Does evangelism scare you?

On Wednesday, I was writing about heaven and asking people what they expect it to be like.  Part of one woman's comment said:

"I'm struggling with a non-desire to be here on earth any longer than I need to be. I know I'm here for His purpose and I don't want to deny Him anything from His design for me, but I find my desire to work here waining. I guess what I really am questioning is why I don't desire to share this treasure with my non-believing friends and people I encounter? I am comfortable to share and encourage other believers, but those that I encounter that don't know or don't care to know Christ...I avoid sharing my faith with them.

For so long I've battled with whether or not I'd offend them and ...

Heaven Help Us

Continuing the topic from my devotion published today ... Many people I've asked admit they aren't really looking forward to heaven all that much.  Oh sure, they greatly prefer it to the alternative, and they love God, but they suspect heaven won't be all that fun.  At least not compared to here where we have great food, movies, things to accomplish, amusement parks, vacations in exotic locations and hobbies we enjoy. They're afraid heaven will be one long, boring choir concert.

Have you read The Chronicles of Narnia series? C.S. Lewis ends the last book in the series with a paragraph that excites me about heaven:

"... but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has ever read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before."

— C.S. Lewis in The Last Battle

I believe heaven will far surpass our best notions of it. I believe that because that's the kind of God I know and serve. And because He is ultimately responsible for all the good things we enjoy in life here. My mother-in-law, a nature lover, once told me she wasn't looking forward to heaven.  I asked why. She replied, "I understand there are streets of gold, and I prefer the greens of moss and grass." I assured her that since God made the greens of grass, she could trust that she'll like whatever heaven contains. She is there now.

I also believe that how I live on earth determines to a degree what my life in heaven will be like - the theology of rewards. I believe that because that's what I see the Bible teaching, and it reflects God's character of justice. (Salvation to heaven, which is not based on my actions but simply my faith in Jesus, reflects God's character of grace). I've been writing about that some in my upcoming book It's No Secret.
 
So, what do you believe heaven will be like?   Where did you get those notions?

If your notions came from particular verses in scripture, I'd love for you to post them in the comments for us to read and learn from. Let's find out together this week, as best we can on this side of the Great Shadow, what heaven is really like.

Thankful for the hope and promise of heaven.

Calling all devotion lovers - March

As you may know, I am the editor for Proverbs 31 Ministries' online devotional "Encouragement for Today." I'm also the General Editor, along with my friend Lysa TerKeurst, of the devotional book God's Purpose for Every Woman. I read devotions because in just a couple minute's time, they pull my heart towards God.

And that makes me a better woman.

I'm not alone. Last month I got an email from a sweet husband saying: "I signed my wife up to your daily devotionals about 2 years ago. I have noticed a change in her heart, her actions, and words. She is even more beautiful today than when I married her. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your transparency and most of all sharing God's truth and Love."

Reading devotionals can be a powerful exercise in renewing our minds in Christ. Writing them can too. Writing does wonders for my walk with God. It helps me recognize what God's doing, or has done, in my life. It helps me grapple with and apply God's truths from scripture. And writing devotions helps me turn my thoughts heavenward.

So I got to thinking ... what if you wrote devotions too? And I and others could read them? So I decided last month to hold a devotional carnival here on my blog (see here). It was so much fun, with about 40 participating, that I'm continuing this month. Next Monday, March 15, I'll host another devotional blog link up party.

If you're interested in participating, here's the simple how-to: Offer a key Bible verse that ties with what you are writing about. Keep it under 650 words total. And write on the topic of PLEASING GOD. Anything at all to do with pleasing God. It can be serious, funny, or poetic - it's all up to you. Just be sure that it teaches or illustrates your verse and draws our heart towards God - that's the purpose of a devotional after all.

Then post your devotion on your blog on Monday, March 15th and come here to link it with my post for that day. There'll be instructions on my blog that morning for how to do this with a simple Mr. Linky box. People will be able to get to your devotional post from my blog.

Doesn't that sound like all kinds of spiritual fun?!

PS. The next day I'll randomly draw a name from all the devotion posters that participated, and they will win a $10 Starbucks gift card. I know you want to go start plotting your devotional post right now, along with your Starbucks order. But before you do, go tell a friend about Monday's carnival and get her to participate as well. The more who do, the more we'll all be encouraged to please God.

Thankful for those who pierce my heart with just a few devotional words.

Fresh Direction

So far in 2010 God has me on a "taste and see" journey. I've been praying for vision, and He's begun pouring it on. Strong - like trying to drink from the proverbial fire hose.

I asked in a post at the start of the year how we can number our days aright in order to present to God a heart of wisdom. The answer I'm arriving at has a tremendous duality to it. I’m enthralled with the notion that life in Christ is simultaneously about stewardship and serving, and about enjoyment and rejoicing. It’s about both discipline and pleasure. The impulse is strong to make it one or the other, but God does not.

My heart is slowing down in 2010 to focus on both discipline and pleasure, and I'm so excited to see what wondrous paths He leads me down this year. I'm already catching little glimpses of eternity along the way. Look for changes ahead on this blog, in my ministry, as well as in my life.

Free Audio Books in March

Apparently, my current purpose in life is to hook you up with free book giveaways.

Lucky me; Lucky you!

So here is the latest one I have for you – good for the entire month of March.

Free AUDIO books from ChristianAudio.com

This month they are offering a free audio book from 2 authors I adore: John Piper’s Fifty Reasons Jesus Came to Die, and Deitrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship.

If you don’t know Bonhoeffer’s story, it’s a compelling one. Saw a play about his life while I was in grad school at Regent. Few of us will ever have our beliefs tested as this man did. This book is a classic. Use the coupon code MAR2010 to get his audiobook for free.

Piper is a current day pastor I’ve been reading for years. While I haven't read this one by him - I'm about to listen to it - I can recommend him very highly. Use the code MAR2010B to get Piper’s free audiobook.

Not only that, but for the month of March ChristianAudio is also making available the downloads of all Bonhoeffer audiobooks and all Piper audiobooks for just $4.98 each. Find those titles here. That should keep you busy listening while you drive, or do housework, or go for a walk.

Enjoy!

Thankful for the ability to listen to other authors speak.