"The Buzz and Woody Filled Heaven"

    If there are any benefits to having children, it's that I have learned exponentially more about the nature of God as our Heavenly Father from them and my interactions with them.  (Not to mention the fact that they always provide great lesson illustrations!!!) 

    Both of the girls have ecstatically adopted "Toy Story" (all 3) as their favorite movie, although, for Cadence I'm afraid it may be getting replaced with Disney's recent production, "Tangled."  Our house is filled with toys, action figures, clothes, and other sorts of "Toy Story" ( or as it is known in our house, "Buzz and Woody") paraphernalia that you would not believe.  For instance, did you know that there is a "Buzz and Woody" line of the old board game, "Chutes and Ladders?"  We didn't either, but grandma found it at Christmas, and we now have Buzz and Woody "Chutes and Ladders." 
    The idea and concept of Toy Story, and the lovable characters are such an integral part of my girls lives, that if Katie and I were to begin teaching the girls that Heaven is not a place to share eternity at the right hand of God Almighty, but rather a place to spend eternity with Buzz, Woody and the rest of the gang, they would accept this fact no questions asked, and eagerly look forward to playing with the real, life-size,  "Slinky-dog" verses the plastic version that spends most of his time scattered on their floor.  They have so much faith that what Katie and I as their parents teach them, that at this point, they wholeheartedly accept it...no questions asked. (I do feel it necessary to interject here that we do in fact teach them of Heaven being an eternity at the right had of God Almighty...not flying, or "falling with style" around the clouds on the wings of Buzz.   Just to be clear.)

    As I revisit Matthew's account of the "Good News," (our Sermon text from Sunday), and reflect on vs. 20-21 of chapter 17, I am drawn to Jesus' statement concerning faith. 

"Because you have so little faith.  I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.  Nothing will be impossible for you." (NIV)



    What a massive statement from our Lord and Savior!  However, I think you have to read on to grasp the real magnitude of the kind of faith that Jesus is discussing.  If you go just a few verses further into chapter 18, Jesus tell us...

"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven." (NIV)

     I have spent many hours debating, heatedly I might add, with myself about the issue of fasting.  We are told many times throughout the scriptures that God is our provider, and that great traditional hymn, "O Worship the King," describes Him as, "Our Savior, Sustainer, Redeemer, and Friend!!!"  Why then do we choose to argue whether or not God can sustain one that chooses to partake in a full 40 day fast just as Jesus did in the wilderness?!  To be honest with you, my mind cannot comprehend it.  Let's face it, I like to eat... and if there is one thing I/we are good at it's rationalizing.

   I've come to the conclusion, that God mostly wants us to move beyond the debates, beyond the uncertainties, beyond the unknown, and simply trust what He has told us.  Just as if I were to teach Cadence that Heaven were filled with the world of "Buzz and Woody."  As you approach these next 40 days, pray in faith that God will do great things in our lives, church, community, county, state, and country.  I do believe that God is going to do some great things here, let us move ourselves and selfish desires out of the way, and proclaim the statement made by the demon possessed boy's father we discussed Sunday:  "I do believe, help my unbelief!"

May the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...

Corey