| Author | Message | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 205 Registered: 6-2001  |
I was sitting in my car today when this song came on the radio "I can only imagine" by Mercy Me. It is an awesome song imagining what Heaven will be like. So I'm driving along imagining what Heaven will be like. Now when I imagine Heaven I tend to imagine large corporate worship. But while the song was playing, I thought "why do I think this?" Then what came into my mind was a picture from an Adventist DVD of Heaven (It is the same bit of Adventist propoganda I wrote about before) Anyways. It was a picture of some kids all wearing white reclining in this grassy meadow with some sheep. And along comes Jesus to talk to them. I had never really thought about this picture, just filed it away in my head. But as I was remembering it, I thought, how impractical! If everyone in Heaven were to get this individual face time with Jesus that means the average person in Heaven would only get to see Jesus once every thousand years or so (which I know in Heaven time means something different, but it still means something) So why (I thought) don't Adventists only imagine the one-on-one face time with Jesus and not the corporate? Then I realized (with such abruptness that it made me laugh) the reason Adventists conclude there will be so much one-on-one time is because there's not really going to be that many people up there! I want to clarify when I say "Adventists" I mean "some Adventists." Also I do believe I will get some one-on-one time with Jesus. What do you all think? Inductively, Hannah | ||
| Tisha Registered user Username: Tisha Post Number: 137 Registered: 3-2005 |
Isn't is funny/scary when those old pictures pop into our heads! It makes me realize just how subtle the indoctrination is! Just when I think I have gotten rid of some piece of it, I find it popping up again and again in pictures in my head! At least then I can take a look at it consciously and deal with it. But, boy, does it take me by surprise sometimes! I had to laugh about there being few people in heaven! When one excludes most other Christians, that doesn't leave very many "safe to save"!! You have given me a great laugh - and much to think about tonight! I'm just about to leave work for the weekend (I have Fridays off), so I'll catch back up on Monday. Happy imagining! -tisha | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 1955 Registered: 11-2002 |
Were any of you taught that only 1/3 of the SDA's are even going to make it to heaven? Is that an EGW teaching? Thanks for sharing those thoughts of heaven. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 2630 Registered: 12-2003  |
Hannah, what interesting thoughts! I've wondered similar thoughts, but I haven't thought of it quite like you pictured it. You're right--how limited; how impractical! What I have pondered some is what it means to be "in Him". While I'm sure there will be actual physical time with Him, I wonder if being in Him and co-heirs with Him might mean we are conscious of continuous communion with Him once we're released from time and these mortal tents. I really don't know--I just suspect it will be so much more wonderful than we have thought! There must be some reason Paul said it would be better by far for him to leave earth and be with the Lord--and that was PRE-resurrection! Tisha, I've been wondering how things are with you , your mother, and the situation with your sister. I realize you probably won't see this right away, but if you see it after the weekend, maybe you could give an update. Colleen | ||
| Catalyst Registered user Username: Catalyst Post Number: 77 Registered: 6-2005 |
I think that an omnipotent, omnipresent God could give you all the face time you would like. Bill (Message edited by catalyst on September 29, 2005) | ||
| Patrickfoy Registered user Username: Patrickfoy Post Number: 19 Registered: 3-2004  |
Colleen- Even though I was not raised a SDA. After I was lassoed into the fold, I remember lying awake at night wondering if I would ever be good enough to make it to heaven. I remember the Investigated Judgement and I was really worried that I would not be good enough to make it. Praise God that I have nothing to worry about because I am in the Lord. I am in Him because I believe and have faith that He(Jesus) is Lord. That He died for me and there is nothing else I can do to be saved and go to heaven except to believe and have faith in Him. Praise the Lord that I am worthy and I was called to believe before the begining of the world.I was never taught that in the SDA church. Praise God our Lord, Thank you Jesus! Patrick | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 656 Registered: 1-2003 |
Thanks for the picture Patrickfoy! It is nice to see who we are talking to. And ditto for me on your thoughts above!!! | ||
| Windmotion Registered user Username: Windmotion Post Number: 206 Registered: 6-2001 |
I agree with you Colleen. There's going to be no more "seeing through the glass darkly" but perfect clarity between our spirit and His. Kind of like the difference between watching TV with your antenna and watching HDTV. I can only imagine...  Imaginatively, Hannah | ||
| Violet Registered user Username: Violet Post Number: 267 Registered: 2-2001 |
Hannah, That song was one of those break through moments for me. That silent, stiffbodied, worship is not all that is possible in heaven. It touched me so much that it is now my ringtone on my cell phone. Susan, I think you are referring to the "remnant" of the "remnant". That concept blows my mind now, but I use to think it was true---although I knew I would not be one of the ones to be saved. Now I praise Jesus that I will see Him! | ||
| Patrickfoy Registered user Username: Patrickfoy Post Number: 22 Registered: 3-2004 |
Hannah- I really like that song, I can only imagine. The first time I heard it I was a little confused about the words. But now after hearing it a few times, it is a great song. And makes me wonder what my reactions will be. Yeah well- the picture was a last minute idea. I had to get Richard, the moderator's, help because I am not very up to date with computer stuff. I also like to see who I am conversing with, so it was only fair. Patrick | ||
| Pheeki Registered user Username: Pheeki Post Number: 658 Registered: 1-2003 |
Funny how people can go to a rock concert and shout and applaud their heads off (a natural thing to do) but won't do it towards God at church. I love my church...they praise...they raise the roof with praise!!! I accidentally tuned the radio to the Keene SDA church (church of the old and the cold) service a Sat. or so back and this college student was singing...oh my gosh! It was awesome...the song was "Bless your name"...I got chills and was nearly in tears...when she finished...dead silence, I didn't even hear an amen. I did hear a baby crying quite clearly. I couldn't believe it. I am so glad I don't go there!!!! I was raised in that church! | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 78 Registered: 1-2005 |
How fun to imagine heaven. I tend to agree with Colleen - I think we will be in an entirely new dimension of time and space - and I plan to be FREE of the constraints of my body! So I think our communion can be both corporate AND individual because it will be a spiritual reality - very vivid and real to each of us. I heard a comment yesterday that really stuck in my head - "I am not my body" - It so jived with me because I sometimes feel as if I am a prisoner in my physical body - it is so confining! My heart and soul long to soar with God - away from this world. I don't know if I can explain this - but I imagine heaven to be a very real experience of heart, mind and soul - an experience that transcends any physical boundaries. Maybe I'm just a weirdo, but I feel like a split personality sometimes - I put on a facade and go about my business putting my best foot forward - fulfilling all my responsibilites - taking care of people around me, ect.... while at the same time, there are inner parts of me that are craving to fly away and commune with God in an tangible spiritual way - one without time contraints, expectations or worries. That probably sounds dorky. (Does anyone remember the movie "Contact" , starring Jodi Foster? - It is that kind of experience that I mean.) Anyway... thanks for the reminder that we are free to IMAGINE all we like! | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 79 Registered: 1-2005 |
Ah, I just remembered this text: even Paul felt the way I was trying to describe: "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, If indeed having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.... We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." 2Corinth. 5:5-8 TO BREAK FREE! Desires, thoughts and ideas Swirl around and strain against their fleshy shell, But somehow they fail To evoke emotion and escape their facial cell. Lord, I'm a prisoner of my body and I want to break free! When You look deep inside me, what do you see? I'm a soul longing to soar high into the warmth of Your light, Free, unencumbered, the flesh out of sight! I want to break free of the darkness that stalks me, To feel weightless, unburdened, O Lord, can it be? My soul longs to taste passion, natural and true. My heart yearns to explode with laughter and joy And intimately feel the presence of You! Linda | ||
| Catalyst Registered user Username: Catalyst Post Number: 78 Registered: 6-2005 |
Speaking of the Keene church (Pheeki's post)- I will be there tomorrow <grin>. Bill (Message edited by catalyst on September 30, 2005) | ||
| Patrickfoy Registered user Username: Patrickfoy Post Number: 24 Registered: 3-2004 |
Lindylou- Did you write that amazing poem? Patrick | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 551 Registered: 7-2004 |
Patrick, Obviously, I am not Lindylou, but she is a dear friend of mine and she is a beautiful person who God has blessed with the special ability to open and share her heart of gratitude for His unfailing love and joy! Thanks, dear Linda, for sharing yourself with all of us! Denise | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 84 Registered: 1-2005 |
Dd, you're a sweetie! Yes, Patrick, it's my poem - I only hope that the words will be a blessing to someone. Happy day to all of you. Thanks for the opportunity to lift my heart up in praise to God. It is medicine to my soul! | ||
| Catalyst Registered user Username: Catalyst Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2005 |
For those of you interested - Mic Thurber at Keene today preached on total unmerited GRACE - he specifically indicated that it was all Jesus and there were no "buts". It was gratifying to hear from an SDA pulpit. Bill | ||
| Dd Registered user Username: Dd Post Number: 553 Registered: 7-2004 |
Karl Haffner does the same thing from the pulpit here at Walla Walla. He has beautiful grace based sermons. I know He has a strong belief in the grace of God as his only basis for salvation. But...it's the "Why I am a Seventh-day Adventist" 3-part sermon series that really shows me that he believes there is a little catch... I trust that God is still in the mix and He will receive the glory! | ||
| Riverfonz Registered user Username: Riverfonz Post Number: 854 Registered: 3-2005 |
As Mark Martin says, "an evangelical SDA is an oxymoron." Stan |
