Where's heaven?

Where’s heaven? And how long does eternity last?

Heaven. When we hear the word, most of us imagine people in white robes, sitting on clouds and strumming harps. In fact, if we were honest, we have to admit that an eternity of cloud-sitting and harp-strumming sounds downright boring!

If you think that’s all heaven is, you’re sadly mistaken. Heaven is God’s home, and right now it probably exists in a dimension we can’t even see.

I read an interesting book the other day called Flatland, by Edwin Abbott. The book is about a group of beings that live in only two dimensions. Imagine, if you can, a tabletop covered with construction paper circles and squares and rectangles and lines. Now imagine that you ARE one of those paper circles or squares or rectangles or lines. If you lived in a flat world and could see only north, south, east, and west, but not above or beneath, you’d be living in Flatland. If you lived in Flatland and saw a circle approaching, it wouldn’t look like a circle—it’d look like a straight line. So would a rectangle. And a straight line, coming toward you, would look like a dot.

Because you could not rise above the table and look down on Flatland, you’d never have any idea that things looked different from another dimension. You wouldn’t even know there was another dimension, unless a three-dimensional person appeared in your world and tried to explain that there is more to imagine.

We humans get so used to living in our world that we forget that there is much more to imagine and to believe. God created this world with height and breadth and width, but other dimensions exist. We have eternal souls that cannot be seen or measured. We are surrounded by angels—good and evil—that we cannot see unless God reveals them to us. God sits on a throne in heaven, which is located in a dimension we cannot access—yet.

But one day we will enter heaven with supernatural bodies equipped for life in a new dimension. We will also be able to enjoy a new earth, a planet recreated and repopulated with animals and plants and mountains. We will be part of God’s family, with thousands of new brothers and sisters who love us. We will be able to do all the things we enjoyed doing in this life, but we won’t be badgered by sin or temptation. The sinful part of our nature will be gone, and we will be joyful and content to live in God’s presence for eternity.

When you arrive in heaven, you will feel as though you have finally come home—and it will be a place so much greater than anything you could ever have imagined. This earth will feel like Flatland compared to the rich diversity of heaven. Best of all, you will live there for eternity.

How long is eternity? Forever and ever. Longer than you can imagine.

Memory verse: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” (1 Cor. 2:9).

Discussion questions:

Read the following verses and explain what they tell us about heaven:

· John 14:1-2: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

· “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit.” (1 Cor. 2:9-10).

· “Marriage is for people here on earth. But in the age to come, those worthy of being raised from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.” (Luke 20:34-36)

· “All these people died still believing what God has promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they all saw it from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. . . . But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13, 16).

· “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven . . .” (Rev. 21:1-2, description includes entire chapter).

2. What do you think heaven will be like? How has this lesson changed your view of heaven?

Even if you don’t understand it all, know this: God has prepared a place for his children, and it will be a wonderful, glorious place. You can trust him.

Well, that's it for my theology lessons . . . . unless I write some more. I hope you've enjoyed them. If you'd like copies of any of them (because you can't access them through the archives), drop me a note and I'll send it to you.

~~Angie

Afton, part 4

Two

Afton was bored with the feast. The food was a treat because figs, dates, raisins, oranges, and pomegranates never found their way to Wido’s house, and for a while it was interesting to watch Lord Perceval and Lady Endeline as they ate on their raised table at the entrance to the huge stone castle. But they ate little and talked even less, and after a while Afton tired of looking at them.

After the tables were cleared and the games begun, Afton found that the holiday had become sheer torture. Corba expected her to watch her five younger brothers, and Jacopo, Marco, Matthew, Kier, and Gerald had more room to run and more avenues for mischief in the castle courtyard than at home.

She was too young to be a candidate for lady of the May and too busy watching her brothers to join the May dancers. After two hours of chasing the energetic boys, Afton noticed Wido leading Corba toward a quiet bench in the shade of a tall hedge around the women’s quarters. Afton herded her brothers toward their mother and stood silently at her side.

She and her mother had always understood one another. As the boys swarmed over Corba’s lap, Corba saw the question in Afton’s eyes and nodded. “Yes, daughter,” she said, sighing. “You may go play.”

Afton turned and scampered away.

There was much to see within the castle walls. Outside the kitchen buildings, two sheep and a calf were penned, awaiting slaughter for the lord’s dinner. A group of richly-dressed nobles lounged on benches outside the mews where the lord’s hunting hawks roosted, and Afton slipped quietly by them, not wanting to attract attention. She paused outside the stables--horses were so beautiful, so majestic! Just like the rich people who owned them.

After circling for the space of half an hour, Afton decided there was no safe place to play inside the castle walls. She knew she ought not to visit the horses, for they were the lord’s, and she was frightened to death of the knights who lounged outside the huge stone tower that served as a garrison. The castle itself was off limits, of course, for the lord and lady actually lived inside, and Afton feared she would be clamped into prison if even her shadow fell upon one of those august persons.

She tiptoed quietly through the rowdy crowd of merry makers until she spied an open field of green grass through the imposing barbican that opened the castle to the world outside. In a flash she was through the castle gate, bolting for the meadow.

The meadow was delightful, not at all stuffy like the castle courtyard. She skipped through tall grasses that had not yet been devoured by hungry sheep and cattle and collected an armful of flowers: bluebells, buttercups, daisies, dog roses, and red poppies.

“What are you doing there?” An unfamiliar voice startled her and she nearly dropped her load of flowers. Was it against the law to pick the lord’s wildflowers? For a moment she was frightened beyond reason, but then she saw who had spoken. It was a boy, about her age, and obviously he had been overwhelmed by the feast, too. Why else would he be out here in the meadow?

“I’m gathering flowers,” she said simply, stooping to pick another bunch of daisies. “I’m going to make a garland for the queen of Sheba.”

“I’ve never heard of her,” the boy answered, coming closer.

Afton cocked her head and studied the boy. He was not from her village, but the castle was filled with people from many of Perceval’s estates. The boy was finely dressed, though, without even one hole in his tunic or surcoat. His eyes were the color of the creek water when it ran clear, with the same sparkle. His hair reminded her of the golden flax of wheat, and his smile was open and frankly curious. He allowed her to look him over without interrupting, then he repeated himself: “I’ve never heard of the queen of Sheba.”

“She lives in the village,” Afton replied, tossing her head. “In my house.”

“Really?” His tone was curious, not challenging. “Can you show me?”

Afton considered a moment, then nodded. “If you help. I’ve got to get a few more flowers so I can weave a crown. The queen loves flowers, and I like to make her a crown as often as I can.”

“Will these do?” The boy tugged at an unfamiliar plant, breaking off a twig loaded with small white flowers and shiny black berries.

“Bee-utiful.” Afton tucked the berries into her bouquet and they continued through the meadow, running from flower to flower until their arms were full. Then they sat breathless in the grass and Afton showed the boy how to weave the flowers and twigs into a wreath.

“That’s a very large wreath,” the boy said when they were done. He frowned. “How big is the queen’s head?”

Afton’s laughter echoed through the stillness of the meadow. “It doesn’t go on her head, silly, it goes around her neck. Come, and I’ll show you.”

“All right, but tell me your name.” The boy’s eyes shone with friendly interest.

“Afton. What’s yours?”

“Calhoun.”

“All right, Calhoun, let’s go.” Together they held their wreath and walked down the road toward the village.

Afton, part 3

“Wido.” Hector looked up appraisingly, seeming to weigh even the flesh on the plowman’s bones. “Six children, one wife, and yourself--that will be sixteen eggs.”

“If it please you,” Wido said, proffering Corba’s basket, “my wife sends eighteen eggs for you and Lord Perceval.”

Hector nodded and dipped his quill pen into the ink-filled cow’s horn attached to the table. His left hand took two eggs out of Wido’s basket and disappeared under the table. “Wido’s tribute is paid. You may sit at the upper tables.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Wido moved away. Behind him, Bodo, another plowman, was explaining why he was five eggs short. It would not go well with him, for Hector did not appreciate shortages.

Wido led his family to a long table where they sat and waited for the food to arrive. In front of each of them was a trencher, a large, stale piece of bread that served as a plate, and each place had its own knife and fork. Wido was pleased. The upper tables were furnished with utensils, but the tables farthest away were bare. Poor Bodo would certainly be sitting at a lower table.

A flush of excitement lit Corba’s face; her cheeks glowed like roses. Afton squirmed next to Corba, the baby on her lap, and next to Afton Wido’s five sons lined the table like a neat row of growing corn.

The flourish of a trumpet silenced the restless peasants, and a barred wooden shutter on the second floor of the castle keep was thrown open. A handsome man in a white and purple tunic approached the window and held up his hand.

The crowd stilled as if God had signaled them. At twenty-eight, Perceval, the Earl of Margate, was a commanding presence. He stood taller than most men, his height accentuated by his straight carriage and regal bearing. His shoulders were broad and tapered neatly down to a trim waist, where his polished sword hung ever ready. Like his father before him, Perceval tolerated no ambition but his own.

“My people.” Perceval’s voice carried easily over the crowd. It was a voice accustomed to giving orders. “As a father welcomes his children for dinner, so welcome I you.” He smiled down on his tenants. “It has been well said that May is the joy-month. After dinner, select for yourselves a lord and lady of the May to preside over your games and dances. Perhaps we can even get Lady Endeline to crown your lady of the May.”

The crowd cheered, and Wido saw Endeline obediently draw near to the window as her husband gestured to her. Younger than her husband, she was tall, thin, and regal, but there was no trace of a smile upon her face.

Perceval clasped the hand of his lady and outstretched his free arm to the crowd. “Eat, drink, and enjoy the hospitality of Margate Castle,” he said. “And long live England’s King Henry!”

“Long live King Henry!” the people responded, Wido joining in with the others.

Perceval withdrew, the barred window was again shut, and Wido and his family set about enjoying the food set before them. The people did not need Perceval’s instructions, for this was their holiday, long established in tradition and mutual agreement. They worked for the lord all the year long, in return he gave them a feast at Easter and Christmas. They gave him three days a week; Perceval gave them a week’s holiday at Easter and a two-week vacation from Christmas Eve to Epiphany. They brought firewood for the castle, and Perceval allowed them to cut wood for their own fires from his forests. Each man knew his place in the scheme of things.

Wido caught Bodo’s eye at a table on the far side of the courtyard. “Bodo!” Wido called, waving a loaf of brown bread to catch his friend’s eye. “How did it go with you?”

Bodo grinned, his black teeth showing plainly. He walked over and folded his scarecrow frame to kneel in the dust behind Wido. “I’ll be cleaning the stables for a month now,” he said, putting a hand on Wido’s shoulder. “Would a friend like you be willing to join me?”

Wido took a bite of bread and answered while he chewed: “And who’s to finish planting my ridge and furrow?” He swallowed. “Corba wants oats, peas, beans, and barley this year.”

“That’s what it will take with another mouth to feed,” Corba answered quietly, chewing a piece of the rough bread. She took a chewed bit out of her mouth and gave it to her youngest. “You should have had a talk with your hen, Bodo.”

Bodo raised an eyebrow. “‘Twouldn’t do any good. But that reminds me, Wido, I have need to talk to you.”

“Talk.” Wido took a drumstick off a platter that was being passed.

“My son is ten, you know, and I want you to remember I’ve come to you first.”

“About what?” Wido turned a bewildered gaze upon his friend.

A corner of Bodo’s mouth slowly curled in a half-smile. “Marriage. Your daughter and my son. We could arrange it now and let them marry when you are ready.”

Wido was stunned for a moment, then erupted in a hearty laugh. “Are we putting on airs now, Bodo? Since when do we arrange marriages like the master? It is not our choice, anyway. Lord Perceval must agree to any marriage in the village.”

“You know full well the lord does not care what we villeins do. Did he object to your marriage? To mine? I do not think he will object to this, either.”

Wido shook his head. “I don’t understand your hurry. They are yet children.”

“Yours is a special child, Wido. Have you looked at your daughter?”

Bodo’s eyes had left Wido’s face and were turned toward Afton and her brothers. Wido turned to look over the head of his wife at his daughter, while Bodo spoke: “Straight nose, gray eyes, little red mouth, high forehead, pink skin--you have a beauty in your house, Wido. Men will pay dearly to take their pleasure in such a wife.”

Something in Bodo’s words and tone made Wido’s skin crawl. His hand grabbed Bodo’s tunic roughly and held the scrawny plowman in a fierce grasp. “I’ll not talk of this,” Wido snarled, the words hissing between his teeth. “You’ll not look at my daughter in that way. Now leave.”

Wido’s powerful hand thrust Bodo away, and the hapless plowman fell back into the dust. “‘Tis a pity you were not born a knight,” Bodo said, raising an eyebrow. He stood and wiped the dust from his rough tunic. “Such a sense of honor! But, my friend, if you don’t give her to wife, someone will take her, and then where will you be?”

Wido snarled and made a move to stand, but Bodo threw his hands up in defense and backed away, smiling. “Peace be unto you, brother,” he said, chuckling as if at a bad joke. “It will be as God wills it.”

Afton of Margate Castle, part 2

The day dawned bright with rare sunshine. Wido and Corba hustled their children out of their hut and joined the other villagers on the road to Margate Castle. The air was filled with cries of merriment, and Wido noticed that even dour Friar Odoric seemed jovial. “Who knows but that even Friar Odoric will dance today?” Wido asked Corba as they followed the crowd.

“That’s not likely,” Corba answered, breathing heavily. She was carrying their basket of eggs on her right arm and balancing their youngest child on her left hip. Wido stopped and lifted the baby into his arms.

Corba was right, of course. The Church took a dim view of dancing and merriment, especially on religious holidays. Wido often wondered how God could create such wonderful things as animals and sunsets and babies and women and yet make work so hard and church so somber. Wido made a mental note to ask the priest for an answer.

The castle road led the stream of villagers out of the village and through the forest, where they gathered greenery and wild blossoms. The procession then wended its way to Margate Castle, home of Perceval, Earl of Margate, and his wife, Lady Endeline. Their village was one of many manors overseen by Perceval and his steward, Hector, but it was the only one directly affiliated with Margate Castle.

Wido had occasion to talk with plowmen from other manors and knew that his lot was often better than theirs. Lord Thomas of Warwick, a knight who had received his estate from Perceval’s father after the first mighty expedition of God to the Holy Land, charged his tenants three eggs per person at Hocktide. Wido understood the discrepancy. Those who held land owed tribute and service to their lords, and the tribute was ultimately paid by the villeins, the feudal slaves on the estate. The villeins of the estate belonging to Thomas of Warwick paid service and tribute to Thomas, who gave tribute to Perceval, who gave tribute to King Henry. “The more lords a man ‘as,” another plowman once confided to Wido, “the less a man eats.”

Wido and his family ate--usually--depending upon the land’s bounty. Wido wasn’t sure whether he held land or the land held him. As a villein on Margate Land he and the land could be bought, sold, or traded at Perceval’s pleasure. But within the Margate acres he had his own furrows to plow, a garden to plant, and a hut in which to shelter his wife and children. He had a bed, a sheep, a cow, four chickens, two pigs, four bowls, and two complete sets of clothing, gifts from Lord Perceval at Christmastide.

Wido’s time was more or less his own. True, he did owe three days of work each week to Perceval’s fields, and the call for boon work came frequently during the harvest. These days of work on demand were usually rewarded though, and the villeins had pet names for them: hungerbidreap, when the villeins were given nothing; waterbidreap, when they were given water at the end of the day; and the alebidreap, when each villein was allowed a long draught of the lord’s ale.

Corba was not exempt from Perceval’s service. Three days a week she left Afton to care for the little boys and went up to the women’s quarters behind the tall walls of the castle. In a private hedged area, the villein women and the female servants of the castle wove linen, wool, or vermilion. Sometimes they were dispatched to the sheep pens for shearing. Wido had the distinct impression that Corba enjoyed these days with the other women. She always came home with a secret gleam in her eye, and she would never tell him what it was women talked about. Wido finally stopped asking. Other men assured him that women were tools of the devil, and the less a man had to do with them, the better off he’d be. Wido could believe nothing bad about Corba, but still--better to be happily ignorant than wisely sorrowful.

The deforested pasture surrounding Margate Castle gleamed in the sunlight, and the castle’s imposing stone walls were gilded in a covering of early morning dew. Flags with Perceval’s family herald fluttered in the slight breeze from the imposing twin towers, and Wido idly wondered how a place built for battle could look so inviting. The gates were open and the drawbridge down, with the men, women, and children of Perceval’s manor, free and unfree, streaming into the castle for their annual reward.

The outer courtyard had been filled with tables, and soon the castle servants would serve the Easter feast. But first there was necessary business. Under a canopy near the gate, Hector the steward had set up his accounting table and was making notes in his ledger book. Hector was ruthless in his devotion toward Lord Perceval. Wido crossed himself and thanked God that the hens had come through. Not only were there sixteen eggs, but Corba, his wise wife, had set two extra eggs aside for their unborn child.

“If he asks eighteen, you will be prepared,” Corba had told Wido as she placed the basket in his hand. “And if he asks sixteen, the two extra will bring you favor in his sight. That favor may do us good in months to come.”

In her twenty years as a villein, Corba had learned the advantages of bribing the lord’s steward. Wido had to consciously smooth his face when he thought of her, so great was his urge to beam with pride. His friends would have considered him addled if they knew how much he adored his wife; their admiration was reserved for oxen, fields, and sheep. A young and fertile wife was something to be desired, but to adore a wife was mere foolishness.

But Wido adored Corba more fervently than he adored the Blessed Virgin. She had suckled six healthy children who all survived infancy, an unheard-of accomplishment, and she remained strong enough to carry yet a seventh. Best of all, five times she had born sons stamped in the image of dark-haired, wiry Wido himself. Lord Perceval would not have as many fine sons, probably not even King Henry.

And there was the girl, the first-born. Wido had been bewildered at her birth. What is this squalling, red-skinned creature? he had wondered when the midwife showed the child to him. Surely it is not bone of my bones! Time had not lessened his confusion. Eight years had passed and the girl had grown tall, blonde, and fair like her mother. Once as Afton trudged alongside the ox with the goad, Wido had studied her profile and realized that not one bit of him was reflected in the child, save perhaps his temper.

She was not a brawler, as Wido had occasion to be when he was under the influence of ale, but he had seen her eyes flash fire and steely determination when she was angry. Wido first saw her anger when as a babe she came naked out of the baptismal font, wet and shivering, and she glared at the priest before bursting into furious wailing. Since then Wido had been careful to keep those cool gray eyes from turning too often in his direction, but common sense told him his behavior wasn’t natural. A man should not be afraid of any woman, especially his own daughter.

Afton of Margate Castle

Because I think of of absolutely nothing interesting to say, I thought I'd post a few scenes from Afton of Margate Castle, now available as a Kindle title. Enjoy!

One

Wido

1119 A.D.

Wido grunted with satisfaction as he settled into his bed next to his wife, Corba. It had been a full day, but a good one filled with hard work in his own furrows. He laced his fingers together across his broad chest and breathed deeply. Across the room, he could hear the regular breathing of his six children, five strong boys and Afton, the girl. Next to him Corba’s pregnant body was enticing in its warmth and fullness, but he decided to let her sleep. It felt good to lie alone in the dark and think.

Not that Wido never had time alone. As a plowman he was often alone in his narrow field or solitary in the fields of Lord Perceval, but his thoughts behind the plow were centered on the incessant cycle of plowing, sowing, and harvest. Which fields should be planted with drink grains, which with bread grains, and which should lie fallow? Of course, in Lord Perceval’s fields he did as he was told, but in his own meager strip he was careful not to offend the laws of God and nature. One miscalculation, one failed crop, and his family or his livestock might not make it through the winter.

Today his mind had been of the upcoming festival of Hocktide, when he and Corba would have to present a full basket of eggs to Lord Perceval’s steward. Sixteen eggs they would have to bring, two for each person who lived in their small hut. Sixteen eggs! Wido crossed himself and hoped that Corba had said the proper incantations and prayers to keep the hens laying. If they were even one egg short, Wido would have to load timber for the castle or spend an extra day in Lord Perceval’s fields while his own chores waited.

As if she knew his thoughts, one of Wido’s hens stuck her head out from under his bed and squawked. “Yes, little friend, you have work to do,” Wido whispered, his gruff voice breaking the stillness of the night. “We cannot be an egg short.”

Corba stirred, the hay in their mattress creaking softly. “Is all well?” she whispered, raising her head from her pillow. Her beautiful wide-set eyes were drowsy. “Are the children all right?”

“All is well,” Wido assured her, turning on his side to look at his bride. Dim moonlight streamed through the open window, and Wido was struck again by his wife’s beauty. He loved her, and was frankly amazed that he loved her more now that he had on the day they were wed in front of the church. “I was reminding the hen of our need for sixteen eggs.”

“Ah,” Corba nodded, and her head dropped back on the rough wool of her pillow. “Lord Perceval must be satisfied. What do you think his steward will do if we only bring fifteen?”

“Old Hector will want to extract an arm or a leg,” Wido answered, his voice light. He nuzzled his wife’s shoulder. “Or perhaps Lady Endeline will covet instead your golden hair. But I will not let you pay the price. My life would be forfeit instead.”

“You talk like a fool,” Corba answered, smiling drowsily.

"You would not have married a fool,” Wido answered, caressing her pregnant belly with his rough hand. The child within her womb was awake, too, and Wido felt a decisive kick against his palm. “Did you feel that? Our child agrees that his father is a wise man.”

“A wise plowman,” Corba answered, her blue eyes closing. “What is the use of such a man? Does the ground care who plows it? Does the ox know who drives it? Does the seed notice who throws it?”

“No,” Wido agreed. “But the wife knows what her husband is, and the children follow in the footsteps of their father. Wisdom has its place even among unfree ploughmen.”

“Does it?” Corba asked softly. She turned toward her husband and gently kissed the tip of his nose. “Will wisdom make your eggs sweeter than those of your friend Bodo?”

Wido held her hand and squeezed it. “No. But I have wisely chosen a wife even more beautiful than Lord Perceval’s.”

Corba smiled and a dimple appeared in her cheek. “Alas, Wido, I was wrong. You are wise beyond measure.”

***

Let's pray for Sandy!

Wow--today is 1/11/11. That doesn't happen very often!

A couple of weeks ago a reader named Sandy Snavely sent me a note that really ministered to me. And now I'd like to minister to her, and I could use your help.

Sandy is leaving today for Santa Cruz, Bolivia, ALONE, to minister to some women there. She'll be away from home from January 11th, today, through the 19th. I'll let her describe her plans:

The theme is “The God Who Writes Your Story” with 4 sessions that I’m calling chapters. The headings are as follows:

Chapter One:

Conception Day

I think I've seen the place where humility begins

Chapter Two:

The God of Twists

& Turns

Oh no, he's not safe but He is good.

Chapter Three:

We Have These

Moments To ...

This might not be the time to write my own ending

Everlasting Epilogue

I've read the last page and in the end God wins

As I’m sure you well understand…after the preparation is all over, and the bags are packed, and the women arrive with needy hearts…the Holy Spirit needs to show up in spectacular ways so they can leave refreshed, renewed, and revisioned…then I go home and welcome being forgotten if the messages are remembered and employed. That is the heart of my hope. Oh Angela, don’t you just love when John said, “I must decrease so that He might increase?” For me it is like saying, “O God, kill my flesh and liven up my Spirit, don’t let me love this too much lest I love myself for doing it and forget that I can’t even breathe without your permission. So be bigger than I’ve ever known You to be and I will be blessed and so will they.” That is my prayer…if you will join into it I would be ever so grateful. I’m old now (64) Angela…not that much more time to do it right.

Angie here again: will you join me in praying for Sandy as she speaks and ministers to these dear women? Let's pray for her health, her safety, and that she will know when to speak and when to keep silent. That the Spirit would flow through her and touch hearts. That the women present would yield to Jesus and his tender wooing of their hearts.

I've traveled alone out of the country before, and I remember feeling like I could fall over dead and no one would know or even care. You feel so . . . disconnected. So let's connect with Sandy and meet her before the Father's throne until she's home safe on the 19th.

Thank you, friends. I appreciate your faithfulness so much.

~~Angie

Free Kindle Books

Sorry that I was absent a couple of days. I finished my theology component (only one more thing to go--my dissertation, that that will probably take about a year), and then I sort of took a mental vacation.

Anyway--Amazon.com is constantly changing things, and I see now that they've created a special page for "limited time offer" which translates into "free or nearly free books" for the Kindle. So here's the link, and if you scroll through the pages and pages of available books, you may see several of your favorite authors listed.

Enjoy! Happy reading!

~~Angie

Who is the Devil? What are demons?

Who is the Devil? What are demons?

When God first created the world, everything was good—perfect, in fact. But soon after Adam and Eve began to live in the Garden, we see Satan, in the form of a serpent, deciding to tempt Eve and entice her away from God. So at some point between God’s original creation of the universe—including the angelic kingdoms—Satan led a heavenly revolt and many of the angels went disobeyed God along with him.

Satan, also known as Lucifer, was once a beautiful angel with great authority. The prophet Isaiah referred to Lucifer when he wrote, “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. For you said to yourself, ‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High. Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead, down to its lowest depths.”

Like man, angels were created with the freedom to choose to obey or disobey God. Lucifer is an angel, nothing more, who chose to disobey his creator. Many of the angels followed him in disobedience, and, like him, they will suffer for their sin.

Why did God create these angels, knowing that they would rebel? I can’t read God’s mind, but I trust his plan. And even these angels serve a purpose in eternity.

What if I offered you a choice between two ice cream cones that were both the same size and both filled with vanilla ice cream. A choice between vanilla and vanilla isn’t much of a choice, is it? If we did not have the freedom to choose good from evil, we would not have free choice. We would love God because we had no other option, and he wants us to love him because we choose to love him.

What are demons? Should we be afraid of them? Demons are angels who sinned against God and now work evil in the world. They serve Satan, not God. The Bible tells us that demons “did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged . . . God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment” (Jude 6).

In 2 Peter 2:4 we read: “God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.”

Does that mean that fallen angels are in hell now? Not the hell you think of when you think of a lake of fire. These fallen angels have been thrown into darkness, which is another way of saying that they have been prohibited access to heaven. They are condemned to wander on the earth and in dark places apart from the glory of God. Of course, they cannot escape God’s presence, for he is everywhere, but they are chained and cannot return to their former places in heaven. While they are awaiting judgment—which will come later—they can and do work evil in the world.

Does everything bad in the world come from demons? No. If you are tired or sick, you may simply be tired and sick—it’s not likely that a demon is making you tired and sick. If a friend is addicted to cigarettes, it’s not likely that a demon is making him addicted. If two Christians are arguing, it’s not likely that a demon is making them argue—it may be their pride that is getting in the way of agreement. Even Christians sin, so we have to watch out for pride and selfishness and habits that are not good for us.

Should I be afraid of the devil or demons? No. A lot of Christians quote 1 Peter 5:8 when they speak of the devil: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”

Peter’s warning should not be taken as proof that the devil can eat you alive! No way! Because even the devil and the demons are under God’s control, now and forever. If you read the story of Job, you’ll realize that Satan could not touch Job without God’s permission. Jesus could cast out demons with a word. Demons are harnessed by “eternal chains” and they are not stronger than Jesus. Neither is Satan. He may roam about like a lion, but always remember this: that lion is on a leash, and the other end of the leash is firmly in God’s hand!

So what do demons do? They fool people. You may have seen movies where demons do all kinds of scary things, but that’s what Hollywood thinks of demons. Demons can do scary things, but they’re much more likely to do beautiful things in order to fool people into following false religions. Because Satan hates God, he wants to keep people from following God. So he uses every trick in his book, not to convince people to follow him, but to follow anything but God.

Demons are active in many false religions today. People who follow eastern religions often talk of their “spirit guides” to help them “discover the god within.” Don’t be fooled. These are demons and they’re using the same line Satan used on Eve: “You can be like God.”

Demons are real, and the best way to protect yourself against their evil is to remain strong in Christ. John wrote, “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4).

The devil is not God. He is not omniscient; he doesn’t know everything. He’s not everywhere. He can’t read your thoughts. He’s not all-powerful. And he’s on that leash.

The Spirit of God, which lives inside every true believer in Christ, is greater than the devil or any demon. You do not need to fear them, but you should also be careful not to fool around with things like Oujia boards, séances, and horoscopes. If you look to a board or a ghost or the stars for influence over your life, you are not looking to God or fully trusting him. The Bible strongly tells us to avoid such things, because many an innocent young person has opened the door to the influence of demons by talking to “spirits” he “met” during a board game or séance.

Guard your heart. Entrust it to God alone. And know that no fallen angel is stronger than Jesus.

Memory Verse: “But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Discussion questions:

1. After reading this lesson, did you learn anything new about demons or the devil?

2. Do you know anyone who relies on a horoscope or fortune teller? Do your friends play with a Ouija board? What will you say to them the next time this subject comes up?

3. When the devil came to tempt Jesus, Jesus did something specific to resist the devil. What did he do? If you need help, read the story in Matthew 4:1-11.

Texas Writers Academy

Been working hard on my school work, and am coming up for air. Just got this flyer for the Texas Writers Academy and wanted to share it with you--I went last year for the first time and loved it! A full week on instruction, very intensive, and who doesn't love TEXAS?

~~Angie

Click to enlarge the flyer, or visit this site.

It's Greek to Me

For the last couple of weeks, I've been working on my Th.D. work--and this component is a LONG one. I've been tackling the 12 "-ologies," as I call them--theology proper, Christology, harmartiology, soteriology, angelology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, eschatology, etc.

Anyway, one part of this component was to find all the major scripture verses in each of the twelve fields, then to look up the major words up in the original Greek or Hebrew to see the complete/true meaning of said verses.

And, keeping in mind that I don't speak or read or write Greek, what I've found is incredibly illuminating. For instance, "For the wages of sin is death" doesn't quite mean that we earn death when we sin. The Greek word translated wages actually means "to buy," so every time we sin we are buying death. Freely making an installment payment on it, so to speak. When you think about it, you see that those who habitually sin are investing in death hand over fist.

Wow. Profound, isn't it?

And that lovely verse, "Every good and perfect gift comes from above" really means more than good and perfect. The Greek refers to two gifts, the first of which is wonderful, and the second of which is gratuitous and completely undeserved.

That really means a lot more than "good and perfect" doesn't it?

Anyway, just wanted to check in. Hope your new year is going well!

~~Angie

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Cupcake

My book club meets tonight, and our book for this month was "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie." Cute book, and I've a hunch it will be well-received.

To commemorate the occasion, I baked Pecan Pie Cupcakes, and because someone on facebook asked, here's the recipe:

1 box german chocolate cake mix

1 cup whole milk

1 stick butter, softened

5 eggs

1 t. vanilla

3/4 cup dark corn syrup

1/4 c. brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 cups pecans, chopped or halved

Mix together cake mix, milk, butter, three eggs, and vanilla. Pour an even amount in 24 muffin molds (2 cupcake pans--this will make 24).

In a separate bowl, mix together corn syrup, brown sugar, two eggs. Then stir in chopped pecans. Divide nut mixture evenly among all the cupcakes, about 1 spoonful each.

Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes. Allow cakes to cool completely--the filling will set and sink to the bottom. Dust with powdered sugar.

(I dusted mine with lots of sugar, and it all disappeared. I think it melted into the cake, so maybe you should wait until after the cakes have cooled completely before dusting.) :-)

(Wonder if you can make calories disappear in like fashion?)

Enjoy!

~~Angie

What are angels? Do I have a guardian angel?

What are angels? Do I have a guardian angel?

True or false: Angels have long, flowing hair and big wings.

True or false: Female angels always sing in the angel choir.

True or false: Children who die at a young age become angels in heaven.

True or false: Every person on earth has a guardian angel.

True or false: Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.

Okay, ready for the answers? All of the above . . . are false. If you answered “true” to any of them, you’ve been watching (or believing!) too much television!

When angels appear on earth, they usually look like regular people. The only “wings” mentioned in the Bible belong to the cherubim, two of which were depicted on the Ark of the Covenant. Though angels have appeared in bodily form on a few occasions, they are ministering spirits without physical bodies like ours.

There are no female angels mentioned in the Bible, none at all.

Children are humans; angels aren’t and never were human. Children who go to heaven remain human in heaven; they do not become angels.

Does everyone have a guardian angel? The Bible doesn’t say so. However, Jesus once warned his followers not to look down on the children: “For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.” We’re not exactly sure what he meant by that, but perhaps he meant that some angels are charged with watching over little ones, and these angels always have ready access to God.

How many angels are there? More than we could count. Consider these verses:

· “Surrounded by unnumbered thousands of chariots [of angels], the Lord came from Mount Sinai into his sanctuary” (Psalm 68:17).

· “No, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering” (Heb. 12:22).

· “Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders” (Rev. 5:11). Talk about an angel choir!

Why were the angels created? Yes, the angels were created just as humans were created. They have not always existed, though they are eternal. God created the heavens and the angels and the universe, and Jesus Christ reigns over all of them.

Can angels sin? Yes—at one point, many of them rebelled against God and chose to follow Lucifer, or Satan. Lucifer was a created being, too, a beautiful angel, but he became proud of his beauty and his intelligence. He chose to rebel instead of obeying God, and as a result he and his angelic followers were cast out of heaven. Most Bible scholars believe that after this point, the angels were “sealed” so they could no longer sin. The ones who followed God will remain faithful to him; the ones who rebelled will be punished with Satan. Second Peter 2:4 tells us that “God did not spare even the angels who sinned. He threw them into hell, in gloomy pits of darkness, where they are being held until the day of judgment.”

Humans who sin are given a chance to repent and accept Christ. The angels who sinned are not given that chance. Jude tells us that “the angels who did not stay within the limits of authority God gave them but left the place where they belonged . . . God has kept them securely chained in prisons of darkness, waiting for the great day of judgment” (Jude 6). This is just one example of God’s great grace and mercy on the human race.

What do angels do? Let’s begin by looking at what they do NOT do. They do not marry. They do not have children. They do not follow their own plans, but serve God continually. And while the Bible frequently states that man was created in the image of God, it does not say that about angels. What do angels do? Hebrews 1:14 tells us: “Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.” Angels serve those who will accept Christ. Since God knows everything, he knows who will accept Jesus. And he sends angels to protect and help those people both before and after they become followers of Christ.

If humans are created in the image of God . . . and given a chance to repent, does that mean that humans are more powerful than angels? Not now—angels have great power and great intellect, and Hebrews 2:7 tells us that we were created “only a little lower than the angels.” But one day in the future, we will be given the opportunity to judge the angels who sinned. What a responsibility!

Memory verse: “Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.” Hebrews 1:14

Discussion questions:

1. Since angels are sent to minister to humans, read the following verses and explain how the angel served the man or woman involved:

· Matthew 4:10-12

· Genesis 16:7

· Genesis 19:15

· Exodus 23:20

· Matthew 1:20

· Matthew 28:5

· Luke 1:13

· Luke 22:43

· Acts 5:19

2. There are many types of angels and differing ranks of angels. And while one of their jobs is to serve God’s children, they also obey him in other things. Hebrews 13:2 says, “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” Do you know anyone who claims to have seen an angel?

Next week we’ll talk about angels who rebelled against God.

Jumping for Joy

A tip of the hat to my friend Cheryl Hodde (aka Hannah Alexander) for this adorable video. Though it's Christmas music, I like to think that these little goats are jumping for joy at the thought of a new year! May it be a good one for you and your family!

~~Angie