Dream of a door

image found at http://www.thechinabeat.org/?p=2520

In a dream this morning

my attention was caught

by an old stone building

the solid gray wall, empty

but for one closed door

high, second story

without steps

I stared, puzzled

and sensed an inner voice

there are some doors not ready to be opened yet

The image lingered, and I pondered this with the Lord.

My spirit resonates with His reply

what you saw is true, true indeed

but remember, I can create stairs at any time

But I’ll take the hand of those who don’t know the way, who can’t see where they’re going. 

I’ll be a personal guide to them, directing them through unknown country. 

I’ll be right there to show them what roads to take, make sure they don’t fall into the ditch. 

These are the things I’ll be doing for them—sticking with them, not leaving them for a minute. Isaiah 42:16 The Message

 

My Journey to Heaven by M. Besteman

I don't spend great amounts of time thinking about the specifics of heaven.  I know that I know that I cannot begin to imagine it.  When I was given the opportunity to read Marvin Besteman's story, I couldn't resist.  Besteman was in the hospital after surgery to remove a pancreatic tumor.  He was in horrific pain.  He wanted nothing more than to escape the misery for awhile.

The back cover promises:

In My Journey to Heaven What I Saw and How It Changed My Life, Marv Besteman shares the true story of his experience of heaven with astounding detail. You'll meet the angels who accompanied him to the gate, overhear his conversation with St. Peter, and feel the joy as he recognizes friends and family members who touched his life.

I'm not sure what I was expecting, I suppose I thought I would learn something extraordinary.  Nothing in Besteman's words surprised me or seemed to share anything new.  There wasn't anything in his story that convinced me that he had really experienced what he says he experienced, and I am left feeling bad for all my doubting.  Was he dreaming, imagining, drawing on what he had seen and heard in his years of life?

There is much talk of Peter who he met at the gate to heaven; a gate made of dark wood, not pearls; dressed like the fisherman we read of in the gospel, with shaggy hair, not flowing robes and white tresses.  Peter had always been Besteman's favorite Bible character and I myself wouldn't mind the opportunity to stand in his presence and chat over what life with Jesus felt like from his perspective.  I truly wish I could grab hold of what this story shares and accept it as some sort of truth, not just Besteman's personal experience.

Somehow I think God just wants me to wait and see for myself, whenever that time comes.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The opinions I have expressed are my own.


 

Hazardous Faith

I’m sharing the following previously posted poem about My Hazardous Faith Story as part of a synchroblog connected with the release of Ed Cyzewski and Derek Cooper’s new book Hazardous: Committing to the Cost of Following Jesus.

Dreaming big and surrendering my will for His is the most dangerous thing I've ever done.  It can lead me anywhere, but never out of His sight!

To dream big dreams

and live them

instead of casting them aside

as foolish

or unattainable

this is walking with the Lord

To learn to silence

voices that hinder

voices that crush

voices that press in hard

voices that speak "can't"

this too is walking with the Lord

To breathe deep

dive deep

search out the deep

deep places

in a heart crafted

ever molded

by His hand

to know His heart

is deeper still

yes, walking with the Lord

To stand brave

in the rain of His revelation

knowing

I am nothing

apart

and everything

in Him

every other dream

becomes brightly possible

in His light

and every other dream

fades and is humbled

next to the dream

of true abiding

walking with, beside

and in my Lord.

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.  John 15:4 Amplified

Come read more and share your own hazardous faith story at Ed's place here

 

What's beyond?

Can I reach beyond what I already know. Can I release my imagination, allow it to expand? I know that I know that God is much bigger than my thoughts of Him, and that life is in His hands. I want to move into the new things He is creating, walk paths He has chosen. Already I have lived through things I never could have dreamed of ... and more waits around each corner.

May I have the patience to wait until He says go and the obedience to move without question. There is a history behind me, of failures and successes, hurts and triumphs, laughter and tears. There is also the taste and touch and smell of this present moment, the realness of what I can hold in my hand – just now.

Yet there is more. There is the beyond that I can not perceive. All I know is He is in it, so that is where I want to be.

Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]--To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
 Ephesians 3:20-21 Amplified

Joining Lisa-Jo @ Gypsy Mama and others talking about beyond

also linking to Laura @ Beholding Glory for Brag on God Friday


 

Dream big

Murchison Falls, Uganda - we dream of returning to Africa

To dream big dreams
and live them
instead of casting them aside
as foolish
or unattainable
this is walking with the Lord

To learn to silence
voices that hinder
voices that crush
voices that press in hard
voices that speak "can't"
this too is walking with the Lord

To breathe deep
dive deep
search out the deep
deep places
in a heart crafted
ever molded
by His hand
to know His heart
is deeper still
yes, walking with the Lord

To stand brave
in the rain of His revelation
knowing
I am nothing
apart
and everything
in Him
every other dream
becomes brightly possible
in His light
and every other dream
fades and is humbled
next to the dream
of true abiding
walking with, beside
and in my Lord.

Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.  John 15:4 Amplified



Jamming with Bonnie as she asks us to write about God sized dreams