Not Letting Go
|
Posted:Jul 21, 2009 6:31 pm
Last Updated:Jul 22, 2009 4:32 pm 6383 Views
|
Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.
He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together.
In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him.
From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.
Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal, and on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the she loved.
The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."
You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go.
In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations.
The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins and if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful.
He did not and will not let you go.
If you see someone without a smile, stop and give them yours, God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.
“And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.” - Luke 7:15
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
What should be our attitude in prayer?
|
Posted:Jul 21, 2009 3:11 pm
Last Updated:Jul 23, 2009 5:32 pm 6386 Views
|
Then Eli realized it was the Lord who was calling the boy. So he said to Samuel, "Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, 'Yes, Lord, your servant is listening.'" So Samuel went back to bed. And the Lord came and called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel replied, "Yes, your servant is listening." 1 Samuel 3:8-10 NLT
God revealed himself mightily to the prophet Elijah, sending fire to burn the sacrifice on Mount Carmel. But later, as Elijah moped on the mountain, the Lord taught him an important lesson. There was a wind, an earthquake, and a fire–but the Lord was not in any of these. Then came a still, small voice. That was how God chose to speak to His prophet.
The same is true today. We long for fire from heaven to silence the skeptics once and for all, but God doesn't usually work that way. Long ago He revealed Himself as a helpless baby sleeping in a dirty feed trough, and today He speaks quietly to ordinary people like you and me–if only we are still enough to listen. That is the sentiment expressed by Emily May Grimes in the words of the hymn, "Speak, Lord, in the Stillness."
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
What is the best time to pray?
|
Posted:Jul 20, 2009 4:09 pm
Last Updated:Jul 21, 2009 3:15 pm 6619 Views
|
We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for. 1 John 5:14-15
I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers. Because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath!
Psalm 116:1-2
And talking of sleepiness, I entirely agree with you that no one in his senses, if he has any power of ordering his own day, would reserve his chief prayers for bedtime obviously the worst possible hour for any action which needs concentration. The trouble is that thousands of unfortunate people can hardly find any other. Even for us, who are the lucky ones, it is not always easy. My own plan, when hard-pressed, is to seize any time and place, however unsuitable, in preference to the last waking moment. On a day of travelling with, perhaps, some ghastly meeting at the end of it. I'd rather pray sitting in a crowded train than put it off till midnight when one reaches a hotel bedroom with aching head and dry throat and one's mind partly in a stupor and partly in a whirl. On other, and slightly less crowded, days a bench in a park or a back street where one can pace up and down will do.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
|
|
A Simple Bible
|
Posted:Jul 19, 2009 7:58 pm
Last Updated:Jul 20, 2009 4:14 pm 6317 Views
|
"I'm not supposed to give these away," the young man said, handing me a display Bible, "but I sense you should have this." I shrugged and absently tucked it away. We had a Bible at home. I'd only stopped by the Gideon's table because nothing else at the Iowa State Fair was set up.
A few days later I was walking to town when a car pulled up beside me. "Get in," the driver snarled, pointing a gun at me. I did as he said. Soon he pulled over, grabbed me and tried to force me down on the seat. I struggled with all my strength. Finally he ordered me out of the car.
Before both my feet were on the ground, I heard a shot and felt a sharp pain in my side. I collapsed, and the man came around the car. He picked up my purse, took out my wallet then threw the purse on my head and shot it. I felt a dreadful impact. Still conscious, I lay silent, hoping he would think I was dead. I heard the car drive away, and I stumbled to a nearby farmhouse. A woman called for help, and the police were closing in on the drug-crazed driver based on the description I'd given them.
At the hospital, just before I went into surgery to remove the bullet in my side, my sister came to see me. "Do you know what saved your life, Mavis?" she asked. She handed me the Bible that had been in my purse. A bullet was lodged inside, its tip stopping exactly at Psalm 37:14-15: "The wicked draw the sword, and bend the bow to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken."
This is what it means to know the voice of God. The young man wasn't supposed to give away the Bibles, but he "sensed" that God wanted him to give the Bible away to this lady. He probably thought that she would open the Bible and read something that would turn her life around, or bring her closer to the reality of God. But the sword came first, and then certainly a peace that only comes from God; the reality of His protection made manifest by those who "sense" His will.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Doggie Talk
|
Posted:Jul 19, 2009 4:33 pm
Last Updated:May 24, 2024 12:37 am 5688 Views
|
In the country at my grandmother's house, I was in the back yard with my . He saw a walking across the yard. "Daddy, how do you say, come to me, to a dog?" he asked. A can ask simple questions that have universal and far reaching implications.
There is no doggy language that literally says, "Come to me." You have to say it through tone and gesture. A has to FEEL that you want him to come to you and the has to feel that it's safe and beneficial for him to come to you. It's the same with people. We really don't say, "Be my friend" with words. We do it with tone and gesture and we have to make the other person feel that it's safe and beneficial for them to be our friend, wife, husband, boyfriend/girlfriend, employee or employer.
Even sales consists of a lot of doggy talk. If a salesperson is rude with a mean tone, you won't come. I don't want you to think of people as dogs, but understand that we really convey more on the unspoken than the spoken level. Tone and gesture. Dogs can't understand our language, but a knows the difference between being stumbled over and kicked. So do people, regardless of what your words are. Tone and gesture. People with pets live longer. Maybe they learn how to communicate better on the unspoken level and it carries over to the people side. Just maybe we should all learn the secret of how to say "Come to me" to a dog.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Harvesttime is Near
|
Posted:Jul 19, 2009 4:17 pm
Last Updated:Jul 19, 2009 7:58 pm 6293 Views
|
“The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.” Matthew 13:39.
Christ’s statement, “the end of the world,” caused astonishment among the disciples. They became curious, and made inquiries regarding the time and circumstances of this end. Even when their Master was in the shadow of the cross they approached Him with these questions: “When shall these things be?and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (Matt.24:3). Jesus answered in a long discourse replete with instructions. Much of His talk remained a dim outline in the memory of the disciples, but the final event toward which history and the church were marching emerged clear and glorious: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt. 24:14).
After the Master’s departure from this earth the disciples continued their search in Holy Writ, and looked forward to the consummation of the centuries. Jesus would return to earth, and the sheaves would be gathered in from every land in the midst of the greatest manifestation of power ever witnessed.
Such was to be the setting of the last Christian achievement. The apostles gave the lead, and since their day the true church has looked forward to the end of all things. Today, in the last hours of the harvest-time, this sense of urgency is sharper and greater than ever. The church no longer has centuries before her. Portentous omens overcast the horizon and ominous rumblings sound up and down the frontiers of the nations, but they are fraught with harvest-day possibilities. They are bringing the Biblical viewpoint and the solution envisioned by the Master and His disciples to the forefront in countless lands, making this a day of opportunity.
The end approaches with strides of great speed. Shall we not, in our place of responsibility and service, respond to God’s call today?
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
What does it mean to be created in God's image?
|
Posted:Jul 18, 2009 6:10 pm
Last Updated:Jul 19, 2009 9:46 pm 6287 Views
|
My heart overflows with a beautiful thought! I will recite a lovely poem to the king, for my tongue is like the pen of a skillful poet. Psalm 45:1 NLT
Why does an artist paint, a musician play, or an author write? Because they are overflowing with ideas and must express them. Creativity is the overflow of a full heart and mind. But sometimes we're empty or full of the wrong material. How can we be full of the beauty that will spill out in wonderful visions, sounds, words and movements? Take time to know God–the author of all creativity. Take time to soak up all that is beautiful. Take time to think. As your inner wells fill up, you can be sure that the creativity will soon be flowing out of your life in productive ways.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
How should I pray?
|
Posted:Jul 18, 2009 5:07 pm
Last Updated:Jul 19, 2009 4:16 pm 6228 Views
|
For days I mourned, fasted, and prayed to the God of heaven.
Nehemiah 1:4 NLT
Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done here on earth, just as it is in heaven.
Give us our food for today, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Matthew 6:9-13 NLT
Prayer is not pulling God to my will, but the aligning of my will to the will of God. Aligned to God's redemptive will, anything, everything can happen in character, conduct, and creativeness. The whole person is heightened by that prayer contact. In that contact I find health for my body, illumination for my mind, and moral and spiritual reinforcement for my soul. "Prayer is a time exposure to God," so I expose myself to God for an hour and a half or two hours a day, asking less and less for things and more and more for Himself. For having Him, I have everything. He gives me what I need for character, conduct, and creativeness, so I'm rich with His riches, strong in His strength, pure in His purity, and able in His ability.
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
Best Friends
|
Posted:Jul 17, 2009 4:39 pm
Last Updated:May 24, 2024 12:37 am 5710 Views
|
Once in a small farming town in Oklahoma, there lived a poor fourth grade boy named Andy who would follow this route to school everyday: He had to cross the rugged plains and a dangerous highway where vehicles recklessly drove to and fro. Once past this highway, the boy would take a short cut by passing by the Church every morning just to say hi to Jesus, and faithfully say his morning prayers. He was being watched by the pastor who always found the boy’s sincerity and innocence so uplifting in the morning.
“Hello Andy, How are you today”, he would say greeting the . “I’m fine Pastor Thompson, How are you” he would say flashing his innocent grin.
Seeing the way that Andy went to school the pastor was so concerned one day he talked to him. “From school...”, he advised “do not cross the highway alone, you can pass through the Church and then I will accompany you to the other side of the road that way I can see that you get home safe....”
“Thank you Pastor...”
“Why don’t you go straight home why do you stay in this church right after school?”
Andy replied, “I just want to say “Hi” to my friend, Jesus,” so the pastor would leave the boy to spend time praying by himself beside the altar, but one day out of curiosity he hid behind the altar to listen to what this boy had to say.
“You know my math exam was pretty bad today, but I did not cheat-although my seat mate was bullying me for notes you know, Dad’s had a bad farming season so far this year so we don’t have much food but I ate some bread and drank my water. Thank you for this! I saw a poor kitten who was hungry and I know how he feels so I gave some of my bread to him... funny but I am not that hungry. Look, this is my last pair of shoes. I may have to walk barefoot next week you see this is about to be broken but it is okay at least I am still able to go to school some say we will have a hard season this month, and some of my classmates have had to stop going to school to help with the farms please help them get to school again, please Jesus? Oh, you know, Dad hit me again, it is painful, but I know this pain will pass away, at least I still have a Dad you want to see my bruises? I know you can heal them here, here and oh blood. I guess you knew about this one, huh? Please don’t be mad at Dad, he is just tired and worries about putting food on our table and my schooling that is why he hits me. Oh, I think I am in love there’s this pretty girl in my class, her name is Anita do you think she will like me? Anyway, at least I know you will always like me, I don’t have to be anybody just to please you, you are my very best friend! Hey your birthday is just one week from now!!! Aren’t you excited? I am! Wait till you see, I have a gift for you but it is a surprise! I hope you will like it! Oooops, I have to go.”
Then he stood up and calls out, “Pastor, I am finished talking to my friend can you accompany me to the other side of the road now”?
This routine happened everyday. Andy never failed to visit the church. Pastor Thompson shared this every Sunday to the people in his church because he had never before seen such pure faith and trust in God, and such a very positive outlook in such negative circumstances. The day before Christmas, Pastor Thompson became very ill and was sent to the hospital. The Church was left to a substitute Pastor who had little patience for or for any interruptions in his work. He would not smile and could always find fault in what other people were doing. On Christmas Day he was in the Pastor’s Study when Andy, coming from his Christmas party, playfully dashed into the church calling, “Hi Jesus!” “Who are you and what are you doing in here”, the pastor yelled out angrily. Poor Andy was so terrified. “Where’s Pastor Thompson? He always helps me cross the street and not only that, I have to greet Jesus--it’s His birthday, I have a gift right here....” Just as he was about to get the gift out of his shirt, the pastor grabbed Andy by the shoulder and pushed him out the door of the church. “I cannot be bothered right now I am preparing my sermon for the Christmas service tonight. Also, next time be more reverent when you come into the church”, the man yelled as he closed the door behind Andy.
So the boy had no choice but to cross the dangerous side of the road in front of the church by himself. As he crossed a fast moving bus came in. There was a blind curve. The boy was protecting his gift inside his shirt, so he was not looking. There was so little time.
Andy died on the spot. As people crowded around the body of the poor, lifeless, young boy. Suddenly, out of nowhere a tall man appeared in a pure white shirt and pants, a face so mild and gentle, but with eyes full of tears. He came and carried the boy in His arms, He was crying.
Curious bystanders nudged the man in white, and asked, “Excuse me sir, are you related to the ? Do you know him?”
The man in white, His face mourning and in agony, answered, “He was my best friend” was all he said. He took the badly wrapped gift from the shirt of the lifeless boy, and placed it near his heart. He stood up and carried the boy away and they both disappeared from sight. The crowd was curious. On New Years Eve, when Pastor Thompson returned home from the hospital he learned of the shocking news. He went to visit Andy’s parents, and to ask them about the man in white he had been told about. He consulted the parents of Andy.
“How did you first learn of your ’s death?”
“A man in white brought him here,” sobbed the mother.
“What did he say?”
The father answered, “He did not say anything. He was mourning. We do not know him and yet he was very lonely at our ’s death, as if he knew our very well. But there was something peaceful and unexplainable about him. He gave me my , and then he smiled peacefully. He rubbed my ’s hair away from his face and kissed him on his forehead, and then he whispered something.”
“What did he say?”
“He said to my boy.” the father began, “Thank you for the gift. I will see you soon you will be with me.” and the father of the boy continued, “and you know for a while, it felt so wonderful. I cried, but I do not know why all I know is I cried tears of joy. I could not explain it, but when that man left, something peaceful came over me, I felt a deep sense of love inside. I could not explain the joy in my heart, I know my boy is in heaven now but tell me, who was this man that my talked to everyday in your church, you should know because you are always there except at the time of his death.”
Pastor Thompson suddenly felt the tears welling in his eyes, with trembling knees, he murmured, “He was talking to Jesus.”
“But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” -Psalm 3:3
|
|
|
0
Comments
|
|
