heaven – Intentional Faith

Where Death Cannot Go

When I was 5 years old, I was present in the home of a family friend when he died from lung cancer. My mother and I used to stop at his house after school to check in on the family and offer help while he was on hospice. I’d watch a movie and my momContinue reading “Where Death Cannot Go”

All Things New

We live in a world where everything “new” soon becomes old. New cars scratch and rust. New shoes wear out. Fresh bread gets stale. Today’s smartphones are outdated in a few years. New toys are eventually relegated to donation boxes or trash bins. Consumers still clamor for the trending product and the newest model, recognizingContinue reading “All Things New”

You Are Still a Mother

In March of 2016, our daughter Leila Judith Grace died at 39 weeks and 4 days in the womb. She was stillborn four days later. My husband and I were plunged into a world we had only heard about from a distance. Involuntarily, we became members of a sad solidarity of parents who carry aroundContinue reading “You Are Still a Mother”

A Decided Destiny

In the midst of a world that often seems out of control, knowing our ultimate destiny is a source of great comfort and motivation to press on in the face of serious challenges and opposition to the gospel. Jude and Peter both knew that in order for Christians to live faithfully as God’s people, theyContinue reading “A Decided Destiny”

Let’s Talk Heaven

From music to movies to books and more, heaven is a topic that fascinates people both in the church and in the world. Yet as with other spiritual matters, much confusion abounds regarding the concept of heaven. Scripture alone gives us the truth. Here are five things you should know about heaven. 1. Heaven isContinue reading “Let’s Talk Heaven”

Those Eternal Moments

WE PLAYED EVERY GAME WE KNEW. WE RAN UP AND down the hall. We played “find me” behind the couch. We bounced the beach ball off each other’s heads. We wrestled, played tag, and danced. It was a big evening for Mom, Dad, and little Jenna. We were having so much fun that we ignoredContinue reading “Those Eternal Moments”

Death Is Not the Worst of It

That death is not to be judged an evil which is the end of a good life; for death becomes evil only by the retribution which follows it. They, then, who are destined to die, need not be careful to inquire what death they are to die, but into what place death will usher them.

Will the Earth Last Forever or Be Destroyed

Does the earth last forever, or is it destroyed? Psalm 78:69 says, “And He built His sanctuary like the heights, Like the earth which He has founded forever.” But 2 Peter 3:10 says, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar andContinue reading “Will the Earth Last Forever or Be Destroyed”

Seeing What John Saw

I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. Revelation 21:2 In Jesus, God has come from heaven and reached down to us—and at the end of all things, the holy city, the new Jerusalem, will also come down out of heaven from God. God is putting together a newContinue reading “Seeing What John Saw”

The Eternity of Suffering

A few weeks ago I spoke at the services of my home church, Good Shepherd Community Church. The subject was what God has been teaching me about loss and grief since Nanci went to be with Jesus March 28. Pastor Steve Keels did a great job asking me questions. Normally I don’t talk about theContinue reading “The Eternity of Suffering”