New Jerusalem

In the last few weeks, I've been introduced to a song that I cannot get out of my head.  The song is by Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, and it's called New Jerusalem.  You can see the words below:

If words could describe 

The longing in my heart 
For the place prepared for me 
When I think of Heaven's glory 
Awaiting the redeemed 
All within me rises up 
At the thought of what will be 

How I long for the new Jerusalem 
Just to see my Savior's face 
All my heart is in Jerusalem 
My home my resting place 

I've heard that the streets are paved with gold 
And the light there never fades 
I've heard of treasures to behold 
That words could not explain 
And the praise of the saints like an ocean 
Holy is the Lamb that was slain 

No more crying no more pain 
Every tear will be wiped away 
All suffering on earth will cease 
Forevermore at peace 
Jerusalem Jerusalem


As I've pondered these words, I've at the same time been studying Thessalonians, and 1 Thessalonians in particular has a theme of "Jesus is coming back!".  On top of that, we have been going through the book of Revelation at church on Sunday mornings, which is obviously about the end times and Christ's return.  So, 3 different things--all pointing to the end times and Jesus' return....


Whenever God decides to show me a message in more than one way, I know that it's usually time to pay attention.  In this instance, it has reminded me that this is not my home.  Though I know that, it is so easy to get caught up in the temporal rather than the eternal.  This world is hard, but there are still a lot of things I love about it--family, friends, my church, social media, TV shows, music, books, vacation spots....I could go on.  The point is, this world can get rather comfortable.  It becomes almost easy for me to hope for a long life rather than thinking about my eternal life--and the eternal lives of others.  I lose my focus.


Instead of thinking about if my neighbor knows Jesus, I think about the party I'm attending.  Instead of focusing on my eternal home with Jesus, I focus on what needs improved on my home on Earth.  I think sometimes it's hard to find a balance.  We're supposed to be in the world but not of the world.  Yet, the world is what we see and hear all day every day.  If we're not careful, we lose sight (or at least I do!) of our purpose.


You see, Jesus IS coming back.  He wins, and all those who believe in Him get to spend eternity with Him.  So, shouldn't I be focusing on that?  Shouldn't I want to reach those who don't know Him?  I might be the only chance they get to see Jesus.  And when I read the words above about seeing my Savior's face, no more crying, no more pain, I do long for the New Jerusalem.  I long to see my Jesus....but before I do, I want to make sure that my friends are going to see Him, too.


Do you know Him?  If you do, I can't wait to spend eternity praising Him with you!  If you aren't sure, I would love to talk with you about my Lord and Savior, Jesus.  He is the reason for everything.  He can fill that empty longing inside.  He can dry your tears.  And He is the only one who will never let you down.


How I long for the New Jerusalem....And how I long to be there with every one of you....

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

4 years ago we had our first child and buried our first child. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with in my life. One year ago we lost our 2nd child through miscarriage. The past years I have asked God "why" more than once. Although I have asked "why" I know that God has a plan and I may never know this side of heaven what His plan is but I remind myself that one day I will know exactly why our first two girls were called to heaven before we were.

1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds me that one day we will be face to face with Christ and we will be able to see his perspective and have the answers to our "whys". Can you imagine what that will be like. Finding out the answer to some of our questions? I like the the way "The Message" says this. "We don't yet see things clearly. We're squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won't be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We'll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!" 1 Corinthians 13:12. This reminds me of a song that was sang in the church I grew up in.

What A Day That Will Be

Words and Music: Jim Hill

There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

There’ll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be.

I mentioned in the beginning of this post about losing two precious children. There is now a National Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance Day each year on October 15th. On October 15th at 7:00 pm you can light a candle in memory of your baby/babies or a friends baby/babies that have gone before us. This is a video that was put together about October 15th and lighting a candle. The Early Angels Group at FBC has a special service each year and it is scheduled this year for October 18th at 11:00 am. Our guest speaker this year is Debbie Heydrick author of the "I'll Hold You In Heaven Remembrance Journal". For more information please email Early Angels at earlyangels@fbcmckinney.com

A Tiny Glimpse

There is no life... no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when You come, and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes I think I glimpse eternity
"You Raise Me Up"-- Selah

A picture can convey so many things: joy, sadness, fear, humor, pain. Pictures can document a child's growth through the years, or serve as evidence in court. Soldiers so often carry pictures of spouses or children into war... a reminder of what's worth fighting for, hope for a brighter day and happy reunions. Pictures are so valuable to all of us. How many thousands of photos did we see on television in the days following September 11, 2001? And as we've heard countless times, "A picture is worth a thousand words."

But can it really be possible to catch a glimpse into eternity by a look at one photograph?

I caught just such a glimpse last week. The occasion for the photo was indeed a happy one... dear friends of ours had a baby. The picture would be special in anybody's book. Mom & Dad in the delivery room, holding their newborn baby daughter. This picture represented even so much more.

Our friends had lost another precious baby girl several years earlier, and more recently also suffered a miscarriage. They had truly walked through fire. The grief had been staggering, the heartbreak indescribable. This new tiny baby was the answer to so many prayers. She represented life, hope, joy, a new beginning.

As joyful as this scene was, as believers we know that it also reminds us of so much more that is to come. My friends know that not only do they have their new blessing, but they will also be reunited one day with their children that went on to heaven before them.

There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place will be no more
We'll see Jesus face to face
"There Will Be A Day"-- Jeremy Camp

Years ago, I was trying to comfort a friend who'd lost his wife and young daughter when their car was struck by a drunk driver. I gave him an excerpt from a special book, "Things Unseen", by a pastor, Mark Buchanan. In it, he tells a story of a man whose wife ran away with their small daughter. This father searched and searched for his daughter, and never gave up hope of finding her again. When she became an adult, they were finally reunited. He was happy and relieved, but he always felt that something was missing. He was heartbroken over all the moments he'd lost with his little girl. Pastor Buchanan gently reminds us in the book that, as Christians, one day that father would get to tuck his daughter in at all those lost nightly story times; he'd get to be there for that first date, prom, college graduation, her wedding. Those moments were not lost forever. A day was coming when all would be restored.

"Behold! I am making all things new!" the Lord says in Revelation 21:5. As many different pastors have pointed out, God did not say "I am making all new things!". He sent Jesus for this very reason-- so that all things might be made new in Him.

Also in Revelation, the apostle John describes a new heaven and a new earth:

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

For the believer in Christ, life will be as it was created to be: the answer to all our deepest longings. A life where all is not forgotten... we don't just "start over". Instead all is renewed, resurrected, restored... all things are perfect, they are made new.

We are not longing for an unknown future. We are longing for a new past. Not just returning to September 10, 2001, but that day as a perfect day... all days as they were created to be lived.

And until that day comes, until Christ returns for us, we are so grateful for the reminders of what heaven will be like... the tiny glimpses along life's way.

The greatest love that anyone could ever know
That overcame the cross and grave to find my soul
And 'til I see You face to face, and grace amazing takes me home,
I'll trust in You.
"Till I See You"-- Hillsong United