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From mid-November to early January, our lives change, bringing many things that are delightful, but which increase our pressure and fatigue! May this article remind you to focus on what’s truly most important in this season, and to take time to sit at Jesus’ feet.

Reminding yourself of God’s unchanging character and love and faithfulness is critical to being able to rise above the adversity of circumstances that seem to change like the weather.

Because Adam and Eve were naked without being embarrassed before they disobeyed God, some people say we won’t need to wear clothes in Heaven. Before you freak out, there’s good news. Even prior to the final resurrection, people are already described as wearing clothes.

A reader writes, "Ever since childhood I’ve been afraid of the concept of eternity. I know I'm going to spend it in Heaven with Jesus, but I still get a full-blown panic attack when I realize Heaven will last forever and won't end."

A reader asks, "I was sprinkled as an infant and still have my certificate. What is your understanding of baptism? Is a sprinkling at that young age as significant as full immersion? I’m puzzled."

A reader asked me, “I often hear the saying ‘I want to be ready to meet my Lord.’ Can you explain what exactly you mean by this, please?” First of all, and most importantly, being ready to meet the Lord means you’ve made sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ, and are trusting only Him to save you.

Throughout the ages, Heaven has played a dominant role in the thoughts and lives of God’s people. Heaven is the North Star by which countless Christians have navigated their lives. But have you noticed? Heaven today has largely fallen off our radar screens.

Those who are familiar with my books know that I wrote my novel Safely Home to open readers’ eyes to the persecution that Christians in many places face. I still hear people mention the dedication of Safely Home to the Staines family. Their commitment to Christ and their eternal perspective concerning their loved ones was a great example, and it was a privilege to dedicate my book to this wonderful family.

Over the years, I’ve been asked by readers about whether God’s future restoration of creation means that “undesirable” and “unpleasant” animals like rodents (such as rats) and insects (such as mosquitoes or spiders) will be present in Heaven. As one reader candidly wrote, “That sure wouldn’t be Heaven for me!”

The title of The New York Times article grabbed my attention, as it was meant to do: “I Had a Late-Term Abortion. I Am Not a Monster.” Lyndsay Werking-Yip shares her story of expecting a little girl, who was discovered to have severe brain abnormalities through prenatal testing. 

This issue includes: "Wait! What (Not) to Ask When Hope Is Deferred" by Glenna Marshall, "A Better Kind of Abundance" by Randy Alcorn, "The Church Behind Bars: Supporting Christians in Prison" by Zoe Erler, "Is It Possible to Be Happy in Christ Despite Suffering?" by Randy Alcorn, "Foster Children Need the Church" by Brittany Lind, and more!

Periodically I write an unusually long blog because the issues are so far-reaching that I think they demand extra attention. I don’t like to break such blogs into multiple parts, so if you have the time to work this through with me, here we go. Many have reacted, both negatively and positively, to comments that John MacArthur made recently about Beth Moore. This happened at the Truth Matters Conference, held at MacArthur’s Grace Community Church in California.

For those who are in Christ, God’s discipline is an act of love. I appreciated these thoughts from Ray Ortlund about how Scripture demonstrates that God can be both for us, and against us.

I enjoyed this short film, titled “The Love You’re Looking For."