Know your JSK staff; Adam Black

Andi, my boss at JSK, has recently started doing a focus on a staff member each month. This month it was the turn of yours truly, and I thought I'd just add Andi's summary of my life here...

Dr. Adam Black is a general practitioner from Glasgow, Scotland who has been serving with JSK for the last 2.5 years. Having come from the ends of the earth (he grew up on the Orkney Islands) Adam is coming to the end of his 3 year commitment along with his wife Jo and their children Alistair (4) and Freya (born at Lok Hospital 2 years ago!).

Adam was challenged by the needs of people in the slums of Chennai, where he served during a medical elective. After completing his higher medical studies in general practice, Adam and Jo (a speech therapist) were led by the Lord to come to Thane.

Adam works with clinical care and counselling at the outpatient centre and with in-patients when they are admitted. He enjoys treating people who are sick with HIV as well as counselling and sharing the joy of the Lord Jesus with them. Adam has also been instrumental in helping set up the OASIS Priceless Health Centre where he currently serves 2 days a week. During these 2.5 years he has been able to learn basic Hindi and is able to interact with patients and JSK staff.

Adam and Jo are preparing to transition back to the UK in mid June, when Adam will be joining a Christian group practice in England. Please thank God for their service here & pray blessings into their next steps.

You'll be great

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself,

'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said,

'Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.'

He looked at me and said,

'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friendsHe said yes. We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said,

'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!'

He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke, but I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. Boy, sometimes I was jealous! Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said,

'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.

' Thanks' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach..but mostly your friends...I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved.My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable.'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions.

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

which are you?

A deep thinker and a realist went on a camping trip, set up their tent, and fell asleep. Some hours later, the realist wakes his philosopher friend.

" look up at the sky and tell me what you see."

The deep thinker replies,

"I see millions of stars."

"What does that tell you?"

The deep thinker ponders for a minute.

"Astronomically speaking, it tells me that there are millions of galaxies and potentially billions of planets.

Astrologically, it tells me that Saturn is in Leo.

Time wise, it appears to be approximately a quarter past three.

Theologically, it's evident the Lord is all-powerful and we are small and insignificant.

Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beautiful day tomorrow.What does it tell you?"

The realist is silent for a moment, then speaks.

"Practically...Someone has stolen our tent".

A BLACK CHRISTMAS

Many of you will know that Adam, myself and the kids spent Christmas in Goa this year, along with Adam's Mum, Dad, younger brother Cameron, sister Inga and Cameron's friend Andy.

On arrival at Mumbai airport we were promptly informed that our flight was overbooked and that we would have to wait 3 hours until the next one. After much debate we managed to land an upgrade to Executive Class with a free lunch and use of the Executive Lounge. Don't suppose we'll get that again in a hurry - not with 2 small kids at least!

Here Freya is enjoying the full stretch of her Executive Class seat! Just a shame the journey only lasted an hour! Personally I was most taken with the TABLECLOTHS we were given when our in-flight meal was served! (You can tell I don't get out much).

The men in the family made the most of the super-duper massage chair in the Executive lounge.

I, with my more pessimistic approach to life and Indian bureaucracy, was initially frustrated with the inefficiencies and lack of apology from Indian Airlines. However, Adam's Mum was right all along in suspecting that God might be in it! Had we made the first flight we would not have met up with Cameron's friend Andy. He was meant to be meeting us at the airport having come straight from London that morning. With his London flight significantly delayed he would have arrived to find us gone and also to discover that his flight was not, as we thought, the same one as ours anyway! Instead we were all still at the airport and Adam was able to help sort out a new ticket for Andy on the same flight as us. Lesson learned. God was in control and we all got quite a good deal in the end (even if it did take 10 hrs door to door -about the same as driving to Goa as it turns out!).

After an eventful journey we finally arrived at an airport that was displaying more 'Christmas Cheer' than anywhere else in Thane! It's hard to know who was more excited by the Christmas tree, the kids or yours truly. . .

Home For A Week

Leoney Resort, Small Vagator. I'd definitely recommend it. Significantly more luxurious than other places we've stayed in India but well worth the treat for Chrismas! We had no complaints and thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The kids (that includes Adam, Cameron and Andy) really enjoyed the swimming pool. Alistair was in up to 4 times a day and learned to swim really well without his armbands! One time we got back from a day out, climbed out of the car and before we knew it Alistair was in the pool, clothes and all. The problem was easily solved - he just took all is clothes off and continued swimming!! Our 'cottage' is on the far left. It included a four poster bed which was a bit of a treat too.

The said swimming pool with Inga and Alistair enjoying a dip and Andy and Alistair doing some acrobatics (of which there was a lot!). The children's pool at the edge was perfect for the kids to muck around in without needing too much supervision. Adam and Freya are realxing in the background.

Small Vagator beach just 10 minutes walk from where we were staying.

Panaji (Panjim)

"Most travellers bypass Panaji on their way to the beaches, but this is a grave mistake. With the narrow winding streets of its old Portuguese quarter . . . (it) is one of India's smallest and most pleasant state capitals" Lonely Planet, South India, 2005

Goa is a former portuguese colony with a distinct character, quite different to Maharastra State where we live. Of course it is a huge tourist destination now too, so the place feels very different. It was nice to be a tourist and blend in with the travellers for a week, enjoying different food and clothes. (But also useful to pull out the Hindi card when needed - mostly to avoid a rip off (!) but also to enjoy conversation with the locals).

On Christmas Eve we decided to see Panaji for ourselves. We only had a taster, but enjoyed wandering the streets a little bit. The Portuguese influence is very apparent in the architecture, street names, doorways . . .

Church of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.

Originally consecrated in 1541 and once visited by Portuguese sailors as a first stop, thanking God for a safe crossing. English, Portuguese and Konkani mass is held here every day.

"Mummy, Mummy, Santa Claus!"

Really quite bizarre, but Alistair was certainly very excited to see (several, very skinny) Santa Claus' on the streets of Panaji! He managed free gifts from at least 2 of them, including these Santa hats.

Christmas fever taking over on Christmas Eve - men selling Santa hats on the central reservation!

With Roman Catholicism a major religion in Goa, Christmas is celebrated by many. I'm not sure if this is the way to do it (?!) but it made me feel more festive and put a smile on my face on a hot and sticky Christmas Eve far removed from my childhood memories (Jim Reeves, open fire, stockings. . .)

Christmas Eve Curry

Do I need to say anything?! Adam and Andy amusing themselves while waiting for our Christmas Eve meal at the 'Delhi Darbar' in Panaji. This restaurant was recommended to Morag by her dentist in Edinburgh and was indeed a great choice!

Curries all round, enjoyed by all, including Ali and Freya. The atmosphere was great with the place nicely decorated for Christmas and a full house. We were lucky to get a seat when we did as the queues had formed by the time we left.

A truly Goan Christmas!!
The doorman at the restaurant and Santa Claus (again). The question is, who wins the prize for the best moustache?!

Christmas morning

Our own living Christmas tree, complete with decorations, beside the swimming pool. There was also a huge nativity scene in which Baby Jesus (who looked about 16 but heh) was placed at midnight on Christmas Eve and the lights put on.

My own very happy memories of waking on Christmas morning to find a stocking at the end of my bed were re-lived through Alistair and Freya this year. Especially Alistair who really understood and was excited by it all. Freya was just excited but had no idea why!!
I feel compelled to add that, when asked the question "Who do we remember at Christmas?" Alistair did say 'Baby Jesus' and, despite all the brainwashing to the contrary, did not say Santa Claus (Phew).

But heh, 'Granny Santa Claus' can't do any harm!

I really like this photo of the Black men on our porch enjoying the vibe on Christmas morning. A bit early for some but we were all happy!

Christmas Afternoon

After a late 'brunch' at what became our favourite haunt, and a relaxed start to the afternoon, we wandered down to Small Vagator beach. Being in a cove it is more picturesque and interesting than some of the Goan beaches. Although quite rocky underfoot all (except myself I'm ashamed to say) went into the sea and had a great time. Ali and Freya also enjoyed the sealife, including crabs and a small octopus! Not a bad way to spend Christmas afternoon.

Sunset on an Indian Christmas

A fantastic day, topped by a beautiful sunset and a lovely meal at 'Le bluebird', a French restaurant serving all the things we can't get in Thane - blue cheese, steak, good wine, lovely desserts . . . now I'm dreaming.

Rowdy Rabble from QP

We recently had the absolute joy of having 6 folk from our home Church in Glasgow come to visit us for 8 days. The time just flew in, and was really too short. I'm pretty sure they were all tired by the time they left, and would have liked to have stayed longer! They were more organised than me at blogging, and did a blog post for each day that they were with us. You can see their blog at http://www.clanblacksupport.blogspot.com/. Because there is a lot of info on that site, I'll remain relatively brief, but here are some picture highlights.

Arriving at Mumbai International airport. They had a noisy flight, with a crying baby over their shoulders! I still remember the first time I stepped out of the safety of the air-conditioned airport the first time I came to India in 1998. It really is an assault on all the senses! We took our own luggage to the car a few metres away, and half a dozen porters tried to wrench our bags from our hands to place them in the back of our car. They assured us it was OK, as it was their job, but then wanted pounds Sterling as payment for their unsolicited harassment.

The trip from the airport involved 4 of the bunch going in a 10 seater taxi that I'd booked, with their secret chocolate stash for Jo and I taking up 4 seats. This resulted in Brian, John and I taking a second taxi. This was supposedly an AC taxi, but the driver delighted in turning off the AC whenever we were distracted in order to save fuel. I think he did this about 15 times in the 1 hour journey! John was the trips official photographer, and pretty much filled his memory card in the taxi I think, snapping everything from one horizon to the next!

In the taxi to visit one of the projects I work in. The gang from left to right are; Sandra, David, Sharmaine, John, Brian, and last but definately not least Ishbel.

At the Oasis India healthcare project. Oasis are mostly involved with Women and children. Oasis visit a number of Government homes, and also have 4 outreaches in the red-light districts themselves. They also run a couple of homes, and a vocational skills training centre. A recent focus for them has been to get heavily involved in anti-trafficking work, to try and rescue young girls who have been sold or kidnapped into prostitution.

Here we are on the local train. A hot and sweaty endeavour, especially if the fan in your section is not functional!

Alistair and Freya also enjoy riding on the train!

You all knw the saying "rules are there to be broken", well in India it should be "rules are there to be flaunted"- especially on the roads! But here we are on a cruise of Mumbai harbour - "No photograpy allowed"

At church on Sunday.
Freya learning the ropes of screen work at Purnatha Bhavan. 25 kids and 18 women live here in an idyllic setting in the hills 2 hours north of Thane.

At JSK. This is taken with Naseem who works helping out at the centre with cleaning and making Chai! She invited the whole team to her humble home, which was just lovely of her. There are some photos of this on the team's website.

Dinner at the blacks!

THE END!, but do look at the groups own website http://www.clanblacksupport.blogspot.com/.

"Run Shay, Run"

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.
After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: 'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued. 'I believe, that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?'
Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.' Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. His Father watched with a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher. The game would now be over. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball ... the smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the way Shay'Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!' As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!' Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.' So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.

The voice of an atheist

I recently got back in touch with a good friend from University who is now living in the states. We have had a few exchanges on facebook, and I found some of the things e had to say about his atheist faith quite interesting. Ultimately I think that there is a God- he is evident in everything all around me, and it takes a great deal of faith to say that there isn't one. I have added my own comments to his text in orange;

"Well Adam, I have to say I'm more of an atheist than anything these days. I was a strong Catholic, but I struggled with many theological issues that sent me into very deep meditations about life & the nature of the universe, etc. I guess you could say that I came to the conclusion that everything in this universe is accidental, which is by no means to suggest that it is thereby any less remarkable. (in my opinion it is much more remarkable to think that in a relatively short time frame all life 'happened' than to believe in the guiding influence of a deity) I guess I feel that as a mortal, it is and will always be beyond my ability to understand God, and for that reason, any perception I have in God either is, or might as well be, my own creation. (my attitude towards this statement is that it is illogical. If a tadpole cannot understand a human, does that make humans imaginary? I agree that we can have no fixed impression about the exact nature of God, but the fact that we use our imaginations to try to understand something of what he/she/it might be like does not mean that a deity is "imagined") And if I cannot know the intentions or desires of God, then it's just as well for me not to think in those terms. If there is a God, I just hope he believes in my existence more than I believe in his. Or hers. Or its. Or theirs. I mean, what do I know really? (it is not what we know that is important. Faith is not a matter of knowledge, but a matter of belief) I got to the point that I had to just throw away everything I'd accepted and trust my gut for better or worse, and if there is a God, I don't feel it or see it, to be honest. But of course, atheism is a faith too. I can no more prove the non-existence of a deity than I could prove his existence. Maybe I just want my life to make more sense to me, for practical reasons.But being an atheist does not make me anti-Christian. Well, not in theory anyway. There is a lot about American Christians that I see as hypocritical and it does anger me when I know that's not what Christianity is about. It isn't something that should be used as a validation for hate and prejudice, yet I see that a lot over here. Some people give Christianity a bad name, and I think if Jesus were here now, he'd treat them much the same way as he treated the Pharisees. ( I can sympathise with this argument. The Church often appears critical and judgemental, but this was not God's plan for his Church. God told us to love our neighbour. He told us not to judge lest we ourselves be judged. He demonstrated practically how to reach out with love to the marginalised of society, and in almost all of his recorded dealings he did so. The reason the Church is not always effective at doing this is not because of God, but because of man, and the Church should not be condemned because of man's failings) Anyway, I might struggle with the idea of a god, and I have to say that I don't really believe that Jesus is god or was the son of God. In fact, I have to say that I don't even know what that means—when I really think about it, the term "son of God" doesn't make any sense to me. (the concept of the trinity - God three in one, Father son and holy spirit, is very difficult to comprehend. It is hard to imagine how God could become man. I personally think that the Father son relationship between God the father and Jesus is actually far more complex than that, and perhaps the reality is that Jesus had a man's body, but his spirit was all God. I cannot believe that his physical form as a man was in any way part of his godliness. It says in the bible that "God is spirit" My own simplistic way of looking at the trinity is to say that they are all one. The father in heaven is a spiritual being. Jesus spirit was God's spirit in some way budded or "cloned" to use very un-politically correct terminology. I believe that this portion of God's spirit is referred to as his "son", and was separate and distinct to the father's spirit. Jesus on the cross talks about his father leaving him. The two could be separated. My view then of our own make-up as human beings is that we also have mortal physical bodies, but also a separate spirit, that is unique to each individual. I believe that as we come to know Jesus, part of God's spirit comes to live in us, and helps to guide and mould our own lives and direction. This is the holy spirit. I believe that after Jesus died he returned to be with the father, but that he has retained some form of personal identity, and a spiritual form. I believe that after we die we will not have physical bodies in heaven, but will also become spiritual beings. But I still hold Jesus high as a brilliant man who remains one of my personal heroes. And I still respect the Bible. And I realized today that I still live by the Ten Commandments as best I can, but I don't think about them as much. Still, they are a very good set of rules to live by, no matter who you are. If I live by a golden rule, it would be the second form of Kant's Categorical Imperative—"Always treat others as an end, and never merely as a means". I guess you could say that's the same as "Treat others as you would have them treat you". I have to say that my change in beliefs has not changed my behaviour toward others. There are some things that are right and some that are wrong, purely as a matter of common sense, and everybody deserves to be treated with the dignity that their status as a moral animal bestows on them.

So, I finally got around to checking out your blog and lost a couple of hours yesterday as I got drawn deeper and deeper into it. I like what you have to say about what you believe about Heaven, by the way. I remember when I read Dante's Inferno, and was a bit taken aback that Plato, Aristotle, etc were stuck in limbo (even if there is a 'limbo' or 'purgatory' which is not clear from scripture, it is perfectly possible that it is like falling asleep, and the person affected would have no concept of the passage of time until his judgement. This would mean that as far as the individual was concerned he died and went straight to heaven.) because, being pre-Christian, they could not get into Heaven as they had not been baptised. The absurdity of making such a sticking point over what seemed to be a technicality was like a slap across the face to me. (my opinion is that it is nice to be baptised as a public testimony and a reminder to you when your faith wavers that you have made a commitment to follow Jesus. However I do not believe that water has any special significance in physical terms, but is only symbolic of the washing away of your sins. In scripture water baptism was not actually a baptism of forgiveness, but was called a baptism of repentance (or being sorry for having sinned or having done wrong). Jesus is said to have come to bring a greater baptism, which is the baptism of the spirit of God, which is a baptism of forgiveness of sins. It should be noted that Jesus did command us to go and baptise. It is traditionally believed that this refers to water baptism, but it could equally be thought to refer to baptism with the spirit.) Did it not matter at all the manner in which a man lived? If he had let himself be dunked in water and said he believed, even if he wasn't all that sure, would that make all the difference? (I do not agree with Dante- if he believed that those who have not had water baptism will not be able to enter heaven.) Oh yeah, and Mohammed was stuck deep in Hell. That's especially ironic when you consider how Dante borrowed heavily from Muslim writers to create his own vision of Hell. (You have to appreciate surely that Dante's inferno is a work of fiction, and so not too much weight should be placed on his writings)That whole episode sparked a lot of deep "what do we know anyway?" (which is why any faith is based on 'FAITH' not knowledge. This is the way God intended it. When a child is in it's mother's womb, it has no concept of what awaits it in the wider world. I view our spirits being encased in our bodies as being a bit like a child in the womb, and death a little like being born into an entirely new existence. Then we will be able to understand more, as we are able to view God and humanity from outwith the space time continuum. Our bodies tie our spirits to the physical universe a bit like an umbilical chord ties a baby to the womb. Jesus uses this analogy. He talks about being dead to self, and being born again when we become Christians. It is a phrase that is used glibly "born again Christians", but I found in my life that the day I became a Christian was like being born again, and I suddenly understood about a God who loved me, and who forgave me, no matter what I had done. It was like a fresh understanding of my own worth in god's eyes, and gave me hope and joy). type questioning for me. And as far as the ethic of Christianity goes, it would make much more sense to me that a person's moral behaviour, the content of their heart and their conscience, and the peace they feel toward their maker, should be the only matters that would determine whether or not a person would get into Heaven, so I totally agree with your outlook there, or I would agree entirely if I believed in Heaven and an afterlife. ( I think an afterlife is the wrong way of looking at it. I think it is the same life, and we will still have the same identities. God existed before matter was created. therefore he exists in a form that cannot be quantified in physical language. Time does not exist without matter. What is time but a human construct we have arbitrarily coined to describe the movement of the planets, particularly the rotation of the earth, and how it causes a shadow to be cast by the sun every 24 hours? Time is something we are bound to from the moment we are born on one particular rotation of the earth we call our birthdays until the day that we find our poor physical bodies have too quickly grown decrepit and died. What is time to a God who exists outside the physical realm, and for whom there was no birthday, no decay, no death? He is the same then, now, and forever. When we die, we will be of similar make-up. I believe this is what it means when we are created in God's image. Not that we have our 'father's eyes' or our 'mothers nose'. In this way, Eternity is not a very long time, but it is an existence outwith time and space. It is only in the absence of time that eternity is possible to conceive.)