Becky's Red Dishes

I love the encouraging stories of every-day life that can be used as illustrations.  One story I've told many times over the years is about some red dishes. It came to mind recently, when a girlfriend struggling with finances said they had to sell their house.  It's hard to give up the stuff we cherish, even the small things, much less our home.

Back in the 70's when I first got saved during the "Jesus Movement", one of my close friends, Becky, was moving and she was having a garage sale.  Her husband had asked her to put her mother's red depression glass dishes out for sale.  It was a sacrifice, but she honored his request and did it. Back then, I don't think I could have done it.

Sometime later when I was praying, I took an unusual little journey to Heaven.  It wasn't a spooky out-of-body experience; it was just like a movie playing in my mind with my eyes closed.  The bible speaks of a Marriage Feast, a supper, when all believers [the bride] will be gathered together to celebrate with Jesus [the groom] after the "rapture".  (Sorry for all the Christian-ese).

 Click here

Anyway - it was this feast that I saw in the 'movie'.  No one was there yet, but every thing was ready. The tables were enormous; They stretched as far as the eye could see in both directions, wide enough for place settings on both sides, and there were row after row after row of the them.  I was astonished because they were made from single planks of wood cut from trees that had to be bigger than anything I'd ever seen.  As I slowly approached the place where I knew I was going to be seated someday --- there they were.  Becky's red dishes!

In the bible the Apostle Paul wrote "eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him".

  

For nearly forty years now I've been continually amazed at how much He really does love us, and the good things He has planned for us -in this life, and Forever.  He knows what we're up against, and what we've had to give up, or lost, or had stolen.  I think Heaven is going to be full of surprises.  Hope to see you at the dinner table.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.  Seek His will in all you do, and He will direct your paths.  Proverb 3:5-6 

   

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I have several antique prints of Jesus.
  Would you like to see two of my favorites? 

This one I found at the flea market several years ago.
  For now it sits on the mantle.
  It's tiny, only 6 x 8.

It's titled Christ at Five by C. Bosseron Chambers

 I've never seen this image any other place.



And this one stands on a sideboard in the living room.

  

  It's bigger than it appears;  about 18" tall, in a gilded frame.

My son found it at the flea market. 
There's no visible attribution.

I think it's breathtaking.

Well, that's all - until I learn how to use my camera better.

Thanks for stopping by.

And if you missed it, click on the redwood trees for a treat.

Many blessings to you.

Joyful Noise

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is music.  Music speaks to our soul.  Have you ever noticed how the right music or song can transport you into a place of tranquility, or comfort, or encouragement.  Like many I've wished I could sing well or knew how to play the piano.  I'm going to play the saxaphone in Heaven. I believe a lot of music and singing goes on there, and maybe the really talented ones get to have their own lounge act and you can go from room to room to listen to your favorite artist.  It's just a thought.                

Once I was at a women's bible study and a very unusual thing happened.  We all stood up and joined together to sing a beautiful worship song.  I was imagining that I was singing to the Lord,  when suddenly --- I could hear Angels singing along with us.  No really, I could hear them - they were singing the same song that we were.  Well, I wasn't going to be outdone by them, so with my eyes still closed I began to sing as loud as I could.  By golly, I wanted to make sure the Lord could hear me singing along with all those Angels!  When the song was over and I'd finally stopped,  I opened my eyes and.....well you can guess it.  Everyone else in the group, who of course hadn't heard any Angels singing, was staring at the nut in the room that had been screaming out the song at the top of her lungs.

For years afterward, one lady would come up to me at church and touch me gently on the arm and say, "Every time I see you I think of that time...".  And every time I think of it, I laugh out loud.  What delight I must have given Heaven that day.

A joyful heart is good medicine.  Proverbs 17:22