ONE SOLITARY LIFE

ONE SOLITARY LIFE

Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman.  He grew up in an obscure village.  He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty, and then for three years he was an itinerant teacher.

He never wrote a book.  He never held an office.  He never owned a home.  He never had a family.  He never went to college.  He never traveled, except in his infancy, more than two hundred miles from the place where he was born.  He never did one of the things that usually accompanies greatness.  He had no credentials but himself.

While he was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him.  His friends ran away.  One of them denied him.  He was turned over to his enemies.  He went through a mockery of a trial.  He was nailed upon a cross between two thieves.  His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth, his seamless robe.  When he was dead, he was taken down from the cross and laid in a borrowed grave through the courtesy of a friend.

Twenty centuries have come and gone, and today he is the centerpiece of the human race and the leader of all human progress.  I am well within the mark when I say that all the armies that ever marched, all the navies that ever were built, all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of man upon this earth as powerfully as has this one solitary personality.

– Author Unknown

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

LOVE

LOVE

As you walk through this day under the Lordship of Christ, consider His Word concerning LOVE.

I Corinthians 13 (The Message Bible)

¹ If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

² If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

^3-7 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

^8-10 Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.

¹¹ When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.

¹² We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!

¹³ But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

TRY NOT TO BLAME

TRY NOT TO BLAME

At times, life seems to mirror precarious roller-coaster rides – up and down, in and out, with startling curves and sudden drops in altitude.  I have a crystal-clear memory of joining a childhood friend on that daunting Kennywood Park ride, known to us as “The Wild Maus.” [mouse] It was far more alarming than my young mind’s imagination had previously conceived.  So, disembarking, I blamed my friend, who (according to me) had talked me into going on that ride ordeal in the first place.

Truthfully, it was not Wesley’s fault, nor his decision.  I entered that ride of my own free will and volition.  The blame game was simply my means of coping with those dizzying twin-terrors of imbalance and fear.

Unanticipated curves-in-life can cause us to feel like mere pawns in some grand ‘celestial game’ – as if God is allowing us to experience ups-and-downs for no good purpose, without rhyme or reason.  Indeed, His process of personal growth and development certainly does not ‘feel’ like love, not while we are navigating through the dire straits of pain, disappointment, loss, reversal, or survival.

To be candid, there have been moments in my faith-walk when I wondered whether it would be accurate for Heaven to dub me a FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIAN.  In truth, it is remarkably easy to proclaim faith and pursue commitments while sailing through calm seas and experiencing clear skies.  Rough waters are quite different.  On occasion, I must admit that I silently blamed God for my own choices and circumstances.

The failure is never in God.  Let’s not blame Him.

Instead of cursing the darkness, true faith mobilizes us to light candles of hope.  Thus, we are gradually transformed into bright lights that will illuminate and inspire others during the inevitable challenges that knock on every door.

Whether we know it or not, whether we feel it or not, GOD is riding alongside us on “The Wild Maus” of our lives – and assuredly, He will see us through every outlandish dip, drop and curve – even though we might have made the deliberate choice to occupy those terrifying spaces and places.  Grace, mercy and favor will always be our traveling companions.  And God’s got our back!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

NOT ALWAYS AS THEY SEEM

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.  The family was rather rude and refused to let the angels stay in any of the mansion’s guest rooms.  Instead, the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.  When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but quite hospitable farmer and his wife.  After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their only bed where they could have a good night’s rest.

When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.  Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.  The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel “How could you have let this happen!?  The first man had everything, yet you helped him,” she accused.  “The second family had so little, but was willing to share everything and you let their cow die.”

“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied.”  When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall.  Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.  Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife.  I gave him the cow instead.  “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way you think they should.  If you have faith, you just need to trust that every outcome is always to your advantage.  You might not know it until later days of your journey through life.  Things aren’t always what they seem.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THANKSGIVING DAY

ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THANKSGIVING DAY

Today marks the celebration of Thanksgiving Day in the USA.  As a former history teacher and an insatiable history buff, I thought it fitting to reprise the history of this important day in American life and culture.

The event that we commonly call ‘The First Thanksgiving’ was celebrated by the Pilgrims following their first American harvest in the year 1621.  According to one of the attendees, Edward Winslow, this feast lasted three full days, and was attended by 53 Pilgrims and 91 Native Americans.

The Pilgrims had departed from Plymouth, England, on September 6, 1620, seeking civil and religious liberty in a land they called ‘The New World.’  Obviously, this territory had prior occupants, the Native Americans.  For two months, 102 passengers on The Mayflower braved the harsh elements of the northern Atlantic Ocean.  Arriving in late November at a site they named Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts, the Pilgrims signed “The Mayflower Compact” (America’s first document of civil government) and disembarked the ship in early December.

After a prayer service, the Pilgrims began building hasty shelters.  However, they were grossly unprepared for the starvation and sickness that would beset them during the harsh New England winter.  As a result, nearly half of their numbers died before the advent of spring.  Nevertheless, persevering in prayer, and assisted by very helpful Native Americans, they reaped a bountiful harvest the following summer.

The grateful Pilgrims declared a three-day feast, starting on December 13, 1621, to give thanks to God and to celebrate with their new native friends.  Technically speaking, this was not the first Thanksgiving in America, since Thanksgiving Services were held in Virginia as early as 1607, but it was America’s first Thanksgiving Festival. 

Edward Winslow described the Pilgrims’ inaugural Thanksgiving with these words: “Our harvest being gotten in, our Governor sent four men fowling [bird hunting] so that we might rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors.  These four killed in one day as much fowl as served the company almost a week.  Many of the Indians [came] amongst us, including their King Massasoit and ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted; and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to us.  Although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God we are far from want.”

In 1789, following a proclamation issued by President George Washington, the fledgling American nation celebrated its first official Day of Thanksgiving to God under its new constitution.  And the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which President Washington was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become an annual church event for the offering of thanks.

However, Thanksgiving has only been celebrated as a federal holiday since 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” to be celebrated annually on the last Thursday in November.

My friend, that is THE HISTORY of Thanksgiving Day. What is YOUR STORY for giving thanks to our God?

Roy Campanella had an amazing story of thanksgiving.  He was one of the first African-Americans to play in baseball’s major leagues.  In his storied athletic career, Roy won the Brooklyn Dodgers’ “Most Valuable Player Award” numerous times, and in 1955 made a very significant contribution toward his team’s victory in the World Series.

However, in January of 1958, his career was tragically cut short when a car crash left him a quadriplegic.  After he was injured, Roy spent a lot of time in The Institute of Physical medicine and Rehabilitation in New York.  One day he paused to read an inspirational inscription in the entryway.  For someone who had been blessed with phenomenal athletic gifts, but was now a quadriplegic, these words resonated deeply:

I asked God for strength, that I might achieve…
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health that I might do great things…
I was given infirmity that might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy…
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power, that I might have the praise of others…
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life…
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for, but everything I had hoped for;
Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among men, most richly blessed!

Let every one of us be sincerely appreciative to Almighty God on this Thanksgiving Day – and every day – for the abundant bounty, benefits and blessings rendered regularly toward us.  OUR GRATITUDE ATTITUDE is not predicated on our present circumstances, nor on our station in life, nor on what we have accumulated, nor on what we have achieved.  It is simply the heartfelt recognition that “every good and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from THE FATHER OF LIGHTS, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:17)

Wherever you are in this life, whatever you are in this life, however you are in this life, please take advantage of this golden opportunity to praise and worship HIM.  In the wise words of the Apostle Paul, “In everything GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

OH, THAT WE WOULD PRAISE THE LORD!

OH, THAT WE WOULD PRAISE THE LORD!

My friends, let’s make up our minds (today) to stop complaining and to start offering heartfelt thanksgiving to our Creator.  Here’s what the Word suggests:

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!  For His mercy endures forever. (I Chronicles 16:34 – Psalm 106:1)

We, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; We will show forth Your praise to all generations. (Psalm 79:13)

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107:8;15;21;31)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:57)

Here’s a simple prayer that all of us can utter to the Savior: “Lord, I love You and I praise Your Name, today and forevermore.  You are so deserving of my eternal gratitude and worship.  Amen.”

Recently, I awakened with a powerful gospel song resonating within my spirit.  It’s lyrics simply say:

Grateful…Lord, I’m grateful…

Grateful…for the things You’ve done for me

Grateful…Lord, I’m grateful…

Grateful…I give my all to Thee.

Oh…Oh…Oh…Grateful…Lord, I’m grateful…

For everything You’ve done for me…

You’ve done for me.

Entering into His presence, I find myself resting in an attitude of gratitude for all that THE LORD has done for me, blessings that abound and resound throughout time and eternity.

I AM GRATEFUL…for the wonderful people that He has placed in my life: family and friends (and even frenemies) who have helped to strengthen my relationship with and trust in the sovereignty of God.

I AM GRATEFUL…for the sins from which He has saved and delivered me, for grace, mercy and salvation through the precious blood of The Crucified One, for sanctification through His Word and for the resident endowment of His Holy Spirit.

I AM GRATEFUL…for the opportunities of service He has afforded me and for any which He has providentially denied me.  Every door open and every door closed represent divine provision and divine protection.

I AM GRATEFUL…for a reasonable portion of health and strength.  JESUS CHRIST is my Great Physician, my Healer and my continual strength.

I AM GRATEFUL…for by faith I am already seated together with Him, in heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.  He is THE ALL WISE GOD who knew my end before my beginning, and I am eternally grateful to be a small part of His purpose and plan.  Victory is mine.  Victory is yours.  Be grateful.  THANK YOU, JESUS!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL

REASONS TO BE GRATEFUL

Believers in Christ refuse to feel downcast or discouraged day after day.  For one moment, carefully consider.  There are more things to be grateful for than you and I might imagine.

--We are alive.

--We are aware of yourself and your surroundings.

--We have a reasonable portion of health and strength.

--We have people who love you despite any flaws or failures.

--We have a mind to live for Christ, to love Him and honor His Word.

--And the list goes on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on...

So, let’s look up, my friends, and face the challenges and blessings of this day with smiles of faith.

According to the Apostle John, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5) Therefore, as the epitome and personification of light, our GOD declares something about those of us who are walking in His light.  “The path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

Bottom-line: Appearances notwithstanding, we are the Creator’s ‘Covenant Kids.’ To wit, we are designed and deputized as both containers and conveyers of light – even while walking through dismal, dark, miserable, or messy places.  Through it all, we look on the bright side because we have learned to trust in the grace, mercy and abiding love of Jesus Christ.

So, if life sends along some lemons, we will not panic or surrender to doubt and despair.  We will prepare refreshing glasses of lemonade!

I love the story about two identical twins who were alike in nearly every way.  However, one of the twins was an extremely positive person, an optimist who saw only the bright side of life.  The other was rather negative, a pessimist, who zeroed in on the downside of every situation.

Both parents were quite worried about their boys’ attitudinal extremes, so they sought the advice of a doctor.  His suggested plan of action was rather strange, but clever.  “On their next birthday,” he suggested, “give the pessimistic child a shiny new bike, and give the optimistic child a pile of manure.”

It seemed to be an extreme and counterintuitive course of action since the parents had always treated their boys equally.  Reluctantly, they decided to follow the doctor’s advice.  When the twins’ birthday rolled around, they gave their pessimistic son the most expensive, top-of-the-line racing bike they could find.  However, when he received the bike, his first words were, “I’ll probably crash this bike and break my leg.”

To the optimistic child they gave a beautifully wrapped, gigantic box of manure.  He opened it, looked rather puzzled for a moment or so, then ran outside screaming, “You can’t fool me!  Where there’s this much manure, there’s gotta’ be a pony around here somewhere!”

Life looks so much better…life feels so much better…when we make up our minds to look for the best!

GIVE THANKS!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE

In 1981, an inspirational Christian film was released.  “Chariots of Fire” is a true story about Great Britain’s national track team and their participation in the 1924 Summer Olympic Games, which were held in Paris, France.  

Eric Liddell, a citizen of Scotland, was a Christian missionary who was absolutely thrilled to qualify as a member of Great Britain’s Olympic Team.

However, some members of Eric’s family disapproved.  They viewed the Olympic Games as a distraction from his important ministry work.  However, Eric was steadfast in his insistence that his participation was the will of God.  In his words, “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.  And when I run, I feel His pleasure.  To give up running would be to hold Him in contempt.  To win is to honor him!”  Therefore, Eric was running – not to gain mere accolades or fame – but for the express purpose of honoring God.  Eric had qualified to run in the premier sprinting event, the 100-meter race, and he was the odds-on favorite to win against the likes of Jackson Sholz, the elite American sprinter.

As the British team sailed from London to Paris, Eric learned that the qualifying heat for the 100-meter race would take place on a Sunday.  This was most disheartening since Eric and his family had unwavering convictions about honoring the Christian Sabbath.  So, Eric was convinced that he had no other choice but to drop out of the race.  And no matter who tried to dissuade Eric, from the head of Great Britain’s Olympic Committee to the Crown Prince of Wales, he firmly refused to do that which he felt would dishonor God.

Nevertheless, just before his scheduled race, a door of opportunity opened for Eric to run in an alternative race, which was scheduled for another weekday.  One teammate who previously medaled in another event made the offer for Eric to take his place in the 400-meter race.  Everyone quickly came on board with this compromise because Eric was so gifted that he just might win.  It was an absolute joy for everyone to watch him run.

Just before the start of the final heat of the 400-meter race, Jackson Sholz, the young American sprinter who was also a Christian, walked onto the track and delivered a handwritten note to Eric Liddell.  Here’s what Jackson had written: “It says in the Old Book that those who honor Me…I will honor.”  What an awesome message of inspiration it was for Eric, that God, Himself, would be present to honor his unpopular decision to publicly confess and honor Him!  The starting gun sounded, and although Eric Liddell had not trained for the 400-meter race, arguably one of the most difficult races in track and field, he won easily and by a wide margin.

The note that Jackson Sholz had written and delivered to Eric Liddell is drawn from the following scripture:

I Samuel 2:30b
Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed.

The word “honor” means to highly reverence, respect and defer to, with the utmost demonstration of value and the highest degree of sincerity.  This concept is crucial to every aspect of a Christian’s life.  In the days leading up to our national holiday called Thanksgiving, it is important to recognize that a very important part of honoring God is maintaining THE GRATITUDE ATTITUDE.  It is mission critical to our relationship with God and our peace of mind as we walk through this journey called life.  Also, it is the perfect will of God.  “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)

A powerful hymn by Johnson Oatman, Jr., describes THE PRAISE MINDSET that Christian disciples should exemplify:

Count your blessings, name them one by one…

Count your blessings, see what God has done…

Count your blessings, name them one by one…

Count your many blessings, see what God has done!

These simple song lyrics call to mind a key spiritual resolution of the Psalmist David, who declared, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in mouth.” (Psalm 34:1)

The Gratitude Attitude works in your favor, for “thank you” always makes room for more.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

SERVICE...IT'S A HEAVENLY THING

SERVICE…IT’S A HEAVENLY THING

The following parable by an unknown author is not scripturally based, but it contains theological truth.

A man spoke with the Lord about heaven and hell.  The Lord said to the man “Come, I will show you hell.” They entered a room where a group of hungry people sat around a huge pot of cooking stew.  Everyone in the room was starving.  Each person held a spoon that reached the pot but each spoon had a handle so much longer than their own arms that it could not be used to get the stew into their own mouths.  The suffering was terrible.

“Come now, I will show you Heaven” the Lord said.  They entered a room identical to the first, with the big pot of stew, the group of people and the same long-handled spoons.  But here everyone was happy and well nourished.  “I don’t understand” said the man. “Why is everyone happy here and miserable in the other room?  Everything seems the same.”

“Here, said the Lord, they have learned to SERVE each other.”

For you brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love SERVE one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Galatians 5:13-14)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

WHAT GOES AROUND...

WHAT GOES AROUND…

He was driving home one evening, on a two-lane country road.  In this small mid-western community, work was almost as slow as his beat-up Pontiac.  But he never quit looking.  Ever since the factory closed, he’d been unemployed, and with winter raging on, the chill had finally hit home.

It was a lonely road.  Not very many people had a reason to be on it, unless they were leaving.  Most of his friends had already left.  They had families to feed and dreams to fulfill.  But he stayed on.  After all, this was where he buried his mother and father.  He was born here and knew the country.

He could go down this road blind, and tell you what was on either side, and with his headlights not working, that came in handy.  It was starting to get dark and light snow flurries were coming down.  He’d better get a move on.

You know, he almost didn’t see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road.  But even in the dim twilight, he could see that she needed help.  So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out.  His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried.  No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so.  Was he going to hurt her?  Actually, he didn’t look safe; he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold, and he knew how she felt.  It was that chill that only fear can put in you.  He said, “I’m here to help you.  Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm.  By the way, my name is Joe.”

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough.  Joe crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.  Soon he was able to change the tire.  But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt.  As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down her window and began to talk to him.  She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through.  She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid.  Joe just smiled as he closed her trunk.

She asked him how much she owed him.  Any amount would have been alright with her.  She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.  Joe never thought twice about the money.  This was not a job to him.  This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past.  He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.  He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Joe added “…and think of me”.

He waited until she started her car and drove off.  It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.  A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe.  She went in to grab a bite to eat and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home.  It was a dingy looking restaurant.  Outside were two old gas pumps.  The whole scene was quite poor and unfamiliar.  

Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair.  She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn’t erase.  The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude.  The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger.  Then she remembered Joe.

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get her change from a hundred-dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door.  She was gone by the time the waitress came back.  She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on a napkin.  There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote.  It said, “You don’t owe me a thing, I’ve been there too.  Someone once helped me out, the way I’m helping you.  If you really want to pay me back, here’s what you do.  Don’t let the chain of love end with you.”

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and more people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day.  When she got home that night and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written.  How could she have known how much she and her husband needed it?  With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard.  She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered tenderly and quietly, “Everything’s gonna be alright…I love you Joe.”

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

25 THINGS TO REMEMBER

25 THINGS TO REMEMBER

This morning, I came across an interesting set of life-perspectives by an unknown author.

--Your presence is a present to the world.
--You are unique and one of a kind.
--Your life can be what you want it to be.
--Take the days just one at a time.

--Count your blessings, not your troubles.
--You will make it through whatever comes along.
--Within you are so many powerful answers.
--Understand; have courage; be strong.

--Never set or allow limits on yourself.
--The sun will come up tomorrow.
--Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
--Reach for your peak, your goal and your prize.

--Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
--The longer one carries a problem, the heavier it gets.
--Don’t take things too seriously.
--Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

--Remember that a little love goes a long way.
--Remember that a you are designed for eternity.
--Remember that friendship is a wise investment.
--Life’s treasures are people, not things.

--Realize that it’s never too late.
--Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
--Have heath and hope and happiness.
--Take time daily to dream about your future.

--Always remember Jesus…keep Him on your mind!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

AGAPE LOVE

AGAPE LOVE

Years ago, in a small fishing village in Holland, a young boy taught the world about the rewards of unselfish service.  Because the entire village revolved around the fishing industry, a volunteer rescue team was needed in cases of emergency.  One night, the gale force winds raged vehemently and capsized a fishing boat at sea.

Stranded and in trouble, the crew sent out an S.O.S.  The captain of the rescue rowboat team sounded the alarm and the villagers assembled in the town square overlooking the bay.  While the team launched their rowboat and fought their way through the wild waves, the villagers waited restlessly on the beach, holding lanterns to light the way back to shore.

One hour later, the rescue boat reappeared through the fog and the cheering villagers ran to greet them.  Falling exhausted on the sand, the volunteers reported that the rescue boat could not hold any more passengers and they had to leave one man behind.  Even one more passenger would have surely capsized the boat and all would have been lost.

Frantically, the captain called for another volunteer team to go after the lone survivor.  Sixteen-year-old Hans stepped forward.  His mother grabbed his arm, pleading, “Please don’t go.  Your father died in a shipwreck 10 years ago and your older brother, Paul, has been lost at sea for three weeks.  Hans, you are all I have left.” 

Hans replied, “Mother, I have to go.  What if everyone said, ‘I can’t go, let someone else do it?’  Mother, this time I must do my duty.  When the call for service comes, we all need to take our turn and do our part.”  So, Hans kissed his worried mother, joined the team and disappeared into the night.

Another hour passed, which seemed to Hans’ mother like an eternity.  Finally, the rescue boat darted through the fog with Hans standing up in the bow.  Cupping his hands, the captain called, “Did you find the lost man?”  Barely able to contain himself, Hans excitedly yelled back, “Yes, we found him, and we found someone else too.  Tell my mother it’s my older brother, Paul!”

Agape love is sacrificial love.  Although risky, it works.  Just ask Jesus. 

John 15:13

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

I John 3:16

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

JUST BE THERE...

JUST BE THERE…

It was the late 1960s and twenty-two-year-old Kyle Duncan was a student pastor, serving two small churches in northern Maryland, USA.

 One of his parishioners, Mrs. Maude Stambaugh, was the oldest living member of both churches. Frail and ill, Mrs. Stambaugh spent her final years being cared for by her daughter in her daughter’s home.  She was unable to leave her room except for bi-monthly trips to a nearby hospital to receive the blood transfusions that kept her alive.

When the young pastor first went to see her, he found the experience quite difficult.  Mrs. Stambaugh had an advanced case of Parkinson’s disease.  And her hearing was quite poor, so he had to shout into her ear to be heard.  In addition, she was nearly blind.

As Mrs. Stambaugh’s daughter excused herself from the room, he thought to himself, “What do I do now?”  Seminary had not prepared him for this.  He sat beside her bed, somewhat intimidated and uncomfortable, before cupping his hands and shouting into Mrs. Stambaugh’s ears “How are you doing today?”

Mrs. Stambaugh responded with a pleasant expression and mumbled something he could not quite understand.  He was a compassionate person and knew he had to do something for this elderly woman, but he had no idea what to do.  For 15 minutes he just sat there in silence, until finally he opened the New Testament and began to read some verses aloud.  Though he read loudly, he was not sure if Mrs. Stambaugh could hear.  He finished with a prayer, thinking “Should I whisper it or shout it into her ear?”  He decided he would simply speak in a very loud voice.  After praying, he prepared to leave the room, cupping his hands around her ear one last time before exiting.  “Good to see you, Mrs. Stambaugh,” he shouted.

Of course, that wasn’t really how he felt.  He found the whole experience to be extremely discouraging, disheartening and awkward.  Indeed, he would have preferred to do anything than return.  But return he did, for he was Mrs. Stambaugh’s pastor.  Every month or so, the young clergyman visited Mrs. Stambaugh, each time shouting into her ear to greet her, then sitting in tortured silence for 15 minutes, before reading from the Bible and closing with prayer.

Eighteen months after his first visit, Mrs. Stambaugh passed away.  After the funeral, the minister was walking toward his car when Mrs. Stambaugh’s daughter hurried over to him. “Pastor Duncan, I have something for you. This was the last thing my mother wrote before she died,” her daughter said with genuine warmth. “We thought you would want to see it.”  She handed him a note.  It took some time to decipher the handwriting, but this is what Mrs. Stambaugh had written: “Please tell my young pastor how much his regular visits have meant to me.”

King Duncan learned what we all must, that our presence is one of the greatest gifts we can offer.  Though we might feel awkward, useless, or discouraged, our presence with someone in their hour of need is a most precious and magnificent gift.  It’s simply called LOVE, which in the eyes of Heaven is always a verb, a word of action.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THOSE WHO ARE CHOSEN BY GOD

THOSE WHO ARE CHOSEN BY GOD

One of the toughest tasks any church faces is choosing the right minister.  One member of the Pastoral Search Committee finally lost patience during their protracted and painful process.  He had witnessed committee members rejecting applicant after applicant for minor faults – both real and imagined.  It was now time for a bit of committee soul-searching, so he stood and read the following applicant letter.

Dear People of God:

Understanding that your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position.  I have many qualifications.  I’ve been a preacher with some success and many suggest that I am an accomplished author.  Also, it is reported that I am a good organizer since I have been a leader in various places.

I’m over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years.  In some places, I left town after my preaching caused riots and disturbances.  I must confess that I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrong doing.

My health is not too good either, though I can still accomplish a lot.  The churches I have preached in have been relatively small, although located in large cities.

To be quite candid, I’ve not gotten along too well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached.  In fact, some have threatened or even attacked me physically. 

However, if you would consider using me, I promise to do my very best.

After the letter had been read, the board member turned to the committee and said, “What do you think?  Shall we select him?”

Those good church folks were appalled!  A few laughed out-loud.  Should they consider this sickly, trouble- making, absent-minded, ex-jailbird?   Had this board member lost his mind?  Whose signature was on the application?  Who had such colossal nerve to apply as pastor with such an awful record?  The board member eyed them all keenly before he replied” “It’s signed, The Apostle Paul.”

Interestingly enough, there is a scripture that is quite applicable to this situation:

I Corinthians 1:27-29

But GOD has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and GOD has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised GOD has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.

The first line of the foregoing scripture contains the word, “foolish.”  In the original Greek, the word for “foolish” is “moros.”  The best English rendition of that Greek word is “moron.”  Think.  We should never be self-righteous or ‘trip’ over our own egos.  It may well be that when God first called us, that we were standing in the moron line.  Nevertheless, our first estate is no problem for Almighty God, who gains greater credibility and glory by raising up ‘rejects.’  Before you start looking down on anyone, prayerfully consider that simple truth.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

DEAR GOD

DEAR GOD,

You never cease to amaze us.

Sincerely,

Your Children

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

GOD'S MYSTERIOUS AND MARVELOUS WAYS

GOD’S MYSTERIOUS AND MARVELOUS WAYS

If you are struggling with the notion that you are now experiencing far too much loss, illness, pain, or problems, please read the following true story and be encouraged.

Jobs were extremely hard to find in New York City in 1930.  At the age of 19, I was fresh off the boat from Sweden and could not speak any English.

When I had boarded the train in my hometown of Karlskrona, Sweden, a woman seated next to me asked, “Where are you going?”

“America,” I said, “to make a new start.”

“My cousin Lars works in New York City,” she informed me, “at the Steinway piano factory.  Look him up when you get there.”  She wrote his name on a piece of paper, handed it to me and said, “God be with you.”

It was a sweltering summer day in New York when I set out in search of the factory.  I had no idea where it was located.  I wandered the city for hours, showing people that scrap of paper, which bore four words: “Lars Olsen - Steinway Piano.”  Nobody could help.

I was very disappointed and so tired.   When I saw a parked car, I opened the door and slid into the front seat.  Where I was from in Sweden, anyone could rest in someone else’s wagon or cart.  I hoped the same was true in America.

I soon fell asleep, but was jolted awake by the blast of a whistle.  Workmen streamed out of a nearby building.  One of them yelled at me, in English.  I thought, ‘What is he so upset about?’ I answered instinctively in Swedish that I was sorry.  Amazingly, he responded in Swedish: “What are you doing in my car?”  I explained, then showed him my piece of paper.  The man smiled.  He said the whistle I had heard announced the end of the workday at Steinway & Sons.  Then he walked me around the corner and introduced me to someone who gave me a job as a painter.

By now you have guessed.  The man who owned the car was Lars Olsen!

My friend, just when you sense that sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, and the voice of discouragement whispers that your life is beyond repair, GOD shows up.  One of His covenant names is “Jehovah-Shammah.”  It simply means “THE LORD is THERE.” (Ezekiel 48:35) Always trust His plan, even when you cannot trace His hand.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

DO YOU RESEMBLE JESUS?

DO YOU RESEMBLE JESUS?

Some years ago, a group of sales reps attended a regional sales convention in Chicago.  They assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night’s dinner.  However, the sales meeting lasted longer than anticipated.

Afterwards, they raced through Chicago O’Hare International Airport to make it to their flights on time.  In their mad dash, loaded with carry-on luggage, one of the salesmen inadvertently knocked over a table holding a display of apples in baskets.  Apples flew everywhere!

Without stopping to look back, the sales reps managed to reach their departure gate in time, all but one.  He paused for a moment, took a deep breath and experienced a twinge of compassion for the young girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his associates to go on without him and to tell his wife that he would be taking a later flight.

Then he returned to the terminal where dozens of apples had been scattered all over the floor.  He was glad that he did because the 16-year-old girl at the apple stand was totally blind!  She was kneeling and crying softly, as tears of frustration ran down her reddened cheeks.  At the same time, she was groping helplessly for her spilled produce while an uncaring crowd scurried about her.  Not one person stopped to assist or to show any concern for her plight.

The troubled sales rep knelt on the floor beside her, gathered up the apples, put them into baskets and helped her to reset her display.  As he did so, he noticed that many apples had been badly bruised; these he set aside in a separate basket.  When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, “I’m really sorry.  Please take this $20 for all the damage I have done.” Pausing, he added, “Are you okay?” She nodded affirmatively through fading tears and an emerging smile.  As the sales rep walked away, he added, “I hope I didn’t spoil your day too badly.”

Just then, the bewildered blind girl called loudly to him: “Mister!” He turned to look once more at the face that seemed so sweet and serene.  “Mister,” the blind girl queried with utmost sincerity, “Are you JESUS?”

He stopped mid-stride, thought for a moment, then slowly made his way down the concourse to catch a later flight.  But the young blind girl’s question was now etched indelibly within his soul: “Are you Jesus?”

It’s a powerful and poignant question that all should prayerfully consider.  Think.  Based upon our attitudes and actions, would anyone ever mistake us for Jesus?  But that’s our destiny, isn’t it?  To become so much like Jesus that people are challenged to tell the difference – as we interact daily with a world that seems to be blind to His grace, His life and His love. Indeed, we have been commissioned to become “living epistles,” read daily by those persons who have not yet yielded to the warm and merciful touch of The Master’s Hand.

The Word declares that you and I are “the APPLE of His eye.” (Deuteronomy 32:10) And even though we were badly bruised by the fall from grace, Jesus stopped by on a hill called Calvary and paid the price that our ‘damaged fruit’ might be fully redeemed and eternally restored.

Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!