About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive
named Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was
going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE, which was only
two months old. He was watching for kids darting out from
between the cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car
passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and -WHUMP! smashed into
the Jag's shiny black side door! SCREECH...!!! Brakes slammed! Gears
ground into reverse, and tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where
the brick had been thrown.
Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and
pushed him up against a parked car. He shouted at the kid, "What was that all
about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up
a head of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you threw is
gonna cost a lot of money! Why did you throw it?" "Please, mister,
please...I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!" pleaded the youngster, "I threw
the brick because no one else would stop!" Tears were dripping down
the boy's chin as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother,
mister," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't
lift him up," Sobbing, the boy asked the executive, "Would you please help
me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for
me." Moved beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to
swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted the
young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief and wiped
the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything was going to be OK. He
then watched the younger brother push him down the sidewalk toward their home.
It was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12-cylinder Jaguar
XKE--a long and slow walk. Josh never did fix the side door of the Jaguar.
He kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so that someone has
to throw a brick at him to get his attention...
Some bricks are softer than others are. Feel for the bricks of life coming
Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, "I'll pray for them later."? Or has anyone ever called you and said, "I need you to pray for me, I have this need."? Read the following story that was sent to me and may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray. You will be blessed by this one.
A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home
church in Michigan... While serving at a small field hospital in
Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby
city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping
overnight at the halfway point. On one of these journeys, I arrived in
the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase
medicine and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back
to the field hospital.
Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom
had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the
same time talked to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. I then traveled
two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident. Two
weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was
approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he
had known I carried money and medicines. He said, "Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight. We planned to kill you and take your
money and drugs. But just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you
were surrounded by 26 armed guards. "At this I laughed and said
that I was certainly all alone out in that jungle campsite. The young
man pressed the point, however, and said, "No sir, I was not the only
person to see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all counted
them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid
and left you alone."
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation
jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he
could tell him the exact day that this happened. The missionary t
old the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted told
him this story: "On the night of your incident in Africa, it was
morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when
I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was
so strong, I called men in this church to meet with me here in the
sanctuary to pray for you. Would all of those men who met with me
on that day stand up?" The men who had met together to pray
that day stood up.
The missionary wasn't concerned with who they were-he was too busy
counting how many men he saw. There were 26.
**This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord
moves in mysterious ways. If you ever hear such prodding, go along
with it. Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell.
If we all take it to heart, we can turn this world towards Christ
once again. Have a great day]**
THE POWER OF PRAYER
As the above true story clearly illustrates, "with God all things are
possible" and more importantly, how God hears and answers the
prayers of the faithful.
One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from
school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friend tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.
As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.
My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses,
and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.
I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I
asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before. We talked all the way home, and I carried his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday with me and my friends. He said yes.
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him. And my friends
thought the same of him. Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Damn boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!" He just laughed and handed me half the books. Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke.
I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to
be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship. Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time about being a nerd. He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself
during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than me and all the girls loved him! Boy, sometimes I was jealous. Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said. As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began.
"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your
parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach... but mostly your friends. I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself. He told of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home. He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was
saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest
moment. I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile. Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.
Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's
life. For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for God in others. -- Sent in by Blackhawk <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Blessings To All,
Mitch Battros
Producer - Earth Changes TV
http://www.earthchangesTV.com
*How many Charismatics does it take to change a light bulb?*
One to the change the bulb and nine to pray against the spirit of darkness.
*How many Calvinists does it take to change a light bulb?*
None. God has predestined when the light will be on. Calvinists do not
change light bulbs. They simply read the instructions and pray the light
bulb will be one that has been chosen to be changed.
*How many Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?*
Change???
*How many neo-orthodox does it take to change a light bulb?*
No one knows. They can't tell the difference between light and darkness.
*How many TV evangelists does it take to change a light bulb?*
One. But for the message of light to continue, send in your donation today.
*How many independent fundamentalists does it take to change a light bulb?*
Only one, because any more might result in too much co-operation.
*How many liberals does it take to change a light bulb?*
At least ten, as they need to hold a debate on whether or not the light bulb
exists. Even if they can agree upon the existence of the light bulb, they
still might not change it, to keep from alienating those who might use other
forms of light.
*How many Roman Catholics does it take to change a light bulb?*
None. They always use candles.
*How many worship leaders who use guitars does it take to change a light
bulb?*
One. But soon all those around can warm up to its glowing.
*How many members of an established Bible teaching church that is over 20
years old does it take to change a light bulb?*
One to actually change the bulb, and nine to say how much they liked the old
one.
*How many United Methodists does it take to change a light bulb?*
This statement was issued: "We choose not to make a statement either in
favour or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your journey you
have found that a light bulb works for you, that is fine. You are invited to
write a poem or compose a modern dance about your personal relationship with
your light bulb (or light source, or non dark resource) and present it next
month at our annual light bulb Sunday service, in which we will explore a
number of light bulb traditions, including incandescent, fluorescent, three-
way, long life, and tinted all of which are equally valid paths of
luminescence.
*How many Amish does it take to change a light bulb?*
"What's a light bulb?"
*How many youth pastors does it take to change a light bulb?*
Youth pastors aren't around long enough for a light bulb to burn out.
*How many Southern Baptists does it take to change a light bulb?*
One hundred and nine. Seven on the Light Bulb Task Force Sub-committee, who
report to the 12 on the Light Bulb Task Force, appointed by the 15 on the
Trustee Board. Their recommendation is reviewed by the Finance Committee
Executive of 5, who place it on the agenda of the 18 member Finance
Committee. If they approve, they bring a motion to the 27 member church
Board, who appoint another 12 member Review Committee. If they recommend
that the Church Board proceed, a resolution is brought to the Congregational
Business Meeting. They appoint another member Review Committee. If their
report to the next Congregational Business Meeting supports the changing of
a light bulb, and the Congregation votes in favour, the responsibility to
carry out the light bulb change is passed on to the Trustee Board, who in
turn appoint a 7 member committee to find the best price in new light bulbs.
Their recommendation of which hardware store has the best buy must then be
reviewed by the 23 member Ethics Committee to make certain that this
hardware store has no connection to Disneyland. They report back to the
Trustee Board who then commissions the trustee in charge of the Janitor to
ask him to make the change. By then the janitor discovers that one more
light bulb has burned out.
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening church service when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the burglar red-handed, and yelled, "Stop! Acts 2:38 (meaning, repent and be
baptized...)!"
The burglar stopped dead in his tracks. The woman then calmly called the police and explained what she had done.
As the officer cuffed the burglar, he asked, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you."
"Scripture?" replied the burglar, "I thought she said she had an axe and two 38's!"