Just sharing.

[beensetfree]

Smile


A smile changed my life today
A simple gesture, in the sweetest way
I was feeling kind of down
But a smile wiped away my frown
I never thought a simple thing
Could change the whole way that
I think I saw the joy in that persons face
It was like God just showed me his grace
You never know what a small thing can do
So i'll never frown again, how about you?

 

[Psalm23]

Smile


A smile changed my life today
A simple gesture, in the sweetest way
I was feeling kind of down
But a smile wiped away my frown
I never thought a simple thing
Could change the whole way that
I think I saw the joy in that persons face
It was like God just showed me his grace
You never know what a small thing can do
So i'll never frown again, how about you?

That's very true...it takes only 7 facial muscles to make a smile (I was told) and almost all the facial muscles to make a frown...don't over-work you face!

Psalm23

 

[beensetfree]

Hi, Good morning brother.

That's very true...it takes only 7 facial muscles to make a smile (I was told) and almost all the facial muscles to make a frown...don't over-work you face!

Psalm23

 

[beensetfree]

Small Peeks


When we look back at our path through Life, it may seem full of
twists and turns, but while looking forward, if we take small
"Peeks" then the path seems pretty straight.

Very much like a "Path Integral" in Physics, the finer the
segments into which the path is cut, the straighter the path
seems, until as the number of segments approaches infinity, the
path may be assumed to be made up of infinitesimal straight
line segments!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Path_integral_formulation

So then, don't try to look at what lay too far ahead, but rather
concentrate on a shorter view and the "Twisty Path" will
straighten out!

 

[beensetfree]

Strangers


In 1949, my father had just returned home from the war. On every American highway you could see soldiers in uniform hitchhiking home to their families, as was the custom at that time in America. Sadly, the thrill of his reunion with his family was soon overshadowed. My grandmother became very ill and had to be hospitalized. It was her kidneys, and the doctors told my father that she needed a blood transfusion immediately or she would not live through the night.

The problem was that Grandmother's blood type was AB-, a very rare type even today, but even harder to get then because there were no blood banks or air flights to ship blood. All the family members were typed, but not one member was a match. So the doctors gave the family no hope; my grandmother was dying.

My father left the hospital in tears to gather up all the family members, so that everyone would get a chance to tell Grandmother good-bye.

As my father was driving down the highway, he passed a soldier in uniform hitchhiking home to his family. Deep in grief, my father had no inclination at that moment to do a good deed. Yet it was almost as if something outside himself pulled him to a stop, and he waited as the stranger climbed into the car. My father was too upset to even ask the soldier his name, but the soldier noticed my father's tears right away and inquired about them.

Through his tears, my father told this total stranger that his mother was lying in a hospital dying because the doctors had been unable to locate her blood type, AB-, and if they did not locate her blood type before nightfall, she would surely die.

It got very quiet in the car. Then this unidentified soldier extended his hand out to my father, palm up. Resting in the palm of his hand were the dog tags from around his neck. The blood type on the tags was AB-. The soldier told my father to turn the car around and get him to the hospital.

My grandmother lived until 1996, 47 years later, and to this day no one in our family knows the soldier's name. But my father has often wondered, was he a soldier or an angel in uniform? Sometimes, we never know who God will bring into our lives to carry out a special mission nor do we know whose lives God will have us touch.

 

[beensetfree]

The Anvil


Last eve I paused beside a blacksmith's door,
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
Then looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter all these hammers so?"

"Just one," said he, and then with twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, I thought, "The Anvil of God's Word --
For ages skeptic blows have beat upon,
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The Anvil is unharmed, the hammers gone."

 

[beensetfree]

The Discovery

Did he not see the tears
tumbling down the child's cheek?
Living in fear of him -
Love and safety was all she seeked.


There was no one there,
no one to offer protection.
She relied only on herself,
lost in a world of aversion.

Is it that nobody knew
or did they just turn a blind eye?
Some with their heads in the sand,
others staring at the sky.

He came and took what he wanted,
ignoring her body-shaking fear.
Led by his own blinding desires,
disregarding the solitary tear.

Unwilling to be made weak,
she moved to a state of acceptance.
Separating her body and soul
was her one and only chance.

Enclosed in her thick, protective walls,
she lived a life of games.
Hiding behind a thousand masks
her real self buried in the shame.

She moved through life unfeeling,
merely one of the living dead.
Cut off from her broken heart
she found recluse in her head.

She never made herself known,
never let anyone too close.
They might see behind her mask -
the very thing she feared the most.

The world was a dangerous place -
men led by the temptations of lust
dismissing her futile cries of protest,
there was no one left to trust.

She became the victim time and again
thinking there was no other choice.
She allowed others to take from her,
unsure of her own voice.

Sitting alone in the darkness
all of her hope was lost.
She needed to end the burning pain
despite the towering cost.

Was this a life worth living?
A life built on a mountain of lies.
A world that could break her spirit
by dismissing her mournful cries.

Surrendering to the crashing waves
she let herself begin to drown.
Sinking deeper in her sea of despair,
there was no help to be found.

Immersed in the waters of death,
she started to cry.
Trembling like a frightened child,
she whispered, "Dear Lord, don't let me die."

As she slipped below the surface,
she felt a hand take her own.
He pulled her from the grips of death -
she was no longer alone.

She looked and saw a single tear
as it traveled down His face.
"How could you doubt my presence?"
He asked with a comforting embrace.

"I was there with you always,
waiting for you to call my name.
Hurting along with you,
feeling your every strain."

Could it be she hadn't seen
this savior by her side?
The voices had said that no one cared.
Apparently, the voices lied.

There was someone left to trust.
The search had been so long.
She finally found her place of safety,
a place where she belonged.

She had her second chance at life,
the chance to begin anew.
The strength she found in the savior
will forever see her through.

The mistakes of her past
have forever been erased.
The demons that raped her spirit
have forever been replaced.

She gave her life to Him
so that He might lead the way.
Trusting in His judgment,
growing stronger everyday.

Wading in the waters of life,
learning how to live,
discovering the joys of friendship
and the happiness life can give.

She can finally live her life,
step out from behind her mask.
He will be there to shepherd her -
All she has to do is ask

 

[beensetfree]

The Gnat

A few years ago, I worked for a company that sent me out on the
road to some of their remote sites to do maintenance work.
These sites were, for the most part, open fields approximately
100 to 160 acres in size.

On these sites were huge piles of metallic ores such as manganese,
beryllium, chromium, ferrochrome, and many others.
Occasionally, these fields would have to be mowed and the
buildings would need repairs, so I would go out and do the
repairs, and if the weeds and grass hadn't gotten too much out
of control, I would use a tractor with a brush hog type mower
and cut it back down.

Sometimes though, I'd have to call contractors to come into the
fields to mow the waist-high grass and weeds with their heavier
equipment.

This one particular site was in an isolated area of central
Pennsylvania that was prone to heavy rainstorms with an
extraordinary amount of lightning, possibly attracted to the
area by all the ore piles. It was surrounded by a 10-foot high
cyclone fence for security, with gates to allow access to a road
that went through the center of the property.

That day was another very hot, mid-August day, and I could see
Kevin (the contractor) on the far side of the road, traveling
back and forth across the field, baking in the hot sun.

Around 1:30 P.M., I noticed some very heavy rain clouds coming
over the nearby hills and knew that another storm was coming.
I waited awhile to make sure that we actually were going to get
rained out before calling Kevin in from the open area, hoping
to let him get as much mowing done as possible.

When the sky started to darken and the wind picked up, I hopped
into my pick-up truck and went out to the field to call him back
to the building.

As I stood by the edge of the field waving to Kevin, signaling
him to get back to the shop building, the first few heavy
raindrops began falling. Then, as the first burst of lightning
lit up the sky and the first crash of thunder shook the air,
Kevin sailed passed me on his tractor like an eighteen wheeler
on Interstate 80.

After locking the gate on that side of the road, I got back into
my pick-up and pulled inside the second gate. The latch was
broken on this gate and I had to wrap a short length of chain
around the gatepost and then through the edge of the gate.

By then the lightning was closer and the rain was just starting
to get a little heavier. I shoved the thick chain around the
post and threaded it through the diamond-shaped openings in the
fence on the gate and held both ends in my one hand.

Next I took the open lock off the fence, where it had been
hanging, with my other hand. Just when I was about to put the
lock on the chain, a gnat flew into my open right eye.

That stung!

It stung so much that I instantly dropped the lock and the chain
and put my hands to my eye, taking one step back at the same time.

Not a second later, lightning struck that fence somewhere close
by, and I saw the whole fence in front of me light up and glow
bright blue.

That beautiful but lethal shade of light blue from high-voltage
radiation nearly filled in all those little diamond-shaped
openings in the fence.

I stood there awe struck as I realized what had just happened.

I was standing, wet, in rain, holding onto a chain that was
threaded through a metal fence that was just about to be struck
by lightning, when an insignificant insect, an annoying pest, a
bug, flew into my eye and saved my life.

I was completely unharmed, not even a tingle.

Now, I've always believed that we each have a guardian angel,
but I don't know for sure how they do their work. At night
when I lie down to go to sleep, I thank those guardian angels
for the work that they do. Who knows how many times they saved
my life and I don't even know about it.

 

[beensetfree]

A Secure Life

"I didn't have enough security to get through the traffic,"
he said as he explained why he arrived at the banquet late but
in time to deliver his keynote speech.

The crowd rolled in laughter.

You wouldn't understand the joke unless you lived in Georgia.

The speaker was Vernon Jones, former CEO of Dekalb county.

I was also on the program at the banquet with Vernon Jones and
had a chance to see the vibrant top county official in action.

Mr. Jones made headlines because of the high security costs of
five police officers in his security detail. He had reduced his
security to three officers and thus the humor of his statement.


Jones had taken tremendous heat in the controversy on whether
his security costs were excessive. He felt the costs were
justified. Two weeks before Jones took office, the sheriff-elect
of the county was murdered in his driveway. The sheriff's
murder wasn't personal, it was politically motivated.

Television, radio, and newspapers were loaded with the story of
Jones' security costs with public opinion running high on both
sides. Jones had his share of both praise and protest.

He joked about it and made everyone laugh.

All of us eventually find ourselves in harsh situations.
The situation may be because we made an obvious error or in
Jones' case, simply because someone disagrees with our decision.

After you have done what you can do about your harsh situation,
you then have a very important choice.

YOU decide how you will feel and talk about it.

You can fret, fuss, cuss, holler, cry, lament, shout, argue,
complain, lash out and just get plain nasty about it.
That's your choice.

You can see a shadow and hide

or...

You can joke about it,
make people laugh,
see the humor in it,
smile wide and bright
and leave others awash in your glow.

That's what Vernon Jones decided to do.

I often laugh at tough situations and Puddin (my wife) will ask,
"Why are you laughing?"

"I can either laugh or lament, I have a choice. If I laugh,
I feel better and everyone around me feels better. If I lament
that sure won't make the situation any better but it will make
me worse, it can even make you sick," I explained.

If Jones can be publicly blasted across the whole state and
still laugh about it...

Can't you stand the ill word said about you at the water cooler?

Life is not so much what acts upon us, but how we react to it.

Laugh or lament.

The choice is yours.

 

[beensetfree]

The Mistake Of A Lifetime


How often we turn from the path that's unscathed.
How easy to follow the one that's been made.
Too seldom reflecting with genuine aspiration.
Neglecting my Savior, my Faith's been forsaken.
Reassured by the footprints that guide me astray.
Still depserately pleading for some other way.
Praying that somone will hear these soft cries.
Alone and slowly a part of me dies.
My footprints are forever left in that sand...
....from when i betrayed God and followed man.

I wrote this poem after a time of turbulation in my life consisting of drugs and alcohol. In recovery I rediscovered my God and how wonderful life has been since.

 

[beensetfree]

The Parable of the Twins


"O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." -
I Corinthians 15:55-57

Once upon a time, twin boys were conceived. Weeks passed and the twins developed. As their awareness gew, they laughed for joy: "Isn't it great that we were conceived? Isn't it great to be alive?"

Together the twins explored their world. When they found their mother's cord that gave them life, they sang for joy! "How great is our mother's love, that she shares her own life with us!"

As weeks stretched into months, the twins noticed how much each was changing. "What does it mean?" asked one.

"It means our stay in this world is drawing to an end." said the other.

"But I don't want to go," said one. "I want to stay here always."

"We have no choice," said the other. "But maybe there is life after birth."

"But how can there be?" responded one. "we will shed our life cord and how is life possible without it? Besides, we ahve seen evidence that others were here before us, and none of them has returned to tell us there is life after birth. No, this is the end. Maybe there is no mother at all."

"But there has to be," protested the other. "How else did we get here? How do we remain alive?"

"Have you ever seen our mother?" said one. "Maybe she only lives in our minds. Maybe we made her up because the idea made us feel good."

So, the last days inthe womb were filled with deep questioning and fear. Finally, the moment of birth arrived.

When the twins had passed from their world, they opened their eyes and cried for joy - for what they saw exceeded their fondest dreams. That is death as experienced by Christians.

 

[beensetfree]

The Power of Encouragement


Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the famous 19th-century poet and artist, was once approached by an elderly man. The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good, or if they at least showed potential talent.

Rossetti looked them over carefully. After the first few, he knew that they were worthless, showing not the least sign of artistic talent. But Rossetti was a kind man, and he told the elderly man as gently as possible that the pictures were without much value and showed little talent. He was sorry, but he could not lie to the man.

The visitor was disappointed, but seemed to expect Rossetti’s judgment. He then apologized for taking up Rossetti’s time, but would he just look at a few more drawings - these done by a young art student?

Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became enthusiastic over the talent they revealed. "These," he said, "oh, these are good. This young student has great talent. He should be given every help and encouragement in his career as an artist. He has a great future if he will work hard and stick to it."

Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply moved. "Who is this fine young artist?" he asked. "Your son?"

"No," said the old man sadly. "It is me - 40 years ago. If only I had heard your praise then! For you see, I got discouraged and gave up - too soon."

 

[beensetfree]

The Power of Prayer


(When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.)



Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now. Lord, show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace & mercy. Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, & strength as they learn submission to Your leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life.



Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders, and friends to support, and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the demonic forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.



Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not considered a friend is something I know Christ would do.

Special Thanks to Deborah C.

 

[beensetfree]

The Rainbow Story


Camellia, 5 years old
Died 9/7/96
Buried 9/10/96

I had the privilege of going back to Romania for the fourth time. In 1994 & 95. My wife and I went with a group from our church. Then in 1996, my wife, our 19-year-old son, and I went and conducted children's rally in Buzau Romania. I went back in September of 1996. This trip was a very unusual trip. First of all, I am not a preacher, nor have I ever felt the call to preach. Yet, God permitted me to give 19 messages (sermons) during these two weeks in Romania. Two of these sermons were for a five year old little girl. This is the story I would like to share with you. I pray that it will be a blessing.

CAMELLIA

The first three days of the trip were filled with fear, as I felt evil surrounding me. I wanted to run, to escape. I tried unsuccessfully to catch a flight home. With the pastor praying for me, God showed me a new direction.

On the fifth day of the trip, I was asked to speak to the family of a little girl who had died of a brain tumor. The family consisted of the thirty two-year-old mother and her nine children. The father had deserted them and fled to France. Although I had never met any of the family, the pastor said they had requested that I give a message in the home. Well.I knew there were no way I could do it. The Lord had to take over, quickly.

On the way to Camellia's apartment, I began to pray. "Lord, come quickly." You know the answer. He didn't, so I changed my prayer to "Lord Help Me." I opened my Bible and as I prayed, God directed me to a great passage, Psalm 139:1-18. I read how God is personally concerned about each one of us. WOW, I thought! God knows me really knows me by my name. I attend a large church with many people, but only a few know my name. Yet, out of the entire world, God knows me. That is awesome.

We arrived at the apartment where the coffin lid was propped beside the front door. They led us into a room where people were paying their respects to the family. In the middle of the room was a small table holding the coffin, a pine box that reminded me of the ones used during the old western days in our country.

Camellia clothed in a white dress with a white veil over her face had been placed in a half-sitting position in the coffin and people put flowers at her feet. Since they did not embalm the body, incense was placed in the coffin.

When they took the veil off her face, it was a very sad thing to see. The little girl's eyes were pushed out of her head and mouth was forced to stay open due to the growth of a tumor. As I sat listening to the people singing, I was angry with the doctor's who left her this way. I asked God, "Why did this five-year-old girl have to suffer like this?" Why did they leave the top off the coffin? Why didn't the doctor do surgery to close her mouth and her eyes?" I knew that after the song was over it would be time for me to speak and I had to get my thoughts together to say something of comfort for the family and friends.

As the song ended, I stood up hesitantly realizing that I had no knowledge of how to conduct a funeral in the U. S., much less one in a foreign country. My prayer under my breath was, "Lord, please hide me behind the cross and speak through me." And He did.

The Message on September 9,1996

[An illustration] "Lillie loved to look up at the stars twinkling about her. She loved to watch the white puffy clouds floating in the sky during the daytime. Lillie especially loved to see a beautiful rainbow of colors appear after a storm. It was a rainbow that showed her everything was going to be okay. As Lillie looked at these wonders in the sky, and thought, 'God made all these things. How Great He is!' But sometimes she wondered how such a great big powerful God could know and care about her.

I asked the people, "Have you ever wondered if God is concerned about you? A long time ago, a man named David wrote a song telling about God's greatness and His personal concern for us. You can find it in Psalm 139:1-18."

"David knew in his heart that God knows everything about our lives. He knows everything we do, even our thoughts. He knows what we are going to do before we do it. God knows where we are at all times. We cannot hide from Him. He knows our plans before we make them. Day and night God is aware; He is watching. And God can take care of everybody at the same time. God is personally concerned about you. I mean you, by yourself. He knows you. He knows me whether I'm in Romania or in America. Doesn't that scare you a little bit? How awesome God is!"

"David realized that God is everywhere at all times. We can hide from our earthly father, but not from our heavenly Father. There is no place you can go to hide from God. God knew Camellia on earth, and He made a special place just for her. God took her home to live with Him. God loves Camilla as much as anyone else in the world. He created her for a purpose and she fulfilled it. Now Camellia is where they make the stars and the puffy white clouds. She is with the One who makes the beautiful rainbows. Can't you just see
Jesus telling Camellia, 'Come over here; I want to show you something!' Then He points across the sky and a big, beautiful rainbow appears. Can't you see Camellia's face glow with the love of Jesus in her heart with the new body that she received when she arrived in heaven? Doesn't that make you want to be sure that you are going to be with her someday?"

"Jesus said, 'Let the children come to me. Don't turn them away.' He is saying, 'I love them, and they are special to me.' Can't you see the joy and love He had for Camellia when she arrived home? Just like Lillie, Mom, Dad, you and me, Jesus died on the cross for us that we might have life, not death. He loved all of us enough to give His life on the cross, for each one of us, because he created us and He knows our names."
- - - - -

The following day before going to the gravesite, they brought the small table outside in front of the apartment and put the coffin on top of it. Friends and family came around the coffin, sang songs, and prayed. Neighbors hanging from their windows and stopping in the street watched them as the crowded circle surrounded the little coffin that carried the little five-year-old creation of God. After the singing and praying was over, they put the coffin in the back of a waiting car. Family and friends walked the eight miles to the gravesite. When we arrived at the graveyard, I saw a hole had been dug and thought it was for Camellia. I was wrong. They continued to carry the body to the end of the cemetery and then across a field that was overgrown with weeds to an open grave. The graveside services were different than I had ever experienced. We all gathered, sang songs, and prayed. Then it was my time to speak again, and this is what I shared.

At the Gravesite, September 10, 1996

"Today we lay this little girl to rest. The body we put into this grave is transformed into a new body in heaven for Camellia. She doesn't need this body anymore because it wouldn't be any good in heaven. God has healed her, and she has graduated to her new home. In her new body there will be no sickness, pain, or sorrow. Remember that she is where the rainbow maker is. I believe if Camellia could speak to us right now, this is what she might say, 'Please do not weep for me. I'm in such a better place. I got to meet Jesus in person. He is more than I could ever imagine. I do not hurt any more. I have a brand new body. I saw Jesus make the rainbow. I'm okay. Please do not weep for me. Look for the rainbow in the sky. When you see that colorful rainbow, that's the sign that I'm fine, Mom, family, friends. I'm running all over Heaven. please make sure you will come here someday. I'm okay. I'm with Jesus.'"

Friends and family, "Look for the rainbow. Make sure that you have a personal relationship with God so that you too, will go to heaven and be with Camellia. He loves you just as much as He loves her. Make sure your loved ones know where you are when you pass through this life."
- - - -
They sang one song, and a man drove two nails in two corners of the coffin. They sang another song, prayed, and then drove a nail in each of the other two corners. They lowered the coffin and mounded dirt for planting flowers on top. After she was put to rest, they started the long walk back home.

That evening we were having dinner with some members of the church. The father of the home was standing at the door when he suddenly called Brother Daniel's son. "Come, David. Look at the big rainbow in the sky!" I jumped up and went to the door to see. WOW! There was the most beautiful rainbow.all the way across the sky. I raised my hand and said, "Thank you, Lord, for the rainbow." I could hardly keep my composure.

That night, Camellia's twelve-year-old sister came to the rally looking for me. My translator told me she said, "We saw the rainbow yesterday in the sky. It was beautiful." She was smiling and seemed so happy, "A man in my church who gave us the coffin told my family that God would give us a sign that Camellia was all right. The rainbow, that you said to look for, told us that she is all right." Later in the week she brought another sister and brother to the rally.

Many people came to know the Lord during this special time. God blessed us all. I chose not to keep count of the number who met the Lord. after all, God knows each and every one by name.

 

[beensetfree]

The Tear Reader


Uncontrolled thoughts racing fury
Paralyzed emotion face affixed; worry
Screaming demons forever talking
Fear crouches in the shadow so dark; stalking

Torment. Daunting anguish afraid to reason
Lonely. Crowded solitude. Spiritual treason
Ready to burst not knowing what to do
No words to utter. Life experience too few

Wounded to long. Crushed. Hurt to deep
Please. Meaningless words are so cheap
Who will listen and understand
To the voice that trumpets; unheard by man

Tear stained pillow; interminable nights
Drenched whispers the last effort to fight
God, my well is parched and dry
Life's chapter complete. A final authored cry

Open up your eyes and put away your fears
I have read each one your tears
Quiet my child. I am your God, never doubt
I have already worked it out

 

[septuagint]

[video=youtube_share;H5H4rMG4vDk]https://youtu.be/H5H4rMG4vDk[/video]

 

[beensetfree]

People Say

People say that religion is a crutch.

But there are times in all our lives where our circumstances
cripple us and in those times,

I'd much rather have God to lean on
than any number of less savory alternatives

 

[beensetfree]

The Vistor


One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, "I took your place." Please do this. . .

When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful. Do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.

 

[beensetfree]

The Winner


I was watching some little kids play soccer. These kids were only five or six years old, but they were playing a real game - - a serious game -- two teams, complete with coaches, uniforms, and parents. I didn't know any of them, so I was able to enjoy the game without the distraction of being anxious about winning or losing - I wished the parents and coaches could have done the same.

The teams were pretty evenly matched. I will just call them Team One and Team Two. Nobody scored in the first period. The kids were hilarious. They were clumsy and terribly inefficient. They fell over their own feet, they stumbled over the ball, they kicked at the ball and missed it but they didn't seem to care. They were having fun.

In the second quarter, the Team One coach pulled out what must have been his first team and put in the scrubs, except for his best player who now guarded the goal.

The game took a dramatic turn. I guess winning is important even when you're five years old -- because the Team Two coach left his best players in, and the Team One scrubs were no match for them. Team Two swarmed around the little guy who was now the Team One goalie. He was an outstanding athlete, but he was no match for three or four who were also very good. Team Two began to score. The lone goalie gave it everything he had, recklessly throwing his body in front of incoming balls, trying valiantly to stop them.

Team Two scored two goals in quick succession. It infuriated the young boy. He became a raging maniac -- shouting, running, diving. With all the stamina he could muster, he covered the boy who now had the ball, but that boy kicked it to another boy twenty feet away, and by the time he repositioned himself, it was too late -- they scored a third goal.

I soon learned who the goalie's parents were. They were nice, decent-looking people. I could tell that his dad had just come from the office -- he still had his suit and tie on. They yelled encouragement to their son. I became totally absorbed, watching the boy on the field and his parents on the sidelines. After the third goal, the little kid changed. He could see it was no use; he couldn't stop them.

He didn't quit, but he became quietly desperate futility was written all over him. His father changed too. He had been urging his son to try harder - yelling advice and encouragement. But then he changed. He became anxious. He tried to say that it was okay - to hang in there. He grieved for the pain his son was feeling.

After the fourth goal, I knew what was going to happen. I've seen it before. The little boy needed help so badly, and there was no help to be had. He retrieved the ball from the net and handed to the referee - and then he cried.

He just stood there while huge tears rolled down both cheeks. He went to his knees and put his fists to his eyes - and he cried the tears of the helpless and brokenhearted.

When the boy went to his knees, I saw the father start onto the field. His wife clutched his arm and said, "Jim, don't. You'll embarrass him." But he tore loose from her and ran onto the field. He wasn't supposed to - the game was still in progress. Suit, tie, dress shoes, and all - he charged onto the field, and he picked up his son so everybody would know that this was his boy, and he hugged him and held him and cried with him. I've never been so proud of a man in my life.

He carried him off the field, and when he got close to the sidelines I heard him say, "Scotty, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son."

"Daddy," the boy sobbed, "I couldn't stop them. I tried, Daddy, I tried and tried, and they scored on me."

"Scotty, it doesn't matter how many times they scored on you. You're my son, and I'm proud of you. I want you to go back out there and finish the game. I know you want to quit, but you can't. And, son, you're going to get scored on again, but it doesn't matter. Go on, now."

It made a difference - I could tell it did.

When you're all alone, and you're getting scored on - and you can't stop them - it means a lot to know that it doesn't matter to those who love you. The little guy ran back on to the field - and they scored two more times - but it was okay.


I get scored on every day. I try so hard. I recklessly throw my body in every direction. I fume and rage. I struggle with temptation and sin with every ounce of my being - and Satan laughs. And he scores again, and the tears come, and I go to my knees - sinful, convicted, helpless.

And my Father - my Father rushes right out on the field - right in front of the whole crowd - the whole jeering, laughing world - and he picks me up, and he hugs me and he says, "John, I'm so proud of you. You were great out there. I want everybody to know that you are my son, and because I control the outcome of this game, I declare you -- The Winner."

 

[beensetfree]

There Is Help Along the Way


Lay down that heavy load, take the weight off of your back. Pick up your shoulders down the road and come back and get your sack.

You do not have to tote it all. There's help along the way. You must seek it out, or on it's shelf it will stay.

For there is always an easier way than the road we sometimes chose. But on that beaten path we stay and at every turn we lose.

It isn't destiny and it sure ain't fate.
For no one wants a destructed life or a heart so full of hate.

But there are many roads to choose. It's a chance of which to pick. If you pick the wrong one and lose, then turn around really quick.

Start down another path and head another way. You just might find if you don't give up, that there's help along the way.

You may not have to return to that load and carry it all alone. For surely somewhere along that road, you'll at least find a buggy, a horse and a stone.

You take that stone and cast it afar. Hook up that buggy to that horse and wish upon every twinkling star.

For all of these heavy loads you bare have built a very strong back. You may have laid them down to rest and got yourself back on track.

But look at how strong and understanding you now are. For you now have had to see, that life is not as easy for some, and you've hopped out of your judgment seat.

You see the world through different eyes. Compassion takes the place of judgment, and meekness the place of pride.

Your judged now, by others like your self in the past. But one day they may carry that load, that heavy , heavy load, and have to walk that road at last.

And as they travel that road with their back so weighted down and their shoulders slumped with pain. And as their load seems to get lighter, down'll come a cold hard rain.

Their load'll get heavier, they feel so all alone.
They walk along this long hard road, and then they walk upon a stone.

They'll lift that stone and cast it afar. They'll look up in the darkened sky and wish upon every little twinkling star.

And here you'll come, back up that road, with horse and buggy, (but you've tossed your stone) to return to your load you left behind.

And you won't pass them by, but you;ll stop to help, with tears of compassion in you once judgmental eyes.

They will learn as you have too, that life is not easy for all. But with each load we tote, we'll remember to help someone instead of judge, when they begin to fall.

If each and every one of us, could walk that long hard road, and learn for, each and every heavy load that we are forced to tote.

If it taught us to lay it down and not tote it all at once. But to go on down that long, long road and rest upon a stump.

Take our time and not always rush, the load would not be so hard to bare. We would not be quite so tired and we could take the time to care.

Often at times it takes that road, it takes that aching back and the shoulders in a slump, it takes that very heavy load, to slow us down to an even pace and pick us up out of the dumps.

It takes all the hardships that we go through to see how easy some have it made. To make us appreciate those lemons in life, even though we sometimes forget to make that lemonade.

But, we've carried our load, we've learned our lessons. We've traveled that road and earned a heart of compassion.

These of us move to yet another load. For it seems to me that we are the ones that choose those long hard roads. But you'll know that there is always help along the way, for on that long hard traveled road is where I seem to stay.