HEAVEN IS REAL( and I didnt learn it from a kid who wrote a book)

The other day I was plum tuckered out from janitorin' , packing goat supplies, and philosophisin' - so I took me a little break and watched a little Foxnews.. there was a handsome little boy on who was talking about a book he wrote called "Heaven Is real".. or something like that... ya see.. this little boy was in the hospital and he was having some trouble.... They had to do surgery... and he says he died, went to heaven, and came back to earth... He had some fascinating stories about going to heaven.. of Course He saw Jesus.. and His Grandpa.. and angels... you know.. the usual stuff.. you've seen the movies....I believe this little boy and his family love Jesus.. and they want to tell the story... so that others will believe in Jesus the way that they do... I am not questioning their hearts.... JUST their discernment....

I just want yall to think about a few things with me.....

That anesthesia that hospitals give their patients will make 'em see lots of fascinating things.. when My lovely bride was giving birth to our daughter, the anesthesia kicked in and she swore that I turned into a young , slim, handsome movie star.. I mean COME ON!!!!..... I am sure that a little boy's mind can play tricks on him when he is under the influence of anesthesia....

when  ever I hear  those " died, went to heaven, came back, buy my book" stories... the first thing I do is ask WDJS.... yep.. WHAT DID JESUS SAY?? well... I want ya to do a little work yourselves... Look in the book of LUKE for the story about Lazarus( the poor man- not Jesus's friend) and the Rich man... Here's the Clay Callaway Version:

Lazarus was a poor man who believed in the Savior who was to come- He went to Heaven. The Rich Man who never shared his food with Lazarus was not a believer so he went to Hell... The rich man looks up and asks  Abraham to send Lazarus down to hades with a little water to cool him off.. Abraham tells him "NO can do.". then the rich man says " send Lazarus from heaven back to earth so that he can warn my brothers.. so that they won't wind up here...." Abraham says to him, " They have MOSES and the PROPHETS- Let them hear them... " The Rich Man says.. " No Father Abraham, If someone RISES from the dead, they will repent" Old Abe replies, " If they do NOT hear Moses and the Prophets neither will they be persuaded though one rises from the dead"

Jesus wanted those who heard this parable to remember some very important truths.... " Moses and the Prophets....( THE BIBLE) TELLS US about HEAVEN... about the WAY to HEAVEN.. and WHAT it is like.... we do NOT need someone to share their "visions" or "experiences" with us so that we will believe.. The WORD of GOD is sufficient to inform us.. but we do'nt believe that.. we want to see "signs, and wonders".. we hunger and thirst NOT AFTER RIGHTEOUSNESS but after SENSATIONALISM and SENTIMENTALISM.. The feminization of the american Church has not only turned our "worship" music into "hearing the brush of angels' wings"... it has turned us away from studying sound doctrine.. we have "baptized " Lassie the Dog stories.. and thats where we get our theology....

we do'nt need another book about someone saying they died, went to heaven and came back.... we need the Preaching of the Word, and the Work of the Holy Spirit who gives us a new heart.. I know that Heaven is real.. The One who gave His life for me is there... He tells me every day in His Word that He has gone to prepare a place for me.. if it were not so. He would have told me....

We do'nt need another "story" about someone who died and came back to life..... There is ONE who REALLy did that.. He is seated at the Right hand of God the Father Almighty.. He's not sitting on the couch with Brian and Gretchen and Steve....

SHARING THE GOSPEL AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS- The SUPPORT LETTERS WILL BE ARRIVING SOON!

It's about that time! The buttercups are no longer whispering! They ae standing TALL and they are SHOUTING! Reminding us that SPRING is on the WAY! Spring is the time when students start feeling the fever.. they are marking off the days .. anxious for the school year to end! Graduations, parties, cookouts.... the young people have a fever and the only prescription is :...???? NO.... NOT MORE COWBELL... the "restlessness" they feel can only be relieved by a MISSION TRIP.... Yep... it's the truth... Lots and lots of people will be sending YOU a letter.... asking you to PRAY and TO CONTRIBUTE... and YOU should feel privileged that you can participate... The money that you give will be used to touch someone's heart with God's Love... Thats ALWAYS a wonderful thing.... it's NEVER a bad thing.... send the envelope back.. with a check enclosed( give up the Starbucks for a couple of weeks and put that money to good use in the Kingdom of God) and by all means PRAY that the Lord will use the young people of the church in fulfilling the Great Commission!It's also important to lift up the Mission Trip leaders and Pastors.... they have a tough job....

As you pray for the Mission Trip leaders, Pastors, and participants, ask God to do the following:

1.) Pray that the leaders will make sure that ALL MISSION TRIP participants have BEEN BAPTIZED, and that they are communing members of the local Church.. It's not good to be carrying out the Great Comission .. if you have not received ALL the BLESSINGS associated with the GREAT COMMISSION! Leaders... let me ask you something.. IS BAPTISM IMPORTANT??? Jesus said it IS.. IS Church MEMBERSHIP important??? I think we know the answer.. Baptism and Church membership should be THE PRIMARY requirements for Mission Trip participation

2.) Pray that everyone that participates in a Mission Trip will believe God will do GREAT THINGS ! Lives WILL be changed because they show God's Love to others!" Did I not tell you that if you would believe, you would see the Glory Of God"

3.) Pray for youth group teams who will be working with children this summer on their mission trips.. many of you have seen the photos of children that mission teams work with every summer.. you know the stories behind the photos... so many children dont have loving parents, they do'nt have anyone to really love them.. If the young people of your church are going to work with children this summer... they need LOTS of prayers and encouragement...

4.) Pray that the the youth will understand that there are children RIGHT HERE.. in their OWN CHURCH who NEED THEM... the Lord Jesus wants them to use their gifts to minister to the children in their own local congregation... It's important to go to Judea, Samaria,and the ends of the earth to share the Gospel and build relationships... but how bout HERE?? in your " Jerusalem"??? let me ask you this ,young person- when's the last time you worked in the nursery??? when's the last time you helped out with Children's Church?? When's the last time you stopped in the hallway at church to say hello to a little one??? They NEED YOU.. and you NEED to share your gifts with them... When you come back from your mission trip this summer... start looking for ways to bless the children of your OWN church:)

well..... thats about all the crumbs from this poor man's table that I could find.... remember, I am praying for all of you.. Pray for me.... and pray for the children....everywhere.......