heaven

Images of Heaven

How often do you think about heaven? On recent hikes, I’ve noticed several creatures and their habits. Birds flitter away when we approach their resting branch. Lizards scurry, beavers dive, and coyotes slink into the brush. How will these animals interact with us in heaven?

On my walk one morning, I imagined birds remaining on their perches nearby and entertaining me with their songs. Lizards running alongside of me instead of hiding in the grass. Beavers standing on their hind legs and waving their front paws. And coyotes with their tails wagging while waiting for a rub behind their ears.

Besides the animals, I envisioned plush green meadows overflowing with flowers of various colors. Tall stately trees with no broken limbs cluttering my way. Peace and contentment no matter which path I take, and although there are animals aplenty, no stepping into dog or horse poop.

My husband and I sometimes hear church bells on our hikes ringing Amazing Grace. That adds to my excitement for heaven. Worshipping the Lord wherever we are. Beautiful music and singing all around us.

I imagine heaven will be a haven of beauty and filled with a sense of calm. There will be a peaceful river meandering through it along with overflowing waterfalls. Lots of waterfalls.

And the people there? We’ll enjoy a grand family reunion with believers from every time period and every nation as we celebrate our Messiah together as one body. We will see our Lord and worship Him.

Dear friends, now we are children of God,
and what we will be has not yet been made known.
But we know that when Christ appears,
we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
1 John 3:2, NIV

I don’t know how much of what I’ve written is biblical, but I love to imagine what life will be like in heaven. A few things I believe, based upon scripture, are the creation of a new heaven and new earth as found in Revelation 21 and 22. And in 2 Peter 3:13, we’re told this will be a place where righteousness dwells. The presence of God will be our light.

Walls of jasper will surround us, and we’ll walk on streets of gold. We’ll experience a river with the water of life as clear as crystal and the tree of life with various fruits. Does that sound like the Garden of Eden to you—an oasis of exceeding beauty?

The wolf and the lamb will feed together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox,
and dust will be the serpent’s food.

Isaiah 65:25, NIV

Perhaps that means I’ll meet a tail-wagging coyote desiring a rub behind his ear. And if a beaver waves at me, I plan to wave back!

But the best moments will be our times of rejoicing as we worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords—Christ Jesus.

What are your thoughts about heaven?


Photo by James Peacock - Unsplash

Who Does God Say I Am?

As I prepared this blog post, I became emotional. I am moved by who God’s Word says I am. These are wonderful reminders to all of us regarding our position in Christ.

I am God’s friend

Not only is Jesus my friend, but I’m His friend too. I can tell him anything in confidence. I mean, who’s He going to tell? And He’s confided in me through His Word.

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know

his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends,

for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

John 15:15

I am a child of God

My dad passed away ten years ago. But my Father is alive, and I am His beloved daughter. I believe in Him and received Him into my heart and life.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12

I am loved, alive with Christ, and saved by His grace

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—

it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2:4-5

I am a citizen of heaven

Earth is my temporary dwelling place. I await my eternal home.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await

a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

I am God’s coworker

Working side by side with Christ to be a light in the darkness, to love and encourage others, and to spread the Good News.

As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.

2 Corinthians 6:1

I am God’s workmanship

I am His work of art. He created and designed me for a purpose—to do good works.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

I am strong in Christ

He strengthens me with power, courage, and wisdom. Equips me with whatever I need so I can do what He’s called me to do. Christ is enough.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 

If you know Christ Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, these “I am” statements are yours too.

Be blessed today knowing how important you are to Him.


All scripture is from the New International Version.

Photo by Pawel Czerwinski - Unsplash