Heaven (Part Two)

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green continues with Part 2 of “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn. It will bring joy to our spirits and rest to our souls as we anticipate our forever together.


  • • Eternal life in the immediate presence of the triune God.
  • • All that diminishes the quality of life on earth will be gone in heaven.
  • • The heights of joy on earth will be eclipsed in heaven.
  • • Failure and its consequences will be a thing of the past.
  • • No more temptations from the world, the flesh, and the devil.
  • • Knowledge will no longer be limited.
  • • The body will no longer suffer from mental, emotional, physical anguish.
  • •Seeing our loved ones, making new relationships and getting acquainted  with those that paved the way before us.

HEAVEN IS BETTER – FAR BETTER – THAN THE BEST EXPERIENCES OF EARTH

Foundation of Faith

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving” Colossians 2:6-7.


As Christians, faith is the basis for our walk with the Lord. It is important that we evaluate what the foundation of our faith is in; facts of the scriptures or the feelings of our flesh.

We can’t let emotions and experiences become the final authority for living out our Christian life. Jesus Christ must be our final authority and His truth be the foundation of our faith.

We also can’t let traditions and rituals determine our Christian walk, a relationship with the person – Jesus Christ is the foundation of faith.

As you listen, examine your foundation to find where you can be strengthened in faith.

Promises from Persecution

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” I Peter 5:7


Today, Janie and Sharon discuss the Lord’s promises we have access to through persecution. These promises do not guarantee there will be NO persecution but by casting all our concerns and needs, no matter how tough, we have the assurance that His caring includes everything we need to survive the persecution and come forth as pure gold.

Should the persecution result in death, then we know as Paul claims, that it is far better to be with the Lord. Usually, the persecution passes and although we may have some battle scars, we are richer in what matters most lasting throughout eternity.

So join in the conversation as we offer further insight into the specifics of successful suffering and the promises from persecution.

Heaven (Part One)

This week on Sharin’ Hearts The Fireside Bookshelf, Ginger Green begins to share insight into “Heaven” by Randy Alcorn.


Most of us believe there is an afterlife.  Even if the body returns to dust for an unknown period of time, we do live on; but where?  Luke 16 gives a description of one who chose to live for himself here on earth, and after dying, tells a grim story for those who reject the way of Life in Jesus Christ. In that same chapter, there is a great insight for those that trust, no matter difficult life was while walking on earth. Many that are confident in their home going to Heaven still have questions about facts of their future.

  • How do we Gain Entrance into Heaven?
  • Is Heaven a Place or a State of Mind?
  • Will We Know One Another in Heaven?
  • What Will Our Resurrection Bodies Be Like?
  • What Will We Do in Heaven?
  • What are the Mansions like that Await Us?
  • Who Will Receive Rewards in Heaven?

And so many more questions.  The Word is very specific on some issues and gives glimpses into other matters that cause us to need to know the Word and accept, by faith, our Heavenly Father when “unknowns” to us still exist.

Heaven by Randy Alcorn, define answers that bring great peace and comfort to those that want the “real deal”.

Bridging the Gap

“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work He did for Israel.” Judges 2:10


Bridges connect us with where we have been and where we are going. This is true in the physical world, so it is true in the spiritual eternal world. Without bridges connecting the history of the past, we do not know how to learn from the past and repeat the blunders of bad choices.

In Judges 2:10-11 we are told that a new generation arose who did not know the Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. There was no one that cared enough to be a “bridge” to mentor and educate. The result was ruin to individuals and a nation. Are we walking in those same blind paths?

Stop and pause with us as we examine the consequences of neglect to DO as God commanded, especially since he provided the means and provisions to fulfill His calling. We have been given an eternal mission for here and now. Be a bridge builder.

Our Calling to Suffer

“…All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” 2 Timothy 3:12


The Lord told us that most of the sufferings we would pass through are allowed to develop our character.  He wants us to understand what is most important for our well-being in light of eternity. We allow hard times for our children to train them to be successful in this world.

We let them struggle so that they know how to make decisions and overcome obstacles. The challenges develop character and strengthen their confidence, but at the time of the struggle they may not understand.

When we apply that concept to our spiritual walk with Father God, it will be a comfort to know that God is training us in character and discipline for our eternal future. We see many examples in the scriptures of men and women whose suffering was beneficial to their lives.

So, join in the conversation as we review the lives of those who suffered before us and see the benefit in our calling to suffer.