A Reflection on the Eternal Perspective - When I need to Invest in what Lasts Forever

A great personal Bible study companion

My husband, Bruce, has a book of daily devotions - 365 Pocket Devotions, by Chris Tiegreen, that he reads pretty faithfully. A few days ago, he shared day 169 with me (above title).

A little background: since we've been married and engaged in Boaz Ministries, discussions about eternal things have become more prevalent in our home. We realize, as believers, that our life in this world is in preparation for the life to come. And we can see the spiritual warfare going on all around us, and in our own experiences. Navigating through all the distractions and allurements this world throws our way, is like walking through a mine field. There are all kinds of ungodly pursuits and practitioners of them that are ready, willing, and able to suck in the unwise and spiritually unarmed - and some evil enticements are more subtle than others. But. We have the Word of God - which is the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path! (Paraphrase Psalm 119:105)

Day 169 is so good and to the point, I'm sharing it in its entirety. I was blessed by this nugget. I hope you are, too:

Human nature wants it all. We want to live forever in God's Presence, but we're reluctant to sacrifice anything in the meantime. We want heaven on earth as well as heaven in heaven. The fact that this is a spiritual impossibility doesn't faze us. We want it anyway.

Jesus doesn't offer His disciples an impossibility. He speaks in harsh realities. We must make a choice: invest ourselves in this life - which is passing and subject to decay - or invest in the Kingdom of God - which is eternal. There is no "all of the above" in Jesus' gospel presentation. It's either one or the other.

Can you honestly say that you care nothing for your life in this world? Or at least that your here-and-now plans pale in comparison to your hope in eternal life? If not, Jesus calls you to radically change your perspective. You cannot hang on to your visible life and your eternal life at the same time. One must be forsaken. Which will it be?

"Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity." John 12:25





 

Happy Fourth Anniversary to My Kids in South Korea!

Mr. & Mrs. Brian R. Urias! ("ooo-RREE-aahss")

This goes out to Mr. and Mrs. Brian R. Urias! We celebrated their marriage on this day in 2010, in Rancho Cucamonga, California. They officially married May 28, in Michigan. They had been in graduate school in Michigan and shortly after graduation, they wed. But we'd planned to have the California ceremony on July 11. I believe one of the main reasons for their earlier marriage was because, as it turned out, Ashley's father would not be present to give her away. They had received his blessing before his passing, and that was the most important thing to the both of them.

We went ahead as planned - and oh how we celebrated! Ashley was blessed to have her father's brother, Uncle Eric, give her away for the family.

Ashley and her uncle, Eric Wynn

The language fails when I try to describe the tone, texture and tenderness of that special day. So - I'll simply say it was incredibly beautiful, and leave it alone.

I just want to share a few pictures and congratulate these young people, who have been teaching in the English immersion program in South Korea for the past three years.  They are on a wonderful life adventure, in love, work and play.  I pray that God continues to bless and keep them in love as they live for Him, for many, many more years! 

Ahhh, the ring!

And! I'm going to South Korea to celebrate Ashley's birthday in September - my first visit since they've been away! I am ecstatic and looking forward!

My children and me!

On the dance floor

Mr. Brian Ray Urias!

On into the night!

I never get tired of this picture!

Me, my daughter, son and new In-Loves, Tami & Ramon Urias!

My firstborn - Mrs. Ashley Joelle Wynn Urias!

The food was amazing!

Adoration

You send sweet vibrations my way,
effortlessly


It goes like this:

I enter a room, any room where you are
and your scent is in the air
Faintly spiced with your soap and after shave
tantalizing my nostrils

You are reading a book, or playing your bass guitar
turned away from me
But your body bids me "welcome"

The invitation is unspoken
It is always understood
And always, I accept

Before we even touch
Our connection is palpable


From your silent thoughts 
I hear you call to me

I have your full attention

Finally, face to face -
a smile blossoms beneath your  mustache,
your eyes dance their "Helloooo Love" dance

And the last cares of my day
now melt away completely

Before our lips meet
we just stare
With our foreheads pressed together,

we read, and search the familiar lines of
the face we dream about

We wade and the wading goes deeper
moving past our mere reflections
We reach the depths of us,
hold...right...there...
And drown in who we are

©2014