Sunday, April 17, 2011

Sun Day (a few days delayed)

I've been rather industrious this Sunday morning. I got up early-ish (for a Sunday) and have, so far, done three loads of laundry, washed and vacuumed my truck, and raked the fallen pine cone bits that the tree in my backyard continues to shed. Did I mention that I first had two cups of coffee?

If you know me at all--even if only by your reading here--you know that I do my best thinking when engaged in these kinds of work. So this morning I thought about these things, amongst many others.


-Regret.
I really don't like it when people say, "I have no regrets". To me, these are people who either haven't lived or are lying to themselves. Now, of course, I don't suggest that a person spends much time in a state of regret (I hear it's bigger than Alaska), but to imply that there is no room for it suggests that I have done everything right--always. I've done things I regret. I've said things I regret. Circumstances have handed me things which I regret. I have handed circumstances things that I regret. These are some of the very reasons I love Christ. He forgives me, even for things that I regret.

-Hell.
While I realize that hell is a real, physical place where weeping and waling and gnashing of teeth will prevail, I also know that the physical pain will only be the minor part of the torment. Where the real torture will occur, I believe, is in the mind and heart. Imagine being reminded constantly of all the times you rejected the message of God's love. Imagine the feeling inside of realizing that your sins are not forgiven. And they could have been. Imagine not having one more last chance to love. THAT is hell.

-Clouds.
No two are ever the same...even for a second. They rise from the ocean or the river or the field or the grass in your yard. They are directionless except for the wind's prevailing guidance. They form exclusively to fall again. They are cursed in the winter, praised in the summer. And vice-versa, depending on whom or what they cover. They are transient gifts from God himself. Thank Him for clouds for without them we would surely die.

4 comments:

Lori said...

I agree about regrets. We all make mistakes and regretting them shows that we realize the error of our ways and are able to learn and move on to better choices.

I think that Hell is basically a state of non-existance. After death, there is no eternal life...there is simply nothing.

And you know I'm a cloud girl - one of my most favorite things!

Hope you are well. And I'll be writing...

Anonymous said...

I know this…that more important than knowing hell is a real place is to know that heaven is for real. God has set eternity in our hearts. We long for things to get better, to improve--for an eternal life where things and relationships do not break and fall apart. Our greatest affliction, then, is homesickness. A longing for the home He is preparing for us. A real home--not some place in the clouds. A place where dreams we did not realize here will ultimately be fulfilled. Jesus resurrects all things. The time of restoration and renewal lies ahead. Look forward.

Our pastor, Dr. Dave White just preached an awesome series of sermons on heaven (www.northpark.com) and there is a great book out now, "Heaven is for Real," by Todd Burpo.

God Bless, Mom C.

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Tim Dorsey said...

"The road to paradise is paved with regret."

- H.L. Bubbly