Christian in the Rough

3 Ways That Heaven Is Better Than Sex

by Larry Hehn on April 8, 2012

Back in 2010 I had a great conversation about God, heaven, and sexuality.

First I was asked, “What sex is God?”

After consulting my Bible I replied, “Good question. It’s my understanding that God does not really fall under the category of either male or female. Genesis 1:27 says: So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Which tells me that God transcends gender.”

I continued, ”Jesus also suggests that sexuality does not really exist in heaven (in Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25). So basically the answer to your question is somewhere between ‘both’ and ‘neither’.”

Which prompted question two: “I just wonder why sexuality and gender don’t exist in heaven but they do on earth.”

I reached for my Bible again and continued, “Here’s what I’ve found for genders on earth. Genesis 2:18 says: Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’ Which tells me that God created male and female [on earth] to complement and be in relationship with each other.”

Then question three: “(If sexuality and gender don’t exist in heaven, then) why compare God to a father figure?”

“I’m pretty sure Jesus describes God as father not because God is male, but so we could have an understanding of God’s character and relationship to us that we could relate to. As far as father figures go, I know that some people have problems with that analogy due to the fallibility of their earthly fathers.”

“But it works if you consider the traits of an ideal father - someone who knows what is best for his children, disciplines them out of love, provides for them, gives them direction, but ultimately allows them the freedom to make their own choices. And is always there for them when they really need him and ask for him.”

It was a great conversation. I found it quite intriguing that sexuality causes such division and controversy here on earth, but doesn’t exist in heaven. That says to me that we shouldn’t be placing so much importance on our sexual identity, and should instead be focusing on our identity as a child of God.

Which prompted me to consider this (somewhat) tongue-in-cheek tilt of heaven vs sex.

Don’t get me wrong, I like sex just as much as the next guy. But if it came down to a choice between one or the other, here are three reasons why heaven would win out for me:

1. Heaven is forever. Whether we like it or not, our life on this earth (which includes our sex life) is definitely finite. Not only is heaven forever, it’s also 24/7, not just a few minutes at a time.

2. As long as we’re breathing, heaven is always an option. God loves us and really wants us in heaven. He has extended an open invitation (see Romans 10:9-13). If we call on him with a sincere heart, he’s not going to roll his eyes and say he has a headache.

3. Heaven is where we find our true identity. Let’s not allow our sexual appetites (or any earthly desires, for that matter) to define who we are. We are worth so much more in God’s eyes. Instead, especially this Easter season, consider the price that God paid to make heaven available to us (see John 3:16).

Those are my three reasons.

Can you think of any other reasons why heaven is better than sex?

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Posts with the Most – March 2012

by Larry Hehn on April 1, 2012

Well, now that we’ve reached the first of April – no fooling! – it’s time to celebrate our favorite blog posts from March 2012 – the Posts with the Most!

Once again I’ve assembled my faves of all the posts I read last month, and invite you to join in the fun by letting us know some of your own March picks in the comment section.

One of the things I like most about this monthly feature – besides the chance to promote some great blogs and bloggers I know – is to discover new ones!

So don’t be shy, dive right in. Enjoy these magnificent seven, and let us know who else you think should be on this list.

Here they are, in random order…

The Stillness Dilemma – Just like me, Carlos Whittaker of Ragamuffin Soul can remember a slower time. A time before video games, cell phones and personal computers. Do you remember what it’s like…to be still?
Even if just for a moment – At The Compelling Parade, Ryan Tate asks - did you ever get so busy, so preoccupied, that you forgot about God?
The Man Who Kept the World at Bay - For all the Dads out there. An awesome post by Shawn Smucker.
A wonderful long evening – Billy Coffey keeps findng his way back to PWTM. Here’s another post for the Dads.
Bonita – Mandie Marie may still become the world’s first ever sit-down comedian, but she also has a serious side. Here she tells the touching tale of a young girl she met in Mexico.
Facebook Friday: To Gripe or Not to Gripe – Josh Fults of Walk Good shares some sound perspective, and some made-up stats, about what we post on Facebook.
You Don’t Need My Tolerance – A great post from Matt Appling at The Church of No People about what the word “tolerance” really means.

Now it’s your turn – what were your favorite posts from March 2012?

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Would you like to get well?

by Larry Hehn on March 27, 2012

Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” – John 5:2-6

Before Jesus healed the man at the pool of Bethesda, he asked him one simple question.

“Would you like to get well?”

Because Jesus knew.

Some of us wouldn’t.

Some of us don’t want to get well because we won’t get as much attention.

Some of us don’t want to get well because we’ll have to give up our charity handouts, and go back to working for a living.

Some of us don’t want to get well because we’ll have to control our appetites rather than allow them to control us.

Some of us don’t want to get well because we’ll have to repair the damage we caused while we were sick.

Some of us don’t want to get well because we’ll have to ask forgiveness and admit that we were wrong.

Some of us don’t want to get well because we’re too proud to admit that we’re sick in the first place.

Some of us don’t want to get well, because sometimes it’s easier to just stay sick.

Been there, done that.

We don’t want to be told that we’re sick.

We want someone to tell us that we’re fine just the way we are.

We want to follow our own desires, and look for teachers who will tell us whatever our itching ears want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3).

And some of us will get really angry if anyone tries to point out that we’re sick.

But we all are.

Yes, all.

Are you ready to admit it?

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” – Mark 2:17

Would you like to get well?

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The Guy with the Blow Up Doll On His Shoulders

by Larry Hehn on March 19, 2012

On Friday night my wife and I joined a few friends at the Green Cup Roastery to listen to my friend Jamie perform.

It was an unusually mild night. A steady stream of foot traffic strolled past the large front windows where Jamie sat with his guitar, his back to the street.

Halfway through his set, I noticed a man making his way north along the sidewalk, too stoned to avoid bumping into other pedestrians, and sporting a blow up doll on his shoulders.

For all of the patrons facing Jamie and the large bank of windows, it was impossible to miss. Some of the young adults in the front row started pointing and laughing at the awkward scene they saw on the other side of the glass.

That’s when the guy with the blow up doll glanced over, and recognized an audience.

He staggered toward the door and stumbled in, a greasy smile on his face.

The laughter in the Roastery quickly switched to nervous chuckles, then uncomfortable silence. It was like one of those old westerns, where the saloon doors swing shut, all conversations stop, and everyone stares at the man who just walked in.

Only this time, the man who just walked in, was loving the attention.

No one seemed to know what to do as he staggered further in to the Roastery, making strange, suggestive noises.

It probably only lasted a minute, but it seemed like five.

While I was still drumming up the courage to become an unofficial coffee shop bouncer, a large man with an apron came out of the back of the Roastery. It took him a couple of tries, but he finally gently steered the doll guy out the door and back onto the sidewalk.

The man with the apron received a well earned round of applause from the Roastery patrons as the door closed and he returned to the kitchen.

The next morning, my friend Peter said to me, “You know, what happened last night is the same thing that happens with sin.”

“We see it outside, we point at it and laugh about it, and we invite it in.”

“And then it’s no longer funny. It’s ugly and uncomfortable. And we can’t get rid of it by ourselves.”

My eyes lit up.

“That’s an amazing analogy, Peter,” I gushed, “May I please use it for a blog post?”

He smiled a knowing smile and confided, “That’s why I mentioned it.”

Thanks, Peter.

Have you ever laughed at sin, only to have it turn and wind up on your doorstep?

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3 Reasons to Give Generously

by Larry Hehn on March 13, 2012

It’s income tax season again! To help you make the most of it, I’d like to share this “experienced” post from last year. Enjoy!

I like Eric.

He’s a friend, a mentor, and a darn good accountant. Though it’s always a pleasure to bump into him at church, softball games, or even the local store, one of my favorite times to see him is during income tax season.

Eric is a man of integrity. He knows accounting and tax laws a whole lot better than I do. Every year I trust him with my family’s taxes. With Eric I know that everything will be done by the book, and as much in our favor as possible.

This year, like every year, we are getting a substantial return from the government. Eric explained to me that much of it is the result of our charitable donations. Here in Canada, any donations over $200 receive a tax credit of roughly 40%.

Yep, for every dollar we donate to a registered charity, we get 40 cents back.

That sure makes me a cheerful giver.

It reminds me of the principle of sowing and reaping that Paul tells us about in 2 Corinthians:

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written:

“They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”

Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:6-15, New International Version, ©2011)

Did you catch those three reasons to give generously?

God promises that we reap what we sow. When we give generously and cheerfully, God blesses us abundantly. Why? So we can be even more generous! It’s not about giving so we can get more back. It’s about giving so we can give even more.
Our generosity results in thanksgiving to God. It’s so much easier to have a heart of gratitude when we share the gifts that God has given us.
It helps provide for everyone’s needs. There’s enough to go around, if we just share.

Of course, these principles extend well beyond money. But why not start there, and see how things work out on your income tax next year?