Thoughts and Humor
"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Prov. 17:22)

October 9, 2009

New Pastor In Town
(The Lighter Side)

A little boy was waiting for his mother to come out of the grocery store.
As he waited, he was approached by a man who asked,
"Son, can you tell me where the Post Office is?"
The little boy replied,
"Sure! Just go straight down this street a coupla blocks and turn to your right."
The man thanked the boy kindly and said, "I'm the new pastor in town.
I'd like for you to come to church on Sunday.
I'll show you how to get to Heaven."
The little boy replied with a chuckle.
"Awww, come on... You don't even know the way to the Post Office."
 

April 12, 2009

Beware of
Identity Theft this Easter!

"I can see how it might be possible
for a man to look down upon earth
and be an atheist but, I cannot
conceive how he could look up into
the heavens and say there is no God."
Abraham Lincoln
 

March 26, 2009

"When someone shares with you something of value,
you have an obligation to share it with others!"
Anonymous
 

March 12, 2009

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales.
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though
it was a very large mammal its throat was very small.
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a
whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, 'When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah'.
The teacher asked, 'What if Jonah went to hell?'
The little girl replied, 'Then you ask him'.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
SUNSET AT THE NORTH POLE on 12-29-2008

This is the sunset at the North Pole with the moon at its closest point 12-29-2008.
A scene you will probably never get to see in person, so take a moment and
enjoy God at work at the North Pole.
 

March 6, 2009

 A PENNY
You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck,
gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story.
Gives you something to think about.
Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend
at the home of her husband's employer.
My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy,
with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house.
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted
to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live.
Her husband's employer was quite generous as a host,
and took them to the finest restaurants.
Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again,
so was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant one evening,
the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.
He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.
Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him.
There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped,
and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.
He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.
How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny?
Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?
Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her.
Finally, she could stand it no longer.
She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection,
and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.
A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and
held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?
"Look at it," he said. "Read what it says."
She read the words, " United States of America .."
"No, not that. Read further."
"One cent?"
"No, keep reading."
"In God we Trust?"
"Yes!"
"And?. . .."
"And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.
Whenever I find a coin, I see that inscription.
It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it!
God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him.
Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray.
I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment.
I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him.
For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold.
I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me.
Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!"
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk.
I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and
fretting in my mind about things I cannot change.
I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh.
"Yes, God, I get the message!"
It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months,
but then, pennies are plentiful!
And,
God is patient.

Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning.
Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but
He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Read this line very slowly and let it sink in.
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
 

February 20, 2009

The 10 commandments are not multiple choice!

February 18, 2009

"Opportunity is missed by most people because
it is dressed in overalls and looks like work."
Thomas Alva Edison
 

February 13, 2009

"Thanks for understanding, in lieu of our
malfunctioning sound system."

February 4, 2009

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness,
but the darkness has not understood it." John 1:1-5 NIV

What Jesus taught and what he did are tied inseparably to who his is.
John shows Jesus as fully human and fully God. Although Jesus took upon himself full humanity and lived as a man,
he never ceased to be the eternal God who has always existed, the Creator and Sustainer of all things,
and the source of eternal life. This is the truth about Jesus, and the foundation of all truth.
If we cannot or do not believe this basic truth, we will not have enough faith to trust our eternal destiny to him.
That is why John wrote this Gospel - to build faith and confidence in Jesus Christ
so that we may believe that he truly was and is the Son of God.  NIV
 

January 21, 2009

During 2009 I will:
Like Paul, forget those things which are behind and press foward.
Like David, life up my eyes to the hills from which cometh my help.
Like Abraham, trust my God.
Like Enoch, walk with God daily.
Like Job, be patient and faithful.
Like Joseph, turn my back on all evil advances.
Like Gideon, advance even when friends are few.
Like Andrew, strive to lead my brother to Christ.
(Bro. Jim & Chris Box)

January 20, 2009

You can know the teachings of the scriptures but fail to see Jesus, to whom the scriptures point. 
You can know the rules but miss the Savior.  Some people are entrenched in their own religious system,
yet they refuse to let the Son of God change their lives. 
Please don't become so involved in "religion" that you miss Christ.

January 3, 2009

"Mankind is divided into two sorts: such as live according to man, and such as live according to God. 
These we call the two cities... The Heavenly City outshines Rome. 
There, instead of victory, is truth."
Augustine of Hippo A.D. 354 - A.D. 430
 

December 29, 2008

"Our church growth consultant thinks
the term church is outdated."

December 16, 2008

Take my Son!

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.
They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael..
They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war.
He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.
The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.
A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.
He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart
and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.'
The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist,
but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.
He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.
The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.
'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.'
The father hung the portrait over his mantle.
Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the
portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings.
Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and
having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of the son The auctioneer pounded his gavel.
'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'

There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted,
'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'

But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting. Who will start the bidding? $100,
$200?' Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting.
We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandt's. Get on with the real bids!'

But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room.
It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son.
'I'll give $10 for the painting.' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
'We have $10, who will bid $20?'

Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.' '$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?'
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son...
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'
A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.' 'What about the paintings?'
'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.
I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.
Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.
Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings...

The man who took the son gets everything!'

God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross.
Much like the auctioneer, His message today is:
'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'

Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

"FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON,
THAT WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE"... THAT'S LOVE!
 

December 11, 2008

"Those who maintain, 'There was a time when the Son was not,'
rob God of his Word, like plunderers." 
Athanasius 296 A.D. - 373 A.D.
 

December 10, 2008

"That was our contemporary service. 
Next is the traditional service, followed by the classic service,
and a casual service with a sports emphasis."

November 14, 2008

October 17, 2008

Two Little Boys
After a hardy rainstorm filled all the potholes in the streets and alleys,
a young mother watched her two little boys
playing in the puddle through her kitchen window.
The older of the two, a five year old lad, grabbed his sibling by the back of his head
 and shoved his face into the water hole.
As the boy recovered and stood laughing and dripping,
the mother runs to the yard in a panic.
'Why on earth did you do that to your little brother?!'
she asks the older boy in anger.
'We were just playing 'church' mommy, ' he said. 
'And I was just baptizing him... 
in the name of the Father, the Son and in... the hole-he-goes!'

October 17, 2008

"Lord, I lay before you today the prayer concerns voiced this morning...
even though most of 'em sound like whining to me."
 

October 10, 2008

No matter what situations life throws at you..
no matter how long and treacherous your journey may seem...
Remember, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

You're laughing aren't you?
THAT'S GOOD.......my job here is done.

October 7, 2008

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)
"Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
It is very difficult, at times, to know what we need to pray for or even how we should pray. 
However, our Father God knows how we should pray and has provided the perfect representative
to stand in the gap and pray for us when we just don't know what to say.
As the Apostle Paul wrote to the Romans, even though we don't know how to pray
the Holy Spirit himself prays for us. How fantastic is that? 
He goes before us and represents us before the throne.
Sometimes you may not feel like praying or that your prayers don't matter,
but our Heavenly Father hears His children when they cry out to Him.
Instead of worrying about praying with the right words, we should think about praying with a right heart.
With pure hearts, confession of our sin, and correct motives, let us begin to seek His will
and His way and watch how our prayer life increases.
Whatever your concerns, whatever you need to lay before the Father, as you pray remember that
the Holy Spirit is praying with you and for you and interceding on your behalf.
 

September 3, 2008

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)
"Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."
This scripture passage is God's telephone number, toll free because Jesus paid the price. 
Our amazing God really answers prayer, but we must pray with expectation.
Would you bother to ask for something you didn't expect to get.
Will we give a child a brick if they asked for some food? 
Why pray if we don't expect our Heavenly Father to hear and answer our prayers, giving us just what we need? 
Pray now, Father God is listening. Then, thank Him for His answer to your prayer.

August 11, 2008

July 21, 2008

SHOES IN CHURCH
(Note from Webmaster - Make sure you read this.
We need to be reminded often of our true purpose in life!)

I showered and shaved.
I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat,
In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer,
As I closed my eyes,

I saw the shoe of the man next to me
Touching my own I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side
I thought, "Why must our soles touch?"

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine
But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began: "Our Father"
I thought, "This man with the shoes has no pride.

They're dusty, worn, and scratched.
Even worse, there are holes on the side!"

"Thank You for blessings,"the prayer went on.
The shoe man said a quiet "Amen."

I tried to focus on the prayer,
But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best
When walking through that door?

"Well, this certainly isn't it,"
I thought, Glancing toward the floor.

Then the prayer was ended
And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud,
Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters.
His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear
The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering
And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached
Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out
What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft "clink"
as when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me
To tears, and that's no lie.

It was the same for the shoe man
For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service
As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors
And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow
And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer
I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark
And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming
For being our guest.

He said, "My names' Charlie
I'm glad to meet you, my friend."

There were tears in his eyes
But he had a large, wide grin.

"Let me explain," he said
Wiping tears from his eyes.

"I've been coming here for months
And you're the first to say 'Hi.'"

"I know that my appearance
Is not like all the rest.”

"But I really do try
To always look my best."

"I always clean and polish my shoes
Before my very long walk. “

"But by the time I get here
They're dirty and dusty, like chalk."

My heart filled with pain
and I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize
For daring to sit so near.

He said, "When I get here
I know I must look a sight. “

"But I thought if I could touch you
Then maybe our souls might unite."

I was silent for a moment
Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison
I spoke from my heart, not my head.

"Oh, you've touched me," I said
"And taught me, in part; “

"That the best of any man
Is what is found in his heart."

The rest, I thought
This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am
That his dirty old shoe touched my soul.

July 21, 2008
God's Word says, "This is the day the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it." 
Today, take into account this important thought. 
No matter what comes your way today, God is in control. 
Begin this day by acknowledging His Lordship and
Leadership over your day, your life and its' direction. 
Thank Father God for all things and ask Him to bless this day and
lead you in the path he has prepared for you. 
Be aware that the enemy, the devil, is seeking to
trip you up and throw a few fiery darts at you. 
Don't be surprised.
Just put on the armor of God. Stay in the Word and pray continually.
Your faith will increase and you will truly know the joy of the Lord.
Have a blessed week.

July 11, 2008

June 19, 2008

**********

May 21, 2008

**********

April 21, 2008

"Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"

**********

April 8, 2008

God & the Scientist
God is sitting in Heaven when a scientist says to Him,
"Lord, we don't need you anymore. Science has finally figured out a way to create life out of nothing.
In other words, we can now do what you did 'in the beginning.'"

"Oh, is that so? Tell me..." replies God.

"Well, " says the scientist, "we can take dirt and form it into the likeness of
You and breathe life into it, thus creating man."

"Well, that's interesting. Show Me. "

So the scientist bends down to the earth and starts to mold the soil.

"Oh no, no, no..." interrupts God, "Get your own dirt...."

**********

March 20, 2008

After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting
room of what I thought to be a court house.  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 gent
who snarled as he stared at me.  He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking man
whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

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 I
couldn't take my eyes off of 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 woman belongs in hell."  He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past
when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and
the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own Attorney,
as the Devil told of sins that even 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 Attorney
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 in my life. 
Couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, "This woman belongs in hell, she is guilty of all that
I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. 
The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.
As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior!

He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad," and then He turned to address the court.
"Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations.
And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be punished."

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed,
"However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and
she has accepted Me as her Savior, so she is Mine."

My Lord continued with, "Her name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch her from Me.
Satan still does not understand yet.  This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said,
"There is nothing else that needs to be done."  "I've done it all."

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. 
The following words bellowed from His lips.  "This woman is free."
The penalty for her has already 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 will win the next one."
I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "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~

**********

March 10, 2008

THE ROOM

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write
something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed
'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb.
It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last.

Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin
found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High
School . Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately
wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and
teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about
encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment
of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and
Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven.
"It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you
are there." Mr. Moore said.

Brian Moore died May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day.
He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off
Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He
emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and
was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among
the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a
point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it,"
Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their
son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in
heaven. I know I'll see him."

Brian's Essay: The Room..

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself
in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one
wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in
libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order.
But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly
endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near
the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read
"Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards.
I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names
written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I
was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog
system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment,
big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder
and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began
randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and
sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I
would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I
have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird
"Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes
I Have Laughed at." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness:
"Things I've yelled at my brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things
I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My
Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes
fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I
had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill
each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card
confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each
signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched",
I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were
packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end
of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but
more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a
chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not
willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its
detailed content.

I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one
must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to
destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't
matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at
one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a
single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it
as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its
slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long,
self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it... The title bore "People I Have Shared
the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer,
almost unused I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three
inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on
one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that
they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my
knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it
all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one
must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I
watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I
couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring
myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own.

He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He
have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across
the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity
that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands
and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He
could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried
with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files.
Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one,
began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing
to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from
Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in
red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was
written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad
smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand
how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him
close the last file and walk back to my side.

He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is
finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock
on its door. There were still cards to be written

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens
me."-Phil. 4:13 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son,
that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." If
you feel the same way, share this with your friends so the love of Jesus will touch their
lives also.  My "People I shared the gospel with" file just got bigger,
how about yours?

**********

March 10, 2008

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. 
She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully.  Three times, even.
The total had to be exactly perfect.  No chance here for mistakes.

Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap,
she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall's
Drug Store w ith the big red Indian Chief sign above the door.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention,
but he was too busy at this moment Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise.
Nothing.  She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. 
No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter.
That did it!

'And what do you want?' the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. 
I'm talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven't seen in ages,'
he said without waiting for a reply to his question.

'Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,' Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. 'He's really, really sick...and I want to buy a miracle.'

'I beg your pardon?' said the pharmacist.

'His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head
and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now.
So how much does a miracle cost?'

'We don't sell miracles here, little girl.  I'm sorry, but I can't
help you ,' the pharmacist said, softening a little.

'Listen, I have the money to pay for it.  If it isn't enough, I will get the rest.
Just tell me how much it costs.'

The pharmacist's brother was a well dressed man.  He stooped down and
asked the little girl, 'What kind of a miracle does your brother need?'

'I don't know,' Tess replied with her eyes welling up.  I just know
he's really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation.
But my Daddy can't pay for it, so I want to use my money.'

'How much do you have?' asked the man from Chicago

'One dollar and eleven cents,' Tess answered barely audibly.

'And it's all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.'

'Well, what a coincidence,' smiled the man.  'A dollar and eleven
cents---the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.'

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said
'Take me to where you live.  I want to see your brother and meet your parents.
Let's see if I have the miracle you need.'

That well dressed man was D. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and
it wasn't long until Andrew was home again and doing well.

Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place.

'That surgery, her Mom whispered, was a real miracle.
I wonder how much it would have cost?'

Tess smiled.  She knew exactly how much a miracle cost...one dollar
and eleven cents....plus the faith of a little child.

**********

December 18, 2007

JUST A NICE CHRISTMAS STORY.........

The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life.
Her coat was new. She looked like that she had never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.

"Leave me alone," he growled.

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.
She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."
The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.
Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked.

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet.
Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack.
He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years.
What do you want with him?"
"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked.
"I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!"
Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.

"Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

"This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived. The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.

"What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this. Is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go.
I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled.
"Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently.
"They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

"I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference."
She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle.
"Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest She stared at him intently.
"Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly.
He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the price of my food in the cash register I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons. He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet. If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you? " he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus. He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways. "Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you.
I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And...And thank you for the coffee."

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.
If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.
But, if you have missed knowing my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST,
you have missed everything in the world.

Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always.
And don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters,"
you never know how it will be returned to you.

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart.

**********

August 14, 2007

Back in the 50's there was a well known radio host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named
Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking, womanizing, partying, etc.

One of his bigger hits at the time was "I won't go hunting with you Jake, but I'll go chasing women."  
One day, along came a young preacher holding a tent revival. 
Hamblen had him on his radio show presumably to poke fun at him.

In order to gather more material for his show, Hamblen showed up at one of the revival meetings.  
Early in the service the preacher announced, "There is one man in this audience who is a big fake."  
There were probably others who thought the same thing,
but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher was talking about
(some would call that conviction) but he was having none of that.  
Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple of nights later he showed up drunk at the preacher's hotel door around 2AM demanding that the preacher pray for him!

But the preacher refused, saying,
"This is between you and God and I'm not going to get in the middle of it."

But he did invite Stuart in and they talked until about 5 AM
at which point Stuart dropped to his knees and with tears, cried out to God.   
But that is not the end of the story.  Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women,
quit everything that was 'fun.' Soon he began   
to lose favor with the Hollywood crowd.  
He was ultimately fired by the radio station
when he refused to accept a beer company as a sponsor.  
Hard times were upon him. 
He tried writing a couple of "Christian" songs but the only one that had much success was
"This Old House", written for his friend Rosemary Clooney.  
As he continued to struggle, a long time friend named John took him aside and told him,
"All your troubles started when you 'got religion,' was it worth it all?"  
Stuart answered simply, "Yes."  Then his friend asked,
"You liked your booze so much, don't you ever miss it?" And his answer was, "No."  
John then said, "I don't understand how you could give it up so easily."  
And Stuart's response was, "It's no big secret.  All things are possible with God."  
To this John said, "That's a catchy phrase.  You should write a song about it."  
And as they say, "The rest is history."

The song Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote was "It Is No Secret."   

"It is no secret what God can do.  What He's done for others, He'll do for you.
With arms wide open, He'll welcome you.  It is no secret, what God can do...."

By the way... the friend was John Wayne.  
And the young preacher who refused to pray for Stuart Hamblen?   
...That was Billy Graham.

**********

May 29, 2007

There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and
had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order,"
she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.  
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read,
and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave
 when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
"There's one more thing," she said excitedly.  "What's that?" came the pastor's reply.  
"This is very important," the young woman continued. 
"I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."  
The pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.  
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.  
"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.  The young woman explained.
"My grandmother once told me this story, and from there on out, I have always done so.
I have also, always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement.  'In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners,
I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared,
someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork'. 
It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming ...
like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie, something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and
I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?"  Then I want you to tell them:
"Keep your fork … the best is yet to come."
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye.  
He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death.
But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did.
She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age,
with twice as much experience and knowledge. She knew that something better was coming.  
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question
"What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her.  
The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.  He was right.  
So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently,
that the best is yet to come.  Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed.
They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.
They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.  
Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them,
even when you need them more.
For you never know when it may be their time or your time to "Keep your fork."
      

Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share.
Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.

And keep your FORK!

**********

May 22, 2007

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. 
She wanted to know what the United States looked like. 
Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. 
Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 
"Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. 
This will show you our whole country today."

         After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map,

    correctly fitted and taped together.

    The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.

   "Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. 

    When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.

**********

April 18, 2007

Pastor's Business Card

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his congregation.
At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home,
but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.
 
Therefore, he took out a card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" on the back of it and
stuck it in the door. When the offering was processed the following Sunday,
he found that his card had been returned.

Added to it was this cryptic message,"Genesis 3:10."
Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter.
 
Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock."
Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."

**********

Four old men went into the pro shop after playing 18 holes of golf.  
The pro asked, "Did you guys have a good game today?"

The first old guy said, "Yes, I had three riders today."
The second old guy said, "I had the most riders ever.   I had five."
The third old guy said, "I had 7 riders, the same as last time."
The last old man said, "I beat my old record.   I had 12 riders today."

After they went into the locker room, another golfer who had heard the old guys
talking about their game went to the pro and said,
"I have been playing golf for a long time and
thought I knew all the terminology of the game, but what's a rider?"

The pro said, "A rider is when you hit the ball far enough to get in the golf cart and ride to it."

**********

April 12, 2007

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer.
One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog.
He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.
 
 There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings.  An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. 

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life." 

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. 

"Is that your son?" the nobleman asked. 

"Yes," the farmer replied proudly. 

"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of."

And that he did. 
 
 Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin. 

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. 

What saved his life this time?  Penicillin. 

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son's name? 

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: "What Goes Around Comes Around!"

**********

April 10, 2007

A man and his wife walked into a dentist's office. The man said to
the dentist, "Doc, I'm in a great big hurry! I have two buddies
sitting out in my car waiting for us to go play golf". So forget about the
 anesthetic and just pull the tooth and be done with it. We have a 10:00am tee time
at the best golf course in town and it's 9:30 already. I don't have
time to wait for the anesthetic to work!"

   The dentist thought to himself, "My goodness, this is surely a very
  brave man asking to have his tooth pulled without using anything to kill
the pain." So the dentist asked him, "Which tooth is it sir?"

  The man turned to his wife and said, "Open your mouth and show him, Honey"

**********

April 9, 2007

 **********

3-year-old Reese :
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven, Harold is His name.  Amen."

**********

A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."

**********

After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."

**********

I had been teaching my three-year old daughter, Caitlin,
the Lord's Prayer for several evenings at bedtime.
She would repeat after me the lines from the prayer.
Finally, she decided to go solo.
I listened with pride as she carefully enunciated each word,
right up to the end of the prayer:
"Lead us not into temptation," she prayed, "but deliver us from E-mail.

**********

One particular four-year-old prayed, "And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

**********

A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they were on the way to church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?"   One bright little girl replied,
"Because people are sleeping."

**********

Six-year-old Angie and her four-year-old brother, Joel , were sitting together in church.
Joel giggled, sang, and talked out loud.  Finally, his big sister had had enough.
"You're not supposed to talk out loud in church."  
"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.
Angie pointed to the back of the church and said,
"See those two men standing by the door?
They're hushers."

**********

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, " Ryan , you be Jesus !"

**********

A father was at the beach with his children when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said, "Did God throw him back down?"

**********

A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"

**********