*Because this subject matters so much to me and to every believer in Christ, I am re-posting seven posts I originally wrote in 2013, with a few minor edits. Then I will post a book review of John Eldredge's All Things New next week.
(From John Eldredge's Hope in the Coming Kingdom CDs:)
The Bible tells us repeatedly to fix our eyes on Jesus, set our minds on things above, and look forward to His return. Because He is coming again, and when He does, life beyond what we can even dream of now will be ours!
That eternal hope is the "anchor for our souls." It's amazing what it does for you when you really stop and think about it for a while! That's what these CDs helped me to do... Hoping in the Coming Kingdom, by John and Stasi Eldredge, both of whom I truly adore. I connect with them so much, and I know we'll be good friends when we all get to heaven someday... seriously, I'm excited for that, among many other things! :)
In the first CD, he asks these four questions, telling the listener to pause and reflect, to "let your heart go there" and write down your answers... it's all fun to think about, so that wasn't much of a chore.
* * * * * * *
What are a few of your favorite places (and what makes you love them)??
* * * * * * *
(From John Eldredge's Hope in the Coming Kingdom CDs:)
The Bible tells us repeatedly to fix our eyes on Jesus, set our minds on things above, and look forward to His return. Because He is coming again, and when He does, life beyond what we can even dream of now will be ours!
That eternal hope is the "anchor for our souls." It's amazing what it does for you when you really stop and think about it for a while! That's what these CDs helped me to do... Hoping in the Coming Kingdom, by John and Stasi Eldredge, both of whom I truly adore. I connect with them so much, and I know we'll be good friends when we all get to heaven someday... seriously, I'm excited for that, among many other things! :)
In the first CD, he asks these four questions, telling the listener to pause and reflect, to "let your heart go there" and write down your answers... it's all fun to think about, so that wasn't much of a chore.
* * * * * * *
What are a few of your favorite places (and what makes you love them)??
* * * * * * *
What are some of the greatest moments of joy in your life so far??
* * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
What is the redemption (restoration/healing) your heart longs to see - (small and great, for yourself and on behalf of others)??
* * * * * * *
* * * * * * *
What have you done to fill your hope for joy right now?
(What have you done with your Kingdom heart??)
* * * * * * *
Eldredge says that our heart's strong desire for LIFE as God intended it - (the life that we will have in the coming Kingdom of heaven) - explains all of our addictions and hopelessness and barely hanging on and resignation and cynicism and defeat here on earth...
"This is what all of our issues are about, ultimately. You bring to this world expectations that it cannot possibly fulfill, and your precious heart gets broken.... There is not something wrong with you. To have this heart in this world, it can feel like you're just damaged goods. You may feel guilty for being disappointed... of course you're disappointed -- you have a heart for the Kingdom!"
His point is that all our greatest moments, favorite places, friendships, laughter, celebration, lightheartedness, joy, beauty, intimacy.... all the good and wonderful things we will ever experience in our earthly life are only a faint preview of what is to come. Christ's Kingdom calls to us through all these things, but we make a serious mistake when we think that the life we seek is in these things.
Our hearts long for the coming Kingdom, and all these things keep them awake to that desire. "When you really understand this to be true (at the heart level), it will disentangle you from so much." I love that and I believe it!
"This is what all of our issues are about, ultimately. You bring to this world expectations that it cannot possibly fulfill, and your precious heart gets broken.... There is not something wrong with you. To have this heart in this world, it can feel like you're just damaged goods. You may feel guilty for being disappointed... of course you're disappointed -- you have a heart for the Kingdom!"
His point is that all our greatest moments, favorite places, friendships, laughter, celebration, lightheartedness, joy, beauty, intimacy.... all the good and wonderful things we will ever experience in our earthly life are only a faint preview of what is to come. Christ's Kingdom calls to us through all these things, but we make a serious mistake when we think that the life we seek is in these things.
Our hearts long for the coming Kingdom, and all these things keep them awake to that desire. "When you really understand this to be true (at the heart level), it will disentangle you from so much." I love that and I believe it!
Finally, he says that there is a connection between each of Jesus' miracles and His teaching about the coming Kingdom. Jesus taught on this subject often, calling it "the renewal of all things" (Matthew 19:28). Every miracle Jesus ever performed illustrates the higher reality of what will be ours when the rule of Christ is finally restored -- the blind will see, the deaf will hear, the lame will walk, the dead will rise... and God's creation - everything that has been "in bondage to decay" since the fall here on earth (including all of us who know Jesus as Lord and Savior) will be beautifully restored and renewed... forever!
Bring. it. on!!!
Bring. it. on!!!
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