Random Thoughts about "Heaven is for Real"

     The movie Heaven is for Real opens tonight across the country.  I had the opportunity to attend a pre-release screening and enjoyed it very much.  While I think the book is better (that is normal for me), the movie does a wonderful job of capturing the essence and spirit of Colton and Todd Burpo's story.  The movie release has generated a lot of excitement around the country and our church, First Christian, is partnering with our local theater to promote the movie.  We are holding our Easter service at the high school football field and are beginning a three-week series on what the Bible says about heaven.  In our program book we are offering folks a coupon to see the movie at a discount rate.  I think it will be a positive for a lot of people in Franklin County.  I'm excited about the next few days and anticipating a really good Easter celebration. 

     Last night I saw a clip of the Burpo family on a news program and I had a bit of time before going to bed, so I read part of Heaven is for Real again.  I'm always touched reading it, but was especially struck this time by one of the later chapters.  In it, Colton continually tells Todd that Jesus loves children.  He really loves kids.  Todd Burpo remarked in the book that Colton's insistence on getting this message across changed the way they looked at children's ministry.  I thought about that quite a bit.  I'm in a different ministry now than I've been in before.  I'm doing quite a bit of children's and family ministry, more than I've ever specifically done in the past.  Most of my time is spent in planning events, recruiting and motivating staff, and preparing lessons. I'm usually focusing on the "big picture."  However, last Sunday, I filled in as the 9:00 Kindergarten teacher.  It was a rewarding and great time. I was reminded of what Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 19:14, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." 

     Jesus never saw children as a distraction or an annoyance.  He didn't view them as "future people." He accepted them as they were, loved them and announced "the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."  What did he mean by that?   Commentaries are full of ideas and suggestions and I've tossed in a few thoughts of my own in a sermon or two. 

     A few ideas did occur to me last night.  I don't think he was talking about the "100% goodness of children," because as any parent or teacher can tell you, they aren't 100% good all of the time.  Sometimes they are selfish.  Sometimes they are demanding.  Sometimes they're naughty.  I don't think Jesus was alluding to their inherent goodness.  I also don't think he was alluding to their trusting nature, though I can see where part of that might come in.  Lots of kids do tend to trust instinctively, but I've also noticed, more recently, that kids are maybe less trusting than before (that may have to do with the adults in their lives, but that's another post for another day). 

     So, what is it then?  After re-reading the book, and specifically that chapter, I've concluded that Jesus meant the honest and direct way that kids may look at the world. Those who come to Jesus and simply believe him for who he is, accept his claims, receive his love and follow him are the ones that inherit the kingdom of heaven.

     Why share this today?   I suppose first I want to plug this movie, but deeper than that, I want people to think about Jesus and heaven.  I have questions and I wonder, occasionally, what it will be like and what will we do.  I think it is good, sometimes, to ponder these questions.  The old adage still applies, which says "Don't be so heavenly minded you're no earthly good."  I get that, but I think it's natural and maybe even encouraging to think about what's next.   I also want to put out there a reminder to parents, grandparents and all who work with children.  What you do matters.  Jesus loves children.  Don't forget that.  Maybe this Easter, in the middle of all that you've got going, spend a little time ministering to or caring about a kid.  Talk with them.  Love them.  I think Jesus would like that and so will you. 

     Thank you for reading and have a blessed Easter day celebrating our risen King!

Forgetting a Part of the Journey

     Harry Truman once said, “Washington is a very easy place to forget where you came from and why you got there in the first place.”  Even sixty years later, there’s a lot of truth in that statement.  Politicians today, once exposed to the culture of the capital, can forget where their journey began and just why they came.  This is unfortunate in politics and often leads to a short career as a public servant.  Lately, though, I’ve noticed this tendency, not just in politics, but with Christians.  

     As part of the new ministry I now have, I try to keep up with what’s going on with young parents, children and millennials in general.  To do so, among other things, I read a lot of blogs, posts and articles.  In my reading recently I’ve noticed a trend.  A lot of people, when describing their Christian walk, describe their journey as one in which the church of their childhood was narrow, judgmental, superficial and harsh.  They often detail how they now have a better, broader and more Christ-like view than that they had when they were younger.  

     Before I incur the wrath of several, let me clarify some things.  First, not all people describe their walk this way.  Second, some folks really were victims of “friendly fire” in churches.  Third, there is a lot right with growing, developing and maturing in Christ.  Frankly, we ought to be in a better place spiritually today than we were yesterday.  What bothers me, though, about this trend is that I think it inadvertently slams some well-meaning Godly folks and tends to create a “spiritually arrogant” mindset that believes the church was never what she was intended to be until we got here.  Though I don’t want to get political, I think it is seen in the somewhat narcissistic phrase President Obama promoted at his first election when he said, “We are the change we’ve been waiting for.” 

     I don’t want to be the old cranky guy in the back row of the church, but I want to challenge people today.  I’m excited as quite a few folks are seriously considering spiritual things.  There’s a lot of discussion about what it means to be a “Jesus follower.”  Your relationship with Jesus is personal and all of us have walked a different road and have different backgrounds or stories.  As you think of your journey or your story, don’t just remember the mistakes made by the church of your past.  We’ve all got that.  No church has ever been perfect.  Do something new or fresh.  What’s that?   Remember the Sunday School teacher who taught you “Jesus Loves Me.”  Remember the youth worker who spent time with you when he didn’t have to do it.  Remember the old guy who seemed to always have a stick of gum for the kids.  None of us is where we are in our walk with the Lord without the assistance of someone else.  I think that’s important to acknowledge.  It might even be important enough to send a message to an old Sunday School teacher, minister or VBS leader. 

     “Don’t forget where you came from” is pretty sound advice.  Do something about that today.  Send the email, the note or the letter.  Thanks for reading.