The Heart Matters: Embracing Sincerity Over Spectacle

Posted on February 25, 2025 by David Rische

I meant to post this several weeks ago. I wanted to use one of the themes of Valentine’s Day to write about. So many to chose from: love, candy, flowers, cherub angels, giving, cards, restaurant reservations . . . Then of course, I settled on the most important topic – the heart!

What about the heart? Is there a word of encouragement we could hear during these times that seem to be wearing us down? If we do a topical search – it ends up there are so many verses in the Bible speaking about the heart. However, this one stood out:

” . . . so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart.” (2 Corinthians 5: 12)

We can look around and see spectacular ministries . . .

Stages, tours, lights, social media followers, awards, likes and shares, mega churches, best selling authors, autographs, fans, difficult to approach, relate, and talk to . . .

It’s easy to think, “Wow, I’ll never achieve those things. God is really using him or her. That is the unreachable standard. I’ll just keep going along in my own quiet way.”

Wait a minute. According to the 2 Corinthians verse – there’s something better than a spectacular ministry – A sincere heart!

We can look inside for a sincere heart . . .

Earnest, real, candid, genuine, forthright, outspoken, true, trustworthy, serious, profound, deep, honest, and fervent (according to synonym.com).

None of us have achieved “perfect sincerity” – but I’ll bet several of the above listed describe you. Plus, we can keep growing and getting better with the rest. A sincere heart is accomplishable. A spectacular ministry is a select club.

The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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4 Key Areas for Lifelong Growth

Posted on January 13, 2025 by David Rische

Now is the perfect time to be bombarded with goals, health club memberships, investment in precious metals, miracle meal plans, comfy pillows, financial prosperity, blah, blah, blah. Simple, easy, low cost, effortless, pain-free . . . it wears me out . . . you too??? If you just buy their _________ – then you will meet all your needs and goals you somehow weren’t able to accomplish in years past!!!

There is a simple growth program found in the Bible. It can smoothly be integrated into our daily lives. We can miss a day or two, and that’s just fine. People of all ages may join this program. It can remain low cost. The bad news about the program – it will take the rest of our lives to finish. The good news about the program – it will take the rest of our lives to finish! What is exciting, is that we can always have something to be working and striving towards with this program . . .

Here it is. Check this out:

Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, in favor with God and with men (Luke 2:52).

Four key areas. Jesus grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

Let’s look at how you and I can do the same. Plus, the myths and reality surrounding these four areas.

  1. Mentally – Myth: I need to know everything about a particular topic. Reality to grow: experiences, reading, podcasts, thinking, praying, courses or classes, new skills, mistakes = improvement, learning, desire to become a better version of myself, creating, and reflecting.
  2. Physically – Myth: I need to belong to a gym and/or purchase massive dollar amounts of equipment, food plans, and supplements. Reality to grow: Eating healthier, reducing sugar, pilates, stretching, walking, exercising, running, working/gardening outside, fresh air, sunlight, and getting out in nature more.
  3. Spiritually – Myth: I’m not good enough for God. Reality to grow: The myth statement is accurate. We can never be good enough in our own strength and abilities. But, believing in His Son Jesus as our Lord and Savior is more than enough. Other ways to grow – Bible reading and study, fasting, giving, praying, church, books, serving, being still, solitude, gratitude, and worship music.
  4. Socially – Myth: I feel like an imposter, what do I have to offer? Reality to grow: stop being a perfectionist, stop keeping score, stop comparing, accept you are enough right now, initiating conversations, small circle of true friends, actively listening to someone, texting encouragement randomly, volunteering, kind social media comments, forgiving offensive people, and setting boundaries with offensive people.

That’s a wrap! These four areas can be pillars for the rest of our lives. Please let me know in the comments of any other actions in these areas you’ve experienced that have helped you grow.

For God knew me in advance, and He chose me to conform to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29).

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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Holiday Amplification . . .

Posted on December 23, 2024 by David Rische

“Tis the season to be jolly . . .” But what about those who are feeling sad?

“Silent Night . . . All is Calm . . .” But what if there’s chaos all over the globe?

“Underneath the Tree . . .” But what if there aren’t any gifts or even a tree?

I recently heard a guest speaker at church who opened up my mind to the above scenarios. To paraphrase, he described how everything gets amplified during the holidays. Great things get amplified:

Joy, family, friends, gifts, wonderful meals, sweet treats, shopping, sales, bonuses, travel . . .

However, challenging things also get amplified during the holidays:

Grief, family strife, job losses, depression, anxiety, hunger, no gifts, divorce, loneliness . . .

Sounds so simple – but I found it deeply profound. We might feel embarrassed because we’re “not feeling it W” this holiday season. We could feel shame because we’ve said multiple times, “I just want to get through Christmas.” There might be deep regret because we tried to manufacture happy holidays by racking up purchases on our credit cards.

It’s all right for us to feel and experience these things. It’s a part of the amazing journey we’re on as being fully human. It can serve as a reminder to our hearts that whether we’re experiencing joy or sorrow – this earth is our temporary residence:

For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. (Hebrews 13:14)

And since it is temporary, we can always have hope in spite of our current circumstances or feelings:

Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. (Romans 8:18)

And finally, to experience that future glory, we can believe in and receive the ultimate Christmas gift from God, his son Jesus:

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16,17)

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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When Thanksgiving and Anxiety Coexist

Posted on November 26, 2024 by David Rische

The Thanksgiving schedule looks vaguely familiar to most of us: Leave for your destination or start preparing days in advance if you’re the host. Arrive, visit, get caught up, watch the football games – and then it’s time to eat. Usually a prayer of thanks, fill up the plates, fill up the stomachs, and then rest it off. Watch more games or a movie, have seconds – and then rest it off. Finally, leave for home in enough time to get ready for those Black Friday sales!

Or, Thanksgiving might look surprisingly unfamiliar this year. Grief over a lost loved one. Having to work on the holiday. Financial hardship. Alone. Feelings of anxiety, sadness, and possibly depression.

One of the many great reminders of Thanksgiving is for us to take the time to slow down and reflect on how much we have to be grateful for. Last summer, I read a book called The Answer to Anxiety by Joyce Meyers (strongly recommend). The chapter that stood out the most to me was called “The Discipline of Gratitude.” She talks about maintaining an “Attitude of Gratitude.” This comes from pages 88 and 89 of her book:

When I have a huge, unexpected, unwanted problem, my reaction is to complain, feel sorry for myself, and worry (me too – Dave’s words added). But through discipline, I am learning how to look away from anything that distracts me from God and His goodness and instead discipline myself to look for the blessings in my life. We can find something good in every discomfort if we will only look for it.

We can discipline ourselves to look for the good in things. A friend of mine shared this with me:

  • I am thankful to be able to get out of bed every morning even if I am a little stiff or still sleepy, because it reminds me that I am alive and I have things to do each day.
  • I am thankful when I have to cook a meal, because it reminds me that I have food to eat.
  • I am thankful when I get sore from exercising, because it reminds me that I am blessed with health and strength.
  • I am thankful when the oil in my car needs changing, because it reminds me that I have a car to take me where I need to go.
  • I am thankful when I have to juggle invitations or opportunities to be with friends or family, because it reminds me that I am blessed with people to love and people who love me.
  • I am thankful if my clothes feel a bit tight, because that reminds me I have plenty of food.
  • I am thankful when I have to walk to another part of the house to turn off a light or to adjust the thermostat, because it reminds me that I have electricity and a comfortable home.
  • I am thankful when I pay bills, because it reminds me that I am able to buy what I need.
  • I am thankful when I fight traffic, because it reminds me that I have somewhere to go.

My friend’s list includes things most of us can relate to, so next time you find yourself in one of these situations, I hope you will remember to be thankful because of what it reminds you.

Conclusion: Maybe this is a perspective of what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It doesn’t mean we still can’t feel anxious, sad, disappointment, or frustration. Looking at the above list – I’m still a work in progress being thankful for bills, traffic, and my car breaking down. I’m reminded of a quote from speaker and author Bob Goff: “Don’t let setbacks become a camp site.”

I’m thankful for you! If this helped – please share with a friend that might need a word of encouragement.

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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You Are Hidden Treasure . . .

Posted on October 22, 2024 by David Rische

Do you find it easy to get caught up in feeling like a number? Statistics say we’re one in 7.9 billion. We have individual Social Security numbers. Driver’s license numbers. Our bank accounts, routing numbers, and PIN’s. Maybe employee numbers, Tax ID numbers, or have had to take a number at the DMV (yuck)?

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes this thought makes its way into my head: In all of His busyness running the universe – am I a number to God?

A few weeks ago, I came across a verse that stood out when I read it. I’ve seen this story before, but haven’t noticed this verse. It is found in 1st Samuel 25: 29:

Even when you are chased by those who seek to kill you, your life is safe in the care of the Lord your God, secure in his treasure pouch!

This does start out rough talking about King David’s enemies chasing him and wanting to kill him. Hopefully that’s not our situation! However, notice the text says “when you are chased”, not “if you are chased.” We have all kinds of stuff chasing us don’t we? Bills, illnesses, pain, problems, hurts, disappointments, confusion . . . If anything, the resistance we are encountering can be reassurance that we are living lives that matter. The conclusion is in this lifetime we are going to face problems, hassles, and trials. However, in ways to vast for our minds to comprehend – God is protecting us. Even if we have the roughest life – we have the hope of eternity in heaven if we are one of God’s adopted kids (see Romans 8:1-17 to make sure you are in the family!).

Let’s focus on the last part of the verse. Treasure pouch – I like that! If we are God’s children then we must be in that pouch. I reflected on some of the attributes of what it means to be inside of a treasure pouch (try saying these out loud for greater impact):

I am protected.

I am valued.

I am cherished.

I am separated – in a good way.

A cost was paid for me.

He has invested in me.

I am His guarded possession.

I am safe.

He shows me off to others . . .

What about life’s challenges chasing us? Yes . . .

Once those tough times hit we can fix our minds on being in that pouch. Now, and then forever in eternity. When bad things happen, we can move forward knowing that we will ultimately triumph even though circumstances temporarily set us back.

Go out today and shine like the treasure that you are! Please comment if there are any other treasure attributes that you came up with to add to the list.

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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Beware of The Drift . . .

Posted on September 18, 2024 by David Rische

Actor and comedian Jim Carrey once made a comment about isolation I think many of us can relate to. Especially if we’re in jobs dealing with the general public, customer service, and consistently giving ourselves emotionally and physically. Plus, some of us are introverts – so it applies even more. Mr. Carrey said:

“Solitude is dangerous. It’s very addictive. It becomes a habit after you realize how peaceful and calm it is. It’s like you don’t want to deal with people anymore because they drain your energy.”

It is a fine balance between being alone to recharge and reenergize – or consistently being alone to avoid people and human interaction. Maybe we’ve been hurt, taken advantage of, drained, or annoyed by people. Plus, at the time of this writing – we are going through the process of finding a new church to call home. I find it super easy not to go at all. Who thought at my age I’d be doing this again? “Maybe I’ll continue the search next week. . . “

A mental image that comes to mind is a piece of driftwood floating in the water. It is incredibly relaxing to sit on the beach or some type of shore line and watch the patterns of the waves as they crash and then retract. It’s also fascinating to watch a piece of wood being moved by the waves. The wood innocently seems to have no will of its own. The pull of the water is the only direction it has at this time unless someone or something intervenes. Did you know the Bible warns against us being like that piece of wood? More specifically – it warns against a certain type of drifting:

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it (Hebrews 2:1).

Some things to consider if we sense ourselves drifting from the truth in any area of our lives:

  1. We don’t need to do anything to drift. Regression in any area of our lives happens naturally. If we aren’t intentional – decline is the natural default mode. Physically, mentally, socially, spiritually, and financially. Similar to the ever growing weeds in our flower beds – they just happen unless we are continually active in eliminating them. Plus, life can be overwhelming with challenges, problems, setbacks, procrastination, and overwhelm. Those all help accelerate the drift in our lives. Why put in the work to change the current course? Is it even worth it?
  2. We become isolated or unaccountable when we drift. Look at Jim Carrey’s warning, “Solitude is dangerous.” Our culture continues to encourage and make isolation incredibly attractive and easy. Food, entertainment, communication, banking, “social” media, church, shopping, and on and on. It all can be done from the comfort of the couch with a few clicks on the phone or favorite device. The writer of Hebrews wrote a warning to the Christians of his day: “Let us not give up the habit of meeting together – and all the more as you see The Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:25) Further study shows that this group wasn’t meeting due to lack of interest. They weren’t meeting because it had a price attached. Fear, threats, possible harm, or even death. We don’t get together because of inconvenience, lack of priority, or not wanting to get emotionally hurt. Who is missing out on our gifts and uniqueness we have to offer when we are absent?
  3. We don’t grow when we drift. None of us deliberately want pain. Or struggles and hassles. Or battles. In a weird irony – those are the best ways for us to grow. I’d rather read a book about growth. Even better, listen to a podcast about “The 3 Easy Steps to Pain Free Growth” (I just made the title up – let me know if it’s really out there!). The shift from contributor to consumer is so subtle. The status quo becomes the goal we’re shooting for. And when we eventually do hit hard times – that is when we need people the most. People to listen and not judge. People to hug and encourage us. People to pray for us. Drifting and isolation want us to keep it all in and pretend we have our act together. In the wild, a lion will seek out the prey that has strayed from the pack. Peter warns us our enemy the devil is like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). One of my favorite movie quotes comes from The Shawshank Redemption. The main character, Andy Dufresne, says to his friend, Red, “I guess it comes down to a simple choice, really. Get busy living, or get busy dying.”

Conclusion: One of the hardest things to prevent drifting in any of the key areas of our lives is we have to work at it not to. It takes major effort. Being vulnerable and potentially being hurt. This also carries over regarding our relationship with Jesus. In the book of Revelation, he calls out a church in the ancient city of Ephesus. However, he could just as easily be talking to us:

But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love each other as you did at first. Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first (Revelation 2: 4,5).

What does that even look like? What are the “works you did at first”? Author Steve Farrar offers these tough reflection points from his book, Finishing Strong:

*You’re not seeking Jesus Christ the way you once did.

*You’re not hungrily diving into the Word the way you once did.

*You’re not enjoying the company of believers the way you once did.

*You’re not delighting in quiet walks and talks with God the way you once did.

If any of these apply to you and me, the good news is that every day is a fresh beginning. Instead of beating ourselves up – we can start small in any of the above areas and go from there. This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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When Your Anxiety Is Off The Charts (reboot)

Posted on August 30, 2024 by David Rische

Doesn’t is seem like there is always something to be worried about? If not in our personal lives – then one quick look at the news highlights can fuel our angst rapidly? I read a study by Harvard Business Review showing that “Anxiety is the #1 Mental Illness and affects over 40 million Americans.” One of the tragedies of the study is that it was published back in May of 2020. What would the number be today???

That is why I love the title of the book, Worried About Everything Because I Pray About Nothing. One day I was randomly listening to a podcast and the guest was the author, Chad Veach. Never heard of him. His interview was so intriguing – I had to rush out and get the book (okay, my library had it available for free).

Chad’s foundational principle is that we should pray, turn things over to God, and pray some more until we reach some level of inner peace. In his own words, “Pray yourself to peace.” Worry, anxiety, and “fixing it” are usually our default modes. I had a fairly intense encounter with an angry “client” last week. It all turned out okay. After reflecting – I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t pray before, during, or after that encounter. Was I anxious? Yes. Was I worried? Yes. Did I pray? No.

Here are some of the key scripture verses from the book:

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. (Philippians 4: 6-7)

You (God) will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! (Isaiah 26: 3)

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. (2 Thessalonians 3: 16)

“I (Jesus) am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give . . . “ (John 14: 27)

So, if The Bible is true (it is!) – then perfect peace, God’s peace we can’t understand, and peace at all times and in every situation are attainable? Sign me up for this program! That’s the tricky part. It takes some effort, intentionality, and time on our parts. “Pray about everything” is the revealed secret. And it goes to a whole new level when my prayers stop being so “me” focused and they shift to others needs (and praying about world events instead of worrying or being angry about them). Here are are a few quotes that stood out to me from the book. Actually, they stood out because they were 1/2 inspiring and 1/2 “Ouch!”:

“Don’t ask God to guide your steps if you’re not ready to get off the couch.”

“It is easier to pray about things than to actually put in the work to fix them.”

“Crazy thought: Our prayers can move the hand of God.”

“Prayer is relational and not transactional.”

“What do you give a God that has everything??? . . . . . We give him more of ourselves!”

Conclusion: How about we give this a try? The next time something happens that leads our thoughts to worry, anxiety, and stress – what would happen if they first thing we did was stop and pray? It can be silent, swift, and imperfect. What would it be like if we started the habit of “praying yourself to peace”? And finally, what if our lives reflected flipping the title of this book? Worried About Nothing Because I Pray About Everything . . .

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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I’d Rather Have An Agenda Vs. A Compass

Posted on July 30, 2024 by David Rische

Do you find yourself asking these questions: What is my purpose? How do I know I’m going in the right direction with my life? What is God’s will for me? Have I taken a wrong turn with my decisions – and completely missed out on what I was supposed to do?

I wish God would give us an agenda for life. A detailed schedule. Exact times when things will occur. No surprises or cancellations please. Even a rough draft of what is coming – where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to do would be nice.

Instead, God gives us a compass. We kind of know the general direction we’re to be going. We usually have no idea what surprises are lurking around the corner. Or, we might shake it every now and then and ask, “Is this thing even working???” With God’s compass – we have to trust and depend on Him.

Psalm 32 verse 8 is one of the best verses in the Bible regarding God’s promise to faithfully lead us with his compass. It states: The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8) Let’s break down the 4 key parts of this verse:

  1. Guide – God in his goodness promises to be with us. David said, “I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8) A good guide is there to show you the way – not force you on the way. Several years ago, my wife and I had the opportunity to tour The Colosseum in Rome. At first, I stubbornly said, “We don’t need a tour guide – we can do it ourselves.” Talk about a terrible idea. Fortunately, the hotel front desk person convinced me otherwise. The guide we had was amazing. She used her pass to skip the long entry line. She had access to the floor of the Colosseum, she showed us wall drawings that ancient gladiators made, and we were able to view the catacombs where the warriors and animals for combat were kept. A guide can make a huge difference. She didn’t have to force, convince, or manipulate us to go. We trusted that the guide knew so much more than we did. Do we do the same with God?
  2. Best Pathway – God has seen all of history, and he knows the part we are to share with him. There are good pathways for us, bad ones, and the best. The hard part is it takes trust when it looks like we’re not on the right path. Or, we deliberately go the route we know we’re not supposed to go on. Detours and delays. Stuck in the traffic of life feeling like we’re barely moving forward. The second part of the phrase is critical also – best pathway for your life. It has been said that “comparison is the thief of joy.” Your life. Not your friends, acquaintances, or co-workers. Not the people doing all of the fun and happy stuff on social media. Not celebrities who appear to have everything going for them. God guides me and you on the best pathways for our lives – even when it doesn’t make logical sense to us or we don’t give it our approval.
  3. Advise – What is nice about advice is that it’s different than someone bossing us around. We have the choice whether to listen and take action or not. Family and friends give us advice. People that have “been there before.” Both young and older. Strangers. Sometimes words of warning. A few winters ago, we went snowmobiling as a family in New Mexico. Our guide (see point 1) told the entire group that we could explore the entire vast area that was before us on a wonderful white, snowy, mountain plain. Except, she reiterated, “stay away from the area on the right bank near the woods.” The snow was icy, muddy, and people had gotten stuck there. Sure enough, we were released to go explore – and this “obnoxious” family in our group headed straight for the area near the woods. And sure enough, several of their snowmobiles got stuck. And sure enough, the rest of us had to wait on them to get rescued. And sure enough, they never acknowledged doing anything wrong or apologized to the rest of us for completely ignoring the advice given in advance. It was weird. Anyway, how does God advise us? Through people, The Bible, prayers, the still small voice in our hearts, our intuition, events, circumstances, media, silence – the ways are endless. Are we looking and listening for his advice – or are we headed off to the woods to do our own thing?
  4. Watch over – To wrap up this wonderful promise, we find God’s assurance he will be there watching over us. However, we can’t help but ask some tough questions: If God is watching over me, why do bad things happen? If I’m on his path being guided – why did the end result seem like a flop? Why do I sometimes feel alone and abandoned? Those are all fair questions. And realistically, we probably won’t get a satisfying answer to them in this lifetime. To me, two verses stand out that help provide that compass when thinks are not going as I had hoped: “As high as the heavens are above the earth – so high are my ways and thoughts above yours” (Isaiah 55: 9). Also, “And we know that in all things God works together for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). He never promises a struggle free, charmed, all blessings and prosperity filled life. But, he has promised to always be there with us.

Conclusion – Years ago, a new pastor at the church we were attending boldly proclaimed, “God had given him a 10 year vision for the church!” “Wow, that guy most be super close to God”, I thought in my head. He must get extra visions, dreams, and revelations because of his occupation. I wish God would give me just a 10 day plan – but I’m not as spiritual as this pastor. Funny thing – that pastor took on an administrative job as a promotion in less than two years because now “God was leading him in a new direction.” So much for the 10 year vision – I guess God changed his mind? 🙂

As humans, mystery with God can either be an uncomfortable challenge or embraced. The Apostle Paul understood this tug of war. In 1 Corinthians 16: 9 he declares, “A great and effective door has been opened for me AND there are many obstacles.” From his life experiences he knew that barriers, resistance, and obstacles were validation that he was on the right path. He was at peace that God gave him a compass instead of an agenda. May we be the same.

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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Will Heaven Be Boring?

Posted on June 30, 2024 by David Rische

“Is this as good as it gets?” That was the famous question asked by Jack Nicholson’s character in the movie appropriately titled As Good as it Gets. It’s easy to look around us and possibly apply the question to our current circumstances as all of us face challenges, struggles, and problems. However, if we are believers in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, then we have the hope of heaven after we die or are raptured.

Let’s be honest – it might be difficult to put our hope in a place we’ve never seen or experienced. On the flip side of challenges – what if things are going great now? What if we are experiencing a little bit of “heaven on earth” and aren’t in too much of a hurry to leave?

The images provided in books, movies, and sermons are not all that exciting. First impressions in my head are people and angels wearing white robes in the clouds equipped with harps, singing praises in a never-ending worship service, and a giant iron gate that Saint Peter is guarding to let people in or not. A nice, decked out mansion for a future residence. Quite a bit of down time. Finally, a chance to get some rest. Sitting around chatting with family and friends who made it. Maybe even wondering – I know God is here, but when do we get to see and talk to him? He’s probably extremely busy with all of these new residents. Is that as good as heaven gets???

It’s hard to put faith and trust in something that is invisible now. We are created to be visual. We can also conjure up images in our minds. If someone says, “Tom Cruise was at Six Flags riding The Texas Giant Roller Coaster (totally made this up).” Even if we’ve never been to this amusement park, we still can create a mental picture. What about Heaven? The quality images aren’t in abundant supply.

Even though our heads may not have all that great of images – the Bible is filled with them! A possible tremendous resource for future study is the book, Heaven by Randy Alcorn. It is the most exhaustive, hopeful, and “down to earth” perspective of the topic I’ve ever encountered. Let’s take a look at three major areas we can have future hope towards. I’ll also include some “earthly” pictorial images to help get a mental snapshot.

  1. We will have a New Body – like Jesus’ after he rose from the dead! The apostle Paul tells us: But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into our immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die . . . (1 Corinthians 15: 51-54) This is definitely something to look forward to with great anticipation. Our bodies will be like Jesus’. We will have minds that don’t deteriorate over time. We will be able to move from place to place beyond walking (John 20:19). No more coughs and colds or flu season. Our bones won’t break. No headaches or migraines. Better yet – no more diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart problems, COVID, etc. Earthly images – think Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, and The Flash!
  2. We will live in a New Building(s) – Heaven! Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. . . And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband . . . God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever (Revelation 21: 1 – 4). Further on in the chapter it describes the length, width, and height of this magnificent structure of 1400 miles in each direction. Try and picture the most spectacular looking cube beyond your wildest dreams. This mega-cube will be the distance from Mexico to Canada in every direction! Jesus reassured his disciples saying, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14: 1 – 3). Earthly images – think of the architectural brilliance combined of Italy, France, and the castles in Germany. The mountain ranges of Switzerland, Colorado, and Canada. And the white, sandy beaches with clear water in Grace Bay, The Caribbean (Google search for clearest water and whitest sand)!
  3. We get a New Boss – Jesus Christ! The world has now become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever (Revelation 11:15). No more corrupt government, no more evil getting away with it, no more elections, no more political parties, no more taxes, no more corporate greed, no more wars, no more crime, no more poverty. Jesus is on the throne as the invincible ruler of the universe. He will first reign on earth for 1000 years (Revelation 20: 6). Then he will rule for all eternity in heaven with us as his loyal, fulfilled, and joyful subjects. And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new! . . . And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega – the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children (Revelation 21: 5-7). Earthly images – think of good kings using their power to serve and protect their people – Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings, Aslan the Lion from the Narnia tales, and King Arthur.

Conclusion: Remember the dull images at the beginning of this post? The truth is the exact opposite. We will be busy doing what we’ve always been created to do. We will be joyful, fulfilled, adventurous, energetic, 100% healthy, surrounded by love, in community, creative, and thriving. We will be busy – there won’t be time to sit on clouds and strum a harp. We will serve God in Heaven (Revelation 7:15; 22:3). Service is active, not passive. Randy Alcorn states: Work in Heaven won’t be frustrating or fruitless; instead, it will involve lasting accomplishment, unhindered by decay and fatigue, enhanced by unlimited resources. We’ll approach our work with the enthusiasm we bring to our favorite sport or hobby . . . In Heaven, we’ll reign with Christ, exercise leadership and authority, and make important decisions (Luke 19: 17-19 and page 412 of Heaven). Some other great resources besides your Bible and the book Heaven are: Hereafter: It’s Far Better Than You Can Imagine by Terry James and All Things New by John Eldridge.

How do I get in and become a citizen of Heaven? The Apostle Paul provided that answer for all of us: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Don’t put this off. I conclude with a question worth wrestling with right now and resolving today: What happens after this life???

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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Has the Internet Replaced God???

Posted on May 31, 2024 by David Rische

Recently, I listened to a podcast series titled “Disciples of the Internet” from Wild at Heart. That information provides the foundational ideas presented here. Please give the podcast a listen if you have some free time.

The Internet Replacing God is a pretty shocking title. Our first response is probably, “No way – at least not in my life.” Generally speaking – the internet is mandatory for our society to function. When the internet goes down for hours or perhaps even days – it is incredibly easy to be slightly panicked, majorly inconvienenced and distraught while thinking, “I can’t do anything without being able to go online.” However, let’s take a look beyond the basic necessities of communication, business transactions, information, news, and our finances. What effect has the internet had internally? Our minds, souls, and spirits? And, could these possible effects have a negative impact on our relationship with God?

  1. The Internet can be all-knowing to us. We have access to any content or information 24/7. If I have a question about any topic – I can conveniently ask my phone or computer. If I have a medical concern – I can just simply type my symptoms in and get an “expert” diagnosis of what it is. If I need to know how to change my AC filters – there are dozens of videos available to guide me step by step. My expectation is an immediate answer, unending content, and solutions to instantaneously solve my problems. Any challenge that I’m facing – I should be able to find a 1-2-3 step formula for a quick fix I can do independently.
  2. The Internet has conditioned us to get what we want when we want it. These phrases have all become the norm to us: Instant Download, Overnight Delivery, Free Shipping, and On Demand. Anything I want is a click or two away. Long gone are those days of eating a box of heavily sugar coated cereal and seeing on the back of the box a $4.99 Secret Decoder Ring for purchase (plus 4 box tops). I’m really dating myself – but hold on for a mini history lesson. After several weeks of consuming the other boxes of cereal to get the coveted box tops – plus doing extra chores to earn the lofty amount of $4.99 . . . Mom would then write a check for the amount (I had no idea what a check was – but we were taught not to send cash because someone could steal it). I would patiently wait for 4-6 weeks for the decoder ring to arrive. And then, that “someday” eventually is here. The magical decoder ring shows up in the mail! Unfortunately, it would break after 1-2 days.
  3. The Internet’s ways are different than God’s ways. When we chose to have a relational life with God – that life can lead to joy, peace, love, wonder, mystery, beauty, friendship, joy, miracles, kindness, strength, hope now and for eternity (just to name a few things). However, a life with God can also lead to mystery. Unanswered questions. Not knowing everything. Asking “Why?” – and getting no answers. Patience and more patience. Uncomfortable silence. Pain. Disappointments. Struggles, hassles, and challenges. More questions. The internet can groom us into thinking that we should be able to figure everything out. We can take on a level-headed, overly practical world view. There’s not much room left for the supernatural or divine intervention. Let’s take mystery, waiting, and time out of the equation.

If we do a deeper, honest assessment of our inner life – it is revealing to come up with additional side effects from our dependence on the internet and all of the devices that help us go online. Let’s face it, we are can never get caught up with whatever our initial intention is. Do a google search of any subject and in seconds you have hundreds if not thousands of sites to click on. Emails are endless. We (I) catch ourselves mindlessly scrolling when we (I) should be doing something instead of procrastinating. It can mentally and emotionally wear us out.

It is also easy to develop an overriding lack of trust. A “research” based article might declare all of the amazing health benefits of drinking coffee. Perfect! I drink at least two cups a day. . . Wait a minute – a new “scientific study” just came out showing the negative effects coffee has on our health. Oh no – I drink at least two cups a day! Who is right??? Both sides have compelling arguments and facts. What about information concerning conspiracy theories on the internet? Any topic: Bigfoot’s existence, 9/11, UFOs, The Kennedy Assassination, The Moon Landing, and on and on and on – they all have passionate support for both sides. So who is correct? The deeper we go – the easier it is to become skeptical about government, people, and life in general.

So . . . what are some solutions if we’ve let the internet replace God?

  1. Awareness – We can start by taking an honest look inside and accepting if the above information is true in our lives. And then possibly asking ourselves some tough questions: “Do I constantly go to the internet for help before praying to God?” “Have I let being online replace quality relationships with others?” “What parts do patience, mystery, and waiting on God play in my life?” “Am I worn out mentally and emotionally after I’m online – or do I feel refreshed?”
  2. Ancient Ways – Often my wife and I will talk about “The Good Old Days” growing up: Playing outside for hours upon hours – sometimes until the neighborhood street lights came on (and being safe). Only having 4 television channels to choose from – and yet always being able to find something to watch. Me finally saving up 25 cents (plus tax) to be able to afford a comic book. Okay, we can’t time travel back to the 70’s. However, let’s go back thousands of years and check out what the prophet Jeremiah wrote:

This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the ancient, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6: 16)

Stop . . . look around . . . Slow down, pause, be okay with being still.

The ancient, godly way . . . prayer, worship, listening to God, time in the Bible, fasting, connecting with others in person, silence, serving, giving. . . Not all at once. We can start small and maybe try one practice a week for 5-10 minutes.

Rest for your souls . . . peace, anti-overwhelm, true joy, steady in spite of circumstances, a quiet confidence, contentment. Doesn’t that sound kind of nice right now?

3. Actions – It would be next to impossible not to use the internet at all in our modern society. However, there are small steps we can take to disconnect from it. Getting outside more. Walks and being in nature can have a restorative effect on our inner being. Spend a few hours with a Golden Retriever and watch how they teach us everyday is the best day. Possibly turning our phones on airplane mode for a few hours. Maybe scheduling or setting boundaries for the amount time spent scrolling, on social media, or sifting through emails.

Conclusion – Jesus told his followers that he had come that we may have an abundant life. The devil wants to steal, kill, and destroy that life (John 10:10). Jesus said to love God and love others (Matthew 22: 37-39). The devil seeks to devour us like a roaring lion and wants us isolated, self absorbed, and uninvolved (1 Peter 5:8). Jesus wants us to watch and prepare for his second coming (Luke 21: 34-36). The devil wants us to think this is as good as it gets and to try and build heaven on earth (2 Corinthians 4:4). Every moment is a choice who or what will get our attention, devotion, time, and loyalty. Who or what are we going to chose?

Blessings,

Dave 🙂

https://www.amazon.com/author/davidrische

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