A Brand New Year...

We are on the brink of a new year 2008. When the new year rolls around people are always talking about resolutions for the new year. Sometimes I joke and say I don't make them because I'm already perfect... Anyone who knows me knows that is far from the truth. But I don't make resolutions anymore because its too depressing when they are forgotten within months or sometimes days.

Back in 1996 I found something that I will share here and each year since 1996 I've let this be the focus for my new year instead of lofty resolutions...

2008 - A new year – a book of blank pages waiting to be filled. It is easy to fall prey to doubts and questions about unknown days before me. But maybe God’s will for my life is far greater than knowing what path my life will take, what career choice I will make or what job change will occur. Maybe God’s will is simply for me to serve Him and love Him and share His love with others. So simple, yet so complete. There is no need for lofty resolutions, no need for fear – I will begin my days with prayer; I will listen, and God and I will walk together. He will help me through the rest, one day at a time.

~ author unknown

If I had to make a resolution I would borrow these two from Jonathan Edwards -

"Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will."

Gifts of Self

I was impressed with this past Sunday's (December 2, 2007) "The Mini Page" for children. I couldn't find a link to the specific article, but its front page focus was on "Gifts of Self." The article suggests that the best presents are giving our selves away. Some of the ideas mentioned are:

~ Giving your time (walk a neighbor's dog, play games with people in a retirement center)
~ Giving your talents (play a musical instrument for someone or give lessons in a sport to a younger child)
~ Share something you know (reading to young children or to the elderly or baking cookies and delivering them to friends and neighbors)

We as adults can encourage this type of giving in our children by modeling it for them and by working side by side with them as they give the gifts of self.

It would also add some intrigue and excitement to try to come up with some ways children could secretly do special services for others.

World AIDS Day - December 1

My church sent a prayer mobilization line request out to remind us about "World AIDS Day - December 1 is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection. On December 1 [and beyond,] we urge you to pray for all the victims of this disease and to lift in prayer those who minister to AIDS victims."

For practical ways you can help, donate, or to learn how HIV is transmitted go here. HIV/AIDS infects, affects and effects men, women and children.

The US Department of Health and Human Services has more information about HIV/AIDS and World AIDS day here.

Giving at Christmas

"Commercialization has obscured the meaning of Christmas. The commercial has become more important than the carol. What man has to sell [has become] more important than what God has given." ~ Anonymous

What is Christmas really about? It’s so easy to get caught up in giving gifts to people we like and people who are able to give gifts to us as well. What would bring Jesus the most joy this Christmas?

1) If we give gifts to those who are able to give gifts to us

or

2) if we give with anonymity and give to those who are not able to return monetary gifts to us.

Of course there is nothing wrong with giving gifts to people we love and people who give us gifts. It always brings me joy to give gifts to my children because I like to see them happy. Their enthusiasm is there regardless of the gift they receive because they like to be loved through gifts.

What are some ways we can love Jesus by loving other people this Christmas? Jake and Jessica, friends of mine have a great Christmas gift giving post so instead of trying to recreate it I'm just linking to their blog.

My health insurance, Kaiser sent out a newsletter that had some neat ideas for spending little, but loving much. To see the article, Gifts that Really Give click here.

Finally, reading together can make Christmas special. One book I checked out of our public library for my children was:The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans. It is a children's book that I recommend reading aloud with children under 10 to make sure they understand what the author is attempting to teach to those with eyes to see. The book can be read in minutes, but the discussion that follows can help your children discover the true meaning of loving as Jesus loves and loving others as if they were Jesus especially at Christmas time.

Another neat book is The Special Guest: A Christmas Story by Lee and Donna Hall - The authors wrote the book for their children, but it's a short story with a beautiful message that can be enjoyed by all ages at Christmas and throughout the year. I read the story aloud to my daughter who was capable of reading it to herself, but it was a special time for us to read it together.

If you have any unique ideas you'd like to share about how you are making Christmas special or gifts you will give to make other's life more meaningful, please share in the comments section.

Merry Christmas!

Advent Calendars

Since the Advent Season is upon us I thought I'd share some online Advent Calendars that I found last year.

A Christian Christmas Advent Calendar

Christmas Advent Calendar

Advent Calendar: Celebrate Meeting Jesus

Greg's Advent Calendar

Teaching Mom's Advent Calendar

Thankful Thursday...

Its only two weeks until the day when most Americans find themselves sitting around a table with friends and loved ones sharing what they are thankful for...

This is to help prepare you for that day...

What are you most thankful for this year?

* If you are interested in doing a Thanksgiving study - Nancy Leigh DeMoss has written a lesson called "A Week of Thanksgiving." May God encourage your hearts as you reflect on HIS goodness to you.

How Can We Serve as Jesus Would Serve?

A friend (Erin) recently asked a similar question and I thought it would be interesting to post it here to see what answers we can come up with...

Can you think of practical ways we can be Jesus in the world? It would be neat and helpful to all of us to see how many different ideas we can come up with...and then use them in our lives.

Please feel free to share ways people have served you and ways you have been served by others and even ideas that you haven't tried...

11-10-07 Edited to add:

A friend (Chelley) mentioned in her response that we can't be Jesus to others but we are to see others as Jesus and serve them as if they are Jesus. I agree with her statement and would change my initial question to - How can we serve Jesus by serving others? or How have you been served by a Christian? Or How have you served others in Jesus name?

Rejoicing Angels 10-19-07

Yesterday, October 19, 2007 as I was driving to the gym with my children we were praying as we often do. My four-year-old son, J interrupted my prayer and said, "Mommy, I need to ask Jesus into my heart." I told him, “We can do that right now.” My heart is happy!

I noticed over the past few months his heart has been very tender to things of the Lord, but since he is so young I didn't want to push him and wanted him to have the chance to make the decision for himself. His sister asked Jesus into her heart this past May so he has been hearing a lot about it and she was baptized in July. I told J that I too asked Jesus into my heart when I was four years old in a car. He thought that was pretty neat.

When we got home he called his grandparents and our Pastor to share the good news. Please keep J and B in your prayers as they grow in their relationship with the Lord. Please pray also for their parents (Rick and Robin) that we are able to guide and direct them in the ways that will bring a smile to God's face. I fail more than I care to admit, but I'm a work in progress.

When J was a baby I chose 2 Timothy 2:22 as his life verse. I typed it up from the Living Bible because it would be easiest for him to understand. I taped it to his bedroom door, so I could read it to him each night before bed. He had it memorized when he was two years old. “Run from anything that gives you the evil thoughts that young men often have, but stay close to anything that makes you want to do right. Have faith and love and enjoy the companionship of those who love the Lord and have pure hearts.”

Please pray that verse for my little boy!

How should being a Christian effect the way we live...

How should being a Christian effect the way we live during our short visit to earth?

I just finished reading "50 Days of Heaven: Reflections That Bring Eternity to Light" by Randy Alcorn that tackles that question. Below is a quote from the book...

What are your thoughts?

"Heaven should affect our activities and ambitions, our recreations and friendships, and the way we spend our money and time. If I believe I'll spend eternity in a world of unending beauty and adventure, will I be content to spend all my evenings playing video games or staring at games shows, sitcoms, and ball games? Even if I keep my eyes away from impurities, how much time will I want to invest in what ultimately doesn't matter?" page 270

What do we really own?

I'm browsing through a somewhat controversial book "A Generous Orthodoxy" by Brian D. McLaren and it has some thought provoking ideas on stewardship. Anyone care to share their thoughts on these quotes?

"...A biblical stewardship that celebrates God's ultimate ownership could someday fuel a new grace-based economy - just as private ownersip currently fuels our greed based consumerist economy..." p. 271

and

"...whatever we "own" is really entrusted to us by God, borrowed and reverently used by us for a time, after which we must let go one way or another - either through giving and sharing or through dying and releasing our former possessions to others. Even the molecules that make up our bodies are on loan to us. One day we will give them all back, rendering an account of how we have used them through time - time also being a precious gift of which we have been made stewards." p. 271

I personally find much validity in the quotes and think if we could live this way our world would be different. My friends Jake and Jessica are a prime example of this type of sacrificial love.

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for my mother - Debbie - she is in surgery now (started 11:00 am) having her third complete knee replacement (same knee). She was quite scared last night when I talked with her. She is in Cleveland, Ohio. The surgeon told her because of her host of medical problems that she could die during surgery. The surgery is supposed to last from 3-5 hours.

What Have Your Kids Taught You?

I was cleaning out files on an old computer this evening and came across something I wrote when my daughter, B was 2 and 3/4 years old.

This morning as B and I were walking ouside to run some errands she exclaimed, "Look at the beautiful leaves that Jesus made." Then she stopped on the steps and said, "Jesus, thank You for the leaves You made and for this beatuiful day and all my friends. Amen!" Then she opened her eyes, raised her head and kept walking down the steps.

How many times do we stop in pure joy as we are scurrying out into the world and thank Jesus for what He has made? I'm guilty of not doing this enough, but I'm so thrilled that B's spirit is soft to things of God.

Another instance around that same time frame:

The other day B's eczema flared up again and I suggested that she pray to Jesus about it. She instantly stopped what she was doing and said, "Jesus thank You for my eczema." Hmmm - Are we adults so quick to thank Jesus for the pain that comes our way?

22 Questions

I'm not sure where I found this, but thought the questions would be good for us all...

It has been said that there were 22 questions members of John Wesley's Holy Club asked THEMSELVES EACH DAY in their private devotions over 200 years ago.

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?

4. Can I be trusted?

5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?

6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self justifying?

7. Did the Bible live in me today?

8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

9. Am I enjoying prayer?

10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

11. Do I pray about the money I spend?

12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

13. Do I disobey God in anything?

14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?

17. How do I spend my spare time?

18. Am I proud?

19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?

20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am doing about it?

21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?

22. Is Christ real to me?

TOPICS: Devotional life; Diligence;Fruit, Spiritual; Growth
SCRIPTURE: Prov 2:1-9; Mat 6:33; John 6:27

Be like Jesus

How can I conform more to the image of Christ?

How can I have less of me and more of HIM?

How can I focus more on eternity rather than this life that lasts but a moment here in the shadowlands?

Personal Mission Statement

I found this online several years ago...not sure where, but its good!

"I am created by God

to bring Him glory.

Through God's Son,

Jesus Christ,

I have been redeemed and

I make it my life's goal

to honor God

through my faith

and obedience and

prepare myself

and all whom I may

influence for eternity."

Someone Thinks I'm Nice

I got an award! My new on-line friend Kay nominated me for the "Nice Matters" Award. Kay I need to nominate you back! I first “met” Kay at Randy Alcorn's blog when she replied to one of his posts. I liked what she said and checked out her blog. I was humored and inspired by her words and check back frequently to see what she is pondering. I’m looking forward to reading her novel someday in the future! Thank you, Kay!

“This award is for some bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass it on to 7 others who you feel are deserving of this award.”

Jake and Jessica are two amazing people I am thrilled to call friends. I first met Jessica at church and became fast friends with her. When she told me about Jake I was thrilled for her because if anyone ever deserved a good husband its Jessica. Jake and Jessica have hearts of gold and are filled with compassion for God’s children. Their biggest desire is to love people like Jesus and they are doing an incredible job! Jake and Jessica’s blog takes you across the world and back as they travel and minister everywhere they go.

Jen is a wonderful person that I “met” on-line years ago. She is an incredible wife, mother, photographer and Christian. Her words are always full of inspiration and wisdom. Jen’s blog showcases her photographic talent!

Karen is a tender-hearted on-line friend that is always opening her home to children whether it’s watching nieces and nephews or ministering to other parents. She is now considering opening her heart to children in need of adoption! Karen’s blog journals her life with its ups and downs always giving God the glory.

Nora is an online buddy that I “met” many years ago. She is a mom of eight children and is preparing to leave for the mission field in Brazil. Her heart is in missions and serving others. Nora’s blog shares about her family and ministry.

Renee is another friend that I know from the World Wide Web. Renee has been through a multitude of trying situations, yet she continues to hold fast to Jesus and spread HIS love to a hurting world. Her blog chronicles her life and happenings.

Stephanie is another on-line buddy that I “met” years ago online. She has been through numerous ups and downs in her life. Her blog chronicles her family experiences and her journey to make God first place in her life.

Beauty Distorted

A friend sent this to me the other day. And we wonder why so many women think they don't measure up... They can't. No-one can...

Orphans in America

Check out today's (8-19-07) post from friends of mine (Jake and Jessica) at it's some heavy duty stuff...

27 "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." James 1:27

Robin

Grab Their Knees

I'm reading one of our church's missionary books "Africa's Soul Hope: The AIDS crisis and the church" by Ellen Decker and I came across a quote from Charles Spurgeon "If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for."

What a task we have...Grab their knees and don't let go.

The Great Commission

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:16-20

I was hungry...

I was hungry
and you formed a humanities group
to discuss my hunger.

I was imprisoned
and you crept off quietly to your chapel
and prayed for my release.

I was naked
and in your mind
you debated the morality of my appearance.

I was sick and
you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless and
you preached to me the spiritual love of God.

I was lonely
and you left me alone
to pray for me.

You seem so holy, so close to God,

But I am still very hungry --
and lonely --
and cold.

- found at the Oak Street House Exhibit at “San Diego ’89” Missions and Ministry Conference

The Sheep and the Goats

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41 "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44 "They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45 "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46 "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:37-46

What does God expect?

Greetings,

Some friends and I are discussing family as God would like it to be. Can you as a godly man, (if a woman is reading this, please share these questions with your husband - thanks) please answer these few questions for us as we strive to make our homes what God would like them to be? Thank You!

Robin

1. In your opinion, what does it mean to be the spiritual leader of the family?

2. What does it mean to be submissive as a wife? What does it mean to submissive as a husband?

3. List some of your ideas of what the husband/father should do to be effective as the spiritual leader of the family?

4. What do you think the wife should do to help her husband effectively serve as the spiritual leader of the family?

Today's Prayer from Ephesians Four Ministries

This prayer is something we all need to consider and learn from as we walk along our journey of life... Robin

Prime Time with God
Today's Prayer August 11, 2007
Dear God, who created mankind in your image, you sure made a colorful world of people! As I stop and watch and reflect on the people I see, I notice how everyone is unique. Sometimes I'm frustrated by others' personalities and actions; other times I am blessed; still other times I am amused. The fact is, though we were made in your image, you gave us each a will of our own and instilled different gifts, personalities, and potential within us. How boring it would be if we were all just alike! The "spice" of life is made up of all those different people, with different ideas, and various contributions. Thank you for caring enough that we are not your puppets, but are unique individuals, each called to fill special places in your great plan for our lives. I pray that you will keep my eyes open, my mind alert, and my will in tune so that I will use all you have given me--gifts, personality, skills, desires--to the best of my ability, for the edification of the saints, reaching the lost, and glorifying you. Please forgive my past failures and empower me today for all you want to do through me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

-taken from today's email (minor changes were made adding color and fonts)

Eternal Perspective - Prayers for Husband

I found a perpetual prayer calendar somewhere??? a while back and entered the calendar into my email calendar and set it to send me a reminder each day... today's prayer for my husband is...

Day 18 - Pray that your husband will have an eternal perspective—living in light of eternity. Pray that he will reject materialism and temporal values and put God first in his life. (Matt. 6:33; Deut. 6:5; Ephesians 5:16; Psalm 90:12)

The eternal perspective is what I'm trying to grow in myself with God's help, so its a good thing to pray for my husband and children too.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God the Father, Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth:

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord:

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary:

suffered under Pontius Pilate;
was crucified, dead and buried;
He descended into hell;

the third day he rose again from the dead:

He ascended into heaven,
and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:

from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy Church universal,
the communion of saints:

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Who am I

by Casting Crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGU76is9BuY&NR=1

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling Lord,
You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who Am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who Am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

Praise You In This Storm

by Casting Crowns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntXcRUKXpQM

I was sure by now God you would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen that it's still raining as the thunder rolls I barely hear your whisper through the rain, I'm with you and as your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:

And i'll praise you in this storm and i will lift my hands that you are who you are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried you hold in your hand you never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise you in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind you heard my cry you raised me up again my strength is almost gone how can I carry on if I can't find you and as the thunder rolls I barely hear you whisper through the rain I'm with you and as your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

And i'll praise you in this storm and i will lift my hands that you are who you are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried you hold in your hand you never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise you in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth I lift my eyes unto the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

Chorus

And i'll praise you in this storm and i will lift my hands that you are who you are no matter where I am and every tear I've cried you hold in your hand you never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise you in this storm

Now Is the Time...

Come, Now Is the Time to Worship

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzRfB0oN6Wo

sung by Phillips, Craig and Dean
written by Brian Doerksen

Come, now is the time to worship Come, now is the time to give your heart Come, just as you are to worship Come, just as you are before your God, come One day every tongue will confess you are God

One day every knee will bowStill the greatest treasure remains for those Who gladly choose you now

It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' " So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:11-12

Bring the Rain

by Mercy Me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElISFieaukc&mode=related&search=

I can count a million times People asking me how I Can praise You with all that I've gone through The question just amazes me Can circumstances possibly Change who I forever am in You

Maybe since my life was changed Long before these rainy days It's never really ever crossed my mind To turn my back on you, oh Lord My only shelter from the storm But instead I draw closer through these times

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace Bring the chance to be free Bring me anything that brings You glory And I know there'll be days When this life brings me pain But if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of The dark clouds that may loom above Because You are much greater than my pain You who made a way for me By suffering Your destiny So tell me what's a little rain

So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace Bring the chance to be free Bring me anything that brings You glory And I know there'll be days When this life brings me pain But if that's what it takes to praise You Jesus, bring the rain

Holy, holy, holy Holy, holy, holy Is the Lord God Almighty Is the Lord God Almighty

Your Grace Still Amazes Me

by Phillips, Craig and Dean

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqlYw_RtgGY&mode=related&search=

My faithful Father, enduring Friend Your tender mercy’s like a river with no end It overwhelms me, covers my sin Each time I come into Your presence I stand in wonder once again

CHORUS: Your grace still amazes me Your love is still a mystery Each day I fall on my knees ‘Cause Your grace still amazes me Your grace still amazes me

Oh, patient Saviour, You make me whole You are the Author and the Healer of my soul What can I give You, Lord, what can I say I know there’s no way to repay You Only to offer You my praise

Your grace still amazes me Your love is still a mystery Each day I fall on my knees ‘Cause Your grace still amazes me Your grace still amazes me

It’s deeper, it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher It’s deeper it’s wider It’s stronger, it’s higher than anything my eyes can see

Your grace still amazes me Your love is still a mystery Each day I fall on my knees ‘Cause Your grace still amazes me Your grace still amazes me

What is your role? Where is your hope?

I read a short book a few months ago called "Epic: The Story God Is Telling and the Role That Is Yours to Play" by John Eldredge. It asks the questions and points us to the answers.

I asked Jesus into my heart when I was a small child and I still have much to learn. God has brought situations into my life that have given me the opportunity to increase my faith in HIM. This book helped me realize afresh that I can't place my hope in people, relationships, money, health, or anything other than Jesus Christ alone.

For more info check out this link... http://www.epicreality.com/

Does God love me?

Have you ever wondered, "Does God love me?" "Does God even care?" "Does God exist?" "What does God think about me?" "Will I go to heaven?" If so check out the movie below...

http://www.greatcom.org/laws/english/flash/

Purpose and Reason for Life?

What is really important in life? What is the meaning and purpose for our time spent on earth? Is the end of our life on earth the end of our life? I believe there is a purpose and a reason for all that we go through in this life. I believe that life doesn't end with our death - it is merely a doorway that we pass through into the real world. What is that real world? Eternity somewhere is that real world. Eternity in heaven with Jesus or eternity in agony in hell. Starting there... Knowing that life on earth is like life in the womb, how does it change how we live now?

I've been reading some amazing books by Randy Alcorn over the past several months. Check out his website at http://www.epm.org/ and stop by his blog at http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/ if you want a challenge to your perspective.