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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: This Side of Paradise (not about the book) (07/14/11)
The mother groaned and moaned as the labor pains tore through her body. When she felt she could bear it no longer, she let out one loud shriek and even as the sound died down, it was followed by the scream of the new born. The baby’s shout was one of pure joy as he started to fill his lungs with air and taste the freedom of life. The mother gazed in amazement at this little one she had helped to create. She had done it – created a child in God’s image. At that moment she shared the same pride of the very first mother, Eve, who looked at her firstborn child and said, “I have acquired a man from the Lord.”

The baby’s first cry of amazement is peculiar and unique to this world – this side of Paradise.

The family stood around the open grave. As the nails closed the lid of the coffin, an agonizing scream escaped the lips of the young widow. All her dreams for happiness, prosperity, and security were lowered into the grave with that coffin. No amount of screams and tears could ever bring back what she had lost today.

Her heartrending cry of agony is another of the cries peculiar and unique to this world – this side of Paradise.

It was a hot humid afternoon at the Place of the Skull, Golgotha. Three crosses were erected on the green hill. Three men in mortal agony hung from those crosses. The center one bore the inscription, “The King of the Jews.” Yes, He was the Son of God – crucified, humiliated and bleeding – tortured in soul and body. He was the supreme and ultimate sacrifice for human sin. The thief hanging on the cross beside Him realized who He was.
He cried out, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Even as He suffered the intense pain of the crucifixion, the Lord replied, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
The thief’s heart brimmed with joy for with those few words the Lord had not only absolved him of all his sins but had also assured him of a place in Paradise wit Him. I can imagine his cry of surprise and joy.

The astonished cry of the redeemed sinner is another one that is peculiar and unique to this world – this side of Paradise.

There will be no birth, death or salvation in Paradise. The angels who sing God’s glory in Paradise will never know the soul’s passionate cry of amazement, agony and astonishment His saint’s experience this side of Paradise
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Juliette Chamberlain-Bond
07/24/11
You tie screaming in pain, amazement, and sorrow together very well in this depiction of 'this side of paradise.'
Your point, that the angels on the other side will never know these experiences provides an excellent contrast to the two different sides of Paradise.
Linda Goergen
07/27/11
This is excellent – Unusual perspective well presented - Truth penned with some very vivid scenes and thoughts to ponder within! Enjoyed!
Lillian Rhoades 
07/28/11
Congratulations, Shanta.:-)