Heaven...

[Benjamin]

When you say the Deception book made you laugh the most, I assume you mean that positively, and not in derision?

Yes, positively, and not in derision.  The main character has a quirky sense of humor that catches me just right.

[Denise]

Thank you all so much for the input. 
Jay: I like that, ‘“pronounced” state’, and “ we’d perceive it as all mirrors of God.”
Mirrors have accured in my thinking times on heaven. Could it be possible more knowledge of heaven is in scripture but maybe we’ve missed it? I mean the Bible keeps unfolding more and more to my once blind eyes.
Benjamin: Very cool. I will check this author out. I have not heard of him either. The used prices on his books for paperback is a steal. He has got some great reviews on goodreads. 
I think about , what if a bright 9 year old child asked us, “tell me about heaven, that’s your real home, right?”  We just oughta have that ready like Jesus was ready for Nicodemas. 
( hey just think of me as a 9 year old child)

[Ed Hurst]

The only story you can tell is the one you know. One the people who taught me a lot when I was a teenager told me that the pages of the Bible are nine feet thick. I seem to recall he is also the one who first convinced me that we can't all get the same answers from those pages. Not everyone is equipped to talk to kids, but it wouldn't hurt to try thinking what we might say on that level.

[Denise]

I really like the nine inches thick. That’s kinds what my trek through the scriptures felt like for me back at my start a few years ago. The Bible has been for me like a huge beautiful land I adventure and explore slowly.

[jaybreak]

Is "nine feet/inches thick" an expression of some sort? I have never heard it, and the Googles and the Duckduckgos and the Startpages aren't helping me out.

[Ed Hurst]

It was what this fellow said fairly often, but it could be his own creation.

[forrealone]

The only story you can tell is the one you know. One the people who taught me a lot when I was a teenager told me that the pages of the Bible are nine feet thick. I seem to recall he is also the one who first convinced me that we can't all get the same answers from those pages. Not everyone is equipped to talk to kids, but it wouldn't hurt to try thinking what we might say on that level.

Nine feet thick....  each verse could be!  Some are full of so many gems of wisdom; I often find myself gleaning so many different meanings especially when I am re-reading them again and again.

[IainH]

"Nine feet thick" ...that right there is old time country preacher. Ain't many of them left and the ones that are, are getting on. The Lord was kind enough to find us one who served the Lord with all his heart.

[Denise]

Guys any thoughts on the second book of Esdras of the Apocrypha ? It has some talk of Heaven, I have been reading in it this week. Kinda stumbled upon it reading an essay by the mystic Roger Hathaway.

[Ed Hurst]

I can speak only for myself. I respect the material in the Apocrypha, but don't consider it on par with the Scriptures. If nothing else, it likely reflects the rabbinical mythology of the times. Some of that is accurate, and some is nonsense. Too much of the former is buried in the latter, and I know of no reliable filter except your own convictions. I guess I'll have to check out Roger Hathaway when I have time.

Update: Okay, Mr. Hathaway likes Astrology a little too much for my tastes -- Sine Wave Diagram. I'll let him take his path while I pursue another.