tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271655147437064864.post7500509709481040393..comments2008-04-16T11:43:37.969-04:00Michael Gantthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07933666947139897210noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271655147437064864.post-51574170697027442282008-04-16T11:43:00.000-04:002008-04-16T11:43:00.000-04:00Hey could I recommend "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day" by Mark Batterson. I think you would enjoy it, it is right in line with this post.Ben Raineyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18185074505354533342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271655147437064864.post-30745801028456834422008-04-08T19:40:00.000-04:002008-04-08T19:40:00.000-04:00Yes, Cindy - Heaven will be safe. And our journey to Heaven is sure. However, between here and there is filled with danger. The reality is that in this spiritual warfare, we may choose to either a victor or a victim. There are no conscientious objectors. mkgMichael Gantthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07933666947139897210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271655147437064864.post-61957585132207888092008-04-08T19:23:00.000-04:002008-04-08T19:23:00.000-04:00Pastor Mike,<BR/> Provoking, as usual! And wonderful pics. I confess that I crave safety. But...(glory to Jesus)...I daily lean on Him for the courage to get outside of the zone of the comfortable. But I still crave it.........do you think Heaven might be safe?<BR/>Cindy K.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271655147437064864.post-71987631880922114352008-04-08T12:20:00.000-04:002008-04-08T12:20:00.000-04:00Sounds like a great add for a mission trip flyer... Danger,Gun shots, fire! cold showers, flesh eating bugs! Strange food! Come one spend the summer with me!! and you never know you may not come back home!! LOLmrslunchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01162532671148501100noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6271655147437064864.post-6529355112131360652008-04-08T01:09:00.000-04:002008-04-08T01:09:00.000-04:00Excellent point. For a while I struggled with the common Biblical concept of the "Fear of the Lord." In sunday school my teacher always showed me the lamb/shepherd pictures, and told me all about how much Jesus loves me. In my personal Bible reading at the time, I couldn't understand what passages like Heb 12:28 were talking about. <BR/><BR/>It actually began to dawn on me in my readings on the Chronicles of Narnia (to this day I believe they are the best kids' books ever written, and Aslan is one of the best literary characters of all time). In one of my favorite scenes, Mrs.Beaver says, "If there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking together, they're either braver than most, or else just silly."<BR/> A little frightened, Lucy asks, "Then He isn't safe?"<BR/> "'Course He isn't safe. But He's good."<BR/><BR/> The understanding of the fear of the Lord has helped me in my attitude towards ministry. Frankly, the idea of a helpless God isn't one that would make me want to serve Him, regardless of how deserving He is. But He isn't a baby for people to come and giggle over, or a ghost trying to tell people how he died. He is a majestic and powerful Ruler, who sends us out as beloved slaves, bearing His name, authority, and message, and with the support of the nation's armies. That is a God I can serve out of allegiance, love and gratitude. <BR/><BR/> Ironically, Hebrews 12:28-29 (and all of Hebrew 12 in fact) is now one of my favorite passages. <BR/><BR/>Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.belezahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05328302741353337412noreply@blogger.com