Monday, May 11, 2009

Reading Group-Chapter 3

Chapter 3 of I'll Hold You In Heaven is titled " Life To What Degree?"

Some of our babies never fully developed their human bodies while others did. The bodies we have here on earth are different than the ones we will receive in Heaven. (1 Corinthians 15:40)

1) What do you think heavenly bodies look like? Do you believe your child(ren) has a perfect body?

The author shared a story of an elderly woman in his congregation. During the Depression she had an abortion and years later her and her husband dedicated the child they lost long ago to the Lord.

2) Did you dedicate you child(ren) to the Lord? If so, please share the experience. If not, is this something you would like to do?

Jeremiah 1:5 says "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart for my holy purpose. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations."

3) How does it make you feel to know your child(ren) was known by God before they were even conceived?

The author takes us back to the story of Mary going to Elizabeth after being visited by the angel Gabriel. We're told that the babe in Elizabeth's womb leapt upon hearing Mary's greeting, as Mary was carrying the long awaited Messiah. Elizabeth was then filled with the Holy Spirit.

4) Do you believe your child(ren) is spiritually sensitive to our Maker?

5 comments:

Debbie said...

1) What do you think heavenly bodies look like? Do you believe your child(ren) has a perfect body? I read somewhere that everyone in heaven has the body of a 33 year old (because that’s how old Jesus was when he ascended to heaven). I also tend to think in heaven we will shine or glow brightly due to radiating God’s glory. Somehow I think we will know which holy adult-like body is our child. I know our heavenly body is going to be different than our earthly body, so yes I think everyone in heaven will have perfect bodies.

2) Did you dedicate you child(ren) to the Lord? If so, please share the experience. If not, is this something you would like to do? No, I didn’t. I thought that woman’s story was awfully sweet and I would like to do it someday, but right now I’ve only been able to even talk about my experience for a few months so I feel like I still need my baby’s memory here with me.

3) How does it make you feel to know your child(ren) was known by God before they were even conceived? Very comforted. And my counselor was so touched when I mentioned God knowing to him that he had tears in his eyes too.

4) Do you believe your child(ren) is spiritually sensitive to our Maker? Before this book, I hadn’t given it a thought. But now I can see how my child would have a huge connection to and with God, and it blows me away.
~Debbie

Holly said...

1) What do you think heavenly bodies look like? Do you believe your child(ren) has a perfect body?

I think they sorta look like our human bodies only much, much better. I've always thought everyone would be around the same age. (I've heard the same thing Debbie.) I think there will be a glow about us and I picture us wearing white robes.

2) Did you dedicate you child(ren) to the Lord? If so, please share the experience. If not, is this something you would like to do?

For Jordan it wasn't until I was in counseling. I believe it was at the memorial service I had at the end. For Carleigh it was not long after she was born. My pastor anointed her and we prayed over her.

3) How does it make you feel to know your child(ren) was known by God before they were even conceived?

It makes me feel good and it gives me comfort that God knew my babies just like He knows each one of us then and now.

4) Do you believe your child(ren) is spiritually sensitive to our Maker?

I believe we are all spiritually sensitive from conception until our life ends whenever that may be. We all know that their is One that is greater than us. Some choose to follow and others do not.

MommyIvy said...

1) What do you think heavenly bodies look like? Do you believe your child(ren) has a perfect body?

I think that they look like their earthly bodies. I think that they are perfect. Actually, I know they are!

2) Did you dedicate you child(ren) to the Lord? If so, please share the experience. If not, is this something you would like to do?

No, I have not decicated my children, but I think that it is something I will do.

3) How does it make you feel to know your child(ren) was known by God before they were even conceived?

It comforts me.

4) Do you believe your child(ren) is spiritually sensitive to our Maker?

I believe that we all are.

Andi Soergel said...

1) I don't know what I think about what we will look like! Of course I know we will be perfect and whole!
I believe Haven is whole and perfect, but I don't know if that means we will have an actual body or not. Hmmm..this is something I am going to do some more reading about!
2) We dedicated Haven to the Lord in the sense that we knew He belonged to the Lord and we wanted God to use him for whatever purpose He saw fit. We wanted Haven's life to bring glory to the Lord, but we didn't do a "formal" baby dedication. He's already in Heaven, so at this point I don't think it's something we would do. That being said, we still want God to use Haven's life!
3) It gives me great comfort to know that God knew Haven before he was conceived. God knew what Haven would look like, what anomaly he would have, etc. It gives me such peace to know that Haven was not a mistake, he was formed with God's hand on him.
4) As a couple other people said, I do believe we are all made with a sensitivity to our Maker. As Holly said, some respond to that and some don't, but I think we are all aware of something deeper than ourselves.
Holly-how was going back to work??

Caroline said...

I would have to say with the first one that our bodies are somewhat like the earthly ones but I have read somewhere before that
everyone will be like the same age. Also that it will be perfect & whole & no pain or suffering .
Yes my children were dedicated to the Lord except for Carly haven't done it yet. As a child I remember my parents doing that to us.
It makes me feel good that the Lord knows my children. Since both of my losses were miscarrages I have always wondered what they were like. I know one was a boy but I know the Lord knows all. I'm so excited for the day when I can see them.
Yes I believe that we all our but there comes a time when we must decide. As a favorite children's song Jesus Loves Me if you listen to the words, it really tells alot. I remember after I lost my first a nurse gave me a book on miscarrage & in the back was the song Jesus Loves Me. I always think of that still to this day.

Post a Comment

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Thank you for leaving a comment! I love receiving them and I read each and every one!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Remembrance Jewelry, Memorial Keepsakes
My Forever Child - Remembrance Jewelry, Memorial Keepsakes, Sympathy and Decorative Gifts to comfort those touched by the loss of a Child. Personalized, Engraved & Handcrafted Miscarriage-Pregnancy Loss Bracelets, Baby-Infant Footprints Charms, Custom Necklace Pendants with your child's Footprint, Handprint image or photograph.