Conjectures of Heaven - By Kevin Beary - Part II-a

They enter the library .......from part I

The library guardian is still here , she`s always here it seems. She has yet to release the poor pencil from her hand. Still , she beats it mercilessly against the counter. Refusing to meet her eyes , Mike ushers Tina to a table out of her view.
"We have to get some studying in today" Mike said with a pleading and annoying voice , "I have to at least get this english paper done"
"I know Mike , that's why we are back here instead of getting ready for tonights party"
"That should be a good time" , replied Mike as they both assorted their books and notebooks and got down to work.
After a half hour or so of scribbling and shuffling Tina glances up at Mike who appeared to be in a state of mental blockedness. If you are unsure what such a state resembles , it can be described as a non-descript blank look about the face with a pencil protruding from the side of the mouth and the beginnings of a pool of drool glistening at that same corner …hovering …waiting to be free of this trap and to descend in a free-fall of glory to its end. Oh…I digress…
Tina says "Mike , you stuck ?" She leans over and looks at what he wrote so far on the english paper about poetry : she reads

You can run fast , or be stuck fast

set upon , or set a break

but Never confuse a stake with steak

Nor tarry at last , a moment thats passed

Glancing up at Mike who looks at her sheepishly "Thats not gonna get you an A buddy boy. Its a cute play on words of the english language but it all spells an F."
Mike says, "I know ….I`m probably gonna have to recycle some old notes I have to put this paper together. Maybe I`ll finish it tomorrow." Closing up his books , he turns to Tina , "one of the first questions you asked when we were discussing heaven was "Will we remember our earthly lives when we are in Heaven?"
"Yes" , confirmed Tina
"I recall some passages in the bible stating something about our past troubles being forgotten"
"You like a walking encyclopedia" said Tina admiringly , "how come you can`t finish a simple paper but can easily recall verses from the bible or other texts?"
"It's a curse , I guess"
"I`m gonna go grab a bible from the reference section , exclaimed Mike , standing up excitedly." "Be right back"
Sighing , Tina returns to her studies….

With practiced in-exactness , Mike wanders from aisle to aisle in an attempt to find the correct aisle that would contain a bible.

"Can I help you" crones a raspy voice in Mikes direction. Looking up Mike sees the librarian mistress…. Real Close.
"uh ..ummm… hhhaaa. Well , yes , I`m looking for a bible , I wanted to look up a particular passage"
"You know you can`t check out reference material right" replies the librarian indignantly.
"uh ..yes of course..but I can bring it back to my table " stutters Mike , pointing at Tina.
Staring down at Mike she replies "Follow me" ….She leads him past Tina and the table they were studying at to the bookshelf Directly behind them marked REFERENCE MATERIAL (library use only) - The librarian pulls one book out of a row of dozens of bibles - she asks "what particular passage are you looking for"
Mike , still staring at the row of bibles all separately titled _
NI New International Version
NAS New American Standard Version
NKJ New King James Version R
S Revised Standard Version
NRS New Revised Standard Version
LB The Living Bible
NC New Century Version
And more …. He answers absentmindedly
"Issaih at about 65:15 "
Startled at Mikes direct reply, the librarian claws to the appropriate page , recognizing the passage , She asks " And what answers are you hoping to find in these passages"
Surprised at the nice voice the graying librarian has been speaking to him with "Tina and I , were discussing whether or not we remember our lives on earth when we go to heaven."

"well… lets see …Here at Isaiah 65:17 he tells us, "For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." Looking up at mike with a warm smile she continues …

"Some interpret Isaiah 65:17 as saying that we will have no memory of our earthly lives in Heaven. However, one verse earlier, in Isaiah 65:16 the Bible says, "...For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes."
The librarian , continues "It is likely only our "past troubles" that will be forgotten - not all of our memories. Our memories will be cleansed, redeemed, healed, and restored - not erased. There is no reason why we could not possess many memories from our earthly lives. The memories that will be cleansed are the ones the involve sin, pain, and sadness
Hmm… Mike hums , surprised at the sharing ….he says "That sort of chimes with
. Revelation which declares, :"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.":"
Equally surprised , "Young man you have an uncanny memory of scripture"
"Not just scripture…Miss….
"Schoonmaker " replies the Libararian"
Hi , I`m Mike , holding his hand out. It was a handshake like any other , no claw marks or anything …continuing " I have intermittent photographic memory of many texts , faces , places but can very often forget where I put my car keys"
Mike also says " If , like you believe , we can remember at least the good points of our life , won`t we find ourselves curious and want to look in on our loved ones left behind. ?
The librarian replies "The Bible does not specifically say whether people can look down on us who are still on the earth. I would guess that they cannot."

"Why not?" replies Mike , many believe our resurrected bodies would be christlike with many of his angelic attributes"

Miss Schoonmaker says"One, they would sometimes witness us sinning. Two, they would sometimes see things that would cause them grief. Three, I believe that people in heaven are so occupied with worshipping God that they truly don't care what is happening here on earth. The very fact that they are free from sin, in heaven, and in God's presence is enough for them to be happy.
"Very interesting" mike says "thank you for your insights , I`m gonna tell Tina , all you said" Parting ways he says warmly " it was nice meeting you"
"you too , young man" , replied the librarian , just as warmly.

Reiterating this conversation to Tina, uncannily almost word for word , he ends the discussion " Man , I`m so surprised at how nice she was and to see that she is a believer"
"you can`t judge a book by its cover" tina said with a snicker.
"Very appropriate cliché in a library" mike says

Getting out of her chair , "Lets get out of here , I want to change for the party tonight. A girl has got to be seen"
AT this they left the library ……..

Part II-b - coming soon