Look Beyond the World You See
You are an Eternal Being on an Epic Journey
You were made for more than just this life.
God has placed eternity in your heart.
Life in this world is simply the beginning of your eternal journey.
This all-consuming journey will test you, teach you, provoke you and bless you.
Discover True Life
Each life is bound by its own habits and routines. These are the things that keep our thoughts focused on the moments before us but can also keep us distracted from the life intended for us.
It may be difficult to imagine life outside of your routines. The daily grind keeps us so focused we may not even wonder if there is more to life than this. Our distractions also prevent us from seeing humanity in its truest and most beautiful form. Sincere acts of love, kindness, self-sacrifice and forgiveness are the expression of life we are called to live.
You have been made in God's image. This is a truth of the universe that goes back to the beginning when God said, "Let Us make Man in Our image." Time has clouded this truth.
You must learn again to see God in you. You must search to uncover the true journey before you.
In the shadows of time is a life unexpected.
Discover True Life
Each life is bound by its own habits and routines. These are the things that keep our thoughts focused on the moments before us but can also keep us distracted from the life intended for us.
It may be difficult to imagine life outside of your routines. The daily grind keeps us so focused we may not even wonder if there is more to life than this. Our distractions also prevent us from seeing humanity in its truest and most beautiful form. Sincere acts of love, kindness, self-sacrifice and forgiveness are the expression of life we are called to live.
You have been made in God's image. This is a truth of the universe that goes back to the beginning when God said, "Let Us make Man in Our image." Time has clouded this truth.
You must learn again to see God in you. You must search to uncover the true journey before you.
In the shadows of time is a life unexpected.
The Impact of Each Life is Revealed in Their Story
The time between birth and death is each person's story but not necessarily their "story". That is, the story that is left behind for posterity could be far different than the life they have lived.
There are two facts that we can establish as truth. We all have a beginning, and we all have an ending. The beginning is usually filled with joy and the end too often with sorrow. What fills the time between those two points in a person's life is as varied as there are people.
Take the thief on the cross for example. He clearly lived a life that earned him the title "thief" and a crucifixion next to Jesus Christ. Those who knew him most likely agreed he deserved the sentence of death. But it was the last hours of his life that defined him for all time. This thief realized he was suffering justly for his crimes while Jesus suffered unjustly. His faith was revealed when he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
Jesus rewarded his expression of faith by telling him, "Today, you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43
May We Find Encouragement in Our Journey Together
We all need a cheering section. Far too often we are criticized and condemned for simply trying to do our best. We are told that we are no good and can never be better; failures who will never succeed. The world is full of negative words used to knock us down. No matter who you are, there is always someone ready to lay you low with words.
Will you recognize that we are on this journey of life together? If so, then let us discover new ways to encourage each other while it is still called "today", before the veil of this life is lifted.
What I Believe
God exists in three persons: the Father, the Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
God created Man in His image with the intention that we would have fellowship with Him forever.
Sin has separated us from God.
The Father sent the Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to pay the price for Sin. He lived a perfect life and willingly died on a cross, then rose three days later, conquering Sin and the Death that separates God and Man.
Jesus Christ repaired our path to Heaven so that everyone who believes in Him and what He has done can have eternal life in Heaven with Him when the veil of this life is removed.
The Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by men who either knew the Son, Jesus Christ, or were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Church is the Bride of Christ and her purpose is to make ready a people for the Lord.
I Also Believe
This world works hard to keep us alienated from God and our fellow man. If you listen closely, you can distinguish the voice of the world and the voice of God.
The voice of the world tells you to focus on yourself and your desires. It says there are no rules but what you make. You are led to believe there is no God and must live life on your own. You hear this voice in sweet, persuasive tones as well as the criticisms and contentions of angry people. It is also found in every act that purposely and often violently takes from another.
The voice of God says you are made in His image and He loves you so much He willingly died so that you could live forever with Him in love, joy and peace unending. He whispers that you are eternally important and that you are made for more than what this life offers. His voice says that He has paid all cost and expense for you.
All you have to do is just believe in Him and what He did on the cross.
About Jeff
Do you have a childhood dream?
The only dream I can remember ever having was wanting to write. Having been an avid reader since childhood, I would imagine writing stories like the ones I loved to read.
Through the years, I have started several novels but finished none. Each time I began, life got in the way, and I never seemed to be able to hold on long enough to write the end of a story.
One day while watching my 12-year-old granddaughter play volleyball, I was struck by the thought that she is an eternal being. A young one for sure, but still an eternal being. I saw her life play out in my mind as I imagined her becoming an adult, a mother and then a grandmother before passing from this life to the next.
The knowledge that every human soul is an eternal being and each person is on a journey called Life, brought clarity I had never experienced. I began contemplating my own life against the backdrop of eternity.
While considering who I am and the brevity of life here on earth, it made me wonder what I have to offer while I am here. Looking back on my life I realize that I am an encourager. I thrive on encouraging others. If you will allow me to say it, I believe that encouraging others is my Calling. It is what I am supposed to do while I am living in this earthly body.
So, I will put together this knowledge of the infiniteness of the human soul and my Calling to encourage others, to share stories that hopefully give you a glimpse of eternity and leave a word of encouragement in the process.
This is where my journey as a writer begins.
This is where my childhood dream comes to life.
What is Vale Removed?
Vale Removed is a search to find God in the lives of men, women and children. It is an attempt to look past the distractions of the world we see to find the world we don't see and better understand the truths of God.
Vale Removed is also your cheering section. We want to fuel your "inner" light. Where the world points out your faults, we recognize your achievements. Not the external achievements of climbing a corporate ladder but those things that are deeper. The internal achievements of your faith and humanity.
What is the story that each life leaves behind?
What will your story say when you are gone?
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you shall find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My load is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
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