I thought it best to start
out with this story first
A Love Story
One day, I woke early in the morning
to watch the sunrise. Ah the beauty of
God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched,
I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
He asked me, "Do you love me?"
I answered, "Of course, God!
You are my Lord and Saviour!"
Then He asked, "If you were physically
handicapped, would you still love me?"
I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms,
legs and the rest of my body and wondered
how many things I wouldn't be able to do,
the things that I took for granted.
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord,
but I would still love You."
Then the Lord said, "If you were blind,
would you still love my creation?"
How could I love something without
being able to see it?
Then I thought of all the blind people
in the world and how many of them still
loved God and His creation.
So I answered, "Its hard to think of it,
but I would still love you."
The Lord then asked me, "If you were deaf,
would you still listen to my word?"
How could I listen to anything being deaf?
Then I understood. Listening to God's Word
is not merely using our ears, but our hearts.
I answered, "It would be tough, but I would
still listen to Your word."
The Lord then asked, "If you were mute,
would you still praise My Name?"
How could I praise without a voice?
Then it occurred to me.
God wants us to sing from
our very heart and soul.
It never matters what we sound like.
And praising God is not always with
a song, but when we are persecuted,
we give God praise with our words of thanks.
So I answered,
"Though I could not physically sing,
I would still praise Your Name."
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction,
I answered boldly, "Yes Lord! I love You
because You are the one and true God!
I thought I had answered well, but God asked,
"Then Why Do You Sin?"
I answered, "Because I am only human.
I am not perfect."
"Then why in times of peace do you
stray the furthest? Why only in times
of trouble do you pray the earnest?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued, "Why only sing
at fellowships and retreats?
Why seek Me only in times of worship?
Why ask things so selfishly?
Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.
"Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not
spreading the good news?
Why in times of persecution,
you cry to others when I offer
My shoulder to cry on?
Why make excuses when I give you
opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.
"You are blessed with life.
I made you not to throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve Me,
but you continue to turn away."
I have revealed My Word to you,
but you do not gain in knowledge.
I have spoken to you but your ears were closed.
I have shown My blessings to you,
but your eyes were turned away.
I have sent you servants,
but you sat idly by as they were pushed away.
I have heard your prayers and I have
answered them all. Do You Truly Love Me ?"
I could not answer. How could I?
I was embarrassed beyond belief.
I had no excuse. What could I say to this?
When my heart had cried out
and the tears had flowed, I said,
"Please forgive me Lord.
I am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered, " That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me?
Why do You love me so?"
The Lord answered,
"Because you are My creation.
You are my child. I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion
and cry with you. When you shout with joy,
I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days,
and I will love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before.
How could I have been so cold?
How could I have hurt God as I had done?
I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms and I saw
His nail-pierced hands.
I bowed down at the
feet of Christ, my Saviour.
And for the first time, I truly prayed.
-Author Unknown
I send you forth as sheep
in the midst of wolves:
Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves
Death of An Innocent
I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.
I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.
As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the road,
the other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.
As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say,
the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.
I'm lying here dying, Mom.. I wish you'd get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.
I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.
It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is, he drank and I will die.
Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.
I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair.
I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.
Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.
My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared.
Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.
I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?
--Author Unknown
I send you forth as sheep
in the midst of wolves:
Be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves
Look on the Bright Side
For every negative that consumes your happiness,
Affirm two positives that sustain you.
For every "should've" you wish you'd done,
Acknowledge something you're glad you did.
For every loss that has altered your world,
Count from it something you have gained.
For every limit that has ever beset you,
Consider your possibilities.
You can't always change the way things are,
But you can change the way you wish to see them.
Never stop looking
For the brighter side and beyond.
-Poem by Eric T. Moore
Lonely heart
Alone, I lie, beneath my tree
on a rainy autumn's morn,
my love has left me here to bear
my sadness and her scorn,
Fields of wheat embrace my tree
as far as the eye can see,
A path remains, where my love did leave,
crying, she ran from me,
The bitter wind does chill my soul,
my heart screams out in fear,
Why has my love forsaken me?
Why is my love not here?
Beautiful leaves of amber and rose
fall gently at my side,
painful reminders of the girl I loved
and the angel to whom I cried,
Emotions overpower me
as tears stream down my face,
rejection scars my lonely heart,
For am I a disgrace?
Release me from this pain I feel
and from this lonely state,
I cannot bear this suffering,
its weight is far too great,
I beg of you forgive me dear,
I've caused you such distress,
I never meant to hurt you so,
don't love me any less,
For surely as the spring will come
to grant us nature's kiss,
so do I hope it shall return
my love whom I so miss.
-Poem by Rob Musser
Beyond Words
When I think of all you mean to me,
how you enrich my life,
and warm my heart,
I realize there are no words
to express what I feel.
Just as a photograph
can never capture the
beauty of a sunset,
neither can language
contain the depth
of my love for you.
It is more than emotion,
more than thought.
My love for you
comes from the core
of my being,
yet transcends all.
Wherever you go,
whatever you do,
my love is always with you,
even if there are no words,
to express it.
May our souls always touch,
sharing everything,
and telling of our love
which is
beyond words.
-Poem by Michael J. Owens
Faceless Friend
Your face, your smile, I have never seen
I don't know the color of your skin
Your voice and laughter I have never heard
I don't know if it is soft or loud
Your hugs I have never felt
I don't know the strength of your arms
Your hand I have never touched
I don't know if it is calloused and worn
But to me you are my friend
Dearer and sweeter than many I've found
The questions come to me, "How can that be?"
"You don't know a face, a touch, or a sound."
But is it the physical nature of a person
That causes me to call you "my friend"
Or the feel of a touch or the strength of a hug
I don't need those for you to be my friend
You have shared with me words of strength
At times I have felt weak and worn
You have brought to me a smile, a laugh
Uplifting me and bringing me joy
You have bent your "ear" to me and listened
Then gently guided and directed with your words
You have hugged me tight, wiped my tears
Then generously gave to me above and beyond
You are more to me than words on a screen
For behind those words is a person who cares
A person with feelings, a tear, and a laugh
Who holds my mind safe and secure,
For even though I don't know your face, your touch
I feel and see you in my mind
You have been all to me that I've needed you to be
Now and forever within my heart...My faceless
Friend....
-Poem by Beth A. Rogers
TWO LITTLE WORDS
Sometimes my days are nothing
but frustration,
When my spirits are low,
filled with desperation,
But then sometimes
my doorbell will ring,
I'll go to the door,
not expecting a thing,
And be thrilled to see a dear little one,
with a hug, and two little words,
"Hi Grammy."
Sometimes life
just gets me down,
When things go wrong
and make me frown,
But sometimes on those days,
the phone will ring,
And immediately
my heart will sing,
When I hear a precious little voice,
saying those two little words,
"Hi Grammy."
There are days
when I feel bad,
When something hurts
or makes me sad,
But there's one thing
that never fails
To make me feel great,
when I bring in the mail,
And see wriggly, childish handwriting,
with those two little words,
"Hi Grammy."
Yes, there's nothing else
in God's sight,
That can make
my whole world right,
Or that can make my mood
go completely amiss,
From deep depression
to sheer bliss,
With just the most simple, wondrous thing,
just those two little words,
"Hi Grammy."
-Poem by Linda K. Schoppe
THE MOUNTAIN
I climb a nearby mountain, until the air is cold and thin;
And seek a place where I can sit, where no other man has been.
I close my eyes, take a breath, and reach beyond my mind;
Only one answer do I seek, but cannot seem to find.
I sit here in my solitude, in this place where nothing's said,
Till the clear blue sky grows dark, and the stars are overhead.
I do not ask for riches, and I cannot tell you why;
I only seek to love, and to be loved, just once before I die.
Perhaps I ask too much, though I really don't know how;
But it is much too late to ask again, so I must go for now.
As I prepare to leave my mountain, the place I hide my fears,
I know it is that time again, to wipe away my tears.
But before I leave my secret place, where it often snows,
Just in case I'm not the only one, I leave a single rose.
-Poem by Stanley S. Thornton
I Thought I Saw an Angel
I thought I saw an angel
When I gazed upon a tree;
Instead I saw a great, green life
As peaceful as could be
I thought I saw an angel
When I looked upon a bird;
Instead it spread its wings and sang
The sweetest song I'd heard.
I thought I saw an angel
When I gazed up at the sky:
The sun's great light, the clouds so white,
The beauty way on high.
I thought I saw an angel
When I looked up in the night;
Instead I saw a thousand stars
All sending me their light.
I thought I saw an angel
When I came across a creek,
Yet its beauty and its clearness
Were made up of waters meek.
I thought I met an angel
When I found a helping hand;
Instead I met a wondrous friend:
Someone to help me stand.
I thought I'd seen an angel
Almost everywhere I'd been,
But instead I'd seen the works of God
And all His gifts for men.
by David T. Chappell
God must have known there would be times
We'd need a word of cheer
Someone to praise a triumph
Or brush away a tear.
He must have known we'd need to share
The joy of "little things"
In order to appreciate
The happiness life brings.
I think he knew our troubled hearts
Would sometimes throb with pain
At trials and misfortunes
Or some goals we can't attain.
He knew we'd need the comfort
Of an understanding heart
To give us strength and courage
To make a fresh, new start.
He knew we'd need companionship
Unselfish...lasting...true,
And so God answered the heart's great need
With a CHERISHED FRIEND....like you.
Author Unknown
Do not Weep
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond's gift on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there,
I did not die.
-(Author Unknown)
Their Journey's
Just Begun
Don't think of them as gone away,
their journey has just begun.
Life holds so many facets,
this earth is only one.
Just think of them as resting
from the sorrows and the tears,
in a place of warmth and comfort,
where there are no days and years.
Think of how they must be wishing
that we could know, today,
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of them as living
in the hearts of those they touched
for nothing loved is ever lost
and they were loved so much.
Anonymous
Emergency Phone Numbers
When in sorrow, call John:14
When men fail you, call Psalm:27
If you want to be fruitful, call John:15
When you have sinned, call Psalm:51
When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34
When you are in danger, call Psalm 91
When God seems far away, call Psalm 139
When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11
When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23
When you grow bitter and critical, call ICorinthians 13
For Paul's secret to happiness, call Colossians 3:12-17
For idea of Christianity, call ICorinthians 5:15-19
When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31-39
When you want peace and rest, call Matthew 11:25-30
When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90
When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30
When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121
When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67
For a great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55
When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1
How to get along with fellowmen, call Romans 12
When you think of investments/returns, call Mark 10
If you are depressed, call Psalm 27
If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37
If your losing confidence in people, call ICorinthians 13
If people seem unkind, call John 15
If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126
If you find the world growing
small and yourself great, call Psalm 19
-- Author unknown
Emergency numbers may be dialed direct.
No operator assistance is necessary.
All lines are open to Heaven 24 hours a day!
Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death!
"Tear In Heaven