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Rank: Advanced Member  Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (Jer 31:3)
You Wouldn't Understand:
I couldn't believe my ears. My wife had just told me she wanted a divorce!
"But why?" I cried, trying to make sense of the senseless statement. "We've been happily married for 27 years. Why now?"
"You wouldn't understand!" Was her cold reply.
What had happened to the one I considered my best friend? It didn't make any sense!
"Didn't we pledge to be united 'for better or for worse'?" I pleaded. But it was to no avail.
It's then that I woke up with trembling hands and cold sweat running down my face. The dream was so real! Why would I have had such a nightmare? Was God trying to warn me of something?
I heard His voice telling me: "Now you understand how I feel!"
It's then that I was reminded of the request I had made of my Heavenly Father just before falling asleep the night before: "Lord, during this night, reveal to me how you see us, your children, in this world. I would like to hear your heartbeat and feel what you are going through." In His mercy, just moments before I would normally wake up, He answered my prayer.
I buried my face in my pillow and cried. "What have we done with the Lover of our soul?"
Then his words of reassurance came to me: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." (Jer 31:3 NIV)
It is true that God often expresses His love for us by comparing it to a bridegroom who hungers for the presence of his bride: "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you." (Isa 62:5 NIV) In fact the ten virgins of Matthew 25:1 "went out to meet the bridegroom." But something terrible was amiss: Half of them (50%) did not have enough oil and they missed the wedding altogether. The reason? "I tell you the truth, I don't know you." (Matt 25:12 NIV). They were lacking "oil" - the Holy Spirit, the One who makes experiencing God in this life possible.
How many of us truly focus on God in all things? How many of us too often err towards our own understanding of things, thus letting the desires of this world overtake not only our minds, but our hearts and souls as well?
When we are madly in love and engaged to be married, everything we do is done with the one we love in mind. In fact, love for our dear one becomes our only reality. But what happens after the marriage? Years go by, and little by little many of us become distracted by seemingly insignificant things. Work piles up, both at home and at our workplace, and we start to lose touch with the one who made our hearts skip a beat just years before. Little by little we become estranged.
And in thinking of our relationship with God, doesn't this also sound familiar? How many of us know anyone so in love with us that he or she would willingly die for us! Sadly how many of us have been pulled away from God by mere distractions? Do "not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes." (Num 15:39 NIV)
One thing is for sure! God did not create us to wander into the confines of a prison cell like many of us have done. He created us to be loved and to love to the utmost! This is why God declared boldly "I hate divorce" (Mal 2:16 NIV)
It tears God's heart apart when we do not accept His love, or worse, when we wander away from His love after briefly experiencing it: "I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen!" (Rev 2:4-5 NIV)
He is still calling us faithfully, every day, every hour, even at this very moment: Come back to me and experience the everlasting love I have towards you. I love you! Get to know me and experience my Love. It's still not too late! ("If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chron 7:14-15 NIV)
"Lord, please forgive us from wandering away from Your love, and for becoming entangled by the meaningless attractions of this world. We repent. Though we don't always realize it, we are hungry for You. Fill us with Your Spirit. Fill us with Your love and help us experience You to the fullest. We put our trust in You. You are our God, the One we truly love. Thank You Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen."
The moment after I realized the meaning of this dream, I felt the sensation of a tender embrace. Our Loving Father truly loves each one of us! Now we need to ask ourselves: How will we respond to His love for us?
Rob Chaffart
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
"The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:3)
Hearing His Voice
I have visited many churches, but not all of them teach the same message.
I once visited a church that encouraged its members to illegally bring Mexican aliens into the US. I never returned. I have encountered believers who have their own now defunct prophet, whose writings they considered higher than God's Word itself. They were not my cup of tea! I even visited a church once whose members didn't believe in God or His Word! I am still wondering why they were meet together at all! And then there was the church down the road. When we entered, they took one look at my wife, who was dressed in pants, and with disapproval in their stance, they seated us at the very back of the church. They then proceeded to ignore us completely. We only stayed for 15 minutes that day!
Anyone proclaiming a different message than what Christ proclaimed is in error! His message was simple and clear: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9 NIV) And this message is broadcasted throughout His Word!
Why do we tend so often to try to save ourselves by our own works? Have we lost our confidence in Christ who paid the full price of our salvation?
In this world there are many voices who claim to have the truth. Even the evil one proclaims to have the truth! But truth can never be mixed with lies. Even if one proclaims 99% truth, with only 1% of untruth mixed in, it is no longer truth!
The sad part of this all is that many listen to these half-truths/half-lies and they completely miss the boat!
Jesus was clear about this: "The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice." (John 10:3 NIV)
If we are followers of Christ, we will follow Him and Him alone, because we "know His voice"! No other voice will do!
"But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." (John 10:5 NIV)
Those modified gospels proclaimed throughout the country are not from God, and they are robbing us of real life: "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them... The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:7 , 10 NIV)
Who among these false prophets would be willing to die for us?
There is only One who was willing, and He sure was no false prophet, the One with the real message: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me-just as the Father knows me and I know the Father - and I lay down my life for the sheep." (John 10:14-15 NIV)
In case of doubt, God in His mercy has given us two reliable guides that we can trust:
1. God's Holy Spirit: "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth." (John 16:13 NIV)
2. God's Word: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Ps 119:105 NIV)
Despite this, many have somehow deformed God's Word by their own interpretations. They even encourage their members to only read the writings of their own denomination. The problem is, God does not work that way. His Spirit is the author of the Scriptures ("All Scripture is God-breathed" 2 Tim 3:16 NIV) and only His Spirit can reveal to us its message!
What happens when we ignore the message?
Two drivers were frantically looking for a parking spot in Acadia National Park, Maine. Desperate, they decided to park on the beach. They ignored the warning against high tides that were posted everywhere. Being from inland, the ocean seemed so far away from where they parked and they were sure their cars would be safe during their trek.
When they returned to their vehicles, they were greeted by park rangers. Aghast, they discovered that both of their cars were half immersed in ocean water! I don't know if they received a parking ticket or not, but it would have seemed like a little thing compared to the damages they procured to their vehicles.
Following our own interpretations and understandings costs dearly. There is only one message. None other will do!
How about parking on the beach? It such a beautiful spot! Others do it! Why can't we?
Rob Chaffart
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
Psalm 91:11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
Each Day Is A Blessing
Ever feel like filler in the sandwich of life? There are days when everything seems to be scrunching me out of place, till I'm totally surrounded by the world's demands and am only trying to squeeze more into my time and my mind than I can realistically achieve. These are the days when I feel like the filler.
One evening, friends called to say that they were in the neighbourhood and wanted to drop by for a cuppa. I had strawberries, ice cream, and cookies, but I needed something else. Why not bake some biscuits? I thought, and hurried to get these made and in the oven so they'd be nice and hot on the arrival of our guests. However, my mind being on overload and my rushing to finish the task left me with the feeling that I was forgetting something. Quit being so silly! You've made biscuits millions of times. Why, you could do this in your sleep! I scolded and assured myself at the same time. But still...
Our doorbell rang just as I popped the baking sheet full of freshly made biscuits into the oven. We exchanged greetings and chatted while the coffee perked. I peeked in the oven and saw that my usually very high biscuits were barely risen. The knot in my stomach reminded me about my earlier thought that I was forgetting something. Baking powder! I had forgotten the baking powder! I pulled the baking sheet out of the oven and tried to poke some baking powder into the half-baked biscuits! This was futile and foolish!
Needless to say, I had to start all over again, and this time, I paid close attention to what I was doing.
That evening after our friends left, having enjoyed the freshly-made biscuits, strawberries, and ice cream, I thought back over the events of my day. I was trying to do too much, and I hadn't added the main ingredient needed to ensure a success! Because I hadn't spent time in prayer or Bible reading that morning, I was feeling like the filler in a sandwich, and so the day squeezed me out of shape! Oh, I'd asked God to guide me safely home, help me get dinner ready on time, and bring my family back together safely at supper time, but like the baking powder, I was trying to poke God into my planned day as the tasks were being done. I hadn't given my family, tasks, or day to Him to guide as He chose for His glory.
I couldn't start over for that particular day, but tomorrow, I'd take the time to read my Bible and pray first. I'd pay close attention and ask Him to guide every detail and event of my day. After all, without Him, my day is only another schedule to get through so that I can say it's completed. There is no real sense of accomplishment, because I'm feeling put upon and hurried with a to-do list only!
The days I choose to begin my day with prayer and meditation on the Word are easier and less stressful. Oh, problems may arise and difficulties may present obstacles and challenges, but with Him, I can accomplish far more than I ever dreamed possible.
Humbly, I bowed my head and thanked Him for second chances, and third and fourth ones. I'll probably have another day when I try to poke God into my plans, but as He promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b NKJV) I know that He'll be waiting for me to pause long enough to invite Him to take control.
We are on a journey of faith and we have the best Guide. Let's allow Him to lead us, and enjoy the wonders of living each day in expectation and joy.
Prayer: Father God, we are Your children. We sometimes run on ahead of You and expect our day to unfold instead of unravel. Thank You that You are constantly with us, and with Your help, we can choose to follow in Your paths and have a purpose. We love You. Thank You for loving us! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
"What is Truth?" John 18:38
What is Truth? Part 1
In this technologically-advanced world, we find ourselves often mystified by the amount of knowledge available to us. We thought that computers would simplify our lives and lessen our burden of work. How wrong we were! Now we have become specialists of multi-tasking, and our stress levels have multiplied exponentially.
Amidst all that clutter that attacks us daily, we must determine what is worthwhile and what is not, what is truth and what is not. More often than not we are baffled, and we ask ourselves: "What is truth?"
We faced that very challenge when we were at Cape Breton in 2003. When we awoke, the weather network predicted that it would be a gorgeous day. But when we looked out the window of our motel room, a storm was definitely brewing. How were we supposed to dress? Should we take our umbrellas or our suntan lotion? Would we be able to take the boat trip we had planned, or should we cancel it? Who should we believe?
At the end, the boat company cancelled the trip. The water on the Gulf of St. Lawrence was so rough that no boats were allowed out of harbour.
Pilate, too, asked that very question (See John 18:38) when he found himself between a rock and a hard place. The popular vote wanted Jesus dead, but he realized that Jesus was truly innocent.
Just before that Jesus had testified: "I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." (John 18:37 NIV)
At the end Pilate vouched on the side of popularity. After all, shouldn't he do everything in his power to prevent riots in the city? It's true that he tried to free this innocent man called Jesus by letting the people decide who to free: Jesus or Barabbas. However, the popularity of the people seemed more important to him than the truth of an innocent man. Barabbas was let go and Jesus was put to a horrendous death.
Too often truth is sacrificed for our own conveniences.
In all reality, how often do we find an utterly truthful person? More often than not, most of the people we encounter have skeletons in their closets.
Does it mean we shouldn't love them? Not at all! But at the same time, truth has become a rare commodity!
I know of only One who always could declare truthfully: "I tell you the truth" (See Matt 5:18, 26; Mat 6:2, 5, 10; Mat 8:10; Mat 10:15, 23, 42 NIV)
Why could He do so without any deceit?
Because He is Truth! "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV).
How can He be Truth?
Because He was there before the beginning of 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." (Col 1:9 NIV)
And Jesus confirmed the Truth by willingly and lovingly dying on a cross so that we could experience eternal living! "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." NIV
Eternal living only makes sense if we intimately know Truth: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." (John 17:3 NIV)
Truth is not a concept. It is a person! And that person is the very Jesus that so many of us have rejected!
Our reality is altered once we get to know Truth, but unfortunately so many of us resist it instead of embracing it. But it's through Truth that grace can be found, a term quite foreign in now-a-days society! "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." NIV
How many love to cling to the law as a means of obtaining salvation! Sadly, none of them will ever reach it! "Has not Moses given you the law? Yet not one of you keeps the law. Why are you trying to kill me?" (John 7:19 NIV)
How many of us prefer to believe a lie than to accept the very fact that Jesus paid the price of our salvation? "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph 2:8-9 NIV)
Remember that Truth is not a concept, but a person!
They are predicting a sunny day today, but when I look out the window, I know better. I have decided I am tired to believe the lies I face on a daily basis. From now on I will not sacrifice Truth for the sake of my own conveniences. I have decided to follow "the" Truth-Jesus alone!
Suntan lotion or an umbrella? What's your choice?
Rob Chaffart
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
"He (The evil one) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44)
A Hole of Thunder: What is Truth?
It was Sunday, August 23, 2009. A fierce Hurricane, Hurricane Bill, pounded the coast of Mount Desert Island, in the state of Maine. Despite the inclement conditions, tourists came in droves to hear the resounding BOOMS that reverberated from Thunder Hole.
Thunder Cove is a small cove, naturally carved out of rock. At the end of this cove, down at the low tide mark, a small cavern can be found. When waves rush it, the air and water in the cavern are forced out with a loud BOOM, sounding much like the peal of distant thunder. Given the correct weather conditions, the water can spout up from the cavern, sometimes reaching a height of 40 feet.
And Hurricane Bill brought together just the correct conditions for the loudest booms and the highest spouts of water.
Warning signs were posted everywhere, counseling tourists to stay away from Thunder Hole in these conditions. Not everyone was inclined to listen to these warnings however, and many tourists could be found at the lower end of the lookout where you could best see and hear the water clapping through the cavern. And with so many people already down there, it only encouraged more tourists to ignore the warnings. After all, how could all of those people be wrong?
That is what a certain father with his two girls thought. Until he and his two girls were swept over the rail, that is, out into the stormy Atlantic Ocean.
In the icy water, the father and the girls battled for their lives. They were eventually rescued by the courageous Coast Guard, however the seven-year old later died from the trauma.
If only they hadn't followed the crowd!
I know of one whose specializes in lies. He carves his lies so cleverly around half-truths that many fall prey to his insinuations. Sadly, most of the world believes his lies rather than the One who is called "the truth"!
"He (The evil one) was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." (John 8:44 NIV)
His lies have only one goal: "The thief (The evil one) comes only to steal and kill and destroy." (John 10:10 NIV)
The truth is that "no lie comes from the truth." (1 John 2:21 NIV) If a truth is even compromised in the tiniest way, it is no longer truth! However, more often than not, we simply bury our heads in the sand and accept his lies as truth.
Many "suppress the truth by their wickedness" (Rom 1:18 NIV) by their actions, and because of this they cannot fathom the reality of God's Holy Spirit in their midst.
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." (John 14:16-17 NIV)
And if they cannot accept God's Spirit, they won't be able to accept His Word either!
We cannot, I repeat, we cannot flirt with lies without being contaminated by them. It will change our perspective on life, and it will lead us to live a life grounded on untruth.
Many so-called specialists in religion also specialize in lies. If we do not stand by the truth, we will find ourselves easily swept in the churning ocean! The apostles warned us about these liars:
"If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth." (1 John 1:6 NIV)
"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 John 1:8 NIV)
"The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4 NIV)
"Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ." (1 John 2:22 NIV)
"I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-which is really no gospel at all." (Gal 1:6-7 NIV)
We either stand on the truth, or we let ourselves be swept away by deception.
It sure looks tempting to hear the loud clap of thunder amidst the stormy elements, but in all reality, is it worth risking our lives?
Rob Chaffart
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
John 1:3 "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ."
Proclaiming Our Beliefs
Driving back from church yesterday, I heard a good quote on a radio talk show. The presenters were talking about faith and one of them said: "Don't tell me what you believe; let me watch you for a while and then I'll tell you what you believe."Â That was a profound statement and is something that I'll personally try to remember on my daily walk with God in the world.
The First Christians had a similar problem. They preached a new and radical message that wasn't easily listened to or accepted by the people of their day. Whether it was Jews in Judea or Greeks in Greece or Romans at Rome, the First Christians had a problem of credibility (coincidentally, credibility comes from the Latin word "Credo"Â which means "I believe." . No one really knew who they were or who this Christos was that they followed. They heard them preach on street corners and proclaim Christ's name in synagogues, temples, and market squares. They heard rumors that Christians were insurrectionists, anarchists, and even cannibals. Christ's message only became effective when other people saw what the Christians actually did in their daily lives. When people saw that their faith was genuine and that Christians did in fact love one another, that's when Christ's message began to be accepted.
The challenge for us today is much the same. Do our lives and actions proclaim the same beliefs in Christ that our lips and words express?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we constantly say that we believe and follow You, but do our lives proclaim something different? Forgive us when we fail to be effective and genuine witness to Your presence and love in our lives. Remind us that our faith is always being broadcast to our families and friends, our neighbors and colleagues through what we do rather than just by what we say. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart pastor@erinpresbyterian.org
Announcements:
Answers2Prayer ministries is offering a series of non-denominational bible studies called "Getting to Know Him". These consist of three in-depths studies:
1. Can you believe the New Testament?
Discover how reliable the New Testament books are. The verdict will be yours to make!
2. Jesus, a Fraud, a Lunatic or the Messiah?
Who was Jesus Christ? Were His claims true? Was He really who He said he was? Is there anyway to verify who He truly was? Who do YOU think Jesus really was? Was He a liar, pretending to be someone that He truly was not? Was He a lunatic, truly believing He was someone that He was not and deserving to be locked up in an institute? Or was He the one He proclaimed Himself to be?
3. Basking in God's Unfailing Love, An Open Invitation to Experience God Personally
To a world gone mad, trying to get to know Jesus may seem foolish. However if you give Him a try, you will desire to get to know Him more and more at the deepest level possible. His relationship with you will be more precious compared to any other human relationships out there. Enjoy getting to know Him.
These Bible studies are available on the Net at http://answers2prayer.org/studies.html . Subscription is free.
These studies are also available via email, for those who do not have web access. If interested, please let us know by sending us an email at prayer@answers2prayer.org
Come and discover the wonderful purposes Jesus has for you. Enjoy!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart add@sermonillustrator.org
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member  Joined: 10/7/2008 Posts: 2,854 Location: Caldwell Tex
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 Thank you Sarge
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
Luke 15:22-24 Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Little Boy Lost
It happens. In a blink of an eye, a sudden turn of your head, something grabs your attention for a moment and when you look back, you have no idea where you are or where everyone went.
Shopping malls, parks, picnics, at the beach or any where large crowds gather, the potential for getting lost or feeling lost exists.
Years ago when I worked in retail I often times would find parent and child separated in the store.
It just meant someone wasn't paying attention. I don't know why, but the memory of one such moment came to me yesterday.
I worked in a large, local department store which offered all the necessities of life much like the chain stores of today.
One day I found a young boy wandering down the aisle in my department. His whimpering, sniffling and periodic moaning first caught my attention.
I thought for sure it was simply another child who was told "No, you can't have that toy!" The toy department nearby was the first place the kids headed. My department was the first place moms headed. I worked in cosmetics, personal products and candy.
As the sounds of the child continued I decided to investigate.
There, two aisles down, I found the little boy sitting on the floor. Tear soaked and in need of a little attention, I approached him asking, "Is your mommy lost?"
He looked up and said, "I don't think so. Why, did you find one?"
I smiled and sat down on the floor next to him.
Now, I hate even mentioning this, but in today's world under "fear of being misunderstood," I would hesitate to do what I did back then.
These were different times. A hug was a hug, a pat on the head was caring and holding a lost child's hand as you walked to the customer service desk to report a "Lost parent" was acceptable.
I brought him over to the candy department first and along the way got his name and hometown so we could easily reconnect parent and child.
We always seemed to have a bag or two of candy that was "accidentally" opened by my manager, Betty. I gave him his choice and told him to pick out one for mommy, too.
Off in the distance I could hear someone calling his name.
"Billy! Billy, where are you?"
As we approached the woman a smile came to his face. He let go of my hand and ran toward her embrace.
She went on to explain how this all must have happened. I had heard it all before. That "split second," that "just turned my head" was all too familiar.
But what wasn't familiar to me was her response afterwards.
"Whack!" Yes, she slapped his back end and began to scream at him. "whack!" Again.
She shook him like I've never seen before.
"Don't you ever.... whack!"
It was not my place to say anything. I wanted to. I desperately wanted to.
She then turned to me and said, "Thank you!" And began to walk away.
I shouted, "Wait! Billy, did you forget?"
Billy, again looking tear soaked and scared more than before, turned back to look at me.
His eyes begged for me to step in, but I couldn't.
"Billy, you forgot to give your mommy her present."
"Mom, when we found each other, I offered him a piece of candy. He immediately asked if he could have one for his mommy, didn't you Billy?"
He slowly nodded his head in agreement and a bit of confusion.
Mom was stunned. She knelt down next to him, gave him a hug and they walked out the door hand in hand.
Maybe that's why I remembered this story today.
I've been lost. I've been found and lost again and again. I never feared being found because my loving Father always welcomed me back. He wrapped his arms around me and reminded me that I was never out of His sight.
I just "felt" lost. Sometimes we all do. Permit me to remind you that when that happens know that your Father knows exactly where you are and if you listen you'll hear Him calling your name.
I once was lost, but now I'm found Was blind, but now I see.
Amazing isn't it?
~ Insults Should Be Written In Sand ~ Compliments Should Be Carved In Stone ~
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Message: The Answer
Today's Bible Verse:
1 John 5:11-13 "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life." NIV
The Answer
One of the three year olds in a parent-tot drop in I run has been going through a very cute stage. Whenever she is asked something which she either doesn't have the answer for, or she would rather not give the answer to, she responds in a little sing song voice with these words-I don't know--.
I don't know is often our answer as well when others ask us deep and probing questions about why God allows certain things to happen in our world. We may be Christians, followers of Christ, wholehearted believers in God, yet this does not mean we possess the answer to all things spiritual for has not God said:
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
There is one very important spiritual question however which we can all respond to with a definite answer. That question is: how can anyone know for sure that they are going to heaven? The apostle John revealed this when he wrote:
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." (1 john 5:11-12 NIV)
These two verses make it very clear that we can know our eternal destiny. We can know what awaits us at the end of this life, for he who has the Son has life while he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. There is no maybe here. There is no perhaps only certainty regarding ones destiny according to this, the word of God.
Do you have the Son in your life? Have you trusted Him as the Christ, the forgiver of men's sin, the redeemer of mankind? Has his forgiveness been applied to your heart by faith? If so then God has given you eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
So the next time someone asks you this very important question, or asks how they can know their eternal destiny, the response I don't know is no longer an option for indeed we have "The Answer!"
Prayer:
Father God, thank you that none of us have to hang in limbo concerning what awaits us at the end of this earthly life. Your word makes it clear that we can know our destiny. Bless us this day with joy as we contemplate this wondrous truth and with courage to spread The Answer to all who may still be seeking. In Christ's name we pray. Amen
Lynne Phipps lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, BC
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 10/7/2008 Posts: 2,854 Location: Caldwell Tex
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 You the man Sarge
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
Ecclesiastes 7:29 This only have I found: God made mankind upright, but men have gone in search of many schemes.
God Will Find You
When I was seventeen years old, I can remember deliberately telling God that I was finished with Him. I gruffly told Him thanks for all that He had done, but this was my life and He wasn't welcome in it any more. I wanted to go my own way, do my own thing, and not be hampered by Bronze Age mythology or ancient morality.
God must have heard me because for the next 3-4 years I was on a path of self-destruction and joylessness. Like the writer of Ecclesiastes once wrote, I tried everything under the sun and found it to be meaningless. I got my fill of untold pleasures but my soul was empty. I ate and drank and made merry practically every night; in the morning, I hated the man in the mirror and just wanted to die, not because I was having a hangover, but because I was wasting my life.
At one time, through various people in my past, God had planted seeds of faith in my arrogant heart. Even as I was in search of many schemes to satisfy my body, mind, heart and soul, God was already making plans. And when He rescued me from my own rotting pit and nasty drunken self, He placed me back on the path that He wanted me to walk. I had dishonorably discarded God in the past, but He did not destroy my future. When I was unfaithful to Him, He remained faithful to His purpose. When I walked away, He kept an eye on me. And when I eventually turned back and surrendered myself to Him, God allowed me to get off my knees and work for His Son Jesus. I had searched many schemes, but Christ's predestined scheme for my life was not discarded by God.
Perhaps you also have walked away from God. Maybe you have been hurt by the church or wounded by church people. It could be that you don't want to be burdened by God's commands or Christ's demands upon your life. Or perhaps you just feel so far away, that you don't how to get back into God's good graces or Christ's embracing welcome.
Wait for Him to come to you. You don't have to run away any longer. God knows your weaknesses, your sin, and your secrets. Through Christ, you can be totally forgiven, completely restored and truly loved. Turn and wait. He will find you. He will rescue you. He will redeem you. You are a child of God's grace and a beloved friend of Christ.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we've all gone astray at times and have done foolish things. We carry sinful regrets in our hearts and are burdened with shameful secrets. You have the power to forgive all things and You have the loving grace to grant that mercy to all of us. Thank You for such a wonderful gift! Thank You for such amazing love. In Your Holy Name, we cheerfully pray. Amen.
John Stuart traqair@aol.com
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome To The Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
Ps 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Four Rooms With Potential
When we were looking for a house Marianne and I had lofty and grand expectations. You know, that "dream house" each of us can describe right down to the door knobs.
Reality, however, kept those dreams in check.
I can clearly remember saying that we needed to look at houses and see the potential in them.
Thus, the four room house we have come to call home became our reality.
Yes, there was a kitchen and a living room downstairs and two bedrooms and a bath upstairs.
The entire house was about 900 square feet.
Doesn't sound like much potential does it?
It took a long time but in recent years we added an addition to the home. It is the largest open space in the house doubling the downstairs and includes a high cathedral-like ceiling.
The ever existing potential and dream would be to add a smaller two story addition to the front of the house, expanding the master bedroom (which now is only about 10x15) and adding a small sitting area to the dining room.
As the old joke goes, "Our bedroom is so small I need to go outside to change my mind."
The one thing we have always had was hope and the ability to see potential.
I believe that is what Marianne saw in me. She's still waiting.
But isn't that what life is all about?
The problem many people have is that they want what they want and they want it now.
Yes, as believers we are told: Matthew 7:7 (ESV) 7 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened."
Now taking that literally makes God appear to be an ATM machine or that rich relative we all hoped would appear in our lives.
The truth is God wants us to dream big, aim high and reach beyond our grasp. But like a good and proper parent, you won't get everything you ask for. A good parent will give you what's good for you in measures that won't harm you and in the proper time and place.
We, in turn, may be disappointed, but we continue to trust and believe in that parent. In the long run we realize, that what was given to us, as what was held back from us, was for our own good.
Although our "dream" home we longed for was perfect in every way, the home we have grown into and expanded was made perfect as we learned to live with and appreciate all we had.
I believe that God sees in you right now the potential to grow into the life you dream of no matter how young or old you are.
You are constantly under construction, God is the contractor and you the sub-contractor. He supplies the materials and you the labor.
"Ask and you shall receive" is a truth we need to better understand. The beauty of which evolves into a partnership, like marriage, a relationship like parent and child and the reality of seeing "Four rooms with potential."
Bob Perks 2believe@comcast.net
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.
Walking in Love
Sometimes the best moments in a marriage are the simple things that happen. The other day Evelyn and I were walking together in the local mall. We weren't saying much, but we were just holding hands as we passed the stores. At one point Evelyn leaned over to me and quietly said, "I like it when we hold hands." And do you know what? I like it too.
Like every other married couple, we've had our moments of crisis and times of disagreement. However, I've discovered that the older you get and the longer you are married, the more you feel complete with your partner. Marriage is not an easy journey, but longevity in a partnership brings about special blessings and I feel grateful for the thirty years that we have shared.
Faith in Jesus is also meant to be that way. In the Bible, we're told that the Church is actually the Bride of Christ. We walk with our Lord not just as servants and followers, but as God's children who are loved through His grace. In other words, Christ lovingly takes us by the hand and leads us through this life to eternity. Now, that is a long term relationship!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us and for walking beside us each day of our lives. Help us to share that love with the world. Let Your Church be known for its compassion and care. Let Your followers take the hands of those who need healing, comfort, and love. Let us delight in the days You grant us and celebrate life as a sacred gift. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart traqair@aol.com
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor 13:13)
The Forgotten
Walking among the tombs in Port Royal, Nova Scotia, I was saddened to note that all of the wooden grave markers had disintegrated, and many of the headstones had fallen apart. Death had claimed the old as well as the young, and now, even the grave markers could no longer serve as a reminder of those buried there. Generations have passed, and no one remembers.
I wonder: How will we react when we stand face to face with our Lord and maker? Will we be desperate, like the man I encountered whose cancer of the prostrate was robbing him of his strength? Fighting with all of his being, he takes expensive pills that are supposed to make him live longer. He is terrified of death, and there is nowhere else to turn. My heart goes out to him.
Or will we resign ourselves to the fact with a smile on our lips, for we know full well where we are heading?
Faith, Hope and Love
1) Faith that moves mountains, made possible by the One who paid the price on the cross, Jesus Christ Himself. This kind of faith can only be developed by getting to know intimately the One who makes it possible;
2) Hope that fills us with adrenaline as we anticipate what has been promised to us by God Himself. He is faithful and we have no reason to doubt Him;
3) Love that can do all things, especially if we are driven by the One who made it possible. A loveless life will leave us wanting. Love is really the reason of our existence. We were created to love.
"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Cor 13:13 NIV)
With these three elements whose source stems from the Risen One, we can face anything. Even when facing death, these three will remind us:
"If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you." (Ps 139:8-12 NIV)
God will always be there to guide us. Death is not the end, it is just the beginning. We have reason to have faith, hope and love. It has transformed us from the inside out. This is what happens when we meet the Risen One. Life will never be the same. We will be filled with a hungry yearning for more and more of the Risen One. He is truly the realization of all of our dreams!
We may be forgotten on this planet, but the Risen One will always remember us! "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me." (Isa 49:16 NIV)
Thank you, Jesus, for making a difference in my life. Thank you for being my faith, my hope and my love. I love you!
Rob Chaffart
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
Matt 1:22-23 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuelwhich means, "God with us."
What Christmas is All About
Sometimes it takes the wisdom of a 2 year old to remind us of what Christmas and life are all about. It was the day after Christmas 19 years ago. I was a struggling substitute teacher who had barely earned enough to pay the rent and electric bills for our tiny apartment that month. The only gifts my wife and I could afford for our children were a few stuffed animals.
I put my kids to bed that night and wearily walked back into the living room. I was sad about not being able to give them a better Christmas. Suddenly, I heard a giggle. I walked back into their bedroom and my foot stepped on one of those stuffed animals. A second giggle came from within the big cardboard box that held their toys. I peeked over the top of it. My 2 year old daughter had dragged her 5 year old brother into the box to hide from Daddy. I gently stepped over the toys they had emptied out to make room for themselves, leaned down and tickled my little girl. She squealed with delight and wrapped her arms around my neck. I smiled and gave her a big kiss on the cheek. I hugged her and her brother then put them back to bed. Gazing down at them I realized that Love was the only Christmas gift we needed.
Looking back on that time reminds me of what Christmas is all about. It isnât about how expensive the gifts we give and receive are. It is rather about the birth of another special child some two thousand years ago. This child would grow up to teach us all how to love each other.
He would give us all so much joy. He would show us all how to face the trials of this life with faith and hope while preparing our souls for the greater life to come.
May we all embrace the wisdom of this special child. May we all fill this Christmas with hugs, kisses, laughter, and joy. And may we all spend all of our days here on Earth sharing God's greatest gift: Love!
Joseph J. Mazzella joemazzella@frontier.com
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
Luke 2:6-7 - While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (NIV)
Christmas Revelation
In late fall of the year when I was in second grade, I found out something that changed me. One of the girls on my street told me that Santa wasn't real. I ran right to my dad, and he told me that she was right. In one way, this was a relief. I had always wondered why my parents, who loved me, didn't give me Christmas gifts. Now I knew they did. More importantly, with Santa out of the way, my heart opened more fully to hearing about the Christ Child.
As things ramped up to the big day, we could hardly contain our excitement, but something was nagging at my young spirit. Amidst the tree decorating and cookie baking, I sensed more and more that Jesus was the focus in all this, or should have been. I didn't tell my parents or anyone else what I was thinking, but I felt sad a lot that Christmas, thinking that not enough attention was being paid to the Saviour.
After bedtime on Christmas Eve, I dozed fitfully until I saw the light go off under my parents' bedroom door and crept out into the living room. The streetlights, streaming in from the window, were reflected in the glass ornaments on the tree. I found my way to the television set, on top of which my mother had set out the nativity scene, and knelt down in front of it. I picked up the little baby Jesus and started to cry. "It's You, it's You, it's You. It's not Santa, it's nobody else. It's only about You. It's all about You." That was the first time I felt the presence of God. The Holy Spirit was drawing me to Jesus, the truth.
I would like to say I grew up and followed Him all my days, but sadly, I cannot. Yet through all my wayward teenage years into young adulthood, no matter what, I knew that Jesus was real. I gave my heart fully to Him when I was 23, and I'll never forget that night in front of the old television. It was a Christmas of revelation, a Christmas of truth.
Prayer: Thank You, thank You, Lord, for revealing Yourself to us! This Christmas, help us to seek You as little children, trusting You and giving our hearts to You. May we be ever mindful of Your grace and presence in this season, and all year long. We love You, Lord. Amen.
Michele Debau makrissak@hotmail.com
Newmarket, Ontario, Canada
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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Welcome to the Illustrator
Today's Bible Verse:
"When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matt 2:16-18)
Separated by Myriads of Passengers: Christmas Under Fire, Part 3
The tumultuous first Christmas culminated when Herod decided to get rid of his potential competition of the nearly newborn Messiah. To remove any doubt of his success, he eliminated all infants in the vicinity of Bethlehem.
Imagine your own child being slaughtered to protect the ambitions of an evil ruler! The pain of the inhabitants of Bethlehem was vivid. They had lost what was most important to them. They would never, ever forget that day and they would sadly commemorate it for the rest of their lives. That first Christmas was a bloody one where self-interest was more important than life itself.
How different from the self-sacrificing attitude of the Messiah Himself. He left everything behind, His kingdom, His Father, the multitudes who adored Him to come to this earth where people were more concerned about themselves than others. No wonder most did not recognize Him! "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him." (John 1:10-11 NIV)
Although people are willing to sacrifice the lives of others in order to promote themselves, there are some who follow the attitude of the One born that first Christmas day.
An anxious man was seated next to one of my sons on flight FI602. His eyes darted around nervously until he spotted a stewardess. "Is the plane full?" He asked hopefully. "My wife and I are separated on this flight, and I was hoping there might be two empty seats together somewhere!"
But her answer was not what he wanted to hear. "Yes, the plane is quite full. You'll have to wait until the doors have closed before we'll know if there are any other available seats!"
Now the window seat next to my wife, across the aisle from our boys, was empty, and she immediately asked our boys if one of them would like to sit there so that the man and his wife could sit together. My oldest son immediately vacated his seat for the man's wife.
The anxious passenger stared in amazement. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you," was all he could say.
This reminded me of another flight back to the old country. My dad had passed away, and leaving our child behind in the care of his grandmother, we had managed to book last-minute tickets for my wife and myself. Though we knew our baby would be well cared for, our hearts were breaking for both reasons. Naturally, due to the lateness of our booking, my wife and I had not been assigned seats together. Our plight however, seemed to fall on deaf ears, and we had to make the transatlantic flight separated from each other.
May this Christmas bring us back to our senses. May we realize that there is much more to life than just expecting gifts. Such attitudes will always leave us feeling empty, wanting more. We will never feel satisfied.
Will we be a destroyer, like Herod? Or will we be a "builder up" kind of person, like Jesus? We must decide, once and for all! "Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up." (Rom 15:2 NIV)
When we decide to care more for others than for ourselves, like the volunteers who helped out during 911, who were willing to sacrifice their own lives to save just one, we are being "builder up" kinds of people. But when we follow in the footsteps of Herod, we tear people down.
Will we be like Herod? Or will we be like the One we are supposed to celebrate this Christmas? Why not love like He does this Christmas? Why not accept His love from above and touch the lives of everyone around us?
"May I please have your seat?"
"Who do you think you are?"
Hmmmm. Maybe we still have a lot of growing up to do!
Rob Chaffart
Announcements:
Who are you planning to encourage this Christmas?
In His love,
Rob Chaffart add@sermonillustrator.org
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 10/7/2008 Posts: 2,854 Location: Caldwell Tex
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Good reading Sarge.
please keep posting.
brbruce
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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rockinga wrote:Good reading Sarge.
please keep posting.
brbruce Thank you Pastor Bruce. I too enjoy reading all your threads. Keep up the good work and God bless you and yours in the new year!
Your Friend &
Brother in Christ
Sarge 
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Rank: Advanced Member Joined: 9/9/2008 Posts: 2,980
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The Illustrator
Holding On to Nothingness. Holding On, Part 1
Today's Bible Verse:
"Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word." (Ps 119:37)
Fort William Henry. It looked so strong, so unbreakable, so meant to protect the Permaquid region and survive for eternity.
But then that's also what they thought when they built the former fort, Fort Charles, and it had been destroyed by a joint coalition between the French and the Indians, just a few years earlier.
But this new fort was different. It had taken two thirds of the budget of the colony of Massachusetts to build. It would most certainly last!
However when attacked four years later by the same culprits, it was discovered that this seemingly strong fort had an Achilles' heel. The mortar used to build the strong stone walls was of poor quality (Even in those days they took shortcuts!) And it could not withstand the bomb attacks. It also didn't help that the garrisons' water supply lay outside the fort. A mere oversight, perhaps, but between the two, it cost them their fort. Once again the English had to abandon Permaquid.
One thing about the British, they don't get discouraged easily! In 1729 they built yet another fort to protect the Permaquid area. They called it Fort Frederick, and this one lasted until 1769, when the fort was deemed useless, due to the construction of Fort Pownall further east of Permaquid, and to the fall of Quebec. Abandoned, Fort Frederick fell into disarray, and was eventually torn down in 1775 by the local inhabitants. Their reason? Being on the eve of the commencement of the Revolutionary War in the United States, they wanted to discourage the British from ever occupying it again!
We would never have discovered these ruins if we hadn't taken a little detour. It was mentioned nowhere in the tourist guides or on the Internet. What seemed so important to the past wasn't deemed really worthwhile after all!
As I was pondering this, I had to ask myself: How much time do we waste on "worthless" pursuits? Should our to-do lists really be our priority in life? Do we even remember what we accomplished two days ago? We rush back and forth at dizzying speeds, but what do we have left to commemorate it all when the rush is over and we try to survive our retirement years on meager provisions?
And what about our worship? Is it exempt from worthless priorities?
"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:26-27 NIV)
Just attending church won't cut it. Just giving our tithes and offerings won't get us to the mark. Self-centered religion is worthless when the needs of God's children are being ignored. How many of the things we hold so dearly are not everlasting! "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." (Matt 23:23 NIV)
Is our service at work worthwhile to others? If we are just working for the money, it won't be: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men."( Col 3:23 NIV)
What about love? Do we love our spouses the way Jesus tells us to? Do we put his or her needs first? And what about our kids? Do we even try to understand them?
It all comes down to this: "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Col 3:17 NIV)
The same is true with our worship towards God. If it is self-seeking, it's worthless. If it is a means to reach heaven, we've missed the mark.
So many of the things we do, think or admire are truly worthless! So many of these things won't make it to eternity! What are we truly holding on to? Is there anything in the bunch that is worthy of eternity? Which will be lasting? Which will evaporate to nothingness?
One thing is certain, love is the foundation to eternity. This one is truly worthy of our full attention! "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35 NIV)
Even the beautiful sand castles I used to build with my children have disappeared into nothingness, but the time spent with my kids while engaged in this activity will linger in my memories forever!
Rob Chaffart
Announcement:
Do you enjoy reading Chicken Soup for the Soul? Wait until you visit The Sermon Illustrator http://www.sermonillustrator.org and read its thousands of inspirational stories. A real faith lifter! Come on over my friend.
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