Pine Tree Crosses

Last April on a Sunday, we took one of our "nowhere" drives. My husband was quietly driving a back road and I was occupied in the front passenger seat watching the scenery.

I noticed out of the corner of my eye that my husband was straining to look out my window. This startled me, since his eyes should be on the road in front of him. I asked him what he was looking at out the windows, and he quietly replied, "Nothing." His eyes went back to the road in front of him.

After a few minutes, I looked over at my husband and noticed a tear running down his cheek. I asked him what was wrong. This time he told me, "I was just thinking about Pop and a story he had once told me." Of course, because it had to do with his Pop, I wanted to know the story, so I asked him to share it with me.

He said, "When I was about 8 years old, Pop and I were out fishing and that's when he told me that the Pine trees know when it is Easter."

I had no idea what he meant by that, so I pressed him for more information.

He continued on... "The Pine trees start their new growth in the weeks before Easter... If you look at the tops of the Pine trees two weeks before, you will see the yellow shoots. As the days get closer to Easter Sunday, the tallest shoot will branch off and form a cross. By the time Easter Sunday comes around, you will see that most of the Pine trees will have small yellow crosses on all of the tallest shoots."

I turned to look out the window and I couldn't believe my eyes. It was a week before Easter, and you could see all of the trees with the tall yellow shoots stretching to Heaven.

The tallest ones shone in the sunlight like rows of tiny golden crosses.

 Making Judgments
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" (Luke 6:37).
        Have you ever made a judgment about a person or situation only to discover how wrong you were in your assessment? Such was the case in a story told by Os Guinness in his book, The Call.
"Arthur F. Burns, the chairman of the United States Federal Reserve System and ambassador to West Germany, was a man of considerable gravity. Medium in height, distinguished, with wavy silver hair and his signature pipe, he was economic counselor to a number of presidents from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan. When he spoke, his opinions carried weight and Washington listened.
        Arthur Burns was also Jewish, so when he began attending an informational White House group for prayer and fellowship in the 1970s, he was accorded special respect. In fact, no one knew quite how to involve him in the group and, week after week when different people took turns to end the meeting in prayer, Burns was passed by-out of a mixture of respect and reticence.
        One week, however, the group was led by a newcomer who did not know of Burns' status. As the meeting ended, the newcomer turned to Arthur Burns and asked him to close the time with a prayer. Some of the old-timers glanced at each other in surprise and wondered what would happen. But without missing a beat, Burns reached out, held hands with others in the circle, and prayed this prayer: 'Lord, I pray that you would bring Jews to know Jesus Christ. I pray that you would bring Muslims to know Jesus Christ. Finally, Lord, I pray that you would bring Christians to know Jesus Christ. Amen.'
        Burn's prayer has become legendary in Washington. Not only did he startle those present with refreshing directness, but he also underscored a point about 'Christians' and 'Christianity' that needs repeating regularly. It highlights another important aspect of the truth of calling: Calling reminds Christians ceaselessly that, far from having arrived, a Christian is someone who in this life is always on the road as 'a follower of Christ' and a follower of 'the Way.'"*
Before you judge a situation, consider that your judgment might not be an accurate assessment of the situation.

Check out this link!  It is beautiful and is a great reminder of God's Love for us!

http://www.bittybitznpieces.com/FathersLoveLetter~.htm

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you,
Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul;
the other for your freedom.

IfIDieBeforeYouWake - Powered by FlashPoint

Thank You Power
Rachel Olsen


"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

 In my (part-time) job as a university teacher, I'm frequently reading research. I know, I know ... it sounds as dry as an over-cooked turkey. Sometimes it is but often I find interesting stuff in that scientific prose. For example, this week I read about a study from the University of California that showed just how great it is to be grateful.

The researchers found that grateful people report higher levels of positive emotions, more satisfaction with life, and more vitality and optimism. All good qualities I want more of in my life. They also found grateful people show lower levels of depression and stress - two things I'd like to experience less in my life.

What's more, they found that people who keep journals about gratitude on a weekly basis are healthier. They exercise more regularly, report fewer physical symptoms, and feel better in general than people who journal about neutral or negative life events. That sounds great, and I'll take all the help I can get in the exercise department.

Finally, the research showed that people who daily count their blessings report higher levels of alertness, enthusiasm, determination, and energy. Wow, the benefits of being grateful are remarkable and many! I guess that shouldn't surprise me after considering today's key verse. The Bible urges us to give thanks ... all the time ... in every situation ... because this practice is the will of God.

Let me be clear, there are terrible things that happen to us that may not be the will of God, but us praising God and giving thanks in spite of them certainly is the will of God. As Christians, we can always find reason to give thanks -- thanks for the salvation of Christ, the nearness of God, and the counsel of His Spirit for starters. The psalmist declared, "I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High" (Psalm 7:17, NIV). We can do that too.

Christian poet John Milton once wrote about every grey cloud having a silver lining. Purposing to give thanks, no matter the weather, will train us to look for it. Continuing in this manner day after day ensures that gratefulness will become our normal mode of operation.

No wonder those researchers found that people regularly counting their blessings grow happier, healthier, and more optimistic. After all, that research wasn't discovering anything new, but rather confirming the will and wisdom of God. God already knows how great it is for us to be grateful. Now "science" does too.

What can you give thanks for today?

Awesome!!!

This is really fascinating - I've never really given this any thought whatsoever, but it's rather dazzling to see it presented this way.
 

I certainly thought this was enlightening. Didn't even realize we knew much beyond our sun.

It's a big universe.

Antares is the 15th brightest star in the sky.

It is more than 1000 light years away.

When multiple Hollywood types were asked 'What is the purpose of life?" many gave the usual answers; "To do good," etc. Garrison Keeler (Prairie Home Companion) said the purpose of life is "to glorify God." So it is with this amazing comparison of bodies in the universe. Our significance comes not from our size but that God created us to glorify Him.

The universe is so vast it is not comprehensible by the human mind. It would be like an ant trying to understand the wonder of the Internet. It can't be done.

The universe humbles us, as it should.
 

Don't leave it on the desk!!!

There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States

Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his freshman year, regardless of his or her major.

Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.

This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.

One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him.  "How many push-ups can you do?"  Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."

"200?  That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"

Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time."

"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.

"Well, I can try," said Steve.

"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.  Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it"

Dr. Christianson said, "Good!  I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."

Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts.  No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.

Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked,  "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"  Cynthia said, "Yes."

Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"  “Sure."  Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.

Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"  Joe said, "Yes." Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.

Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.

When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"  Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?" Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."  Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."

Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"  With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push-ups.

Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one.

Dr. Christianson said, "Look! this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.

Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.

Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"

Sternly, Jenny said, "No."  Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"

Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.

By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.

Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut.  There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.

Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.

Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room.  When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.

Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next.  Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.

Steve asked Dr Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"  Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.

A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO!  Don't come in! Stay out!"

Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said,  "No, let him come."

Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"

Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"

Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"

Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."

"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"

Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.

Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room.

The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular.  Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"

Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."

Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"

Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.

Then Dr Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"

Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"

Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.  When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade.  Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."

"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"

As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.

Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."

Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.

"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."

Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."

Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"

A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside.

"Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words

several times before the patient's eyes opened.

Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw

the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent.  He reached

out his hand.  The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old

man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. 

All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted

ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and

strength.  Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away

and rest awhile.

He refused.  Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was

oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking

of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging

greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.
 
Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words.  The dying man said

nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died.  The Marine released the now

lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse.  While she

did what she had to do, he waited.
 

Finally, she returned.  She started to offer words of sympathy, but the

Marine interrupted her.
 

"Who was that man?" he asked.
 

The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.
 

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life."

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"

"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed

his son, and his son just wasn't here.  When I realized that he was too

sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me,

I stayed."

The next time someone needs you just be there.  Stay.
We are not human beings going through a temporary spiritual experience.
We are spiritual beings going through a temporary human experience.

WHY
A mother asked President Bush,
"Why did my son have to die in Iraq?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy,
"Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?"

Another mother asked President Truman,
"Why did my son have to die in Korea?

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt,

Another mother asked President W. Wilson,
"Why did my son have to die on the battlefield of France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln,
"Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"
 

And yet another mother asked President G. Washington,
"Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Then long, long ago, a mother asked...
"Heavenly Father, why did my Son have to die on a cross outside

of Jerusalem?"

The answers to all these are similar --
"So that others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."

Strongest Dad in the World
[From Sports Illustrated, By Rick Reilly]
 

I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans.  Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots.
But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.

Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same day.

Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?

And what has Rick done for his father? Not much--except save his life.

This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.

"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life;'' Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. ``Put him in an institution.''

But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. "No way,'' Dick says he was told.

"There's nothing going on in his brain.''

"Tell him a joke,'' Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.

Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words?   "Go Bruins!'' And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school  organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that.''

Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker'' who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried.

"Then it was me who was handicapped,'' Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks.''

That day changed Rick's life. "Dad,'' he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!''

And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.

"No way,'' Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially:  In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.

Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?''

How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried.

Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?

Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? ``No way,'' he says.

Dick does it purely for "the awesome feeling'' he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.

This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time'? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992--only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of  these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.

"No question about it,'' Rick types. ``My dad is the Father of the Century.''

And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race.  Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape,'' one doctor told him, "you probably would've died 15 years ago.''

So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.

Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every  weekend, including this Father's Day.

That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.

"The thing I'd most like,'' Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once.''

Here's the video.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjPrL3n63yg

Mathematical Viewpoint

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and
K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E
1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L- O- V - E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:
While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

Tommy's  Story

           Rev. John Powell, a professor at Loyola University in Chicago
writes about Tommy, a student in his Theology of Faith class.


    Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith.

   That was the day I first saw Tommy.  My eyes and my mind both blinked.  He was combing his long flaxen hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders.  It was the first time I had ever seen a boy with hair that long.  I guess it was just coming into fashion then.

    I know in my mind that it isn't what's on your head but what's in it that counts; but on that day, I was unprepared and my emotions flipped I immediately filed Tommy under "S" for strange... very strange.

    Tommy turned out to be the "atheist in residence" in my Theology of Faith course.
 He constantly objected to, smirked at, or whined about the possibility of an unconditionally loving Father/God.

    We lived with each other in relative peace for one semester, although I admit he was for me at times a serious pain in the back pew.

    When he came up at the end of the course to turn in his final exam, he asked in a cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?"

   I decided instantly on a little shock therapy.

   "No!" I said very emphatically.

    "Why not?," he responded, "I thought that was the product you were pushing."

    I let him get five steps from the classroom door and then called out, "Tommy! I don't think you'll ever find Him, but I am absolutely certain that He will find you!"

   He shrugged a little and left my class and my life. I felt slightly disappointed at the thought that he had missed my clever line:

   "He will find you!" At least I thought it was clever.

   Later, I heard that Tommy had graduated and I was duly grateful.

   Then a sad report came. I heard that Tommy had terminal cancer.  Before I could search him out, he came to see me.  When he walked into my office, his body was very badly wasted and the long hair had all fallen out as a result of chemotherapy. But his eyes were bright and his voice was firm, for the first time, I believe.

    "Tommy, I've thought about you so often--I hear you are sick", I blurted out.

    "Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer in both lungs. It's a matter of weeks."

   "Can you talk about it, Tom?", I asked.

   "Sure, what would you like to know?", he replied.

   "What's it like to be only twenty-four and dying?", I asked.

   "Well, it could be worse.", he replied.

   "Like what?", I asked.

    "Well, like being fifty and having no values or ideals; like being fifty and thinking that booze, seducing women, and making money are the real biggies' in life", he replied.

    I began to look through my mental file cabinet under 'S' where I had filed Tommy as strange. (It seems as though everybody I try to reject by classification, God sends back into my life to educate me.)

    "But what I really came to see you about", Tom said, "is something you said to me on the last day of class."

   (He remembered!)

    He continued, "I asked you if you thought I would ever find God and you said, 'No!' which surprised me. Then you said, 'But He will find you.'  I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time."

   (My clever line. He thought about that a lot!)

    "But when the doctors removed a lump from my groin and told me that it was malignant, that's when I got serious about locating God.  And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging bloody fists against the bronze doors of heaven.

    But God did not come out. In fact, nothing happened. Did you ever try anything for a long time with great effort and with no success? You get psychologically glutted, fed up with trying. And then you quit."

    "Well, one day I woke up, and instead of throwing a few more futile appeals over that high brick wall to a God who may be or may not be there, I just quit.. I decided that I didn't really care about God, about an after life, or anything like that. I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more profitable. I thought about you and your class and I remembered something else you had said:" "The essential sadness is to go through life without loving But it would be almost equally sad to go through life and leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you had loved them.'"

   "So, I began with the hardest one, my Dad.  He was reading the newspaper when I approached him.

   "Dad."

   "Yes, what?", he asked without lowering the newspaper.

   "Dad, I would like to talk with you."

   "Well, talk."

   "I mean... It's really important".

   The newspaper came down three slow inches.

   "What is it?"

   "Dad, I love you--I just wanted you to know that."

    Tom smiled at me and said it with obvious satisfaction, as though he felt a warm and secret joy flowing inside of him.

    "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then my father did two things I could never remember him ever doing before. He cried and he hugged me. We talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning. It felt so good to be close to my father, to see his tears, to feel his hug, to hear him say that he loved me."

    "It was easier with my mother and little brother. They cried with me, too, and we hugged each other, and started saying real nice things to each other. We shared the things we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry about one thing --- that I had waited so long. Here I was, just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to."

    "Then, one day I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with Him. I guess I was like an animal trainer holding out a hoop:" 'C'mon, jump through. C'mon, I'll give You three days, three weeks.'

    "Apparently God does things in His own way and at His own hour. But the important thing is that He was there. He found me! You were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for Him."

    "Tommy", I practically gasped: "I think you are saying something very important and much more universal than you realize. To me, at least, you are saying that the surest way to find God is not to make Him a private possession, a problem solver, or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love. You know, the Apostle John said that. He said: 'God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.'"

    "Tom, could I ask you a favor? You know, when I had you in class you were a real pain. But (laughingly) you can make it all up to me now. Would you come into my present Theology of Faith course and tell them what you have just told me? If I told them the same thing it wouldn't be half as effective as if you were to tell it."

    "Ooh I was ready for you, but I don't know if I'm ready for your class."

   "Tom, think about it.   If and when you are ready, give me a call."

   In a few days, Tom called, said he was ready for the class, that he wanted to do that for God and for me. So we scheduled a date. However, he never made it.

    He had another appointment, far more important than the one with me and my class. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of man has ever seen or the ear of man has ever heard or the mind of man has ever imagined.

    Before he died, we talked one last time. "I'm not going to make it to your class", he said. "I know, Tom."

   "Will you tell them for me? Will you tell the whole world for me?"

   "I will, Tom. I'll tell them. I'll do my best."

    So, to all of you who have been kind enough to read this simple story about God's love, thank you for listening. And to you, Tommy, somewhere in the sunlit, verdant hills of heaven --- I told them, Tommy as best I could.

   It is a true story and is not enhanced for publicity purposes.
   With thanks,
   Rev. John Powell, Professor Loyola University in Chicago

Let My Words Flow

These are the days that I am moving mightily through the land, through vessels yielded to Me and led by My spirit. Who will arise and flow by My  Spirit?  Who will deny self and hearken to My voice?!!!!  

Yes, I am looking for those who walk in total surrender and obedience to My Spirit. I am moving by My Spirit, in these days of desolation, throughout the land. My people are ready to hear from heaven, through My vessels who will release My truths and set the captives free in these times. So come to Me seeking to be used by Me. I shall spring up a desire and a  hunger to be releasers of life, as you let the river of God flow from your lips.  Let My words flow through you. Then you shall see much fruit throughout the land and many set free. 

Let My words flow through you, My voice in this land of desolation.

Spring up a well; let My spirit flow through you, My eagles. Let the words from My  throne room flow through the land. Speak words of life where there is death;  speak words of deliverance and healing to My people. Fear not, for I am with you and I shall direct your paths.

Hearken not to the murmurs of those who oppose the truth, but hearken to My voice!!! Seek My face.  Come to Me in prayer, in worship and in study of My word.  Then when you hear My voice, let the word flow out to those who are downtrodden and weary.  Then I shall move upon them and bring newness of life and freedom in My Spirit.  Then you shall see revival in the hearts of many in these days.  You shall see many touched by My power, My anointing, as you let My words flow.

I am calling My prophetic people throughout the world to arise and flow in Me, walking in submission and obedience to My Spirit. They will be releasers of My words -- words that will bring life, healing, deliverance and a new level of freedom and liberty.  Stand tall in Me, walk in My authority and boldness.  I shall open the heavens and you shall hear from Me clear words from My throne room to set the captives free.  As you hearken to My voice, you shall see people and nations set free -- not by men, but by Me, the King of kings.  By My spirit there shall be revival in these days throughout the world.  My word is a mighty sword cutting off every scheme of the enemy. In Me there is victory throughout the land.

I am a God of restoration.  I am restoring My people.  I am raising up a prophetic army to go and proclaim My truths.  Then you shall see signs and wonders as My servants obey and give Me the glory and the praise. So let My word flow, bringing destruction to the evil one. Let My word flow throughout the land, bringing words of victory and triumph in Me!  There is power in My word, bringing defeat to the enemy. So go forth!  Let My oracles flow!

William Beagle

JANUARY 1, 2005  C - H - O - I - C - E
    Today a brand new year lies before you – fresh, unblemished, full of promise and possibility. And you will fill it with one thing and one thing only: C – H – O – I – C – E. Everything you do begins with a choice: to do or not to do; good or evil; obedience or disobedience; mediocrity or excellence; life or death.
    CHOICE was God’s first gift to man. God didn’t have to give us a will and ability to make decisions. He could have pre-programmed us but He didn’t.
    * "You gave Adam his choice," Satan scoffed. "And what a choice he made! He chose me. Ever since the fruit was plucked from the tree in the Garden, I’ve held Your children captive. They fell. Fast. Hard. They are mine. You have failed. Heh-heh-heh."
    "You speak so confidently," replied the Father, astounding me with His patience.
Lucifer stepped forward, his cloak dragging behind him. "Of course! I thwart everything You do! You soften hearts, I harden them. You teach truth, I shadow it. You offer joy, I steal it."
    He pivoted and paraded around the room, boasting of his deeds. "The betrayal of Joseph by his brothers – I did that. Moses banished to the desert after killing the Egyptian – I did that. David watching Bathsheba bathe – that was me. You must admit, my work has been crafty."
    "Crafty? Perhaps. But effective? No. I know what you will do even before you do it. I used the betrayal of Joseph to deliver My people from famine. Your banishment of Moses became his wilderness training. And yes, David did commit adultery with Bathsheba – but he repented of his sin! And thousands have been inspired by his example and found what he found – unending grace. Your deceptions have only served as platforms for My mercy. You are still my servant, Satan. When will you learn? Your feeble attempts to disturb My work only enable My work. Every act you have intended for evil, I HAVE USED FOR GOOD." …
    "But what of their sin?"
    "I will bring mercy."
    "What of their death?"
    "I will give life."
    Satan stood speechless.
    God spoke, "I love My children. Love does not take away the beloved’s freedom. But love takes away fear. And Immanuel will leave behind a tribe of fearless children. They will not fear you or your hell."
    Satan stepped back at the thought. His retort was childish, "Th-th-they will too!"
    "I will take away all sin. I will take away death. Without sin and without death, you have no power." …
From the circle of Light came His extended hand. From His throne came an honest invitation. "Will you surrender? Will you return to Me?" *
    That is the ultimate CHOICE.   That one choice will affect every other choice of your life – for the better. It is the one choice that can give you an eraser called forgiveness, a Savior in Jesus Christ, a life coach in the person of the Holy Spirit, and a Heavenly Father who loves and cares for you and awaits your return.
    The C-H-O-I-C-E is yours to make but we’re here to support and cheer you on to the best in this life and the life to come! Jesus came that you might have life and have it in abundance. The choice is yours. Call God direct in prayer or if you need a guide, call us. Renee 704-692-2452 / Gary 704-477-9374 / 1-888-NEED HIM
                    rb 1-1-05
                    *excerpt from An Angel’s Story by Max Lucado

 

                        New Year's Resolutions?

       Each year many people make New Year's Resolutions.  And resolve (determine with everything within themselves) to keep those resolutions.  "This WILL BE the year that I lose that weight, exercise more, quit smoking, quit gossiping, take better care of myself, etc. etc. etc."
      And for the first few weeks, days or possibly hours, we keep that resolve.  Some of us never even get started.  "I'm going to quit procrastinating! .......................................................................TOMORROW."
     As humorous as that is, it happens, all too frequently.  How do I know? 
     Been there.  Done that. Got the t-shirt.  My basement is full of unfinished projects, some of them that I started 25 years ago.  I look at those things and think, "I really need to finish that." or "That would have been nice way back when I started it, but now it's out of fashion or style.  What a waste of time and money."
     I am a habitual procrastinator.  The bulletins often don't get done until Sunday morning.  Last Sunday, I was still stuffing them during Sunday School.  You would think that by now I would know that they need to be done at least by Saturday but there are other things that need to be done by Saturday evening and so I push my deadlines until the last second.
      This year I didn't even bother even thinking about New Year's Resolutions.  After more than 4 decades of failing to keep them, I finally learned not to waste that time. 
      But New Year's Day (2001) did bring a revelation from God.  If it were possible for me to change myself, then I don't need Him.   Let me say that again:  IF IT WERE POSSIBLE FOR ME TO CHANGE MYSELF, THEN I WOULDN'T NEED GOD.
     Jesus would have died in vain if I were able to keep the Law (10 Commandments) perfectly.  If I were able to overcome my bad habits and perfect myself, I wouldn't need God.  But I can't!
      Every time I go into my basement, there is all that stuff - reminding me of my failures.  Every time I look in the mirror, I know that diets don't work - and feel condemned by the world standard of the Barbie Doll look.  The harder I try, the more I fail, the more condemned I feel.  So I try harder, fail again, add that to my list of failures, feel more condemned.  WHAT A VICIOUS CYCLE!
      Who will save me from this?!
      Praise God, Jesus did when He died on the cross for ME!  Yes, someone has to pay the price for sin.  But thank God, Jesus paid it for me.  And now He wants to set me free from the cycle of works, failure and condemnation.  God loves me in spite of my failures.

    But He doesn't leave me to live in the pig sty of my messes.  His grace is sufficient for all my needs.  His grace is His undeserved power in my life.  His power is made perfect in my weakness.  You see, if we can do it, we get the credit.  But since we can't, then God gets the credit - the glory.  He simply wants us to acknowledge our need for Him and our gratitude to Him for His grace in our lives.
      So now I simply go to God, tell Him my failures, tell Him I need Him and ask for His help.  It is amazing what we can do when we have God working inside of us, giving us His power to do what we can't do on our own.  It is amazing.
      My life is a testimony to what God can accomplish when He is allowed to be Lord of my life.  I grew up with a stutter and  was terribly shy.  I went through high school looking at the floor, afraid to look people in the eye for fear of what I thought they thought of me.  I considered my self "trash" and no good.
      Until God showed me that He loved me and that I was His child.  He led me to Genesis where He showed me that everything He made was good and that included me.  He changed my life and attitude.  From "trash" to "treasure".  He made me His child and I became a grateful heir.  From stuttering and backward to standing before over a thousand people reading His Word and sharing what He can do in a life.  Wow!
     And that basement I spoke of above.   It is now open, clean, decorated and usable.  We had a Christmas party in it, my daughter  had a New Year's party there, and our family gathers there regularly to play games and exercise.  It is amazing the transformation that has occurred down there.  The basement is still not exactly what I envision it to be someday, but we are enjoying it as it is as it becomes what I dream it can be.
     God wants to do the same for you but He works by invitation only.  He will allow us to "do it our way" as long as we want to continue trying.  He sends gentle reminders that He is there and willing to help, then waits for an invitation.
     When you are you going to get a revelation that resolutions and diets don't work?  When are you going to accept God's offer of forgiveness, power, grace and help so freely offered?  When are you going to start the living the abundant life that Jesus died for you to have?  The time is now.  "Now is the day of salvation."  "Today my grace is sufficient for you."  "His mercy and grace is new every morning" so we need to ask Him daily for our bread (needs, desires, etc.).
     Remember:  God does not empower us by performance (our works) but by intimacy (our closeness to Him).
GOD DOES NOT EMPOWER US BY PERFORMANCE BUT BY INTIMACY.
     How close are you to God?  He is standing outside the door and knocking.  The lock is on the inside.  It is up to you to open the door and let Him in.  "If any man will open the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me."
                          Knock Knock                                               rb 2001

Subject: Our President

For those of us who sometimes find ourselves having doubts about our President, here is an excellent piece-- worth every minute it takes to read it. It is from a man, Bruce Vincent from Montana, who received an award from President Bush in May 2004.

He writes:
I've written the following narrative to chronicle the day of the award ceremony in DC. When you get done reading this you'll understand the dilemma I face in telling this story beyond my circle of close friends.  The moment with the President in the Oval Office was incredible. I want to protect the memory because it was an intensely private moment between two men. At the same time I'd like to share it on a broader scale, because I'd like others to know what I know about the man sitting at the desk in the Oval Office.

Our efforts concerning the reintroduction of our rural, resource-providing cultures to the ever more urban society of our nation has been honored with an award from the President and First Lady Bush.  Nominated by the Forest Service for the first-ever Preserve America President's Award was our cultural exchange program Provider PalsT and our restoration of an abandoned CCC-built Forest Service ranger station (Raven Ranger Station) for use as a learning center for students from throughout the nation that are now engaged in our cultural exchange.

The award was given at a White House ceremony on Monday, May 3. Guests at the East Room ceremony (the Rose Garden was going to be used but it rained) included Secretary of Interior Gorton, Secretary of Agriculture Venneman, Undersecretary Mark Rey, Forest Service Chief Bosworth. The East Wing was closed to the public for the event and those who attended enjoyed brunch and live chamber music. Thankfully, I was also able to bring PJ and all four children.

After the ceremony, eight of us in total were taken to the Oval Office and introduced to the President and Mrs. Bush. We shook hands and participated in small talk. I have to tell you, I was blown away by two things upon entering. First, the Oval Office's sense of 'place' is unreal. I could feel the history in my bones. Second, the man who inhabits the office engaged me with a firm handshake and a look that can only be described as penetrating. Warm, alive, fully engaged, disarmingly penetrating.

I was admittedly concerned about meeting the man. I think all of us have an inner hope that the most powerful man in our country is worthy of the responsibility and authority that we bestow upon them through our vote. I admit that part of me was afraid that I would be let down by the moment - that the person and the place could not meet my lofty expectations.

President Bush got right down to business and, standing in front of his desk, handed out the awards one at a time while posing for photos with the winners and Mrs. Bush.

With the mission accomplished, the President and Mrs. Bush relaxed and initiated a lengthy, informal conversation about a number of things with our entire small group. He and the First Lady talked about such things as the rug in the office. It is traditionally designed by the First Lady to make a statement about the President, and Mrs. Bush chose a brilliant yellow sunburst pattern to reflect 'hope.' President Bush talked about the absolute need to believe that with hard work and faith in God there is every reason to start each day in the Oval Office with hope.

He and the First Lady were asked about the impact of the Presidency on their marriage and, with an arm casually wrapped around Laura, he said that he thought the place may be hard on weak marriages but that it had the ability to make strong marriages even stronger and that he was blessed with a strong one.

When asked what the biggest challenge of the Presidency was, he talked about the daily frustration of partisan politics. "This from a politician," he said. He said that when he was elected he promised that he would do in DC what he had done in Texas and that was build alliances and coalitions that bridged party lines in order to move the nation forward. He had quickly learned that there are those in the nation's capital that would rather see the nation dismantled than work together to achieve a common good. That, he said is a bitter and continuing disappointment.

After about 30 minutes, it was time to go. By then we were all relaxed and I felt as if I had just had an excellent visit with a friend. The President and First Lady made one more pass down the line of awardees, shaking hands and offering congratulations. When the President shook my hand I said, "Thank you Mr. President and God bless you and your family."

He was already in motion to the next person in line, but he stopped abruptly, turned fully back to me, gave me a piercing look, renewed the vigor of his handshake and said, "Thank you - and God bless you and yours as well."

On our way out of the office we were to leave by the glass doors on the west side of the office. I was the last person in the exit line. As I shook his hand one final time, I did something that surprised even me. I said to him, "Mr. President, I know you are a busy man and your time is precious. I also know you to be a man of strong faith and have a favor to ask you." As he shook my hand he looked me in the eye and said, "Just name it." I told him that my step-Mom was at that moment in a hospital in Kalispell, Montana, having a tumor removed from her skull and it would mean a great deal to me if he would consider adding her to his prayers that day.

He grabbed me by the arm and took me back toward his desk as he said, "So that's it. I could tell that something is weighing heavy on your heart today. I could see it in your eyes. This explains it." From the top drawer of his desk he retrieved a pen and a note card with his seal on it and asked, "How do you spell her name?" He then jotted a note to her while discussing the importance of family and the strength of prayer.

When he handed me the card, he asked about the surgery and the prognosis. I told him we were hoping that it is not a recurrence of an earlier cancer and that if it is they can get it all with this surgery. He said, "If it's okay with you, we'll take care of the prayer right now.

Would you pray with me?" I told him yes and he turned to the staff that remained in the office and hand motioned the folks to step back or leave. He said, "Bruce and I would like some private time for a prayer." As they left he turned back to me and took my hands in his. I was prepared to do a traditional prayer stance - standing with each other with heads bowed. Instead, he reached for my head with his right hand and pulling gently forward, he placed my head on his shoulder. With his left arm on my mid back, he pulled me to him in a prayerful embrace. He started to pray softly. I started to cry. He continued his prayer for Loretta and for God's perfect will to be done. I cried some more, my body shaking a bit, and he just held tighter. He closed by asking God's blessing on Loretta and the family during the coming months.

I stepped away from our embrace, wiped my eyes, swiped at the tears I'd left on his shoulder, and looked into the eyes of our President. I thanked him as best I could and told him that me and my family would continue praying for him and his.

As I write this account down and reflect upon what it means, I have to tell you that all I really know is that his simple act left me humbled and believing. I so hoped that the man I thought him to be was the man that he is. I know that our nation needs a man such as this in the Oval Office.

George W. Bush is the real deal. I've read Internet stories about the President praying with troops in hospitals and other such uplifting accounts. Each time I read them I hope them to be true and not an Internet-perpetuated myth. This one, I know to be true. I was there. He is real.

He has a pile of incredible stuff on his plate each day - and yet he is tuned in so well to the here and now that he 'sensed' something heavy on my heart. He took time out of his life to care, to share, and to seek God's blessing for my family in a simple man-to-man, father-to-father, son-to-son, husband-to-husband, Christian-to-Christian prayerful embrace. He's not what I had hoped he would be. He is, in fact, so very, very much more.

This report has been verified as "Truth" by www.truthorfiction.com  Their report is at the following website: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/v/vincent.htm
Click on it and prove it to yourself.
The Truth - Bruce Vincent is real. TruthOrFiction.com contacted him and he says that this is an accurate account of his encounter with President
Bush in May, 2004.

THREE TREES ON A HILL

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."

Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark. The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and He stood and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

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Last modified: 07/01/10