Please feel free to interact with each other on the questions on-line. Thanks to those that are posting, I have enjoyed reading your comments. Keep reading, keep thinking, and keep posting.
Questions for thought and reflection for Section 3:
Chapter 8
Starting on page 78 the author lists biblical hints and suggestions about Heaven. From this section, which ones excite you the most or grab your attention the greatest? Why?
He ends chapter 8 by saying: The earth matters, our bodies matter, animals and trees matter, matter matters, because God created them and intends them to manifest his glory. (pg 85). What areas listed here do you need to think through more and even possible repent because you have not seen how it is for the glory of God? For example: I am constantly evaluating how well I treat my body, because there is much abuse in eating, and I want to make sure I glorify Him through how I treat my body.....because my body matters.
Chapter 9
On page 89 Alcorn says: God is the ultimate salvage artist. He loves to restore things to their original condition - and make then even better. How does this reality impact your life today and every day going forward until Christ calls you home to Heaven?
Scripture teaches that we will rule (under Christ) over the New Earth. What are the implications of this for you now? Keep in mind, this earth won't be destroyed, it will be recreated...made new.
Chapter 10
According to chapter 10, where is history heading?
Is the "curse" permanent or temporary? How does this give you hope?
Happy reading. Read through section 4. We will have our first sit down meeting on June 22 at 7:00 PM. We will meet at the church building and discuss all the material (high overview) that we have covered up to that point. That will probably be through at least section 5, possibly 6.
Blessings,
Bro. Matt
2 comments
Mountains and trees! I can't help but think of Montana and the beautiful scenery there. I have only seen it in pictures but it is so awesome. I can only believe that Heaven is even more beautiful than that!
I would say that the only thing that bothers me here is animals. I’m not sure as to what to think either. I am not an animal lover nor am I an animal hater. But I do not hold animals up to the level of human beings. This is because we are created in God’s image. I know that animals matter but to what point does society cross the line in how they are treated. I know some people treat them as if they were created in God’s image. I think this is wrong. We have dominion and power over them and should not hurt or mistreat them in any way. But we should not put them on any kind of pedestal either. That’s that! This is up for discussion.
It makes me feel good that God can salvage someone like me. I think that each of us should be ecstatic. This means as we all know that through the blood of Jesus Christ we can be made brand new. Who doesn't want to be brand new? I love it!
First of all for me to get to Heaven each day I must follow Christ and let God lead me in whatever direction that he would like me to go. Just to be with Christ at all in a place is unimaginable, much less rule under him. For now this is the driving force that keeps me going.
History is headed to the end. The curse will be lifted. Heaven and Earth will reunite. All things will be made perfect again
Temporary! It does not give me hope it makes me know that better times are coming! All things will be made a new. I don't know how to answer this. Fires me up!!!
I can't wait to set down and discuss this book with everyone. So far it has been great.
Have a great day and God bless,
Grisham
Section 3 Chapters 8-10
Chapter 8/ The promise of a NEW EARTH, in my own way as I have looked at Heaven I have always pictured it this way. I love the outdoors and I feel the closes to GOD when I am out there by myself with the water and the trees ,I talk with him the same way I talk to someone next door.
What matters! I have never looked at what matters as to it manifesting his glory, but what matters to ME. (Rather one way) the earth, bodies, animals they all matter, without them we would not be here. So on this note I would have to repent all the above.
Chapter 9/ God are the ultimate salvage artist and make us better. I am a work in progress as each day I learn something new about my past and now to correct the wrongs I have done. My biggest wrong was questioning my faith; I have gotten real close to losing it.
Chapter 10/ the curse as we know it is only temporary. This gives us all hope as it well mean the end of all the earth’s wrongs.