“Heaven is for Real” - the Movie

Not having read the book, “Heaven is for Real,” I was quite curious to see the movie; I had lots of questions, wondering why it was generating so much interest. Author, and father of Colton, Todd Burpo said he is very satisfied that the movie portrays his book accurately and honestly. In fact, Todd claims that God is telling the story. Why, I wondered? Is the Bible incomplete? Or will Colton's story turn non-believers into believers? And then I remembered the story of Dives who, from his place in Hades, asked Abraham to send someone to warn His brothers: “If someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.” To which Abraham replied, “They won’t listen even if someone rises from the dead” (Luke 16:30-31).

While the Bible gives few details of Heaven as a ‘place,’ it gives us a few amazing sights of the king of Heaven. Isaiah says, “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple” (Is. 6:1). Ezekiel saw Jesus: “high above on a throne was a figure like that of a man, glowing, as if full of fire, and brilliant light surrounded him.” (Ezekiel 1:26-27). The Apostle John saw “someone like a son of man, his eyes were like blazing fire, and his face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance, and the throne He sat on was as brilliant as gemstones—like jasper and carnelian.” (Rev. 1:13-17; 4:3). Upon seeing Jesus in His glory, John and Ezekiel fell down like dead men. Isaiah felt his sinfulness: “I am a man of unclean lips” (6:5).

In contrast, the 4-year old Colton’s view of Jesus is that of a white man with blue-green eyes, curly brown hair (John tells us Jesus' hair was white, like wool), dressed in a plain white robe. And that's a problem: Colton's “Heaven” is too earthy. And believers in his heavenly visit are more taken up with natural details and knowing which of their relatives he saw in Heaven than they are about the enthroned Jesus.

One reviewer said, “'Heaven Is for Real' gently shares biblical truths in an accessible and non-preachy way—offering hope, encouragement and a strengthening of faith for both Christians and non-believers alike.” Non-preachy or otherwise, it is doubtful there is enough truth in the movie to bring a non-believer to Christ or, for that matter, to lift a believer higher because of its underlying message of "universalism." In answering who can go to Heaven, the film ends with a cross-less, Christ-less message of universal love.

Halloween is not Just for Kids Anymore

Due to the adultification of Halloween, it has become an $8 billion a year industry—a commercial success second only to Christmas. In USA Today, one consumer anthropologist said, “the enjoyment of the holiday has its roots in a culture of folks desperate to act out their true feelings—a way for people to be more themselves, as if they’re saying this is who I really am.” That logic might make sense if a man puts on a superman costume, but what does it say about a man who dresses up as a warlock or a woman who mimics Marilyn Monroe or Broomhilda!?

What a sad psychological state we’ve come to. The truth is, people aren’t putting on masks to show who they are, but to hide the mask underneath—the one they wear every day. When people go to work, they put on their masks—pretending to be happy, or competent, or cool; others wear them to hide hurts or low self-esteem. And, unfortunately, too many feel they have to wear their masks to church too.

All this hiding must grieve God. Remember when He found Adam hiding in a costume of fig leaves? We may laugh at that. But when we have done something displeasing to God, what is our reaction?  Do we run to Him to be reconciled?  Or, do we avoid Him? “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before His eyes… So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God to receive His mercy whenever we feel like hiding” (Heb. 4:13, 16, edited by me).

Pro-Gay Education Comes to California's Kids

I have great compassion for children who are struggling with same-sex attractions and sexual identity. When I was a child, there was nothing worse than being called a ‘homo’—the derogatory term used in the 1950’s. In America in 2012, it’s hard to know if there is an epidemic of homosexuality or just more attention given to it.  And still today, anti-gay bullying in schools continues.

The solution by the federal and state government is to legislate gay affirmation. October is national LGBT History Month. Though it will not be taught in all America's classrooms, it will be in California, where pro-gay education is mandated by law. The teaching will include the history of prejudice and bigotry toward homosexuals—and the problem with “homophobia” today. But not with impartiality; California children will be taught that homosexuality is perfectly normal (and unchangeable).

Right on the heels of this, California's Governor has signed a law banning therapies that attempt to change sexual orientation of minors, claiming that ‘reparative’ therapies are driving children to depression and suicide.  But according to the National Association for Reparative Therapy to Homosexuals, that claim is unsubstantiated. There have been absolutely no studies on the effects of reparative therapy on children.

We cannot, however, just point fingers at the State. We must find biblical solutions to this increasing problem. If the State is going to ban Christian values in California therapy, is it not all the more incumbent opon churches to step up and provide alternative Christian ministry to sexually-confused, love-starved children and teens? In a phrase, loving them as Jesus would? (Matt 19:14) Sign me up!

God is Not Mad at You

God says "let us make man in our image."  Man says, "let's make God into our image!"  How does he do that?  With his “fallen” imagination, he projects his ideas and feelings onto God, in effect, “humanizing” Him.  Through Isaiah, God says, “You thought I was just like you.” (50:21)

For example, we think God's anger is like ours. But while ours is a mixture of impatience, retaliation, and self-defense, God’s is righteous: it is anger against sin. God hates sin; hates the pain it causes; hates how it separates us from Him.  But He loves mankind (Jn 3:16). For that reason, "God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Ro. 5:8).

The story of the prodigal son illustrates this beautifully. While the son sat in a pig pen of sinful choices, imagining his father's anger, he projected punishment where there was only love and forgiveness. He could not imagine his father was waiting and longing for his return.  After times of disobedience, the Jews would distance themselves from God.  The prophets tried to tell them God was not mad at them: “God longs to be gracious to you; and He is waiting on high to show you mercy; the Lord of Hosts says, ‘Return to Me; I love you with an everlasting love.’" (Is. 30:18; Zech. 1:3; Jer. 31::3)

Christmas is Not Only a Time ‘For Giving’ but ‘Forgiving’

As I listened to Dr. Laura the other day (yes, I admit listening to her, but in my defense, only if I happen to be in the car when she’s on!), I noted how many people call in this time of year because they don’t know how to deal with difficult relatives during the holidays. As I reflected on the callers’ dilemmas, I realized Christmas is more about forgiving than for giving.

On Christmas Day, good emotions prevail; and we are inclined to be forgiving and forbearing, temporarily overcome by a love that is greater than our negative feelings toward someone. But if only the spirit of Christmas moves us, we are not truly forgiving, but simply suspending our unforgiveness for a day: a benevolent warden offering a provisional pardon. But unless God’s Spirit of love overtakes us, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness reclaim their foothold in our lives.

This “spirit of love” is expressed in these words of Paul:
“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy [compassion], kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony” (Colossians 3:12-14).

This Christmas be occupied with God’s gift of love through Jesus until it completely controls your thoughts and feelings toward all those whom God has placed in your life—not with the fleeting sentimental emotion of Christmas, but with the love of God, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Pet. 4:8).