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In a discussion with some friends about social media, one of them recently wrote, “It’s so difficult to wade through social media attacks and gang wars. That’s why I can’t bear to be on social media.” I totally understand. Nothing makes me more cynical than listening to cynical people, and even though my cynicism is directed at them, it is still unhealthy. 

On March 21, I gave a 30-minute chapel message at California Baptist University. They asked me to talk about suffering and Heaven, in light of Nanci’s homegoing, so I shared about Nanci and quoted from her journal. That date I spoke was actually the one-year anniversary of the day our family of 11 gathered around her bed, and Nanci spoke powerfully into our lives. A week later, she went to be with Jesus.

Jesus said, “there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” By putting on his own joyful party, the father of the prodigal son is mirroring the heavenly Father’s joyful party in Heaven over a beloved image bearer entering His family.

Wishful thinking is not the reason why, deep in our hearts, we desire a resurrected life on a resurrected Earth instead of a disembodied existence in a spiritual realm. Rather, we desire it precisely because God intends for us to be raised to new life on the New Earth.

In the journal she kept throughout her cancer years, Nanci wrote these reflections about the healing Jesus accomplished on the cross: “I needed, and have received in full measure, a healing from my guilt and sins. No physical healing compares to complete spiritual healing.”

Martin Luther said, “It is pleasing to the dear God whenever thou rejoicest or laughest from the bottom of thy heart.” And who does that more frequently and sincerely than children? Talking to kids about Heaven was the focus of an interview I did with Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, for his radio program about my book Heaven for Kids.

We can never achieve humility simply by willing it to appear. Otherwise, we’ll be thinking about ourselves and our valiant attempts to be humble. What we need is to be so gripped by Jesus and His grace that we truly forget about ourselves. Here are some helpful reflections on humility from Gavin Ortlund, related to his new book Humility: The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness.

My youngest daughter Angela wrote the following about her mom on September 28, the six-month anniversary of Nanci’s homegoing. March 28 marked the one-year anniversary since Nanci relocated to Heaven. This week our family has been all together—both our daughters Karina and Angela and their husbands, and all five of our grandsons.

In this clip Greg Laurie asks Randy Alcorn: When you order a burger, what do you order on it? Will there be hamburgers in Heaven?

Randy and Greg Laurie have a conversation about how investing in others' success during playing sports can be a preview of Heaven.

In his conversation with Greg Laurie, Randy answers: What is the most challenging question to answer about Heaven? What about sports in Heaven?

In this clip Randy and Greg Laurie discuss whether or not a child's understanding of Heaven should be based on a progressive explanation.

Randy and Greg Laurie talk about what happens to pets when they die? Might there be talking animals in Heaven?

In this clip Randy answers the question: When a child experiences death and loss, is that a good time to begin a conversation about Heaven?