Tag: eternity

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Heaven

“Keep your eyes fixed on Heaven, and earth will be thrown in. Keep your eyes fixed on earth and you will get nothing.”
— C. S. Lewis

There is a profound truth in these words attributed to C. S. Lewis. They remind us that where we focus our eyes, our hearts tend to follow.

We live in a world filled with distractions. We worry about money, politics, health, possessions, relationships, the news, and what tomorrow may bring. None of these things are necessarily bad. But when they become the center of our lives, they can cause us to forget what matters most.

This world is temporary. Heaven is eternal.

What Are Your Eyes Fixed On?

Imagine walking down a path while constantly looking behind you. You would stumble over things you could easily have avoided.

Life can be like that.

If we spend all our time looking at the problems of this world, our problems can become larger than they really are. Fear can replace faith. Anxiety can replace peace. Discouragement can replace hope.

But when we lift our eyes toward God, something changes.

We begin to see our problems from an eternal perspective.

The bills may still be there. The difficult person may still be difficult. The news may still be troubling. Our circumstances may not immediately change.

But we change.

We remember that God is bigger than our problems.

“Set Your Mind on Things Above”

St. Paul gives us a similar message:

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
— Colossians 3:2

This doesn’t mean that Christians should ignore earthly responsibilities.

Quite the opposite.

We have families to love, bills to pay, work to accomplish, neighbors to help, communities to serve, and people who need our kindness.

But we should do these things with Heaven in our hearts.

When Heaven becomes our destination, earth becomes our assignment—not our final home.

Earth Is a Gift, Not the Destination

God has given us this life as a tremendous gift.

We should enjoy the beauty around us. We should appreciate family and friends. We should laugh, work, serve, celebrate and give thanks.

But we should never confuse the gift with the Giver.

Everything we have ultimately comes from God.

Our homes, possessions, talents, opportunities, relationships and even our next breath are gifts.

And one day, we will leave all of those earthly things behind.

We cannot take our bank accounts with us.

We cannot take our houses.

We cannot take our cars.

We cannot take our accomplishments.

But we can take love.

We can take the good we have done for others in God’s name.

We can take the faith we have cultivated.

And, by God’s grace, we can take our souls home to Him.

When Heaven Is Our Focus, Earth Falls Into Perspective

Think about how different life looks when we remember that it is temporary.

Someone insults us.

Is it worth carrying resentment for years?

Someone hurts us.

Can we forgive them and place the matter in God’s hands?

We lose something we treasured.

Can we say, “Lord, thank You for the time I had it”?

We face an uncertain future.

Can we say, “God, I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I know You hold tomorrow”?

That is the freedom that comes from keeping our eyes fixed on Heaven.

Don’t Let the World Steal Your Peace

The world constantly tells us:

“You need more.”

God tells us:

“Trust Me.”

The world says:

“Be afraid.”

God says:

“Do not be afraid.”

The world says:

“Look at what you don’t have.”

God says:

“Look at what I have already given you.”

The world says:

“Protect yourself at all costs.”

Christ teaches us to love, forgive, serve, and give.

The difference is enormous.

Heaven Changes How We Live Today

Keeping our eyes on Heaven doesn’t make us less useful on earth.

It makes us more useful.

If I know this life is temporary, I have a greater reason to make every day count.

I can encourage someone who is lonely.

I can forgive someone who has hurt me.

I can pray for someone who has wronged me.

I can feed someone who is hungry.

I can listen to someone who needs to talk.

I can share my faith.

I can thank God for another day.

I can use whatever blessings God has placed in my hands for His glory and for the good of others.

That is what living with our eyes on Heaven looks like.

A Simple Daily Practice

Perhaps we can begin each morning with a simple prayer:

“Lord, help me keep my eyes on You today.

Help me remember that this world is temporary and Heaven is eternal.

Help me use everything. You have given me for Your glory.

Help me forgive those who have hurt me.

Help me love those who are difficult to love.

Help me not become consumed by the problems of this world.

And when I become worried, remind me to look up.

My hope is not in this world. My hope is in You. Amen.”

Look Up

We don’t know how many days God has given us.

That is why today matters.

Don’t waste today worrying about yesterday.

Don’t spend today being consumed by tomorrow.

And don’t allow the temporary things of earth to make you forget the eternal things of Heaven.

Look up.

Fix your eyes on Christ.

Trust God with the things you cannot control.

Use today to love, forgive, serve, and give thanks.

Because when our eyes are fixed on Heaven, we can live on earth with greater peace, greater purpose, and greater hope.

Heaven is real. Eternity is coming.

So let us keep our eyes fixed on Heaven—and trust God to take care of the rest.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

P.S. To check out The Good News Newsletter and all you get with it for FREE, click here.

August 15, 2026
God Owns Everything—We Are Stewarts
God’s Gifts Are Meant for Eternity

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth… But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.”
— Matthew 6:19–20

Every good thing we possess is a gift from God.

Our health, our strength, our talents, our homes, our families, our friendships, and even the opportunities placed before us each day come from His loving hand. We often speak about what we have “earned,” but behind every accomplishment stands the God who gave us life, the ability to work, and the blessings that made success possible.

The Book of James reminds us:

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.”
— James 1:17

Because everything belongs to God, we are not owners—we are stewards.

God entrusts us with His gifts for a time. He asks us to use them wisely, to care for our families, to strengthen our communities, to help those in need, and above all, to glorify Him.

When success comes, thank Him.

When prosperity comes, thank Him.

When health is strong, thank Him.

And if one day He chooses to take those blessings back, thank Him again for allowing you to enjoy them for however long He saw fit.

Job understood this profound truth after losing nearly everything he possessed:

“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
— Job 1:21

Those words are not easy to live, but they reveal a heart that trusted God more than possessions.

Keep Your Eyes on Eternity

Life moves quickly.

The house we build will someday belong to someone else.

The car we proudly drive will eventually wear out.

Money comes and goes.

Even our earthly bodies grow older.

Everything around us is temporary.

Only one thing lasts forever—our eternal soul.

That is why Jesus continually reminded His followers to keep their hearts fixed on Heaven.

Every decision we make should be measured against one simple question:

Will this help bring me closer to God and prepare me for eternity?

When we keep our eyes on Heaven, disappointments lose much of their sting, and successes become opportunities to praise God rather than ourselves.

Living for the Eternal Reward

It is interesting how faithfully we obey the rules of our employer.

We arrive at work on time.

We follow company policies.

We complete assignments.

We strive to do our best because, at the end of the week, we expect a paycheck.

Yet that paycheck may be spent before the day is over. Bills are paid, groceries are bought, expenses arise, and the money is gone.

How strange it is that many people work so diligently for rewards that disappear, while giving so little attention to the reward that never fades.

God has already shown us the path to eternal life.

He calls us to:
- Keep His Commandments.
- Love God with all our heart.
- Love our neighbor as ourselves.
- Practice humility, charity, patience, honesty, forgiveness, and purity.
- Receive His grace through prayer and the sacraments.
- Live lives that reflect Christ.
Unlike an earthly employer, God does not ask us to earn His love. He freely offers it. But He does ask us to respond with faithful, obedient hearts.

The Virtues Build the Road to Heaven

The saints remind us that holiness is not usually found in dramatic moments but in ordinary faithfulness.

Each act of kindness…

Each quiet prayer…

Each sacrifice made for another…

Each temptation resisted…

Each word of forgiveness…

These become stepping stones leading toward Heaven.

Virtue shapes our character until we begin to resemble Christ Himself.

The more we practice love, humility, generosity, courage, patience, and faith, the more prepared our souls become for eternal life.

Our Greatest Investment

Wise investors look for what will produce lasting returns.

Jesus tells us that the greatest investment we can ever make is not in the stock market, real estate, or a retirement account.

Our greatest investment is in eternity.

Every prayer offered with love…

Every act of mercy…

Every soul encouraged…

Every sacrifice made for God…

These are treasures that can never be lost.

They accompany us beyond the grave.

A Final Thought

God has blessed each of us in different ways.

Cherish those blessings.

Use them for His glory.

Love your family.

Serve your community.

Help those who cannot repay you.

And if life changes tomorrow, remember to thank God for every blessing He allowed you to enjoy.

Above all, keep your eyes, your mind, and your soul fixed on Heaven.

Everything else will one day pass away.

But eternal life with God will never end.

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”
— Mark 8:36

May we spend our lives not merely earning a paycheck that lasts a day, but pursuing the Kingdom that lasts forever.

Thank you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

P.S. Please Click Here to learn about the THM mission and join us in building a loving, carying, sharing community.
July 26, 2026
Reflection:
Life Is Short… But Eternity Never Ends

“Life is short and death is sure,
The hour of death remains obscure.
A soul you have, and only one,
If that be lost, all hope is gone.

Waste not time while time shall last,
For after death ’tis ever past.

All-seeing God, your Judge will be,
And Heaven or Hell your destiny.

All earthly things will speed away,
Eternity alone will stay.”

These simple verses have echoed through Christian history because they speak a truth that every generation needs to hear. They are not meant to frighten us but to awaken us. They remind us that life is a precious gift from God, one that should never be taken for granted.

Every morning we wake is another opportunity to love God, serve others, forgive, pray, and grow in holiness. Yet how often do we become consumed with the temporary things of this world? We spend countless hours pursuing wealth, entertainment, possessions, and recognition, while giving little thought to the one journey every one of us must make—the journey into eternity.

Jesus Himself repeatedly told His followers to be ready.

“Be watchful! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.”
— Matthew 24:42

The hour of our death truly remains unknown. No amount of wealth, influence, or technology can postpone it forever. Kings, presidents, billionaires, and the poorest among us all stand equal before God.

The One Possession That Lasts Forever

The poem says:

“A soul you have, and only one.”

Nothing we own will accompany us beyond the grave. Not our home. Not our bank account. Not our achievements.

Only our soul will stand before the Lord.

That is why Jesus urged us:

“Store up treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys.”

Every act of kindness, every sincere prayer, every sacrifice offered out of love, every confession made with a repentant heart, every Holy Communion received worthily, every act of forgiveness—these become treasures that can never be taken away.

Time Is God’s Gift

The older we become, the more quickly the years seem to pass.

Yesterday we were children.

Today we may be grandparents.

Tomorrow we will stand before Christ.

How wise it is, then, to use each day well.
- Pray every day.
- Read God’s Word.
- Attend Mass faithfully.
- Receive the Sacraments.
- Love your family.
- Help those in need.
- Forgive quickly.
- Trust completely in God’s mercy.
None of us knows how many tomorrows remain.

Heaven Is Worth Everything

The world offers many promises but cannot satisfy the deepest longing of the human heart.

Only God can.

Imagine the joy of Heaven—seeing God face to face, reunited with loved ones who died in Christ, joining the saints and angels in endless praise, where there is no sickness, no pain, no tears, and no death.

Compared to eternity, even the longest earthly life is but a brief moment.

As Saint Paul reminds us:

“Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18)

A Final Thought

One day our work will be finished.

One day our calendar will close.

One day our earthly journey will end.

When that day comes, may we hear the words every Christian longs to hear:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.”

Let us live today with eternity in mind.

For while all earthly things will speed away, eternity alone will stay.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me never to lose sight of eternity. Teach me to use each day wisely, to love You with all my heart, to serve others with joy, and to remain faithful until the end. May my life bring You glory, and when You call me home, may I rejoice forever in Your heavenly kingdom. Amen.all seeing God, your Judge will be, And Heaven or Hell your destiny. All earthly things will speed away, Etdernity, alone will stay

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July 19, 2026
Is Heaven on Your Trip Agendia
Planning the Most Important Journey of Your Life

“Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven… For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” — Matthew 6:20-21

Most of us spend considerable time planning ordinary events.

Before going to Walmart, we make a shopping list. We compare prices. We decide the quickest route. We plan what we need and when we will go.

Before taking a vacation, we spend weeks or even months preparing. We reserve hotels, buy tickets, pack our luggage, and study maps so we will arrive safely at our destination.

Yet I am convinced that many people spend more time planning a trip to Walmart than they do planning the most important journey they will ever make—the journey into eternity.

That thought should give every one of us pause.

Everything Here Will Pass Away

Jesus continually reminded us not to become attached to the temporary things of this world.

He told us:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up treasures in heaven.”

Every possession we own will someday belong to someone else.

Every house will eventually belong to another family.

Every automobile will wear out.

Even our own bodies will return to dust.

Everything on earth is temporary.

Only eternity lasts forever.

That realization has brought tremendous peace into my own life.

When disappointments come, I remind myself that they are temporary.

When suffering comes, it too is temporary.

When the evening news fills our hearts with violence, hatred, wars, and confusion, I remember that none of these things will last forever.

Even if we were to live one hundred years on this earth, it would still be only a tiny flicker when compared with eternity.

Are We Preparing for Heaven?

It is difficult to arrive at a destination we never intended to reach.

If someone asked you today where you planned to spend your next vacation, you could probably answer immediately.

But how many people regularly ask themselves:

“Am I preparing for Heaven?”

The devil surely delights whenever people become so busy with earthly concerns that they never seriously prepare for eternal life.

He doesn’t have to convince people that God doesn’t exist.

Often, he merely distracts them long enough that they never make God the center of their lives.

Days become weeks.

Weeks become years.

Years become a lifetime.

Then eternity arrives.

Two Very Different Destinations

Scripture speaks clearly about two eternal destinations.

Heaven

Imagine a place filled with perfect peace.

No sickness.

No tears.

No loneliness.

No fear.

No hatred.

No jealousy.

No anxiety.

There we will finally see God face to face.

We will be with our Eternal Father, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints who have gone before us.

Every longing of the human heart will finally be fulfilled.

Perfect love.

Perfect joy.

Perfect peace.

Forever.

Hell

In complete contrast stands the tragedy of eternal separation from God.

Scripture describes it as a place without peace.

A place of darkness.

A place of regret.

A place where pride, hatred, selfishness, rebellion, and despair never end.

Everything that separates us from God reaches its terrible conclusion there.

God desires that no one should choose that path, but He also respects the freedom He has given each of us.

The choice is ours.

Building Treasures That Last Forever

How do we prepare for Heaven?

Not by earning God’s love, because His grace is always His gift.

But we respond to that grace by living faithfully each day.

We prepare through:
- Daily prayer that keeps our hearts close to God.
- Receiving the sacraments faithfully.
- Reading Sacred Scripture.
- Loving our neighbor.
- Forgiving those who hurt us.
- Caring for the poor and those in need.
- Offering our sufferings to Christ.
- Living lives of humility, gratitude, and charity.
- Seeking God’s mercy whenever we fall through sincere repentance.
Every act of love becomes an eternal investment.

Every sacrifice offered to God has lasting value.

Every soul we help draw closer to Christ becomes a treasure that will never disappear.

Where Do You Want to Spend Eternity?

Someday every one of us will take the journey from this life into eternity.

The question is not if we will make that journey.

The question is where we will arrive.

If we devote hours planning vacations, careers, retirement, and even shopping trips, shouldn’t we spend even more time preparing for the one destination that lasts forever?

Heaven is worth every prayer.

Every sacrifice.

Every act of love.

Every effort to follow Christ.

For compared with eternity, this life is only the briefest moment.

So let us begin today.

Let us pray more faithfully.

Love more generously.

Forgive more quickly.

Serve more joyfully.

And each day, let us continue storing up treasures where they will never fade away.

Because when our earthly journey is finished, nothing will matter more than hearing those beautiful words spoken by our Savior:

“Well done, good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your Master.” — Matthew 25:23

Reflection:
Today, ask yourself one simple question: “If I were planning my journey to Heaven with the same care I plan my everyday activities, what would I do differently?” Then begin taking those steps today, trusting in God’s grace to lead you home.

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ThAnk you for reading this blog. Please share with others.

Rik Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com
July 12, 2026
The Stations of the Cross

Today, Holy Saturday, there is no Mass untill Sunday as Jesus’ Body is in the tomb, So at 7AM EWTM aired Pope Leo IV as he carried the cross as he visited the fourteen Stations of the Cross

If you want to know God, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to love God, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know the infinite, eternal love of God, look at the Crucifix.
If you wish to have a part in giving that same love to others,. look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know who you are and your worth, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to know how you were saved from the jaws of hell, look at the Crucifix.
Ift you want to know how much God wants to save your immortal soul, look at the Crucifix.
If you know who will lead you into Heaven, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to live well, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to die well, look at the Crucifix.
If you want to spend eternity in Heaven with your eternal Father, look at the Crucifix.

For by the Crucifiction and Resurrection of Jesus, we have been given eternal life. Cherish it. Thank God for it. Live well so you can enjoy it.

Rick Herring
thmjmj@gmail.com

April 4, 2026