Conference yukon::christian_v7

    I STRONGLY recommend the book, "Within Heaven's Gates" by Rebecca (?)
    Springer.  It is an account of her vision of heaven (apparantly written
    in the late 1800s).  It is most comforting.  I suspect those not
    suffering will find it more fascinating than comforting.
    
    I am anxious to be in heaven.  I think of being completely free from
    the lust of the flesh and how wonderful that will be.  I think of
    actually throwing my arms around Jesus's feet and hugging Him and
    worshiping Him - how wonderful!  I think of seeing the awesome majesty
    of God the Father and I shudder in awe.  And then there's what he has
    prepared.  It will be glorious, no doubt.
    
    No sorrow, no sadness, no tears, no disease, fruitful work and service!
    
    It will be spectacular!
    
    jeff

    When I think of Heaven, I think of peace at last.  This life has had
    its turmoils, hurt, and emotional sufferings.  God's Grace here has
    been sufficient and to think of the explosion of His Grace all around
    me is beyond my human interpretation!  
    
    I think of the verse I Corinthians 2:9, Eye hath not seen, nor ear
    heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
    hath prepared for those that love him!
    
    Do you love Him? :-) :-)

    I think Heaven will be a lot like Urbana, only warmer... :-)
    
    thousands, millions, of Christians, praising Him, and generally just
    being Christian to each other...
    
    [pleasant sigh]
    p  <><

    .2
    
    That's the same scripture that came to my mind when I read
    the base note, Nancy.
    
    When I think of the most wonderful, peaceful, beautiful, perfect
    place I've seen on this earth, it is not even comparable to
    what heaven is, for the scripture tells us we can't even imagine it!
    
    "For, now, we seek through a glass darkly, but on that day the 
    veil will be lifted from our eyes and we shall see Him as he is."
    (Obviously, not a direct quote -don't have the scripture reference - 
    matter of fact, I may have just merged 2 different verses.)
    
    For me, I look forward to the PEACE and REST that Heaven promises.
    When I'm tired, emotionally or spiritually, my soul just cries out 
    for that eternal rest and peace.  
    
    I read in one of Billy Graham's books he thinks there will
    be work in heaven, of course he has no idea what kind of work - but
    that we will need to occupied, accomplish something - we won't just 
    sit around the garden (when we're not praising God, of course!)
    
    Karen
    
    

    .4
    
    Wow Karen, its not coincidence is it! :-)  I, too, have heard that
    there will be work in Heaven... but before images start to conjure up
    remember this labor will be a labor of love.
    
    :-)
    Nancy
    

 I used to think that heaven would be just a bunch of us hanging out 
 praising God and singing and stuff.  As I grow in my faith, I too think
 there will be work to do and that each of us will have some responsibilities
 based on our accomplishments here on earth.


 I recently saw a man interviewed on the 700 club who had "died" in a car
 accident and been revived.  He reported the music as being indescribable,
 and spoke warmly about the encouter with loved ones who had gone before.


 
 I am ready to go when He calls, but there is sure a lot of work to do here.



 Jim.



 PS on a similar note, I also saw a man interviewed who reported that he
 had died and seen Hell...not too pleasant from what he had to say.

    I have studied and taught the book of Revelation many times over the
    last 15+ years. That book spends a lot of time describing heaven. I
    didn't spent a whole lot of time pondering the descriptions - until my
    dad died (he was a believer). He was the first person close to me who
    died and went to heaven. Now that I can picture him actually being
    there, those descriptions in Revelation are a whole lot more
    meaningful. I can visualize Dad there right now, seeing the glory of
    God in "person" in a way that I can barely just imagine.
    
    	BD�

	Gee, and I was looking forward to Heaven so I could finally
	get some rest! ;-)

	I had a thought during the service for my husband's grandfather
	last week.  The priest was talking of us being united with papa
	in friendship when we get to heaven.  For an instant, I thought
	of the Papa I knew in the last few years - a tired, sad, hurting
	man who felt deserted and misunderstood.  Then, I realized that
	if Papa is in Heaven, he's the Papa my husband remembers - the man
	who couldn't get enough of his grandchildren, who loved them dearly
	and gave so much of his time and love to them.  My heart rejoiced at
	the thought of him being freed from all the pains of his later years.

	Karen

The fullness of heaven is the reality we yearn for unattainably here.  It's 
the fulfillment of all our desires; not as feeding an insatiable appetite, 
but as just 'being' all that we are intended to be ... in His presence.

This mortal life of shadows, which is passing away is only the preparation.
 Use it well - anything not done here on the production line - in the
factory - isn't going to be done when it's completed, and on the job.  Our
great Creator God has given us 'time' to grow in faith, the reality of our
spirits, that we might be all that He plans for us for eternity.  What
isn't done 'now', we have to manage without. 

The wonder of heaven is that there is no longer any such thing as sin.  
Anything that enters our thoughts 'then' is right, good and acceptable.  We 
can fully enter into all that our hearts imagine, as we serve Him with joy.
(No! Mark... I didn't meant that!  Though maybe...;-).

In heaven there are no boundaries, restraints, limits.  "In Thy presence is 
fullness of joy, at Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

I *so* look forward to being there, but wish to press on to fulfill all 
that He offers me to be beforehand, that I might have the most to offer Him 
when I see Him face to face....

 "He brought me into the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love."
 "Thou hast ravished my heart ..."		Song of Solomon 2:4, 4:9

  ...He is altogether lovely, and we shall see Him! (1 John 3:2)

								Andrew

		Light's abode, celestial Salem,
		  Vision whence true peace doth spring,
		Brighter than the heart can fancy,
		  Mansion of the highest King;
		O how glorious are the praises
		  Which of thee the prophets sing!

		There for ever and for ever
		  Alleluia is outpoured;
		For unending, for unbroken
		  Is the feast-day of the Lord;
		All is pure and all is holy
		  That within thy walls is stored.

		There no cloud or passing vapor
		  Dims the brightness of the air;
		Endless noonday glorious noonday,
		  From the Sun of suns is there;
		There no night brings rest from labour,
		  For unknown are toil and care.

		O how glorious and resplendent,
		  Fragile body, shalt thou be,
		When endued with heav'nly beauty,
		  Full of health, and strong, and free,
		Full of vigour, full of pleasure
		  That shall last eternally!

		Now with gladness, now with courage,
		  Bear the burden on thee laid,
		That hereafter these thy labors
		  May with endless gifts be paid,
		And in everlasting glory
		  Thou with brightness be arrayed.

				Latin, 15th cent.; Tr. John Mason Neale, alt.