Heaven

The death of my brother Bruce this past January was, to say the least, a deep shock to all of us in the family.   He was not yet 57 years of age.  The one great assurance I have is that Bruce was a Believer in Christ. In deep reflection in knowing that he has taken the step ahead of us and gone into glory, I spent - and still do spend - copious amounts of time studying the truths of Heaven as we find in the Bible.  A few that have brought great comfort to me are:

Rev. 21:4 -  there is no more pain in Heaven;
Luke 13: 29 - It'll be a grand festival of many, many folk who want to fellowship, and, well, party.   "And they shall come from the East and from the West, and from the North and from the South, and sit down in the kingdom of God."
Rev. 21:4  - sorrow is over as well.  "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying..."
2 Corinthians 4:17 - It'll be forever... no end of the great times!   "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
Revelation 21:27  - There will be no sin in Heaven.  "And there shall in no way enter into it any thing that defiles..."

It's very hard to consider that while here on Earth I will not see Bruce again, I have a growing peace about meeting him in the home of God - a place of rest, comfort, and festivals.  That fits right in with how Bruce would want it. 

This, my friends is what it is all about. A man gives his shoes to a homeless person in Rio De Janeiro.  This is compassion and it is beyond words for me.  This touches my heart in a way few pictures can.