GREAT STORY

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge,hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."

She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?" Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if You want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Yes, I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my Savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him....I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

Jump Frog Jump! The Slow Fade of Sin.

I Found this article on net, thought you might like it...

Back in the days when you could dissect a frog in science class without causing a protest on the front lawn, there was an experiment we did that showed how slow changes to an animal's environment could prevent the animal from noticing that it was in fact heading toward death. Mr. Yodelheimer (name changed to protect the innocent) took an unsuspecting bullfrog from a glass jar and placed him in a large, shallow pot of cool water. There was a ledge that the frog could hop onto if he so chose but he seemed content to sit in the water. Seemed logical since he was indeed a frog. Under the pot was a small electric burner that was turned on and the water was heated very slowly; one degree every five minutes. The water started at about 60 degrees and over the next hour the temperature rose to eighty degrees. Mr. Frog was as happy as a clam, "Ah, what a life!" At the end of the next hour the temperature was one hundred degrees and Mr. Frog continued to sit there not attempting to jump to the safety of the ledge and when the temperature was at one hundred fifteen degrees he rolled over and died.

Mr. Yodelheimer then took a second frog and held him over the water as the kids stood in horror. Could he possibly be doing what they thought he was going to do? Yep! Plop! Frog hits water, frog feels the heat, frog hops to ledge, frog is safe, and kids breathe a sigh of relief.

There is a powerful song written and performed by the band "Casting Crowns" called "Slow Fade". I want to share a chorus of the song with you, have you watch the video, and then get into God's Word.

"It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray. Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid when you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day. Daddies never crumble in a day. Families never crumble in a day." If you have time please watch the music video: Slow Fade Video

Last week we talked about vices and, as Ivor and I discussed this, we both felt God was asking us to address holiness and the subject of sin. "Holiness and sin!" you exclaim. "Sounds so religious and churchy!" Well, yeah they are but they are also very real, very important, and very, very different. Hang with me here. You'll be OK.

What is "holiness"? It means to be "separate" and "set apart" but it can also mean "pure". God commands us to "Be holy because I am holy". He wants us to be separate from the world even as we live in the world. Why, to keep us from having fun and joy? No! To protect us from the destruction, devastation, pain, guilt, and ultimate death that comes from sin. So what is "sin"? It's anything that falls short of God's holiness. It's missing the mark.

But here is one of the points I want to get across today: Sin isn't just the final ugly act, it's the slow fade. It isn't just the one hundred fifteen degree, frog killing moment. It stems from the first thought of turning on the burner. It grows with each moment you stay in the water when God's Spirit is telling you to hop to the ledge. It's seen in individuals and in societies. It's a person or a people being desensitized to moral decay. It's a man addicted to crack ten years after he and his brothers snuck behind the shed to smoke the Marlboro they stole from their dad. It's a society not phased by commercials during prime time TV that show a man stroking the leg of a thin blond woman in her tight, white T-shirt and underwear or the multitude of commercials for male enhancement drugs. I'm not quite sure how to explain to my seven year old why the naked man and woman in the bathtub are there at halftime of the Bills football game. Friend, I'm speaking not out of judgment but out of personal experience. I've been the frog and I can tell you that the water didn't feel that warm. It apparently doesn't feel too hot for our society either but I promise you that it's not just warm but close to the boiling point.

James, the brother of Jesus said it this way, "but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

The bible is clear that we aren't just a little messed up but "totally depraved". I know you're saying, "Not me!" but there is a bent in each of us away from God and toward sin. It is because of that very thing that Jesus came into the world. It is for that very thing that He died and rose again on the third day. It is for that reason God sent his Holy Spirit to live within those who have come by faith. So, that those of us who have been in hot water can find the ledge. So, that when we find ourselves back in the water we will be sensitive to even a one degree rise in the heat! The bible calls that sensitivity to sin, "conviction" and it is a really good thing!

If you are in the warming water or even in the boiling water it's not too late. God already knows where you are. I promise he has enough grace for you regardless of the magnitude of your failings. But you have to come HUMBLY to him with a "broken and contrite" heart and ask him to forgive you. Trust that Jesus paid the price for your sin. Find healing in him because sometimes the burns you got in the water may still be there for a while and the consequences of the sin may linger but the condemnation will be gone forever!

"Be careful little eyes what you see. It's the second glance that ties your hands and darkness pulls the strings . . . " It's a slow fade.

Peace friend,

David.

Original Source - The I-61 project

THE CAGE

THIS IS A TRUE STORY

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak..."I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there, son?" "Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em," he answered. "I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time"

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?"

"Oh, I got some cats," said the little boy. "They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone.

The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked. "Oh, I'll kill 'em," Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!"

"How much?" He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your blood, tears and your life."

Jesus said, "DONE!"

Then He paid the price.

THE STORY OF SOUL

There once was a man named Soul who was walking in a garden. He was whistling a real sweet tune for he was saved and had the joy of the Lord, but he was a baby Christian.
As Soul was walking, a beautiful and seductive woman came out from behind a tree. Soul was very startled.

He said, "Hello, I'm Soul, what is your name?"
She replied, "I am Temptation, I have what you want."
"What do I want?" replied Soul.
"You want to do all things which are of the flesh," said Temptation.
Soul replied, "O.K., lead me."
So he and Temptation went off and fulfilled the desires of the flesh. When Soul returned to the garden, he met a man named Condemnation.

Condemnation said, "Hey, I see you have met my friend, Temptation."
Soul said, "Yes, who are you?"
"I am Condemnation, I come after Temptation. We work hand-in-hand." Then Condemnation jumped on Soul's back and began to beat him. He hit him in the face and kicked him when he was down. This went on for several days.

One day, a man named Mercy came running and said, "I command you, Condemnation, to stop beating Soul."
Condemnation snickered, "Make me."
So Mercy unsheathed his sword and cut Condemnation in two.
As Soul watched in astonished pain, he was overtaken by the power of Mercy.

Mercy walked up to Soul and said, "I have dealt with Condemnation before. He should not show up around you anymore."
Soul replied, "How can I ever thank you?"
"Well," replied Mercy, "I was sent here by God and He told me to introduce you to a dear friend of mine. His name is Redemption."
Redemption walked up and said, "Hello Soul, I see that you are not doing well."
Soul replied, "Not until Mercy came along. It is a pleasure to meet you Redemption."

"Well", said Redemption," I am glad to meet you. Are you ready to accept me?"
"What do you mean?" asked Soul
Redemption said, "Well, when you accepted Jesus and decided to walk with Him, then you chose to accept the things of Him and His love. I am a part of Jesus' love. I help you feel forgiven. You will never have to deal with Condemnation again. Temptation may come around, but I have someone I would like for you to meet who can help you with that. His name is Grace."

Grace walked up to Soul and said, "Hello Soul, I have been waiting for you. As a matter of fact all three of us have been waiting to meet you. I will help you take the way out of Temptation that God gives you as it comes up. The last person we want you to meet is Faith."

"Hi Soul, I am Faith, and I will help you stay strong and keep your beliefs strong," said Faith.
Soul began to cry. When he began to cry Redemption said, "This is what we were here for. Jesus redeemed you, saved you by Grace through Faith and gives you his Mercy. Jesus loves you Soul."
Soul said, "I love you, Jesus."

GOD AND ROPE

Once a mountain climber was caught in an avalanche and the ice caps on the mountain came crashing and sliding down and this mountaineer was also caught in it and being dragged downwards. To make the things worse it was at late at night. So, almost nothing was visible except for his short torch light. Suddenly as he was being carried down he suddenly felt a rope and caught it. By now he was hanging just by the rope at the end of something which he didn't know where he was hanging. The temperature was freezing cold and killing.

He cried out to God,” Lord why you put me in such a situation, save me".

God replied,” Yes, Leave your rope"

The man replied,” Lord I know you have a plan but I am sorry I cant do that, cos already after great difficulty i have got this chance to survive and you are asking me to leave this. Do you want me to fall down and die? Please tell me something else"

God replied,” Yes leave your rope"

The man was by now exhausted and said,” Lord I am sorry I don't want to take your suggestion"

The whole night passed and the next another team of mountaineers came and saw a scene- A man hanging just three feet above the ground frozen to death.

Our lord can lead us in unthinkable ways just we have to listen to what he speaks to us.

When God says YES, don’t say NO.

ANSWERED PRAYERS

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.

The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes and more food. The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife would leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island.

The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island. He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered. As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, “Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”

“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered. “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”

“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings.”

“Tell me,” The first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”

“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”


It is a great privilege to be an intercessor on behalf of someone else. There are many moments when we think our prayers don't make a difference and so we become lazy in praying for others. Only by praying for one another can we truly be called the Children of God. We are to lift one another up before the Lord and ask for God's blessings and protection to be with those that we love and care for.

GOD DOES EXIST

This is one of the best explanations of why God allows pain and suffering that I have seen.

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair cut and his beard trimmed. As the barber began to work, they began to have a good conversation.

They talked about so many things and various subjects. When they eventually touched on the subject of God, the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer. "

Well, you just have to go out in the street to realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God exists, would there be so many sick people? Would there be abandoned children? If God existed, there would be neither suffering nor pain. I can't imagine a loving a God who would allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't respond because he didn't want to start an argument. The barber finished his job and the customer left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop, he saw a man in the street with long, stringy, dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked dirty and un-kept.

The customer turned back and entered the barber shop again and he said to the barber:

"You know what? Barbers do not exist." "How can you say that?" asked the surprised barber.

"I am here, and I am a barber. And I just worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't exist because if they did, there would be no people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards, like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist! What happens is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!"- affirmed the customer.
"That's the point! God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

Real LOve

There was once a big turntable bridge spanning a large river. Most of the time, the bridge sat with its length running parallel to the river so ships could pass freely on both sides of it. Whenever a train was expected, the bridge was turned to cross the river, then locked securely in position to allow the train safe passage.

A switchman sat in a little shack on one side of the river. From there he could operate the controls.

One evening the switchman turned to the controls to allow the last train of the day to cross. He got the bridge into position without difficulty. But, to his horror, the locking mechanism wouldn’t work. Unless the tracks locked securely, the train would surely jump the track and go crashing into the river with its cargo of human passengers. For just such an emergency there was a manual locking lever on the far side of the river.

Knowing there was no time to waste, he hurried to it. But to get it to work, he had to hold the lever firmly in position as the train roared on.Then he heard a sound that made his blood run cold: “Daddy, where are you?” His four-year-old son was crossing the bridge to look for him.

The father’s first impulse was to call to the child, “Run! Run!” But the train was too close, the tiny legs would never get the child across the bridge in time.Oh, how he wanted to let go the lever, snatch the child into his arms and carry him to safety. But he’d never make it back to the lever on time. Either the people in the train or his little son must die.

His heart breaking, he held the lever in position until the train passed safely. No one aboard was aware of the tiny, broken body thrown mercilessly into the river by the rushing train. Nor were they aware of the pitiful figure of the sobbing man still clinging tightly to the lever. They didn’t see the grief-stricken father dragging himself home to tell his wife he had sacrificed their son to save the train load of passengers he didn’t even know..

Now, imagine what our loving heavenly Father must have felt when he sacrificed his perfect Son to save even those who reject Him and His love?
Love indeed.
Love beyond comprehension.

Can you be so wickedly ungrateful as to continue rejecting Him who has done so much for you?
To do so is to invite the eternal displeasure of the Almighty God who longs to be your loving Father.

Behold, what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us. . . . In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation (sacrifice) for our sins. . . .

We love him because he first loved us. (I John 3:1; 4:9-11,19).

Paid In Full

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he rose his voice to his father and said "with all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, a sudden feeling of sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt.7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because we can't see past our own desires?