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Food for Thought
Interesting Exodus Stats Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a lot of food. According to the Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1,500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each at least a mile long, would be required! Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4,000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long, just for one day. And just think, they were forty years in transit. And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11, 000,000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1,800 miles long, just to bring water! And then another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast to get over in one night. But then, there is another problem.....................each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long........think of it! This much space for camping. Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?
Coal Basket Bible The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of West Virginia with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water" The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could! get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to! try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!" "So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when yo u read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out." That is the work of God in our lives. To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son. Take time to read a portion of God's word each day, and remind a friend by sharing this story "Live Simply, Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly, Leave The Rest To God" "Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly"
TO MEET SUCH A MAN I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day. As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town, was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying, a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food." My heart sank. I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image stayed in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car. Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square." Then with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack. I stopped and looked; feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.
As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions.
I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story." Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought. He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life mor e clearly. He gave his life over to God.
I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked:
My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said, "Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in." I felt as if we were on holy ground. "Could you use another Bible?" I asked. He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite.
He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town-square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things. "Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked. "I like to keep messages from folks I meet." I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope." "Thanks, man," he said. "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you." "I know," I said, "I love you, too." "The Lord is good!" "Yes, He is. How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked. "A long time," he replied And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile and said, "See you in the New Jerusalem." "I'll be there!" was my reply. He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" "You bet," I shouted back, "God bless." "God bless." And that was the last I saw of him. Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them. Then I remembered his words: "If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?" Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. "See you in the New Jerusalem," he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will... If this story touched you, forward it to a friend! "I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again." My instructions were to send this to four people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this to four people you want to be blessed. This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached. Please do not break this pattern. Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another. God bless and have a nice day! "Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, In Jesus' precious Name Amen."
This is so beautiful! John 3:16 A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers. He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it's awful cold in there for tonight. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay." The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say John 3:16, and they will let you in." So he did. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door, and a lady answered. He looked up and said, "John 3:16." The lady said, "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace, and she went off. The boy sat there for a while and thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm. Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?" He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days, and I guess I could stand a little bit of food," The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself: John 3:16...Boy, I sure don't understand it but it sure makes a hungry boy full. She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water, and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself: John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out. The lady came in and got him. She took him to a room, tucked him into a big old feather bed, pulled the covers up around his neck, kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he lay in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night, he thought to himself: John 3:16...I don't understand it but it sure makes a tired boy rested. The next morning the lady came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate, she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and picked up a big old Bible. She sat down in front of him and looked into his young face. "Do you understand John 3:16?" she asked gently. He replied, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it," She opened the Bible to John 3:16 and began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there, in front of that big old fireplace, he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought: John 3:16 -- don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe. You know, I have to confess I don't understand it either, how God was willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand the agony of the Father and every angel in heaven as they watched Jesus suffer and die. I don't understand the intense love for ME that kept Jesus on the cross till the end. I don't understand it, but it sure does make life worth living. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. If you aren't ashamed to do this, please follow the directions. Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of me, I will be ashamed of you before my Father." Pass this on only if you mean it. I do Love God. He is my source of existence.. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Phil 4:13 If you love God and are not ashamed of all the marvelous things he has done for you, send this on. Take 60 seconds & give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one. All you do is:
Ponder on this:
Some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
Life is short. Enjoy it!
An Unexpected Moment It was hard to watch her fail. Physically she was growing thinner and more stooped Mentally she was losing her ability to sort out reality. Initially, my grandmother had railed angrily against the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease that were eroding who she had always been. Eventually, the anger gave way to frustration, and then resignation. My grandmother had always been a strong woman. She had a career before it was common for women to have careers. She was independent. In her eighties, she was still dragging out her stepladder every spring to wash all the windows in the house. She was also a woman with deep faith in God. As my grandmother lost her ability to be alone, our father moved her into our home. Grandchildren and great-grand-children were often in the house. She seemed to enjoy being surrounded by the noise and activity of a large, extended family. As my grandmother went further away from us mentally, my grandmother would occasionally have moments of lucidity when she knew where she was and recognized everyone around her. We never knew what prompted those moments when they would occur or how long they would last. Toward the end of her life she became convinced that her mother had knit everything she owned. "Mama knit my boots," she would tell strangers, holding up a foot clad in galoshes. "Mama knit coat," she would say with a vacant smile as she zipped up her raincoat. Soon we were putting on her boots for her and helping her zip up her coat. During my grandmother's last autumn with us, we decided to take a family outing. We packed up the cars and went to a local fair for a day of caramel apples, craft booths and carnival rides. Grandma loved flowers, so my dad bought her a rose. She carried it proudly through the fair, stopping often to breathe in its fragrance. Grandma couldn't go on the carnival rides, of course, so she sat on a bench close by and waited while the rest of the family rode. Her moments of lucidity were now a thing of the past -- having eluded her for months -- but she seemed content to sit and watch as life unfolded around her. While the youngest members of the family ran, laughing to get in line at the next ride, my father took my grandmother to the nearest bench. A sullen-looking young woman already occupied the bench, but said she wouldn't mind sharing the bench. "Mama knit my coat," my grandmother told the young woman as she sat down. We didn't let my grandmother out of our sight, and when we came back to the bench to get her, the young woman was holding the rose. She looked as though she had been crying. "Thank you for sharing your grandmother with me," she said. Then she told us her story. She had decided that day was to be her last on Earth. In deep despair and feeling that she had nothing to live for, she was planning to go home and commit suicide. While she sat on that bench with Grandma, as the carnival noises swirled around them, she found herself pouring out her troubles. "Your grandmother listened to me," the young woman informed us. "She told me about a time in her own life, during the Depression, when she had lost hope. She told me that God loved me and that he would watch over me and would help me make it through my problems. She gave me this rose. She told me that my life would unfold, just like this rose, and that I would be surprised by its beauty. She told me my life would unfold, just like this rose, and that I would be surprised by its beauty. She told me my life was a gift. She said she would be praying for me." We stood, dumbfounded, as she hugged my grandmother and thanked her for saving her life. As the young woman turned to leave, she waved good-bye to us. Grandma waved back and then turned to look at us, still standing in amazement. "Mama knit my hat," she said. -Sara L. Henderson(c) Modified by Mozelle/April 29, 2004 Jesus Loves You!!
Hummmmmmmm!!! This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee, by school Principal, Jody McLoud. I thought it was worth sharing with the world and hope you will forward it to all your friends. It shows clearly just how far this country has gone in the wrong direction. "It has always been the custom at Roane County High School football games, to say a prayer and play the National Anthem, to honor God and Country." Due to a recent ruling by the Supreme Court, I am told that saying a Prayer is a violation of Federal Case Law. As I understand the law at this time, I can use this public facility to approve of sexual perversion and call it "an alternate lifestyle," and if someone is offended, that's OK.
Nevertheless, as a school principal, I frequently ask staff and students to abide by rules with which they do not necessarily agree. For me to do otherwise would be inconsistent at best, and at worst, hypocritical. I suffer from that affliction enough unintentionally. I certainly do not need to add an intentional transgression. For this reason, I shall "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's," and refrain from praying at this time. "However, if you feel inspired to honor, praise and thank God and ask Him, in the name of Jesus, to bless this event, please feel free to do so. As far as I know, that's not against the law----yet." One by one, the people in the stands bowed their heads, held hands with one another and began to pray. They prayed in the stands. They prayed in the team huddles. They prayed at the concession stand and they prayed in the Announcer's Box! The only place they didn't pray was in the Supreme Court of the United States of America - the Seat of "Justice" in the "one nation, under God." Somehow, Kingston, Tennessee remembered what so many have forgotten. We are given the Freedom OF Religion, not the Freedom FROM Religion. Praise God that His remnant remains! Celebrate Jesus in 2003! Jesus said, "If you are ashamed of Me before men, then I will be ashamed of you before My Father." If you are not ashamed, pass this on, but only if you mean it. Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I will be nothing, but with Him, I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 This is the simplest test . . . if you Love God, and are not! ashamed of all the marvelous things He has done for you, feel free to pass it on!!!
"The little child whispered, "God, speak to me." And a meadowlark sang. But the child did not hear. So the child yelled, "God, speak to me!" And the thunder rolled across the sky. But the child did not listen. The child looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shone brightly But the child did not notice. And the child shouted, "God show me a miracle!" And a life was born. But the child did not know. So the child cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!" Whereupon God reached down and touched the child. But the child brushed the butterfly away and walked away unknowingly. Take time to listen. Often times, the things we seek are right underneath our noses. Don't miss out on your blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect." -- Anonymous
Consider the themes of the sixty-six books in the Bible
True Story from Tennessee Here is a true story about a nine year old boy who lived in a rural town in Tennessee. His house was in a poor area of the community. A church had a bus ministry that came knocking on his door one afternoon. The kid came to answer the door and greeted the bus pastor. The bus pastor asked if his parents were home and the small boy told him that his parents take off every weekend and leave him at home to take care of his little brother. The bus pastor couldn't believe what the kid said and asked him to repeat it. The youngster gave the same answer and the bus pastor asked to come in and talk with him. They went into the living room and sat down on an old couch with the foam and spring exposed. The bus pastor asked the kid, "Where do you go to church?" The young boy surprised the visitor by replying, "I've never been to church in my whole life." The bus pastor thought to himself about the fact that his church was less than three miles from the child's house. "Are you sure you have never been to church?" he asked again. "I sure haven't, came his answer. Then the bus pastor said, "Well, son, more important than going to church, have you ever heard the greatest love story ever told?" and then he proceeded to share the Gospel with this little nine year old boy. The young lad's heart began to be tenderized and at the end of the bus pastor's story the bus pastor asked if the boy wanted to receive this free gift from God. The youngster exclaimed, "You Bet!" The kid and the bus pastor got on their knees and the lad invited Jesus into his little heart and received the free gift of salvation. They both stood up and the bus pastor asked if he could pick the kid up for church the next morning. "Sure," the nine year old replied. The bus pastor got to the house early the next morning and found the lights off. He let himself in and snaked his way through the house and found the little boy asleep in his bed. He woke up the little boy and his brother and helped get them dressed. They got on the bus and ate a donut for breakfast on their way to church. Keep in mind that this boy had never been to church before. The church was a real big one. The little kid just sat there, clueless of what was going on. A few minutes into the service these tall unhappy guys walked down to the front and picked up some wooden plates. One of the men prayed and the kid with utter fascination watched them walk up and down the aisles. He still didn't know what was going on. All of a sudden like a bold of lightning it hit the kid what was taking place. These people must be giving money to Jesus. He then reflected on the free gift of life he had received just twenty-four hours earlier. He immediately searched his pockets, front and back, and couldn't find a thing to give Jesus. By this time the offer plate was being passed down his aisle and with a broken heart he just grabbed the plate and held on to it. He finally let go and watched it pass on down the aisle. He turned around to see it passed down the aisle behind him. And then his eyes remained glued on the plate as it was passed back and forth all the way to the rear of the sanctuary. Then he had an idea. This little nine year old boy, in front of God and everybody got up out of his seat. He walked about eight rows back, grabbed the usher by the coat and asked to hold the plate one more time. Then he did the most astounding thing I have ever heard of. He took the plate, sat it on the carpeted church floor and stepped into the center of it. As he stood there, he lifted his little head up and said, "Jesus, I don't have anything to give you today, but just me. I give you me!" I do love Jesus. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I will be nothing. Without Him, I am nothing. With Him I can do all things. Phil 4:13
"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 I 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 led me to a table, and sure enough, there was a place-card 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, " 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 am 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 as he pointed 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 a 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 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 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 sit 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 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 for 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?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose names are on each place-card have not accepted their invitation yet. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us as 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." ~Author Unknown~
Turning the Other Cheek In the Bible, in Matthew 5:39, says: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. What does that mean to you? "...That ye resist not evil: but...." Is that like, "turn the other cheek"? As in be mild, forgiving, loving, meek and non-resistive? This came from an old sermon delivered back in the days when the average pastor knew a great deal more about scripture than some of our brethren today: "Back in the days of Christ, the Roman "masters" who were the undisputed rulers of man on earth, undisputed by all except Jesus and his followers of course. The accepted practice it seems was if you encountered a Roman soldier on your way and there was some mild altercation between you and he, he would strike you upon your cheek, often wearing a glove. The "proper" response was for you, the "peasant," to immediately kneel and bow your head, exposing the back of your neck. This of course would signal submission. If the anger was not quenched by this display of subservience, you were to prostrate yourself, putting your forehead against the ground and the Roman solider would place his boot on your neck (hence the saying: "Under the heel of Rome?"). "But along came Jesus the Christ, who said: Don't kneel to Rome, don't bow before earthly authority. Bow only to the Father in Heaven -- BUT WHOSOEVER SHALL SMITE THEE ON THY RIGHT CHEEK, TURN TO HIM THE OTHER ALSO! Passive but all the same absolute defiance and resistance to the tyranny of Rome."
A Great True Story.......... Howard County Sheriff Jerry Marr got a disturbing call one Saturday afternoon a few months ago. His 6-year-old grandson Mikey had been hit by a car while fishing with his dad. The father and son were near a bridge by the Kokomo Reservoir when a woman lost control of her car, slid off the bridge and hit Mikey at a rate of about 50 mph. Sheriff Marr had seen the results of accidents like his and feared the worst. When he got to Saint Joseph Hospital, he rushed through the emergency room to find Mikey conscious and in fairly good spirits Mikey, what happened?" Sheriff Marr asked. Mikey replied, "Well, Papaw, I was fishin' with Dad, and some lady runned me over, I flew into a mud puddle, and broke my fishin' pole and I didn't get to catch no fish!" As it turned out, the impact propelle Mikey about 500 feet, over a few trees and an embankment and in the middle of a mud puddle. His only injuries were to his right femur bone which had broken in two places. Mikey had surgery to place pins in his leg. Otherwise the boy is fine. Since all the boy could talk about was that his fishing pole was broken, the Sheriff went out to Walmart and bought him a new one while he was in surgery so he could have it when he came out. The next day the Sheriff sat with Mikey to keep him company in the hospital. Mikey was enjoying his new fishing pole and talked about when he could go fishing again as he cast into the trash can. When they were alone, Mikey, matter-of-factly, said, "Papaw, did you know Jesus is real?" "Well," the Sheriff replied, a little startled. "Yes, Jesus is real to all who believe in him and love him in their hearts." "No," said Mikey. "I mean Jesus is REALLY real." "What do you mean?" asked the Sheriff. "I know he's real 'cause I saw him." said Mikey, still casting into the trash can. "You did?" said the Sheriff. "Yep," said Mikey. "When that lady runned me over and broke my fishing pole, Jesus caught me in his arms and laid me down in the mud puddle." GIVES YOU GOOSE BUMPS DOESN'T IT! "GOD WILL DO THE REST"
Building a Bridge Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence. One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days work" he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?" "Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor, in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence - - an 8-foot fence. . . so I won't need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow." The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you." The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge-a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work handrails and all; and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched. "You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done." The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. "No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but, I have many more bridges to build." ~~~~~~~~~~~
The Marks of The Potter I bought out a large estate recently and to my delight found there was much old pottery . Now , I have collected old pottery for years and recognize most of the makers on sight . There was a lot of Roseville , Hull and other great pottery pieces . I also discovered several Rookwood pieces . Now to those of you who do not know ..that’s almost the equivalent of finding gold ! There were several nice pieces ,but there were also two large floor vases that were not signed . I thought all Rookwood was signed so almost dismissed them as being something else , but there was just something about them that kept nagging at me and making me think Rookwood ! I took them to a wonderful friend of mine for appraisal. You should have seen the smile on his face when he saw the vases . ROOKWOOD !!! , he said… I asked how he could be sure ..he said they have the distinguishing marks of the potter all over them . I declared that they were not marked and he smiled. They are not stamped he said , but by the glazing , firing , painting and finishing techniques used they could be no other ..THEY ARE ROOKWOOD ! I have thought a lot about this and think how wonderful it would be if someone would say about me … " She is a Christian , I can tell by the way she withstands the heat and the trials .. the way she loves ..the witness she is for Christ that she IS a Christian . I hope that I bear the marks , the very fingerprints of THE POTTER .
The Recital The Sunday school teacher was teaching her class about the 23rd Psalm . She thought it would be a good thing if the kids would all memorize it and next Sunday ,stand in front of the congregation and recite it. The kids all agreed ,but one little boy had trouble with memorization. The teacher told him to remember all He could and if He did any of it she would reward him with a Milky Way candy bar. Now Donnie loved Milky Ways almost as much as he hated trying to memorize anything. This task bugged Donnie all week ,and when Sunday morning came he got up with his class to recite. When his turn came he could only remember ," The Lord is my Shepherd ", but then he added," that is all that really matters.". I do not know whether the depth of his 6 year old understanding allowed him to know how true it was or if he meant he had said enough to get the Milky Way , but he sure was right . With The Lord as our Shepherd ..That is all that matters !! Thank the Lord for young'uns.
Inconsistent Facts Memories are unique to all of us. And our memories which we hold to be fact are sometimes disputed by other peoples "facts".
When I am reminded of an event, a place, a time, or a heartache there is always someone that can come and dispute it with their facts or memories. But, there is one thing that cannot be disputed. My personal relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ. His memory is perfect and complete. I can tell you the time and I can take you to the place where the Lord Saved me by His Wonderful Grace. This, no matter what someone may say or do is a permenant part of me. In my heart, my soul, my spirit and my being. Not open for debate because of the "Know So Salvation" I have. Now it's my prayer that you too have this "Know So Salvation". Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and be one of the Sure. Timothy (The Parson)
EXPERIENCING GOD Monday, October 19, 1998 This happened to me while I was in ICU, Those of you who know me will know that I have been struggling with many things, among them are grief because of the loss of dear family members, my own illnesses and some private family matters that are very hurtful to me. I have taken so much of the grief unto myself that there has been little room for anything else. You who know me , also know that I do not take spiritual things lightly. I am by nature a light hearted person, but I have allowed my self to be overly burdened by things that I have no control over, and thereby made my illness worse. Please know that I feel that I must share it with you. It is my prayer that someone might be helped by my experience. I was in a low valley surrounded by beautiful majestic mountains and high rock cliffs. The mountainside was aglow with the colors of fall. I was deeply troubled. I looked at the sky . The blue color seemed very intense, made more so by the mountains of clouds that were piled so deep and so high. The silence was as deep as the blackest night. No sounds at all, no birds , no breeze, no movement of anything, but the beating of my heart, which in my ears sounded like a drum. As I watched, I saw what seemed to be the index finger of the left hand of God, move back and forth through the clouds beginning at the top. At first there was just a separation of the clouds as the finger passed, showing the beautiful blue of the sky. Then slowly ,at first, the clouds turned to powder and just fell away into the ocean. I said aloud ,"something is happening". Boy was that an understatement! Then the finger moved to touch the silver moon, hanging low over the rocky cliffs. Seemingly just the weight of the finger slowly lowered the moon to just above the ocean, where it ,too, turned to powder and was dissolved in the water. Next, the finger moved to the sun and rested on top of it. It too began to move under the weight of just one finger, looking at first, like a huge flat, crimson wafer, then gradually dissolving into the sea. The sea began to boil like a cauldron. Then the finger of what appeared to be the right hand moved to touch the tallest of the great pines , which started moving in a swirling motion. The colors of the trees melted into one another like colors on an artist’s palette. At first they appeared to liquefy, then they, too, turned to powder and just slipped off the canvas of the sky and fell into the ocean. While this was happening, the earth, to my right began to swirl and move, not as dust, but as a controlled powder, just being broken, crumbled and turned into minute particles. I was now standing on a narrow island, I fell to my face on the ground and asked," What do You want me to do?" At that instant, just before the earth, at my feet was dissolved, I was picked up and held. The warmth and love I felt was permeating every fiber of my body, mind and soul. I felt so loved, so comforted, and so healed. I never wanted to be out of that place. I don't know if I heard an audible answer ,or if just by transference of knowledge, I heard, “This is the work of God, that you believe on Him Whom He hath sent.” How simple, yet how difficult, He was saying, just believe. Don't try to do all, and be all. I am in control of everything. Let Me do it! These earthly things you work and worry about are not important. They will all perish. I am with you, I give everlasting life. Focus on these important things. I believe also, He was saying in your deepest valley, I am in control. When the mountains rise rocky and steep before you, I am in control. Believe, just believe. I AM in control! There is a passage in John Chapter 6 v28-29 that says this very thing. it is somehow an unfamiliar passage to me. Although, I know I must have read it many times. I thank Him for bringing it to my remembrance. I pray that never again will I have to be brought so low in order to refocus my life and mind on Him. As difficult as this experience of my illness has been, I am thankful for His showing me, what I really already knew, but was failing to practice .Right now I can truly say, I surrender all, pray with me that I will continue to remain surrendered. If somehow I could just convey the experience and the total, all encompassing love and warmth I felt as He held me there, I feel sure that everyone would want to be just that close, always. By Mystery Guest
On Monday...
On Monday there were people
fighting against praying in schools
On Monday people argued with
their kids about picking up their room
We teach by action According to an old legend , there once was a man who had an only son, to whom he gave everything he owned. When his son grew up, he was unkind to his father, refused to support him in any way and turned him out of his own house. As the old man prepared to leave his home, he turned to his young grandson and said, "Go and fetch my blanket from my bed so I can warm myself while I sit and beg for alms." The child burst into tears and ran to fetch the covering. But instead of taking it to his grandfather, he ran to his father and said, "Oh father, grandfather has asked for this covering so he can keep himself warm as he sits by the way and begs alms.. Half of it will be enough for grandfather to keep warm. And you may want the other half for when I am grown to be a man and turn you out of doors." His child's words struck to the very core of the uncaring son and he ran to his father, asked forgiveness and took care of him until his death. What we do always comes across to our children as the loudest and clearest of messages. Look behind you from time to time and see who is trying to walk in your steps. Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
The Center of the Bible What is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
What is the longest chapter in the Bible?
Which chapter is in the center of the Bible?
Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118 Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118 Add these numbers up and you get 1188 What is the center verse in the Bible?
Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives? The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word! Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." (KJV) Now isn't that odd how this worked out (or was God in the center of it)?
Not Ashamed Mary was a beautiful, happy little girl who had most everything she wanted. Her mother loved her very much and did all she could to give Mary the best of everything. Mary loved her mother very much. When Mary was old enough to go to school her mom proudly walked her the two blocks and was there waiting in the evening when school was out to walk her home and hear about her day . This went on for several weeks, but one morning Mary told her mom she would like to walk to school by herself. Mom insisted that she go at least half way with her. Mary agreed reluctantly and told her mom that she would walk home alone, that her mom did not need to come meet her. That evening her mom sensed that her little girl was deeply troubled. She asked Mary what was wrong and insisted that she tell her. Mary’s little head dropped and she said," Mom, I love you very much but the kids say things about you and I get embarassed ." At her mom’s insistence she told her that the kids were calling her "daughter of scar face " and teasing her at school. Her mom’s face, her hands and right arm were badly scarred and drawn. Tears began to fall from her mothers face as she told Mary how she got the scars when their home was ablaze and she went into the burning house to save her baby girl." You see, Mary, these scars do not bother me. Every time I look at them, I think of you and how happy I am that I was able to save you from the burning house. Mary now was crying and said," Mom , I am so sorry, will you please walk me to school tomorrow and come and meet me everyday . " Jesus bears scars in His body for our sins and yet, are we sometimes ashamed of Him? Do we avoid situations where it might be unpopular to witness? Are we glad to take Jesus everywhere we go or are there times and places where openly being His child makes us uncomfortable ? Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. Matthew 10:33: But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. 1st Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. In His Service, Oliver
STRONG ROOTS One time I was visiting my mom’s greenhouse . I walked through row after row of beautiful green flowering plants . There were petunias, pansies marigolds, red robins, bachelor buttons and all kinds of beautiful showy flowering plants . .Near the back of the greenhouse were trays of tender plants being started from seed for the area farmers . The plants were in various stages of growth and development .One particular group of plants were about 6 inches high, the water trays were empty and the plants were drooping over the sides of the trays . I got the sprinkler hose and was going to help mom by watering these pitiful plants , thinking she had just missed watering them or was so busy she had not gotten to them . Just about the time I opened the sprinkler mom called to me to stop. " "Honey , don’t water those plants " , I stopped and asked why . She explained to me that if the plants were kept watered they would not put down roots. The roots would be only on the surface and the first hot day in the sun they would die ." I have to keep them dry until this evening and water them, by doing this they will grow strong and the roots will go deep enough to get them through the droughts this summer." I have thought about this a lot through the years and sometimes when I was in need , I thought God was not paying attention , but just when I thought I could go on no longer , I cried out to God for help , He raised me up and filled my needs . I do think that through these times I was forced to grow and reach beyond my comfort zones .I believe because of some of these trials my roots are a bit deeper than they might have been otherwise . When we are going through trials it could be more aptly put as ," growing through trials ." Our Father is able, more than able, to supply
An in depth look at Psalms 23 ,
Psalm 23
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
Can Prayer Heal? Does prayer have the power to heal? Scientists have some surprising answers. By Jeanie Davis
WebMD Medical News July 23, 2001 -- Could it be possible? Could the prayers of a handful of people help someone -- even someone on the other side of the world -- facing heart surgery? A few years back, Roy L. was heading into his third heart procedure -- an angioplasty and stent placement. Doctors were going to thread a catheter up a clogged artery, open it up, and insert a little device, the stent, to prop it open. It's a risky procedure under the best of circumstances. "The risks are the big ones -- death, stroke, heart attack," says his doctor, Mitchell Krucoff, MD, a cardiovascular specialist at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C. "You're mighty thankful you came out of it," Roy tells WebMD. Though he didn't know it, Roy may have had some help getting through the procedure, some nonmedical help. Later, he learned he was on the receiving end of prayers before, during, and after the procedure -- prayers sent from nuns, monks, priests, and rabbis all over the world, with his name attached to them. "I'm not a church-going man, but I believe in the Lord," he tells WebMD. "If somebody prays for me, I sure appreciate it." And he's doing well now, with his heart problems anyway. The only thing plaguing him presently is the onset of diabetes. Roy was part of a pilot study looking at the effects of "distant prayer" on the outcome of patients undergoing high-risk procedures. But did prayers help Roy survive the angioplasty? Did they help ameliorate some of the stress that might have complicated things? Or do a person's own religious beliefs -- our personal prayers -- have an effect on well-being? Is there truly a link between mere mortals and the almighty, as some recent neurological studies have seemed to show? Those are questions that Krucoff and others are attempting to answer in a growing number of studies. God Grabs Headlines Prayer has been in the news a lot lately: It's been reported that U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft kicks off his morning Justice Department meetings with prayers and Bible readings. A small book called The Prayer of Jabez has topped the New York Times' best-seller list with its simple message about the life-altering power of prayer. Magazines and web sites have trumpeted new neurological findings that suggest the human brain is hard-wired to communicate, through prayer, with a higher being. Research focusing on the power of prayer in healing has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, says David Larson, MD, MSPH, president of the National Institute for Healthcare Research, a private nonprofit agency. Even the NIH -- which "refused to even review a study with the word prayer in it four years ago" -- is now funding one prayer study through its Frontier Medicine Initiative. Although it's not his study, Krucoff says it's nevertheless evidence that "things are changing." Krucoff has been studying prayer and spirituality since 1996 -- and practicing it much longer in his patient care. Earlier studies of the subject were small and often flawed, he says. Some were in the form of anecdotal reports: "descriptions of miracles ... in patients with cancer, pain syndromes, heart disease," he says. "[Today,] we're seeing systematic investigations -- clinical research -- as well as position statements from professional societies supporting this research, federal subsidies from the NIH, funding from Congress," he tells WebMD. "All of these studies, all the reports, are remarkably consistent in suggesting the potential measurable health benefit associated with prayer or spiritual interventions." Wired for Spirituality? For the past 30 years, Harvard scientist Herbert Benson, MD, has conducted his own studies on prayer. He focuses specifically on meditation, the Buddhist form of prayer, to understand how mind affects body. All forms of prayer, he says, evoke a relaxation response that quells stress, quiets the body, and promotes healing. Benson has documented on MRI brain scans the physical changes that take place in the body when someone meditates. When combined with recent research from the University of Pennsylvania, what emerges is a picture of complex brain activity: As an individual goes deeper and deeper into concentration, intense activity begins taking place in the brain's parietal lobe circuits -- those that control a person's orientation in space and establish distinctions between self and the world. Benson has documented a "quietude" that then envelops the entire brain. At the same time, frontal and temporal lobe circuits -- which track time and create self-awareness -- become disengaged. The mind-body connection dissolves, Benson says. And the limbic system, which is responsible for putting "emotional tags" on that which we consider special, also becomes activated. The limbic system also regulates relaxation, ultimately controlling the autonomic nervous system, heart rate, blood pressure, metabolism, etc., says Benson. The result: Everything registers as emotionally significant, perhaps responsible for the sense of awe and quiet that many feel. The body becomes more relaxed and physiological activity becomes more evenly regulated. Does all this mean that we are communicating with a higher being -- that we are, in fact, "hard-wired" at the factory to do just that? That interpretation is purely subjective, Benson tells WebMD. "If you're religious, this is God-given. If you're not religious, then it comes from the brain." The Impact of Religion on Health But prayer is more than just repetition and physiological responses, says Harold Koenig, MD, associate professor of medicine and psychiatry at Duke and a colleague of Krucoff's. Traditional religious beliefs have a variety of effects on personal health, says Koenig, senior author of the Handbook of Religion and Health, a new release that documents nearly 1,200 studies done on the effects of prayer on health. These studies show that religious people tend to live healthier lives. "They're less likely to smoke, to drink, to drink and drive," he says. In fact, people who pray tend to get sick less often, as separate studies conducted at Duke, Dartmouth, and Yale universities show. Some statistics from these studies: Hospitalized people who never attended church have an average stay of three times longer than people who attended regularly. Heart patients were 14 times more likely to die following surgery if they did not participate in a religion. Elderly people who never or rarely attended church had a stroke rate double that of people who attended regularly. In Israel, religious people had a 40% lower death rate from cardiovascular disease and cancer. Also, says Koenig, "people who are more religious tend to become depressed less often. And when they do become depressed, they recover more quickly from depression. That has consequences for their physical health and the quality of their lives." Koenig's current study -- conducted with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the first to be funded by the NIH -- involves 80 black women with early-stage breast cancer. Half the women will be randomly assigned to participate in a prayer group, and will choose eight women in their church to form the group. In the prayer group, he says, "[the support team] will pray for her; she will pray for them," Koenig says. "They will offer each other psychological support, talk about things that are bothering them." During the six-month trial period, each patient will be monitored for changes in immune function. Religion provides what Koenig calls "a world view," a perspective on problems that helps people better cope with life's ups and downs. "Having that world view helps people integrate difficult life changes and relieves the stress that goes along with them," Koenig says. "A world view also gives people a more optimistic attitude -- gives them more hope, a sense of the future, of purpose, of meaning in their lives. All those things get threatened when we go through difficult periods. Unless one has a religious belief system, it's hard to find purpose and meaning in getting sick and having chronic pain and losing loved ones." "Nobody's prescribing religion as a treatment," Koenig tells WebMD. "That's unethical. You can't tell patients to go to church twice week. We're advocating that the doctor should learn what the spiritual needs of the patient are and get the pastor to come in to give spiritually encouraging reading materials. It's very sensible." When We Pray for Others But what of so-called "distant prayer" -- often referred to as "intercessory prayer," as in Krucoff's studies? "Intercessory prayer is prayer geared toward doing something -- interrupting a heart attack or accomplishing healing," says Krucoff, who wears numerous hats at Duke and at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center. An associate professor of medicine in cardiology, Krucoff also directs the Ischemia Monitoring Core Laboratory and co-directs the MANTRA (Monitoring and Actualization of Noetic Teachings) prayer study project at Duke. Long-time nurse practitioner Suzanne Crater co-directs that study. Noetic trainings? "Those are complementary therapies that do not involve tangible elements," says Krucoff. "There are no herbs, no massages, no acupressure." The goal of prayer therapy is to accomplish healing, yet "there are a lot of questions about what healing means," Krucoff tells WebMD. "At this level of this work, there are many philosophical debates that can emerge. The basic concept is this -- if you add prayer to standard, high-tech treatment -- if you motivate a spiritual force or energy, does it actually make people better, heal faster, get out of the hospital faster, make them need fewer pills, suffer less?" Roy L. and 150 other patients took part in MANTRA's pilot study. All suffer from acute heart disease, and all needed emergency angioplasty. The stress of the procedure -- because it is done on patients who are awake -- has its own negative effects on the body, Krucoff tells WebMD. "The heart beats faster, beats harder, blood vessels are constricted, blood is thicker and clots more easily. All that's bad." But if an intervention could mediate that stress, it would potentially be a pretty useful adjunct for people coming in for angioplasty, he says. In the pilot study, the patients were assigned to a control group or to touch therapy, stress relaxation, imagery, or distant prayer. A therapist came to the bedsides of patients in the touch, stress-relaxation, and imagery groups, but not to the bedsides in the control or distant-prayer groups. Like Roy, people in those two groups didn't know whether prayers were being sent their way or not. Those early results "were very suggestive that there may be a benefit to these therapies," Krucoff tells WebMD. Krucoff and Crater are now involved in the MANTRA trial's second phase, which will ultimately enroll 1,500 patients undergoing angioplasty at nine clinical centers around the country. Patients will be randomly assigned to one of four study groups: (1) they might be "prayed for" by the religious groups; (2) they might receive a bedside form of spiritual therapy involving relaxation techniques; (3) they might be prayed for and receive bedside spiritual therapy -- the "turbo-charged group," as Krucoff calls it; or they might get none of the extra spiritual therapies. "We're not looking at prayer as an alternative to angioplasty," he adds. "We're very high-tech people here. We're looking at whether in all of the energy and interest we have put into systematic investigation of high-tech medicine, if we have actually missed the boat. Have we ignored the rest of the human being -- the need for something more -- that could make all the high-tech stuff work better?"
The Penny from Sonshine The Penny Preaches about Salvation On the face side of a penny, we find a 3-fold message concerning salvation. A. Salvation is by faith: "In God We Trust". Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation- but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24) We trust God and His Son Jesus Christ to be saved. (Ephesians 2:8,9- Acts 16:31) B. Salvation is unto freedom: "Liberty" 1. Freedom from sin. (Romans 6:18- John 8:32,36) 2. Freedom from the law. (Galations 5:1- Romans 8:2) 3. Freedom from the bondage of corruption. (Romans 8:21) C. Salvation is forever. "Endless edge of the coin". Salvation is for all time. "DATE ON THE COIN" for eternal salvation "EDGE OF COIN IS ENDLESS" (Hebrews 5:9, God says...My salvation shall be forever".. (Isaiah 51:6. "Thank God,"...The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23) If you turn the penny over it preaches about service. A. It speaks of calling out: "E PLURIBUS UNUM, meaning one of many" Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you...(John 15:16) Out of many millions of people, God calls His servant to serve Him..."One from many". In the early church at Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." (Acts 13:2) B. It speaks of sending out- It is "One Cent".(sent) The Lord Jesus said, "...My Father hath sent me, even so I send you" (John 20:21). He hath commanded- "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15) C. It speaks of bringing in: The Sheaves of Grain (on the back of the old coin) The sheaves of grain remind me of a verse in Psalms 126:6. "He that goes forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing in the sheave with him." Jesus has chosen you and ordained you, that you should go out and bring forth fruit...(John 15:16) Conclusion: Will you listen to the "Preaching Penny"? If you are not saved, by faith receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, experience the freedom that He gives, and enjoy salvation that He offers for all time and eternity. If you are already saved, respond to His call to service, and bring others to enjoy His wonderful Salvation.
My name is Mildred Hondorf. I am a former elementary school music teacher from DesMoines, Iowa. I've always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons-something I've done for over 30 years. Over the years I found that children have many levels of musical ability. I've never had the pleasure of having a protege though I have taught some talented students. However I've also had my share of what I call "musically challenged" pupils. One such student was Robby. Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys)! begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano. So I took him as a student. Well, Robby began with his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavor. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary pieces that I require all my students to learn. Over the months he tried and tried while I listened and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he'd always say, "My mom's going to hear me play someday." But it seemed hopeless. He just did not have any inborn ability. I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled but never stopped in. Then one day Robby stopped coming to our lessons. I thought about calling him but assumed, because of his lack of ability, that he had decided to pursue something else. I also was glad that he stopped coming. He was a bad advertisement for my teaching! Several weeks later I mailed to the student's homes a flyer on the upcoming recital. To my surprise Robby (who received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and because he had dropped out he really did not qualify. He said that his mom had been sick and unable to take him to piano lessons but he was still practicing. "Miss Hondorf...I've just got to play!" he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital. Maybe it was his persistence or maybe it was something inside of me saying that it would be all right. The night for the recital came. The high school gymnasium was packed with parents, friends and relatives. I put Robby up last in the program before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought that any damage he would do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my "curtain closer." Well, the recital went off without a hitch. The students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked like he had run an eggbeater through it. "Why didn't he dress up like the other students?" I thought. "Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?" Robby pulled out the piano bench and he began. I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen Mozart's Concerto #21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys, they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo...from allegro to virtuoso. His suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by people his age. After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo and everyone was on their feet in wild applause. Overcome and in tears I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. "I've never heard you play like that Robby! How'd you do it?" Through the microphone Robby explained: "Well Miss Hondorf...remember I told you my mom was sick? Well, actually she had cancer and passed away this morning. And well....she was born deaf so tonight was the first time she ever heard me play. I wanted to make it special." There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed into foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy and I thought to myself how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil. No, I've never had a prodigy but that night I became a protege...of Robby's. He was the teacher and I was the pupil. For it is he that taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself and maybe even taking a chance in someone and you don't know why. This is especially meaningful to me since after serving in Desert Storm Robby was killed in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City in April of 1995, where he was reportedly....playing the piano. Please pass this along if you feel inclined to make a difference in someone's day. We all have thousands of opportunities a day to help realize God's plan. So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice: Do we pass along a spark of the Divine? Or do we pass up that opportunity, and leave the world a bit colder in the process?
A young man was caught in the very act of a crime . He was arrested held over for trial and brought before the judge . The judge looked very stern in his black robes and sitting behind the mighty oak podium . The young man knew that this judge was out of patience with him , for this judge was indeed his father. The case was heard and the young man made a plea of guilty, declared that he was sorry for his actions and asked for mercy. The judge listened intently and then brought the gavel down and declared the young man to be guilty and fined him the maximum amount. As the guilty one stood there thinking about what had just happened , the judge slowly got up , removed his robes and came down and stood beside his son . He took out his checkbook and wrote the check for the full of amount of the fine he had just levied. |
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