Msgr Pope ping
I hear about people longing for heaven every day on the TV. Usually right before they blow themselves up.
I know I am so unworthy of heaven. Only by reliance on the atonement of Jesus sacrificial death and resurrection and free gift of salvation can be relied upon.
Missing out on entering heaven is the greatest tragedy anyone can experience forever.
That is one of the reasons why I admire the true stories of people who have had what are called “near death experiences” or NDE’s.
BINGO!
Fans of Everybody Loves Raymond may recall the episode where Ray sits down with his 8 y/o daughter to address the question of where babies come from. Actually, Allie's question, though similar, was quite different: "If we all go to Heaven when we die, then why does God want us here first? Why does God want us here? Yeah, why? Why are we here, Daddy?" Not surprisingly, Ray had no idea.
Poor catechesis, Ping!
Everybody wants to go to Heaven, just nobody wants to go now!!! Except me!
All kidding aside, once you have experienced Heaven and return here to this realm, you feel so empty it is as though your closest friend died and ripped your heart out in the process.
I died from meningitis in 1988 and experienced Heaven. Not only did it eliminate my fear of death, it caused me to greatly miss the feeling of being in God’s radiance. No longer did I want to be here in earth. It truly is like finding the treasure buried in the field. Here it is, over twenty five years later and I still remember the experience as though it is a current experience.
Recently I was deep in prayer and crying, begging God to allow me to return to His radiance and experience His Love again as I miss it so much. His voice immediately responded, “Love me in all the people around you.”
There is an important lesson in life!
When we are full of ourselves we have no room for God. When we are empty, nothing can fill the void except God.
When a society equates sin with enjoyment, it’s hard for people to view Heaven (as traditionally taught) as anything other than the deprivation of all that they care most about. There’s nothing appealing except to continue the present life, but with fewer constraints.
As for me, my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.
Preachers are generally tainted to begin with. Don’t forget — Jesus warned us about scribes. Guess who ‘educates’ most preachers and priests?
They need to read David Limbaugh’s book and learn about the miraculous side of God. Without modern day miracles, the church is dead.
"...Teach me to realize that this world is passing, That my true future is the happiness of heaven, That life on earth is short, And the life to come eternal.
Help me to prepare for death With a proper fear of judgment, But a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death To the endless joy of heaven. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen."
In his spiritual autobiography, "Surprised By Joy," CS Lewis indicated that one of the principle driving forces behind his turning away from atheism and paganism was the hunger for the eternal. Lewis reasoned that all human longings and desires (i.e. hunger, thirst, sex, etc.) could be either distorted or perverted into dreadful sin, but were also placed within us to serve a higher purpose when properly fulfilled. Lewis suggested that our Creator would not imbue us with a desire and longing for Heaven, or at least an innate curiosity about the afterlife if there were no means of fulfilling it.
It was such a strong theme of Lewis's that Brooke Fraser wrote her aptly titled, "CS Lewis Song." Here's a cover with the lyrics...
I thought that only angels and the saints, and perhaps a few visitors (Elijah, John), were allowed into heaven.
People are more concerned with ice bucket challenges and running for this and that and wearing pink stuff.
Why should people long for eternal life when government right here right now gives them “benefits” and they don’t have to stop sleeping with their “significant other” in order to qualify for them.
Well, all you have to do is almost die and deal with a chronic, untreatable health condition, and that all changes pretty quickly.
The book, which I do recommend, “Heaven Is For Real” is one little boy’s experience of Heaven, even for a brief time.
A related social illness is the reluctance to express a desire for sainthood in this life. Anyone making steps to holier life is confronted with a “holier than thou” epithet, for some strange reason thought to be derogatory.
I’m not impatient.
Several months ago, I had a dream. I haven’t spoken of it to many people, because I am unsure if what I dreamt was ... consistent with theology.
Unlike most of my other dreams, when I awoke (immediately afterward), it was as vivid as if I were still there, and even now, when I think of it. Um, yeah.
I’m not even sure how much I’d characterize it as one or three dreams. At least there were three phases.
The first part, I would only characterize as I (and others) were called up to meet Christ in the air. I remember rising up to meet the Lord and looking around and seeing some of my family members there too, among many others.
Then, we were all in His presence, and singing the Lord’s praises along with the angels. I can’t think of any way to describe it, except transcendent.
Finally, we were sent back to Earth to (reign?) (share the gospel?) (I’m not really sure, but something important).
And that’s why, to a certain extent, I have some difficulties with this dream. I am unsure that parts of it pass theological (or eschatological) muster, but at the same time, when I remember that part about being in the presence of the Lord, I can’t help but wish that I could be there soon.
Heaven is more than just a place.
Western Civilization is dying. It follows that Christianity, which is an integral part of our Civilization is dying as well. A great period of unbelief is upon us and shall become deeper. See the end of Classical Civilization of which most of its people did not believe in their formal religion.
Charles isn’t around many “suicidal Rapturists”, I guess. They want outta here!
Lol, I admit that I do too. Even so, come Lord Jesus!
A journey to heaven, hell, purgatory (Catholic Caucus)
Heaven Is Best Left to the Imagination
The Last Four Things
The Bible tells us those in heaven are alive. (Ecumenical)
What does Heaven Cost? A Meditation on the Gospel for the 28th Sunday of the Year
Heaven For 21 Minutes: Local Couple Tells of Afterlife Experience [Protestant Sees Purgatory]
Radio Replies Second Volume - Heaven
HEAVEN: WHY ARE PEOPLE SO HAPPY THERE? [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
[Ecumenical] Lent through Eastertide - Divine Mercy Diary Exerpts: Heaven
What Is Heaven Really Like? [Ecumenical]
When Was the Last Time You Meditated on Heaven? That Long?! Try This.
The Sinner's Guide - Ch 9. The Ninth Motive for Practicing Virtue: The Thought of Heaven
Pope speaks with priests from his diocese about Heaven and Hell
STUNG BY MOST VENOMOUS OF CREATURES, MAN SAYS HE ENCOUNTERED 'LIGHT' OF LORD'
A Brief Catechism for Adults - Lesson 9: Heaven
Heaven and hell seem to be forgotten
Imagine there's a heaven
Limbo and the Hope of Salvation
Catholic Caucus: The Resurrection of the Dead
Resurrection Means a Glorious Existence