Gift Exchange

Sometimes I wonder what it would be like if everyone was received into heaven after they died. At first I suppose people would say they liked it, but then they'd start getting curious about hell. Some would want to document hell for academic purposes, calling themselves professors. Others would lead tours down there calling themselves curators. Films would be made by people calling themselves actors and directors. The scientists would study the brimstone. Of course they would say they officially lived in heaven, that they entered into life ... but I suspect heaven would quickly become an empty place.

There is an old legend about Christopher Robin, that he once lost his bear Winnie the Pooh. After searching the Hundred Acre Wood, the boy found his bear at a consignment store. After producing some quarters, a few pennies, and a paper clip, the owner said Christopher Robin did not have enough -even after the boy told him it was all he had. Christopher then told the owner, "There is one more thing I have ... love." The owner, surprised, told the boy, "Well, that is certainly enough." And the boy left with his bear.

The sooner you start testing, the sooner you can start questioning the results.
1st Law of Scientific Analysis

One day all the workers came to the boss complaining the rules were too difficult to understand. "We need a way of knowing immediately what is acceptable and what is not." They said. "Yes," Said the boss, "That is exactly what you need. Here is our new standard: love. As long as your behavior is in love, they are acceptable to this company and to me." The workers grumbled. "I thought he was going to give us a formula or tell a joke. These serious types are no fun."

Some crusaders were given the task of building a make-shift fort out of a pile of ruins. One of the soldiers asked, "Should we find out what these bricks were originally intended for?". "No," Responded the officer. "It is enough for us to know how we ought to use them ... to find their purpose for us."

"I'd like to be beautiful." Said the young girl.
"Beautiful girls are unhappy." Said the older girl.
"I suppose you're right. It would be better to be smart." Said the young girl.
"Intelligent people are the most miserable of all." Said the older girl.

I wonder what it would have been like if the young boy Judas encountered the three wise men on their way to see the baby Jesus. He would probably talk about how the king they seek is so excellent that he needs no gifts and that they should be given to the poor. Then he would probably try to sell the gifts and keep the money.

The pastor mentioned to his wife that he would like to go to her company's Christmas party, but he didn't know if he was invited. The wife said she would find out, and left. He went into his study and began wondering to himself how he should preach about heaven next Sunday. "Lord," He prayed, "What is the single most important thing I should know about heaven? What is it about heaven that we ought to all remember?" Suddenly he noticed that he had received an email from his wife. It said, "I asked specifically on your behalf and you are personally invited."


Picture from here.