Spring Fever

By Helen Knuever

With all the events that have troubled America lately, it’s hard to have optimism when we look across our country. We see terrorist attacks, devastating floods and more. But because of the promise of Christ – I sense a spiritual spring fever sneaking up on me. One day there will be an end to all of this suffering.

Mark Twain said of Spring Fever: “It's spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so.”

I think that’s also true of heaven. I Corinthians 2:9 says “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

Although we have His promise – we don’t know what it really looks like.

As the song says, “I can only imagine” - but to imagine sure brings a sense of deep comfort.

Spring fever – brings with it a certain restlessness and an excitement with a certain feeling of laziness. Have you felt that way at all? Spring fever also has a certain romantic feeling. The restlessness of being a pilgrim; the excitement of the future with Christ? I am not sure how the laziness fits in – perhaps it is the feeling we have to wait for God to do something. Although faith is not passive – there are times when our own activity needs to stop and wait on God’s direction. And so even that action is passive. The romance of a heavenly lover - who really does care for us - and whose we belong to -not out of fear, but love.

I don’t want to become so heavenly minded that I’m no earthly good, though. So many people are looking for peace. So many people need a person in their lives to show the love of Christ. That is another anticipation that I have. Imagine a revival sweeping across our land where God draws millions of people unto Himself. Imagine the body of Christ advancing in love – no longer caught up in their personal differences – but all taking orders from Jesus Christ.

Maybe this is it! When we pray (we may feel lazy while doing so) as we put our own plans on the shelf. Restlessness caused by the desire for something better calls us to go beyond ourselves and our typical routine. A spiritual spring fever where the excitement of true believing that God will cause America to be drawn to Him!

Do you feel it? Are you tired of normal religion? Are you restlessness for more of God? Can we pray together for a massive revival in our country? Can a feeling of laziness be replaced by a waiting on God to give us clear directions? Do you crave heaven? Do you crave knowing that others are going there with you? Can we believe that God cares about this world even more than we do? Do you sense your first love for Jesus sparking your heart? Then maybe you have spring fever!

Solomon 2:10-11 My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.

For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;

 

ANOTHER GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN

By Rolie Grady

Do you ever wish you could leave the pain of this world and live somewhere else? You’re not alone. Every person carries that dream in his heart. Deep within us lies a true picture of what life was meant to be. It’s a place where everything comes together perfectly….so unlike what happened this last week.

Much has already been said about good versus evil. Why does it take a huge tragedy for us to see the essence of evil? I don’t know. As layers of denial and deception implode, we either sink in the ashes or cry out for truth. At that moment , we are closer to permanent change than ever before.

When my son, Kyle, died in 1990, I already knew Jesus as Savior. His strong grip got my husband and me through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Years went by as we struggled through the deepest pain of our lives. His presence became the turning point. We read the Bible with new urgency, knowing His voice was the only lifeline we had. Our eyes were opened to a different reality, and our ears attuned to the frequency of heaven.

Like our tragedy, this one sought to obliterate all traces of life. The media hypnotically focused attention on a downward spiral of death. Despair sucked the life out of families everywhere, leaving fear in it’s place.

Did God take a vacation on December 14, 2012? No. Like you, I grieve with bereaved parents in Newtown, Connecticut. But I also want to pass on a message I received the next day from Gary Fick, a professor at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. He writes:

“…this morning at the midyear recognition for our current graduates, ‘by chance’ I happened to meet a family whose church is in Newtown, CT. The mom was the Vacation Bible School teacher for some of those killed. She shared that in the morning before the murders happened, she had had a vision of those children climbing all over Jesus on His throne and kissing Him. They were so happy.

At the time, she said she did not know what it meant, but we know now. Right now I cannot understand and I do not really know what to do. But I am comforted by the knowledge that Jesus is with those who have died so wantonly. And I pray again that His comfort and direction will come to us who continue to live in this dark and troubled world…”

When darkness threatens to swallow hope this Christmas, follow me to Psalm 91 and find a well lit refuge. Remember that we can always go vertical, letting the true light of Heaven reveal everlasting life.

I Believe in Heaven

The Great Blog Adventure has a special post today from well-known authors Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk. As you know, anything can happen when those two get their heads together and you may have just the story they are looking for for their latest book "I Believe in Heaven."

Needed: Stories for a New Book, “I Believe in Heaven.”

 

 

Twila Belk and best-selling author Cecil Murphey have contracted for a book called “I Believe in Heaven,” scheduled for spring 2013 release. (In fact, you can already pre-order the book on several websites!)

We want 3 types of stories:

1.First-person accounts of someone who died, went to heaven, and returned. (E.g., Don Piper or the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:1–10.)

2.First-person, near-death stories (such as those who felt they saw themselves above the operating table during surgery, went through a tunnel and into bright light before being whisked back to their bodies).

3.Third-person stories of those who have been at the bedside of a dying person who saw angels or Jesus coming to take them to heaven.

Don't delay--Deadline for stories is November 20, 2012.  You can also help Cec and Twila by sharing this information on your own web sites and with any and all author's groups you might be aware of.  Thanks so much for all your help.

For guidelines on how to submit and further information: http://www.ibelieveinheaven.blogspot.com/

Heaven Has No Coda

by Robin J. Steinweg

“It’s fall,” my friend says.
“No!” I surprise us both with more volume
and vehemence than I meant.
More meekly, I explain my stand.

“It’s summer still. You want proof?

The trees are green; the grass wants mowing.
I still see Japanese beetles ravaging roses.
The calendar says there’s still one more day.”

(my friend laughs)

“Hang on if you want. As for me, fall’s the season.
Rip up the garden, toss out the old vines
and spent blooms. Till the soil, add organic material
to rot over winter. Cool nights make great sleeping.”

(I press my point)

“There’s still harvest to be had! More flowers;
all they need is a little extra care—to be covered
when it’s cold.

(I feel hot tears prick my eyes)

…to be enjoyed just a little longer.”

“Are we still talking about the change of season?”

(All at once I understand my emotion)

My friend has born no losses yet of family. No loved one

 has grown stooped with summer’s passing. 
No frost has nipped the bloom from a cherished vine.
Fall seems short and cruel when winter looms.         

But hurrying in to interrupt my desperate grief
comes the truth with its solace and
unwavering calm, its unending joy:

“Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be

away from these earthly bodies, for then
we will be at home with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8 NLT).

Life in Christ is a song. Fall is the bridge and

winter the outro. Heaven has no coda! The Composer
keeps adding voices and melodies in an eternal Arioso
Giocoso.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am

He who will sustain you. I have made you and
I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you” (Is. 46:4 NIV).

(I smile at my friend)

“You know, you’re right. Fall has the bluest skies 
and the brightest surprises under the chlorophyll in the leaves.
It has all the beauty of spring, the wisdom of summer, and
the promise of new beginnings.”

Introducing Helen Knueven

Heaven’s  Commentaries to Earth on Jesus Christ

We sing, “Silent Night” but I doubt the suggested silence of the first Christmas

Heaven’s First Commentary

An angel appeared to shepherds tending their sheep that first wonderful Christmas.

Luke 2:10-11, “But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Luke 2:13-14 “Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Surely the shepherds suddenly knew that they were included in God’s beautiful plan even if they did not understand it.

Heaven’s Second Commentary

As wise men sought the Lord Jesus – a star guided them.  It charted the path for them as they searched for Jesus. 

In Matthew 2:9  “…and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

Even the stars cooperated with helping wise kings find the divine baby!

Heaven’s Third Commentary

Jesus came to John, the Baptist, to be baptized.  As Jesus came out of the water – in Matthew 4:16-17- the heavens were opened up, and the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

What a confirmation to John!

Heaven’s Fourth Commentary

In Luke 9:35 Moses and Elijah talked with Jesus about his crucifixtion.  The disciples were taken up into a cloud with Jesus.  They wanted to build three tabernacles; one for Jesus, one for Elijah, and one for Moses.

Suddenly there was a voice out of the cloud that said, “This is my beloved Son: hear him.”

The fact that Jesus alone was worthy of worship was established by the Father.

Many times it seems that heaven is silent – but when it comes to announcing Jesus Christ, it will speak.  He is not shrouded in mystery to those who seek Him.

I believe that these four commentaries all tie together into the message of Christmas.

It seems to me that heaven went out of it’s way in more than one way to speak to Earth in a way that we could understand.

I would summarize it this way:

• 1st commentary – Angelic visitation to shepherds concerning Jesus’ birth.
• 2nd commentary – Cosmic visitation and guidance to wisemen concerning Jesus’ birthplace.
• 3rd commentary – Divine public endorsement by the Father that Jesus was/is the favored Son of God.
• 4th commentary – Another public endorsement and instruction to “Hear Jesus” alone. 

We are called to go the second mile to make God known to others, but He went from heaven to earth to make Himself known to us.  I am reminded of the scripture in Jeremiah 29:13  “  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."  God chooses how He will speak – but He is the best communicator.

The Lord desires us to know Him.  God did not come to us in lightning bolts, but in voices of guidance.  May we truly hear what Jesus says to us by opening our hearts to Him.  

I pray that this Christmas you, too, will hear the sounds of heaven as you seek Him. 

May you have a truly Merry Christmas!

Helen Knueven

I had an encounter with Jesus Christ  that changed the direction of my life forever.

Most of the songs I write are about Him.

I teach private piano lessons and write devotional studies, short stories,Bible studies and songs.

I'm lucky to be married to the greatest guy - Mike!