Heaven: Who really knows what's ahead?

Readers might like to check out this article about Randy, which appeared on the front page of The Oregonian newspaper on Easter Sunday. The online version of the article, which focused on Randy's beliefs about Heaven, is followed by several comments, many of which are quite hostile. "I think this reflects the anti-Christian mood in this area of the country," Randy said about the comments. "The level of intolerance of pro-tolerance people is sometimes amazing."

Here are a few excerpts from the story:

On Easter, Christians celebrate their conviction that Jesus was resurrected and is preparing a place for ...

Heaven Small Group DVD

A year ago July, I blogged about the days of filming I did for a new DVD about Heaven.

That small group DVD, which is a seven-week discussion guide designed for the book Heaven, is now available as a bonus product in the back of the book. (However, the DVD is not available separately from the book.)

It's fun to see the project come together, and fun too to see the little clips with our daughters, grandsons and even our dog Moses. In various sessions, we're in my office, at our house, in our yard and even our ...

Snow on the New Earth, and a New Year's Resolution

Here in our part of Oregon, the snow is melting off as quickly as it came. But we had about ten days in the middle when it was a winter wonderland—making December 2008 our snowiest month since January 1950, four years before I was born.

This big snowy blob in our driveway is our Subaru wagon. Since I have a ten foot commute to my office, attached to our garage, transportation wasn't an issue.

They say Gresham, where we live, was hit harder than any part of the greater Portland area. A lot of Christmases merge together in ...

Motivated by Eternal Reward?

Readers of my books often question whether the doctrine of eternal rewards is biblical. They say, It seems self-centered to do good works so I will be rewarded.

We have so emphasized the idea of never acting in our own self-interest, that we ignore the continuous appeals of Scripture to be motivated by the fact that following our Lord is not only right, but smart. And sin is not only wrong, but stupid.

Read the blessings and curses of Deuteronomy. Read the wisdom and foolishness passages that pervade Proverbs. Satan has conned many Christians into a view of the Christian ...

Laughter in Heaven (plus Brian Regan video)

Before getting back to serious blogs, let me talk about laughter. (With a Brian Regan video at the end I think you'll enjoy.)

Christ said, "Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven" (Luke 6:23).

Just as Jesus promises satisfaction as a reward in Heaven, he also promises laughter as a reward. Anticipating the laughter to come, Jesus says we should leap for joy now. Can you imagine someone leaping for joy in utter silence, without laughter? Take any group of rejoicing people, and what do you hear? Laughter. If God ...

Video of Elizabeth Wall: Way Bigger than her Cystic Fibrosis

Since many have told me how much they appreciated the video with Christian the Lion, I'm going to do something a little different over the next 12 days or so. I'll post four videos that I think will be well worth your time. I'll put them in four separate blogs. 

Christian the Lion: A Foreshadow of People and Animals on God’s New Earth

You may have seen the video of Christian the Lion being reunited with two men who raised him as a cub. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. And if you have, you may want to watch again.

99 Balloons: Celebrating the Life of Eliot Mooney

This is a story that I heard, but wanted more details on, so asked Stephanie to find them. I think you will be as touched by it as I was. 
 
I first learned of Eliot Mooney maybe a year ago, but when someone else forwarded the video again recently, I thought it was time to feature it on this blog.

American Evangelicals Believe There Are Different Ways to Heaven

Last month a UPI report began as follows:

America remains a nation of believers, but a new survey finds most Americans don't feel their religion is the only way to eternal life — even if their faith tradition teaches otherwise.

Creator and Culture, and Anticipating a Redeemed Earth

A Christian I met in passing once told me it troubled him that he really didn’t long for Heaven. Instead, he yearned for an Earth that was like God meant it to be.