“Codfish Christians”
{February 27, 2008}
Dr. David Hernandez, DBS
I recently read something about codfish that I found to be interesting. If you have a minute, I’d like to share it with you. I am sure you will find it as interesting as I did. Here in New England we love to fish even if we do not know the science about the diverse species that swim these waters.
In the Northeastern United States, codfish are not only delectable; they are a big commercial business. There is a market for eastern cod all over, especially in sections farthest removed from the northeast coastline. However, the public demand brought a problem to the shippers. At first they froze the cod, then shipped them elsewhere, but the freeze took away much of the flavor. Therefore, they experimented with shipping them alive, in tanks of seawater, but that proved even worse. Not only was it more expensive, but the cod still lost its flavor, and in addition, it became soft and mushy. The texture was seriously affected.
Finally, some creative person solved the problem in a most innovative manner. The codfish were placed in the tank along with their natural enemy-the catfish. From the time the cod, left the East Coast until it arrived in its westernmost destination; those ornery catfish chased the cod all over the tank! Moreover, you guessed it, when the cod arrived at the market; they were as fresh as when they were first caught. There was no loss of flavor nor was the texture affected. If anything, it was better than before.
This is how adversity and anxiety work in our lives on a spiritual level. God allows us to be confronted by our enemy the devil to keep us sharp. It helps us to stay focused and fit in dealing with the harsh realities of life. It helps us to learn how to grow stronger and better as we exercise our faith in God. We need to learn to bring all our anxieties and stresses to God in prayer. Don’t get bitter but better and realize God is making you stronger. He does not want you to be a mushy and tasteless saint.
Paul the Apostle wrote, “BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING, BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUEST BE MADE KNOWN TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH SURPASSES ALL COMPREHENSION, SHALL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.” (Philippians 4: 6-7)
HEART TALK - We ALL Need a Tree
We ALL Need a Tree
WISDOM FOR US ALL TO LIVE BY
I am very grateful to some dear friends in Lake Edward, New B Brunswick, Canada for sending this story which has prompted me to share it with you as a “Heart Talk.” Thanks Dawson and Phoebe Sawler. I believe that it will bring home to you the same lesson that it brought to me. I cannot vouch for the author, or the validity, of this story, but the lesson is clear.
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose and hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one-ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
“Oh that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.” “Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.” End quote.
Wouldn’t it be nice, and isn’t it a good suggestion, for each of us to have our own “trouble tree”? Anything we can do, any avenue that we may choose to take (as silly as it may seem to others)…if it works for us…is a very good “trouble tree” to have. We really should do everything in our power to keep the problems of the job…of our unsavory encounters with people…outside, away from those who already have their own concerns.
I am reminded of what a colleague said many times during our tenure together in ministry. She said, “this too shall pass,” and I realize that the saying did not originate with her. “Things aren’t as bad as they seem,” is another statement that we have all heard, and, in most cases, it is true.
So, figure out how to create your personal “trouble tree” and learn to hang the troubles of the day there. Do not “dump” them those closest to you who really don’t need to have the extra weight of concern put on them. THINGS HAPPEN! Things also work out when we learn to release them, rolling them off on JESUS…casting all of our care on HIM, for it is true…HE CARES FOR YOU!
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we
are here we might as well dance. We all need a tree!
If you have been blessed, please let me hear from you!
If you need prayer for a person(s) or a situation, please e-mail
it to me. PRAYER WORKS! And, Dr. & Mrs. Jones care!
PLEASE SHARE THIS WEBSITE WITH OTHERS.
ADD IT AS A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE IF YOU FEEL
THAT IT WILL BLESS OTHERS.
WISDOM FOR US ALL TO LIVE BY
I am very grateful to some dear friends in Lake Edward, New B Brunswick, Canada for sending this story which has prompted me to share it with you as a “Heart Talk.” Thanks Dawson and Phoebe Sawler. I believe that it will bring home to you the same lesson that it brought to me. I cannot vouch for the author, or the validity, of this story, but the lesson is clear.
I hired a plumber to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after he had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose and hour of work, his electric drill quit and his ancient one-ton truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.
When opening the door he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles and he hugged his two small children and gave his wife a kiss. Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier.
“Oh that’s my trouble tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having troubles on the job, but one thing’s for sure, those troubles don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home and ask God to take care of them. Then in the morning I pick them up again.” “Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick ‘em up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.” End quote.
Wouldn’t it be nice, and isn’t it a good suggestion, for each of us to have our own “trouble tree”? Anything we can do, any avenue that we may choose to take (as silly as it may seem to others)…if it works for us…is a very good “trouble tree” to have. We really should do everything in our power to keep the problems of the job…of our unsavory encounters with people…outside, away from those who already have their own concerns.
I am reminded of what a colleague said many times during our tenure together in ministry. She said, “this too shall pass,” and I realize that the saying did not originate with her. “Things aren’t as bad as they seem,” is another statement that we have all heard, and, in most cases, it is true.
So, figure out how to create your personal “trouble tree” and learn to hang the troubles of the day there. Do not “dump” them those closest to you who really don’t need to have the extra weight of concern put on them. THINGS HAPPEN! Things also work out when we learn to release them, rolling them off on JESUS…casting all of our care on HIM, for it is true…HE CARES FOR YOU!
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we
are here we might as well dance. We all need a tree!
If you have been blessed, please let me hear from you!
If you need prayer for a person(s) or a situation, please e-mail
it to me. PRAYER WORKS! And, Dr. & Mrs. Jones care!
PLEASE SHARE THIS WEBSITE WITH OTHERS.
ADD IT AS A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE IF YOU FEEL
THAT IT WILL BLESS OTHERS.
TODAY’S THOUGHT
It’s never to late…
TO SAY THANK YOU
It takes so little time, Yet it means so much.
Make the effort, No matter how late.
Mean it. Say it generously.
It lifts spirits. It maintains friendships.
And seals love.
(You can) Have a great day! (It's up to you!)
Dr. John Tisdale
TO SAY THANK YOU
It takes so little time, Yet it means so much.
Make the effort, No matter how late.
Mean it. Say it generously.
It lifts spirits. It maintains friendships.
And seals love.
(You can) Have a great day! (It's up to you!)
Dr. John Tisdale
HEART TALK - FORGIVENESS
There are three important words that I would like to open up my heart and talk about in this HEART TALK. I was sitting in church on Wednesday evening when the Holy Spirit clearly spoke these words into my spirit. They are: FORGIVEN...FORGOTTEN and FOREVER. I will speak of each of them briefly, and in the same order.
FORGIVENESS
This preacher is convinced of several things that relate to forgiveness that I believe very few really understand. First, I doubt that we really understand the full depth of the meaning of God's forgiveness. God doesn't forgive piecemeal, or on a graduated scale as we somehow merit further forgiveness. A look at a portion of one of the psalms of David should help.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide (margin, scold or find fault): neither will he keep (hold on to) his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:8-12 KJV)
Please...please...STOP and slowly analyze these verses...word by word...phrase by phrase. Forgiveness must be understood from the perspective of ABSOLUTENESS. From the cross, Jesus simply said: "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 KJV). Jesus spoke deliberately and with a tone of absoluteness and finality in His voice. Thank God that Jesus recognized that people really don't know what they are doing. We're really not as smart as we think. Jesus knew that "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 KJV). What if we could see forgiveness from God's perspective? Two things would happen (1) We would accept God's grace and not let Satan browbeat us constantly, keeping us from effectively growing and serving Christ -- in spite of our imperfections. And, (2) we would see others through Jesus' eyes and not be so hard on them in their imperfect state. Paul's approach to his own struggles seems to fit here -- "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Romans 7:24-25 KJV).
Several things leap from Paul’s confession:
-HE SAW HIMSELF AS A WRETCHED MAN!
“Deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed…miserable…woeful…grievous” (Webster’s Concise Family Dictionary)
-HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE NEEDED DELIVERANCE.
-HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD – OR BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE FOR SINS – THAT HE COULD POSSIBLY HOPE FOR DELIVERANCE.
-PAUL CLEARLY ADMITTED THAT HE WAS IN A STRUGGLE – AS WE ALL ARE – A STRUGGLE BETWEEN HIS MIND WHICH DESIRED TO SERVE GOD AND HIS FLESH WHICH CLEARLY SERVED THE LAW OF SIN.
-PAUL DESIRED TO SERVE CHRIST, AND DID IT TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY, BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HIS FLESH OFTEN GOT THE UPPER HAND AND HE CAME SHORT OF GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR HIM.
It is absolutely vital to living the victorious life, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, that we:
ACCEPT GOD’S FORGIVENESS
SEE OURSELVES, NOT AS PERFECT, BUT FORGIVEN REFUSE TO ACCEPT SATAN’S LIES and REFUSE TO BE DOWN ON OURSELVES or ALLOW OTHERS TO CAUSE US TO BE GUILT-RIDDEN
We know who we are in Christ. We know our imperfections. We know that God has a higher standard and we desire that. We also know that we’re saved. We also know that we are being saved. We know that one day we will finally attain God’s goal of perfection. We will finally be saved, saved from “the world, the flesh and the devil.” One day we will finally take on the perfection that Christ purchased for us through His suffering and ultimate death.
WE AREN’T THERE YET!
WE WILL EVENTUALLY GET THERE!
WE WILL PRESS ON TOWARD THE MARK, FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS!
Therefore, let us accept what Christ purchased for us on the cross. Let’s join Paul in admitting that we have the same struggles that he had. Let’s not allow the Pharisees among us to put a guilt trip on us, and let’s not go around seeing everyone as “the publican” while we beat our chest about our own higher level of spirituality. The facts simply do not bear out evidence of anyone’s claim to having attained to the stature of the fullness of Christ.
FORGOTTEN
That God FORGETS what He forgives is a truth that doesn’t get enough recognition as one of the really important doctrines of the Word of God. David waxes eloquent in describing just how great God’s mercy is toward us – “as high as the heaven is above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11 KJV). He takes the thought further – “as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (v. 12).
Since there is no east or west pole, it is clear that our transgressions have been totally removed from God’s mind and three is no record kept of them. ONLY PEOPLE KEEP RECORDS OF OTHER PEOPLE’S TRANSGRESSIONS, AND CHRISTIANS MAY BE THE WORST PERPETRATORS. Realistically, it is not wrong to believe that those who fit this description really don’t care what Jesus said – “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: tht your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 11:25, 26 KJV).
CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE AND OUR TEACHER. What part of what He said do we not understand? How dare we not DO IT THE WAY JESUS DID IT AND THE WAY HE TAUGHT IT? Hard? Indeed it is very difficult for the flesh to forgive. Impossible? No! Not if we are prepared to obey the teachings of Christ.
There are some powerful words in Psalm 130 that really fit well at this point in this message. Note:
“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (margin, reverenced).” (Psalm 130-3-4 KJV)
The Prophet Isaiah really establishes the fact that God is good at forgetting our sins – “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” (Isaiah 38:17 KJV)
WHERE DO SINS GO? Behind God’s back…out of His sight…as far as the east is from the west…TO BE REMEMBERED AGAINST US NO MORE. GOD FORGETS WHAT HE HAS FORGIVEN! This truth is the very heart and soul of the Word of God…what GRACE and MERCY provide for us every moment of every day.
FOREVER
This final point has been carried in the background through this very important message. God is not like the woman that agreed to “bury the hatchet” but tagged her saying with, “But I left the handle sticking out so I would know where to go just in case I need it.” GOD DOESN’T PLAY GAMES WITH THE GRACE, MERCY, AND FORGIVENESS ISSUE…AND HIS FORGIVENESS COST TOO MUCH FOR US TO PLAY GAMES WITH IT! At no time in this message has this preacher had the intent of justifying sins. All I’ve done is tell you what God’s Word says…”for there is no man that sinneth not” (1 Kings 8:46 KJV).
I have told you that God knows that the flesh is weak and that every man and woman struggles and falls into Satan’s trap. I have also told you that God does not cast us away, does not retain His anger toward us, BUT IS PLENTEOUS IN MERCY. GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS AN ONGOING PART OF HOW HE EXPRESSES HIS LOVE TO US. Thank God for His grace and His mercy, otherwise none of us could ever hope to ultimately stand in His presence…FINALLY CHANGED FROM CORRUPTIBLE TO INCORRUPTION, FOR MORTAL TO IMMORTALITY.
IN CONCLUSION
Where Do Sins Go?
A little boy asked his teacher where marks on the blackboard go once they are erased. “They just disappear” she answered. “But where,” he pressed her. “They just vanish!” The boy persisted, “But where do they go?” Impatiently the teacher said, “They are blotted out.”
Have you ever wondered where our sins go once they are forgiven? It has been determined that man can live some 40 days without food, approximately 3 days without water, 8 minutes without air, but not a minute without hope. We need to know our sins are forgiven and to have the hope of Heaven. WHERE DO SINS GO ONCE WE HAVE ASKED GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN? “They are buried in the depths of the sea!” (Micah 7:19 KJV) – BLOTTED OUT!
A boy who had recently become a Christian could not contain himself in class and even burst out with, “Hallelujah” from time to time. The teacher asked that he stop disturbing the class. He told her that since his conversion, certain things in his book reminded him of what had happened, causing him to praise the Lord.
This kind of joy will fill us – and often erupt from deep within us – when we contemplate the miracle of sins forgiven, forgotten, and that FOREVER!
FORGIVENESS
This preacher is convinced of several things that relate to forgiveness that I believe very few really understand. First, I doubt that we really understand the full depth of the meaning of God's forgiveness. God doesn't forgive piecemeal, or on a graduated scale as we somehow merit further forgiveness. A look at a portion of one of the psalms of David should help.
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide (margin, scold or find fault): neither will he keep (hold on to) his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:8-12 KJV)
Please...please...STOP and slowly analyze these verses...word by word...phrase by phrase. Forgiveness must be understood from the perspective of ABSOLUTENESS. From the cross, Jesus simply said: "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34 KJV). Jesus spoke deliberately and with a tone of absoluteness and finality in His voice. Thank God that Jesus recognized that people really don't know what they are doing. We're really not as smart as we think. Jesus knew that "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26:41 KJV). What if we could see forgiveness from God's perspective? Two things would happen (1) We would accept God's grace and not let Satan browbeat us constantly, keeping us from effectively growing and serving Christ -- in spite of our imperfections. And, (2) we would see others through Jesus' eyes and not be so hard on them in their imperfect state. Paul's approach to his own struggles seems to fit here -- "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin" (Romans 7:24-25 KJV).
Several things leap from Paul’s confession:
-HE SAW HIMSELF AS A WRETCHED MAN!
“Deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed…miserable…woeful…grievous” (Webster’s Concise Family Dictionary)
-HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE NEEDED DELIVERANCE.
-HE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WOULD ONLY BE THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD – OR BECAUSE OF HIS SACRIFICE FOR SINS – THAT HE COULD POSSIBLY HOPE FOR DELIVERANCE.
-PAUL CLEARLY ADMITTED THAT HE WAS IN A STRUGGLE – AS WE ALL ARE – A STRUGGLE BETWEEN HIS MIND WHICH DESIRED TO SERVE GOD AND HIS FLESH WHICH CLEARLY SERVED THE LAW OF SIN.
-PAUL DESIRED TO SERVE CHRIST, AND DID IT TO THE BEST OF HIS ABILITY, BUT, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT HIS FLESH OFTEN GOT THE UPPER HAND AND HE CAME SHORT OF GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR HIM.
It is absolutely vital to living the victorious life, growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord, that we:
ACCEPT GOD’S FORGIVENESS
SEE OURSELVES, NOT AS PERFECT, BUT FORGIVEN REFUSE TO ACCEPT SATAN’S LIES and REFUSE TO BE DOWN ON OURSELVES or ALLOW OTHERS TO CAUSE US TO BE GUILT-RIDDEN
We know who we are in Christ. We know our imperfections. We know that God has a higher standard and we desire that. We also know that we’re saved. We also know that we are being saved. We know that one day we will finally attain God’s goal of perfection. We will finally be saved, saved from “the world, the flesh and the devil.” One day we will finally take on the perfection that Christ purchased for us through His suffering and ultimate death.
WE AREN’T THERE YET!
WE WILL EVENTUALLY GET THERE!
WE WILL PRESS ON TOWARD THE MARK, FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS!
Therefore, let us accept what Christ purchased for us on the cross. Let’s join Paul in admitting that we have the same struggles that he had. Let’s not allow the Pharisees among us to put a guilt trip on us, and let’s not go around seeing everyone as “the publican” while we beat our chest about our own higher level of spirituality. The facts simply do not bear out evidence of anyone’s claim to having attained to the stature of the fullness of Christ.
FORGOTTEN
That God FORGETS what He forgives is a truth that doesn’t get enough recognition as one of the really important doctrines of the Word of God. David waxes eloquent in describing just how great God’s mercy is toward us – “as high as the heaven is above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him” (Psalm 103:11 KJV). He takes the thought further – “as far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us” (v. 12).
Since there is no east or west pole, it is clear that our transgressions have been totally removed from God’s mind and three is no record kept of them. ONLY PEOPLE KEEP RECORDS OF OTHER PEOPLE’S TRANSGRESSIONS, AND CHRISTIANS MAY BE THE WORST PERPETRATORS. Realistically, it is not wrong to believe that those who fit this description really don’t care what Jesus said – “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any: tht your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 11:25, 26 KJV).
CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE AND OUR TEACHER. What part of what He said do we not understand? How dare we not DO IT THE WAY JESUS DID IT AND THE WAY HE TAUGHT IT? Hard? Indeed it is very difficult for the flesh to forgive. Impossible? No! Not if we are prepared to obey the teachings of Christ.
There are some powerful words in Psalm 130 that really fit well at this point in this message. Note:
“If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared (margin, reverenced).” (Psalm 130-3-4 KJV)
The Prophet Isaiah really establishes the fact that God is good at forgetting our sins – “Behold, for peace I had great bitterness; but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back.” (Isaiah 38:17 KJV)
WHERE DO SINS GO? Behind God’s back…out of His sight…as far as the east is from the west…TO BE REMEMBERED AGAINST US NO MORE. GOD FORGETS WHAT HE HAS FORGIVEN! This truth is the very heart and soul of the Word of God…what GRACE and MERCY provide for us every moment of every day.
FOREVER
This final point has been carried in the background through this very important message. God is not like the woman that agreed to “bury the hatchet” but tagged her saying with, “But I left the handle sticking out so I would know where to go just in case I need it.” GOD DOESN’T PLAY GAMES WITH THE GRACE, MERCY, AND FORGIVENESS ISSUE…AND HIS FORGIVENESS COST TOO MUCH FOR US TO PLAY GAMES WITH IT! At no time in this message has this preacher had the intent of justifying sins. All I’ve done is tell you what God’s Word says…”for there is no man that sinneth not” (1 Kings 8:46 KJV).
I have told you that God knows that the flesh is weak and that every man and woman struggles and falls into Satan’s trap. I have also told you that God does not cast us away, does not retain His anger toward us, BUT IS PLENTEOUS IN MERCY. GOD’S FORGIVENESS IS AN ONGOING PART OF HOW HE EXPRESSES HIS LOVE TO US. Thank God for His grace and His mercy, otherwise none of us could ever hope to ultimately stand in His presence…FINALLY CHANGED FROM CORRUPTIBLE TO INCORRUPTION, FOR MORTAL TO IMMORTALITY.
IN CONCLUSION
Where Do Sins Go?
A little boy asked his teacher where marks on the blackboard go once they are erased. “They just disappear” she answered. “But where,” he pressed her. “They just vanish!” The boy persisted, “But where do they go?” Impatiently the teacher said, “They are blotted out.”
Have you ever wondered where our sins go once they are forgiven? It has been determined that man can live some 40 days without food, approximately 3 days without water, 8 minutes without air, but not a minute without hope. We need to know our sins are forgiven and to have the hope of Heaven. WHERE DO SINS GO ONCE WE HAVE ASKED GOD’S FORGIVENESS AND HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN? “They are buried in the depths of the sea!” (Micah 7:19 KJV) – BLOTTED OUT!
A boy who had recently become a Christian could not contain himself in class and even burst out with, “Hallelujah” from time to time. The teacher asked that he stop disturbing the class. He told her that since his conversion, certain things in his book reminded him of what had happened, causing him to praise the Lord.
This kind of joy will fill us – and often erupt from deep within us – when we contemplate the miracle of sins forgiven, forgotten, and that FOREVER!
HEART TALK - The Bum
THE BUM
Everyone respects and helps the millionaire, the famous, the boss, those with beauty and brains. What about the bum on the street? This is a real story. It happened to me, the writer of MountainWings.com.
I was parked in front of the church cleaning out my Jeep. I was waiting on someone. Coming my way from across the street was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times.”
I hope he doesn’t ask me for money, I thought. He didn’t. He came and sat on the wall in front of the bus stop to wait on the bus. After a few minutes he spoke, “That’s a very pretty Jeep,” he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blonde beard kept more than his face warm. I said, “thanks,” and continued cleaning the Jeep.
He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside me said, “ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that ht would say “yes” but I held true to that inner voice.
“Do you need any help?” I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched hand.
He spoke the three words that shook me. “Don’t we all?” he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above the bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don’t we all?
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to take a cab anywhere in the city and get food and shelter for the day.
Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it is just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone who appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don’t have, a different perspective on life, a glimpse of something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos that only you through a torn world can see.
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe it was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, “go minister to that man cleaning the Jeep, that man needs help.” Don’t we all? (End of quote)
In closing this HEART TALK I am compelled to take us to the Word of God. I will go first to the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 13. The writer tells us to “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:1-3 KJV). I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching on this subject. He spoke of being naked “and you clothed me,” hungry “and you fed me,” in prison “and you visited me.” The disciples reaction was to follow with a question: “When did we see you naked, hungry, in prison, etc.?” His response was direct: “In that you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40, 45 KJV).
THINK ABOUT IT!
Have you had a kindness shown?
PASS IT ON!
“Twas not given for thee alone,
PASS IT ON!
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another’s tears,
‘Till in heaven the deed appears –
PASS IT ON!
(Henry Burton)
“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he
treats those who can do nothing for him.”
(James D. Miles)
Finally…
If you have made mistakes, even serious ones,
there is always another chance for you.
What we call failure is not the falling down,
but the staying down.
(Source Unknown)
HOW TO REACH US:
Dr. Jerry A. Jones
P. O. Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510
E-mail: his2u@aol.com
Phone: 818-621-9927 (Cell)
Everyone respects and helps the millionaire, the famous, the boss, those with beauty and brains. What about the bum on the street? This is a real story. It happened to me, the writer of MountainWings.com.
I was parked in front of the church cleaning out my Jeep. I was waiting on someone. Coming my way from across the street was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just don’t want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times.”
I hope he doesn’t ask me for money, I thought. He didn’t. He came and sat on the wall in front of the bus stop to wait on the bus. After a few minutes he spoke, “That’s a very pretty Jeep,” he said. He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blonde beard kept more than his face warm. I said, “thanks,” and continued cleaning the Jeep.
He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside me said, “ask him if he needs any help.” I was sure that ht would say “yes” but I held true to that inner voice.
“Do you need any help?” I asked. He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments. I expected nothing but an outstretched hand.
He spoke the three words that shook me. “Don’t we all?” he said. I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above the bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don’t we all?
I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to take a cab anywhere in the city and get food and shelter for the day.
Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help. Even if it is just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you may see someone who appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don’t have, a different perspective on life, a glimpse of something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos that only you through a torn world can see.
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe it was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, “go minister to that man cleaning the Jeep, that man needs help.” Don’t we all? (End of quote)
In closing this HEART TALK I am compelled to take us to the Word of God. I will go first to the Book of Hebrews, Chapter 13. The writer tells us to “Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body” (Hebrews 13:1-3 KJV). I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching on this subject. He spoke of being naked “and you clothed me,” hungry “and you fed me,” in prison “and you visited me.” The disciples reaction was to follow with a question: “When did we see you naked, hungry, in prison, etc.?” His response was direct: “In that you have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40, 45 KJV).
THINK ABOUT IT!
Have you had a kindness shown?
PASS IT ON!
“Twas not given for thee alone,
PASS IT ON!
Let it travel down the years,
Let it wipe another’s tears,
‘Till in heaven the deed appears –
PASS IT ON!
(Henry Burton)
“You can easily judge the character of a man by how he
treats those who can do nothing for him.”
(James D. Miles)
Finally…
If you have made mistakes, even serious ones,
there is always another chance for you.
What we call failure is not the falling down,
but the staying down.
(Source Unknown)
HOW TO REACH US:
Dr. Jerry A. Jones
P. O. Box 6986
Burbank, California 91510
E-mail: his2u@aol.com
Phone: 818-621-9927 (Cell)
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