Going Home

Hello All -

Happy Easter !! Does anyone else remember wearing a bonnet on Easter Sunday? I do. Mine was always frilly and gorgeous!

I pray this sovereign season finds you enjoying spring flowers and sunshine. Here in Florida the “snowbirds” (seasonal residents) are packing their luggage and heading north. 

In this edition I share thoughts on April’s holy days. Plus I’ve included practical insights on how to detect if a loved one is in an abusive relationship.

Thank you for your positive comments and appreciation for this newsletter. And as always, please share it with others.

Your Sister,

There’s No Place Like Home

by Laura Petherbridge

Sometimes people think I’m weird. I talk about heaven so much that it makes others uncomfortable. They don’t enjoy thinking about the afterlife, but I can’t wait to experience it. C. S. Lewis expressed my sentiments when he said, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world." I love that!! Earth is not my home; I was created for another permanent residence.

Lewis continues to share why it’s significant to focus on eternity, “If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world that they have become so ineffective in this.”

I’m not afraid to die. I am afraid of a pain, but eternity doesn’t scare me. I know where I’m headed. That may sound arrogant; but it isn’t because I didn’t pay heaven’s entrance fee, someone else did.

Easter demonstrates what it cost the Savior to purchase my heavenly confidence. On Good Friday I often go back to my Catholic roots by attending the “stations of the cross.” It’s a good reminder that God has known me since my birth and childhood. It’s also provides a stark awareness of the hefty price Christ paid for my sin to be cleansed. Twenty-nine years ago I surrendered my life to Him, and accepted his gift of salvation. That’s when my name was written on heaven’s “guest list” and secured my celestial abode. Jesus already paid the ticket price—with his life. I’m confident of heaven because it’s not about me, it’s about Him.

Anyone who says they aren’t interested in heaven doesn’t understand the atmosphere. Rev 21:3-5 describes it this way, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be... [read more]

Understanding an Abusive Relationship

If you watch the news it’s likely you’ve heard about the recent altercation involving superstars, Rihanna and Chris Brown. Allegedly, Brown physically abused his girlfriend and threatened her life.

As a divorce recovery expert I deal with similar situations. People often believe that low income groups are the only ones experiencing toxic relationships. However, Rihanna’s bank account dispels this myth. Abuse affects the rich as well as the poor.

Christians often think that domestic violence doesn’t occur in the church, nothing could be further from the truth. After 20 years of observing destructive relationships here is my insight on the traits often exhibited by an abuser.

Men can be abused by a woman, but the victim of this crime is predominately female.

An abuser is...[read more]

Did you know?

• On July 22, 2009 a total eclipse of the Sun will be visible from within a narrow corridor of the Earth.
• Astronomers estimate there are over 100 thousand million stars in the Milky Way alone.
  

Memorable Quote:

“Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither.” - C.S. Lewis

The national anthem of hell is, "I Did It My Way." - Peter Kreeft

Resource
Give-Away Contest:

The March 2009 Winner was Amber Larson from Orrville, Ohio Congratulations, Amber!

This month’s resource give-away contest winner will receive Heaven Has Blue Carpet by Sharon Niedzinski.

Check out her website:
www.sharonniedzinski.com

Be the 8th person to contact me. To enter this month's Resource Give-Away Contest, enter simply by contacting me.