October 31, Praise report
Sunday morning someone walked up and handed me this letter. Told me I needed to read it. I stuck it in my Bible and didn't read it until yesterday. Its a paper a teenage girl wrote last month. As I read it I was blown away! As you read it, make sure you understand what is happening. This young lady is having her life transformed during a worship service at 5 Point. I've begun to realize that God is moving here in a mighty way and often we don't even know it until later.
Lost in Heaven
Lost in Heaven
“Heaven or Hell! Where on earth do you think you will go? Why do people always randomly assume God will admit them into Heavenly humble abode? You think just because you give a little prayer asking for forgiveness for all your wrong doings that God will admit you into His Gates of Heaven? Forgive me, but I think not! Everyone lies in God’s heart, but you must remember that not everyone will win it over.”
We were a whole ten minutes late and Pastor Dean Herman was already babbling along about some Heaven or hell rubbish. Since when did the exciting, enjoyable music end so soon in the service? I stumbled over to the far back corner hoping no one would take notice of me as I sat in the seat closest to the EXIT sign. I was accompanied on this beautiful Sunday morning by my mother and sister and her husband’s family. To my dismay, they all saw my droopy figure stroll over to the patch of darkness where no one else seemed to want to sit. Each and every one of them had already been waling in my direction before I became fully aware that they all intended on sitting with me. I could see on the expression in their faces they weren’t too pleased by the decision that I had made, but what did I care, it was just church.
We were a whole ten minutes late and Pastor Dean Herman was already babbling along about some Heaven or hell rubbish. Since when did the exciting, enjoyable music end so soon in the service? I stumbled over to the far back corner hoping no one would take notice of me as I sat in the seat closest to the EXIT sign. I was accompanied on this beautiful Sunday morning by my mother and sister and her husband’s family. To my dismay, they all saw my droopy figure stroll over to the patch of darkness where no one else seemed to want to sit. Each and every one of them had already been waling in my direction before I became fully aware that they all intended on sitting with me. I could see on the expression in their faces they weren’t too pleased by the decision that I had made, but what did I care, it was just church.
Having only six hours of sleep the following morning, I took it upon myself to take a little nap as I was sitting in the newly renovated movie theatre church. As I was falling in and out of a light dose, I caught my Mom giving me the most judgmental glare possible. Her lips were pursed together and I could see the wrinkles around her eyes becoming more noticeable. Naturally, I let it roll off my shoulders and continued to commit unknown sin as I was extremely naïve. I awoke with a jerk only thirty seconds later to find an elbow jabbed in my stomach from my sister. She wasn’t very delighted by my behavior either.
As I gathered myself, I found that I was being stared at by the whole round of family, but it was only my Mother’s who really fixed my attention. Instead of the pursed lips and wrinkly face I received before, I was now being gazed at by a sad droopy-eyed woman. Her distressful reaction baffled me, which was something I had no understanding of. I suddenly became more aware of my surrounding, remembering I was currently located in a church. Dean Herman was still speaking as I carefully listened to his words, “I want you to envision someone in your life who needs guidance from God. Imagine a loved one who needs Him there to improve their lives.” I scanned over my left shoulder again where my mother was seated and realized immediately why she looked so tearfully upset. Was it me whom she thought needed guidance from God?
T he service ended and all the surrounding people began to stand and greet one another again as each one had been emotionally touched through the fearful words of Dean Herman. He approached all the church attendees one by one. There were dried, crusty tears on his rosy checks and under his blood shot eyes. I had an immense feeling of regret in the pit of my stomach as I realized that I had just slept through one of the most important sermons I had ever encountered. I listened in on a conversation as I heard a family friend speak to the pastor, “You were great coming out of the coffin! It really tied in nicely showing everyone that no mater what, everyone will end up dead. It’s just a matter of where they will be going, Heaven or Hell.” Once again, I wish I could have been conscious to hear dean Herman’s preaching. Disappointment crossed my face as we strolled out of the church and entered back into to the real world. Never had I ever been so miserable to have missed a church service.
A few days later as my Mom and I were driving home from visiting my sister and her family, I began to analyze my life through my memory in chronological order. Was the way I was living my life really that bad? Quite frankly, I tried not to think about it. Yet, in the back of my mind I still had that unbearable question lingering as I wanted to know the genuine answer. Then I remembered the beginning of the service where he had spoken the true words of Heaven or Hell. It was after my reflection that I realized it was I who needed guidance from God. Not only was I currently living through a sin, but my whole life had been based upon one. I did not solely believe in God and was not giving my full faith in Him. Doubt was never the real issue, I just wasn’t fulfilling duty in worshipping God, and therefore I would be going to Hell. Scary as it might seem, it was a definite eye opener.
I turned in my seat and leaned uncomfortably over the cluttered mid section of the car and kissed my mother on the check. A look of bewilderment swept across her face. She had no idea what had just happened. But I did, and that’s all that mattered.
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