THE BLOOD
One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart.
She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior.The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution.
But, the change in her was evident. As time went on she became a faithful member of the church.She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son.The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.This is when the problems began.You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son.The church began to argue and fight about the matter.So they decided to have a meeting.As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand.The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak.He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:"My fiancee's past is not what is on trial here.What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin.
Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?"
The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters.Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely.If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.What can wash away my sins?Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!!"Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
Psalm 55:23
This following prayer is powerful and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive.There is no cost but a lot of rewards, let's continue to pray for one another.Here is the prayer:"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and especially the person reading this right now.Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment.Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace. Let them realize that your love is unconditional and everlasting.
In Jesus' precious name.
Amen May God richly bless you!
Thursday, July 24, 2008
7 Tips for a better day!!
Daily Rules from God for 2008
1. Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day. 'Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Psalms 118:24
2. Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.' I Samuel 16:7
3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to d o twice as much listening as talking. 'He who guards his lips guards his soul.' Proverbs 13:3
4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. 'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...' Galatians 6:9-10
5. Look Up!!... To the Lord.
'I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.' Phillippians 4:13
6. Reach Up!!... For some thing higher. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.'
Proverbs 3:5-6
7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers.
' Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.'
Philippians 4:6
1. Wake Up!! Decide to have a good day. 'Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.' Psalms 118:24
2. Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.' I Samuel 16:7
3. Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to d o twice as much listening as talking. 'He who guards his lips guards his soul.' Proverbs 13:3
4. Stand Up!!... For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything.. 'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...' Galatians 6:9-10
5. Look Up!!... To the Lord.
'I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.' Phillippians 4:13
6. Reach Up!!... For some thing higher. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.'
Proverbs 3:5-6
7. Lift Up!!... Your Prayers.
' Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.'
Philippians 4:6
Tragety strikes the Laurie family!
This is the one thing all people fear, getting a phone call to find out someone you loved dear has passed away. It lets us know that life is precious and that we are not promised tomorrow. I am reach out to everyone to lift up Greg and his family as this will be a tough adjustment. If we could keep them in prayer and show our support. The harvest crusade is only weeks away and for this to come at this time is a test beyond what we would ever call upon ourselves. My heart goes out to you and your family and I wanted to let you know that we are here long suffering through it with you!!! GOD BLESS !!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Scientist amazed at our GOD, undeniable truth.
NASA & THE BIBLE
Thought this was pretty amazing and interesting!!
For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard
time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's
something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in
control.
Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been
called "myth" in the Bible is true?
Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore ,
Maryland , and a consultant in the space program, relates the following
development.
I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us today
happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt,
Maryland .
They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets
would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now. We have to know this so we
won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its
orbits.
We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and
where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down.
They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it
came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant
that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or
with the results as compared to the standards.
They called in the service department to check it out, and they said,
'What's wrong?' Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed
time.
They scratched their heads and tore their hair out. There was no answer.
Finally a Christian man on the team said, 'You know, one time I was in
Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still.' While they
didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, 'Show
us, '
He got a Bible and went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty
ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense.'
There they found the Lord saying to Joshua,
'Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man
of them stand before Thee.'
Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy! And if
darkness fell, they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make
the sun stand still! That's right... 'The sun stood still and the moon
stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!'
(Joshua 10:12-13)
The astronauts and scientists said, There is the missing day! They checked
the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was
close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in
Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ... not a whole day.
They read the Bible, and there it was about [approximately] a day. These
little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble
because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble
1000 years from now.
Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many ti mes over
in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered
somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS.
The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book
and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah,
on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he
was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said 'Do
you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?'
Hezekiah said, 'It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let
the shadow return backward 10 degrees.' Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the
Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40
minutes!
Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second
Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?
References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.
Thought this was pretty amazing and interesting!!
For all the scientists out there, and for all the students who have a hard
time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible, here's
something that shows God's awesome creation, and that He is still in
control.
Did you know that the space program is busy proving that what has been
called "myth" in the Bible is true?
Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore ,
Maryland , and a consultant in the space program, relates the following
development.
I think one of the most amazing things that God has done for us today
happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt,
Maryland .
They were checking out where the positions of the sun, moon, and planets
would be 100 years and 1,000 years from now. We have to know this so we
won't send up a satellite and have it bump into something later on in its
orbits.
We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and
where the planets will be so the whole thing will not bog down.
They ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, and it
came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red signal, which meant
that there was something wrong with either the information fed into it or
with the results as compared to the standards.
They called in the service department to check it out, and they said,
'What's wrong?' Well, they found there is a day missing in space in elapsed
time.
They scratched their heads and tore their hair out. There was no answer.
Finally a Christian man on the team said, 'You know, one time I was in
Sunday School, and they talked about the sun standing still.' While they
didn't believe him, they didn't have an answer either, so they said, 'Show
us, '
He got a Bible and went to the book of Joshua where they found a pretty
ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense.'
There they found the Lord saying to Joshua,
'Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not a man
of them stand before Thee.'
Joshua was concerned because he was surrounded by the enemy! And if
darkness fell, they would overpower them. So Joshua asked the Lord to make
the sun stand still! That's right... 'The sun stood still and the moon
stayed and lasted not to go down about a whole day!'
(Joshua 10:12-13)
The astronauts and scientists said, There is the missing day! They checked
the computers going back into the time it was written and found it was
close but not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in
Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ... not a whole day.
They read the Bible, and there it was about [approximately] a day. These
little words in the Bible are important, but they were still in trouble
because if you cannot account for 40 minutes, you'll still be in trouble
1000 years from now.
Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many ti mes over
in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered
somewhere in the Bible where it said the sun went BACKWARDS.
The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but they got out the Book
and read these words in 2 Kings that told of the following story: Hezekiah,
on his death bed, was visited by the prophet Isaiah who told him that he
was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for a sign as proof. Isaiah said 'Do
you want the sun to go ahead 10 degrees?'
Hezekiah said, 'It is nothing for the sun to go ahead 10 degrees, but let
the shadow return backward 10 degrees.' Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the
Lord brought the shadow ten degrees BACKWARD! Ten degrees is exactly 40
minutes!
Twenty-three hours and 20 minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in Second
Kings make the missing day in the universe! Isn't it amazing?
References: Joshua 10:8 and 12,13 and 2 Kings 20:9-11.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
I have a challange for you!
Rent the movie THE 11TH HOUR and be honest with yourself. Ask yourself the question, is this going to make me change the way I live my life or am I ok with the way we are heading? We are getting to a point were the world will not keep going at the rate it is being consumed.We are going to make ourselves become extinct on our own doing. Lets start with what we can do on our own to make a change and pray that everyone will catch on before it is to late. God, please help us from ourselves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The glue that holds us together!!!
Subject: The glue that holds us together
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
This is a pretty neat story and an interesting thing that few of us know. It's brief, so please read on.
This was written by Steve Oran. He is one of a fantastic pair of cardio-pulmonary rehab' workers at Harriman hospital.
A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio...and I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned....but I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway.
He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is...how He spoke the universe into being...how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire...etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God, ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating at minimum from a medical standpoint) ....and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking....'How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???'
Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about Laminin. I knew about Laminin. Here is how Wikipedia describes them :'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.' You see....Laminins are what hold us together....LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what Laminin LOOKED LIKE.
But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)....Here is what the structure of Laminin looks like...AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it....if you look up Laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see...
Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing. The glue that holds us together....ALL of us....is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind:
'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth , visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER. ' Colossians 1:15-17
Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about Laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together...one cell to another....by the cross.
You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what Laminin 'glue' would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!
We praise YOU, Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
This is a pretty neat story and an interesting thing that few of us know. It's brief, so please read on.
This was written by Steve Oran. He is one of a fantastic pair of cardio-pulmonary rehab' workers at Harriman hospital.
A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio...and I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned....but I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway.
He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is...how He spoke the universe into being...how He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire...etc. etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God, ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating at minimum from a medical standpoint) ....and I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking....'How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???'
Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.
And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!
It was because he started talking about Laminin. I knew about Laminin. Here is how Wikipedia describes them :'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.' You see....Laminins are what hold us together....LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what Laminin LOOKED LIKE.
But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)....Here is what the structure of Laminin looks like...AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it....if you look up Laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see...
Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing. The glue that holds us together....ALL of us....is in the shape of the cross. Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind:
'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth , visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things HOLD TOGETHER. ' Colossians 1:15-17
Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about Laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together...one cell to another....by the cross.
You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what Laminin 'glue' would look like long before Adam even breathed his first breath!!
We praise YOU, Lord!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
A question for you!
If you were to wright a story about your life would anyone want to or even enjoy reading it? Let me know what you think for I am interested to know your response.
Never give up fighting, people are watching!
Carl's Garden
Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.
Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.
When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, 'Would you like a drink from the hose?'
The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,' with a malevolent little smile.
As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.
Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.
Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. 'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. 'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.' His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.
Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, 'Carl, what are you doing?'
'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' came the calm reply.
Satisfying himself that Carl really was alright , the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.
A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.
Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.
The summer was quickly fading into fall Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.
'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.' The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.
'What's this?' Carl asked.
'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.'
'I don't understand,' Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. 'I learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang and hurt people like you We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.' He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.'
He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, Iguess.' And with that, he walked off down the street.
Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.
He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.
The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, 'Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'
The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Person needed to care for Carl's garden.' The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. 'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' the young man said.
The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, 'Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him.'
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, 'My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.'
'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?'
'Carl,' he replied.
Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.
Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII. Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.
When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened. He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, 'Would you like a drink from the hose?'
The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, 'Yeah, sure,' with a malevolent little smile.
As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.
Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.
Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. 'Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?' the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head. 'Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday.' His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.
Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, 'Carl, what are you doing?'
'I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately,' came the calm reply.
Satisfying himself that Carl really was alright , the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.
A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose. This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water. When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.
Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.
The summer was quickly fading into fall Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.
'Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time.' The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.
'What's this?' Carl asked.
'It's your stuff,' the man explained. 'It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet.'
'I don't understand,' Carl said. 'Why would you help me now?'
The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. 'I learned something from you,' he said. 'I ran with that gang and hurt people like you We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate.' He stopped for a moment. 'I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back.'
He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. 'That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, Iguess.' And with that, he walked off down the street.
Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.
He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.
The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, 'Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden.'
The following spring another flyer went up. It read: 'Person needed to care for Carl's garden.' The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flyer. 'I believe this is my job, if you'll have me,' the young man said.
The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, 'Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him.'
The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.
One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, 'My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday.'
'Well, congratulations!' said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. 'That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?'
'Carl,' he replied.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Hello everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello to all my fellow brother and sisters! I wanted to set up a blog for people to come to were they could be real and not worry about what they are thinking. I feel that we need to be able to speak or minds and bring things into the open that are really bothering us without being judged. For some of us that will be easier to do in an environment that we don't feel threatened in. I am hoping that you will be able to talk about anything here and to know it is for no other reason than for us to all sharpen each other as the bible talks about. They bible tels us that we will sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron. To be honest I need some more people in my life who are ready to stand against the wicked of this word and to start living for a brighter tomorrow. People to share with the struggles they are going through so that we can be there for each other as well as for the ones who are going to encounter what you have already gone through and had victory in due to the strength of GOD. Our lord is the best thing I have going for me and I want to share that with anyone willing to listen! I look forward to the fun times and the struggles ahead. The bible tells us to count the good and the bad all as joy for the situations we find our self in are temporary and the reward for being faithful is eternal. This world will come to pass, be joyful in all things and watch the blessings of obedience from the lord take your life over. Praise him!!!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
About Me
- John Inglis
- I am an active real estate agent working out of the Corona Prudential California Realty office.I am hear to serve you in all of your real estate need.
