A Teenager's view of Heaven

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. 'I wowed 'em,' he later told his father, Bruce. 'It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote..'It also was the last. Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed, but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. 'I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,' Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. 'I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.'
Brian's Essay: The Room.... In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read 'Girls I have liked.' I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named 'Friends' was next to one marked 'Friends I have betrayed.'The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird, 'Books I Have Read,' 'Lies I Have Told,' 'Comfort I have Given,' 'Jokes I Have Laughed at .' Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: 'Things I've yelled at my brothers..' Others I couldn't laugh at: 'Things I Have Done in My Anger', 'Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.' I never ceasedto be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewerthan I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I hadlived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each ofthese thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked 'TV Shows I have watched', I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows, but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.When I came to a file marked 'Lustful Thoughts,' I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content.. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!' In insane frenzy I yanked the file out.. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it.. The title bore 'People I Have Shared the Gospel With.' The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt.They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him..No, please, not Him. Not here.. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me.I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end ofthe room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. 'No!' I shouted, rushing to Him. All I could find to say was 'No, no,' as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But, there it was, written in red, so rich, so dark, so alive. The nameof Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, 'It is finished.' I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.'For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.'-John 3:16. 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. '-Phil. 4:13

God answering prayers

http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=yKohJ1k4oKA

Life

Random thoughts. What are some successes in life that you want to experience before you die? Or what are some things that you want your loved ones to look back at you and say?
I will start the list.....add your thoughts:
* treated people with respect
* loved God and wanted others to have the same relationship or better
* loved his family
* loyal Browns Fan

Faith

"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible."

Stuart Chase.

Maybe God Can't Help Me

I like to tease Shari when I look at pictures of her in the 70's with big hair that it was good that I met her when I did or we may not have dated.  In truth, I was the one headed for the mini van life and she probably wouldn't of wanted to date me.  There may be a little truth in this teasing.

I believe that God did bring us together at a time in our life that we were perfect for each other.  I know that I was looking for something different in my mid 30's than I was in my early 20's.  I also had a life experience that changed me dramatically.  

I was ready for a change in my life.  I was ready to make my next wife the most important person in my life along with my kids.  I was ready to make that life have God be the focal point of our relationship.  I was ready for God to mold me.  While I prayed to God several times when my marriage was struggling, it took a divorce to really be open for change.  

What does God need to change in you so that He can help you?  Can you look at yourself and see what it is that you want so bad from God and decide how you have to be different so that God can answer your prayers?

If you are lonely, maybe God needs you to learn to love yourself and be happy before someone else can be made happy by you.  You have to be happy with yourself before you can be an attractive person to someone else.  You have to be happy enough to be happy for other people's success.  Does other peoples happiness make you happy or sad?  Do you enjoy seeing others fail?  Your spouse wants and needs that.  Men need to feel respected.  Women need to feel appreciated and loved.

If you are looking for more friends, maybe God needs you to step out and get involved with people that are healthy for you.  Mom is a good example of this.  Look at the quality of her friends from her work at the library and book club.  Ask God for direction, then do something.  Join a sunday school class.  Volunteer to serve at the church in some capacity.  Think about those women at the churches who served dinner for us after funerals.  Their bond is with each other and is Christ centered.  If we feel that we are good and liked when we are working, then maybe we need to extend that to our person life.

How do I know what God wants me to do differently?  Listen to Him!  He is talking to us all the time.  He talks to us through sermons, through His word (Bible), through others (surround yourself with others who are listening to God), through your thoughts (Holy Spirit - you probably know what needs to change, you just aren't pushing yourself) and my favorite through music.

I listen to Christian music a lot.  Some of my blog ideas come from a certain song or message that I hear while listening to music.  I have other types of music that I may feel is more entertaining, but the Christian music is probably the easiest way for God to talk to me and for me to get my daily devotion.  Let me give you some examples:

"Somebody is praying me through" by Allen Asbury.  This song reminds me to pray for my family.

"I need you now" by Billy Ray Cyrus.  This song reminds me that Jesus was there suffering also.  He knows our pain.  He lived as a man.

"Walk on Water" by Evan Almighty sound track.  This reminds me of Dad and to live life like he would want me to live.

"Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns.  We don't choose to live a life that would disappoint God.  We just slowing fade away from Him very gradually.

"Let your mercy rain", "Amazing Grace", "Glory in the Highest" all by Chris Tomlin.

"Feels like Redemption" by Michael English.  This is one of my favorites!

"Mighty to Save" by Hillsong.

"Still Calls me Son" by John Waller

"Bring the Rain" by Mercy Me.  If the rain that He brings us will make us better, then bring the rain.  Scary but it definitely fits my life and going through divorce.

"Open the eyes of my Heart" by Michael W. Smith

"Empty Me" on a Praise Hymn

"Aware" by Salvador.

I love Third Day's songs:  "Can't take the Pain", "Worthy is the Lamb", "I see love", "I will hold my head high", "Mountain of God", "You are Mine".

I pray that all of you will listen to these songs for what God has to say to you, not just for the entertainment value.  When I listen, I am thinking of all of you and praying for you and feeling a lot of love.