I grew up in church, the First Baptist Church of Cass City, Michigan. For as long as I can remember church has been a central part of my life. Overall, I'm extremely thankful for this reality. One of the highlights of the church gatherings that I recall were the "hymn sings." People would just yell out a number and we'd sing a few lines and then do another. Two of my favorites were "Dwelling in Beulah Land" and "Heaven Came Down." They both have some "spunk" to them and they are happy songs. I'm pretty sure Islam doesn't have any songs that happy! There is a problem though. A song like "Heaven Came Down" only celebrates part of the story. In reality, it only deals with the transaction that prepared me for Heaven when I die. It celebrates the hope of knowing that my sins are forgiven and the riches of Christ are mine. It rehearses the move from darkness to light, from poverty to mansions, "He saved me, O praise His dear name!" BUT, and this is a big but, while I am going to Heaven when I die, Heaven has yet to fully fill me. I wish the character of Heaven fully filled my soul now—that would be glory for me. We talk a lot about "getting into Heaven" but what we really need is getting Heaven into us. We should celebrate the "transaction so quickly was made" but then we better get on with becoming what God designed us to be—saints! "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord;" that means Jesus has provided the means for us to have Heaven come down and fill our lives—now. I'm being a little sarcastic here but if we don't endeavor to get Heaven into us now we might not be all that happy when we get into Heaven then! Jesus said, "Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." It's time to think differently about Heaven. It's a place for sure! A place I want to go! But Heaven is also a mindset—"Set your mind on things above." Heaven is a character—"Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness." Our study in Matthew 18 this week is not about getting into Heaven, it is about getting Heaven into us. Is Heaven getting into you?