| Me | Humour | Links | Pics | Articles | Feedback | Updates | Map | Info | Fun | Search |
- A Random Walk with God -
| Me | Humour | Links | Pics | Articles | Feedback | Updates | Map | Info | Fun | Search |
These articles are more likely to interest you if you are a Christian, although if you're just curious then you may still find some of them to be of interest. The aim of having a few Christian writings here is to make you think about these things, but don't worry, none of them will ram religion down your throat!
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited
island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he
scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he
eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect
himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. But then one
day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut
in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened --
everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me?" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship
that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him.
"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad. But we
shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst
of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to
the ground, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of
God.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a
positive answer for it.
In the following Bible references, the format "name cc:vv" means the following:
name = Book in the Bible; cc = Chapter number, vv = Verse number
Hence John 3:16 means John's Gospel chapter 3, verse 16
2 Corinthians 12:9 means the 2nd epistle (letter) to the Corinthians chapter 12 verse 9
and so on
You say, "It's impossible."
God says: "All thing are possible" (Luke 18:27).
You say, "I'm too tired."
God says: "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28 to 30).
You say, "Nobody really loves me."
God says: "I love you" (John 3:16).
You say, "I can't go on."
God says: "My grace is sufficient." (2 Corinthians 12:9; Psalm 91:15)
You say, "I can't figure things out."
God says: "I will direct your steps." (Proverbs 3:5 and 6)
You say, "I can't do it."
God says: "You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you." (Philippians 4:13)
You say, "It's not worth it."
God says: "It will be worth it." (Romans 8:28)
You say, "I can't forgive myself."
God says: "I forgive you." (1 John 1:9 - Romans 8:1)
You say, "I can't manage."
God says: "I will supply all your needs." (Philippians 4:19)
You say, "I'm afraid."
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and
a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated."
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME (1 Peter 5:7)
You say, "I don't have enough faith."
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
You say, "I'm not smart enough."
God says: "I give you wisdom." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
You say, "I feel all alone."
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
I have learned to live with voice mail as a necessary part of modern life.
But I have often wondered, What if God had voice mail?
Imagine praying and hearing this:
Thank you for calling my Father's House.
Please select one of the following four options:
What if God used the familiar excuse, "All available angels are
assisting other customers right now. Please stay on the line.
Your call will be answered in the order it was received."
Can you imagine getting these kinds of responses as you called on God
in prayer:
Thank God, you can't call Him too often - you only need to ring once,
and God hears you. Because of Jesus, you never get a busy signal.
God takes each call and knows each caller personally.
Then you will call and the Lord will answer, you will cry for
help and He will say, "Here I am." - Isaiah 58:9
Thank God I have never called Him and was told His computer was down.
See Luke 10:38-42. Verse 42: "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen
that good part, which will not be taken away from her" (New King James).
Often we can get very busy doing things for God instead of just spending time
with Him. It is sometimes said that "God has many servants but few friends."
Of course, as believers most of us will want to serve Him as much as possible,
but that should never be used as a substitute for simply spending time alone
with Him.
Could it be that in our Christian busynesses that we actually do more than
what God requires of us? Now, that's a real possibility!
Like many illustrations, this one almost certainly misses the mark in some
respects, but hopefully it will be helpful: Have you ever been invited to a
friend's home for a meal, only to discover that they've laid on a spread far
more sumptious than you'd ever expect or even want, and all the preparation
and clearing up afterwards actually robs you of quality time to spend with
your friends? You're extremely grateful for the meal, for the hard work
that's gone into preparing it, and for the thoughtfulness,
but you can't help but wishing they had gone to less trouble so you could
all have more time together just chatting and being with one another.
Perhaps that just touches on how God feels when we get busy instead of
spending quality time with Him - he loves everything we do for Him in faith,
but just longs for us to spend quality time with Him.
This an eye opener; probably we never thought nor looked at this Psalm in this way, even though we say it over and over again.
Face it, the Lord is crazy about you. What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!
Did Jesus use a modem,
At the Sermon on the Mount?
Did He ever try a broadcast fax,
To send His message out?
Did the disciples carry bleepers,
As they went about their route?
Did Jesus use a modem,
At the Sermon on the Mount?
Did Paul use a laptop,
With lots of RAM and ROM?
Were his letters posted on a BBS,
At Paul.Rome.Com?
Did the man from Macedonia,
Send an e-mail saying, "Come?"
Did Paul use a laptop,
With lots of RAM and ROM?
Did Moses use a joystick,
At the parting of the sea?
And a Satellite Guidance Tracking System,
To show him where to be?
Did he write the law on tablets,
Or are they really on CD?
Did Moses use a joystick,
At the parting of the sea?
Did Jesus really die for us,
One day upon a tree?
Or was it just a hologram,
Or technical wizardry?
Can you download the live action clip,
To play on your PC?
Did Jesus really die for us,
One day upon a tree?
Have the wonders of this modern age,
Made you question what is true?
How a single man, in a simple time,
Could offer life anew?
How a sinless life, a cruel death,
Then a glorious life again,
could offer more to a desperate world,
Than all the inventions of man?
If in your life, the voice of God,
Is sometimes hard to hear,
With other voices calling,
His doesn't touch your ear,
Then set aside your laptop and modem,
And all your fancy gear,
And open your Bible, open your heart,
And let your father draw near.
Please note that this article is copyrighted, and not by myself. I have,
however, taken the liberty to slightly alter the layout to make it more
suitable for presentation on this website.
You might be a radical if...
We hear a lot about radicals these days. Are you one?
Webster's Dictionary defines radical as: "Marked by a considerable
departure from the usual or traditional; tending or disposed to make extreme
changes in existing views, habits, conditions, or institutions."
Still not sure? Well, here is a test. You may be a RADICAL if:
If you believe the above, in the eyes of the world and most people you are
no doubt a radical and are looked upon as a weirdo and maybe dangerous.
But now, the road narrows. You may be an EXTREME RADICAL if:
Below are additional symptoms of true radicals. If you believe any of them, it just further confirms what you are.
Now for the real test, which really gets revealing, and more narrow.
If you believe the following, you qualify as a SUPER EXTREME RADICAL,
causing the devil to shake violently and whine,
repeatedly grab his Excedrin and Maalox, and call 9-1-1.
You know who you are in Christ and...
A wise man once wrote: "In a normal, complacent secular society, any
attempt at normal biblical Christianity will be considered radical."
Another wise man once said, "Don't be timid. People already know you
are a radical, so you might as well act like it."
Copyright © 2002 by Jim Bramlett. All rights reserved. However, readers
may copy, forward and use as desired if whole article is kept intact.
A Different Type of Prayer ... Makes one think!
Heavenly Father,
Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in traffic last
night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day and was
rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry
and spend a few precious moments with her children.
Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young
man who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old
college student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with
his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in
the same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a slave
to addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.
Help us to remember that the old couple walking annoyingly slow
through the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are
savouring this moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report
she got back last week, this will be the last year that they go
shopping together.
Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give
us, the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with
those we hold dear. Open our hearts not just to those who are
close to us but also to all humanity. Let us be slow to judgment
and quick to forgiveness and patience and empathy and love.
In Jesus' Precious Name,
AMEN!
Happy moments, praise God.
Difficult moments, seek God.
Quiet moments, worship God.
Painful moments, trust God.
Every moment, thank God.
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like
doing something nice for someone you care for...
THAT'S GOD...
He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever been down and out and nobody seems to be around for
you to talk to...
THAT'S GOD...
He wants you to talk to Him.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a
long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone
call from them...
THAT'S GOD...
there is no such thing as "coincidence".
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for,
like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a
coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you
wanted, but couldn't afford...
THAT'S GOD...
He knows the desires of your heart...
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to
get better, but now you look back on it...
THAT'S GOD...
He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day...
"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly
endless."
A Christian work colleague forwarded this to me recently. I understand it
was written by the pastor of her church. I thought it was lovely. Read it,
savour it slowly, and let the Biblical truths of what God thinks of you
sink in as you meditate upon His Word.
My Child
You may not know me, but I know everything about you - Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up - Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways - Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered - Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image - Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being - Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring - Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived - Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation - Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book - Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live - Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother's womb - Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born - Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me - John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love - 1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you - 1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father - 1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could - Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father - Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand - James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs - Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope - Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love - Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore - Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing - Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you - Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession - Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul - Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvellous things - Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me - Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart - Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires - Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine - Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager - 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you - Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart - Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes - Revelation 21:3-4
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth - Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus - John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed - John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being - Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you - Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you - 1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love - Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me - 1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again - Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen - Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father - Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is, Will you be my child? - John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you - Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad. Almighty God
You are cordially invited to a Birthday Celebration!
Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ
Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25, but He's always around,
so the date is flexible....
Time: Whenever you're ready
(please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun).
Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there
(you'll hear Him knock).
Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay.
He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.
Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone ...
he says you wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway as it
cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!
Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living
Water", followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!
Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those
people who already has everything else.
He's very generous in return though.
Just wait until you see what He has for you!
Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
Eternity in Heaven, Contentment, and much more!
All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.
R.S.V.P. Very Important!
He must know ahead so He can
reserve a spot for you at the table.
Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future
reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life".
Party being given by His Kids (that's us!)!
Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
see at the party, share this with someone today!
After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to an end.
The first thing I remember was sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought was
a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and take a seat by the
Defence table.
As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a villainous looking gent who
snarled as he stared at me. He was definitely the most evil person I had ever seen.
I sat down, looked to my left, and there sat my Attorney - a kind and gente looking man whose
appearance seemed so familiar to me that I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an
awesome presenve as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off Him. As He took
His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin".
The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I'm here to show you why this sinner
belongs in Hell." He proceeded to tell of lies I had told, things that I had stolen, and
the times when I had cheated other people. Satan also told of other horrible things I'd
done and of other nasty perversions that had been present in my life. The more he spoke,
the more embarrassed I was and the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, not even my own Attorney, as the Devil
told of sins that even I had totally forgotten about. As upset as I was at Satan for stating
these things about me, I was equally upset at my Attorney who sat there silently, not
objecting to anything, and not offering any form of defence at all. I knew I had been
guilty of all those things, but I had also done some good in my life; couldn't that at least
equal out some of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished in a fury and said, "This sinner belongs in Hell, and is guilty of ALL
that I have charged him with. There is not one person who can prove otherwise."
When it was His turn, my Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed
this in spite of the strong objections of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.
As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendour and majesty.
I realized then why He seemed to familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and
Saviour!
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad". Then He turned
to address the court:
"Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, and I won't deny the allegations.
Yes, the wages of sin is death, and this sinner deserves to be punished."
Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstreched arms and proclaimed,
"However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has
accepted Me as his Saviour. Therefore, he is Mine!"
My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the Book of Life and no-one can snatch
him from me. Satan still does not understand this yet; this man is not to be given justice,
but rather mercy."
As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father, and said, "There is nothing
else that needs to be done. I've done it all."
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words resounded from
His lips:
"This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full.
Case dismissed!"
As my Lord embraced me and led me away, I could hear Satan rantinb and raving.
"I won't give up!! I'll win the next one!! You wait and see!!"
I asked Jesus as He gave me directions on where to go next whether He had ever lost a case.
Christ lovingly smiled at me and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to
represent them has received the same verdict as you - 'PAID IN FULL!'."
Top
Need an Extradisambiguator? Click here!