Heaven

Christian Nursing 101: Responding to Questions about After-Life

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Do you believe Heaven is for real? Do you look forward to Heaven? And, if not, why not? As a nurse or health care provider, do you feel confident in your understanding and knowledge of the scriptural basis for Heaven, to share with a Christian patient or family member?

I have provided 3 excellent Christian resources on Heaven to guide your nursing practice and to encourage patients, families, friends, and fellow believers. …check them out. …

Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo

Heaven: Your Real Home by Joni Eareckson Tada

Book Review: Heaven!

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First and foremost I would say Heaven by Randy Alcorn is a comprehensive textbook and answers every single question anyone has ever had or will have on Heaven! If you doubt my statement, then peruse the table of contents for this over 550 pages textbook.

Even though it is the size of a textbook, it is an easy read. Like sitting with a pastor or Christian mentor, while they share their insight into our wonderful anticipated future.

Heaven_2015 cover Here are few of my favorite quotes:

Think of friends or family members who loved Jesus and are with him now. Picture them with you, walking together in this place [Heaven]. All of you have powerful bodies, stronger than those of an Olympic decathlete. You are laughing, playing, talking, and reminiscing. You reach up to a tree to pick an apple or orange. You take a bite. It’s so sweet that it’s startling. You’ve never tasted anything so good. Now you see someone coming toward you. It’s Jesus, with a big smile on his face. You fall to your knees in worship. He pulls you up and embraces you.  At last, you’re with the person you were made for, in the place you were made to be. (ed. 2004, p. 18)

I hope this excerpt wets your appetite to learn more about the wonderful place that Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:3). Use the link to order the book, bible study, and other items for you, your small group, and/or church.

Eternal Perspective Ministries–Heaven by Randy Alcorn

Book Review: Heaven is for Real!

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Heaven is for realMaybe, I should begin this review with saying, I am naturally skeptical about “near death” experiences. Yet, after reading this book I was amazed. So, check out the book and keep in mind the following 2 points:

  1. If Jesus Christ is glorified and experiences point to his divinity and work, then…
  2. All things are possible with God

Thus, I let the Lord sift out his truth from non-truth.

With those comments, I can proceed with my review of Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo. Todd shared his 5 year old son’s, Colton, experience of going to Heaven during a medical emergency. At first glance it may sound like one of those “near death” experiences that seem to occur with many people, both Christian and non-Christians. Yet, once you read the book, you find there are facts that make Colton’s experience unique, believable, and inspiring.

https://www.heavenlive.org/

 

Book Review: Heaven: Your Real Home

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In Heaven: Your Real Home

Joni Earekson Tada shares her heartfelt yearning for the promised hope of eternal life with our blessed Savior. The best way to share her perspective of this expectant life and wonderful place called Heaven is through the following poem from the book:

Heaven painting_cover

A water color by Joni!

Joni’s Waltz

Though I spend my mortal lifetime in this chair,
I refuse to waste it living in despair.
And though others may receive
Gifts of healing, I believe
That He has given me a gift beyond compare…

For heaven is nearer to me,
And at times it is all I can see.
Sweet music I hear
Coming down to my ear;
And I know that it’s playing for me.

For I am Christ the Savior’s own bride,
And redeemed I shall stand by His side.
He will say, “Shall we dance?”
And our endless romance
Will be worth all the tears I have cried.

I rejoice with him whose pain my Savior heals.
And I weep with him who still his anguish feels.
But earthly joys and earthly tears,
Are confined to earthly years,
And a greater good the Word of God reveals.

In this life we have a cross that we must bear;
A tiny part of Jesus’ death that we can share.
And one day we’ll lay it down,
For he has promised us a crown,
To which our suffering can never be compared.

by Nancy Honeytree (1995, p. 11)

Joni is amazing woman for the Lord whose life work is dedicated to the disabled. Check out the website and ministry at Joni and Friends. 

 

NCFI Cares: No Nurses In Heaven!

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          As health care workers we have dedicated our gifts and talents to caring for the sick, the disabled and the mentally ill.  Our nursing service is a calling or ministry, with God equipping us to care for his children. I think I can speak for you and me both in saying, that we have joy and confidence in knowing we are doing the Lord’s work. Even with the blessing of serving the Lord, we yearn for a time without sickness, disease, and death. Our yearning is fulfilled in Heaven as discussed in Revelation 21:4 “Jesus will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

            In addition to seeing Jesus face to face and loved ones who have gone before me, I am excited to go to a place where there are no hospitals, no clinics, and no nurses! Hallelujah! We will suddenly be unemployed and our services will no longer be needed. This is the good news of the gospel for our patients, their family and for all health care workers. Someday, there will come a time when healthy bodies, minds and souls will live for eternity without the fear of disease, the heart break of disability, nor the slow deterioration of aging (1 Corinthians 15:52-55).

            We do not know what the Lord has planned for us; however we do know we can anticipate an eternity without the need for nurses! 

Prayer:  “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” amen (Romans 15:13)