Greetings from Paradise
If all went well. I would have been married last Saturday. If all went well, I will be sitting on a beach on Hawaii when you read this. If all went well, I will be back on March 30.
So, I will assume that all went well and I am now in “Paradise.” Yes, Hawaii has been called “Paradise” by more than one visitor from the northern tier of the United States. With an average winter temperature of mid – 70’s to low 80’s, visitors used to temperatures much colder find Hawaii – Paradise.
Hawaii’s plants are beautiful- our annuals are their perennials. Green blankets the sides of mountains; beaches glisten in the sun; clear, warm, blue water beckons the swimmer – snorkeler - diver; waves entice the surfer. Fruit is fresh, air is clean, sun is warm – Paradise.
But what is really Paradise? Can we define Paradise as just a warm climate, a beautiful beach, or a picturesque mountain stream? Is Paradise defined only as a place?
Adam and Eve were placed into Paradise. It was a garden called Eden. They were surrounded by perfect beauty. The animals were peaceful. There were no mosquitoes, no pesky flies, no ants crawling on kitchen counters. So, Paradise has often been portrayed as a perfect garden – the Garden of Eden.
However, Paradise was more than the place. Paradise was a daily “walking with God.” God would walk and talk with Adam and Eve. They would share with each other. They were in perfect communication – one to another.
Isn’t that really Paradise – God walking and talking with us? We will see Paradise one day – the day God calls us home to heaven. We can glimpse Paradise each day. I am privileged to glimpse a garden setting with my wife – my helpmate – the one God has chosen for me. That is a good thing. However, I join with you in a glimpse of Paradise each day as I talk with God, share my burdens, share my hopes, share my dreams, implore His blessing, ask for His guidance, ask for His protection. I also glimpse Paradise as I listen to God speak to me in the words of the Bible. He guides, directs, leads me in my life as He speaks through the pages of His book.
Prayer, Thank you God for giving me a taste of Heaven each day. Amen
So, I will assume that all went well and I am now in “Paradise.” Yes, Hawaii has been called “Paradise” by more than one visitor from the northern tier of the United States. With an average winter temperature of mid – 70’s to low 80’s, visitors used to temperatures much colder find Hawaii – Paradise.
Hawaii’s plants are beautiful- our annuals are their perennials. Green blankets the sides of mountains; beaches glisten in the sun; clear, warm, blue water beckons the swimmer – snorkeler - diver; waves entice the surfer. Fruit is fresh, air is clean, sun is warm – Paradise.
But what is really Paradise? Can we define Paradise as just a warm climate, a beautiful beach, or a picturesque mountain stream? Is Paradise defined only as a place?
Adam and Eve were placed into Paradise. It was a garden called Eden. They were surrounded by perfect beauty. The animals were peaceful. There were no mosquitoes, no pesky flies, no ants crawling on kitchen counters. So, Paradise has often been portrayed as a perfect garden – the Garden of Eden.
However, Paradise was more than the place. Paradise was a daily “walking with God.” God would walk and talk with Adam and Eve. They would share with each other. They were in perfect communication – one to another.
Isn’t that really Paradise – God walking and talking with us? We will see Paradise one day – the day God calls us home to heaven. We can glimpse Paradise each day. I am privileged to glimpse a garden setting with my wife – my helpmate – the one God has chosen for me. That is a good thing. However, I join with you in a glimpse of Paradise each day as I talk with God, share my burdens, share my hopes, share my dreams, implore His blessing, ask for His guidance, ask for His protection. I also glimpse Paradise as I listen to God speak to me in the words of the Bible. He guides, directs, leads me in my life as He speaks through the pages of His book.
Prayer, Thank you God for giving me a taste of Heaven each day. Amen