Earnest Hearts

I was asked if I believe in dreams and visions; if I believe near death experiences are real; if I truly believed in heaven; if heaven is for everyone regardless what they believe; if there simply is no heaven or hell.  I was asked if I believe in supernatural things or events.

My Dad died several years ago.  I got word they were going to take him off the breathing tube before I could get home to see him one last time.  The night he was taken off life support, I had a dream, a dream which I dreamed for many, many months.  I dreamed the exact dream, sometimes more than once a week; it was a dream about Dad. On numerous occasions, I felt a presence, a presence which felt physical and Dad always came to mind during that specific time.  It was the same physical presence I felt when he was taken off life support.  I told my immediate family about the dream and a couple other people. Someone told me they thought perhaps Dad was coming to me; that is was a special connection.  I didn’t think I was hallucinating; I didn’t seek counseling; nor did I write a book.

Last summer I had a dream, it was so real it woke me up; it was so real, it scared me a bit; it was so real, I couldn’t go back to sleep. I told my family about the dream.  I dreamed I was standing in my kitchen talking with Jesus.  While it was significant to me, and fearful in a respectful way, I didn’t look at it as anything prophetic, nor did I call the media to report the event.

God spoke to Jacob (Gen. 28:10-17), and Joseph (Gen. 37:1-11, Gen. 40) in dreams, of which Joseph is noted for interpreting dreams.  God used dreams in the Old and New Testament.  One of the most famous dreams, rather a nightmare, was that of Pilate’s wife. Matthew 27:19 says:  While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message:  “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

God often used visions as well, but visions aren’t to be confused with dreams. That said, I believe God’s Word is complete, and don’t believe dreams and visions are used like they once were; although, I would never say God can not or does not communicate with individuals as He sees fit.  In decision making, the first step we should always seek is what His Word says, rather than relying on the dream of the day.  

I believe our hearts and minds are intertwined, which can easily result in dreams.  I believe our hearts ache, and in turn, can result in dreams.  Some dreams are more vivid than others, while others seem to happen for no reason at all-there doesn’t seem to be a connection.  I do believe in miracles and I have faith.  I believe some things happen which I can’t explain.  I also believe our minds can play tricks on us.  I trust, but also try to use discernment; I don’t believe everything I read and see, nor do I read into some events.

I do believe in Heaven. I do believe those who have followed Christ will spend eternity with Him. John 14:3

I do believe there’s a hell or final separation from Christ for those who don’t belong to Him. Luke 16:19-31

Here is an excellent review on the book, “Heaven Is For Real.”  This book is based on a life event of a young boy who claims he died and saw heaven.  The author, Tim Challies, encourages caution on this topic.

Heaven Is For Real

Earnestly,

Yours

Many people think things just happen for no reason; that there’s no rhyme or reason for anything in life, but that’s not so. Everything in life happens either because God allows it; and His timing is right for us.  He’s the potter, we’re the clay; He’s the creator of it all. We have a will to exercise, but God is the one Who allows for the exercise; He allows our existence in the first place. We are not little gods.  It’s important to remember that in all things we need to remember God should get the glory; we may be the vessel, but He is the One Who is to be reflected.

A couple months ago, we put a car up for sale and within two hours we had someone practically begging us to buy it. Given it was a Saturday and the title was at the credit union, which was closed, we opted to wait for a week day to close the deal. The guy called back numerous times Saturday and a few times Sunday; he really wanted the car; and he eventually told my husband the deal was meant to be since they had recently started going back to a Christian church.

Since it was a weekend and the car was in good shape, the guy was concerned we would have other offers.   My husband reassured the hopeful buyer he would not sell the car to anyone else, that he would have first dibs on it the following Monday-after the credit union was open.  My husband and the guy met at the credit union the following week for the transaction.  The buy went through and the buyer told my husband not only did he look like an honest person, he really was because he kept his word.

Many years ago, my Dad was in between insurance coverage and found out he needed a surgery that couldn’t wait. He didn’t tell us hoping we’d come to his rescue. In fact, we first found out in a different way, and we didn’t know the cost. My husband and I decided to send him a check. Amazingly, the amount we sent was short only by three cents. At first, Dad thought surely we had asked the doctor or someone how much his bill was, but we hadn’t. Dad’s shared the circumstances regarding the payment with his doctor, saying it was more than a coincidence. Dad was so excited about the whole thing.

Many, many years ago, we had talked about selling a car, a car we didn’t use much anymore because it was more sport in nature than family. The very next morning, after our discussion, someone knocked on our door and said, “You might think this is crazy, but would you guys be interested in selling your white car?” As you can imagine, we were tickled and excited at what had just happened, and this was an opportunity for us to expound to the buyer our Spiritual thoughts on the matter, and to personally reflect even deeper on what had just happened.  The timing was perfect; His timing was perfect.  Just a coincidence?  We don’t believe it was.

We’ve had other situations in which life presented itself and the results were amazing and timely, so much so, that we can’t brush aside God’s allowing and intervention. Opportunities abound every day, and people cross our paths.  Sometimes we’ll be helping, and sometimes we’re the ones being helped.  We need to be aware; we need to be mindful and most important, we need to be thankful and give God the glory.

Earnestly,

Yours

The more we’re in His Word, not only will we be on guard more consistently, but the more we will look at life through a spiritual lens automatically.  We won’t have to force ourselves or set out to look for things in life in which to make a spiritual application, it just happens.

Whether I’m watching a game or movie, I’m not sitting there constantly thinking about God, but if an ungodly ad comes on, my minds goes into spiritual mode.  When I’m having a coffee or lunch with someone, or out at the store, I don’t set out to direct the conversation towards the Bible, but I am mindful for opportunities.  When conversations take place, opportunities abound simply because life is happening every day-to everyone of us.  When I’m at home all day, with little or no outside interaction, I need to guard my mind and heart as well.  If I neglect God’s Word; if I push it aside and take time for everything else but Him, I am in danger of becoming desensitized to the wrongs in the world; to the wrongs in my life.  A wrong may not look so wrong.  If I’m not in His Word, if I’m not focused, if I am less purposeful about my day than I should be, I will be negligent; my heart won’t beat as it should.  Every day, I need to be purposeful in guarding my heart and mind.

I can listen to sermons all day and get fed, but I need to get in the Word and read It for myself as well.  Most importantly, I have to be active in applying what I hear and read to myself and to others. 2 Timothy 2:15 tells me that I need to study to show myself approved unto God, a workman that won’t be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

1 Peter 3:15 tells me to sanctify the Lord God in my heart: to be ready always to give an answer to anyone that asks for a reason of the hope that is in me with meekness and fear.

Earnestly,

Yours

Sometimes the grass really is greener on the other side. Sometimes people just don’t seem stronger and more mature, they are.  Sometimes couples just don’t appear to have mastered their relationships, they really have.  Oh, that doesn’t mean all is perfect, it just means the maintenance required is applied and active.  Grass needs water, fertilizer and weed control.  If one weed is allowed to fester, the roots will go deep and spread, and one weed will soon become many weeds.  The sooner the one weed is spotted and pulled, the better. If the grass looks dry, it probably is, but that doesn’t mean it’s dead; water and fertilizer is all that’s needed.  Be patient during the dormant stage, because it will revive.

My husband says we have a good thing going; and I believe we do.  We aren’t perfect; we have our high and low moments as individuals and as a couple, but we strive to keep us an us, so no other comes between. We are better now at resolving issues than we used to be; although sometimes we need to agree to disagree.  We strive to not let things fester like we used to-an area in which we’ve both matured.  With all the stuff in life we deal with, we may occasionally look like we’re dead, but we’re not.  We may become a little dry now and then, but with some proper attention, proper watering and sometimes soaking, we’re soon greening up again.

The same goes with our Spiritual life, individually and as a couple.  Reading and soaking in His Word, along with application, aids each day, in each situation.  I used to listen to people respond with the strength and maturity that I wondered if I’d ever achieve.  They aren’t perfect, but they’ve learned to handle their battle better. They have hurts and disappointments like everyone else, but they don’t wallow or let them fester like they once did. Their temporary setbacks here and there didn’t mean they lost their faith; they knew they needed to dig in, apply His Word and keep moving forward.

We haven’t arrived; we aren’t a perfect couple; we make mistakes; we’re learning.  But, we are diligent in our pursuit of weeding; application of fertilizer, and watering-individually and as a couple.   Sometimes our grass really is greener and sometimes it isn’t; sometimes we feel like Spiritual giants, and sometimes we don’t; but we’ve grown and matured in life and His Word, by the Grace of God.

Earnestly,

Yours

One day last year in February, I was casually looking for something else, when I stumbled across a special find. Many years ago, my Dad had given me his personal set of keys. My husband had been in the military, so our travels took us back home numerous times through the years for visits, and we had a set of keys for coming and going.

When we were getting ready to move back to the States, I had hidden them in a compartment in my back pack; a compartment I figured would certainly keep them safe. It kept them so safe, I couldn’t find them. After a while, I stopped looking because I thought I lost them.

I remember the day, so many years ago, that Dad insisted I take his set of keys. We were standing by the front door where he always kept his set. We could have easily gone out and had duplicates made, but I knew he wanted me to take his; Dad won and I did.

I was quite thrilled with my find last year. Dad died several years ago–a few months before we moved back to the States, so this found treasure has extra special meaning.

Earnestly,

Yours