25 Things You Won't Find in Heaven

When I saw the title, "25 Things You Won't Find in Heaven," on a blogpost by Rebecca Barlow Jordan* it sparked my interest. Her post inspired me to make my own list starting with the things that have adversely affected me the most. There are obviously more than 25 and your top 25 things will be different than mine. The exercise of thinking of my own list invoked praise to our Father in heaven. Yay God! He is coming to rescue us believers and bring us home to this wonderful place called heaven and I can't wait! "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him-but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit" (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). Thank you for your Spirit, Lord, that deposits the hope of heaven in our hearts! We can make it through all of this junk until you come and get us or you take us home to heaven through death. Amen.

Here is my list:

1. No Enabling

2. No Co-dependency

3. No Alcohol

4. No Drugs-illegal or legit

5. No Murder

6. No Pride

7. No Secrets

8. No Triangulation

9. N0 Manipulation/Control/Guilt Trips

10. No Illness, especially cancer, heart disease, and diabetes

11. No Surgeries

12. No Disabilities/Defects

13. No Injustice

14. No Separation

15. No Death

16. No Time Limits

17. No Pollution

18. No Wars/Destruction

19. No Pain

20. No Sadness

21. No Abuse, Physical, Emotional, or Spiritual

22. No Natural Disasters

23. No Unemployment

24. No Taxes

25. No Crime

Why don't you make your own list today?

*11/29/11 post at: http://www.rebeccabarlowjordan.com/

My understanding of the Beatitudes

I have thought about the Beatitudes for years. I realized long ago that you have to dig for the real meanings of much of what Jesus said while he was here. Maybe this is why Solomon said, "If you look for it as silver and search for it as hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:4-5).

After years of pondering and doing word studies on the Beatitudes this is my understanding of them from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount:

Blessed are the poor in spirit (those who have hit rock bottom from addiction to self-sufficiency), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn (those who truly grieve over their sin), for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek (those who have humbled themselves before our mighty God), for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (those whose top priority is being right with God), for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful (those who compassionately exhibit undeserved grace towards others in thought and action), for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart (those who keep a check on their thoughts and feelings, staying morally clean by regular confession of sin-even asking God to reveal hidden faults), for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers (those who share the good news of the gospel so others can have peace with God), for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness (get slammed for doing the right thing and/or being right with God), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3-10

Let me know what you think. I would love to hear your input.