Parents who Drugged Us

The other day, someone at a store in our town read
that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old
farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me
a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug
problem when you and I were growing up?" I replied,
I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug
to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to
family reunions and community socials no matter the
weather. I was drug by my ears when I was
disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the
woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie,
brought home a bad report card, did not speak with
respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher,
or if I didn't put forth my best effort in
everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth
washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was
drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower
beds and cockleburs out of dad's field. I was drug
to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to
help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the
yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood;
and, if my mother had ever known that I took a
single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would
have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my
behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They
are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and, if
today's children had this kind of drug problem,
America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us.

Mark 10:46-52

46) And they came to Jericho; and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, Bartimae'us, a blind beggar, the son of Timae'us, was sitting by the roadside. 47) And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48) And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent; but he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49) And Jesus stopped and said, " Call him." And they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart; rise, he is calling you." 50) And throwing off his mantle he sprang up and came to Jesus. 51) And Jesus said to him, " What do you want me to do for you?" And the blind man said to him, "Master, let me receive my sight." 52) And Jesus said to him, " Go your way; your faith has made you well." And immediately he received his sight and followed him on the way.

What A Story

A man from Norfolk, VA called a local radio station to share this on Sept 11th, 2003. His Name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
"A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very upset, we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD. He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can't just sit by for; I have to do something. I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'take good care of my grandchild.' Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he died while helping in the rescue effort. My joy that my prayer of safety for my wife had been ; answered quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say goodbye. Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone. I opened the door to a couple with a small child. The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.' He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said, 'there is something else you need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves. When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew in honor of the man who gave his life so that mother and baby could live." This story should help us to realize two things: First - God is always in control. We may not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control. And second - that though it has been several years since the attacks, we should never let it become a mere tragic memory.
Please take time to share this amazing story with those you love. You may never know the impact it may have on someone.
God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called.

Mark 13:21-37

21) And then if any one says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or `Look, there he is!' do not believe it. 22) False Christs and false prophets will arise and show signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, the elect. 23) But take heed; I have told you all things beforehand.24) " But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25) and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26) And then they will see the Son of man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27) And then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28) " From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29) So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30) Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place. 31) Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32) " But of that day or that hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33) Take heed, watch; for you do not know when the time will come. 34) It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to be on the watch. 35) Watch therefore -- for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning - 36) lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37) And what I say to you I say to all: Watch."

Praising God's Trustworthiness

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteour; for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: and the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalms 33: 1-5 KJV

What does it mean to be trustworthy and true? In a society that insists that all truth is relative, many people have given up looking for truth, much less basing their lives on it. But Scripture declares that there is something that is completely true—no matter what angle you look at it, no matter what perspective you come from. God and his Word will always remain true. That facet of God's character is what this psalm celebrates. It encourages believers everywhere to shout for joy, for their lives are securely established on God's eternal truths.
Take a moment to reflect on how few things are certain in this world and how much change is a normal part of life. Then think about how God and his Word are forever trustworthy and true, and give him praise.
Dear God, your Word holds true, and everything you do is worthy of my trust.…

A Child Explains God

THIS ONE IS FABULOUS!!!
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in Chula Vista, CA. He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment, to "explain God." I wonder if any of us could have done as well?EXPLANATION OF GOD:"One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies. I think because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can just leave that to mothers and fathers."
"God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and such, pray at times beside bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a way to turn it off."
"God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you couldn't have."
"Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there are any in Chula Vista. At least there aren't any who come to our church."
"Jesus is God's Son He used to do all the hard work, like walking on water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind, like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what they were doing and to forgive them and God said O.K."
"His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps his dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more important."
"You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time."
"You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy, and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come out at the beach until noon anyway."
"If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into real deep water by big kids."
"But..you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And..that's why I believe in God."

On Jordan's Stormy Banks

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 KJV

This hymn was written by Samuel Stennett in 1787. It was at first titled "Heaven Anticipated." It was the last song that the Confederate Civil War Spy Sam Davis heard before he was executed in 1863.

Davis was part of a group called Coleman's Spies. Davis was so good that one evening he shared a table with Northern General William Rosecrans listening to Yankee battle plans.

However, in November of 1863 he was caught with maps and papers that exposed him as a spy and thrown into jail. He was offered to be spared his life if he would reveal the identity of Coleman. He refused. Later it was Private C. B. Van Pelt who read to him the copy of his death sentence. Part of it was a reprieve if he would tell them where Coleman was. He told Private Van Pelt "I will die a thousand deaths rather than betray my friends." They were both moved to tears and then both were silent.

What no one knew at the time was Coleman was really Dr. H. B. Shaw. Dr. Shaw was being held in another jail cell nearby at the same time. Later he was released.

Before he was executed Davis wrote to his mother. "How painful it is to write to you. I have got to die tomorrow morning-to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do not grieve for me. I must bid you good-by forevermore."

The Chaplin spent the day before his execution praying with Sam. That night in worship service Davis asked if they would sing "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." The Chaplin said he would never forget Davis' voice as he sang "I am bound for the Promised Land; I am bound for the Promised Land."

A monument is erected to Sam Davis on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol. Below it are the words "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13