This is Ellie. Rescued and adopted by our dear friends from a dire scenario in China. Doug and Lori have adopted five precious girls from China. This pic is after Ellie’s stunning performance as Clara in the Nutcracker performed at the theatre of University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL. The 70 plus performers ranged in age from 3 to 18 years old. Ellie is 13. In a future post, I’ll tell you the whole story of Ellie’s amazing adoption story.

Revelation 4 & 5

I read over chapters 4 & 5 again. As I wrote before, all things in heaven are “right”. During Christ’s time on earth, for a brief season of 33 years, all things were upside down, as it were. When on earth, He grew up a tender shoot, a root out of parched ground, He had no stately form or majesty that we should notice him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him; He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, like one from whom men hide their face; He was despised and we did not esteem Him; He was considered stricken of God, smitten and afflicted; He was pierced through for our iniquities, chastened for our wellbeing, scourged for our healing, oppressed and afflicted; like a lamb led to slaughter, (Isaiah 53). That was then, this is now.

The scene is heaven. Now all the inhabitants view Him correctly. He is the lamb worthy of all 1) power 2) and riches 3) and wisdom 4) and might 5) and honor 6) and glory 7) and blessings.  This doxology of 7 intrinsic qualities are in Rev 5:12. The scene is heaven, where we our citizens (currently ambassadors on earth), where we ultimately belong, our destiny, our future home. Be not earthly, tied to the world. The tantalizing glitter of this world is fleeting. Keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, (Colossians 3.1). He is still the lamb that was slaughtered but He gave Himself, and His death has made Him the WORTHY King. He is still a lamb but He now has horns (power and strength). He is still a lamb, although slain, HE IS ALIVE. All things are right in heaven. Help me Lord, to set my mind on things above, where Christ is seated and not on the things that are on earth.