Would You Do It?

by: Author Unknown,

It's a Wednesday night and you are at a church prayer meeting when somebody runs in from the parking lot yelling, 'Turn on a radio, turn on a radio!' And while the church listens to a little transistor radio with a microphone stuck up to it, the announcement is made: 'Two women are lying in a Long Island hospital dying from a 'mystery' flu.' Within hours it seems, this thing just sweeps across the country. People are working around the clock trying to find an antidote. Nothing is working! California , Oregon , Arizona , Florida , Massachusetts . It's as though it's just sweeping in from the borders. And then, all of a sudden, the news comes out The code has been broken. A cure can be found. A vaccine can be made. It's going to take the blood of somebody who hasn't been infected, and so, sure enough, all through the Midwest , through all those channels of emergency broadcasting, they ask you to do one simple thing: Go to your downtown hospital and have your blood type taken. That's all we ask of you. When you hear the sirens go off in your neighborhood, please make your way quickly, quietly, and safely to the hospitals.
Sure enough, when you and your family get down there late on that Friday night, there is a long line, and they've got nurses and doctors coming out and pricking fingers and taking blood and putting labels on it. Your wife and your kids are out there, and they take your blood…type 2-O, and they say, 'Wait here in the parking lot and if we call your name, you can be dismissed and go home.'
You stand around, scared, with your neighbors, wondering what in the world is going on and if this is the end of the world. Suddenly a young man comes running out of the hospital screaming. He's yel ling a name and waving a clipboard. What? He yells it again! And your son tugs on your jacket and says, 'Daddy, that's me.'
Before you know it, they have grabbed your boy. Wait a minute!
Hold on! And they say, 'It's okay, his blood is clean. His blood is pure.We want to make sure he doesn't have the disease. We think he has got the right type.' Five tense minutes later, out come the doctors and nurses, crying and hugging one another .... some are even laughing. It's the first time you have seen anybody laugh in a week, and an old doctor walks up to you and says, 'Thank you, sir. Your son's blood type is perfect. It 's clean, it is pure, and we can make the vaccine.' As the word begins to spread all across that parking lot full of folks, people are screaming and praying and laughing and crying. Then the gray-haired doctor pulls you and your wife aside and says, 'May we see you for moment? We didn't realize that the donor would be a minor and we need .. we need you to sign a consent form.' You begin to sign and then you see that the number of pints of blood to be taken has been left blank. 'H-how many pints?', you ask. And that is when the old doctor's smile fades and he says, 'We had no idea it would be little child. We weren't prepared. I'm sorry sir, we need it all!' 'But but ... You don't understand.' 'We are talking about the world here.. Please sign. We need it all!' < /i>'But can't you give him a transfusion?' 'If we had clean blood we would. Can you sign? Would you sign?' In numb silence, you do.. Then they say, 'Would you like to have a moment with him before we begin?'Can you walk back? Can you walk back to that room where he sits on a table saying, 'Daddy? Mommy? What's going on?' Can you take his hands and say, 'Son, your mommy and I love you, and we would never ever let anything happen to you that didn't just have to be. Do you understand that?'And when that old doctor comes back in and says, 'I'm sorry, we've GOT to get started! People all over the world are dying. Can you leave?' Can you walk out while he is saying, 'Daddy? Mommy? Daddy? 'Why, why have you forsaken me?' And then next week, when they have the ceremony to honor your son some folks sleep through it . some folks don't even come because they go to the lake or the seashore . some folks come with a pretentious smile and just 'pretend' to care. Would you want to jump up and say, 'MY SON DIED FOR YOU! DON'T YOU CARE?' Is that what GOD wants to say? 'MY SON DIED FOR YOU. DON'T YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I CARE?' 'FATHER, Seeing it from YOUR eyes breaks our hearts. Maybe now we can begin to comprehend the great Love YOU have for us.'

Who Is Jesus?

by: Author Unknown,

In Genesis Jesus is the Ram at Abraham's altar.

In Exodus He's the Passover Lamb.

In Leviticus He's the High Priest.

In Numbers He's the Cloud by day and Pillar of Fire by night.

In Deuteronomy He's the City of our refuge.

In Joshua He's the Scarlet Thread out Rahab's window.

In Judges He is our Judge.

In Ruth He is our Kinsman redeemer.

In 1st and 2nd Samuel He's our Trusted Prophet.

And in Kings and Chronicles He's our Reigning King.

In Ezra He is our Faithful Scribe.

In Nehemiah He's the Rebuilder of everything that is broken.

And in Esther He is the Mordecai sitting faithful at the gate.

In Job He's our redeemer that ever liveth.

In Psalms He is my Shepherd and I shall not want.

In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes He's our Wisdom.

And in the Song of Solomon He's the Beautiful Bridegroom.

In Isaiah He's the Suffering Servant.

In Jeremiah and Lamentations it is Jesus that is the Weeping Prophet.

In Ezekiel He's the Wonderful Four-Faced Man.

And in Daniel He is the Fourth Man in the midst of a fiery furnace.

In Hosea He is my Love that is forever faithful.

In Joel He baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.

In Amos He's our Burden Bearer.

In Obadiah our Savior.

And in Jonah He is the Great Foreign Missionary that takes the Word of God into all of the world.

You go on and you see in Micah He is the Messenger with beautiful feet.

In Nahum He is the Avenger.

In Habakkuk He is the Watchman that is ever praying for revival.

In Zephaniah He is the Lord mighty to save.

In Haggai He is the Restorer of our lost heritage.

In Zechariah He is our Fountain.

And in Malachi He is the Son of Righteousness with healing in His wings.

In Matthew Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God.

In Mark He is the Miracle Worker.

In Luke He's the Son of Man.

And in John He is the Door by which everyone of us must enter.

In Acts He is the Shining Light that appears to Saul on the road to Damascus.

In Romans He is our Justifier.

In 1st Corinthians our Resurrection.

In 2nd Corinthians our Sin Bearer.

In Galatians He redeems us from the law.

In Ephesians He is our Unsearchable Riches.

In Philippians He supplies our every need.

And in Colossians He's the Fullness of the Godhead Bodily.

In 1st and 2nd Thessalonians He is our Soon Coming King.

In 1st and 2nd Timothy He is the Mediator between God and man.

In Titus He is our Blessed Hope.

In Philemon He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

And in Hebrews He's the Blood of the everlasting covenant.

In James it is the Lord that heals the sick.

In 1st and 2nd Peter He is the Chief Shepherd.

In 1st, 2nd and 3rd John it is Jesus who has the tenderness of love.

In Jude He is the Lord coming with 10,000 saints.

And in Revelation..... Lift up your eyes, Church, for your redemption draweth nigh.

He is King of kings and Lord of lords.

Three Little Trees

by: Author Unknown,

Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up. The first little tree looked at the stars and said, "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I will be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world."
The second little tree looked out at the small stream tricklying by on its way to the ocean. "I'll be the strongest ship in the world."
The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world!"
Years passed. The rains came, the sun shone and the three little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain. The first wood cutter looked at the first little tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now, I shall be made into a beautiful chest; I shall hold wonderful treasures!", said the first little tree.
The second woodcutter looked at the second little tree and said, " This tree is strong, it's perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty water," thought the second tree "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings.
The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked at her. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "any kind of tree will do for me, " he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third little tree fell.
The first tree rejoiced when the wood cutter brought her to the carpenter's shop, but the carpenter fashioned her into a feeding box for animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold nor with treasure. She was coated in sawdust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.
The second smiled when the woodcutter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead, the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail an ocean, or even a river. Instead, she was taken to a little lake.
The third tree was comfused when the wood cutter cut her into long, strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened," the once tall tree wondered, "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God."
Many, many days and nights passed. The three little trees nearly forgot their dreams. But one night, golden starlight poured over the first little tree as a woman placed her newborn baby in the feed box. "I wish I could make a cradle for him," her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth sturdy wood. "this manger is beautiful", she said. And suddenly the first little tree knew that he was holding the greatest treasure in the world!
One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the simple fishng boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second little tree sailed quielty into the lake. Soo a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered, she knew she did not have the stregth to carry many passengers safely through the wind and rain. The tired man awakened, He stood up, stretched out his hand and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second little tree knew that he was carring the King of Heaven and Earth.
Then on Firday morning, the third little tree was startled when her strong beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried throug an angry jeering crowd.

She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly, harsh and cruel. But on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, and the third little tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It made the third little tree tall and strong. And every time people thought about the third little tree they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world!

The Lamb

by: Author Unknown,

Think carefully about what you will be reading. Mary had a Little lamb, His fleece was white as snow. And everywhere that Mary

went, The Lamb was sure to go. He followed her to school each day,T'wasn't even in the rule. It made the children laugh and play, To Have a Lamb at school. And then the rules all changed one day, Illegal it became; To bring the Lamb of God to school, Or even speak

His Name! Every day got worse and worse, And days turned into Years. Instead of hearing children laugh, We heard gun shots and Tears. What must we do to stop the crime, That's in our schools Today? Let's let the Lamb come back to school, And teach our kids To pray! The will of God will not lead you

Where the grace of God cannot keep you

A Different Kind of Christian

by: Author Unknown,

A worldchanger is someone who is committed to do just that, change the world. A worldchanger is not someone who blends in. A worldchanger sticks out!
A Worldchanger stands up ready to make a difference. A worldchanger goes beyond the usual expectations of Christianity. A worldchanger finds the most intense demands that Jesus places on Christians and doesn't shy away but goes after then passionately and does whatever it takes to get the job done!
She is not just doing it because her parents make her or because the youth pastor bribes her. A worldchanger has been radically, completely, and totally changed by a relationship with God!
Christianity is not some boring thing that a person halfheartedly commits to just because they have been in church their whole lives. You are not hanging on to your parents Christianity.
A worldchanger had found Jesus for them-- not just for mom and dad or just for the pastor. And because Jesus died for them, they are ready to give their lives for him. Christianity. is not just lip service.
Worldchangers have a fervor to seek God with all of their hearts, and to do everything they can to let the world know that God is real and that he is alive! Worldchangers are not stuck in a bunch of boring rules and regulations, but they have the fire of the living God burning inside them! And they just can't keep it inside of them.
Worldchangers are serious about learning the word of God and then taking that word and applying it to their lives. Worldchangers are constantly changing and becoming more and more like Jesus.
Worldchangers develop a vision for their community and do everything they can to take the living Christ to a lost and dying world!
Worldchangers are sick and tired of a watered down, namby-pamby Christianity.! They want the real thing and don't care how hard it hits them or what parts of their lives they have to change.
They are sick and tired of the attitude that lukewarm Christians bring into the church, and they are ready to do something about it! They are especially ready to attack attitudes in their own lives!
A Worldchanger loves the Lord with all of his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength and loves his neighbor as himself. Write this scripture down. Carry it with you! Begin to pray over what you have just learned about a worldchanger.

Test of Faith

by: Author Unknown,

This is a true story told by one of the first missionaries to enter Russia:
In Russia before the Berlin Wall came down and freedom to worship freely was against the law, many Christians were forced to get together in secret to worship the Lord. One group of Christians were gathered together in a simple house studying the Bible when suddenly the door was thrown open violently and three Russian soldiers burst in with rifles. One of the soldiers bellowed out that anyone who wasn't a Christian could leave immediately but anyone who had come to worship God should stay.
After a moment of silence many of the people filed out of the house leaving a few people behind. One of the soldiers closed the door behind them and locked it, then the soldiers all put down the rifles and explained to the remaining few that they also were Christians but they only wanted to worship with true believers. Could you pass such a test of your faith?

Wise Pray for Your Love

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Lord,I pray for a man, that will be a part of my life

A man that really loves You more than everything

A man that will take me in the second place of his heart

A man that lives not for himself but for UFace and phsysical attraction isn't important

The most important is

I want a heart that really loves and thristy of U and have a desire to be like Jesus
And he must know for whom and for what he lives

So his life isnt useless

Someone that have a wise heart

Not only a smart brain

A man that not only loves me but also respect me

A man that not only can adore me

But can warning me when I'm wrong

A man that loves me not from my beauty but from my heart

A man that can be my best friend in every time and situation

A man that make me feel like a woman when I beside him
I'm not ask a perfect man

But I ask for imperfect man

So I can make him perfect in Your eyes.

A man that need my support for his strength

A man that need my prayer for his life

A man that need my smile to cover his sadness

A man that need my love so he could feel beloved

A man that need me to make his life perfect
And I also ask

Make me to be a woman that can made him proud

Give me a heart that really love You

So I could love him with Your love

Not love him with my love

Give me Your gentle spirit

So my beauty not come from my outside but come from

You Give me Your HandsThat I always able to pray for him

Give me Your eyes

So I could see many good things in him and not the bad one Give me

Your mouth That fullfil with Your words of wisdom and

encourange So I could support him every day Give me Your lips And I

will smile at him every morning
And I want that when finally we meet

Both of us can say

How great Thou Art

that You give me someone that can make my life perfect

I know that You want we meet at the right time

And You will make everything beautiful in Your time

Amen.

Why Hath Thou Forsaken Me?

by: Author Unknown,

The Mississippi River was flooding its banks and the waters were rising around Clem's house. The waters had gotten to the level of the front porch where Clem was standing. A man in a rowboat came by and called to Clem, "Hop in and I'll take you to high ground."
Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"
The river continued to rise to the second story windows and Clem, looking out, saw a powerboat come up. The man in the powerboat called to Clem, "Hop in and I'll take you to high ground."
Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"
The river had now risen to the roof of the house. Clem was sitting on the ridge at the top of the house, with the waters swirling around his feet. He saw a helicoptor fly over and the people inside yelled over a bull horn, "Grab the rope and climb in and we'll take you to high ground."
Clem replied, "No, my God will save me!"
The river continued to rise and finally it engulfed the house and Clem was drowned. The next thing he knew, Clem was standing before his God. In anger, he asked God, "I put my trust in you. Why have you forsaken me?"
And his God replied, "What do you want from me? I sent you a rowboat, a powerboat, and a helicopter!"

When You...

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

When you are tired and discouraged

from fruitless efforts...God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long andyour heart is in anguish...God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and

time has passed you by...God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your

friends are too busy even for a phone call...God is by your side.
When you think you've tried

everything anddon't know where to turn...God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you

are confused or frustrated...God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is

brighter and

you find traces of hope...God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you

have much to be thankful for...God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens

and you are filled with awe...God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill

and a dream to follow...God has opened your eyes and called

you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or

whatever you are facing...GOD KNOWS!!

When I Grow Up

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Lord, when I grow up, do You want me to be pretty ?Of course, I want you to be very very pretty.Your eyes spread friendliness

Your face squirt out sincerity

Your lips coloured with honesty

Your hair adorned with humbleness

Your gown is joy
Lord, when I grow up, do You want me to be clever ?Of course, I want you to be very clever

Clever enough to do worthiness and good things in life

Clever enough to differentiate what is right and wrong.

Clever enough to control your lifetime

Clever enough to develop your talent

So that you may bear fruit for Me
Lord, when I grow up, do You want me to be rich ?Of course, I want you to be very rich

Rich in goodness

Rich in generosity

Rich in affection

Rich in love
Lord, when I grow up, will You always be with me ?Of course, My dear child, I will never ever leave or forsake you

Why is it, Lord ?Because you are worthy before My eyes and glorious

And you know what ? I LOVE YOU SO MUCH !!!

What's Our Call

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

One night at a small church in Atlanta, Georgia, a man shared how he had become a Christian while in Sydney, Australia.
"I was at the street corner in Kings Cross," the man began, "when I felt a tug on my sleeve. Turning, I found myself face to face with a street bum. Before I could say anything, the man simply asked me, 'Mister, if you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity?' " "That question troubled me over the next three weeks," the man continued. "I had to find an answer, and I ended up giving my life to Christ."
The pastor of the Atlanta church was amazed that a man on a street corner could have such an impact. But imagine his amazement when, three years later, another man came to his church and gave an almost identical testimony. He, too, had been at Kings Cross in Sydney when a derelict had pulled on his sleeve and then asked him, "If you were to die tonight, where would you spend eternity?" This second man, also haunted by the street bum's question, eventually sought and found an answer in Jesus.
Shortly after hearing the second testimony, the pastor of that small church in Atlanta had to be in Sydney for a missions conference. On one of his nights off, he went to Kings Cross to see if he could find the man who had been mentioned at his church by two different people. Pausing on a street corner to look for someone like the street bum he'd heard about, he felt a tug at his jacket. He turned, and before the poor old man could say anything, the pastor blurted out, "I know what you're going to ask me! You're going to ask me if I were to die tonight, where would I spend eternity?"
The man was stunned. "How did you know that?" he inquired. The pastor told him the whole story. When he finished, the man started to cry. "Mister," he said, "10 years ago I gave my life to Jesus, and I wanted to do something for Him. But a man like me can't do much of anything. So I decided I would just hang out on this corner and ask people that simple question. I've been doing that for years, mister, but tonight is the first time Ever that I knew it did anybody any good."
God calls us not to be successful, but to be faithful in following where He leads. We need to obey God even when we can't see whether it does any good or makes a difference in someone else's life. I encourage you to stay faithful to the Lord even when things don't make sense and be sensitive to that still small voice because that is the Lord leading you to where He wants you to be. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

What Lies Ahead

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Jessica knew she wasn't supposed to be at this party. But it wasn't her fault --- not really. She was on her way to the movies, just like she told her parents, when she and Kathryn ran into a group of friends who invited them into the party. "Let's go!" Jessica said to Kathryn. "I've always wanted to go to one of these parties." Jessica was surprised at how easily the lie left her lips. At Jessica's insistence, the two followed their friends to the abandoned warehouse. The party was already in full swing.
Later, when it already became apparent that Jessica was going to be late getting home, she found a pay phone and called her parents. "Mom? Kathryn and I decided to stop for Pizza after the movie and ran into some friends. I'll be late, OK? Oh, yes, the movie was great. You need to see it. Yes, I'll see you soon, Bye."
It was just a little white lie. What could it hurt? And what could it hurt to take her first drink of alcohol? She hated the taste, but the lie in her smile said she loved it. And what could it hurt to dance with this great-looking guy? And what could it hurt to take another drink that he offered her?
When Jessica woke up the next morning, still groggy from the drug the cute guy had slipped into her drink, she realized that her lies had hurt more than she could have ever imagined.
Jessica found out the hard way that lies are a stairway that goes only one way: down. She lied to her friends. She lied to her parents. She lost the trust of her parents and her best friend, and she lost her innocence to a guy she never saw again.
...Jesus explained that Satan is the father of lies. His tactics are so sly. If he can just get you to tell one little white lie today, then tomorrow he can take you one step further down the stairway with a bigger lie. Before you know it, you find yourself some place where you never intended to be, and Satan is laughing all the while.
...Don't hold Satan's hand and start down that stairway. Run to Jesus, hold His hand, and always speak the truth.

What Are You Doing God?

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

When I was little, my mother used to sew a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. She informed me that she was embroidering. As from the underside I watched her work within the boundaries of the little round hoop that she held in her hand. I complained to her that it sure looked messy from where I sat.
She would smile at me, look down and gently say, "Son, you go about your playing for a while, and when I am finished with my embroidering, I will put you on my knee and let you see it from my side.
I would wonder why she was using some dark thread along with the bright ones and why they seemed so jumbled from my view. A few minutes would pass and then I would hear Mother's voice say, "Son, come and sit on my knee."
Then Mother would say to me, "My son, from underneath it did look messy and jumbled, but you did not realize that there was a plan on the top. It was a design. I was only following it. Now look at it from my side and you will see what I was doing."
Many times through the years I have looked up to heaven and said, "Father, what are You doing?" He has answered, "I am embroidering your life."
I say, "But it looks like a mess to me. It seems so jumbled. The threads seem so dark. Why can't they all be bright?"
The Father seems to tell me, "My child, you go about your business of doing My business, and one day I will bring you to Heaven and put you on My knee and you will see the plan from My side.

We Are Still Alive

by: Author Unknown, NEWSBRIEF

A small group of foreign businessmen visiting North Korea are walking to the hotel where they stay under the direction shown by their guides. Before entering the hotel in North Korea, suddenly a teenager at about seventeen years old runs toward this group. This teenager grabs the hand of one group member and pushes his finger to the palm's hand of that person. This is obviously not common in the Korean's culture. Because a child is not permitted to touch a foreigner visibly.
This businessman tries to pull out his hand, but this teenager keeps holding it. Soon, this man realizes why the teenager does not want to release his hand. He tries to write a message by drawing a cross on his palm's hand.
The busineeman looks at the thin face of the teenager. He keeps silent, but his eyes speak. The message that he wants to convey is very clear, "We are still alive and stay in North Korea. We are still alive !"
On the next morning, this group has an opportunity to meet this teenager secretly once again. They meet his father, who are Christian and was prisoned for several years. Although this teenager never confesses his faith in public, he has some requests for them. He asks the group to accept his tenth-gift which was saved for several years, then baptize him, hold a Holy Communion; and also give him a Bible.
This teenager is deeply in starve. Actually he can beg for getting food, but he doesn't want to do it. Eventhough his physical body is thin caused by the pressure from North Korea's government, but his faith keeps growing and continuing praise God in Heaven. Probably he knows that physical foods is only temporary, so he prefers to collect treasures in the eternal Heaven.

Waiting for GOD's Visitation

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

One day, God promises to visit a woman’s house. This woman is so glad and happy. She prepares everything to welcomes God. She cleans her courtyard and arranges the home furnishing. Make them look good and clean. After she settled everything, she sits and waits for God. Suddenly someone knocks the door. This woman rushes out and opens the door. There’s a beggar standing in front of her house. Please, not today. Don’t disturb me. I’m waiting for God to visit me! She rejects the beggar and closes the door.
While after that, someone knocked the door again, this woman straight goes to open the door. But guess whom she met? Just an old poor man asking for help.
I’m sorry, I can’t help you today. I’m waiting for God!” this woman replied and bangs the door. Just as she closed the door, someone knocked again. Once more time, this woman opens it. A beggar with dirty clothes that looks very hungry asking for food and shelter for his exhausted body.
Oh, I can’t. I’m waiting for God. I can’t give you bread or place for shelter! The beggar walks away. This woman keeps waiting for God. Hours passed by, day turn into noon. There’s no alert of Gods’ present. This women disheartened and wondering herse lf Where is God that has promised to visit me?
Finally, she fall a sleep and dreams. God appeared to her and said, I’ve visited you for 3 times and you’ve rejected me 3 times either.

Two Heaven Gates

by: Author Unknown, Joker Magazine

A man was walking down a road next to a tall glistening white wall. Beside him walked his favorite dog who he realized with a start had been dead for several years. He realized that he must be dead also.
With a shrug of his shoulders he set off down the path with a hand on his dog's head. A little down the road he saw a bueatiful pearl gate that glistened in the sunlight. Standing next to it was a beautiful man. When he got to the gate he asked where the gates lead to. The man replied "Heaven."
He asked if he could come in and get a drink for himself and his dog because the day was very warm. The beautiful man replied that he could, but dogs were not allowed into Heaven. The man smiled, patted his dog and turned away from the gates to continue down the path.
After a little while he came to a much shabbier gate that was in much need of attention. Beside it stood a somewhat dirty farmer. Again the man asked where the gate lead to, and again he was told "Heaven". He then asked for a drink for him and his dog, and the man gladly gave him a cup and a bowl. After he filled the bowl, and drank his cup from the fountian inside he asked the man if he knew that the other gatekeeper was claiming that the other gate also led to Heaven.
The Farmer said "Yes, but that was Hell." A bit confused, the man asked if that upset the Farmer. "No," he said giving the dog a pat, "They help us weed out the ones who would leave their best friends behind."

The True Life Partner

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Once upon a time, there was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved his fourth wife the most, because she was the most beautiful one amongst his other wives, and gave her a lot of his riches and wealth.
This man was very proud of his third wife and always tried to introduce her to all his friends, though he was always worried if his wife would run away with other guy. He loved his second wife very much, because she was patient and understanding. Whenever he had problem, he always asked for her opinion; she was the one he could rely on. Through difficult times, the second wife always helped and was always by her husband’s side.
His first wife was a faithful partner. She always brought goodness for the family. She was the one who took care and organized her husband’s business. Unfortunately, the merchant did not love her that much. Although the first wife loved the merchant so much, he did not really care about her.
One day, the merchant was very sick and realized that he was going to die soon; so he called for all his wives. He asked his fourth wife, “You are the one I love the most, I gave you beautiful dresses and jewelries. Would you accompany me?” His wife was stuck shut, then she answered him, “Of course I wouldn’t!” then she left without another word. That answer hurt the merchant’s heart so much. Then, he asked his third wife, “I too love you with all my heart and, this time, my life will be over. Would you go with me?” The wife answered, “Life is so beautiful here, I will marry again if you die.” The merchant was very struck with her saying. Again, he asked his second wife, “I always turned to you every time I have problems and you always helped me. Now, I really need your help. If I die, would you stand beside me?” The wife quietly answered, “Please forgive me,” she said, “I cannot help you this time. I can only see to your grave. However, I’ll make a beautiful burial plot for you.” The answer was like a striking lightning. The merchant felt so hopeless. Suddenly, he heard a voice, “I will stay with you. I’ll go wherever you go. I won’t leave you, I’ll be faithful to you.” The merchant looked to his side and saw his first wife there. She looked so thin, like a person in starvation. Feeling very sorry, the merchant whispered, “If only I could take care of you while I could, you won’t look like this my wife.”
In this life, we all have 4 wives. The fourth wife is our body. No matter how much time and money we spent to make it look beautiful and handsome, everything will be gone. It would quickly leave us when we passed away. There will not be any beauty left when we see Him face to face. The third wife is our social status and wealth. When we passed away, everything that we have will be others’. It will leave and forget its owner. Our second wife is our relatives and friends. No matter how close our relationship to them, they will not be with us forever. They will only accompany us to our grave. The first wife is our soul and truth. Maybe we often ignore and forget about them for the sake of wealth and our personal pleasure. However, the truth is that, only our soul and our truth that will always be and be faithful to us wherever we go. If our soul clings to Jesus and we do good deeds in truth, it will lead us to eternal life.

The Starfish And The Christian

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Do you know that if a starfish’s arm split, then a new arm will grow to replace it? If a starfish is cut to pieces, then each piece that consists a part of the central disc will grow into a new starfish.
Some shell fishermen noticed this when they found that the place where they usually stored the shells were crowded with starfishes. The fishermen cut the starfishes captured and threw the pieces into the sea. But what they did actually make the starfishes grew even more.
For centuries, Christians have been the objects of hatred and rejected intensely in many countries. But this oppression never destroys Christianity. Even in the most severe condition, not only Christianity struggles, it also grows rapidly. Jesus told His church, “the gates of Hades will not overcome it”
Believers in the first century in Jerusalem went trough a strong oppression, however that just made them spread to all over Judea and Samaria. And, wherever they went to, they always taught the Words and made many people believe. In 8:4-6 it was said that many people received Philip’s teachings.
It is true, the church of the Lord Jesus Christ, will continue to grow however severe the oppression is. Even the power of death will not be able to destroy it!

The Piano "Lesson"

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took the small boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.
Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE." When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was missing.
Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in he boy's ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."
Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligatio.
Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.
That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit" "Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are playing the concerto of your life.
Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things.

The Perfect Heart

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen.
The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.
Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing.
The people stared - how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought? The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears."
"Yes," said the old man, "Yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love. I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart. But, because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.
Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges - giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people, I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"
The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side. How sad it must be to go through life with a whole heart.
Remember... Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody is watching. God's loves you and has gives His heart to all of us.