For those Kindle and Mobipocket people, my latest release, Nudist Among Us, will be released in ebook form on the 29th of July.
At $3.99 a copy, it is a pretty good savings over the 13 dollar book price. Amazon and Mobipocket both have advanced downloads available now. If you decided this to try it and enjoy it, I would appreciate a return to the store for a review.
Thanks and thanks for sitting through the commercial.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Getting to the Meet and Potatoes
So, now you are the social person of the park. Everywhere you go, you find others calling you by name and the spring cookout grill is always under your control. Now what?
Well, you are getting to the meat of the situation. You are meeting the people where they eat. What you have to do is meet people where they live.
The basic needs for all of us are simple; food, a place to sleep, and the comfort of someone who cares for us. The greatest need we have is for God to cover us in His glory. Once we have that, our needs will be met.
If you are wondering how this relates to our discussion, the result of meeting a person's need gives you a voice to that person. Not some clattering sound of God's love and promise of some future peace, but a special voice that those people will hear and take to heart.
Every park, resort, or club has some special need that must be met by someone. Whether there are people having financial troubles, hurt feelings, or a need for someone to organize the local carnival, the key to getting a say in the community is to start meeting the needs of the people around you.So, now you are the social person of the park. Everywhere you go, you find others calling you by name and the spring cookout grill is always under your control. Now what?
Well, you are getting to the meat of the situation. You are meeting the people where they eat. What you have to do is meet people where they live.
The basic needs for all of us are simple; food, a place to sleep, and the comfort of someone who cares for us. The greatest need we have is for God to cover us in His glory. Once we have that, our needs will be met.
If you are wondering how this relates to our discussion, the result of meeting a person's need gives you a voice to that person. Not some clattering sound of God's love and promise of some future peace, but a special voice that those people will hear and take to heart.
Every park, resort, or club has some special need that must be met by someone. Whether there are people having financial troubles, hurt feelings, or a need for someone to organize the local carnival, the key to getting a say in the community is to start meeting the needs of the people around you.
Sound like last post? No, it is a more intense and direct approach. What I am talking about here is a formal way of meeting the needs of others through a group involvement. Yup! Other people working with you to meet the needs of the community.
Remember wayyyyy back when, when I started talking about building a church in a community, I said that you should find a partner, a co-worker to work with? Now is the time to cement this relationship. You probably have met many people who could do the job, but what you want to find is who God has in mind. Prayer and advice from a trusted friend or spouse would be a great place to start.
The fun thing about two people looking for volunteerss is that you have someone to talk to when you are not getting anywhere. Keep this in mind when you are hitting hard spots.
Now, we are to the point of feet and pavement meeting.
Once you have identified a person or group in need, start to meet the need. If you need to raise money, do it discreetly. If someone needs help fixing a house or other task, put together a team and do it.
What you have now done is found your prospective church members. the people who you can help will be open to what you have to say. The people who are part of the solution will also be willing to follow along with you on this adventure.
Well, till we blog again...
Well, you are getting to the meat of the situation. You are meeting the people where they eat. What you have to do is meet people where they live.
The basic needs for all of us are simple; food, a place to sleep, and the comfort of someone who cares for us. The greatest need we have is for God to cover us in His glory. Once we have that, our needs will be met.
If you are wondering how this relates to our discussion, the result of meeting a person's need gives you a voice to that person. Not some clattering sound of God's love and promise of some future peace, but a special voice that those people will hear and take to heart.
Every park, resort, or club has some special need that must be met by someone. Whether there are people having financial troubles, hurt feelings, or a need for someone to organize the local carnival, the key to getting a say in the community is to start meeting the needs of the people around you.So, now you are the social person of the park. Everywhere you go, you find others calling you by name and the spring cookout grill is always under your control. Now what?
Well, you are getting to the meat of the situation. You are meeting the people where they eat. What you have to do is meet people where they live.
The basic needs for all of us are simple; food, a place to sleep, and the comfort of someone who cares for us. The greatest need we have is for God to cover us in His glory. Once we have that, our needs will be met.
If you are wondering how this relates to our discussion, the result of meeting a person's need gives you a voice to that person. Not some clattering sound of God's love and promise of some future peace, but a special voice that those people will hear and take to heart.
Every park, resort, or club has some special need that must be met by someone. Whether there are people having financial troubles, hurt feelings, or a need for someone to organize the local carnival, the key to getting a say in the community is to start meeting the needs of the people around you.
Sound like last post? No, it is a more intense and direct approach. What I am talking about here is a formal way of meeting the needs of others through a group involvement. Yup! Other people working with you to meet the needs of the community.
Remember wayyyyy back when, when I started talking about building a church in a community, I said that you should find a partner, a co-worker to work with? Now is the time to cement this relationship. You probably have met many people who could do the job, but what you want to find is who God has in mind. Prayer and advice from a trusted friend or spouse would be a great place to start.
The fun thing about two people looking for volunteerss is that you have someone to talk to when you are not getting anywhere. Keep this in mind when you are hitting hard spots.
Now, we are to the point of feet and pavement meeting.
Once you have identified a person or group in need, start to meet the need. If you need to raise money, do it discreetly. If someone needs help fixing a house or other task, put together a team and do it.
What you have now done is found your prospective church members. the people who you can help will be open to what you have to say. The people who are part of the solution will also be willing to follow along with you on this adventure.
Well, till we blog again...
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Location: A Beginning
Last post, we talked about finding the right place to start, a place where God wanted you and how to know where to begin. this post is about making the path to opening a church.
Nothing in the beginning will be easy. You will be under a microscope for much of the beginning. Everyone will watch to see if you are truly something different, or just some fly-by-night shyster who has come to grab a few dollars and run.
To be honest, the beginning starts long before anyone knows you are looking to plant a church at their location. Paul always found a way to be part of the community and we must do the same thing. We must be part of the community before we can start to make changes as drastic as adding a church.
The best advice ever given to me is to be so important to a community that they ask you to start the church. To do this you must first:
1. Join the club. Be a member and be active at all the functions.
2. Be productive. Make being part of the community a priority in your life, so much so that you become part of the infrastructure. Join committees. Show up for work days. Volunteer for open house days. Take small, under appreciated jobs and do them well.
3. Make a place for yourself at the club so that when members think of the club, your name is near the top.
4. Make a point to help people in need. This sounds like something that needn't be said, but we miss this too often. Feed the hungry. Visit the sick. Begin praying for the health and welfare of the club and community.
5. Become so known and respected that when you say you want to start a church meeting at the park, they can't find a reason not to let you.
One special note. If you look at what I am suggesting, you will see a definite pattern to the work. For those who wish to have a better understanding about this, re-read Acts. Spend some time reading about Barnabus and Paul. This is what they did. I think it worked well.
Till another time...
Nothing in the beginning will be easy. You will be under a microscope for much of the beginning. Everyone will watch to see if you are truly something different, or just some fly-by-night shyster who has come to grab a few dollars and run.
To be honest, the beginning starts long before anyone knows you are looking to plant a church at their location. Paul always found a way to be part of the community and we must do the same thing. We must be part of the community before we can start to make changes as drastic as adding a church.
The best advice ever given to me is to be so important to a community that they ask you to start the church. To do this you must first:
1. Join the club. Be a member and be active at all the functions.
2. Be productive. Make being part of the community a priority in your life, so much so that you become part of the infrastructure. Join committees. Show up for work days. Volunteer for open house days. Take small, under appreciated jobs and do them well.
3. Make a place for yourself at the club so that when members think of the club, your name is near the top.
4. Make a point to help people in need. This sounds like something that needn't be said, but we miss this too often. Feed the hungry. Visit the sick. Begin praying for the health and welfare of the club and community.
5. Become so known and respected that when you say you want to start a church meeting at the park, they can't find a reason not to let you.
One special note. If you look at what I am suggesting, you will see a definite pattern to the work. For those who wish to have a better understanding about this, re-read Acts. Spend some time reading about Barnabus and Paul. This is what they did. I think it worked well.
Till another time...
Monday, July 13, 2009
Male Stupidity Syndrome
In what I consider to be part of the natural universe, I often come across men doing stupid things. This weekend was one of those not so rare times when I get to see the male population as if I am not part of it and explore some of the more unintelligent life here on earth.
At an open house for a nudist resort, I was able to see a group of visitors who came to visit the nudist resort without their wives. I am not sure how most of the rest of the male population is wired, but I would no more go to a nudist venue without my wife than I would go without my towel. As I see it, the mere fact the guys left their wives at home is a break in their marriage vowels.
Of the many married males coming to the open house, most did not want to give us contact information in case of emergencies. Being that most of them would have their wives as their In Case Of Emergency contact, I can only assume that most married men were there without their spouses knowing what they were doing. This is a shame.
Although these men are not necessarily under the rules and laws of God, it does bode poorly for our nudist world when a husband would be willing to head off to a nudist resort without his wife.
First off, he can never take her to that resort or park. He has already been there. When he arrives and they ask him if he has been there before, he has to say, Yes. Once he does, his wife is going to know that he broke his faith with her and she is going to associate the park with that breach.
Second, if the husband wanted to investigate the resort before taking his wife there, and I think this is a good policy, he would have no problem giving us his emergency contact information. he is starting out a relationship with the park under the basis of a lie. He has broken trust with the park and by association, caused his wife to break trust with the park.
The one male syndrome I see that irritates me the most is the partner swap specifically to enter the nudist parks. A male finds a willing female, not his wife, to enter the resort with. Not only does he deceive the park, his wife, and any people he meets, he causes another woman to come between him and his wife.
I am not the keeper of all men. I am not responsible for their decisions, but I certainly am responsible to my community. These men should be ashamed for depriving their spouses of the beauty and life in our communities.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get down from the soap box and place it back in my closet.
How do the rest of you feel?
At an open house for a nudist resort, I was able to see a group of visitors who came to visit the nudist resort without their wives. I am not sure how most of the rest of the male population is wired, but I would no more go to a nudist venue without my wife than I would go without my towel. As I see it, the mere fact the guys left their wives at home is a break in their marriage vowels.
Of the many married males coming to the open house, most did not want to give us contact information in case of emergencies. Being that most of them would have their wives as their In Case Of Emergency contact, I can only assume that most married men were there without their spouses knowing what they were doing. This is a shame.
Although these men are not necessarily under the rules and laws of God, it does bode poorly for our nudist world when a husband would be willing to head off to a nudist resort without his wife.
First off, he can never take her to that resort or park. He has already been there. When he arrives and they ask him if he has been there before, he has to say, Yes. Once he does, his wife is going to know that he broke his faith with her and she is going to associate the park with that breach.
Second, if the husband wanted to investigate the resort before taking his wife there, and I think this is a good policy, he would have no problem giving us his emergency contact information. he is starting out a relationship with the park under the basis of a lie. He has broken trust with the park and by association, caused his wife to break trust with the park.
The one male syndrome I see that irritates me the most is the partner swap specifically to enter the nudist parks. A male finds a willing female, not his wife, to enter the resort with. Not only does he deceive the park, his wife, and any people he meets, he causes another woman to come between him and his wife.
I am not the keeper of all men. I am not responsible for their decisions, but I certainly am responsible to my community. These men should be ashamed for depriving their spouses of the beauty and life in our communities.
Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get down from the soap box and place it back in my closet.
How do the rest of you feel?
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Standing on the Truth
Not everyone is supposed to start a nudist church. Some people are supposed to serve the textile world. Some are supposed to support the nudist pastors. And some are supposed to find their way in this world with a stiff upper lips and a frying pan sized dent in their forehead.
So, for the sake of argument, suppose all of us are ready to start a church. The first question you should be asking is where?
Where should I start this mission? The locations are numerous and the prospects of success are the same. If God wants you there, He will bless your ministry and the hard work you are about to begin will pay off. There are several points that make finding a good spot easier.
1. Is it close to home?
If you have to drive more than a few minutes to get to the mission field, you sill tire easily. There will be time when people are sick, dying, getting married, and needing to talk. Each time, you will have to travel in the area to meet these needs.
2. Is the management supportive?
If you can get the management to work with you, the battle is much easier. You will need a place to meet and most resorts have a club house. If you can use this space, you won't have to rent space. There will be not be any utilities, and the start up costs will be much lower.
3. Is there a need for your ministry?
Some places will not be open to the ministry. They won't want you to take part. This is the place God told us to shake the dust from our feet.
4. Can I make a difference in this location?
Finding a place in a community is important to your ministry. You have to be able to melt into the community and share their happiness, joy, and sorrow.
There are many other things that affect the decision as to where to locate, but these will help guide you into this process. For those wanting to take this task under their wings, let me suggest you spend a little time in Acts and Timothy and read about elders, bishops, and deacons. Know what you need to do and what your helpers need to do.
Ok, everyone have a location?
Claim them now.
I ask those of you who have people looking for a way to serve in one of these churches, but is not the person to lead, to pray and search out that leader.
From tracking this in google hits, I know we have about 75 people who read this blog. Of those, I suppose most have some resort or park they attend. If they do not, there may be one near them.
I figure every one of those 75 people have friends; let's say three, who are nudists at some other location. That means we have about 225 people who can suggest a location that coupld use a chapel and the fellowship that goes with it.
Let's see if we can come up with at least 5 valid locations where we can start to plan a church in their midst.
Now, for this to work, each person MUST respond with a comment to this blog. So, invite your friends. Research and find those locations. Make a joyful noise while you are doing it.
Or should I just sit down and shut up?
Till then.
So, for the sake of argument, suppose all of us are ready to start a church. The first question you should be asking is where?
Where should I start this mission? The locations are numerous and the prospects of success are the same. If God wants you there, He will bless your ministry and the hard work you are about to begin will pay off. There are several points that make finding a good spot easier.
1. Is it close to home?
If you have to drive more than a few minutes to get to the mission field, you sill tire easily. There will be time when people are sick, dying, getting married, and needing to talk. Each time, you will have to travel in the area to meet these needs.
2. Is the management supportive?
If you can get the management to work with you, the battle is much easier. You will need a place to meet and most resorts have a club house. If you can use this space, you won't have to rent space. There will be not be any utilities, and the start up costs will be much lower.
3. Is there a need for your ministry?
Some places will not be open to the ministry. They won't want you to take part. This is the place God told us to shake the dust from our feet.
4. Can I make a difference in this location?
Finding a place in a community is important to your ministry. You have to be able to melt into the community and share their happiness, joy, and sorrow.
There are many other things that affect the decision as to where to locate, but these will help guide you into this process. For those wanting to take this task under their wings, let me suggest you spend a little time in Acts and Timothy and read about elders, bishops, and deacons. Know what you need to do and what your helpers need to do.
Ok, everyone have a location?
Claim them now.
I ask those of you who have people looking for a way to serve in one of these churches, but is not the person to lead, to pray and search out that leader.
From tracking this in google hits, I know we have about 75 people who read this blog. Of those, I suppose most have some resort or park they attend. If they do not, there may be one near them.
I figure every one of those 75 people have friends; let's say three, who are nudists at some other location. That means we have about 225 people who can suggest a location that coupld use a chapel and the fellowship that goes with it.
Let's see if we can come up with at least 5 valid locations where we can start to plan a church in their midst.
Now, for this to work, each person MUST respond with a comment to this blog. So, invite your friends. Research and find those locations. Make a joyful noise while you are doing it.
Or should I just sit down and shut up?
Till then.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Hold it! Don't pay the ransom! I escaped!!!!
No, not really. I just took a small break that lasted a little longer than I expected. I have been working on some other writings and needed the time to stop and reflect on where this blog should go.
I started out to document the process of starting a new program at a nudist church. I wanted it to be a primer for what one could do to make a church available at every single nudist location in the USA. To that end, I have made some good suggestions, but the blog still lacks the specific instructions needed. So, in case someone out there in the fog wants to start a nudist church, here we go.
Over the next few posts, I am going to write a primer how to get one started. If there are people out there who want to know my credentials for such an undertaking, read through and decide for yourself.
First, however, some caveats.
1. Not all locations are the same. What works at this resort might not work at yours. Be prepared to adapt.
2. Not everyone is called to this ministry. Some are called in the support side. If you are called to support a person starting a new mission, you have the hardest job and the one with little recognition. I fancy there will be special dispensation in heaven, but I can't promise you that.
3. Not all locations will be open to a chapel or church. Deal with it. Move on if you are truly chosen to start a work.
4. Never, and again I say Never let Satan stop you from your appointed task, no matter how hard the going gets.
5. The only people who succeed are the ones who are willing to be bold and be seen. If this isn't you, God might have other plans for you.
6. Not every post will deal with this. I will still digress often.
Now... For the first installment.
The decision to start a community gathering of Christians should start with why we gather. First, God commands us not to forsake the assembly of believers. There is a strength in coming together and socializing. We are creatures that need each other to survive. The belief that we need to offer a place to converge and hold fast to one another in support and comfort is paramount to the Christian lifestyle.
"For where two or three are gathered, there am I also." When we assemble, we are closer to The Son than we could ever be alone. What other reason could we need? Well, how about this.
Most nudist parks are deserts of church support. A church is an assembly of believers who come together as a traditional village. The church supports its members from the cradle to the grave. In our parks and resorts today, there usually isn't anyone to be with the family members in a spiritual way when a baby is born. Or when one of the community gets married. Or when there is a death in the family.
Nudist communities are devoid of the basic support systems necessary for the human experience, that of love, pain, hurt, and sadness. The emotions of our existence can be handles outside of a church, but it is the church's job to do these things.
So, how do you proceed here? Prayer.
1. Pray that you are the person to do these things.
2. Pray for the knowledge to handle these problems as they arrive.
3. Make time for others to come in and pray with you.
4. Ask the churches around you to pray for this mission.
In all fairness, I didn't do this. I was wrong.
During this time, some of you will find you are not cut out for this. That's ok. Many aspire to this, but only few are called.
Second, education.
Some of you have the education already. Others will need to boost up your training. Here is your first assignment. Go to the dollar store or a place where you can buy a bible for a few dollars, one you will not mind writing in or if the cover gets torn, etc. Begin reading the bible from Genesis and continue until you reach Revelation. Mark every passage that deals with building a church. specially in the Old Testament, there is much about Prophets who built the temple back. These guys had the right stuff and the method. You can learn much from them.
Your training will continue for the rest of your life. Learn to enjoy it.
Third. Open a dialog with the someone who you think will be a good co-leader. This person is more important that anyone else in the process. Choose wisely. John is my co-pastor. He and I share a vision for this ministry. He is the advisor and the person who delves deeply into the matters where a descerning heart is necessary. One thing, though, this person can't be your spouse. This is nothing to do with gender, it simply has to do with the fact that if the marriage is working correctly, you and your mate are one. As such, you do not get the back and forth checks and balances.
Whatever the role the two of you develop, having a person to hold you accountable is important.
Remember, Iron sharpens Iron.
If, after all these things, you still think a church or chapel is a good thing, and your co-leader is also thinking the same thing, you are now ready to start.
Till next time.
No, not really. I just took a small break that lasted a little longer than I expected. I have been working on some other writings and needed the time to stop and reflect on where this blog should go.
I started out to document the process of starting a new program at a nudist church. I wanted it to be a primer for what one could do to make a church available at every single nudist location in the USA. To that end, I have made some good suggestions, but the blog still lacks the specific instructions needed. So, in case someone out there in the fog wants to start a nudist church, here we go.
Over the next few posts, I am going to write a primer how to get one started. If there are people out there who want to know my credentials for such an undertaking, read through and decide for yourself.
First, however, some caveats.
1. Not all locations are the same. What works at this resort might not work at yours. Be prepared to adapt.
2. Not everyone is called to this ministry. Some are called in the support side. If you are called to support a person starting a new mission, you have the hardest job and the one with little recognition. I fancy there will be special dispensation in heaven, but I can't promise you that.
3. Not all locations will be open to a chapel or church. Deal with it. Move on if you are truly chosen to start a work.
4. Never, and again I say Never let Satan stop you from your appointed task, no matter how hard the going gets.
5. The only people who succeed are the ones who are willing to be bold and be seen. If this isn't you, God might have other plans for you.
6. Not every post will deal with this. I will still digress often.
Now... For the first installment.
The decision to start a community gathering of Christians should start with why we gather. First, God commands us not to forsake the assembly of believers. There is a strength in coming together and socializing. We are creatures that need each other to survive. The belief that we need to offer a place to converge and hold fast to one another in support and comfort is paramount to the Christian lifestyle.
"For where two or three are gathered, there am I also." When we assemble, we are closer to The Son than we could ever be alone. What other reason could we need? Well, how about this.
Most nudist parks are deserts of church support. A church is an assembly of believers who come together as a traditional village. The church supports its members from the cradle to the grave. In our parks and resorts today, there usually isn't anyone to be with the family members in a spiritual way when a baby is born. Or when one of the community gets married. Or when there is a death in the family.
Nudist communities are devoid of the basic support systems necessary for the human experience, that of love, pain, hurt, and sadness. The emotions of our existence can be handles outside of a church, but it is the church's job to do these things.
So, how do you proceed here? Prayer.
1. Pray that you are the person to do these things.
2. Pray for the knowledge to handle these problems as they arrive.
3. Make time for others to come in and pray with you.
4. Ask the churches around you to pray for this mission.
In all fairness, I didn't do this. I was wrong.
During this time, some of you will find you are not cut out for this. That's ok. Many aspire to this, but only few are called.
Second, education.
Some of you have the education already. Others will need to boost up your training. Here is your first assignment. Go to the dollar store or a place where you can buy a bible for a few dollars, one you will not mind writing in or if the cover gets torn, etc. Begin reading the bible from Genesis and continue until you reach Revelation. Mark every passage that deals with building a church. specially in the Old Testament, there is much about Prophets who built the temple back. These guys had the right stuff and the method. You can learn much from them.
Your training will continue for the rest of your life. Learn to enjoy it.
Third. Open a dialog with the someone who you think will be a good co-leader. This person is more important that anyone else in the process. Choose wisely. John is my co-pastor. He and I share a vision for this ministry. He is the advisor and the person who delves deeply into the matters where a descerning heart is necessary. One thing, though, this person can't be your spouse. This is nothing to do with gender, it simply has to do with the fact that if the marriage is working correctly, you and your mate are one. As such, you do not get the back and forth checks and balances.
Whatever the role the two of you develop, having a person to hold you accountable is important.
Remember, Iron sharpens Iron.
If, after all these things, you still think a church or chapel is a good thing, and your co-leader is also thinking the same thing, you are now ready to start.
Till next time.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Thought I'd Forgotten You?
No, not quite. I have been busy trying to catch up on things I have neglected recently.
There is hope for tomorrow. Hope that we will see God on His throne. Hope that we will sit at the table with Jesus for our feast when we all get to heaven. There is hope that I don't think too many people believe in now.
Our days are numbered here on earth. We live, toil, and die to this worldly abode. The good news (gospel) is that we are eternal creatures, built by God for one function, to enter heaven and live a life prepared by God.
In heaven, we will begin to live a pristine life. We will know happiness unlike we have ever seen. There will be no crying, no sorrow, and no pain.
But, what of those that don't find their way home? What about the people who deny Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit? What happens to them?
For centuries, people have been saying that God saves all of us. They offer as a platitude, "I will never worship a God who would condemn a person to hell." We have all heard that. We have all heard people accuse God of horrible things. What we never seem to hear is about the just God who has to send people who choose to denounce God to hell.
There is justice. God is a God of justice. It is only fair that a man who suffers through this world while praising and serving God get the reward promised them. A worker is worthy of his wage.
In the same light, a person who denounces God as irrelevant, unloving, or non-existent is worthy of the wage he earned. Hell is that wage.
It would not be fair for Christians to live among Christ's love and enter heaven and to allow the others the same privilege without the same commitment. It is fair they be given what they earned.
The next time you hear God being maligned in this matter, you have an obligation to point out this misconception out to whoever is spreading the untruth.
The other problem comes from the group that believes everyone goes to heaven. Some people preach that heaven is the reward for everyone. The mansions prepared are there for the taking and no one must believe to get in.
Both the Old and New Covenants bear witness against this. "No one comes to the Father except through me." "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life."
The world around us is trying to keep people from coming to God by so many different ways. Deception is one primary tool used by Satan to deny us of our gift from God. It is important that we sweep away the deception.
Till then...
There is hope for tomorrow. Hope that we will see God on His throne. Hope that we will sit at the table with Jesus for our feast when we all get to heaven. There is hope that I don't think too many people believe in now.
Our days are numbered here on earth. We live, toil, and die to this worldly abode. The good news (gospel) is that we are eternal creatures, built by God for one function, to enter heaven and live a life prepared by God.
In heaven, we will begin to live a pristine life. We will know happiness unlike we have ever seen. There will be no crying, no sorrow, and no pain.
But, what of those that don't find their way home? What about the people who deny Christ, God, and the Holy Spirit? What happens to them?
For centuries, people have been saying that God saves all of us. They offer as a platitude, "I will never worship a God who would condemn a person to hell." We have all heard that. We have all heard people accuse God of horrible things. What we never seem to hear is about the just God who has to send people who choose to denounce God to hell.
There is justice. God is a God of justice. It is only fair that a man who suffers through this world while praising and serving God get the reward promised them. A worker is worthy of his wage.
In the same light, a person who denounces God as irrelevant, unloving, or non-existent is worthy of the wage he earned. Hell is that wage.
It would not be fair for Christians to live among Christ's love and enter heaven and to allow the others the same privilege without the same commitment. It is fair they be given what they earned.
The next time you hear God being maligned in this matter, you have an obligation to point out this misconception out to whoever is spreading the untruth.
The other problem comes from the group that believes everyone goes to heaven. Some people preach that heaven is the reward for everyone. The mansions prepared are there for the taking and no one must believe to get in.
Both the Old and New Covenants bear witness against this. "No one comes to the Father except through me." "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life."
The world around us is trying to keep people from coming to God by so many different ways. Deception is one primary tool used by Satan to deny us of our gift from God. It is important that we sweep away the deception.
Till then...
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