And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. Genesis 28:10-12 (NKJV)

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The same year my mother-in-law died in 2000, there was a song that caused both my wife, Christine, and I to think about her every time we heard it. "Boots", as she was called since childhood, greatly loved the Lord and was a godly influence to both of us, teaching by example and also praying for us all during our married life.

Boots was in poor health during the latter days of her life. This once vibrant, energetic woman, who was convinced that she would live to the time of the Rapture, began to say goodbye to this world and look forward to heaven, her true home.

When we first heard the song it so reminded Christine of childhood memories of her mother at Christmas time. Her father was a shift worker and, typically, would be on "graveyard" on Christmas Day and would arrive home about 7:30 am.

Chris and her brother, Steve, were not allowed to open, or even see, their presents until their father came home and set up the movie camera. While they were waiting, Boots would come in "oohing" and "aahing" over all the presents that were under the tree and generate almost unbearable excitement in her two kids.

It is this picture from the past that Chris shared with me which made us both think of her mother in heaven. We both knew that, given the opportunity, Boots would love to come back and "ooh" and "aah" over what heaven is like.
Scripture is full of "heavenly" references from Genesis, from where the verses above are taken, to Revelation. In the book of Matthew, Jesus spoke in illustration of heaven, comparing it in parables like these:

"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field…" (13:24)

"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field…" (13:31)

"The kingdom of heaven is like leaven…" (13:33)

"…the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." (13:44)

"…the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls…" (13:45)

"…the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind…" (13:47)

"…the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants." (18:23)

"…the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard." (20:1)

"The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son…" (22:2)

"…the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom." (25:1)

"…the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them." (25:14)

In addition to the Bible discussion of heaven we have books, such as "90 Minutes in Heaven" by Don Piper, written by folks claiming to have been to heaven and back.

Sure, we all wonder about the nature of heaven and its details. I wonder about heaven. By that I mean, I don't wonder if it is real but that I think about it in WONDER! For I know it exists.

How do I know?

Because I have put my trust in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who said, "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." John 14:2 (NKJV)

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, God loves you so much more than you can imagine. That's why He told me some years ago, "If you can only realize how much I love you it will revolutionize your life."

We can trust in what Jesus said. He has gone to prepare a place for us and He will come again to take us there. He says, "if it were not so, I would have told you." You can trust your life today and for all eternity to Him.

So, when I hear this song, "If You Only Knew", I think about Boots and it is as if she has come into our room, "oohing" and "aahing" about the place she has been and what she has seen and heard and done.

As with the grandmother in the song, Boots' last days were not the happiest. But if we could see her and hear her now I'm sure she would be singing the chorus of this song, her body renewed, her eyes sparking, and with a smile on her face.

Read the lyrics, and let God love you today.

Love,
Brother Bill

IF YOU ONLY KNEW

By my grandmother's bed
My mother is reading
Psalm 62 - God is our refuge
My grandmother stirs
Could it be she is awaking
One final time - she has something to say

Oh, if you only knew what lies awaiting
If you could only see what I can see
If you could only hear the music playing
The angels singing sweet victory
Oh, if you only knew
If you only knew
How much He loves you

By my grandmother's bed
My momma is broken
Psalm 17 - O God I call on You
She does not want to hear
Any words about leaving
My grandmother says, "Fear not"
"This is my time and into His presence I'll fly"

Oh, if you only knew what lies awaiting
If you could only see what I can see
If you could only hear the music playing
The angels singing sweet victory
Oh, if you only knew
If you only knew

How much He loves you

Oh, if you only knew
If you only knew
How much He loves you

Written by Phil Naish, Rob Mathes © 2000 River Oaks Music Company (BMI)/
Meadowgreen Music Company/Davaub Music (ASCAP) All rights administered by
EMI Christian Music Publishing