t know why I remember these words as if it were yesterday. They were words spoken by Chris Stan while we were in the Holy Land. Perhaps by sharing them with you I will figure out why they are so well remembered. Would you mind? If you feel up for it, then the message eagerly awaits. Now, shall we begin?

The team was on the tour bus heading for the next religious site. As usual I was seated beside Chris, the oldest member of the Bless Israel 2008 team. At first, we just sat there in silence. Then, right out of the blue, Chris spoke to me. He said, “I believe that Jesus Christ will return in my lifetime.”

They were such faith-filled words. They are words that I now understand my reason for remembering. Wow… That is quite a reason. Let me tell you all about it.

You see, when Chris spoke these words he spoke them with a passionate fire. He lived in awe for the day when Jesus will return. He still does. There’s more to my memory’s motive. There is indeed.

I saw that fire in his eyes. It was a fire that I could understand and believe. It had me like a fish on a hook. I knew that to him this happening would be above any other experience. It’s the same way for the rest of us Christ Believers. However, just seeing his desire for the Lord’s return was beautiful.

Now, nobody knows when the day will come except for God himself. I just hope that Chris really does get the opportunity to be alive and well when that day comes. You want to know something? I have the same dream. I would love to be around for the final days, and I really do hope that you feel the same way.

The Beginning of a New Journey

                It was the year of 2006, and church had just let out. Seeing that my parents were talking with a friend and not yet ready to head home, I, a young seventh grade student, chose to listen for the voice of God. I went over and sat in a chair. That’s when I put all focus on the Lord. Finally, I heard the voice of the Creator.

                What He said is not what I expected. It was not what I expected at all. Still, I knew in my heart that it was the voice of God. He provided me with simple instructions by saying, “I want you to go to Israel.” That was the beginning of a whole new adventure.

                My parents weren’t sure about me going to Israel. Yet, when I found out about a trip to Israel that my church was holding, things started to change. My parents decided to pray about me signing up for the Bless Israel ’08 team. You know what happened? That’s right… God told them that he wanted me to go.

                It was now the year 2008, and my dad still needed to make one final payment. It was a payment that at the time could not be made. Once again, my Lord and Savior came to our aid. Near the final days to make the payment my dad made a medical sale giving us the exact cost needed in order to go. That is where I thought, “Wow! The Lord really does want me to go.”

                Even when times got tough, we stuck with the Lord. Although the path was rigid, we continued to walk by faith and not by sight. You want to know something? When the Lord tells you to do something, then do it. Just do it no matter what, and trust in him. He will meet your needs.