Inspirational
This page last updated:
10/15/2006 03:58 PM
Forgiveness |
Church Dressing | The Cab Ride
Grandma's Cake |
Rules for Living |
The Burning Hut
The New School Prayer
One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at
her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and
Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs,
and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on,
she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved
in the assembly teaching young children. It was not very long until this
faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.
The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is
when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think
that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The
church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a
meeting.
As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting
was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about
all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the
pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his
wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:
"My fiancée's past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning
is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the
blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"
The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering
the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Too often, even as Christians, we bring up
the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness
is a very foundational part of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the
blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot
cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.
What can wash away my sins, nothing but the Blood of Jesus....end of case!
.....God Forgives.. So Should We!
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One Sunday morning the congregation of a ritzy church (with vaulted ceilings,
hand carved oak pews, stained glass windows and deep plush carpet) had a stir.
A man came in just minutes before the service was to begin and he was dressed
horribly. He had on boots, overalls, a flannel shirt, and a cowboy hat. The
congregation was aghast! Many quickly sent notes to the minister about this
concern. At the end of the service the minister greeted the humbly dressed man
and asked him if he enjoyed the service. The man exclaimed that he enjoyed it
very much. The minister asked the man to consider possibly dressing differently,
and told him to pray to Jesus about how he would have him dress if he should
return again.
The next week the man returned. He was dressed the same and
once again the congregation was disturbed. At the end of the service the minister
greeted the man again and asked him what he had been told by Jesus concerning how
to dress for church.
The man exclaimed, "I spoke with Jesus about this, but Jesus said
he didn't know how I should dress for this church, because He has never
been here."
Author unknown
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Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life, a life for someone who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was also a ministry. Because I drove the night shift, my cab became
a moving confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and told me about their lives. I encountered people whose
lives amazed me, ennobled me, and made me laugh and weep.
But none touched me more than a woman I picked up late one August night. I was responding to a call from a small brick fourplex in a
quiet part of town. I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had just had a fight with a lover, or a worker
heading to an early shift at some factory for the industrial part of town. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window. Under these circumstances, many
drivers would just honk once or twice, wait a minute, then drive away.
But I had seen too many impoverished people who depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation smelled of
danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be someone who needs my assistance, I reasoned to myself.
So I walked to the door and knocked. "Just a minute", answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the
floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with
a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie. By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no
one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils
on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware. Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said.
I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.
She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my kindness.
"It's nothing", I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated". "Oh, you're such a good boy", she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive through downtown?"
"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly. "Oh, I don't mind", she said. I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a
hospice". I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening. "I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't
have very long." I quietly reached over and shut off the meter. "What route would you like me to take?" I asked. For the next two
hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through the
neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that
had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and
would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.
As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm tired. Let's go now." We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low
building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico. Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.
"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse. "Nothing," I said. "You have to make a living," she answered.
"There are other passengers," I responded. Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.
"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you." I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.
I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk.
What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What if I had refused to take the run, or
had honked once, then driven away? On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.
We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.
But great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.
What lies ahead of you and what lies behind you are nothing compared to what lies within you........
Author unknown
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A little boy is telling his Grandma how "everything" is going wrong. School,
family problems, severe health problems, etc.. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake.
She asks her grandson if he would like a snack, which of course he does. "Here, have
some cooking oil." "Yuck" says the boy. "How about a couple raw eggs? " "Gross,
Grandma!" "Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?" "Grandma, those
are all yucky!"
To which Grandma replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But
when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad
and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order,
they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all
make something wonderful!"
God is crazy about You. If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and
a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live
anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart. What about the gift He sent you in
Bethlehem; not to mention that Day at Calvary. Face it, He's crazy about you.
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Sometimes we just need to remember WHAT the Rules of Life really
are....
Never give yourself a haircut after three margaritas.
You need only two tools. WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and
it should, use WD-40. If it moves and shouldn't, use the duct tape.
The five most essential words for a healthy, vital relationship "I
apologize" and "You are right."
Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.
When you make a mistake, make amends immediately. It's easier to eat
crow while it's still warm.
The only really good advice that your mother ever gave you was,
"Go! You might meet somebody!"
If he/she says that you are too good for him/her--believe them.
Learn to pick your battles; ask yourself, 'Will this matter one year
from now? How about one month? One week? One day?'
Never pass up an opportunity to pee.
If you woke up breathing, congratulations! You have another chance!
Living well really is the best revenge. Being miserable because of a
bad or former relationship just might mean that the other person was
right about you.
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The
only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited
island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he
scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he
eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him
from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one day,
after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in
flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened;
everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried. Early the next day,
however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the
island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked
the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It
is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we shouldn't
lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of
pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to
the ground -- it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of
God.
For
all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive
answer for it.
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Written by a teen in
Bagdad, Arizona
Now I sit me down in
school,
Where praying is against
the rule.
For this great nation
under God,
Finds mention of Him
very odd.
If Scripture now the
class recites,
It violates the Bill of
Rights.
And anytime my head I
bow,
Becomes a Federal matter
now.
Our hair can be purple,
orange or green,
that's no offense; it's
a freedom scene.
The law is specific, the
law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are
a serious vice.
For praying in a public
hall,
Might offend someone
with no faith at all.
In silence alone we must
meditate,
God's name is prohibited
by the state.
We're allowed to cuss
and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses,
tongues and cheeks.
They've outlawed guns,
but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book
makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant
Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy',
our Senior King.
It's "inappropriate" to
teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such
"judgments" do not belong.
We can get our condoms
and birth controls,
Study witchcraft,
vampires and totem poles.
But the Ten Commandments
are not allowed,
No word of God must
reach this crowd.
It's scary here I must
confess,
When chaos reigns the
school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent
plea I make:
Should I be shot;
My soul please take!
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