Thinking about Heaven, Part 1

Submitted by Rusty Tugman on April 25, 2010 - 12:40pm

Our church memory verse during our sermon series on Heaven is Colossians 3:2-3, which encourages us to "set your minds on things above."  For the next several blog posts, I want to explore what helps us think about heaven on a consistent basis.  One of the things that helps me is music.  Listening to Christian radio like KLOVE or AirOne, the Zoe Group, and Alameda's praise team CD's help me to keep my mind on things above.  Even classical and jazz help me think positive thoughts at the end of a long day.  So, what are your some of your favorite Christian artists, songs, or styles of music that help you stay focused on postive things?

For me...it's old bluegrass

Submitted by Anonymous on April 26, 2010 - 8:17am.
For me...it's old bluegrass gospel music. This music has it's roots in a very simple time. Generally, the music has a very simple theme played with simple instruments and it came into being during very simple (perhaps even difficult) times. When those writing and playing this music had very little in the way of material possessions, busy schedules, and additional extravaganzas, their was a longing for heaven that can be difficult to come by when life is more 'comfortable.' Even those songs sung by black slaves has a spiritual poignancy that demonstrated how they longed to be rescued into Heaven. Admittedly I don't always see Heaven as a rescue. Is that a demonstrated lack of faith, a testament to how generally comfortable life is here on earth? Or is it just the perfect embodiment of why those who mourn and are poor in spirit are so blessed - because indeed they have a much more weighted emphasis on Christ?

Thanks for your comment....

Submitted by Rusty Tugman on April 29, 2010 - 7:54pm.
Thanks for your comment.... I love the questions you asked at the end because I identify with those. I have been so blessed in my life that it is difficult to view Heaven as a rescue. But is there more than one way to view Heaven? While some see Heaven as a rescue because of their life circumstances, others see it as a reward (though the theology of grace would argue that it is not a reward since Heaven can't be earned). While some think of Heaven as a place of rest from the weariness of this world, others think of it as a place of close communion with God. While some can't wait to "get to Heaven" because it's the goal of their journey, others can't wait to get there because they believe they will be reunited with loved ones that have gone before them. Are any of these views more right or holy than the other?