God has been at work in my life. For a second time, God sent me Matt Heard’s message to live life with a capital L.
Twelve days after my Mama stepped into heaven, I reviewed life with a capital L. This book helped me glean the richness of the journey Mama was taking as she lifted one foot toward heaven and eventually, the other, reaching her destiny and true Life with a capital L.
Today marks the one-year anniversary of Mama’s Life in heaven.
I am so glad that Heard created a small group participants’ guide and DVD. The guide can be used in 4, 6, or 12-week sessions with the DVD and the book.
Heard uses every-day examples to illustrate Biblical concepts. For example, he describes the difference between a bucket and a pipe: if you pour water into a bucket, the water stays in the bucket and will eventually become stagnant; however, if you pour water into a pipe, the water flows through the pipe, much like when a Christian serves as a conduit for God’s love, showering it on others, and as a result, God pours more love into that Christian to give the love away.
What’s in the guide
In the participant’s guide, Heard provides the facilitator with tips on how to lead the group. The participant’s guide includes:
- Warm-up questions (before the video).
- Video reaction prompts.
- Word studies (to go deeper in the Bible).
- Group discussion questions.
- Closing prayer prompts.
- After session reflections.
- Resolutions (prompts for prayer, reflection and action throughout the week).
Personal reflection
Daddy’s journey to heaven was 15 years before Mama’s. She missed him so much. Often, she would ask me why she was still living. I told her that God wasn’t finished with her, yet, that God had something else for her to do.
I wondered why she had to go through the last few weeks of her life. I know now. In those last few weeks of pain, there were glimpses of heaven. She served as a conduit for God’s grace and love to spill out onto her caregivers and onto her children. She didn’t know the reason for those weeks, nor did I. I’m sure she knows now. I know now.
One caregiver said that she had not seen such peace in a hospice patient. Her conclusion: “She must have her spiritual house in order.”
Without a word, in dying, Mama pointed people to Jesus; Mama lived life with a capital L in her dying.
Final resolution
Matt Heard’s final resolution sums up Life:
I will keep in mind that my ultimate redemption is graciously secured and that Christ will get me home.
I will pay attention to today’s heaven moments – whether physical aches, unfulfilled longings, encounters with beauty, broken experiences, or opportunities to obey – and will hope for the day when Life with a capital L will no longer be diluted by a fallen body and fallen world.
I miss our morning calls, Mama. They were Life.
I miss you, Mama.
My tears are filled with your Life, glimpses of heaven.
I’ll see you in heaven, Mama.
Matt Heard’s message is important. Please share this message.
Make it Yours!
Above all, make it your resolution this week to ask God to show you the
path to living Life with a capital L.
My prayer:
Father in heaven, thank You, again, for Matt Heard and the message You have given him. Bless him as he seeks Your face, Your guidance, and Your future messages. Guide us towards a deeper Life with You. We want to be used by You. We love you, Lord.
I unexpectedly received a copy of the Participant’s Guide and DVD of life with a capital L: Embracing your God-given humanity from Multnomah Books.
