All Dogs Go to Heaven?
Disclaimer: Names have been changed for obvious reasons. I'm not looking for my blog to get tons of hits; this is just a place for me to vent and write about the "things that go through my head." This particular post is not intended to be disrespectful or rude to any particular individual. Really.
I heard on the news today that this famous guy named Leon Palamino died. He was supposedly a very well known yodeler, and I had heard of him, although I can't say I've every heard him yodel. Lots of people must of really liked his yodeling, because EVERY 6:00 News program led off with the story of Leon's death.
I googled Leon's name, and found tons of websites dedicated to him and his yodeling. He died this morning, and there were already a lot of "tribute" blogs/websites where people could post their thoughts about Leon. They were saying things like:
I saw and heard that last comment several times and thought to myself: How do they know that? Now, let me say right up front: I don't have any idea where Leon is right now. I don't claim to know all about him, but I honestly haven't heard a single thing that would make me think he's singing in heaven. He yodeled in a different language, so maybe he was yodeling all this time about Jesus, but you'd think he or someone would have mentioned it.
- I saw Palamino with the Three Yodelers...incredible!
- Man, that guy could yodel! And...
- Heaven has a new yodeler.
Here's the thing-- I don't believe that just because you're a good singer or a good person, you go to heaven. All dogs DON'T go to heaven. Don't misunderstand what I'm saying here. I'm not reveling in the idea that Leon may not be in heaven; in fact, I hope he is, but there seems to be this thing that when someone we really like dies, we say things like: "They're in a better place" or "She's not suffering anymore" or "He's singing in God's choir." It's not enough to be good. It's not enough to simply say, "Yeah, I believe there's a God/Higher Power." It's just not enough...nothing we do on our own is enough. It may make us feel better to say those things, but they're just not true.
In simplest terms, there is only ONE way a person goes to heaven, and that's through Jesus Christ, by putting their faith/trust in His death on the cross to pay the price for their sins. Jesus said: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. (John 14:6) I hope Leon put his faith in Jesus; I really do.
Friday Photos
flickr: Friday Photo Group
2 comments:
Great post, Keith. My 14 yr. old daughter can't stand that movie.
I realize it is bad form to have funerals and talking about how the deceased is now spending eternity in Hell. But the silly assumptions that everyone goes to Heaven show how deeply in denial this culture is.
It is extremely rare for Christians to discuss Heaven. We're going to spend eternity there, so you'd think it would garner more attention. But I think it reminds people of Hell, and we sure don't want to talk about that, right?
P.S. re. the mirror picture: A friend had a cracked side mirror once after she ran into something. "It told you things were closer than they appear, but you didn't listen!"
Neil:
I think you're right. It's much easier for people to avoid the conversation all together or at the very least, believe that all good people go to heaven and hell is reserved for the Hitlers and the Charles Mansons of the world.
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