Premium Essay

Heaven

In: Religion Topics

Submitted By phau
Words 309
Pages 2
Heaven’s Grocery Store
I was walking down life’s highway a long time ago.
One day I saw a sign that read HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE.
As I got closer, the door becomes open wide.
And when I came to myself I was standing inside.
I saw a host of angels.
They were standing everywhere.
On handed me a basket and said, “My child, shop with care.”
Everything a Christian needed was in that GROCERY STORE.
“And all you couldn’t carry, you could come back the next day.”
First I got PATIENCE.
LOVE was in the same row.
Further down was UNDERSTANDING.
You need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of WISDOM.
A bag or two of FAITH.
I couldn’t miss the HOLY SPIRIT for HE was all over the place.
I stop to get some STRENGHT and COURAGE to help me run the race.
By then basket was getting full.
But I remembered I needed some GRACE.
I didn’t forget SALVATION… for SALVATION… that was free.
So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.
Then I started up the counter to pay my grocery bill.
For I thought, I’ll have everything to do my master’s will.
As I went up the aisle, I saw PRAYER.
And I just had to put that in.
For I knew, when I step outside I would run right into SIN.
PEACE and JOY were plentiful.
They were on the last shelf.
SONG and PRAISES were hanging near.
So I just helped myself.
Then I said to the angel; now, how much do I owe?
He smiled and said: just take them everywhere you go.
Again, I smiled at him and said: how much now do I really owe?
The angel smiled and said,
“My child, JESUS paid your bill a long time

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Heaven & Hell

...There is no solid proof that Heaven or Hell really exist. That is why I do not necessarily believe in them, but I believe in the idea of them. Even the bible itself speaks of heaven and hell. Jesus says there is in (Matthew 10:28). But in (Matthew 13:40) is what Jesus says about hell, “As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world.” I believe he is saying that hell will not exist until this world comes to an end, that Hell is where the wicked and the children of the wicked will go. In Psalm 68:2 it says, “as wax melteth before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.” this is saying that hell is not forever, the wicked shall eventually perish in the flames of hell. Heaven is where all of your pain ends, where the moment you get there you find all of the healing you need. You get to live in Gods kingdom with him, Jesus and all of the saints that have also gone to Heaven. While Hell is mentioned, Jesus describes it as a place where sinners who have refused to change their ways go. He compared it to Gehenna, a rubbish dump outside Jerusalem, people in wretched poverty picked their way through it to find scraps, and fires burned. Being raised in a very catholic home I have come to know many things. I know that God is loving, kind and forgiving. Yet my question is why does he tell us to forgive those who have done us wrong but he does not. He is not very forgiving if he condemns those who have sinned against...

Words: 368 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Heaven and Hell

...Heaven and Hell Popular, secular opinion seems to conclude either: 1) there is no after-life or 2) everyone and their pets go to heaven. There isn’t much talk about Hell, except to dismiss the possibility of anyone going there. But one historical figure spoke very forcefully about the reality of Hell and the very real possibility of human beings spending eternity there. That person is none other than Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who became man. God did not dismiss Hell as either non-existent or not a threat. We should follow His example and learn what He taught. Who will go to Heaven? So after the Judgment, one will go to Heaven or Hell. Who goes to Heaven? How can I get there? The simple answer is that the souls of the just who are free of guilt and punishment will go to Heaven. But, we need to break that down a bit. First, let’s be clear on one point: no one can earn their way into Heaven by their good works… no one. Salvation is a free gift from God. In Catholic terminology, the person who enters Heaven is said to have died in a state of sanctifying grace. Protestants sometimes refer to this as the grace of justification. And they are correct. The souls of the just are those who have been justified by grace through faith. So the question is, who has been justified? This is where Catholic and non-Catholic teaching parts ways. We receive the grace of justification, that is, Sanctifying Grace, at our baptism when we are born anew from above Two...

Words: 763 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Literacy in Business, Heaven and Hell

...Belief in Heaven and Hell Christopher Shane Inlow CGD218: Visual Literacy in Business Professor Felicia Maxwell October 31, 2010 I. Introduction A. Thesis Statement II. Religion and History A. Definition Heaven and Hell B. Heaven and Hell in many religions. III. Heaven, Hell, and Culture Influence A. Cultures around the world B. C. IV. Conclusion Heaven and Hell, the belief in the existence of both realms has influenced human society throughout history and most likely before recorded history. “Many people follow a religion because it promises them happiness in life or in some kind of life after death, or they believe it will save them from eternal damnation. The prospect of an afterlife also offers hope to those who suffer in this life.” (World Book, 2010). After life is a thought process that helps eleminate the fear of nothingness that often accompanies the thought of death. This life is often seen as a precursor to eternity. Many view this life as a test. The score determines where the after life will be spent, Heaven or Hell. Religion and the concept of an afterlife has affected and been affected by both culture and history. The belief in Heaven and Hell has been held and is still held today by various cultures and religious sects. Therefore, the definition and name of the afterlife are influenced by the respective culture or religious affiliation it belongs too. The religious...

Words: 606 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Stairway to Heaven

...your greed and to find your own happiness before your death. This was especially prevalent in the 1970’s when Led Zeppelin produced “Stairway to Heaven.” America was in the middle of an economic downfall that essentially left two classes: rich and poor. Led Zeppelin wrote “Stairway to Heaven” to enlighten those who have lost their way in greed and materialism. They gained their listeners attention by drastically changing their otherwise hard rock tone to a softer power ballad, using a storybook method to make their argument, and using appeals such as ethos, pathos and logos throughout the song to make a long lasting connection to their audience. When “Stairway to Heaven” aired in 1971, avid Led Zeppelin listeners were taken aback by the song’s sound. Led Zeppelin is known for its hard rock tone and musicality. “Stairway to Heaven” and its musicality begins as a very slow, depressing guitar arpeggio and a story begins to take place. Slowly and deliberately, more and more instruments are introduced to the whole of the song as the true purpose of the song comes to light, ending in a more typical, upbeat Led Zeppelin sound. The composers wanted to grab their listeners’ attention by being so drastically different. What they had to say was worth the initial sacrifice of being the opposite of their norm. The lyrics of “Stairway to Heaven” are very poetic and are riddled with metaphors, imagery, and symbolism that can be read as many different things; differentiating the most important...

Words: 1130 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

My Journey in Purgatory, Hell, and Heaven

...My Journey In Purgatory, Hell, and Heaven I had a dream. I dreamed that I was able to journey hell, purgatory, and heaven. My account is I was in the purgatory with four murderers named John, Romeo, Billy, and Raymond. Day 1. They were there before I came. They were speaking to God almighty with Jesus beside him. John and Raymond were asking for forgiveness from God for the sins they made while they are living. They also said that it’s okay if he doesn’t forgive them because their sins are unforgivable. Then, they were gone. Romeo and Billy were not asking for forgiveness from God but instead, they have confidence in themselves that they will go to heaven. Then, they were gone too. One of God’s followers asks me to rest. So I went to sleep. Day 2. I went to the judging palace where I saw the four murderers talking to God in day 1. Then, God asked me: “Do you think that your sins are forgivable young man? Do you think you will go to my heaven?” I remained silent. After a while, I said: “I know that some of my sins are unforgivable but I want to go to heaven so I want to ask you to forgive me Lord. Cleanse me Lord, remove all my sins”. “Do you want to take peek in hell and heaven?”, God asked. “Yes, I would like to see hell and heaven.” I said. Then, we travelled. Day 3. I saw hell. It was horrible. It was dark and so hot in there. And I saw Romeo and Billy suffering. “They were not sincere in themselves and they didn’t ask forgiveness.”, God said. I’m sad for them. I can’t...

Words: 622 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Mitch Alboms The Five People You Meet In Heaven

...Everyone sees heaven as something different from someone else. Mitch Alboms book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, you meet people that lives you impacted. The people that you meet will teach you lessons in life that you should have known before passing away to the other side. A place where everything is perfect, gold streets, and people that have no flaws, seem to be a little impractical to me. Also the fact that you keep on living is another thing that i question, if you keep on living then why do you have to die? Heaven to me is nonexistent. Heaven is being reiencarnated into something else and being brought back to earth. Then you relive life as something or someone that you have always wanted to be. When you are reiencarnated...

Words: 394 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Heaven And Hell In C. S. Lewis The Great Divorce

...a very distinct picture of both heaven and hell. He describes them both in such a way that makes the reader feel as if they are actually there. The Great Divorce is made up of a lot of metaphors that really make one think about how heaven and hell will be. While C.S. Lewis paints an interesting, thought-provoking image of heaven and hell, it is only an idea. We cannot know exactly what they will look like until we are there. The Great Divorce begins with the narrator standing at a bus stop. The bus stop is in the middle of a very bleak town. The town that he is in is hell. He says, "I had been wandering for hours in similar mean streets, always in the rain and always in evening twilight." He had wandered around for hours...

Words: 1262 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Comparison Of Kingsolver's The Bean Trees And Pigs In Heaven

...Kingsolver’s books have been read by many readers. She is a well-known author with multiple books, and numerous people have written compare and contrasting essays on her novels. This essay will compare the setting, characters, and the tone of Kingsolver’s “The Bean Trees” and “Pigs in Heaven.” First, Kingsolver’s novel “The Bean Trees” begins in Pittman County, Kentucky (Kingsolver 1-2). Throughout the story the primary setting changes to Tuscan, Arizona as Taylor decides she’s ready to go out on her own. Then in “Pigs in Heaven” the setting begins in Kentucky and then carries on throughout four states: Arizona, Nevada, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. The setting in these novels are similar as they both include Kentucky and Arizona. Second, Kingsolver...

Words: 353 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

William Blake's a Marriage of Heaven and Hell

...An Explication of The Marriage of Heaven and Hell William Blake’s trouble with orthodoxy within religion was never more apparent than in his poem The Marriage of Heaven and Hell. It becomes clear that his problems with the Church run deeper than just their organization, but with their views on good and evil, and there is still debate today about what Blake’s true feelings were and how they were conveyed through the poem. This paper will simply explain the nature of the poem and the events that come together within it. The beginning of Marriage sets up an image of a man walking through a “perilous path” that is described as “The vale of death” (Blake 1.4-5). Rintrah, a personification of wrath, watches the man be swayed from his path by the “sneaking serpent,” which can easily be interpreted as the Devil (Blake 1.17). The man is driven into the wild to fend for himself, where he will struggle and be tempted by the good and evil sides of himself and of the world. The next plate that Blake writes is not in a poetic form, but instead calls forth a challenge to the Swedenborgian view of religion. He humorously writes that “it is now thirty-three years since its advent: the Eternal Hell revives. And lo! Swedenborg is the Angel sitting at the tomb: his writings are the linen clothes folded up” (Blake 3). Blake’s jokes about Swedenborg’s relationship to Jesus Christ and his changes to the Christian church lead into his next point, which is how contradictory he believes these...

Words: 2231 - Pages: 9

Free Essay

Heaven

...a. The Gift The aporia that surrounds the gift revolves around the paradoxical thought that a genuine gift cannot actually be understood to be a gift. In his text, Given Time, Derrida suggests that the notion of the gift contains an implicit demand that the genuine gift must reside outside of the oppositional demands of giving and taking, and beyond any mere self-interest or calculative reasoning (GT 30). According to him, however, a gift is also something that cannot appear as such (GD 29), as it is destroyed by anything that proposes equivalence or recompense, as well as by anything that even proposes to know of, or acknowledge it. This may sound counter-intuitive, but even a simple 'thank-you' for instance, which both acknowledges the presence of a gift and also proposes some form of equivalence with that gift, can be seen to annul the gift (cf. MDM 149). By politely responding with a 'thank-you', there is often, and perhaps even always, a presumption that because of this acknowledgement one is no longer indebted to the other who has given, and that nothing more can be expected of an individual who has so responded. Significantly, the gift is hence drawn into the cycle of giving and taking, where a good deed must be accompanied by a suitably just response. As the gift is associated with a command to respond, it becomes an imposition for the receiver, and it even becomes an opportunity to take for the 'giver', who might give just to receive the acknowledgement from the other...

Words: 688 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Divine Comedy Essay

...The Divine Comedy The afterlife has all been speculation based on ones own beliefs. Some people believe there is simply nothing while others believe that there is a heaven or hell. In the “Divine Comedy”, Dante is lost in a forest when he is found by the spirit of Virgil. This spirit then leads him through the circles of Hell the terraces of Purgatory and the spheres of Heaven. On his journey he sees spirits either punished or rewarded for their decisions on earth. The main theme of The Divine Comedy, written by Dante Alighieri is the choices made in a man’s life and where those choices will put him after death. Dante Alighieri’s version of Hell describes all of the punishments of those condemned, in accord with their sin. On entering Hell, Dante and Virgil read a sign, describing the horrors of hell and that there is no escape. “Through me you enter the city of woes… Abandon all hope ye who enter here.” (Dante Inferno Canto III) As they travel through Hell they see all of the various punishments for the condemned. They find that each sinner is condemned to a punishment that is in relation with his or her sin. For example, the Misers and the Spendthrifts are in Circle IV. Their sins were that they worshipped money so much that they hoarded it, or had so little regard for money that they spent it wildly. Nothing is so loathed to a miser as a spendthrift. So, their punishment is to bombard each other continually with huge stones expressing the antagonism between excessive...

Words: 753 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Hamlet

...Hamlet Act III, Scene 3 Now might I do it pat, now he is praying; And now I'll do it. And so he goes to heaven, And so am I revenged. That would be scanned. A villain kills my father; and for that, I, his sole son, do this same villain send  To heaven. Why, this is hire and salary, not revenge! He took my father grossly, full of bread, With all his crimes broad blown, as flush as May; And how his audit stands, who knows save heaven?  But in our circumstance and course of thought, 'Tis heavy with him; and am I then reveng'd, To take him in the purging of his soul, When he is fit and seasoned for his passage? No. Up, sword, and know thou a more horrid hent. When he is drunk asleep; or in his rage; Or in th' incestuous pleasure of his bed; At gaming, swearing, or about some act That has no relish of salvation in't-  Then trip him, that his heels may kick at heaven, And that his soul may be as damn'd and black As hell, whereto it goes. My mother stays. This physic but prolongs thy sickly days. I could do it easily now. He’s praying now. And now I’ll do it. (he draws out his sword) And there he goes, off to heaven. And that’s my revenge. I’d better think about this more carefully. A villain kills my father, and I, my father’s only son, send this same villain to heaven. Seems like I just did him a favor. He killed my father when my father was enjoying life, with all his sins in full bloom, before my father could repent for any of them. Only God knows how...

Words: 422 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Religion

...three of these groups are similar in that they believe that upon death the soul will face judgment for his or her actions while on earth, they each have their different perception of when and how it will happen. These in-between states mentioned above are classified into two planes, Heaven and Hell, within the New Testament. Even though Hades appears in both the New Testament and in the Revelation, to express the concept of hell, the idea of hell does not derive from the place in Greek mythology that is the underworld the place of the dead. This is due to the fact that it is a place that consists of the undead both good and bad. Therefore to better understand hell one talk’s about Tartarus a place in the underworld even lower than Hades were the wicked go. Hell is described to be a place or state, were souls who have not repented for their sins and/or have rejected Jesus Christ as their savior, suffer eternal damnation. In biblical teachings it is said that the soul passes into hell after God has judged them irredeemable for their actions while on earth. Hades also consist of Elysium, a utopia were those who have lived worthy lives go. This is known as the kingdom of God or Kingdom of heaven, discussed mostly in Revelations in the New Testament. It is considered a place or state that is inherited by the righteous a place of paradise and eternity with god. Although the...

Words: 788 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Aabbccdd

...The Divine Comedy represents the mature Dante’s solution to the poet’s task annunciated in The New Life. Its three canticles (the Inferno, the Purgatorio, and the Paradiso) display a nearly limitless wealth of references to historical particulars of the late Middle Ages and to Dante’s life. Even so, its allegorical form allows these to function as symbols. The Pilgrim’s journey through Hell to Heaven thus becomes an emblem of all human experience and a recognition of life’s circularity. The “Comedy” of its title is, therefore, the situation of life and the accumulation of experience that attends it. Correspondingly, however, chronological placement of the narrative from Good Friday through Easter Sunday, 1300, particularizes the experience even as it implies the death and rebirth that attends a critical stage of any person’s life. The poet tells his readers in the first line of the Inferno that he is midway through life, and indeed Dante would have been thirty-five years of age in 1300. Though he maintains present tense throughout the poem, he is, however, actually writing in the years that follow the events that he describes. This extraordinary method allows the Poet to place what amounts to prophetic utterance in the mouth of the Pilgrim. Dante thus maintains and further develops the thesis of The New Life, that the progress of the Pilgrim corresponds directly to the progress of the Poet. The literal journey that the Pilgrim undertakes toward the Beatific Vision succeeds only...

Words: 3695 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

Hell Debate

... Jesus, suggest that hell is “outer darkness “beyond heaven because heaven is light “where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” He teaches that many will seek to enter heaven but be shut out (Luke 13:22-30), suggesting that there is no way to escape from hell once there. Throughout life, we have heard plenty of talk about Heaven and Hell. Heaven was for the people that believe in doing well unto God as Christian and lived their lives accordingly to God's Commandments. . And Hell was always known as the place where the devil reside and the place that sinners and evil people that resisted God and refuse to accept God into their hearts and lived in sin, and last judgement is served. Heaven and Hell was spoken of in church, but most Pastor spoke on hell lesser than they did heaven. Sinclair Ferguson expresses how the doctrine of hell should influence one’s preaching. “He says preachers should stress God’s righteousness, the sinfulness of sin, and God’s justice in condemning sin. He adds that expositors should affirm that hell is real, that hell is vividly described in the New Testament, and that hell, though prepared for the devil and his angels, is shared by human beings” (Morgan and Peterson). Many Pastors thought it was easier to reach the people if they talk more on Heaven and God's blessing than Hell and the sin and evil of the devil. But the irony of it all was that God could control who went to heaven and who went to hell, but Satan could only control who went...

Words: 2153 - Pages: 9