Archives For heaven

Poetry Monday – Longing for Home

November 27, 2012 — Leave a comment

The 17th century pastor and writer Richard Baxter, in his later years, spent a portion of each day in ‘Heavenly contemplation.” It deepened his love and delight in God and helped his fruitfulness in ministry. I’m finding  myself “homesick” too, in a joyful way, eager to taste the sweetness of that eternal Communion with my Lord.

Colossians 3 – If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

20th century poet Anne Porter wrote most of her work late in her long life.  After the death of her husband, she writes longingly of the New Jerusalem, our true home. It’s the place where “death will hunt us in vain.” Here’s a portion of her poem that I read today:

We know little
We can tell less
But one thing I know
One thing I can tell
I will see you again in Jerusalem
Which is of such beauty
No matter what country you come from
You will be more at home there
Than ever with father or mother
Than even with lover or friend
And once we’re within her borders
Death will hunt us in vain.

__ from Four Poems in One in Living Things

In heaven, Poetry
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‘Of Gods and Men’ Review

July 17, 2011 — Leave a comment

God’s Kingdom is worth everything we have! That is the message of Jesus’ Treasure and Pearl Parables.  It is also the message of a marvelous movie seen by so few.  It is the story of a community of Cistercian monks in Algeria in the early 1990′s, who have close relationships with their Muslim neighbors but who must decide whether to stay or leave when they are threatened by Islamic militants.

As I mentioned in the parable sermon (linked here), we intend to show and discuss the film at Christ Church in the future.  Until then here are two reviews:

1. A 12 min. video review from Religion and Ethics News Weekly that shows much of a “last supper” scene that has been called one of the most transcendent ever filmed.

2. A portion of  the  review from Books and Culture: A Christian Review by Brett McCracken (July/August 2011).

Whatever they decide, one thing is clear: The monks are committed to making the decision as a group. Several conversations between the men ensue, revealing a model process for how tough decisions can be reached in community and how issues of individuality, sacrifice, and hierarchy can peacefully be negotiated with wisdom and charity. It’s an environment of openness, where all perspectives are welcomed, including fear and doubt. One younger monk in particular (Olivier Rabourdin) struggles with apprehension about staying and lets his frustrations show. Eventually the monks do arrive at a conclusion: They’ll stay.

In one of the film’s most remarkable sequences, the monks sit silently at the U-shaped communal dinner table, pondering the decision they’ve made together. One of the monks puts on an old tape of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, which, as it builds and climaxes, leads the men to a state of sublime contentedness. Letting the music wash over them, sensing the Last Supper solemnity of the occasion, they seem united by the conviction that—even in the face of death—beauty prevails. Cinematographer Carline Champetier captures the moment by tenderly observing the monks’ faces in gradually closer framing, so that by the climax of the music we get glimpses of each man’s face in extreme closeup, revealing joy, tears, resolve, and oneness in Christ.

In Current Issues, Fully Human, heaven, Matthew, Movie review, The Jesus Way
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Life after death: Intermediate Heaven and the Eternal State

March 24, 2009 — 8 Comments

Richard Baxter, English pastor and author living in the 1600′s,  went through an extreme physical breakdown that left him near death for 5 months.  During that time he meditated deeply on the scriptural teaching on heaven and eternity.  He recovered and later his notes and sermons became the book, The Saints Everlasting Rest.  After this experience, he vowed to spend an hour every day meditating on his heavenly citizenship.

I had rather read, hear or meditate, on God and Heaven, than on any other Subject: for I perceive that it is the Object that altereth and elevateth the Mind…that it must animate all our other Duties; and fortifie us against every Temptation and Sin… click here for a link to the story

I was recently  talking with a sister in Christ (who is facing a life-threatening illness) about heaven and the difference between the final state of resurrection on a restored earth and the after-death state.  There is much mystery but real hope!  I want to re- post a helpful  article from Randy Alcorn’s web site section on Heaven. It’s an article that I believe does an excellent job of explaining the difference. Continue Reading…

In heaven
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