Heaven: clouds and sky and beautiful
things above us
things above us
the gathering
| And God said, "Let there be space between the waters, to separate water from water." And so it was. God made the space to separate the waters above from the waters below. And God called the space "sky." This happened on the second day. -- Genesis 1:6-8 |
| The thick, almost malleable, light at sunset, especially at the onset of autumn is beautiful in a way that seems almost tangible. The harvest colors and the light merge as one magnificent spectrum of pure gold. God rules! |
| heavenly |
These clouds are dense
little critters that feel
more like rocks to the
eye than water vapor.
little critters that feel
more like rocks to the
eye than water vapor.
toward Albuquerque, New Mexico on Ste Rte 550
Heaven: clouds and sky and beautiful
things above us
things above us
| Behind the stage at Ohio's Illumination Festival is the reminder of God's presence ... His command in Genesis, "Let there be light." |
| Heaven is here, it is there, and it is then ... |
| When I think about God and contemplate whether or not there is a God, all I have to do is look up at His grand panorama and there is absolutely no doubt: God has created a most awesome backdrop for the human condition. |
Milford, Ohio one Friday morning
in November
in November
| it is now. |
Christ is King
| morning has broken like the first day |
going home
| sackcloth sun? |
| Revelation 6:12 at the opening of the Sixth Seal the sun was dark as sackcloth and the moon became like blood. (This gives me that feeling). |
| Look closely ... does God have Venetian blinds in heaven? |
Moreover, the light of
the moon will be like the
light of the sun, and the
light of the sun will be
sevenfold, like the light
of seven days
[concentrated in one], in
the day that the Lord
binds up the hurt of His
people, and heals their
wound [inflicted by Him
because of their sins].
--Isaiah 30:26
the moon will be like the
light of the sun, and the
light of the sun will be
sevenfold, like the light
of seven days
[concentrated in one], in
the day that the Lord
binds up the hurt of His
people, and heals their
wound [inflicted by Him
because of their sins].
--Isaiah 30:26
Moon:
the lesser
light to rule
the night.
--Genesis 1:16
the lesser
light to rule
the night.
--Genesis 1:16
| These are truly beautiful things ... has anyone ever given you something this beautiful without strings or conditions attached? I bet not. Praise be to our God forever and ever! |
Dear God,
Heavenly
Father, Lord
of Hosts ...
I ask you to
bless each
one who
looks to the
stars each
night hoping
to find a
caring
friend, a
gentle lover,
overdue
justice, a
moment of
laughter,
and some
undeserved
joy ...
I ask that
these
prayers
might be
answered in
due time,
and that you
would
deliver that
gift by the
hand of an
angel.
Dear God, I
thank You,
in Your
name, the
name of
your Son,
Jesus
Christ, and
in the Holy
Spirit (+).
Amen.
Heavenly
Father, Lord
of Hosts ...
I ask you to
bless each
one who
looks to the
stars each
night hoping
to find a
caring
friend, a
gentle lover,
overdue
justice, a
moment of
laughter,
and some
undeserved
joy ...
I ask that
these
prayers
might be
answered in
due time,
and that you
would
deliver that
gift by the
hand of an
angel.
Dear God, I
thank You,
in Your
name, the
name of
your Son,
Jesus
Christ, and
in the Holy
Spirit (+).
Amen.
dear God, thank you for the reminder.
with all of the problems lately, I had
forgotten how close you really are. I
needed to know that there really is a
light shining in my darkness.
with all of the problems lately, I had
forgotten how close you really are. I
needed to know that there really is a
light shining in my darkness.
What came into
existence was
Life, and Life was
Light to live by.
The Life-Light
blazed out of the
darkness; the
darkness couldn't
put it out.
The Life-Light
was the real
thing: Every
person entering
Life He brings
into Light.
--Gospel of John
chapter 1 from The
Message
existence was
Life, and Life was
Light to live by.
The Life-Light
blazed out of the
darkness; the
darkness couldn't
put it out.
The Life-Light
was the real
thing: Every
person entering
Life He brings
into Light.
--Gospel of John
chapter 1 from The
Message
Addendum to wk6 Meditation 2008
One of my friends, who received lesson wk6, challenged me on the
notion that Israel remained a chosen people. I felt that it was true,
believed it to be true, but needed to confirm my suspicion that God
did not revoke His blessing even in light of Christ’s rejection by
Israel’s leadership. It occurred to me that the Hebrew tribes were not
left behind nor did they cease to exist as an anointed people, even
when Christ was sacrificed for all mankind’s sin. The historic break
in God’s silence did, however, allow for Gentiles to partake (through
grace) in the blessing that God had previously withheld for the
nation of Israel alone.
This is hard to understand in light of what we have been taught, but
if anyone would be able to articulate that perspective, it would be
Paul who was a Jew, persecuted Christians, and met Christ face to
face, as it were. This is what he has to say, and in addition, I have
included what others have to say on the subject. I have corrected a
couple of errors and a misuse of terms in the original lesson, which I
will resend.
I appreciate this dialogue because it enables me to grow. I took
special steps to confirm this finding with another believer who had
the same passage revealed to her aunt after “not seeing it” during
daily readings for many years. The Spirit is at work in these last
days as evidenced by these seemingly coincidental discoveries. I
make every effort to support what I say with Scripture, and leading of
the Holy Spirit, whether through me personally or through others. If
you have read any of my research you know that I am dedicated to
the consensus method where more than one source is available.
Romans 11:17 Now if some of the branches were broken off, and
you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them, and
have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree,
11:18 do not brag that you are better than those branches. But if
you do brag--you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.
11:19 Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might
be grafted in."
11:20 True enough; they were broken off by unbelief, but you
stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not
spare you either.
11:22 Therefore, consider God's kindness and severity: severity
toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness toward you--if you
remain in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
11:23 And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be
grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again.
11:24 For if you were cut off from your native wild olive, and
against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much
more will these--the natural branches--
11:25 So that you will not be conceited, brothers, I do not want you
to be unaware of this mystery: a partial hardening has come to Israel
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
11:26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
The Liberator will come from Zion; He will turn away
godlessness from Jacob.
11:27 And this will be My covenant with them, when I take
away their sins.
11:28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage,
but regarding election,
11:29 since God's gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.
11:30 As you once disobeyed God, but now have received mercy
through their disobedience,
11:31 so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you,
so that they also now may receive mercy.
(eSword c.2005 Holman Translation)
One of my friends, who received lesson wk6, challenged me on the
notion that Israel remained a chosen people. I felt that it was true,
believed it to be true, but needed to confirm my suspicion that God
did not revoke His blessing even in light of Christ’s rejection by
Israel’s leadership. It occurred to me that the Hebrew tribes were not
left behind nor did they cease to exist as an anointed people, even
when Christ was sacrificed for all mankind’s sin. The historic break
in God’s silence did, however, allow for Gentiles to partake (through
grace) in the blessing that God had previously withheld for the
nation of Israel alone.
This is hard to understand in light of what we have been taught, but
if anyone would be able to articulate that perspective, it would be
Paul who was a Jew, persecuted Christians, and met Christ face to
face, as it were. This is what he has to say, and in addition, I have
included what others have to say on the subject. I have corrected a
couple of errors and a misuse of terms in the original lesson, which I
will resend.
I appreciate this dialogue because it enables me to grow. I took
special steps to confirm this finding with another believer who had
the same passage revealed to her aunt after “not seeing it” during
daily readings for many years. The Spirit is at work in these last
days as evidenced by these seemingly coincidental discoveries. I
make every effort to support what I say with Scripture, and leading of
the Holy Spirit, whether through me personally or through others. If
you have read any of my research you know that I am dedicated to
the consensus method where more than one source is available.
Romans 11:17 Now if some of the branches were broken off, and
you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them, and
have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree,
11:18 do not brag that you are better than those branches. But if
you do brag--you do not sustain the root, but the root sustains you.
11:19 Then you will say, "Branches were broken off so that I might
be grafted in."
11:20 True enough; they were broken off by unbelief, but you
stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not
spare you either.
11:22 Therefore, consider God's kindness and severity: severity
toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness toward you--if you
remain in His kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
11:23 And even they, if they do not remain in unbelief, will be
grafted in, because God has the power to graft them in again.
11:24 For if you were cut off from your native wild olive, and
against nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much
more will these--the natural branches--
11:25 So that you will not be conceited, brothers, I do not want you
to be unaware of this mystery: a partial hardening has come to Israel
until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
11:26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
The Liberator will come from Zion; He will turn away
godlessness from Jacob.
11:27 And this will be My covenant with them, when I take
away their sins.
11:28 Regarding the gospel, they are enemies for your advantage,
but regarding election,
11:29 since God's gracious gifts and calling are irrevocable.
11:30 As you once disobeyed God, but now have received mercy
through their disobedience,
11:31 so they too have now disobeyed, resulting in mercy to you,
so that they also now may receive mercy.
(eSword c.2005 Holman Translation)
... and he sent out a raven, and it
flew here and it flew there until the
water was dried up from the earth.
-- Genesis 8:7
flew here and it flew there until the
water was dried up from the earth.
-- Genesis 8:7
| Is this what it will look like when the stars from the heavens fall to the earth at the end of days? |
... and the lesser light to rule the
night.
-- Genesis 1:16
night.
-- Genesis 1:16
Are you headed toward the light?
| south of Chicago (Naperville) |
angels of a lesser god?
Orlando
heav·en
Pronunciation: \he'-vən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English heven, from Old
English heofon; akin to Old High German
himil heaven
Date: before 12th century
1) the expanse of space that seems to be
over the earth like a dome : firmament —
usually used in plural
2) a) often capitalized : the dwelling place of
the Deity and the blessed dead b.): a
spiritual state of everlasting communion
with God
3) capitalized : see GOD
4) a place or condition of utmost happiness
5) Christian Science : a state of thought in
which sin is absent and the harmony of
divine Mind is manifest
Pronunciation: \he'-vən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English heven, from Old
English heofon; akin to Old High German
himil heaven
Date: before 12th century
1) the expanse of space that seems to be
over the earth like a dome : firmament —
usually used in plural
2) a) often capitalized : the dwelling place of
the Deity and the blessed dead b.): a
spiritual state of everlasting communion
with God
3) capitalized : see GOD
4) a place or condition of utmost happiness
5) Christian Science : a state of thought in
which sin is absent and the harmony of
divine Mind is manifest
heav·en
Pronunciation: \he'-vən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English heven, from Old
English heofon; akin to Old High German
himil heaven
Date: before 12th century
1) the expanse of space that seems to be
over the earth like a dome : firmament —
usually used in plural
2) a) often capitalized : the dwelling place of
the Deity and the blessed dead b.): a
spiritual state of everlasting communion
with God
3) capitalized : see GOD
4) a place or condition of utmost happiness
5) Christian Science : a state of thought in
which sin is absent and the harmony of
divine Mind is manifest
Pronunciation: \he'-vən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English heven, from Old
English heofon; akin to Old High German
himil heaven
Date: before 12th century
1) the expanse of space that seems to be
over the earth like a dome : firmament —
usually used in plural
2) a) often capitalized : the dwelling place of
the Deity and the blessed dead b.): a
spiritual state of everlasting communion
with God
3) capitalized : see GOD
4) a place or condition of utmost happiness
5) Christian Science : a state of thought in
which sin is absent and the harmony of
divine Mind is manifest
This is love of a very special order. But
so is the ability to sit back and
appreciate the wonder of every created
thing. The mere thought of death
somehow makes every blessing vivid,
every happiness more luminous and
intense. We may not know how our
contest with sickness will end, but we
have felt the ineluctable touch of God.
What is man that Thou art mindful of
him? We don't know much, but we
know this: No matter where we are, no
matter what we do, no matter how
bleak or frightening our prospects,
each and every one of us who believe,
each and every day, lies in the same
safe and impregnable place - in the
hollow of God's hand.
--Tony Snow
Presidential Press Secretary 2008
so is the ability to sit back and
appreciate the wonder of every created
thing. The mere thought of death
somehow makes every blessing vivid,
every happiness more luminous and
intense. We may not know how our
contest with sickness will end, but we
have felt the ineluctable touch of God.
What is man that Thou art mindful of
him? We don't know much, but we
know this: No matter where we are, no
matter what we do, no matter how
bleak or frightening our prospects,
each and every one of us who believe,
each and every day, lies in the same
safe and impregnable place - in the
hollow of God's hand.
--Tony Snow
Presidential Press Secretary 2008
heaven: the hollow of God's hand
heaven on earth somewhere east of Toledo, OH on Rte 90
The following is from a dear friend who I finally convinced, after
about a year, to put her "dream" in written form ... because when
she told me about it she spoke in the present tense ... as though
it had been one of those real, literal, altering events that she had
experienced the previous night, not years ago. I believe, as she
does, that it was a meeting, not a dream. I am convinced that this
is what heaven must be like, and that it will touch someone who is
searching for a connection. Amen <><
Here you go Sean -
I am not sure what to call my experience, a dream, a
vision; whatever title you want to put on it, all I know is
that it was a beautiful experience. It occurred several
years ago, while I was sleeping. The setting was in a
medium sized room with high ceilings. There was an
ornate large charge in the middle of the room. The
opening to the room was behind the chair cover with
fabric instead of a door. There seemed to be people or
the murmur or essence of other people behind the
fabric. If you are looking at the chair, to the left stood a
person, I’m not sure; but I got the feeling I knew them. I
was sitting on the floor in front of the chair, left of
center. Jesus was sitting in the chair. He was dressed,
as I had seen him many times in the movie Jesus of
Nazareth, an off-white robe of rough type material. He
had brown hair to his shoulders, a partial type beard.
He had a sense of calmness and peace about him. I
seemed to sense other people in the room in front of the
chair, out of sight. I remember looking up at Jesus and
he looked down at me. He raised his hand and laid it
lightly on the top of my head and said “it will be OK”, I
can’t remember now if he said my name or not. However,
I remember waking up that morning with a sense of acute
wonder and happiness inside me. I wasn’t going through
anything stressful in my life at that time, I must think he
was talking about my life in general was going to be OK.
Some will say it was just a dream, I don’t think so. No, I
know it was not a dream, but a meeting. I met Jesus and
will always remember his words to me and the touch of
his hand on my head. Through the years I have told
only a handful of people about my experience, people I
felt I could trust. This was a very personal experience to
me, which I shared with only special friends. Through
one of those friends, I have been asked to let him share
it with others through my writing it down. I feel it is now
time to do that. I realize how blessed I am to have this
experience, but truthfully I am greedy and hope he
comes to me again in my dreams.
Sean, persistence is definitely your middle name.
God Bless,
D.
about a year, to put her "dream" in written form ... because when
she told me about it she spoke in the present tense ... as though
it had been one of those real, literal, altering events that she had
experienced the previous night, not years ago. I believe, as she
does, that it was a meeting, not a dream. I am convinced that this
is what heaven must be like, and that it will touch someone who is
searching for a connection. Amen <><
Here you go Sean -
I am not sure what to call my experience, a dream, a
vision; whatever title you want to put on it, all I know is
that it was a beautiful experience. It occurred several
years ago, while I was sleeping. The setting was in a
medium sized room with high ceilings. There was an
ornate large charge in the middle of the room. The
opening to the room was behind the chair cover with
fabric instead of a door. There seemed to be people or
the murmur or essence of other people behind the
fabric. If you are looking at the chair, to the left stood a
person, I’m not sure; but I got the feeling I knew them. I
was sitting on the floor in front of the chair, left of
center. Jesus was sitting in the chair. He was dressed,
as I had seen him many times in the movie Jesus of
Nazareth, an off-white robe of rough type material. He
had brown hair to his shoulders, a partial type beard.
He had a sense of calmness and peace about him. I
seemed to sense other people in the room in front of the
chair, out of sight. I remember looking up at Jesus and
he looked down at me. He raised his hand and laid it
lightly on the top of my head and said “it will be OK”, I
can’t remember now if he said my name or not. However,
I remember waking up that morning with a sense of acute
wonder and happiness inside me. I wasn’t going through
anything stressful in my life at that time, I must think he
was talking about my life in general was going to be OK.
Some will say it was just a dream, I don’t think so. No, I
know it was not a dream, but a meeting. I met Jesus and
will always remember his words to me and the touch of
his hand on my head. Through the years I have told
only a handful of people about my experience, people I
felt I could trust. This was a very personal experience to
me, which I shared with only special friends. Through
one of those friends, I have been asked to let him share
it with others through my writing it down. I feel it is now
time to do that. I realize how blessed I am to have this
experience, but truthfully I am greedy and hope he
comes to me again in my dreams.
Sean, persistence is definitely your middle name.
God Bless,
D.
| looks like a nebula or something kinda spacey ... not Kevin ... but maybe a little. |
| both taken at the REO Speedwagon concert in August 2008. funny stuff in the sky: geese along the wire and a very lite craft buzzing by ... maybe getting a free listen? |
| we are one day closer to glory --Thanks Matt S. |
Heaven: fields of gold and skies
of pure cobalt and opal.
of pure cobalt and opal.
This one isn't mine ... it's a Hubble Telescope photo taken
in 2006 and released on 11/13/08. It shows a planet
orbiting it's parent star, but doesn't it look remarkably
like the Eye of God?
in 2006 and released on 11/13/08. It shows a planet
orbiting it's parent star, but doesn't it look remarkably
like the Eye of God?
| these photos were taken a couple of minutes apart at the balloon festival in 2009. they are so ethereal and yet so heavy. if this is what heaven is like, i can't wait. |
