Heaven and Hell

Every Sunday morning I "attend" church on line.  I've not found a church locally  that fits for me.  This is a church out of Nashville, Tennessee.  Tennessee is my old stomping grounds, I lived in East Tennessee for just over 15 years.

I enjoy these services, aside from the convenience for me the worship segment is usually off the chain good.  The message is always relevant and thought provoking, even life changing at times.

This month, October they have been doing a series titled "Monsters".  Basically, this is dealing with the little thinking monsters that we get in our lives that keep us from our purpose in Christ.

Today's monster, "Me, me, me Mummy".  The title about sums it up.  As you might guess it's dealing with being self-centered, and not being who Christ called us to be.  Servants in love to one another, whether that be family, friends or stranger.  It's not associated with being a "bad" person or being malicious our whole society is set up on the basis of self gratification.  Heaven knows I've contributed my share of self-centered behavior and/or thought.  As Christ followers we're called to something much higher.  Christ creator, King, God came to us as a lowly man and He served. The ultimate act of service He laid down His life so you and I can have life.  Abundant life not just once we get to Heaven, but here in the "land of the living".   We are promised this life eternal if we simply become like a child and believe in Him and what He did for us.

I want to be a better servant and follower of Christ.  I desire to become less about me, and more about others.  I trust Christ Jesus to help me become more like Him and less like the selfish me.  I know it takes time to bring about some changes, but I am confident with Christ all things are possible, and as the word promises, He is faithful and will complete that which He has begun in those who believe.

One illustration the Pastor gave that really struck a cord in me, prompting me to share this with who ever might read this is titled, "Heaven and Hell".  The story goes like this:

A man spoke to the Lord about Heaven and Hell.  "I will show you hell, said the Lord.  And they went into a room that had a large pot of stew in the middle.  The smell was delicious and around the pot sat people who were famished and desperate.  All were holding spoons will long handles that would reach into the pot, but because the handles of the spoons were longer than their arms, it was impossible to get the stew to their mouths.  Their suffering was terrible.

"Now I will show you Heaven", said the Lord.  And they went into an identical room.  There was a similar pot of stew and the people had the same identical spoons, but they were well nourished, talking and happy.

At first the man did not understand.  "It is simple", said the Lord.  "You see, they have learned to feed each other".

Philippians 2:4 ESV

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others".