A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said,
'Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'
The Lord led the holy man to two doors.
He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.
The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.
The Lord said, 'You have seen Hell.'
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'
It is simple,' said the Lord. 'It requires but one skill. You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'
Saturday, December 22, 2007
You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? "Look at it." He said. "Read what it says." She read the words "United States of America " "No, not that; read further." "One cent?" "No, keep reading." "In God we Trust?" "Yes!" "And?" "And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful! When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, "In God We Trust," and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.. All you do is - Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this, (Father God bless this person in whatever it is that you know he or she may be needing this day.) and send it to some others to be blessed.Thought for the Day: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.He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!Send this to every "beautiful person" you wish to bless.God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. copied
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Valuable info
I will continue to forward this every time it comes around! STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters.... S.T.R. My nurse friend sent this and encouraged me to post it and spread the word. I agree. If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously.. Please read: STROKE IDENTIFICATION: During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .....she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead. It only takes a minute to read this... A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough. RECOGNIZING A STROKE Thank God for the sense to remember the "3" steps, STR . Read and Learn! Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke . Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions: S * Ask the individual to SMILE. T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today) R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS. If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 999/911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher. New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue NOTE: Another 'sign' of a stroke is this: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke. A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this e-mail sends it to 10 people; you can bet that at least one life will be saved. JT
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Let Bygones Be Bygones
The maniac of Gadara did not spend the rest of his life in the grave yard once he was forgiven. He buried his former life there in the tombs and then threw away the shovel. He never even returned to put flowers on that miserable gravesite. Evidently he knew digging up unpleasant memories of the past gives out a worse stench than when originally buried.
We should not constantly be remembering things which God said He has forgotten. I’m told most patients in mental institutions are there because of something they cannot forget in their past. Thus, it drives them crazy. Certainly there are consequences for past sins, but never is there condemnation once we have asked for forgiveness.
We cannot move on with our lives still wrapped in our grave clothes. Leave them in the grave. Both Lazarus and Jesus did! R.S.
We should not constantly be remembering things which God said He has forgotten. I’m told most patients in mental institutions are there because of something they cannot forget in their past. Thus, it drives them crazy. Certainly there are consequences for past sins, but never is there condemnation once we have asked for forgiveness.
We cannot move on with our lives still wrapped in our grave clothes. Leave them in the grave. Both Lazarus and Jesus did! R.S.
Friday, November 23, 2007
A New Look For Old Truths
“[W]hich bringeth forth out of his treasure both new and old.” The new without the old is novelty; the old without the new is moldy. To separate the two can be disastrous. They are to always go together. To contend for the new at the exclusion of the old is to lose your way. To insist on the old at the expense of the new is to lose your vigor.
Some are fearful of the new while others are frightful of the old. Jesus was good at putting new looks on old faces. To be uncomfortable with the one does not justify the condemning of the other. The old message stays the same, but new methods are always needed. Keep the old experiences, but don’t do away with new experiments. It’s refreshing to see old truths in new garb. We are not to be content with old discoveries. There is new gold yet to be mined.
Everything old was new at one time and considered progressive and contemporary. R.S.
Some are fearful of the new while others are frightful of the old. Jesus was good at putting new looks on old faces. To be uncomfortable with the one does not justify the condemning of the other. The old message stays the same, but new methods are always needed. Keep the old experiences, but don’t do away with new experiments. It’s refreshing to see old truths in new garb. We are not to be content with old discoveries. There is new gold yet to be mined.
Everything old was new at one time and considered progressive and contemporary. R.S.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Critiquing the Critics
There is both a destructive and constructive criticism. The effect of the former is discouragement; the result of the latter is encouragement. The first always comes from a position of superior attitude and the second from a humble spirit. It is sad, but many times a Mr. Hyde is disguised in a Doctor Jeckel’s scrubs when feigning to help one correct something in his or her life.
But you can be certain who the imposter is. He will make you want to give up; while the other, who is interested only in your welfare will stimulate you to go on. It is always wise when offering criticism to offer it as though we were on the receiving end (Gal.6:1). You know, like our Lord said, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
Let us remind ourselves when sitting in the critic’s seat that what goes around comes around.
(Borrowed from a friend - Richard Sandlin)
But you can be certain who the imposter is. He will make you want to give up; while the other, who is interested only in your welfare will stimulate you to go on. It is always wise when offering criticism to offer it as though we were on the receiving end (Gal.6:1). You know, like our Lord said, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”
Let us remind ourselves when sitting in the critic’s seat that what goes around comes around.
(Borrowed from a friend - Richard Sandlin)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
CONVERSATION WITH A MULE
Old Mule, you're the son of a donkey, and I'm in the image of God,Yet here we work, hitched together, a-toilin' and tillin' sod.I wonder if you work for me, or I work for you, old Mule--At times I think it's a partnership between a mule and a doggone fool. When plowing, we go the same distance, but I work harder than you.You skim the ground on four good legs, while I hobble along on two.So, Mule, mathematic'ly speaking, your four legs 'gainst my two,I do just twice the work per leg; I do twice as much as you. Soon we'll be making the corn crop, and that crop will be split three ways:A third for you, a third for me, and a third for the landlord's pay.You take your third and eat it. You're getting the best, and how;I split my third between a wife and eight kids, a banker, six hens, and a cow! And right here, Mule, I might mention, that you only plow the ground.I shuck the corn and husk it, while you're hee-hawin' around.All fall and part of the winter, old Mule, you know it's true,I break my back with a cotton-sack, tryin' to pay off the mortgage on you. Now, the only time I'm your better is when elections come.A man can vote, and a mule can not, but that don't worry you none.Because you're a wise old donkey; you know what to worry about.You knew politics wouldn't help you none, and I'm just findin' it out. So, Mule, confidentially speaking, would you change places with me?Would you take up all my worries, and still contented be?Would you change places, I'm asking; of course you know we couldn't,But would you if you could--now tell the truth--you're doggone right you wouldn't!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
HOW TO PRAY
'The Disciple's Prayer'
Luke 11:1 "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
Matthew 6:8-13 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
How then are we, as His disciples, to pray?
1. WITH AN EXPECTANT ATTITUDE - Vs.8
2. WITH A HEART FULL OF WORSHIP - Vs.9
3. IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD - Vs.10
4. BY PETITIONING GOD FOR OUR NEEDS - Vs.11
Luke 11:1 "And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
Matthew 6:8-13 "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."
How then are we, as His disciples, to pray?
1. WITH AN EXPECTANT ATTITUDE - Vs.8
2. WITH A HEART FULL OF WORSHIP - Vs.9
3. IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD - Vs.10
4. BY PETITIONING GOD FOR OUR NEEDS - Vs.11
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
YOU GET WHAT YOU PREACH
With such a variety of blogs and websites to view, I have noticed there's one thing they all have in common....What's on their heart is what's on the screen.A simple thought to remember is "You get what you preach".We see in so many churches today, there is a certain element that, in most cases, is very overbearing. Negativity!You get what you preach.... If your life preaches negativity, hatred, malice, and judgement upon others, you can count on the fact that others around you will see your true inner being.In Christ there is life more abundant! This life is a life of joy and blessing.Why do so many "Christians" seem to enjoy hurting others all for the sake of their own agenda?The golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you....God's rule: Let God be the judge.....
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Priesthood Of The Believer
PRIESTHOOD OF THE BELIEVER
Intro:
Before Christ died on the cross for man’s sin, the Israelites were required to bring an animal sacrifice to a divinely ordained priest. The priest was a mediator between God and man through whom the Israelite would relay his personal request for forgiveness from God.
This practice changed when Christ, the believer’s Great High Priest, offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. No longer does a person need to bring a sacrifice or ask a priest to relay his requests to God. The believer himself can enter into God’s presence and present his needs. Because of Christ’s redemptive work, the Christian is a believer-priest.
THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIESTHOOD
God first demonstrated this method of worship when He offered a sacrifice to show Adam and Eve that blood had to be shed to pay for the penalty of sin (Gen 3:21) "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
* Godly men offered sacrifices for themselves and their families. (Gen 8:20) "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
NOTE: Sacrifices could not free man from sin’s power! (Heb 10:4) "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
(Heb 10:11) "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"
God established that only the priests offer sacrifices for themselves and for the people.
Two parts to properly fellowship with God:
1. Offering. Lev. 1-7
2. Mediation of a priest. Heb. 5:1-4
The first old testament priesthood was Aaron and his descendants. They were to preside over Israel’s religious life. Ex. 28:1 - 29:9
No one else could assume this priestly office. (Heb 5:4) "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."
Aaron and his sons were unable to meet all the religious needs of Israel. Therefore, God selected the tribe of Levi to undertake religious responsibilities apart from offering sacrifices or performing tabernacle duties reserved for the priests. Num.3:5-9
In Leviticus 9 we learn that although the priests were chosen and set apart by God, they were not spiritually superior men. They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer sacrifices for the sins of the rest of the people. (Lev 9:7-8) "And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. {8} Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself."
CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD
Jesus Christ is the great high priest. (Heb 10:19-21) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, {20} By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; {21} And having an high priest over the house of God;"
Jesus offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. (Heb 10:8-10) "Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; {9} Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. {10} By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
* Christ’s redemptive work by ripping the temple veil in two. (Luke 23:45) "And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."
Because the Christ made the sacrifice for us, we may enter boldly before God. (Heb 10:19) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"
Christ bridges the gap between God and man, constantly and empathetically presenting believer’s requests to the Heavenly Father. (Heb 4:14-16) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. {15} For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
BELIEVER’S PRIESTHOOD
Christ, the high priest, made possible the forgiveness of sin for all those who place their trust in Him. Heb.10:10-19
Vs. 19 refers to the “holiest” The holiest describes God’s throne of grace in Heaven. (Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Intercession has always been a vital function of a priest. Paul instructed believers to speak to God on behalf of others. (1 Tim 2:1) "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
***** We believer-priests intercede with God when we pray for those who are unsaved and for those with needs.
One of the greatest privileges the believer has as a member of God’s holy priesthood , (1 Pet 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." , is equality with other Christians in God’s sight.
***** He also sets apart believer-priests to serve Him. (1 Pet 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
(1 Pet 2:9) "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"
These verses encourage the believer to “offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” and to “ show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
CONTINUAL SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES:
1. The believer can offer a spiritual sacrifice of his body. (Rom 12:1) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
2. A Christian can also offer a spiritual sacrifice of thankfulness to God and obedience to His Word.
(Heb 13:15-16) "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. {16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
3. The believer also offers his material goods as a spiritual sacrifice to minister to others. (Phil 4:15-18) "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. {16} For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. {17} Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. {18} But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God."
Intro:
Before Christ died on the cross for man’s sin, the Israelites were required to bring an animal sacrifice to a divinely ordained priest. The priest was a mediator between God and man through whom the Israelite would relay his personal request for forgiveness from God.
This practice changed when Christ, the believer’s Great High Priest, offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. No longer does a person need to bring a sacrifice or ask a priest to relay his requests to God. The believer himself can enter into God’s presence and present his needs. Because of Christ’s redemptive work, the Christian is a believer-priest.
THE OLD TESTAMENT PRIESTHOOD
God first demonstrated this method of worship when He offered a sacrifice to show Adam and Eve that blood had to be shed to pay for the penalty of sin (Gen 3:21) "Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them."
* Godly men offered sacrifices for themselves and their families. (Gen 8:20) "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar."
NOTE: Sacrifices could not free man from sin’s power! (Heb 10:4) "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins."
(Heb 10:11) "And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:"
God established that only the priests offer sacrifices for themselves and for the people.
Two parts to properly fellowship with God:
1. Offering. Lev. 1-7
2. Mediation of a priest. Heb. 5:1-4
The first old testament priesthood was Aaron and his descendants. They were to preside over Israel’s religious life. Ex. 28:1 - 29:9
No one else could assume this priestly office. (Heb 5:4) "And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron."
Aaron and his sons were unable to meet all the religious needs of Israel. Therefore, God selected the tribe of Levi to undertake religious responsibilities apart from offering sacrifices or performing tabernacle duties reserved for the priests. Num.3:5-9
In Leviticus 9 we learn that although the priests were chosen and set apart by God, they were not spiritually superior men. They had to offer sacrifices for their own sins before they could offer sacrifices for the sins of the rest of the people. (Lev 9:7-8) "And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as the LORD commanded. {8} Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself."
CHRIST’S PRIESTHOOD
Jesus Christ is the great high priest. (Heb 10:19-21) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, {20} By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; {21} And having an high priest over the house of God;"
Jesus offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sin. (Heb 10:8-10) "Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; {9} Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. {10} By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
* Christ’s redemptive work by ripping the temple veil in two. (Luke 23:45) "And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst."
Because the Christ made the sacrifice for us, we may enter boldly before God. (Heb 10:19) "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,"
Christ bridges the gap between God and man, constantly and empathetically presenting believer’s requests to the Heavenly Father. (Heb 4:14-16) "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. {15} For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. {16} Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
BELIEVER’S PRIESTHOOD
Christ, the high priest, made possible the forgiveness of sin for all those who place their trust in Him. Heb.10:10-19
Vs. 19 refers to the “holiest” The holiest describes God’s throne of grace in Heaven. (Heb 4:16) "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Intercession has always been a vital function of a priest. Paul instructed believers to speak to God on behalf of others. (1 Tim 2:1) "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
***** We believer-priests intercede with God when we pray for those who are unsaved and for those with needs.
One of the greatest privileges the believer has as a member of God’s holy priesthood , (1 Pet 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ." , is equality with other Christians in God’s sight.
***** He also sets apart believer-priests to serve Him. (1 Pet 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."
(1 Pet 2:9) "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"
These verses encourage the believer to “offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ” and to “ show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
CONTINUAL SPIRITUAL SACRIFICES:
1. The believer can offer a spiritual sacrifice of his body. (Rom 12:1) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
2. A Christian can also offer a spiritual sacrifice of thankfulness to God and obedience to His Word.
(Heb 13:15-16) "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. {16} But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."
3. The believer also offers his material goods as a spiritual sacrifice to minister to others. (Phil 4:15-18) "Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. {16} For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity. {17} Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. {18} But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God."
Monday, September 3, 2007
THE CLAY BALL STORY
A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.
They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.
He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy, but we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you.
Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
Pass this on to another Clay Ball
They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.
He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy, but we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you.
Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
Pass this on to another Clay Ball
Sunday, September 2, 2007
GAMBLING
The gambling industry promises “easy money,” “painless taxes,” and “instant prosperity”.
GAMBLING COSTS MORE THAN IT COULD EVERY PAY IN TAXES OR BUSINESS!
In 1979, Mayor Joseph Lazarow told Parade magazine, “I don’t know how we ever figured gambling would help our senior citizens. So far, it’s rocketing real estate values in Atlantic City. The poor and aged have been forced out or had their rents doubled, tripled, or quadrupled.”
David G. Sciarra of Cape Atlantic Legal Services says, “Gambling has in no way been beneficial to poor people. It’s been a nightmare.”
The idea that gambling revenues can be used to finance government is a popular one. But in New Jersey the $18 million that the state will collect from casino betting will hardly make a dent in the state’s $4.7 billion annual budget. In the 1980's, Governor Bredan T. Byrne said, “Politicians who suggest casinos as an answer to rising taxes are irresponsible.”
In no place except Nevada does the take from gambling operations contribute more than 4 percent to a state’s budget. In most states, revenues from lotteries, off-track betting, and other forms of gambling amount to less than 2 percent. This won’t lessen anyone’s taxes or raise teacher salaries!
WHAT THE FBI SAID
The story is the same wherever gambling is legalized. Herbert Jenkins, former President of the International Association of Police Chiefs, said “that for every dollar received in gambling taxes, government spends ten dollars fighting problems directly related to legalized gambling, prostitution, embezzlement, bad checks and police corruption.”
Former FBI Director Clarence Kelley declared “that legalized gambling would not help eliminate corruption, but rather would develop a new class of gamblers who would switch to the illegal games as their addiction grows.”
WHAT CRIME COMMISSIONS HAVE SAID
Milton R. Wessel, a lawyer who headed a special government study on organized crime, declared, “Fully half of the syndicates’ income from gambling is earmarked for protection money paid to police and politicians.” Approximately 4.5 billion dollars annually go from gamblers to public officials as bribes.
Attorney General Kennedy wrote in 1962, “No one knows exactly how much money is involved in gambling in the United States. What we do know is that the American people are spending more on gambling than on medical care or education; that, in so doing, they are putting up the money for corruption of public officials and the vicious activities of the dope peddlers, loan sharks.”
The late Chief William Parker of the Los Angeles Police Department was on of the first to state “that any society depending upon the weakness of its people to exist doesn’t deserve to survive.”
A Florida House Select Committee on Organized Crime, after 15 months of hearings, made the following report regarding casino gambling: “The legalization of casino gambling is opposed as it will greatly increase organized crime activity in Florida. Throughout the committee’s hearings, law enforcement officials, ex-organized crime members and experts in the area, testified as to the pervasive, negative effects casino gambling would have on the state of Florida. Street Crimes, including pornography, drugs, prostitution, loan-sharking, burglary and con games, would increase. Organized crime would infiltrate labor unions and service industries, as has happened in other states.”
IT WON’T DO MUCH FOR TOURISM!
The State Comptroller’s office in Florida reported “over 80% of the gambling is done by Florida residents.”
In a little over two decades the number of Gamblers Anonymous chapters in the United States has grown from one -in Los Angeles- to more than 350 chapters, with more than 6,000 active members. Gamblers Anonymous surveys show that the number of chapters has grown fastest in those states which have the most legalized gambling.
But one thing is certain, say psychologists who work with compulsive gamblers: “Their ranks have grown dramatically as the trend toward legalized gambling has grown.”
Legalized gambling contributes nothing to the economy. It takes from those who have earned and gives to those who have not earned. It fosters a philosophy of something for nothing, destructive of the American conviction that success follows the application of industry and abilities to activities productive for the common good.
Sooner or later, it attracts in its train a class of citizens that is not a credit to society and that makes no contribution to the welfare of the people.
A GREAT CONSIDERATION
Along with an increase in gambling goes an increase in unpaid bills, embezzlement, bankruptcy, and absenteeism from jobs. Gambling centers often have difficulty attracting large industries. Gambling produces nothing; adds nothing to the economy or society for our nation.
SHOULD OUR COMMUNITY HAVE GAMBLING CASINOS?
“Should our community have gambling casinos?” is one of those dumb questions to which there is no sensible answer. There is no sensible answer because it all depends on what kind of community you are talking about, and what kind of community it would like to be.
To suppose that any community could have gambling casinos and then remain substantially as it was is to imagine that you can start drinking a quart of liquor a day and remain substantially as you were. No way, as the kids put it.
A community inevitably changes its character and composition when it allows or encourages gambling casinos. Regulated as it may be, the gambling syndrome attracts high-rollers and low lifes, prostitutes and pimps, gangsters and con men, and scads of suckers the rest of them fatten on.
There is no way you can run a gambling casino like a ‘church social’! The community doubtless has a right to decide what kind of place it wants to be - but it cannot be several different kinds of places at the same time, nor can it remain the same under changed conditions.
The gambling interests simply lie when they suggest that a community will prosper from their presence; it may prosper economically, but it is bound to decay socially.
WHAT ABOUT OUR FAMILIES?
Perhaps the greatest destruction wreaked by gambling is on the family unit. From the perpetually poor slum dwellers who gamble the milk money on the daily number at 999-1 odds to the casino hoppers in Las Vegas, who take their own lives at a rate three times the national average, the story is a grim one.
Gambling harms not only those directly involved but innocent persons as well. All the members of a community stand to suffer from gambling. Especially vulnerable are member of the gambler’s family. Gambling creates financial problems and tensions in the home. AS one member of Gamblers Anonymous stated, “It is difficult to say whether the gambler or his wife is the more physically, mentally and emotionally damaged by the averages of a gambling binge.”
Innocent persons - sometimes children - suffer maiming and death when criminal elements collide in gambling disputes.
The following is the testimony of a wife whose husband was a gambler:
“I was twenty-three years old when I learned that the pounding of the flying hoofs of a racing horse was as vintage wine in the veins of thousands of people, even millions, and they would bet on a horse, forgetting all responsibility. I was the wife of such a man.
“There was a beginning of small bets placed on a favorite horse or dog, and the small grew into larger and larger bets until many times he would lose his entire pay, and his salary was quite large. He began to borrow from friends, from relatives, and then from banks and loan sharks. He began borrowing from his credit union, pawning his watch, putting a mortgage on our car.
“We moved from our nice apartment to a smaller one and on and on down, down, down the road to poverty and embarrassment. Our children, highly intelligent, had developed a personality contrary to their natural one. They had a very severe inferiority complex and became moody, and did not wish to take part in school activities.
“We never took charity because we had relatives and friends who helped. Always my husband insisted he would hit the jackpot and he could give his family all the fine things he wanted them to have.
“He began to drink heavily and became abusive in language and deeds.
“We did all we could to help him, and to no avail. We were evicted from our apartment. I went home to stay with my people, and he promised if we would help he would never make another bet. We pulled him out of a $5,000.00 debt. My son saved enough money to make a down payment on a home. For a while he kept his promise, but as soon as the $5,000.00 debt was paid off he was gambling again. And one day I learned he had borrowed $3,800.00 from his credit union. When he passed away, he had mortgaged our new home, borrowed on insurance and dropped a $5,800.00 policy, all unknown to me.
“I did volunteer social service for several years and learned of dire poverty, hunger, disgrace, broken homes, disturbed children, debts, and many on welfare.
“Unknown to me he dropped insurance policies taken out to send our children to college.
“We did not have the things in life we should have had. Why? His gambling. When he died, we were head-over-heels in debt. His is not and isolated case. There are millions just like him.”
Senator John Pastore, Rhode Island, said in the 1980's “ It’s one thing to enjoy recreation. It’s quite another to stage something that bankrupts the family.”
Gambling corrupts people in many ways. The something-for-nothing crave which gambling stimulates tends to undermine character. The hope of winning a fortune causes some to steal for a gambling stake. Professional gamblers bribe policemen, public officials, athletes, and referees. Irresponsibility, child neglect, divorce, and delinquency all seem to go hand in hand with gambling. Gambling appeals to the weaknesses of a man’s character, develops poor traits - recklessness, callousness, covetousness, and stunts spiritual growth. Some people become addicted to gambling. They cannot stop wagering and begin a headlong plunge into personal catastrophe.
GAMBLING COSTS MORE THAN IT COULD EVERY PAY IN TAXES OR BUSINESS!
In 1979, Mayor Joseph Lazarow told Parade magazine, “I don’t know how we ever figured gambling would help our senior citizens. So far, it’s rocketing real estate values in Atlantic City. The poor and aged have been forced out or had their rents doubled, tripled, or quadrupled.”
David G. Sciarra of Cape Atlantic Legal Services says, “Gambling has in no way been beneficial to poor people. It’s been a nightmare.”
The idea that gambling revenues can be used to finance government is a popular one. But in New Jersey the $18 million that the state will collect from casino betting will hardly make a dent in the state’s $4.7 billion annual budget. In the 1980's, Governor Bredan T. Byrne said, “Politicians who suggest casinos as an answer to rising taxes are irresponsible.”
In no place except Nevada does the take from gambling operations contribute more than 4 percent to a state’s budget. In most states, revenues from lotteries, off-track betting, and other forms of gambling amount to less than 2 percent. This won’t lessen anyone’s taxes or raise teacher salaries!
WHAT THE FBI SAID
The story is the same wherever gambling is legalized. Herbert Jenkins, former President of the International Association of Police Chiefs, said “that for every dollar received in gambling taxes, government spends ten dollars fighting problems directly related to legalized gambling, prostitution, embezzlement, bad checks and police corruption.”
Former FBI Director Clarence Kelley declared “that legalized gambling would not help eliminate corruption, but rather would develop a new class of gamblers who would switch to the illegal games as their addiction grows.”
WHAT CRIME COMMISSIONS HAVE SAID
Milton R. Wessel, a lawyer who headed a special government study on organized crime, declared, “Fully half of the syndicates’ income from gambling is earmarked for protection money paid to police and politicians.” Approximately 4.5 billion dollars annually go from gamblers to public officials as bribes.
Attorney General Kennedy wrote in 1962, “No one knows exactly how much money is involved in gambling in the United States. What we do know is that the American people are spending more on gambling than on medical care or education; that, in so doing, they are putting up the money for corruption of public officials and the vicious activities of the dope peddlers, loan sharks.”
The late Chief William Parker of the Los Angeles Police Department was on of the first to state “that any society depending upon the weakness of its people to exist doesn’t deserve to survive.”
A Florida House Select Committee on Organized Crime, after 15 months of hearings, made the following report regarding casino gambling: “The legalization of casino gambling is opposed as it will greatly increase organized crime activity in Florida. Throughout the committee’s hearings, law enforcement officials, ex-organized crime members and experts in the area, testified as to the pervasive, negative effects casino gambling would have on the state of Florida. Street Crimes, including pornography, drugs, prostitution, loan-sharking, burglary and con games, would increase. Organized crime would infiltrate labor unions and service industries, as has happened in other states.”
IT WON’T DO MUCH FOR TOURISM!
The State Comptroller’s office in Florida reported “over 80% of the gambling is done by Florida residents.”
In a little over two decades the number of Gamblers Anonymous chapters in the United States has grown from one -in Los Angeles- to more than 350 chapters, with more than 6,000 active members. Gamblers Anonymous surveys show that the number of chapters has grown fastest in those states which have the most legalized gambling.
But one thing is certain, say psychologists who work with compulsive gamblers: “Their ranks have grown dramatically as the trend toward legalized gambling has grown.”
Legalized gambling contributes nothing to the economy. It takes from those who have earned and gives to those who have not earned. It fosters a philosophy of something for nothing, destructive of the American conviction that success follows the application of industry and abilities to activities productive for the common good.
Sooner or later, it attracts in its train a class of citizens that is not a credit to society and that makes no contribution to the welfare of the people.
A GREAT CONSIDERATION
Along with an increase in gambling goes an increase in unpaid bills, embezzlement, bankruptcy, and absenteeism from jobs. Gambling centers often have difficulty attracting large industries. Gambling produces nothing; adds nothing to the economy or society for our nation.
SHOULD OUR COMMUNITY HAVE GAMBLING CASINOS?
“Should our community have gambling casinos?” is one of those dumb questions to which there is no sensible answer. There is no sensible answer because it all depends on what kind of community you are talking about, and what kind of community it would like to be.
To suppose that any community could have gambling casinos and then remain substantially as it was is to imagine that you can start drinking a quart of liquor a day and remain substantially as you were. No way, as the kids put it.
A community inevitably changes its character and composition when it allows or encourages gambling casinos. Regulated as it may be, the gambling syndrome attracts high-rollers and low lifes, prostitutes and pimps, gangsters and con men, and scads of suckers the rest of them fatten on.
There is no way you can run a gambling casino like a ‘church social’! The community doubtless has a right to decide what kind of place it wants to be - but it cannot be several different kinds of places at the same time, nor can it remain the same under changed conditions.
The gambling interests simply lie when they suggest that a community will prosper from their presence; it may prosper economically, but it is bound to decay socially.
WHAT ABOUT OUR FAMILIES?
Perhaps the greatest destruction wreaked by gambling is on the family unit. From the perpetually poor slum dwellers who gamble the milk money on the daily number at 999-1 odds to the casino hoppers in Las Vegas, who take their own lives at a rate three times the national average, the story is a grim one.
Gambling harms not only those directly involved but innocent persons as well. All the members of a community stand to suffer from gambling. Especially vulnerable are member of the gambler’s family. Gambling creates financial problems and tensions in the home. AS one member of Gamblers Anonymous stated, “It is difficult to say whether the gambler or his wife is the more physically, mentally and emotionally damaged by the averages of a gambling binge.”
Innocent persons - sometimes children - suffer maiming and death when criminal elements collide in gambling disputes.
The following is the testimony of a wife whose husband was a gambler:
“I was twenty-three years old when I learned that the pounding of the flying hoofs of a racing horse was as vintage wine in the veins of thousands of people, even millions, and they would bet on a horse, forgetting all responsibility. I was the wife of such a man.
“There was a beginning of small bets placed on a favorite horse or dog, and the small grew into larger and larger bets until many times he would lose his entire pay, and his salary was quite large. He began to borrow from friends, from relatives, and then from banks and loan sharks. He began borrowing from his credit union, pawning his watch, putting a mortgage on our car.
“We moved from our nice apartment to a smaller one and on and on down, down, down the road to poverty and embarrassment. Our children, highly intelligent, had developed a personality contrary to their natural one. They had a very severe inferiority complex and became moody, and did not wish to take part in school activities.
“We never took charity because we had relatives and friends who helped. Always my husband insisted he would hit the jackpot and he could give his family all the fine things he wanted them to have.
“He began to drink heavily and became abusive in language and deeds.
“We did all we could to help him, and to no avail. We were evicted from our apartment. I went home to stay with my people, and he promised if we would help he would never make another bet. We pulled him out of a $5,000.00 debt. My son saved enough money to make a down payment on a home. For a while he kept his promise, but as soon as the $5,000.00 debt was paid off he was gambling again. And one day I learned he had borrowed $3,800.00 from his credit union. When he passed away, he had mortgaged our new home, borrowed on insurance and dropped a $5,800.00 policy, all unknown to me.
“I did volunteer social service for several years and learned of dire poverty, hunger, disgrace, broken homes, disturbed children, debts, and many on welfare.
“Unknown to me he dropped insurance policies taken out to send our children to college.
“We did not have the things in life we should have had. Why? His gambling. When he died, we were head-over-heels in debt. His is not and isolated case. There are millions just like him.”
Senator John Pastore, Rhode Island, said in the 1980's “ It’s one thing to enjoy recreation. It’s quite another to stage something that bankrupts the family.”
Gambling corrupts people in many ways. The something-for-nothing crave which gambling stimulates tends to undermine character. The hope of winning a fortune causes some to steal for a gambling stake. Professional gamblers bribe policemen, public officials, athletes, and referees. Irresponsibility, child neglect, divorce, and delinquency all seem to go hand in hand with gambling. Gambling appeals to the weaknesses of a man’s character, develops poor traits - recklessness, callousness, covetousness, and stunts spiritual growth. Some people become addicted to gambling. They cannot stop wagering and begin a headlong plunge into personal catastrophe.
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