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Low expectations of God reveal a blind pessimism about the power of God’s work. We sometimes raise our expectations to insist upon—even demand—complete divine healing or the perfect mate or job or church or children. And other times, we lower our expectations closer to those of atheists than of believers. 

Nanci and I said to each other honestly, “We are different enough that if we didn’t have the Lord we might have divorced for irreconcilable differences.” But God reconciled our differences and made each of us better. And in time the differences weren’t irritating; they became endearing.

One of our staff sent me this article written by a pastor, and I thought it was very good. (Yes, he does mention my Heaven book—but that’s not why we asked his permission to share what he wrote!) Over the years I’ve often used the term “over-realized eschatology,” but I don’t usually take the time to explain it, and this article does that well.

Gilbert Gleason writes, “Bert and Colleen serve as the right kind of examples for ‘average’ followers of Jesus, proving that, for most of us, substantial, supernatural impact is achieved through simple daily faithfulness, listening to Jesus and loving people in His name.”

Today’s blog is by Sara Barratt, from her new book, Stand Up, Stand Strong. Sara clearly understands the appealing but deceptive cultural values that confuse and derail countless believers, who, apart from learning to think critically, will likely abandon their faith.

Here’s another precious insight from Nanci’s journal. One of the verses she shares, Jeremiah 17:8—the image of us being a tree with roots deeply planted in Jesus—is a favorite of ours.

God doesn’t only promise to replace our grief with joy, but to turn it into joy. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”

I have a question regarding a dear Christian friend who struggles with hoarding—not in the sense of wanting to acquire wealth and build barns, but more in the sense of holding onto everything because they think there might be a future purpose to that object, and have to buy it again would waste God’s money. 

Randy, I understand that you and I have the same affection for animals under our care as I’ve read an article you wrote concerning animals in Heaven. Is spaying and neutering our pets allowed by our faith? Personally, I don’t like the idea as it seems to control and alter what God has designed/created.

Randy has shared Louie Giglio’s presentation “How Great Is Our God” on his blog. I would like to know what he has to say about this article concerning how Louie used the example of laminin, and supposedly misinterprets Colossians 1:17 to fit his illustration. Thanks so much.

As you know, the key will be wording your explanation in such a way that it points to God and His glory rather than glorifying yourself (“Look at how great it is that I’m doing this!”). With wisdom, it certainly can be done. 

I’ve recently been questioning my faith even though I believe God is real. If you ask forgiveness and for God to come into your heart, does that automatically mean you’re going to Heaven? 

What if we tell someone how to get to Heaven, and they believe and pray to receive Him? And what if they seem to stop believing, and show no evidence of a changed life? Would there be any reward from what was said earlier?

A friend is struggling with the idea of reincarnation. She seems to need clarification from an expert, someone who has researched, someone of authority, such as Randy, to reassure herself of the truth. She says she personally does not believe in reincarnation, but has loved ones around her that do and wants to know how to address this. Where could we find a source refuting reincarnation?