Heaven on Earth

[img]http://www.aggiefamilypack.ucdavis.edu/0106/images/depressed.jpg[/img] Hi folks. What with all the stress in our daily lives, I thought starting a thread on "Heaven on Earth" might help us recognize all the good that's around us. My thought is, we could all add a little something that reminds us of what Heaven on Earth might be. I know from time-to-time I'm going to be stopping back in, adding some thoughts to this living "journal." Ok. So just what is Heaven on Earth? How can we find it? See it? Experience it? Well I had so much fun trying to wrap my head around that question, I decided to make sort of a study of it. So, just like college, I wrote a paper! Here goes... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- FINDING HEAVEN ON EARTH Written by Craig Evans Thoughts and words by the Almighty (for my benefit) 10/30/08 Like so many other things in my life, I really didn’t set out to write a paper like this. It came up from the depths of whatever constitutes a soul in a human body and presented itself. Not in a shy way, either… more like it sat in the middle of my thoughts and refused to move until I considered it. In the past, I was able to find excuses to put it off these “interruptions”… sometimes for years. But like this situation, it would eventually circle back. I’ve learned it’s best to stop what I’m doing and pay attention. God IS wanting my attention. And at 56, I’d best do His bidding now. I certainly want to do my best at attending to His needs before my time is done. [img]http://www.wordoflifeministry.us/jcatdoor2.jpg[/img] Besides, I’ve also learned that some of these “larks” are adventures beyond compare. I could never line up the learning or excitement God’s got in mind for me. And I’ve also found out, they universally bring me joy. Perhaps not at first. Sometimes they might actually be painful. But in the long run, these ventures have all “prospered” me. But I digress. On to the important stuff… God’s thoughts. “I came that you may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 I was doing a Disciple Bible study this year with some wonderful folks at my church. Every week we’d study scripture from both the Old and New Testament and then sit down and talk about Christ’s actions as described in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Where the differences between the writer’s stories were interesting and group discussion fascinating, I began (versus had) an "epiphany.” It wasn’t immediate. But I found myself getting more intrigued with Christ’s purpose. Jesus answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4: 13-14 Jesus came to show us “the Way.” Most of us assume that’s the way to heaven. That is a correct interpretation. But it’s not the only one. Christ’s life was that of the perfect human being… one dedicated to His Father’s Will. If we live like Christ, we cannot only reach heaven, we can actually experience heaven here on earth. That’s right! Sure, the Gospels (and Christ) talk a great deal about the coming Kingdom and all its glory. But Christ takes care to mention (more than once) that we should now take the opportunity to practice that good and righteous behavior today and experience “abundant living”… a taste of the joy that will be ours in heaven. I call that Heaven on Earth! “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35 I must admit I’m more than just a little excited about someday meeting up with the Creator of the Universe and His Son. So much so, I really am doing my best on a daily basis to live according to His Way. It’s not that hard, really. It comes naturally. Think “God first.” [img]http://northmissionchurch.org/images/200px-WWJD-bracelet.jpg[/img] The whole “What Would Jesus Do” axiom is correct. The exercise results in better values. I find I stress much less over the small stuff. And mostly, it IS all small stuff. Woody Allen had it right: 90% of life is just showing up. I’ve discovered a little secret about the “just showing up” part that’s worth sharing. Follow me on this: God wants you down here to do His work, right? And my little, flawed, earthly brain really doesn’t do well thinking some of those big God thoughts. So rather than even try – which I used to do quite often (and often fail) - I figured it’d be more efficient if I just let Him do His job. He’s going to do what needs to be done anyway. So I decided I’d start by removing my over-thinking from the situation and just “show up.” That helped lower blood pressure. It also helped me to focus on the problem at hand, in the moment. I’d ask God to say what needed to be said. I opened myself up as a “conduit” for His words and actions. And I found He was there… all the time. Wow. His will was done and I got to watch. Extraordinary. Paying more attention to God in the present is key. Once you really see what is going on, it’s easy to be able to say this is indeed Heaven on Earth. Oh, joy was an after effect here… as was peace. Seems there’s a theme developing.And the peace of God. The peace that comes by putting it all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver. Which passeth all understanding. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it. Shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure. Philippians 4:7 [img]http://costoflove.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/hugging.jpg[/img] So what does Heaven on Earth look like… or feel like? The fact of the matter is, it’s everywhere, in everything, all the time. You just have to be open to seeing it. I’m now keeping an journal. First tip off to its presence is, it usually starts with joy. God and Christ promise joy… they both say there’s lots of it in heaven. So every time I experience joy down here, I take a look at the set up. What just happened? Is God or Christ here? If so, where or how? And what about this joy? Why am I feeling it? Beyond an experience of feeling extraordinarily fulfilled to the point of being giddy, what else constitutes joy? I’ve discovered something else! It’s PEACE. When I’m my happiest, experiencing joy, I feel “the peace that passes all understanding.” And it comes from within. The closest feeling I can link it to is love… the warmth of the unconditional love I felt from my parents and grandmothers. I know God feels that for me know. I’d like to call that Heaven on Earth. Cool! So what other actions or experiences bring me joy or peace that I could consider it Heaven on Earth? [img]http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-241591730102008.jpg[/img] I don’t have to look far. There are LOTS of things!! For starters: My banjos, my fiddles, music being shared by a group, being a part of that consciousness, the feeling of understanding that comes from a group of folks all playing the same thing and feeling the same extraordinary, supernatural energy that seems to come from nowhere when you “hit a groove.” This gives me goose bumps simply writing about it! [img]http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-139591730102008.jpg [/img] [img]http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-341591730102008.jpg [/img] When I was a runner, I would experience a “runner’s high”… physiologically it can be explained by the release of endorphins in the brain. All I know is that my head would detach from my body. Yet I knew it was there, working below me in a perfect manner. The machinery of God, I used to think. What an amazing design. But the experience would leave me feeling totally, completely alive! Sounds were more pronounced, colors were sharper and move vivid, smells were sweeter and time stopped. I floated. I basked. I miss that part of running so much. Ok, back to the list of what brings joy. There’s my mother and dad, my grandmothers, my kids, even my dogs. And my friends! Note this last group is all about people. The root of joy with people is love. God is love. Therefore, if I’m loving, I’m feeling God in me. That’s Heaven on Earth. “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”1 John 4:16 Let’s talk a bit about love. I’m blessed in that God gave me many extraordinary opportunities for love in my life. [img]http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-1483012572008.jpg[/img] I have a wonderful, talented, compassionate, beautiful wife. Everyday I appreciate her more for her gentleness and God-spirit within. Besides mine, I now share her children and all the joys and challenges of parenthood with her. [img]http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-3532312572008.jpg[/img] DeAnne's second son Nolan has autism. Nolan has opened my eyes to a world I didn’t know before, but now feel compelled to explore. Autism has a purity about it. I’m not so sure Jesus and maybe even God aren’t somewhat autistic because of their consuming focus on saving all of us sinners (we would call it perseveration). Frankly, I hope They are slightly autistic. My experience with Nolan shows me just how refreshing a “focused” mind can be. The older I get, the more I realize that loving another means serving them. One can only be self-centered or selfish so long. It’s hollow and lonely… also unrewarding. Some outgrow it faster than others. Serving another not only pleases the one being served, it pleases both. Most importantly, it pleases God by giving purpose to existence. It’s no accident that one of Christ’s themes in the Gospels is the importance of serving others. And there are so many ways to serve. I don’t want to get bogged down at this point, so I’m just going to continue with my list of what actions I’ve found allow one to experience Heaven on Earth.“What does the Lord require of you? Do justice. Love kindness. And walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6: 6-8 + Be a peacemaker. Don’t pick up on a pettiness that could contribute to a misunderstanding or worse, a stupid argument. Kind words soothe. Love can flourish. Joy moves in. + Look for opportunities to express kindness and compassion. God gives us all a compassionate heart. When did we start not listening to it? So many things need a kind or gentle touch. It’s so easy to do. Put yourself out there with this one. If an act of compassion or kindness is called for, do it. It will make that person’s day… and yours. That’s joy. + Give encouragement. Watch someone’s face as they recognize another has faith in them. You can feel that joy radiate! + Enjoy in the moment. I learned this from my mom when she was in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s. [img]http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-4521012572008.jpg[/img] Mom's memory was gone and she was literally living in 10 second intervals (before she’d have to recycle questions). While seated on a bench in a shopping mall watching Christmas shoppers run to and fro she said “you know, this is fun. Even if you don’t know where you are or what you’re doing.” A few months later, while walking her down a hall in the nursing home, out-of-the-blue she started to dance and sing “hoop-de-doo, hoop-de-doo!” I asked her what she was singing as I’d never heard this song before. “I’m making it up as I go,”she answered. She was smiling ear-to-ear. Next thing I knew, she had me kicking in the chorus line with her. + Forgive. It’s so easy to do. Forgetting is the second part of this action. Once something is forgiven, a soul can release bad emotions. It then becomes very easy to forget. Again, love flourishes and joy moves in. + Optimism… always find the good in people and situations. + Mean what you say, say what you mean. This is about honesty. God and Jesus both “said it straight.” You should, too. + Humility. God thinks you’re great. You don’t need to prove anything to others. In fact, making others great serves His will. You’re not less for acting that way. It’s what Christ did. + Trust and respect. Who are you to require another child of God to perform for you? God and Christ are clear on the dangers of “judging”. That’s God’s job. We don’t have that right. God is in them as much as he is you. Look for Him and give that person the trust he needs to help his God part grow. And respect your brother and sister. You’ll find it comes back. In addition to trust, that brings great joy! [img] http://www.bitsculptor-media.com/autismhangout.com/users/photos/medium/22-4572312572008.jpg[/img] As I was putting this list together I couldn’t help often think of my mother. She spent her life serving others. First as the loyal daughter to her widowed mother and later as the adored wife of my dad. As an organist in the Early United Methodist Church for 55 years, her music brought joy and peace to a whole community through weddings, funerals, Sunday services and accompaniments at HS music contests. She cooked for shut-ins, gave clothing to the needy and money to many causes. As far as I know, she was never offended by anyone. She chose only to see good. She never carried a grudge… ever! In fact, I don’t ever remember her getting mad at a single person. She might have been offended by a person’s action but the person she never judged. When she developed Alzheimer’s and started giving up responsibilities, she did it gracefully, peacefully, without regret or angst. She was the best example of a trusting soul I have ever seen. I am so proud of her. What an incredible human being. And what joy her willingness to serve has brought others. “Well done… enter into the joy of your master.”Matthew 25:21 Ok. This is going on way longer than I’d anticipated. So let me end it with a piece of scripture… advice from the apostle Paul on how to live a life pleasing to God and Christ. This is taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 * Encourage each other and build each other up * Honor and love those among you who are leaders in the Lord’s work * Live peaceably with others * Warn those who are lazy * Encourage those who are timid * Take “tender” care of those who are weak * Be patient with everyone * See that no one pays back evil for evil * Try to do good to each other and everyone else * Always be joyful * Keep on praying, no matter what happens * Always be thankful for your life experience, for this is what God’s will is for you * Don’t stifle the Holy Spirit. If you feel Him moving in your soul, pay attention to His call * Hold on to what is good * Keep away from every kind of evil The best part about all of this? IF you can do it… if you can get to the point where your simply showing up lets God do His work through you (that’s what this list is all about), you will find joy and peace and experience Heaven on Earth! "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 [img]http://www.devinemusic.org.uk/images/HOPE%20logo2.jpg[/img] Every moment of every day is an opportunity to experience Heaven on Earth... and a chance to see the joy-filled face of God. [img]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y137/caliscribe/TheLaughingChrist.jpg[/img] [IMG]http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o148/jabez48/Dancingguycropbig.jpg[/IMG] Autism Hangout: Learning, sharing, thriving!