Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, And nothing I desire compares to You.Lord, Your Love is higher than mountains. Lord, Your Love is deeper than seas. Lord, Your Love encompasses the nations, And yet, You live right here inside of me!Who can weigh the value of knowing You? Who can judge the worth of who You are? Who can count the blessings of loving You? Who can say just how great You are?Lord, You are more precious than silver. Lord, You are more costly than gold. Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds, And nothing I desire compares to You.
Our hearts desire a great many things, but nothing we desire should compare with our love and devotion to Jesus Christ! He must be our All in All! "Commit your way unto the Lord, trust Him, and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5; "Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established." Proverbs 16:3
What a day! My little Kelsie sprained her foot. I thought all 17 month olds were made of rubber, but somehow, she tripped & landed right on top of it. Poor little thing still wants to be mobile, so it's not slowing her down much, but there's nothing sadder than a limping toddler. Although difficult for her, she keeps pressing on. I would willingly hold her but when I do, she continues to say, "Walk". Her injury has not immobilized her. She keeps going and just drags her hurt foot along.
It is hard for me to watch but amazing at the same time. When adults get hurt, we become babies; but when babies get hurt, they seem to develop a will power that says, "This won't get me down. I need to keep going!"
It reminds me of the scripture we find in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9,16 "We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed...Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day."
Though in pain, she's got a job to do & nothing can keep her from her toys!
Oh to have this perspective when we're "limping"!
Our Lord is the Great Physician and He will care for His sheep! Thank you for the non-verbal reminder, sweet Kelsie Girl!
"The greatest possession you have is the 24 hours directly in front of you."
"The only preparation for tomorrow is the right use of today."
"Time is an irreversible, irreplaceable GIFT! It is not a RIGHT!"
Psalm 90:12 "So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Psalm 143:10 "Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness."
Psalm 39:4-5 "Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor."
James 4:14 "Whereas, you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
Psalm 119:105 "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
Psalm 139:3 "You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways."
Proverbs 4:26 "Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established."
Psalm 5:8 "...Make Your way straight before my face."
Psalm 18:32 "It is God who arms me with strength, and makes my way perfect."
Psalm 37:5 "Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye."
Amid the unavoidable hurt this world inflicts, the Lord has truly blessed you with a life full of precious moments and although we are unaware of our numbered days, you have been given an incredible gift of Time! Just remember by Who's watch you're operating and make every minute count!!
I'm sure there's been a time in your life, perhaps even now, when you've questioned the Lord's tactics. "God, what are You doing? This makes no sense! How is this for my good?! Can You please fill me in on the plan?!"
Using Scripture, I would like to remind you of who our God is:
"O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep." Psalm 92:5
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." Revelation 22:13
"Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him..." John 18:4
"But He knows the way that I will take; When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold." Job 23:10
"The Lord knows the wayof the righteous...(Psalm 1:6); He knows the daysof the upright...(Psalm 37:18); He knows the secretsof the heart (Psalm 44:21); He knows the thoughts of man...(Psalm 94:11); He knows our frame...(Psalm 103:14)."
"For your Father knows the things that you have need of before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8
Hmmm...And we, in our fallible state, want to understand His omniscience?! Even if He shared a glimpse of His plan with us, it would not make sense. It would not compute. We would be unable to process all that He knows. All we can do is prepare ourselves to deal with the things we don't understand by being firmly rooted in His Word. If you were not baffled by God, He wouldn't be worth worshiping. He would not be God if He made sense to you! "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:9.
For you and I Friend, I pray the truth found in Psalms 19:12. "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults." All we can do is draw near to the One who knows it ALL and already has every detail worked out for our good. "For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11.
So what can we know?
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, and those that are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
"Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him." John 9:31
"Beloved, we are now children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2
"By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us His Spirit." 1 John 4:13
"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him." 1 John 5:18
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments...But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him." 1 John 2:3;5
"We know love, because He laid down His life for us...we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him." 1 John 3:16;19
"We know that we are of God..." 1 John 5:19
(Not modern, but one of my favorites! Pause music at the bottom before enjoying or just read the lyrics!)
I leave you with this final truth to dwell on. "How precious are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!" (Psalm 139:17) He adores you, Friend!! You don't have to know His will; you are His will!! And that's all you need to know!
Without pressure, a diamond would forever remain a lump of coal.
Diamonds are one of the strongest substances known to man, and yet they originate from something as brittle as coal. Under the right conditions and the right amount of pressure, a piece of coal can be changed into a precious gemstone. The truest, most valuable diamonds reflect light and shine the brightest when surrounded by darkness.
Don't be afraid of pressure, Friend. James 1:3-4 says, "knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Perfect, complete, lacking nothing...all characteristics of a flawless diamond.
What you might consider a heavy burden now, may in fact be the very thing that enables you to shine brighter than you ever have before. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials." James 1:2. The duties & responsibilities you count as burdens today may be God's way of preparing you for eternity. "...out of weakness we were made strong..." Hebrews 11:34. There is eternal value in withstanding the pressures of this world. You will become a strong, valuable, unique, beautiful individual that reflects the brilliant light of Jesus Christ.
"Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore..."(Ephesians 6:13-14a) Become His precious gem!
God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally - "...your life shall be as a prize to you...."(Jeremiah 39:18). That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are to be a matter of indifference to us, and our hold on these things should be very loose. If this is not the case, we will have panic, heartache, and distress. Having the proper outlook is evidence of the deeply rooted belief in the overshadowing of God's personal deliverance. The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on a mission for Jesus Christ, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, "Don't worry about whether or not you are being treated justly." Looking for justice is actually a sign that we have been diverted from our devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will only begin to complain and to indulge ourselves in the discontent of self-pity, as if to say, "Why should I be treated like this?" If we are devoted to Jesus Christ, we have nothing to do with what we encounter, whether it is just or unjust. In essence, Jesus days, "Continue steadily on with what I have told you to do, and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance." Even the most devout among us become atheistic in this regard - we do not believe Him. We put our common sense on the throne and then attach God's name to it. We do lean on our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts (see Proverbs 3:5-6).
This was such a comforting reminder to me today!
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31
"...He will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies." 2 Kings 17:39
Please forgive my absence, Friends. I haven't been keeping up as well as I'd like lately. My little ones have been sick and when I'm not tending to their needs, I'm catching up on sleep myself. Through the difficult times, it is a comfort to know the ultimate Provider and Healer! Philippians 4:19 promises that "my God shall supply all my needs." This brings me joy! I am not alone in caring for my ill 17 month old twins and last night, I came to the realization that there's only so much I can do for them.
Believe it or not, it was first night I've ever had to let them cry themselves to sleep. My girls aren't criers. They only cry when there's a reason and I can usually figure out what it is & fix it. Well, last night the reason was "we just don't feel good." They have head colds and and there is nothing worse than a stuffy nose to a pair of thumb-suckers. I did all that I could do to make them comfortable. Then I just shut the door, prayed over them and left them alone to wail. It was SO hard but I guess there comes a time when you just have to let go and let God. I had this vision of the Lord in the room with them, standing over their cribs, with His loving, gentle hand resting upon them until they became calm & comforted. He rocked them to sleep for me!
Their cries stopped in 20 min. but it seemed even longer for me to endure. The whole time I was hurting to hold & comfort them. I can only imagine how the Lord feels when He sees us hurting, sick & crying. I, in my humanity have limited resources, but Jesus Christ has the means to heal even the worst of disease & heartache. I love belonging to a Mighty God that loves and cares for my every need!! These pictures are the best representation of how the Lord comforted my heart last night. He was with my babies when I couldn't be and they found rest in His arms!
This picture is my favorite! He holds me too! We can not escape His sweet embrace!
"I am the Good Shepherd; I know My sheep, and am known by My own." John 10:14
Have you ever been so overjoyed that you just feel like singing?! As I walked with the Lord today, or rather, as He carried me, He laid this song upon my heart and I just LOVE the lyrics! It's so beautiful and powerful!! He made the wretch that I am, His precious treasure.
How deep the Father's love for us, How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Recently, we remembered the tragic event that occurred on 9-11. So many lives were lost on that day, 10 years ago, and it will forever be engraved on our hearts...some etched deeper than others; but all Americans will always remember 9-11.
I ask you Friend, should the death of Christ be any less significant for believers? Christ chose to take the tragic death that belonged to ALL people upon Himself, as a man...flesh and bones...no less human than you or I. He endured all the pain and suffering that should have been ours. How many of us live with this perspective and apply it to our daily lives? Why is it so easy to live like it never happened? If we awoke each day with the realization of what He went through on our behalf, boasting of Him would come naturally. When you're in love, don't you want the world to know?! Wouldn't you boast about the one who captured your heart and desire to do anything for that someone?! "Yet, I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:18
(pause music at the bottom before enjoying this song)
Jesus saved you and you are forever indebted, my Friend. Rejoice! For there is no better place to be than in service of the Greatest Master! He loves you beyond all measure! Boast in and of Jesus Christ!! Remember that day...the day of His death, and all that was accomplished when it was finished!
Whatever burden troubles your heart, the Lord is able to carry all that you feel unable to bare. Just lay it at His feet and trust! "Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22
What comes to mind when you think of the word "slave"? It is typically a derogatory or demeaning term, correct? You wouldn't want to be "owned by" or "in service" to anyone, would you? Well, believe it or not, you already are, Friend.
We find a few men in the Bible that took pleasure in referring to themselves as slaves...Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude. They introduced themselves as "doulos" of Jesus Christ. They knew that being a slave meant they gave themselves up in service to God's will, and were dedicated to advancing His cause among men. 1 Corinthians 6:20 says "For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." They belonged to God and loved to make that fact known! These men were completely devoted and knew the benefits of being bond-servants of Jesus.
Earthly freedom is a myth. Slavery is unavoidable. In Matthew 6:24 we read "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Freedom is not an option for human beings. We are either slaves of the Lord or slaves to sin. "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." Romans 6:17-18. Whom or what do you serve, Friend?! Even if you are a believer, the choice is yours to make daily. Why should you, like these apostles, find joy in being slaves of Christ? Because Jesus is the best of Masters. He loves you and wants to be your friend! "He is gentle and lowly in heart, you will find rest for your souls; His yoke is easy and His burden is light." (Matthew 11:29-10) He will provide for you and protect you. When you belong to Jesus, He belongs to you!
My question is, why serve sin when the Lord is waiting with open arms to grant you the gift of salvation and offer you freedom in and through Himself. Jesus Christ died for YOU!! He endured not only death, but "death on a cross"(Phil.2:7-8); meaning a slave's death. Crucifixion was a humiliating death reserved for slaves & criminals. "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:21. Wouldn't you want to live out the remainder of your life in complete devotion to someone that endured a brutal death on your behalf?! All you have to do is choose Him; believe that He is, and always will be, all that you will ever need. Adore Him. Know Him. And live forever, free from the burden of sin!!! That is definitely something to rejoice over!!! "I AM A SLAVE OF JESUS CHRIST"...and proud of it!!
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Where do the saints get their joy from? If we did not know some saints, we would say - "Oh, he, or she, has nothing to bear." Lift the veil. The fact that the peace and the light and the joy of God are there is proof that the burden is there too. The burden God places squeezes the grapes and out comes the wine; most of us see the wine only. No power on earth or in hell can conquer the Spirit of God in a human spirit, it is an inner unconquerableness.
"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:13-14
An excerpt from "31 Days of Praise" - It's wonderful to know that You (God) are not the least bit dissatisfied with my inborn talents, intelligence, aptitudes, appearance, and personality, for Your hands have made and fashioned me. I am one of Your original masterpieces!
How do you view yourself? Do you see yourself as Christ does or do you often look through judging eyes and wish that many things about you were different? Do you compare who you are with who you(the world) thinks you "should" be? This world's standards are not the Lord's. Do not be fed it's lies!
Friend, don't you realize that God wouldn't change one thing about you?! In addition to who you are, the only thing He wants to see in you is a reflection of Himself. You are perfect and precious to Him just as you are. The fact that you are unique and hand made by God should give you cause to rejoice! Be confident in Whom you belong and you will be confident in your entire being! You bare Christ's eternal imprint!! Rejoice!
Lord, You know our need! Nothing that concerns Your creation is outside of Your notice or control. We are thankful for that and trust You always know best!
You also know that it is difficult for us to keep a joyful perspective when people around us are hurting. Right now, there is a major fire in Bastrop, TX. It is an hour from our home. The fire has destroyed 785 homes and burned over 33,000 acres. It's only 30% contained. At this point we are praying that the weather will stay in our favor so that our brave firemen can get it under control.
For now, I am holding onto this truth... "I will send down rain at the right time. There will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26
We are praying for those that have fallen victim to the fire's devastation, but also taking time to count our blessings. It's amazing how fast you can lose everything! It is true that the only thing that really matters is people. Lives can be saved, but anything else can vanish in an instant. It is a good reminder to be careful what we hold tight to. Teach us, Father, to be thankful for the things we have and to remember that everything belongs to You. Thank You for being our provider and protector! With You, we lack nothing!
Deuteronomy 2:7 - "For the Lord your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand. He knows your trudging through the great wilderness. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have lacked nothing."
Nahum 1:7 - "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him."
Luke 10:38-42 is a great example of things that distract from joy. It is the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus came to share an evening with them and Martha, in true womanly fashion, was distracted by preparing a fantastic meal and making everything just perfect; while Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus feet and just enjoyed being in His presence. Although Jesus appreciated Martha's efforts, He would rather she prepared a simple meal, so that they could all sit down and make the most of their time together. Martha's hostess duties were distracting her from what was really important. I do not think it right to judge which of the ladies "loved" Jesus more. Martha was showing love by serving and Mary was showing love by spending quality time with her Lord. However, I am glad that Jesus draws our attention to which is the greater priority. Doing things for Him should not take priority over just being with Him.
"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3:18
"You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in your presence."
Acts 2:28
Which are you, Friend? A Martha, or a Mary? I know that if the Lord were in my home, I would've probably been a Martha...worried about making everything "just right" for Him. But this story speaks to me in the fact that Jesus lives in my heart and in my home, and its OK that things in my life are hectic and disheveled. Christ does not require a tidy house and a 7 course meal in order to feel welcome. All He wants is our complete attention and adoration of Him. I love that!! Leaves me less to worry about.
"We like sheep..." I am constantly reminded of this phrase when faced with the need to re-prioritize. Notice the life and priorities of a sheep. What do they do day in & day out? They are fed, clothed and cared for by the Shepherd and all they do is belong to Him. John 10:4 says, "And when He brings out His own sheep; He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him for they know His voice." Our sole purpose is to be with Him!! Doesn't that just make you jump for joy?!!
Joy is unattainable without a thankful heart! Count your blessings and give thanks!
"Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men." Psalm 107:15
"In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name." 1 Chronicles 29:13
Find Joy in Him, Beloved!
Sunday, September 4, 2011
A great, familiar song by the Newsboys:
You give me joy thats unspeakable
And I like it, I like it yeah
Your love for me is irresistible
I can't fight it, I can't fight it
If life is water, I was dry as the Tucson dirt
If it's a gamble, I'd already lost my shirt
If it's a journey, I was dazed without a clue
I flipped a "U" back to the first love I ever knew
CHORUS
You give me joy that's unspeakable
And I like it, and I like it yeah
Your love for me is irresistible
I can't fight it, I can't fight it yeah
You carried the cross and took my shame
I believe it, I believe it yeah
You shine your light of amazing grace
I receive it, I receive it yeah
If life's a battle, the invasion is complete
If it's a rhythm, I have found the perfect beat
If it's a renaissance, I've got a new birthday
The world don't give it
And the world can't take it away
CHORUS
Bowed and broken, everything's new
All that I need, you're like water to seed
And how your love, rights everything wrong
In my weakness
You're ever stronger, you're pulling me back
Where I belong
As I continue to seek You, I find myself captivated in all that You are. Your love baffles me. I was reading John's account of Your crucifixion today and it is beyond my comprehension that even after enduring such torture, You chose to love and forgive. And then to think that You hung there on that cross and thought of me. You chose to forgive the wrong that You knew I would commit. My sin caused You to be put to death. That is a debt that can never be repaid! You saved me and I owe You my life.
Lord, I confess that You have not been my #1 priority for a long time. I keep getting in my own way. I've always known that I needed You, but my perspective was that of, "When I need Him, I'll call." I understand now that it should've been, and always be, "You are my all in all, and it's Your call."
Your inspired words in 1 Corinthians 6:20 say, "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." My prayer is that I will etch this verse upon my inmost being and remember all that You went through to win my heart! I am not my own. I belong to the Most High God! This truth brings me such indescribable joy!!
You are my King! My heart desires to be ever near You! Jesus, teach me to walk with You and mimic Your every step, so that my path will lead straight to Your throne on High, where I will live with You eternally!!
It is an amazing feeling to be wrapped in Your Joy! Your embrace is a place that this world can't touch or remove me. I love it here! I wish I never strayed from Your presence. You are my Joy! I am grateful to You and love You beyond compare! Thank you for being mine and for making me Yours!!
Here are the definitions that man has come up with to best describe "Joy":
1. the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation
2. a source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated
3. the expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety
4. the state of happiness or felicity
5. rapture or bliss
The Joy of the Lord outweighs all these definitions combined. It goes beyond complete satisfaction; beyond contentment; beyond happiness; beyond freedom. It is an unmistakable mark left by the Holy Spirit that only the Lord can impart; it is constant, unwavering, and absolute. Joy is Jesus' everlasting imprint!
I think the reason we observe so many sullen Christians in today's day & age, is because they are not plugged in to the proper source. They look to the world to "make them happy" and base joy on circumstances. It's the "I'll be happy when..." mentality. If you are looking for a source of joy, you won't find it here on earth, Friend. True joy is supernatural! It is not based on the "If I only's..." but rather the "Is your only..." Jesus Christ IS YOUR ONLY conduit for absolute joy.
Isaiah 35:10 - "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
John 15:11 - "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."
John 16:22 - "...I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."
A quote I love: "...this joy was very great, a joy unspeakable, and full of glory; it was not carnal, but spiritual, a heart joy, joy in the Holy Ghost;"
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto Him with psalms." Psalms 95:1-2
SING! Make a joyful NOISE! Who do you know that sings & makes noise most often?! Children! My sweet toddlers come to mind. Karis & Kelsie love to sing & make noise. They don't even have to know the words to a song; they just sing! The beautiful part about that is...a childlike faith and love of Jesus is most precious to our Heavenly Father! Children are filled with overwhelming joy. Their enthusiasm for Jesus seems effortless. When was the last time you couldn't contain your joy, Friend?! Have you ever shouted out in praise of your Savior and thanked Him for all He's done for you? When was the last time singing a worship song brought a joyful tear to your eye?
"But Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven'." Matthew 19:14.
"Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3
If you haven't heard of it, I would encourage you to read "Heaven is for Real" by Todd Burpo. "A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven. Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle."
This book provides an amazing perspective through the eyes of a 4 year old. Colton loves Jesus and is full of the joy of the Lord! It is infectious!
