Life's Challenges - Stories - God's Love
My Burden
"Why was my burden so heavy?" I slammed the bedroom door and leaned against it.
Is there no rest from this life? I wondered. I stumbled to my bed and dropped
onto it, pressing my pillow around my ears to shut out the noise of my
existence.
"Oh God," I cried, "let me sleep. Let me sleep forever and never wake up!" With
a deep sob I tried to will myself into oblivion, then welcomed the blackness
that came over me.
Light surrounded me as I regained consciousness. I focused on its source: The
figure of a man standing before a cross.
"My child," the person asked, "why did you want to come to Me before I am ready
to call you?"
"Lord, I'm sorry. It's just that… I can't go on. You see how hard it is for me.
Look at this awful burden on my back. I simply can't carry it anymore."
"But haven't I told you to cast all of your burdens upon Me, because I care for
you? My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."
"I knew You would say that. But why does mine have to be so heavy?"
"My child, everyone in the world has a burden. Perhaps you would like to try a
different one?"
"I can do that?"
He pointed to several burdens lying at His feet. "You may try any of these."
All of them seemed to be of equal size. But each was labeled with a name.
"There's Joan's," I said. Joan was married to a wealthy businessman. She lived
in a sprawling estate and dressed her three daughters in the prettiest designer
clothes. Sometimes she drove me to church in her Cadillac when my car was
broken.
"Let me try that one." How difficult could her burden be? I thought.
The Lord removed my burden and placed Joan's on my shoulders. I sank to my knees
beneath its weight.
"Take it off!" I said. "What makes it so heavy?"
"Look inside."
I untied the straps and opened the top. Inside was a figure of her
Mother-in-law, and when I lifted it out, it began to speak.
"Joan, you'll never be good enough for my son," it began. "He never should have
married you. You're a terrible mother to my grandchildren…"
I quickly placed the figure back in the pack and withdrew another. It was Donna,
Joan's youngest daughter. Her head was bandaged from the surgery that had failed
to resolve her epilepsy.
A third figure was Joan's brother. Addicted to drugs, he had been convicted of
killing a police officer.
"I see why her burden is so heavy, Lord. But she's always smiling and helping
others. I didn't realize…"
"Would you like to try another?" He asked quietly.
I tested several. Paula's felt heavy: She was raising four small boys without a
father. Debra's did too: A childhood of sexual abuse and a marriage of emotional
abuse. When I came to Ruth's burden, I didn't even try. I knew that inside I
would find arthritis, old age, a demanding full-time job, and a beloved husband
in a nursing home.
"They're all too heavy, Lord," I said. "Give back my own."
As I lifted the familiar load once again, it seemed much lighter than the
others.
"Lets look inside" He said.
I turned away, holding it close. "That's not a good idea," I said.
"Why?"
"There's a lot of junk in there."
"Let Me see."
The gentle thunder of His voice compelled me. I opened my burden. He pulled out
a brick.
"Tell me about this one."
"Lord, You know. It's money. I know we don't suffer like people in some
countries or even the homeless here in America. But we have no insurance, and
when the kids get sick, we can't always take them to the doctor. They've never
been to a dentist. And I'm tired of dressing them in hand-me-downs."
"My child, I will supply all of your needs… and your children's. I've given them
healthy bodies. I will teach them that expensive clothing doesn't make a person
valuable in My sight."
Then He lifted out the figure of a small boy. "And this?" He asked.
"Andrew…" I hung my head, ashamed to call my son a burden. "But, Lord, he's
hyperactive. He's not quiet like the other two. He makes me so tired. He's
always getting hurt, and someone is bound to think I abuse him. I yell at him
all the time. Someday I may really hurt him…"
"My child," He said, "If you trust Me, I will renew your strength, if you allow
Me to fill you with My Spirit, I will give you patience."
Then He took some pebbles from my burden.
"Yes, Lord," I said with a sigh. "Those are small. But they're important. I hate
my hair. It's thin, and I can't make it look nice. I can't afford to go to the
beauty shop. I'm overweight and can't stay on a diet. I hate all my clothes. I
hate the way I look!"
"My child, people look at your outward appearance, but I look at your heart. By
My Spirit you can gain self-control to lose weight. But your beauty should not
come from outward appearance. Instead, it should come from your inner self, the
unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in My
sight."
My burden now seemed lighter than before.
"I guess I can handle it now," I said.
"There is more," he said. "Hand Me that last brick."
"Oh, You don't have to take that. I can handle it.
"My child, give it to Me." Again His voice compelled me. He reached out His
hand, and for the first time I saw the ugly wound.
"But, Lord, this brick is so awful, so nasty, so….Lord! What happened to our
hands? They're so scarred!"
No longer focused on my burden, I looked for the first time into His face. In
His brow were ragged scars-as though someone had pressed thorns into His flesh.
"Lord," I whispered. "What happened to You?"
His loving eyes reached into my soul.
"My child, you know. Hand Me the brick. It belongs to Me. I bought it."
"How?"
"With My blood."
"But why, Lord?"
"Because I have loved you with an everlasting love. Give it to Me."
I placed the filthy brick into His wounded palm. It contained all the dirt and
evil of my life: my pride, my selfishness, the depression that constantly
tormented me.
He turned to the cross and hurled my brick into the pool of blood at its base.
It hardly made a ripple.
"Now, My child, you need to go back. I will be with you always. When you are
troubled, call to Me and I will help you and show you things you cannot imagine
now."
"Yes, Lord, I will call on You."
I reached to pick up my burden.
"You may leave that here if you wish. You see all these burdens? They are the
ones that others have left at My feet. Joan's, Paula's, Debra's, Ruth's…. When
you leave your burden here, I carry it with you. Remember, My yoke is easy and
My burden is light."
As I placed my burden with Him, the light began to fade. Yet I heard Him
whisper, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."
A peace flooded my soul.
Author Unknown
The Smell of Rain
A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked
into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. Still groggy from surgery, her
husband David held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks
pregnant, to undergo an emergency cesarean to deliver the couple's new daughter,
Danae Lu Blessing. At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound and nine
ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.
Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. "I don't think she's going to
make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10 percent chance she
will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make
it, her future could be a very cruel one."
Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the
devastating problems Danae would likely face if she survived. She would never
walk She would never talk She would probably be blind She would certainly be
prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental
retardation And on and on.
"No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son
Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a
family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away.
Through the dark hours of morning as Danae held onto life by the thinnest
thread, Diana slipped in and out of drugged sleep, growing more and more
determined that their tiny daughter would live- and live to be a healthy, happy
young girl. But David, fully awake and listening to additional dire details of
their daughter's chances of ever leaving the hospital alive, much less healthy,
knew he must confront his wife with the inevitable.
"David walked in and said that we needed to talk about making funeral
arrangements," Diana remembers "I felt so bad for him because he was doing
everything, trying to include me in what was going on, but I just wouldn't
listen I couldn't listen.
I said, "No, that is not going to happen, no way! I don't care what the doctors
say Danae is not going to die! One day she will be just fine, and she will be
coming home with us!"
As if willed to live by Diana's determination, Danae clung to life hour after
hour, with the help of every medical machine and marvel her miniature body could
endure But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana.
Because Danae's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially "raw," the
lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort- so they couldn't even
cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their
love. All they could do, as Danae struggled alone beneath the ultra-violet light
in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their
precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Danae suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks
went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength
there. At last, when Danae turned two months old, her parents were able to hold
her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later - though doctors
continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less
living any kind of normal life, were next to zero - Danae went home from the
hospital, just as her mother had predicted.
Today, five years later, Danae is a petite but feisty young girl with glittering
gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life She shows no signs, whatsoever, of
any mental or physical impairments.
Simply, she is everything a little girl can be and more- but that happy ending
is far from the end of her story.
One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas,
Danae was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park
where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing. As always, Danae was
chattering non-stop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when
she suddenly fell silent.
Hugging her arms across her chest, Danae asked, "Do you smell that?" Smelling
the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it
smells like rain."
Danae closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?" Once again, her
mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Danae shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with
her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like
God when you lay your head on His chest."
Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Danae then happily hopped down to play with the
other children before the rains came her daughter's words confirmed what Diana
and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their
hearts, all along.
During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life when her
nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Danae on His
chest--and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.
Author Unknown
The Devoted Son
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared
a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding
only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso,
Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of their family estate. The
widowed elderly man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an
experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused
his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the
world.
As winter approached, war engulfed their nation, and the young man left to serve
his country. After only a few short weeks, the elderly man received a telegram
that his beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited
more news, fearing he would never see his
son again. Within days his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while
rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced
the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the
season-a season that he and his son had so looked forward to in the past-would
visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened
the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the
walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He opened the door and
was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand.
The soldier introduced himself to the old man by saying, "I was a friend of your
son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few
moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier
told of how the man's son had told every one of his-and his father's-love of
fine art work. "I'm also an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you
this." As the old man began to unwrap the package, paper gave way to reveal a
portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it a work of
genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the old man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the
portrait above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed,
the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the
fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of paintings. And then the
old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been
given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man learned that his son had
rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As
the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and
satisfaction began to ease his grief, as he realized that, although his son was
no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had
touched. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far
eclipsing any interest in the priceless pieces for which museums around the
world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever
received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation, since, with the old man's passing, and his only son
dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the
old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the way he
had received his greatest gift.
The day finally arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid
on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams could be fulfilled
this day; greatness could be achieved as some could say," I have the greatest
collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum
list... It was the painting of the old man's son. The auctioneer asked for an
opening bid, but the room was silent.
"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Moments passed as no one spoke.
From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a
picture of his son. Let's forget it and get on to the good ones."
More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one-first," replied
the auctioneer. "Now who will take the son?"
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take $10 for the painting?
That's all I have.
"Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence he said,
"Going once, going twice... Gone!"
The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone shouted, "Now we can get on
with it and bid on these treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Then someone spoke up and asked, "What do
you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a portrait of some old man's son!
What about all of the other paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of
art work here. We demand an explanation!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father,
whoever takes the son...gets it all."
Just as the art collectors discovered on that day...The message is still the
same...the love of the Father....a Father whose son gave his life for
others...And because of that Father's love... Whoever takes the Son gets it all.
Author Unknown
Jesus Loves Me
The very first Christian song most children learn is "Jesus Loves Me." If there
was a best-seller hit list among the preschoolers, this very simple but precious
song would have to be at the top of the charts. Yet few people know that "Jesus
Loves Me" began life not as a song but as a part of one of 1860's best-selling
novels.
Anna Warner was well aware of the coming of the War Between the States. She
lived with her father and sister on Constitution Island. Their home was
practically next door to the United States Military Academy at West Point, and
from her front porch she constantly heard the rumors of war. Yet even in the
face of uncertain times, every Sunday Anna taught Bible classes to the cadets.
She realized that if the southern states made good on their threat to withdraw
from the Union many of the boys she knew could be killed or wounded in the war
that would follow. While it broke her heart to consider the dismal fate for
those too young to have experienced the many blessings of life, she also fully
comprehended the importance of leading each of them to Jesus now. With an
urgency brought about by a nation on the brink of dividing, sharing Christ's
love became her mission in life.
Besides her teaching, the forty-year-old Anna also wrote. With her sister Susan
she had written several novels, using the pseudonym Amy Lothrop. In 1860 the
sisters' Say and Seal became the country's best-selling work of fiction. Written
for the masses and the moment, not fueled by timeless struggles or epic writing,
the book would quickly pass from the public's fancy, lost with thousands of
other period pieces of the time. Yet, thanks to one very special scene on but a
single page, the essence of the book and of Anna's faith would live for decades
after Say and Seal and Anna herself had been forgotten.
In one chapter a child lay dying. Nothing could be done to ease his pain or give
him a second chance at life. As his ultimate fate grew nearer, the novel's focal
character, Mr. Linden, attempted to comfort the small boy. Looking into the
child's eyes, he slowly recited a poem that began, "Jesus loves me, this I know,
for the Bible tells me so."
The words of the poem made the boy's last moments of life much easier. These
simple lines also moved thousands of readers to tears. Hauntingly beautiful,
composed straight from Anna's faithful heart, "Jesus Loves Me" quickly sprang
out of her book's pages and became one of the most beloved poems of the era. No
one can even begin to calculate how many times it was said on the battlefield,
in the homes of children whose fathers were engaged in the Civil War, from
pulpits and in Sunday school classes, and even at the White House itself.
Ringing so clear and true, Anna's sixteen short sentences had touched the hearts
of millions with verses meant only to calm the soul of a dying fictional
character.
One of the scores of readers who memorized the poem was William Bradbury. A
teacher of voice and organ, in 1854 Bradbury had formed a piano company with
Ferdinand Lighte and Henry Newton. Besides heading up his business, the noted
musician also continued a practice of setting his faith to music by composing
his own songs. By the beginning of the Civil War, Bradbury had built his own
music company to publish and distribute his works. It was during the time when
his music business was taking off that he first read and fell in love with
"Jesus Loves Me."
Although an accomplished composer of what many think of as high-church music--he
had already lent his talents to such hymns as "Sweet Hour of Prayer, .... He
Leadeth Me," and "On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand"--Bradbury was moved in a
much different fashion when he decided to add a melody to Anna Warner's poem. A
lover of children's voices, as well as a proponent of music education in both
school and church, Bradbury allowed the child in his own heart to spring forth
when writing the simple musical notes for "Jesus Loves Me." Then, to fully
complete the work, he added the following chorus:
Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus loves me, The Bible tells
me so.
The marriage of Warner's words and Bradbury's music was one of the most
beautiful gospel efforts of all time. Yet the song "Jesus Loves Me" might have
been as quickly forgotten as the novel Say and Seal if Bradbury's music company
hadn't published it. Through the publisher's established distribution network
the new children's song quickly worked its way across the North and South. In
the face of the most horrible fighting this nation had ever known, both sides
were singing about a Savior who died, yet had risen and still watched over
everyone with equal love and compassion. It was an ironic message for a very
ironic time.
Almost a hundred and forty years after this song was first published, few know
of the writings of Anna Warner or recognize the name of William Bradbury. But
even though the writer and the composer have been forgotten, everyone knows
their song. Children and adults of all races and even millions outside the
Christian faith can sing "Jesus Loves Me." How many millions have clung to this
message on lonely nights or rocked babies to sleep while singing this song is
unknown. But what can be most assuredly stated is that "Jesus Loves Me" is the
foundation on which many children not only first come to know Christian music
but also come to know the love and sacrifice of the Lord who inspired it. And
this message is what keeps them singing the gospel throughout their lives
Author Unknown
Jesus Really Does Love You
Every Sunday afternoon, after the
morning service at their church, the Pastor and his 11-year-old son would go out
into their town and hand out Gospel tracts. This particular Sunday afternoon, as
it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts,
it was very cold outside as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his
warmest and driest clothes and said "Okay Dad, I'm ready."
His Pastor Dad asked, "Ready for what?"
"Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out."
Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain."
The boy gives his Dad a surprised look, asking, "But Dad, aren't people still
going to Hell, even though it's raining?"
Dad answers, "Son, I am not going out in this weather."
Despondently the boy asks, "Dad, can I go -- Please?"
His father hesitated for a moment then said, "Son, you can go. Here's the
tracts; be careful son."
"Thanks, Dad!" And with that he was off and out into the rain.
This 11-year-old boy walked the streets of the town going door-to-door and
handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel tract. After 2-hours of walking
in the rain he was soaking bone-chilled wet and down to his very last tract. He
stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to but the streets
were totally deserted.
Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the
front door and rang the doorbell. He rang the bell -- but nobody answered. He
rang it again and again but still no one answered. He waited but still no
answer.
Finally this 11-year-old trooper turned to leave but something stopped him.
Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door
with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch. He
rang again, and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a
very sad looking elderly lady.
She softly asked, "What can I do for you, son?"
With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said,
"Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that Jesus
Really Does Love You! I came to give you my very last Gospel tract which will
tell you all about Jesus and His great love."
With that, he handed her his last tract, and turned to leave. She called to him
as he departed, "Thank you, son! And God bless you!"
Well, the following Sunday morning in church, Pastor Dad was in the pulpit and
as the service began he asked, "Does anybody have a testimony or want to say
anything?"
Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she
began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face.
"None of you in this church know me. I've never been here before. You see,
before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband has passed on, some time
ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly
cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart . . . as I came to the end
of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.
"So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my
home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the
chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck.
"Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted, I was about to leap off
when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought,
'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.'
"I waited and waited -- but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more
insistent and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to
myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to
see me!'
"I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while
the bell rang louder and louder. When I opened the door and looked I could
hardly believe my eyes!
"There on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever
seen in my life! His smile! Oh, I could never describe it to you! And the words
that came from his mouth caused my heart, that had long been dead, to leap to
life as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you
that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.'
"Then he gave me this Gospel tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little
angel disappeared back out, into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read
slowly every word of this Gospel tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my
rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.
"You see, I am now a happy child of the King, and since the address of your
church was on the back of this Gospel tract I have come here to personally say,
'Thank you to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time, and by so
doing, spared my soul from an eternity in Hell.'"
There were now no dry eyes in the church.
As shouts of praise and honor to the Lord resounded off the very rafters of the
building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little
angel was seated. He took him in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a lot of hurting people in the world, searching for that thing which
will make them complete, but the answer to true peace and happiness can only be
found in Jesus Christ. Lets all do our very best to help reach these people.
Matthew 5:16 (NKJ) "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
For those that have not been "saved," or don't know about Christ's love: Be
encouraged and know that Jesus Loves You, no matter what sin or past mistakes
you have made. He will forgive you and receive you unto Himself -- simply ask
Him. He died on the cross for your sins. If you have any doubt of God's love for
you, then please read the following scripture and allow God's Word to get deep
into your heart and soul.
John 3:16 (NKJ) "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
Author Unknown
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God's Rain
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking
those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my
son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat.
"Mom, I'm thinking of something."
This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a while and
was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was
eager to hear.
"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain," he began, "is like sin and the windshield wipers are like God,
wiping our sins away."
After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That's really
good, Matthew." Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little boy take
this revelation? So I asked... "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What
does that tell you?"
Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on sinning, and God
just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on. Isn't it comforting to
know that God does keep forgiving us. That all we have to do is ask Him to come
into our lives and He will keep washing our sins away.
Thank you Matthew for showing me God on a rainy day.
Author Unknown
Saved At Sea
After a few of the usual Sunday evening
hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the
pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that,
an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a
friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast
approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so
high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep
the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."
The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who
were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in
his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the
most excruciating decision of his life.... to which boy would he throw the other
end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision.
The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's
friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by even the
torrent of waves. "As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the
line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized
boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night.
His son's body was never recovered."
By this time, the two teenagers were listening very attentively, waiting for the
next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew
his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought
of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he
sacrificed his son. Oh, how great is the love of God that He should do the same
for us!"
With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled
the room. Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the
old man's side. "That was an awesome story," said one of the boys, "but I don't
think it was very logical for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that
the other boy would become a Christian."
"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn
Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the
boys and said, "It sure isn't very logical, is it? But I'm here today to tell
you the fact THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for
God to give up His Son for me."
"You see, boys.... I was the son's friend."
Author Unknown
Just Checking In
A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day,
decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.
Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle.
The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in awhile.
His shirt was kinda' shabby and his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head, then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment, a lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him, "Watcha' doin' here?"
The old man, he worked down the road. Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power.
"I stay only moments, see, 'cause the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking' to the Lord, this is kinda' what I say:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKIN' IN."
The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome to come and pray at anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks." He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the alter, he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love, met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:
"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKIN' IN."
Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad,
When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile;
"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that all the while,
Everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,
AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKIN' IN."
Author Unknown
The Worth of
a Soul
A well known speaker started off his
seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, ''Who would like
this $20 bill?'' Hands started going up. He said, ''I am going to give this $20
to one of you, but first, let me do this.'' He proceeded to crumple the bill up.
He then asked, ''Who still wants it?'' Still the hands were up in the air.
''Well,'' he replied, ''what if I do this?'' And he dropped it on the ground and
started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled
and dirty. ''Now who still wants it?''
Still the hands went into the air. ''My friends, you have all learned a very
valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because
it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.
Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by
the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though
we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will
never lose your value in God's eyes. To him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely
creased, you are still priceless.
The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know but by WHO WE ARE!
Author unknown
The
Burning Hut
The only survivor of a shipwreck washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He
prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon
for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to
protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little
hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost.
He was stung with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was
approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
Remember next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it just may be a
smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
Author unknown
A
Letter From Jesus
Dear Friend,
I just had to write to tell you how much I love you and care for you.
Yesterday, I saw you walking and laughing with your friends; I hoped that soon
you'd want Me to walk along with you, too. So, I painted you a sunset to close
your day and whispered a cool breeze to refresh you. I waited; you never called.
I just kept on loving you.
As I watched you fall asleep last night, I wanted so much to touch you. I
spilled moonlight onto your face trickling down your cheeks as so many tears
have. You didn't even think of me; I wanted so much to comfort you.
The next day I exploded a brilliant sunrise into a glorious morning for you. But
you woke up late and rushed off to work-you didn't even notice.
My sky became cloudy and My tears were the rain.
I love you! Oh, if you'd only listen. I really love you! I try to say it in the
quiet of the green meadow and in the blue sky. The wind whispers My love
throughout the treetops and spills it into the vibrant colors of the flowers.
I shout it to you in the thunder of the great waterfalls and composed love songs
for birds to sing for you. I warm you with the clothing of My sunshine and
perfume the air with nature's sweet scent.
My love for you is deeper than the ocean and greater than any need in your
heart. If you'd only realize how I care. I died just for you. My Dad sends His
love. I want you to meet Him. He cares, too. Fathers are just that way.
So please call Me soon. No matter how long it takes, I'll wait because I love
you.
Author Unknown
The Scars
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go
for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into
the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt
as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the
middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother--in
the house was looking out the window--saw the two as they got closer and closer
together.
In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she
could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to
swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator
reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just
as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between
the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was
much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams,
raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks
and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely
scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep
scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to
hang on to the son she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he
would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious
pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my
arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an
alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But, the scars of a
painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.
But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst
of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches
that God loves you. If you have Christ in your life, you have become a child of
God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we
foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled
with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the
tug-o-war begins, and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very,
very grateful. He did not - and will not - let you go.
Author Unknown
Tragedy Into Blessing
By the loving wisdom of God, what sometimes seems to us like a bad turn of
events, may actually be good. Years ago in Scotland, the Clark family had a
dream. The Clarks had worked and saved, making plans for their nine children and
themselves to travel to the United States. It had taken years, but they had
finally saved enough money and had gotten passports and reservations for the
whole family on a new liner to the United States. The entire family was filled
with anticipation and excitement about their new life. However, seven days
before their departure, the youngest son was bitten by a dog. The doctor sewed
up the boy but hung a yellow sheet on the Clarks' front door. Because of the
possibility of rabies, they were being quarantined for 14 days. The family's
dreams were dashed. They would not be able to make the trip to America as they
had planned. The father, filled with disappointment and anger, stomped to the
dock to watch the ship leave. The father shed tears of disappointment and cursed
both his son and God for their misfortune. Five days later, the tragic news
spread throughout Scotland -- the mighty Titanic had sunk. The Clark family was
to have been on that ship, but because the son had been bitten by a dog, they
were left behind in Scotland. When Mr. Clark heard the news, he hugged his son
and thanked him for saving the family. He thanked God for saving their lives and
turning what he had felt was a tragedy into a blessing.
When you and I face some great disappointment and question God's love for us,
let this scripture become our prayer, "Ps 143:8, Let the morning bring me word
of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you." Amen.
Author Unknown
Windshield Wiper
Lesson
One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking
those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat.
"Mom, I'm thinking of something." This announcement usually meant he had been
pondering some fact for a while and was now ready to expound all that his
seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.
What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain," he began, "is like sin and the windshield wipers are like Godwiping
our sins away." After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond.
"That's really good, Matthew." Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this
little boy take this revelation? So I asked...
"Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?"
Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on sinning, and God
just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on. Isn't it comforting to
know that God does keep forgiving us. That all we have to do is ask Him to come
into our lives and He will keep washing our sins away.
Hope each of you remember this when you turn on your wipers.
Author unknown
I Am God
My children, I am the Creator of ALL, and ALL power originates with ME! There is
no power in heaven or on earth that is able to thwart My purposes for your life
as you yield to Me. NONE!
Have I not promised that as you seek Me, you will find Me, when you seek Me with
all of your heart? Have I not said to ask, and you will receive? Ask then, and
let your hearts run wild and your imagination run vagabond, for you cannot plumb
the depths of My planning and provision for My own.
Does not My Word promise that if you seek My kingdom and My righteousness, all
else that is needed will be supplied? There is no need that I cannot meet, so
long as you look to Me to do so. There is no problem for which I cannot provide
a solution. There is no wound so deep that I cannot heal; and no situation for
which there is no remedy. I AM GOD, IS ANYTHING TOO DIFFICULT FOR ME?!
I ask of you your all, not some random portion of your affection. I seek to have
precedence over every area of your life. I, and I alone am to reign supreme in
your life. Yet I would remind you that I have offered to you My all. Yes, for I
have made available to you ALL that is needed to walk in victory and to truly
reign in this life. ALL power, ALL wisdom...all that is needed is readily
available through My Holy Spirit.
Do you lack anything? Then come to Me, and I will fill you to overflowing; and
in so doing, will satisfy the deepest longings of your soul. True fulfillment is
found in Me alone.
Hold Me not at arms length, but rather come into My embrace, for I wait with
arms open wide. I love you as none other could, and I long to lavish My love
upon you.
Author Unknown
I Love You Child
There was a little American girl, very young, who was on a flight back to her
home where her father was to meet her. I forget why she had gone away. The
stewards were giving out free sweets to all the young children and the girl, for
the whole flight home, ate sweet after sweet after sweet.
When they had almost got home the girl was sick all over her seat and her dress.
The stewardess who had given her all the sweets was so disgusted she refused to
clean up the mess.
As the plane landed the father was waiting patiently for his little princess who
he hadn't seen for such a long time. He had just come from work and was wearing
his newest, smartest suit. A suit he loved so much to wear.
As the plane door opened the little girl, wanting her daddy ran out of the
terminal. Excited at the sight of her daddy she runs straight for him. The
father immediately notices the horrible mess that covers his daughter's dress as
she runs straight for him but as she reaches him he snatches her up in his arms
and hugs her tightly to his chest, running the clothes he wore. He loved his new
suit. But the love he had for his daughter was unbeatable, and even though she
was a mess, and would ruin his suit, he cared too much about her and just wanted
to hold her in his arms.
Jesus Christ too wants that relationship with us. Our lives are in a mess. But
he does not care. He loves us. Every single one of us and waits with open arms
for us to run to him and embrace him, where he will clean us up and never turn
us away. PLEASE RUN INTO HIS ARMS TODAY! IF YOU ARE ALREADY THERE, HELP THE
OTHERS REACH THIS WONDERFUL GOAL!! God Bless.
Author Unknown
Second String
Bob Richards, the former pole-vault champion, shares a
moving story about a skinny young boy who loved football
with all his heart. Practice after practice, he eagerly
gave everything he had. But being half the size of the
other boys, he got absolutely nowhere. At all the games,
this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever
played. This teenager lived alone with his father, and
the two of them had a very special relationship. Even
though the son was always on the bench, his father was
always in the stands cheering.
He never missed a game. This young man was still the
smallest of the class when he entered high school. His
father continued to encourage him but also made it very
clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't
want to. But the young man loved football and decided to
hang in there. He was determined to try his best at
every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he
became a senior. All through high school he never missed
a practice nor a game, but remained a bench-warmer all
four years.
His faithful father was always in the stands, always
with words of encouragement for him. When the young man
went to college, he decided to try out for the football
team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never
make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he
kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart
and soul into every practice, and at the same time,
provided the other team members with the spirit and
hustle they badly needed.
The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so
much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his
father. His father shared his excitement and was sent
season tickets for all the colleges home games. This
persistent young athlete never missed practice during
his four years at college, but he never got to play in a
game. It was the end of his senior football season, and
as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the
big playoff game, the coach met him with a telegram. The
young man read the telegram and he became deathly
silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My
father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss
practice today?"
The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and
said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't
even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."
Saturday arrived, and the game was NOT going well. In
the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind,
a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker
room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the
sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to
see their faithful teammate back so soon.
"Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play
today," said the young man.
The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he
wanted his worst player in this close of playoff game.
But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry
for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said.
"You can go in."
Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the
stands could not believe their eyes. This little
unknown, who had never played before was doing
everything right. The opposing team could not stop him.
He ran, he passed, blocked, and tackled like a star. His
team began to triumph.
The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the
game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way
for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His
teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such
cheering you never heard before.
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had
showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed
that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner
all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't
believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into
you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with
tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad
died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young
man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all
my games, but today was the first time he could see me
play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"
Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering
for us. Our loving God is always reminding us to go on,
offering us a hand, knowing what is best, giving us what
we need and not simply what we want. God has never
missed a single game. What a joy to know that life is
meaningful if lived for the Highest. Live for the
Creator, who is watching us in the game of life!
Author Unknown
Come
As You Are, No Jacket Required
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place. After all, I
couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times,
by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was
all about. But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down
at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as
you are. No jacket required," and found the location.
Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room
of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned
in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite
restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered
in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I
couldn't shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the
words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, "Come as you are. No jacket
required."
I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I
opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a
podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile "Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled
without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal
their stains. He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he
continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to
be seated?" I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I
said, "Yes, of course!"
He lead me to a table and, sure enough, there was a placard with my name written
on it in a deep, dark red. As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items
listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence,"
"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no
ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back to the front in order to see where
I was at. "God's Grace," was the name of this place! The man returned and said,
"I recommend the 'Special of the Day.' With it, you are entitled to heaping
portions of everything on this menu." You've got to be kidding! I thought to
myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is the 'Special of the Day,' I
asked with excitement ringing in my voice. "Salvation," was his reply. "I'll
take it," I practically cried out.
Then, as quickly as I made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful
ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said,
"Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and nasty. I'm unclean and unworthy of such
things. I'd love to have all of this, but, but, I just can't afford it."
Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of
by that Gentleman over there," he said pointing to the front of the room. "His
Name is Jesus." Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the
room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and
in shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or
take out the trash. I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this." He
opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just
come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains
and it is done. Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you will eat.
Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this
gift that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my
life. Please change me and seat me at Your table and give me this new life."
Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and white robes
adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I
felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found myself seated at His table.
"The 'Special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation is
yours." We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I
spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like me to come back
as often as I liked for another helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that
He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible. As it drew near time
for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And
Lo, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never
forget. He said, "My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?"
"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved
tables... but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not accepted
their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations
to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with
excitement as I picked up the invitations. "Go ye therefore into all nations,"
He said as I turned to leave. I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry.
Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up. I
walked out a brand new man... robed in white, His righteousness. And so, I'll
keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go. I'll spread the Word. I'll share the
Gospel...I'll hand out the invitations. And I'll start with you. Have you been
to God's Grace? There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your
invitation...
"Come as you are. No jacket required."
"For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the
gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Author Unknown
The Choice
He placed one scoop of clay upon another until a form lay lifeless on the
ground.
All of the Garden's inhabitants paused to witness the event. Hawks hovered.
Giraffes stretched. Trees bowed. Butterflies paused on petals and watched.
"You will love me, nature," God said. "I made you that way. You will obey me,
universe. For you were designed to do so. You will reflect my glory, skies, for
that is how you were created. But this one will be like me. This one will be
able to choose."
All were silent as the Creator reached into himself and removed something yet
unseen. A seed. "It's called 'choice.' The seed of choice."
Creation stood in silence and gazed upon the lifeless form.
An angel spoke, "But what if he..."
"What if he chooses not to love?" the Creator finished. "Come, I will show you."
Unbound by today, God and the angel walked into the realm of tomorrow. "There,
see the fruit of the seed of choice, both the sweet and the bitter."
The angel gasped at what he saw. Spontaneous love. Voluntary devotion. Chosen
tenderness. Never had he seen anything like these. He felt the love of the
Adams. He heard the joy of Eve and her daughters.
He saw the food and the burdens shared. He absorbed the kindness and marveled at
the warmth.
"Heaven has never seen such beauty, my Lord. Truly, this is your greatest
creation."
"Ah, but you've only seen the sweet. Now witness the bitter." A stench enveloped
the pair. The angel turned in horror and proclaimed,
"What is it?"
The Creator spoke only one word: "Selfishness."
The angel stood speechless as they passed through centuries of repugnance. Never
had he seen such filth. Rotten hearts. Ruptured promises. Forgotten loyalties.
Children of the creation wandering blindly in lonely labyrinths.
"This is the result of choice? the angel asked.
"Yes."
"They will forget you?"
"Yes."
"They will reject you?"
"Yes."
They will never come back?
"Some will. Most won't."
"What will it take to make them listen?"
The Creator walked on in time, further and further into the future, until he
stood by a tree. A tree that would be fashioned into a cradle. Even then he
could smell the hay that would surround him.
With another step into the future, he paused before another tree. It stood
alone, a stubborn ruler on a bald hill. The trunk was thick, and the wood was
strong. Soon it would be cut. Soon it would be trimmed. Soon it would be mounted
on the stony brow of another hill. And soon he would be hung on it.
He felt the wood rub against a back he did not yet wear.
"Will you go down there?" the angel asked.
"I will."
"Is there no other way?"
"There is not."
"Wouldn't it be easier to not plant the seed? Wouldn't it be easier to not give
the choice?"
"It would," the Creator spoke slowly. "But to remove the choice is to remove the
love."
He look around the hill and foresaw a scene. Three figures hung on three
crosses. Arms spread. Heads fallen forward. They moaned with the wind. Men clad
in soldier's garb sat on the ground near the trio. They played games in the dirt
and laughed.
Men clad in religion stood off to one side. They smiled. Arrogant, cocky. They
had protected God, they thought by killing this false one.
Women clad in sorrow huddled at the foot of the hill. Speechless. Faces tear
streaked. Eyes downward. One put her arm around another and tried to lead her
away. She wouldn't leave. "I will stay," she said softly, "I will stay."
All heaven stood to fight. All nature rose to rescue. All eternity poised to
protect. But the Creator gave no command.
"It must be done...," he said, and withdrew.
But as he stepped in time, he heard the cry that he would someday scream: "My
God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" He wrenched at tomorrow's agony.
The angel spoke again. "It would be less painful........"
The Creator interrupted softly. "But it wouldn't be love."
They stepped into the Garden again. The Maker looked earnestly at the clay
creation. A monsoon of love swelled up within him. He had died for the creation
before he had made him. God's form bent over the sculptured face and breathed.
Dust stirred on the lips of the new one. The chest rose, cracking the red mud.
The cheeks fleshened. A finger moved. And an eye opened.
But more incredible than the moving of the flesh was the stirring of the spirit.
Those who could see the unseen gasped. Perhaps it was the wind that said it
first. Perhaps what the star saw that moment is what has made it blink ever
since. Maybe it was left to an angel to whisper it:
"It looks like ... it appears to so much like ... it is him!"
The angel wasn't speaking of the face, the features, or the body. He was looking
inside - at the soul.
"It's eternal!" gasped another.
Within the man, God has placed a divine seed. A seed of his self (A seed of
choice). The God of might had created earth's mightiest... And the One who had
chosen to love had created one who could love in return.
Now it's our choice.
Author Unknown
My Day in Court
After living a Christian life, my time on Earth finally
came to an end. The first thing I remember is sitting on
a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a
courthouse. The doors opened and I was instructed to
come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor." He was a
villainous looking man who snarled as he stared at me;
he definitely was the most evil-looking person I have
ever seen. I sat down, looking to my left and saw my
lawyer; he was a kind and gentle looking man whose
appearance seemed very familiar to me.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge
in full-flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence
as he moved across the room and I couldn't take my eyes
off him. As he took his seat behind the bench he said,
"Let us begin."
The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan, and I
am here to show you why this man belongs in Hell." He
proceeded to tell of lies I told, things I had stolen
and how I had cheated people in the past. Satan told of
the horrible perversions once a part of my life, and the
longer he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, not
even my lawyer, as the Devil told of sins I had
completely forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan
for telling all these things about me, I was equally
upset at my representative who sat there silently not
offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been
guilty of those things, but I had done some good things
in my life as well . . . couldn't these equal out part
of the harm I've done?
Satan finished with a fury saying, "This man belongs in
Hell! He is guilty of all that I have charged him with,
and there is no one who can prove otherwise! Justice
will finally be served this day!"
When it was his turn, my lawyer first asked if he might
approach the bench. The Judge allowed this, over Satan's
strong objections, and beckoned my lawyer to come
forward. As he got up and started walking I was able to
see him now in his full splendor and majesty.
Suddenly I realized why my lawyer seemed so familiar!
This was Jesus representing me . . . my Lord and my
Savior!
He stepped up to the bench, and in a gentle voice, He
addressed the Judge saying, "Hi, Dad," and turned to
address the court. "Satan was correct in saying that
this man has sinned, I won't deny any of these
allegations. And yes, the wages of sin is death and this
man deserves to be punished." Jesus took a deep breath,
turned to His Father with His out-stretched arms
proclaiming, "However, I died on the cross so that this
person might have Eternal Life. He has accepted Me as
his Savior, therefore, he belongs to Me."
My Lord continued saying, "His name is written in the
Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from My hand!
Satan still does not understand that this man is not to
be given justice . . . but rather . . . mercy." As Jesus
sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and
replied, "There is nothing else that needs to be done;
I've done it all."
The Judge lifted His mighty hand, bringing down His
gavel saying, "This man is free! His penalty has been
paid in full. Case dismissed!"
As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and
raving: "I won't give up! I'll win the next one!"
I asked Jesus, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ
lovingly smiled and said "Everyone that has come to Me
and asked Me to represent them has received the same
verdict as you: 'Paid in Full.'"
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and
only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish,
but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into
the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through Him." John 3:16-17 (NIV)
Author Unknown
Back To Top
Puppies For Sale
A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted
a sign advertising the pups and set about nailing it to
a post on the edge of his yard.
As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a
tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a
little boy. "Mister," he said, "I want to buy one of
your puppies."
"Well," said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the
back of his neck, "These puppies come from fine parents
and cost a good deal of money."
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching
deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change
and held it up to the farmer. "I've got thirty-nine
cents. Is that enough to take a look?"
"Sure," said the farmer. And with that he let out a
whistle, "Here, Dolly!" he called. Out from the doghouse
and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little
balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against
the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.
As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy
noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse.
Slowly another little ball appeared; this one noticeably
smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat
awkward manner the little pup began hobbling toward the
others, doing its best to catch up... "I want that one,"
the little boy said, pointing to the runt.
The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, "Son,
you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run
and play with you like these other dogs would."
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence,
reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his
trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running
down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a
specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he
said, "You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he
will need someone who understands."
God knows what you may be going through and don't forget
He is the one who created you. God loves you and thinks
of you often. Never let anyone tell you that God does
not care about you or love you.
Psalm 139:17-18 says "How precious also are thy thoughts
unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I
should count them, they are more in number than the
sand: when I awake, I am still with thee." Be encouraged
and know that God is with you and He is your perfect
strength when you are in need.
Author Unknown
God Loves You
For some time, Perry Rollhad carried a small aluminum cross in his pocket with
"GOD" stamped on the crossbeam. The "O" was part of the phrase "LOVES YOU"
imprinted on the vertical beam.
On a bus trip to visit his grandmother, Perry decided to get something to eat at
Union Station's all-night restaurant. When a middle-aged woman sat down at the
table across form his, he heard God speak in his spirit, "Give her your cross."
Perry reached into this pocket and dug it out.
As he laid the cross on her table, he said," God wants me to give you this," The
woman read the inscription and began to cry. "Are you okay ?" he asked. She
nodded slowly and pulled her hand from her purse, along with a 25-caliber
pistol.
"I came here to have my last cup of coffee," she said. "My daughter was killed a
few months ago and my husband just left me. I thought God has abandoned me,
too." Then she nodded at the gun and said, "Please take it away. I know I'm
going to be all right." Clutching the cross to her chest, she walked out the
door.
Author Unknown
Author Unknown
Please God Take Me
I was driving to the grocery store just thinking of
everything on my list to do today. Taking the kids to
soccer practice, cleaning the house, getting groceries,
getting the oil changed in the car, the list went on and
on. I was feeling overwhelmed and was already tired
before I had even gotten started.
On my way to the store I saw something horrible happen,
a train had run into a car that was crossing the tracks.
I thought "Oh no! This is horrible, there is no way the
driver of that car could have lived!!" I was the closest
car to the tracks so I put my car in park and got out. I
ran over to the car and looked in and could not believe
what I was seeing. Tears came to my eyes and I just
couldn't take it.
Inside the car was a woman driving that was obviously
dead. In the backseat was a baby in it's car seat
bleeding everywhere and next to the baby was a little
girl who I guessed to be about 4 years old and she was
bleeding also.
Just then the little girl spoke. She said, "Is my mommy
and baby sister okay?" I just looked at her and said,
"Honey I don't know. There is a doctor on his way right
now." Just then the little girl started crying saying,
"Don't take my mommy and my baby sister. Take me with
you too!! Please!!" She was pleading at who knows
what to take her - but take her where???
I asked the little girl who she was talking to and she
said, "Don't you see? That Angel is taking my mommy and
my baby sister! I want to go with them too! My mommy is
waving goodbye to me and she is holding my baby sister
and she is smiling!" The little girl started to cry
because she did not want to stay, she wanted to go with
her mommy and her baby sister. I felt so
sorry for her.
I didn't believe in God and I thought to myself, where
did an Angel come from? What kind of God would take a
mommy and a baby but not the little sister? At that
moment I saw the little girl start to smile so big as
she held her arms out to something, someone to pick her
up. I thought to myself that she must be delirious and
maybe she is hurt worse than I thought. Just then the
little girl closed her eyes and slumped over in her
seat. She was dead!
I couldn't be sad even though this was a 4-year-old
little girl that had just died. You wouldn't be sad
either if you could see that beautiful smile on her
face! I guess her mommy and baby sister came back to get
her. That was also the day that God came to get me - as
that was the day that I became a believer and turned my
life over to The Living God.
Author Unknown
Keep on Singing
Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she
did what she could to help her 3 year old son, Michael, prepare for a new
sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after
day, night after night, Michael sang to his new sister in Mommy's tummy. He was
building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her. The
pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek
United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee.
In time, the labor pains came. Soon, it was every five minutes, every three,
then every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen
found herself in hours of labor. Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a
long struggle. Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious
condition. With sirens howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to
the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.
The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatric specialist
regretfully had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for
the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial
plot. They had fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby - but now
they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.
Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister,. "I want
to sing to her," he kept saying. Week two in intensive care looked as of a
funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing
to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her
mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn't
see his sister right then, he may never see her alive. She dressed him in an
oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU.
He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as a
child and bellowed, "Get that kid out here now! No children are allowed." The
mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared
steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line.
"He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!"
Karen towed Michael to his sisters bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing
the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice
of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make
me happy when skies are gray - "Instantly, the baby girl seemed to respond. The
pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.. "Keep on singing, Michael,"
encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love
you. Please don't take my sunshine away-" As Michael sang to his sister, the
baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr.
"Keep on singing, Sweetheart!!!"
"The other night, Dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms_"
Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep
over her.
"Keep on singing, Michael."
Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed.
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away."
The next day... the very next day_ the little girl was well enough to go home!
Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song". The medical
staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love!
Never give up on the people you love. Love is so incredibly powerful.
Author Unknown
Interview with God
I dreamed I had an interview with God. "Come in," God said. "So, you would like
to interview Me?" "If you have the time," I said. God smiled and said, "My time
is eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind
to ask me?"
"What surprises you most about mankind?" God answered: "That they get bored of
being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.
That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore
their health.
"That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that
they live neither for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will
never die, and they die as if they had never lived..."
God's hands took mine and we were silent for while and then I asked... "As a
parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"
God replied with a smile: "To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What
they can do is to let themselves be loved. To learn that it takes years to build
trust,
and a few seconds to destroy it. To learn that what is most valuable is not what
they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives. To learn that it is
not good to compare themselves to others. All will be judged individually on
their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis! To learn that a rich
person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least. To learn
that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and
that it takes many
years to heal them. To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness. To learn that
there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express
or show their feelings. To learn that money can buy everything but happiness. To
learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different.
To learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about them...and
loves them anyway. To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven
by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."
I sat there for a while, enjoying the moment. I thanked Him for his time and for
all that He has done for me and my family, and He replied, "Anytime".
Author Unknown