Unanswered Questions #5

At the Edge, we did a two part questions night. I'm going to use this space to answer some of the questions we didn't get to that night.

Question: "What do you think Heaven is like?"

Answer: I've got to talk a little about what it isn't before we get to what it might be. If I haven't already confused you with that line, then let's jump in and see where this goes...

Okay, heaven is not a place where we sit on clouds, play harps, and have wings. All of that is stuff people have made up over the years, and you won't find any of it in the Bible. None of it. Period. Drop that boring idea right now.

It's also not streets of gold and mansions for everyone. You hear that one in church all the time, but it's not Biblical. Those pictures come out of the end of the book of Revelation mostly. In Revelation 21. It's a picture of the new city of Jerusalem. But it's all symbolic. It's not a real description, and alot of people don't even think it's a description of a city, but just of God's people. But for sure, it's not heaven. So we can let that whole thing go.

So what is heaven? Not much is said about it honestly. We know who is there. God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and everyone who wants to follow them and worship them. We know that when we are there, the distance between us and Jesus is way less, and our ability to be with Him, to know Him, to be loved by Him is way easier. We have some pictures of angels worshiping God. But it's primarily about who we will be with, more than what the place is like.

I think that's on purpose by God. He didn't leave it out accidentally. He wants us to focus on Him and loving Him. That's what we are created for, that is when we are at our best, and that is what Heaven is all about.

What about the "heaven is boring" idea. I don't buy that at all. The more I follow Jesus, the more I obey, the more I realize what a risk taking, amazing God He is. To be closer to Him can't be boring, it will be full of adventure, passion, creativity, and excitement. So I don't know what heaven looks like, but I can promise it won't be boring. It's just not possible. Why would God make the place around Him boring?

I hope that helps a little. Fire back any more questions you want to ask specifically about heaven, and we can discuss it some more.

Unanswered Questions #1

At the Edge, we did part one of a two part questions night this past Tuesday. I'm going to use this space to answer some of the questions we didn't get to that night.

Question: "Won't it be boring when God recreates the world and you live forever?"

Answer: That is an amazing and awesome question! I totally get why you're asking this question. When we think of hanging out with God, we start with what we believe about God. It all starts with the world around us. We look at people, and we notice that the older people get, the more boring they seem to be. If you're 13 years old, people who are 16 are cool, some people in their 20's know how to have fun, maybe one or two people in their 30's still remember having fun, and from 40 years old and up, people just seem to work, worry, and slowly bore themselves to death. If that's the case, and God is the oldest being ever, he must be more boring than listening to Ross' made up stories about his make believe girlfriends. I get that understanding. I really do.

BUT, God isn't boring. That is key to understand. Think about it this way. Picture the coolest art you can (a painting, a video, a song, etc.) The person who made that art has way more inside of them than that one song, video, etc. They are way more creative than the amazing thing they made.

Ok, now think about the most exciting, fun, incredible person you know or that you can dream of. Who made them? Obviously, God did! If He can make someone like that, how much MORE creative, exciting, and fun must He be?! He's freaking amazing! And we have the opportunity to hang out with Him, to get to know Him, even to become more like Him forever! That's the cool part about Heaven. It's not all clouds and harps (I don't even like harp music). It's all about Him, being around Him, having Him teach us how to live and exist. It'll be amazing.

So, no, forever with God won't be boring. This life is like the time you spend waiting in line at Kings Island. You're with friends, you've got a reason to be in line, and the time matters. But Heaven, that's like riding the Diamondback after waiting in line for a while; it's exciting, heart racing, and makes you want to do it again.

Hope that helps.

Daytona Here We Come

Back in 1991, I headed from Virginia to Florida for a big bmx skatepark competition. It was a really big deal back then. As I recruited some friends to go, we decided to rent a (dum de dum dum duuummmmm.....!) mini van. I had never drove one yet, but I thought they were cool. So we rented a Pontiac Transport that was 1/2 car and 1/2 space shuttle. It was cooler than cool.

Now I realize that a mini van isn't cool. But when you're in college, the thought of all of your friends getting to travel in one car instead of two was really exciting, especially back then when it didn't happen often. So, we rented a mini van that could seat seven, but ended up with nine going. We crammed nine bikes, spare parts, safety gear, luggage, and people into that thing, and left on a Thursday night to drive through the night to Daytona Beach in Florida. It was nuts! We had bikes and parts strapped to the roof, to a WAY overloaded bike rack on the back, and crammed floor to ceiling in the van. We had people literally buried under suitcases who had to be rescued whenever we stopped. We had guys riding on the floor next to seats. It was packed, loaded, close quarters, hot, and smelly. Hands down, it was one of the best trips I've ever taken.

It was great because I loved the guys who went. And we were out to accomplish the mighty task of having fun and adventure. The conditions only made it that much crazier and funnier. We loved every truck stop we hit, with people counting as we got out of our clown car. We laughed at jokes, yelled at each other, and generally had a time of mayhem.

There are so many stories from this one trip. We lost the place we were supposed to stay, so we crashed in a single hotel room, only to have eight more guys join us. We have at least six stories from just the competition itself. There is a classic story of Eight Ball having a run in with a Quickie Mart clerk in the middle of Georgia at three am. So much fun and memories.

When I think of what community can be like at it's best, I think of this trip. I miss those guys. I miss those times. I miss being that well known, accepted, and loved. I long for it. I mean, my family far exceeds those bonds, don't misunderstand me. But outside of my family, it's hard to come by those types of relationships. We are too busy, too pre-occupied, too overcommitted, too tired. But I know one day, this world will pass. There is more to life than what we see here. So, I'll continue working to build community with those around me. I'll love, give, pray, and hope. But I know one day, there is a world of mini vans and too much luggage coming. Actually, one far far better than anything I've ever seen or tasted yet. I'm ready for that road trip, no doubt!

I Miss Home, Even Though I've Never Been There

I'm in one of those phases where I want to go home. On both levels. I would like to just go home and paint, and repair, and build. I'm a bit tired of ministry right now, and would enjoy an extended time away to just be at my house, in my barn, quietly working. Not sure why. Guess I need to spend some time on that one. That's probably the issue. I'm not really spending time contemplating much right now. I'm in a constant phase of preparation for my next event. My next sermon, lesson, worship night, college class, small group, youth group, game night, event, etc. No rhythm, just run. I don't handle that well.

The other sense of home that I have echoes this. I want to go home, to be free of the cares of this world and with my Dad. No, no it's not a hidden suicide thing. I just want to be with God in a way that is different than right now. I want to be face to face, no distractions, just swallowed up in His presence, love, kindness, grace, hope, joy, peace, and passion.

Usually when I feel like this, it's a gauge telling me I'm running on empty from doing too much. Yep, it's that time again. I'm realizing it as I'm writing it. I need to step away. Okay. I've been at this long enough to not fight it. I'll step away this week. I'll talk to my supervisor and schedule some time away.

Good, I feel better already. What about you? Are you ready to go home? Is it time for a break as well?

Moving On

We are in the middle of moving. We finished cleaning out our old house last night, and turn the keys over today. It's so funny how we can get attached to a building. We've lived there for four years, and it has been my favorite house that we've owned up until now. The neighbors are excellent, the best we've ever had. We loved the neighborhood, and the house fit us well.

I think about how God tells us that this world isn't our home, and we shouldn't get too overly attached, that we will move out one day. I don't manage that well. I get very attached, and invest inordinate amounts of energy and time into trying to establish my own kingdom. But this weekend reminded me that one day, I'll pack my bags and leave this place. Done. Finished here. Moving on.

And I think about our new house. It's not heaven, but we are blessed beyond words to have it. I am so grateful for it, and know from experience that soon we won't miss our old place at all. I knew this going in, and it is what kept me going through some rough waters in the sales process. It would all be worth it. I could do anything, knowing it would be worth it at the end.

So too will come that day when, as much as I love my little kingdom here, I'll move on, and not look back.
And it will be worth it. His Kingdom there is much better than mine here.

So, for today, I will once again pray that ancient prayer; "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth like it is in heaven." I want to begin letting go now, embracing His Rule today. I'm gonna pack boxes, and live like I'm moving. It will all be worth it. It always is.