Entertaining Angels

It was fifty years ago, on a hot summer day, in the deep south. We lived on a dirt road, on a sand lot. We were, what was known as "dirt poor". I had been playing outside all morning in the sand. Suddenly,  I heard a sharp clanking sound behind me and looking over my shoulder, my eyes were drawn to a strange sight! Across the dirt road were two rows of men dressed in black and white, striped, baggy uniforms. Their faces were covered with dust and sweat. They looked so weary, and they were chained together with huge, black, iron chains. Hanging from the end of each chained row was a big, black, iron ball.

They were, as polite people said in those days, a "Chain Gang", guarded by two heavily armed white guards. I stared at the prisoners as they settled uncomfortably down the dirt under the shade of some straggly trees. One of the guards walked toward me. Nodding as he passed, he went up to our front door and knocked. My mother appeared at the door, and I heard the guard ask if he could have permission to get some water from the pumps in the backyard, so that "his men" could "have a drink". My mother agreed and I saw a look of concern on her face she called me inside.

I stared through the window as each prisoner was unchained from the line, to hobble over to the pump and drink his fill from a small tin cup, while a guard watched vigilantly. It wasn't long before they were all chained back up again, with prisoners and guards retreating into the shade, away from an unrelenting sun. I heard my mother call me into the kitchen, and I entered to see her bustling around with tins of tuna fish, mayonnaise, out last loaf of bread, and two big pitchers of lemonade. In what seemed "a blink of an eye", she made a tray of sandwiches using all the tuna we were to have for that night's supper.

My mother was smiling as she handed me one of the pitchers of lemonade, cautioning me to carry it "carefully" and to "not spill a drop". Then, lifting the tray in one hand and holding a pitcher in her other hand, she marched me to the door, deftly opening it wither her foot and trotted me across the street. She approached the guards, flashing them with a brilliant smile. "We had some leftovers from lunch", she said, "and I was wondering if we could share with you and your men." She smiled at each of the men, searching their dark eyes with her own eyes of "robin's egg blue." Everyone started to their feet. "Oh no!" she cried. "Stay where you are! I'll just serve you!" Calling me to her side, she went from guard to guard, then from prisoner to prisoner, filling each tin cup with lemonade, and giving each man a sandwich.

It was very quiet, except for a "thank you, ma'am", and the clanking of the chains. Very soon we were at the end of the line, my mother's eyes softly scanning each face. The last prisoner was a big man, hid dark skin pouring with sweat and streaked with dust. Suddenly his face broke into a wonderful smile as he looked up into my mother's eyes and he said, "Ma'am, I've wondered all my life if I'd ever see an angel, and now I have! Thank you!" "Again, my mother's smile took in the whole group. "You're all welcome!" she said. "God bless you." Then we walked across to the house with empty tray and pitchers, and back inside.

Soon, the men moved on and I never saw them again. The only explanation my mother gave me, for that strange and wonderful day, was that I "remember always to entertain strangers, for by doing so, you may entertain angels without knowing." (Hebrews 13:2) Then with a mysterious smile, she went about the rest of the day. I don't remember what we ate for supper that night. I just know it was served by an angel.

Joyful Things

At times I'm so discouraged with problems of the day,
I fail to see the joyful things that are along the way.
When trouble overwhelms me, it's then my nerves may fray,
that's when I need to take the time to simply sit and pray.
Reflecting on God's many gifts, it makes me so aware,
of all the joy in little things around me everywhere!
I must try to remember though problems come my way,
not to miss the joyful things and the beauty of the day!

God Said....

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I'm a Healer?
If you never went through difficulties, how would you know I'm a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I'm a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I'm forgiving?
If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never knew trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you were never broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, how would appreciate them?
If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on Me?
If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?
                                                     ENOUGH SAID!!!

Does prayer change things?

They say that prayer changes things, but does is really change anything? Oh yes, it really does! Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?

No, not always, but it does change the way you look at events.
Does prayer change your financial future? No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs. Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies? No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort. Does prayer change your wants and desires? No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires! Does prayer change how you view the world? No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world through. Does prayer change your regrets from the past? No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future! Does prayer change the people around you? No, not always, but it will change you - the problem isn't always in others. Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain? Oh yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out! So does prayer really change anything! Yes! I really does change everything!
                                                                               "Pray without ceasing;" 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Healed and Whole

One day I dug a little hole and put my hurt inside,
I thought that I could just forget I'd put it there to hide,
but that little hurt began to grow, I covered it every day,
I couldn't leave it and go on, it seemed the price I had to pay.

My joy was gone, my heart was sad, pain was all I knew,
my wounded soul enveloped me, loving seemed hard to do.
One day, while standing by my hole, I cried to God above,
and said, "If You are really there, they say, You're a God of love!"

And just like that, He was right there, and just put His arms around me,
He wiped my tears, His hurting child, there was no safer place to be.
I told Him all about my hurt, I opened up my heart,
He listened to each and every word to every sordid part.

I dug deep down and got my hurt and brushed the dirt away,
and placed it in the Master's hand, and healing came that day.
He took the blackness of my soul and set my spirit free,
something beautiful began to grow where the hurt used to be!

And when I look at what has grown out my tears and pain,
I remember every day to give my hurts to God, and never bury them again.
Have faith in our loving God, there is nothing too big for our Lord!
May God bless you each and every day.

Move Closer

Not long ago, I heard a story about a young man and an old preacher. The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the preacher.

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally, he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me, preacher. Why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply, something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on he preacher's chair.

"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to him." This time the young man heard and he understood.

We will want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice....the gentle whisper. Perhaps there is a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move closer to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I FIND MYSELF CLOSER TO GOD!

James 4:7-10 (humility cures worldliness) ⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

An Angel Wrote.....

Many people will walk in and out or your life,

but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

 

To handle yourself, use your head,

To handle others, use your heart.

 

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

 

If someone betrays you once, it's his fault.

If he betrays you twice, it's your fault.

 

Great minds discuss ideas;

Average minds discuss events;

Small minds discuss people.

 

God gives every bird its food,

but He does not throw it into its nest.

 

He who loses money, loses much;

He who loses a friend, loses more;

He who loses faith, loses all.

 

Beautiful young people are acts of nature,

but beautiful old people are works of art.

 

Learn from the mistakes of others.

You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

 

The tongue weighs practically nothing,

but so few people can hold it.

 

Friends, you and me ... you brought another friend...and then there were

3 ... we started our group...

Our circle of friends ... and like the circle ... there's no beginning

 

... there is no end.

Three Strangers

A woman came out of her house and saw three old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."

 

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

 

"No", she said. "He's out."

 

"Then we cannot come in", they replied.

 

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.

 

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!" The woman went out and invited the men in.

 

"We do not go into a House together," they replied.

 

"Why is that?" she wanted to know.

 

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success and I am Love."  Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."

 

The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed.  "How nice!!", he said,  "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"

 

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

 

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"

 

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest."

 

The woman went out and asked the three old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."

 

Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other two also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success:

 

"I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"

 

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him.  Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

 

 

Your Cross

The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

 

The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

 

The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told.

 

Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered

 

And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

 

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined. YOUR CROSS Whatever your cross, whatever your pain. There will always be sunshine after the rain. Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always there.

 

I lift up my eyes to the hills where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the

Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip he who watches over you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1

 

 

This Is Good

The story is told of a king who had a close friend with whom he grew up.  The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

 

One day the king and his friend were on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. In preparing one of the guns, the friend had apparently done something wrong, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.

 

Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

 

About a year later, the king was hunting in a dangerous area. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to it.  As they approached to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So after untying the king, they sent him on his way.

 

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend.  He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend.  You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off."  And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long.  It was bad for me to do this."

 

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!"

 

"What do you mean, 'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"

 

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."

 

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love him and live our lives according to his precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit.  Hold on...God is faithful!

 

THE LESSON OF THE COFFEE BEAN

It's been quite a while since I've posted. Since losing my job in January, my fulltime job has been looking for another job! I would be lying if I didn't say it's been discouraging. I've had a few interviews, one where I even felt like I might get the job, but nothing has materialized so far. I've lost my health insurance and unemployment has not kicked in yet. I am trying very hard to fight off depression, but Satan keeps on getting up in my face telling me that I didn't deserve what happened to me. Perhaps from man's standpoint, I didn't. But it is God's standpoint that matters! The one thing that I have got to remember is that God doesn't put on us more than we can bear (Corinthians 10:13) and that he always provides all our needs (Philippians 4:19).

That leads me to the following post and reminds me that my genuine faith in the Lord will keep me strong and He is going to see me through yet another trial that I must go through.

The Lesson of the Coffee Bean

A daughter complained to her father about how hard things were for her. "As soon as I solve one problem," she said, "another on e comes up. I'm tired of struggling."

Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen where he filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the second, eggs, and in the last, ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. After a while, he went over and turned off the burners. He fished out the carrots and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. He poured the coffee into a bowl. Turning to her he asked, "Darling, what do you see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee, " she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich flavor.

 

She asked, "What does it mean, Father?" He explained that each of them had faced the same diversity - boiling water - but each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting, but after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak.

The egg was fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique, however. By being in the boiling water, they changed the water.

He asked his daughter, "When adversity knocks on your door, which are you?"

John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you will have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Romans 5:3-5 "Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who he has given us."
Romans 8:31-39 "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us al-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long: we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 12:21 "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
1Peter 4:1 "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin."