Last week we began an awesome study about Heaven! If you were unable to be with us, please read the newsletter or listen online for details on what we are going to quickly recap!! This is the fast-forward to our beginning today: Many people never seriously think about or anticipate Heaven, unless they are older or in poor health...Often because fairytales, myths and misconceptions have led us to see Heaven in a very different light than Scriptures describe It! And although it is better than no life, or a life in hell...  It seems that we will be giving up a lot from this world when we get there...With visions of cherub spirits, clouds, harps, singing...  And not much else! Most have COMPLETELY MISSED the reality of Heaven that is described in Scriptures!!

We intend to prove that the Scriptures contained in the Bible are: Accurately preserved Documents; written in unparalleled unity; by eyewitnesses with nothing to gain, and everything to lose; which were verified by contemporary eyewitnesses of friendly, neutral, and hostile persuasion alike; and that these Documents, written like none other in their uniqueness, have been proven trustworthy beyond any reasonable doubt historically, archeologically, and especially prophetically; effecting the entire world for all succeeding generations unlike any Documents before or after; testifying in proof and self-proclamation, they are by absolute necessity, Divine and not human, in origin.

Who really looks forward to Heaven anyway? Give me an answer about something...Do you ever seriously think about...Better yet... Ever seriously ANTICIPATE...WITH EXCITEMENT...Leaving this world and going to Heaven?! Many if completely honest, would have to confess "NO!" That is... Until you begin to get to MY stage in life! And you begin to feel age creeping up on you...And things stop working as they once did...And you CAN'T do all of the things you'd like...And you begin to see your friends and family going Home one by one...And you've experienced many of the things you've wanted in life...

We are all suddenly finding ourselves living in a different world this week. For the last couple of weeks, our Family at Word of Light has been studying what it is like to really, practically set ourselves apart from the world in order to grow close to and serve God as Scriptures tell us. And one of the biggest excuses we always have in this subject is that we just don't have the time to do some of the things we know we need to do. And although this is simply just not the case anyway, because you make the time for what is important, always—we all now find ourselves with some extra time, don't we? No sports schedules, dance schedules, movie nights, school functions, eating out…

Last week we began a study on one of the most important but neglected areas of many Christian lives: Sanctification. Sanctification is simply separating yourself from the world's ways in order to be closer to God; in order to share God's mindset and passions; in order to hear God more clearly; in order to love and serve others more like God. Although we cannot be Sanctified without the Presence and help of the Spirit, God clearly gives us the command of pursuing Sanctification by choice and with passion because it is our way of showing our desire for Him and His ways. Most Christians lead drab and unsatisfying Spiritual lives because they become contented in their menial walk with Christ, either never knowing there is more to their walk with Him, or not wanting Him desperately enough to pursue more of Him.

Where have you heard these words spoken?
 If you are a J. R. R. Tolkien fan, you have probably heard Gandalf speak them to Balrog in The Fellowship of the Ring...As he & his friends rushed to escape the dark mines of Mount Moriah...
Gandalf stood his ground on a narrow rocky bridge...And refused to let the demon get any further...
At the cost of his own life...It is a perfect quote... Perfect scene... To illustrate our topic today...
And hopefully a Battle Cry for us all, before this study is completed...