~A FRAIL OLD ANGEL~


~Last night I had a dream It had a tale to tell. I dreamed I saw an Angel; Poor thing, he wasn't feeling well.~

~His body bruised and battered His wings were ripped and torn This Angel could hardly walk, He looked so tired and worn.~

~I walked right up to him to ask; Angel? How can this be? He turned around and paused a bit, Then he spoke these words to me:~

~"I'm Your Guardian Angel, A great task as you can see. You've run amok most all your life: Look what it's done to me.~

~These bruises are from shielding you In times both dire and íll. Those alcoholic bouts and drugs you've used I've often paid the bill.~

~You see my wings are ripped and torn; How often they have flown you From evils unaware. Each mark is it's own story. of deadly wounds destroyed.~

~You made me wish more than once- That I was unemployed. If only you could make ít Standing on your own;~

~Oh, don't you fret or worry but please try to remember this I'm getting old and worn. I could not believe all I had heard,~

~Let alone how much he cared. I wept upon his shoulder, Then left him ín despair. The next day I sat and pondered:~

~Should I really try? Ĺnd ín the distance I thought I heard; A frail Old Angel Cry.~

~Author Unknown~


~THE GIFT~


~Each of us brings to the world unique talents, gifts and abilities. Even if you don't know what it is, or value what you do, someone, somewhere, will benefit from you presence.~

~No one can do what you do exactly the way you do it. It is this uniqueness that makes you valuable to the world. We are each as unique and valuable as the other. It was designed that way. A gift from God.~

~Gifts are not given on the basis of race or gender. As a matter of truth, gifts come in many shapes, sizes and colors.~

~When you do what you do, exactly the way you do it, you are sharing God's gifts, bestowed for the good of the world.~

~Heaven is where you'll be when you are okay right where you are.~

~Author Unknown~


~THE LITTLE ANGEL~


  ~The little girl was so entranced By singing that she heard That she came in God's little church, And listened to His word.~

~The message that was brought that night Was sent straight from above; 'Twas like a miracle she heard About our Savior's love.~

~Then when 'twas "invitation time" She came right at the start And said, "I want dear Jesus to Come live within my heart!"~

~With glad assurance she believed; Her face a shining light. And then she said, "Sure, I'll be back To church tomorrow night!"~

~The next night and the next and next She didn't came at all; The evangelist and pastor said: "On her we'll have to call."~

~But Sunday morning just before The sermon was to start In came the little girl and how She blessed the preacher's hearts!~

~The little girl began to cry---- Then louder with each breath; The sermon was about dark hell, And those unsaved at death.~

~Then when her cries were so intense That no one there could hear, The preacher stopped and asked the girl, "What is the matter, dear?"~

~He went to her and talked and talked, Then brought her back, eyes dim; Then at the altar he showed all The stripes she'd borne for Him!~

~He told how when she went back home, (And told how she believed,) Her father got a horse-whip and The beating she received!~

~He beat her 'till she fainted and When she revived she cried, "O mother, why? What have I done To kick me in the side?"~

~Her brother cursed - spit in her face! (Her sister did the same!) They told her that she had disgraced Their precious family name!~

~Then "bread and water" in her room For three days was her fare; Then she got out and ran and ran, In answer to her prayers!~

~A box-car was her bed last night--- Yes, bitter was her cup; And yet she says she's sorry that She broke our meeting up!~

~But we're so glad she came to us In her great hour of need; For Jesus loves his little sheep, And we lover her, indeed!~

~We're glad she loved her family still---- Cried 'cause they'll go to hell, Unless, though faith, someone would dare The gospel story tell!~

~No eyes were dry as she was led Back to her pew that day, 'Cause she had proved she bore her cross In such a Christ-like way!~

~Then later as she was baptized She wore an angel's glow, For with her was her family that She prayed for and loved so!~

~So if you have someone unsaved That brings you tears and shame, Remember "love's that priceless jewel That wins them in Christ's name!~

~Based on A True Story~


~OH, LORD, MY LORD~


  ~OH, LORD, MY LORD, I SEE YOUR FACE, IT SHOWS SUCH LOVE AND CARE., CRYSTAL TEARS FALL FROM YOUR EYES, AND WE HAVE PUT THEM THERE.~

  ~OH, LORD, MY LORD, YOU SAVED US FROM AN ETERNITY SPENT IN HELL, SEPARATED FROM OUR FATHER GOD, FROM YOU, MY LORD, AS WELL.~

  ~OH, LORD, MY LORD, HOW MY HEART HURTS TO SEE YOUR CRYSTAL TEARS. YET, I KNOW I'M RESPONSIBLE, I, AND ALL MY FEARS.~

  ~OH, LORD, MY LORD, HELP US ALL TO "KNOW" WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, TO SPARE US FROM DAMNATION, FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE.~

  ~OH, LORD, MY LORD, I CRY WITH YOU, FOR MY HEART IS HEAVY WITH SINS. MY SAVIOR, I GIVE THEM ALL TO YOU, AND KNOW THEY SHALL BE FORGIVEN.~

~OH, LORD, MY LORD, I SEE YOUR FACE, I SEE YOUR CRYSTAL TEARS, OH, LORD, MY LORD, MY HEART DOES BREAK FOR THE WORLD AND ALL ITS FEARS.~

~OH, LORD, MY LORD, MY SAVIOR DIVINE., YOU HAVE DONE ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE, TO FREE MANKIND FROM SATAN'S GRIP, TO SPEND ETERNITY WITH THEE.~

  ~OH, LORD, MY LORD, HOLY SAVIOR, KING, MOST HIGH GOD, EMMANUEL, DIVINE, I ASK YOU TO FORGIVE MY SINS, FOR NOW, AND FOR ALL TIME.~

 
~Author Unknown~


~DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER~


~I've never made a fortune
And it's probably too late now,
But I don't worry about that much
I'm happy anyhow.~

~As I go along life's journey
I'm reaping better than I sowed,
I'm drinking from my saucer
Cause my cup has overflowed.~

~Ain't got a lot of riches
        Sometimes the going gets rough
But I got a family that loves me
    That makes me rich enough.~

~I just thank God for his blessings
        And the mercy he has bestowed,
        I'm drinking from a saucer
Cause my cup has overflowed.~

~And I remember times when things went wrong
And my faith ran a little thin,
But then all at once the dark clouds broke
And the old sun broke through again.~

~So Lord help me not to gripe
About the tough rows I have hoed,
I'm drinking from my saucer
Cause my cup has overflowed.~

              ~And if God gives me the strength and courage
      When the way gets steep and rough,
          I won't ask for other blessings
I'm already blessed enough.~

             ~And may I never be too busy
      To help another bear his load,
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer
Cause my cup has overflowed.~

~Author Unknown~


~THE CHILD AND GOD~


~God are you real? The little child whispered, ~God, "Speak to me" But the child did not hear.~

~So the child yelled "God, speak to me" And the thunder rolled across the sky But the child did not listen.~

~The child looked around and said, "God", let me see You" And a Star shone brightly But the child did not notice.~

~And the child shouted, "God",show me a miracle! " And a life was born But the child did not know.~

~So the Child cried out in despair, "Touch me God, and let me know you are here!" Whereupon God reached down And touched the child. But the child brushed the Butterfly away And walked away unknowingly.~

 
~Anonymous~


~FAITH IN GOD~


~This is a true story of something that happened just a few years ago at USC.~

~There was a professor of philosophy there who was a deeply committed atheist. His primary goal for one required class was to spend the entire semester attempting to prove that God couldn't exist. His students were always afraid to argue with him because of his impeccable logic. For twenty years, he had taught this class and no one had ever had the courage to go against him. Sure, some had argued in class at times, but no one had ever really gone against him because of his reputation. At the end of every semester on the last day, he would say to his class of 300 students, "If there is anyone here who still believes in Jesus, stand up!" In twenty years, no one had ever stood up. They knew what he was going to do next.~

~He would say, "Because anyone who believes in God is a fool. If God existed, he could stop this piece of chalk from hitting the floor and breaking. Such a simple task to prove that He is God, and yet He can't do it." And every year, he would drop the chalk onto the tile floor of the classroom and it would shatter into a hundred pieces. All of the students would do nothing but stop and stare. Most of the students thought that God couldn't exist.~

~Certainly, a number of Christians had slipped through, but for twenty years, they too, had been to afraid to stand up. Well, a few years ago there was a freshman who happened to enroll. He was a Christian, and had heard the stories about his professor. He was required to take the class for his major and he was afraid. But for three months that semester, he prayed every morning that he would have the courage to stand up no matter what the professor said, or what the class thought.~

~Nothing they said could ever shatter his faith...he hoped. Finally, the day came. The professor said, "If there is anyone here who still believes in God, stand up!" The professor and the class of 300 people looked at him, shocked, as he stood up at the back of the classroom. The professor shouted, "You FOOL!!! If God existed, he would keep this piece of chalk from breaking when it hits the ground!" He proceeded to drop the chalk, but as he did, it slipped out of his fingers, off his shirt cuff, onto the pleat of his pants, down his leg and off his shoe. As it hit the floor, it simply rolled away unbroken. The professor's jaw dropped as he stared at the chalk. He looked up at the young man and then he ran out of the lecture hall.~

~The young man who had stood, proceeded to walk to the front of room and shared his faith in Jesus for the next half hour. Three hundred students stayed and listened as he told of God's love for them and of His power through Jesus.~

~You have 2 choices: 1) Delete this and never look at it again. 2) Pass this along to your Christian and non-Christian friends, giving them the encouragement we all need everyday. When you choose option 2, you have chosen to STAND UP!~


~BLINDED BY THE CROSS~


~"It makes my eyes hurt said one member." "I can't see the pastor or the choir" said others. "I wonder how many visitors are turned off and don't return because of this" spoke the pastor as he turned toward the huge stained glass window in the shape of a cross. "The motion has been seconded and the I's have it." said the pastor. "We will find a way to filter out the glare from the window." I sighed as I looked up at the magnificent cross that covered the wall of the sanctuary behind the pulpit.   No, I did not fight against changing the window. The decision would be what the majority wanted anyway and I was not in the majority. The first thing I saw when I entered into this church building was the cross. It was beautiful. I purposely sat in the area where the light glared.~

     ~I loved to look to the front of the church and not see the pastor or the choir but only the cross blinding me. I wanted to be blinded by the cross. When I would stop and talk to people I would see the reflection of the cross in their eyes. You just could not say anything unkind when you see the cross in the eyes of others. You could not hide from the cross. As I came into the sanctuary several days after the business meeting the room appeared dim. A plastic coating had been applied to the cross. The glare was gone.~

~As I looked around the sanctuary I saw things that I had never noticed before. I noticed places where the walls needed to be repainted. I saw the dust on the light fixtures and the dirty corners where the walls reached up to the ceiling. I was able to see my friends faces more clearly. I no longer saw the cross but I saw the imperfections that had been hidden by the glare.~

~I thought about the places in the Bible where God is compared to light. I thought about Moses as he was blinded when he got to see God as He passed by. I also thought about bringing a sweater for there was now a chill in the once warm spot. How strange that a simple window could say so much. Our imperfections can't be seen because of the Cross. How many times do we filter God's light so we can be comfortable?~

~Author Unknown~


~THE CROSS IN MY POCKET~


~The Cross In My Pocket I carry a cross in my pocket A simple reminder of me Of the fact that I am a Christion No matter where I may be This little cross is not magic Nor is it a good luck charm It isn't meant to protect me From every physical harm. It's not for identification For all the world to see It's simply an undersanding Between my Savior and me. When I put my hand in my pocket To bring out a coin or key The cross is there to remind me Of the price He paid for me. For my blessings day by day And to strive to serve him better In all that I do and say. It's also a daily remeinder Of the peace and comfort I share With all who know my Master And give themselves to his care. So I carry a cross in my pocket Reminding no one but me That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life If only I'll let him be.~

~Author Unknown~


~ANGELS~


~May the angels keep you til morning.   May they guide you through the night.   May they comfort all your sorrows.   May they help you win the fight.   May they keep watch on your soul.   May they show you better ways.   May they guard you while you're sleeping. May they see you through your days.   May they show you new hopes.   May they still your every doubt.   May they calm your every fear.   May they hear you when you shout.   May the angels keep you til morning.   More than this I cannot pray.   And if the angels ever fail you.   Then may God be there that day.~

 
~Author Unknown~


~A PLACE FOR ME~


~There is a special place in life, That needs my humble skill, A certain job I'm meant to do, Which no one else can fulfill.~

~The time will be demanding, And the pay is not too good And yet I wouldn't change it for a moment, even if I could~

~There is a special place in life, A goal I must attain, A dream that I must follow, Because I won't be back again.~

~There is a mark that I must leave, However small it seems to be, A legacy of love for those Who follow after me~

~There is a special place in life, That only I may share, A little path that bears my name, Awaiting me somewhere.~

~There is a hand that I must hold, A word that I must say, A smile that I must give For there are tears to blow away.~

~There is a special place in life that I was meant to fill. A sunny spot where flowers grow, upon a windy hill.~

~There's always a tomorrow and the best is yet to be, And somewhere in this world, I know there is a place for me.~

~Author Unknown~


~MISSING CHURCH ?~


~A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs.~

   ~After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail." Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting.~

~Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it. As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."~

~Author Unknown~







~IN THE GARDEN~