Heaven Is Closer Than You Think: Love Letters to the World: Volume 4

By Fred Blom

This is a testimony of real life, not games or movies. The majority of the people in the world don't believe in the one and only God. Then there are fewer who believe in Jesus Christ. Of that group, how many drift in and out of this commitment? How many worship with their lips, but not their hearts? My parents and relatives fell into the group of "there is no God, just nature and the natural renewal of its cycle." For me, curiosity was the thing. I had to know the beginning and end of everything step-by-step. It's the way I am built! I want every breath and every step I take to take me closer to Jesus Christ. Walk with me, and we will see how close heaven really is to us. Run away with me, and I bet we will run right into the hand of God. I have done it a couple of times! I want you to come with me! Please, it's important!

Why write this testimony of life? Did I say, "Please, come along with me"? Well, we all have the happy and sad, the hard and easy, and the close to God, whether we are aware of it or not, and the far from God, which we do not understand. Just a few weeks ago, I asked my Father in heaven if I should continue to write the first testimonials each month or perhaps even reveal the deep things that have helped me through life. In the process and time of seven days, I was shown how the hidden secrets of heaven work. To me, it's funny, serious, and truthful--this simple thing connecting so many things together that have occurred in my life.

I work on my testimonial stories at night. It was the hand of God that led me to do that, no doubt, and you will learn that a little later. There are always more people to give them to than I can accomplish.

"Maybe I should put them in a book for everyone, Father. I don't have the time or know-how..." I felt something like a tap on the back of my head when I prayed that. I slapped my hand over my mouth, trying to take it back; at the same time, I looked behind myself to see if something had fallen off the wall. I stopped praying, took a big sigh, and went to sleep. Why did I say "too busy"? I wrestled all night with "The secrets of heaven are my Lord Jesus Christ's, but that which he gives us are ours."

For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. (Luke 12:2)

I was referred to recently as the little lion that would not roar and the lost generation. Then a voice stood up for me and said, "No, this is the one who walks the dusty road."

I wanted to respond, but I fell to the ground in weakness because of the awesomeness around me. I was shown the loss of mankind and told to go forth with the testimony I was given. I cry and pray with great supplication before the heavenly throne of our savior, Jesus Christ. I don't want anyone to be lost!

Love in Christ,

Fred

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9798885407069

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Heaven Is Closer Than You Think

Love Letters to the World: Volume 4

Fred Blom

ISBN 979-8-88540-705-2 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-88540-706-9 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Fred Blom

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Lion Does Not Sleep Tonight

Grandma Hanna

The Hidden

In the Shadow of the Trees

Seven Churches

Do Not Be Blind to Compassion

Where Did I Come From?

2015: The Smallest Christmas Tree

Don't Burn Your Bridges

The Palm Branch

Where Did Tilt Come From?

Scarlet Fever—Why Spare Me?

A Boy's Best Friend

Protect Me When I Fall

Who Is Your Protector?

Seven Lost Days

The Fifty-Year Prayer

Greetings, Friend

Armor of God

Christmas Story: When Is Enough Enough?

Bless This House

On a Mission

The Judgment of Seven or Testimony of Seven

About the Author

Introduction

This is a testimony of real life, not games or movies. The majority of the people in the world don't believe in the one and only God. Then there are fewer who believe in Jesus Christ. Of that group, how many drift in and out of this commitment? How many worship with their lips, but not their hearts? My parents and relatives fell into the group of There is no God, just nature and the natural renewal of its cycle. For me, curiosity was the thing. I had to know the beginning and end of everything, step-by-step. It's the way I am built! I want every breath and every step I take to be closer to Jesus Christ. Walk with me and we will see how close heaven really is to us. Run away with me and I bet we will run right into the hand of God. I have done it a couple of times! I want you to come with me! Please, it's important!

Why write this testimony of life? Did I say Please come along with me? Well, we all have the happy and sad, the hard and easy, and the close to God, whether we are aware of it or not, and the far from God, which we do not understand. Just a few weeks ago I asked my Father in heaven if I should continue to write the first testimonial each month or perhaps even reveal the deep things, which have helped me through life. In the process and time of seven days, I was shown how the hidden secrets of heaven work. To me, it's funny, serious, and truthful. This simple thing connects so many things together that have occurred in my life.

I work on my testimonials stories at night. It was the hand of God that leads me do that. No doubt and you will learn that a little later. There are always more people to give them to than I can accomplish. Maybe I should put them in a book for everyone, Father. I don't have time or know-how; I felt something, like a tap in the back of my head when I prayed that. I slapped my hand over my mouth, trying to take it back, at the same time I looked behind myself to see if something had fallen off the wall. I stopped praying, took a big sigh, and went to sleep. Why did I say, Too busy? I wrestled all night with The secrets of heaven are my Lord Jesus Christ's, but that which he gives us are ours.

For there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known (Luke 12:2).

I was referred to recently as the little lion that would not roar and the lost generation. Then a voice stood up for me and said, No, this is the one who walks the dusty road. I wanted to respond, but I fell to the ground in weakness, because of the awesomeness around me. I was shown the loss of mankind and told to go forth with the testimony I was given. I cry and pray with great supplication before the heavenly throne of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Note: All scriptures are KJV.

The Lion Does Not Sleep Tonight

May 2015

Thought: A letter for you with as much love as it can carry. May the spirit of God direct you in all ways, this I pray! Let's have a testimonial story and see what we can learn about enjoying the smallest things around us.

To all with love,

Sometimes we keep small bits of this or that for various reasons—pictures, letters, cards, etc. At some point in our lives, we trip across these items and usually reflect back to a given time. I have a testimony which was given to me about forty-three years ago. I have kept a small bit of memorabilia. It's a picture of a young family that I have often prayed for and support. When I was fifteen I used to visit an Assembly of God church on Sunday evenings. I didn't have a driver's license, but I did have a farm permit. I was supposed to be home by dark, according to the permit, so some nights I had to hurry.

There was going to be a missionary family from Benin, Africa. I thought that would very exciting, just because Africa was so far away. I never had thought of Africa as really dangerous. Oh, you had to give wild animals their distance, and third-world habitation was different from living in our cities and towns. This would be a face-to-face conversation with people who were actually living there. The family was going to be the Thomassens, and I could hardly wait to hear them speak.

The service started like any other, and the Thomassens looked as much like you or I as anyone else. It quickly started to change as they began to speak. George started the service with a request of everyone rising up. Rise up and lift your hands to the heavens. Lift up your hearts and offer all that you are to your Lord Jesus Christ. Let the Holy Spirit wash over you and flood your soul. With praises of worship for several minutes, he requested us to be seated.

Muriel and George then stood side by side and started telling us about Benin, Africa. "We traveled as a family from one small village to another. Alicia is always with us. It didn't matter what we were doing, we were always together. A large number of our meals were cooked over an open fire in front of some hut, made of mud. In the city of Conotou, there were building materials and structures were larger, but in the rural areas it was mud and sticks. The areas near the villages were very well gleaned of wood. Even the small brush was cleaned up for cooking purposes.

"A few of the larger villages had tents for us. These tents had poles and a few wooden benches. These items were provided by various missionary groups. This would be considered some of the most extravagant means. When we say the words of having means, we reflect to the tangibles, which we can touch. If you had a piece of cloth for clothing, a metal pot to cook in, and some food for the pot, you had a lot. We were most appreciative to those who shared a meal with us. There were many times when there were thirty or forty people gathered to share a meal. Sometimes there was a large cooking pot that had to be shared by many. In the States, you can go into almost any kitchen and grab a pot or pan of any size you choose. You can walk to your closet and pick out a piece of clothing for any day of the month. How many people come over to share your cooking pot or meal?

The love and acceptance of the people is like a large group of little children. They accept you with unconditional love. Their faith grows like the flowering bush after the rains have fallen. They would share anything they have or could find. If we say, ‘Let's praise God,' their hands, arms, and voices reach for the heavens without reservation. We see almost the opposite in the States. There is much reservation to lift our hands to the heavens. People toss back and forth the very idea of believing in God the Father, Jesus his Son, and the Holy Spirit. I am too old, I am hurt, or I'm not feeling it. Every man, every woman, every child will raise the total being to the heavens. It doesn't need to be a thought process of ‘Do I feel it?' or ‘Do I have an excuse?' ‘Am I embarrassed or uncomfortable?' Be comfortable always, it's your Father in heaven that loves you always. He gives you everything you have and every breath of air you take in.

I heard the emotion in Muriel's voice as a few tears came down her cheeks. She was very passionate about what she was doing. She stepped behind George for a few minutes. George said, "I am going to tell you where there is faith, protection, and love abounding. It was a Sunday service, so we were gathered in an open air tent. We usually have the Sunday service in the tents. The tents have become a village gathering place—for schooling, meetings, church, and gathering from the sun. There are many days of blue skies, and this was no exception. There wasn't a cloud in the sky, and the temperature seemed perfect. We were having a lovely service. You could look out across the village and not see a soul. Everyone was at the service. Some people had walked a great distance to be at the service. It still just stagers my mind to this day that as far as one could walk or be carried were in the Sunday worship service.

"Without warning some people in the back started screaming, then more started and still more. I moved down off the small platform to get a better look at what everyone was pointing to and screaming. There was a great male lion running rapidly toward the people. There had been rumors of some people missing in a nearby village and feared that they had been taken by a lion. There really wasn't time to think. Many were crowding closer into the tent, and many started raising their hands to heaven in prayer. A couple of men with walking sticks and two with spears stood on the outside of the crowd to face the lion. The lion continued at a great speed toward us. It had no hesitation, it had no fear, and it made no sound. From the far distance at which I first saw it coming toward us, it had covered about two-thirds of that distance. All of a sudden a great crack split the air, and what appeared to be a bolt of lightning struck the lion and chard it to the ground. We slowly walked to where the beast was smoldering. It looked like it had been consumed by fire. You could see that it was a lion, but it was a black charred mass. We cried with relief and worshiped God, standing around the charred remains of the lion.

"I have never been afraid like that in my life. Most everyone was asking God for mercy, and after, everyone was giving God the Father the glory. I think everyone was crying, myself, Muriel, and Alicia included. We all kept crying out of fear, relief, happiness, and praising our Lord and Savior. That lion remains in that spot and would never be removed. Why here, why now, why this day? These are questions which could make you silly just thinking about them. What it did led right into an afternoon service. Maybe I should say an all-day service.

It's not unusual for a service to last most of the day or go for hours and break, with the start of another service right away. We didn't want to do night services or evening services just because of the wild animals. The service went right into the devil going about as a roaring lion and seeking whom he may destroy.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:6–11)

Lions are known for going into a rogue condition in large parts of Africa. There are many reasons for them to do this and few ways to stop them. People are easy prey, because of fearless way to stop the attack of a lion—no horns, no hoofs, no speed, and just no defense. The lion is just looking for anything or anyone it wants. It will just go get and destroy. The lion must be killed. Even a well-armed hunter can be taken out by the lion. You can say that you have no fear of a lion, but you will, you will.

*****

In honor and dedication to George, Muriel and Alicia Thomassens who were missionaries to Benin, Africa; Cotonou to be more specific.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. (Psalm 91:11)

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1–8)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16–18)

If you believe in your Father in heaven and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, all things can relate to compassionate training and instruction. I have not only had remembrance of this particular time, but instruction and strength many times. Do not want or covet what others have, but rejoice for them. Pray for their success.

Love in Christ, Fred

Grandma Hanna

June 2015

Thought: A letter for you with as much love as it can carry. May the spirit of God direct you in all ways, this I pray! Let's look at a testimonial story to see how long it takes to answer a prayer. Sometimes it can be quicker than you can blink, or sometimes it is time to learn patience.

To all with love,

The more Sundays I had to visit with Grandma Hanna after church, the more I liked going. Leaving at eight and getting home well after lunch made for a long day at times. It was because of Grandma Hanna that my interest would not waver. She was a stranger that allowed or requested of me to call her such. She didn't seem to visit with others when we sat visiting after church. Sometimes it was ten minutes and sometimes thirty or forty minutes. It was all depending on Pastor Peterson's requirements. There are few conversations that really matter. Think about how many conversations you have had and how many you remember.

It was midfall, my favorite time of the year. I didn't know it at the time, but the conversation I was about to have would last three weeks. Say what? Yes, it was the trilogy. I would say it had the most profound effect on me. The greatest conversation I have ever had. Have you ever had the great conversation of all time? I had gone to