Soaring to heights heretofore unheard of for a Christian—genre movie, now the 3rd highest–grossing music biopic of all time ($82.6 million as of early May) with a filming budget of 7-million, I Can Only Imagine, is also mopping up on tears in tissues. The song itself, by MercyMe about one’s reaction when they finally meet Jesus in Heaven, is a tearjerker for all true believers who are so indebted to the Son of God. The heart wenching story of the author of the song, Bart Millar, adds to the emotional pit–in–the–stomach. No spoiler alert here. You’ll have to see it for yourself.
Back to the theme of the song, the thought of what will happen when one first arrives in Heaven came to my attention after a recent flight when there was no one to greet me. That’s not unusual nor expected. I travel a fair amount and often arrive at an airport which might be a distance from friends or relatives. Often, when I go to Southeast Asia, I travel solo and am picked-up by a hotel driver. The driver will have that small placard which reads: “ALLEN.” That would be me. Now they are using tablets.
On social networks is a photo of a disheveled 30-something–year–old in pajamas standing at the baggage carousal with a sign that read something like – “Welcome back mom & dad . . . we ran out of cereal.” Another one embarrassed their pick–up with – “Welcome back from Rehab.”
In time past, at this present airport, one of our sons and daughter–in–laws, with grandchild in tow, would be there to greet us. Hugs were first on the agenda. On one occasion, a very sad one, our good friends Doc & Ruth were there to pick us up. This was the day after our son had been killed. The hugs were long and hard. In fact, I ended-up knocking Doc’s coffee out of his hand. They, too, had experienced the loss of a child just a few years before. She had been murdered.
I knew no one would be at the bottom of the escalator on this day, but there were people waiting for their friends or relatives. One couple embraced for a long time. But no one for me and I’m okay with that. I’ll get to see my friends soon enough.
Sometimes I wonder what the greeting will be like in Heaven. Will an announcement be heard over the heavenly intercom of my arrival or will my loved ones just sense it? Will my family and friends gather behind the pearly gates (if there is such a thing) in great anticipation to see me? Or will I bypass all of these to see the One who made all this possible—Jesus? I do miss those who have gone on before, but He is the reason for my eternal destiny in Heaven.
MercyMe asks—will I dance, stand, kneel in His presence? Will I sing or be able to speak at all. I can only imagine. But it will happen someday for those who are followers of Him. It’s just hard to imagine.
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A Preaching Nightmare
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Restaurant and/or Church Possible
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Fire Truck - Glory Train
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Some Sins Seem to Do More Damage
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Brushing Teeth with Iced Tea
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Never in Danger, but Could Have Been
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Another Festival
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Cow Town
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Dressing Down
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#MeToo
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All Alone Among 1.35 Billion People
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Does Anyone Know What Time It Is?
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Time To Be Spiritual Weather Forecasters
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Words Change . . . But Someone Gets the Final Word
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To Cremate or Not to Cremate
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I Want to Hold Your Hand
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I Finally Caught a Foul Ball . . . Sort of
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I Can Only Imagine
6/1/2018 10:59:00 AM by: Dan Allen
Do Panhandlers Have Regulars
4/8/2018 9:50:00 AM by: Dan Allen
Can't Good Dogs Go To Heaven?
4/3/2018 9:49:00 AM by: Dan Allen
At the Taj . . . in pictures only
1/24/2018 12:59:00 AM by: Dan Allen
Cold, But Warm Inside
1/22/2018 12:14:00 PM by: Dan Allen
Don't Remove the Plastic
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Put Your Big Boy Pants On
1/9/2018 11:46:00 AM by: Dan Allen
In the Spirit . . . or not?
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You Could Cut It With a Knife
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Men Acting Badly, err Should We Say---Horribly!
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History of Bible Fellowship Church of Ephrata
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Large Crowd Diversion
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Bikes, Bikers, and Trying New Things
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Lessons from T-Ball for Churches
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Authenticity of and in Jeans
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Bumped - Not Bumbed
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Go Fly a Kite
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What's In Your Bag?
1/17/2017 1:37:00 AM by: Dan Allen
Cultural Faux Pas
1/13/2017 2:30:00 AM by: Dan Allen
The Three Hour Trip Ends Up 23 Hours
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Walking Headrest Cover
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The Gift that Keeps Giving
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Let's Keep Things in Perspective
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I've Got the Nine
6/26/2015 9:02:25 AM by: Dan Allen
God Often Works in Mysterious Ways
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I'm From Negadelphia
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Positive Spin
2/16/2015 12:00:01 AM by: Dan Allen
