Apocolypse Now

We just finished up with our Wednesday night prophecy series.  It was different to say the least.  I think I made it clear that I love prophecy, but there is so much that is based on other peoples' opinions that I don't see myself as a great teacher on it.  Not to mention the fact that most people who are really into it listen and read opinions of people who spend their lives trying to explain what they think.  I'd rather focus my teaching on things that are concrete.  Not to say prophecy (and teaching it) isn't important, because it is, but it is easy to spend too much time focused on the future to make a difference in the present. 

I wanted to end my series with a warning, but we ran out of time.  As I grew up, I heard the same statements that we are hearing today regarding the imminent end of the world.  It is necessary to keep Christ's return at the front of our minds.  The problem is that it can also steal one's joy if they focus too much on it.  Christ wants us to look for His coming, but He also wants us to appreciate the life we have here in Him.  We can enjoy all the goodness around us, His wonderful Creation, time with our loved ones, and the only chance we will have to serve Him in a dark world.  The problem with focusing on the "doom and gloom" is that we forget that He saved us so our joy may be full.  I've already posted about the problems older pastor's have faced due to failure to plan for retirement because the Lord would come back before they reached that point.  It is important that people have HOPE.  Hope in a future with Christ, and hope that He will bless them on Earth.  I personally can't wait to see my kids grow up.  I want to see what they do with their lives.  I trust that God will use them in some mighty way, if they will stay close to Him.  We need enjoy what God has given us now, and not steal that hope from the next generation.  Yes, we should pay attention to how bad things are and how close the return of Christ must be getting.  We also need to pay attention to how much God blesses us everyday on Earth, and enjoy the time we have here without focusing only on the negative.  I personally just have hope that Westley will be potty trained before Christ comes back, because I don't think there are diapers in Heaven.

Heaven

We finished up talking about Heaven this week.  I know I can't wait.  In all honesty, I am sick and tired of some of the problems of this world.  You know how it feels when a struggle is taken away (not just defeated, but completely removed suddenly)?  I think I may be floating around Heaven for a while just because of the lightened load.  Everyday we are faced with things that just bog us down.  Christ tells us to cast our burdens on Him, and we try to, but sometimes we just can't let go.  In Heaven, Christ will TAKE them away.  No casting necessary.

One of the other things that came up in my studies was being together with ALL the saints.  I can't wait to be reunited with some of my friends over the years who are spread all over the world.  I may never see them again on Earth, but in Heaven we will have plenty of time to catch up.  I have family all over the country that will be great to not be separated from anymore in Heaven.  Like I've decided I want on my gravestone, "Party At My Place!"  See you there!  (See John 14:1-6 for the directions)