A World of Barely Saved...

I know as soon as many read this, my life will end up under a microscope. Fact is, conviction loves company LOL...When I look around at the church world today it is totally different from the church world 50 years ago. In some ways I am grateful that we have moved beyond 5 songs in the Red Back Hymnal. Yet in other ways there is a trend of what I call, "Barely Saved." This trend carries a tendency to walk a fine line between saved and not. Problem with this is salvation isn't about simply escaping hell it's about living an abundant life on earth. Remember the Lord's Prayer? On Earth as it is in Heaven...I wonder if a lot of things we feel are ok here will be ok there? I wonder if things we care about here we will care about there? Will those things we hold so dearly too here even matter there? Will our feelings and our thoughts be a driving force in our lives on the other side? Will we so enamoured by how cool we can be and still say we are saved? Or will we enter Heaven only to wish we had lived a life more pleasing to God? Then you have to ask yourself...What does really please God? As Tyra and I expect our first son so many have told us about how it will change our life and literally our walk with God. Some have said that we will want him to be as happy as he can be. I believe that to some extent. Many have even said that's how God feels toward us...but then I think...well what if my child is happy playing in the middle of the road? Do I allow that simply because it makes him happy? And, what if he tried to convince me that he really is happiest when he's high or drunk? Do I allow that simply because he's happy? I don't think so...I am his parent. And, with being a parent, I have a duty to sometimes not make him happy if not making him happy is better for him. Sometimes God is more concerned with us living right than being happy. And since we are living in a fallen world, that means that sometimes what makes me happy God will not allow. In fact...Jonah was more happy not going to Ninevah....but that wasn't God's plan for him...Lately I feel that we have forgotten that we are to live a life that is pleasing to God, not self. Then, and only then, will we find true freedom in live on earth. Again, this is not meant as judgement toward you but a reflection of what's going on in my life. The past year has been the roughest year of my life. It's been a year of loss. It's been the hardest place to learn to Love God when He takes things away. But, I have learned that it's not things here that concern me anymore...it's things there. I thought the other day about the last sermon I heard about heaven...and you know what? I can't remember it. Heaven is real and in fear of sounding like my granny...it's closer than you think. I pray that God help me to be concerned about how I am living my life here because how I live it here will determine how I live it there. Holiness is not a cuss word...it's a prize to strive for. Thanks for reading my thoughts.
baby update: We are now over 35 weeks!! I really don't believe Tyra will go 40 weeks...more like 37-38....We are getting excited because the Nursery is FINISHED!!! Praise the Lord...and no we still don't have a name...pray saints!