My hat is off to Dennis Tito! Mr. Tito is the California, mega-millionaire type who recently became the first earthling to take a vacation that was truly and literally out of this world.

For a mere 20 million dollars, Tito hitched a ride on a Soviet rocket and visited, much to the consternation of NASA, the new International Space Station. Forbidden to say anything that remotely sounded like, "Hey guys, what does this button do?" Tito spent his week floating around in the weightlessness of space, taking pictures and video of the earth and other parts of the heavens. I really think the whole deal with his trip was great. Why you ask?

Well, first of all, Dennis' trip into orbit proclaims a new reality in the world. It is now possible to buy your way into the heavens. Yes, for a cool 20 mil, you or I can go where a few decades ago only dogs, monkeys, lab rats, and elite astronauts got to travel.

The other great thing is that this whole exercise serves as another opportunity to remind people that no one can buy their way into Heaven. Even with untold millions, everyone will fall short of the eternal rest God offers humankind if they try to buy their way through the pearly gates. Heaven can only be, and only ever will be, accessible by faith alone in Christ's death for our sins and God's raising Him from the dead.

I've started saving my money for my own future vacation in the heavens (I have less than 20 million to go!) When I have enough I'll be able to say, "Comrade, Fly me to the Moon!"

As for my eternal destination I'm trusting in, and waiting for, Jesus.

Copyright 2003, Cybersalt.

Rev James Snyder videoPastor Tim has retired from pastoring local churches and is now working alongside his wife to help refugees and persecuted Christians.

For more about Cybersalt, the business, head on over to www.cybersalt.com