Crazy Old Neighbor, that is.
A comment on yesterday's post from Vivian has inspired me to actually articulate this tragedy in terms of my personal faith. Of course I'm not contradicting Vivian, I'm just putting my beliefs into words because language is my best friend when I'm trying to work through confusing stuff like this.
Crazy Old Neighbor is in Heaven, I have no doubts about that. Now that he's back with God, he's restored to the person he was when he was at his best. ("Even if," my friend Kathleen said, "that means he'll be 3 years old for eternity.")
There's plenty of evidence of his racism and misogyny. He was certainly hateful of his neighbors. He had no job anymore, his finances were fragile, and he had no family. He could not have been happy in the life he was living.
But even though he wasn't living his life in God's design, he was still God's child. Now that he's back with his Father, I believe Crazy Old Neighbor has finally found the serenity that escaped him in life.
Thank you for the comment...however, because we are all human beings here on earth...it does not mean we are all God's children. God gives us a choice ... be his children or be a follower of the Prince of Darkness.
ReplyDeleteI do believe if we do not accept "on faith" Jesus was the son of God...we will not be joined with God in Heaven.
Scripture I base my words on:
John 1:12
But as many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name; 13)who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God
So many believe..oh I am a good person, I never hurt anyone, God is a loving God he does not turn His back on me....well yeah he does...He wants you as His own, He can not face sin..we must accept His son Jesus, ask for forgivenss, accept and be born again.
I know these terms are not easy...and many think I am an over the top religious freak...I proudly uphold what I believe to be true...based on what God's word says.
I lived the life of a sinner for 50 plus years...you name it I did it. Then God opened my eyes in a wonderful way. Since the day I accept Jesus ... I can not tell you the glory I have felt in my life..and I have had my share of trouble but held God close for comfort.
If this man who took his life was a true believer, he is in Heaven, if not, no he not.
I pray everyone would find the peace and love God has shown me.
I am sorry if these words offend anyone. All Christians need to stand up for what America was based on the freedom of speach & religion.
I still love ya Gal and hope understand my feelings. I love your blog, your honesty and for you being real.
I hope this writing is not a mess...I am not a writer...as you see ha ha
Vivian, you believe what you believe and I accept that ... for you. Just as I believe what is in my heart, and I trust that He put it there.
ReplyDeleteI didn't write this to contradict you, of course. It was just my way of working through something awful. How could I have any issue with something that turned your life around in such glorious ways?
Gal, your post was thoughtful and forgiving. It's hard to know what is going through a person's mind at such a stressful time as what your neighbor was enduring. For all his faults and flaws, you see the best possible outcome, and that's wonderful.
ReplyDeletethanks Gal...it is good to know we can all express our thoughts and not be judged!
ReplyDelete