The Night Before Jesus Returned!

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house
Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.
Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care
In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.
Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.
And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap
Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.
I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear
But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.
With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray
I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head
It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand
Was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;
When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love
He gathered to take to His Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound.
While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;
I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;
Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;
The coming of Jesus is drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call
We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Written by Audrey Patricia Woolverton



Be you therefore ready also: for the Son of Man cometh at an hour when you think not. Luke 12:40

If Christ had not come!

A few years ago a striking Christmas card was published, with the title, "If Christ had not come." It was founded upon our Saviour's words, "If I had not come." The card represented a clergyman falling into a short sleep in his study on Christmas morning and dreaming of a world into which Jesus had never come.

In his dream he found himself looking through his home, but there were no little stockings in the chimney corner, no Christmas bells or wreaths of holly, and no Christ to comfort, gladden and save. He walked out on the public street, but there was no church with its spire pointing to Heaven. He came back and sat down in the library, but every book about the Saviour had disappeared.

A ring at the door-bell, and a messenger asked him to visit a poor dying mother. He hastened with the weeping child and as he reached the home he sat down and said, "I have something here that will comfort you." He opened his Bible to look for a familiar promise, but it ended at Malachi, and there was no gospel and no promise of hope and salvation, and he could only bow his head and weep with her in bitter despair.

Two days afterward he stood beside her coffin and conducted the funeral service, but there was no message of consolation, no word of a glorious resurrection, no open Heaven, but only "dust to dust, ashes to ashes," and one long eternal farewell. He realized at length that "He had not come," and burst into tears and bitter weeping in his sorrowful dream.

Suddenly he woke with a shock, and a great shout of joy and praise burst from his lips as he heard his choir singing in his church close by:

"O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant.
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem:
Come and behold Him, born the King of Angels,
O come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord."

Let us be glad and rejoice today, because "He has come."

And let us remember the annunciation of the angel, "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10,11)

"He comes to make His blessing flow, Far as the curse is found."

May our hearts go out to the people in heathen lands who have no blessed Christmas day.

"Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and SEND PORTIONS TO THEM FOR WHOM NOTHING IS PREPARED." (Neh. 8:10.)

from STREAMS IN THE DESERT, compiled by Mrs. Chas. E. Cowman
Published by THE ORIENTAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY, 832 North Hobart Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, 1931

PRAISES AND GLORY BE UNTO OUR LORD AND KING, JESUS CHRIST

O COME LET US ADORE HIM

In His service and for His glory,

Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of his father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. Luke 1:32,33

When I'm singing "O come, O come Emmanuel", I am thinking of His soon return and meeting My Lord in the air. My soul yearns to be with my Master and Saviour, the King of kings, Jesus Christ.

I just cannot see Jesus as a baby anymore. That time has long past, because for me He is risen and sits at the right hand of the Father.

And the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings. Revelation 17:14

And He hath on His vesture and on His thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Revelation 19:16

Some argue that Christmas is celebrated on the incorrect date, or that the date was originally a Pagan festivity. The wrong or correct date does not really matter, and does not change the fact that Jesus was born and came to our rescue. One can and may celebrate this any day of the year, or celebrate not at all.

There is nothing wrong with celebrating the Birthday of our Savior, as long as you don't stay gazing at His empty crib. When we remember His birth we cannot help but think what He came for. We see the shadow of the cross right over His crib.

They that don't know Jesus as personal Savior throw noisy parties to quiet down the song of the heavenly choir and the cry of the Cross. They go into extreme debts for presents to outdo the Gift of God. They can't handle the quietness from the stable and the piercing sound of the thunder, which comes from Calvary's hill.

But we, who believe and have our faith grounded in God, rejoice in the One who was from the beginning with the Father, came down to earth to free us from our sin and guilt, and is about to return to take us to our heavenly Home, prepared for us by the Father. What a DAY that will be. HALLELUJAH!

This is why I am singing "O COME, O COME EMMANUAL" on another "note".


To Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:11

BLESSINGS TO YOU THIS CHRISTMAS AND FOR EVER

Please, make sure you visit my Christmas poetic pages:

http://achristiancounselor.com/hislove.html God's Gift to You

http://achristiancounselor.com/hislove2.html His Love for You

http://achristiancounselor.com/newbirth.html Unto Us a Child is Born

In the service of the Almighty God,
Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

Walk In The Garden

For the LORD shall comfort Zion: He will comfort all her waste places; and He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3

Walk with me, O Savior dear
in this garden of wilderness
May I sense Your caring near
while all around there is a mess

In this life and in our nation
many things can grow so wrong
Weeds outgrow a showy carnation
a cry of agony may replace a song

This garden badly needs Your Light
and the warming beams of Your Son
which will bring growth and delight
to flowers that are almost gone

Lead me on Your path to see
the flowers which are about to wilt
Whom from the heat of the tempest flee
as they are laden with pain and guilt

Help me, dear Lord to care for them
pulling out overgrowth and weeds
While You prune their battered stem
let me bind the one who bleeds

Give me a caring heart like Yours
an observant eye to clearly see
the hurting heart and all its sores
Teach me the blessing that I must be

Let me help to ease their pain
of the flowers hit by storms
Let me not treat them with disdain
but apply Your love that transforms

Walk with me, dear Lord of mine
in the garden of Your Godly design
and show me the real bloodline
of the flowers that You refine

Let their fragrance once more be true
to what You intended it to be
For Your glory, while I'll subdue
Since it's You Who cares most tenderly

Copyright © Dr.Trudy Veerman.
All rights reserved.

Psalm 84:11,12... For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in Thee.

Psalm 46:1,2... God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

Take the "LIGHT" out and there's NO CHRISTmas!

T'was the month before Christmas

When all through our land,

Not a Christian was praying

Nor taking a stand.

See the PC Police had taken away,

The reason for Christmas - no one could say.

The children were told by their schools not to sing,

About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.

It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say

December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.



Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit

Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!

CDs from Madonna, an X BOX, an I-pod

Something was changing, something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanza

In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.

As Targets were hanging their trees upside down

At Lowe's the word Christmas - was no where to be found.

At K-Mart and Staples and Penney's and Sears

You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.



Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty

Are words that were used to intimidate me.

Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen

On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter

To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.

And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith

Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace



The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded

The reason for the season, stopped before it started.

So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'

Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.

Choose your words carefully, choose what you say

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS, not Happy Holiday!

They don't know what they're missing

After the fight, they'll be hissing

and soon find out we were right

Then it's too late to accept the "LIGHT"

In the service of the Savior,

Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

The Evangelical Subculture

Two Different Conversions

When I became a follower of Jesus Christ I underwent two different conversions, although I didn't realize it at the time. First, I was converted from my old life into the Body of Christ by reconciliation with God through Jesus. Hallelujah! At about the same time I bought into the Evangelical Subculture under the false impression that it WAS the Body of Christ. It took me years to realize the difference between the two.

I had been aware of "Christendom": that worldly religious structure consisting of political and economic empires and bureaucracies, both Protestant and Catholic, that had fought religious wars and undertaken crusades to retake the "Holy Land", that had burned people at the stake, that continued to preach false Christs and false gospels of works, and that continues to talk about the counterfeit unity called Ecumenicalism.

But I had not understood the nature of the Evangelical Subculture, that is a part of the worldly structure of "Christendom". This subculture has its own organizations and institutions, denominations, parachurch organizations; its own magazines and radio stations and TV networks; its own schools and colleges and universities; its own celebrities; its own music industry and book stores; its own marketing and advertising worlds.

Like Joining a Club

The tragedy of the Evangelical Subculture is that people who have a sincere desire to follow Jesus get side tracked into a zeal for being a part of this worldly system. It is like joining a club. The club member begins to wear the clothes and trinkets bought at the "Christian" book stores; watch "Christian" TV and listen to "Christian" radio; buy the latest fad books that sweep the "Christian media"; subscribe to the "Christian" magazines; worship the "Christian" celebrities; use all the latest jargon promoted in the latest books by the celebrity authors.

A cult-like mentality develops among people who see this Evangelical system as identical to the Body of Christ. Their zeal is for the trappings of the subculture. It is its own religion. If someone tries to point out the unbiblical nature of some aspect of this subculture people will take offense because you are criticizing their religion. The subculture becomes the message. The "gospel" that people preach is for conversion to the system, not really to Jesus Christ.

The Subculture, Institutionalism, and Deception

The pop culture of Evangelicalism feeds on institutionalism, denominationalism, "non-denominational" institutional church organizations, and the professional clergy system. The professional clergy and their church organizations, in turn, find an indoctrinated constituency to fill their pews and programs. Both the subculture and the institutional churches turn a relationship with Jesus and his people into a participation in a religion and a lifestyle.

This Evangelical Subculture has played a major role in setting professing Christians up for deception. It seduces people to think and act like the subculture instead of reading the Bible for themselves and deriving their understanding from the Bible. It has been this subculture that has infected the Evangelicals with psychology, self-esteem, political action and social activism, unity at the expense of sound doctrine, mysticism, and cult attachments to gurus, movements, and organizations. Ultimately, the end of this deception is a merging of the Evangelical Subculture with the global counterfeit religious vision.

We ought to be content with the simplicity of following Jesus and being the Body of Christ together with those the Lord provides for fellowship, according to the teachings of the Apostles in the New Testament.

Jim Baumgaertel

Proclamation, Invitation, and Warning http://procinwarn.com/
jimbaum@procinwarn.com

PERFECT Answer of the Judge!

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. Proverbs 18:7

Great answer from the judge!

In Florida , an atheist became incensed over the preparation of Easter and Passover holidays. He decided to contact his lawyer about the discrimination inflicted on atheists by the constant celebrations afforded to Christians and Jews with all their holidays while atheists had no holiday to celebrate.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the long passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel and declared, "Case dismissed!" The lawyer immediately stood and objected to the ruling and said, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter and many other observances. Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur and Hanukkah... yet my client and all other atheists have no such holiday!"

The judge leaned forward in his chair and simply said, "Obviously your client is too confused to even know about, much less celebrate, his own atheists' holiday!" The lawyer pompously said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any such holiday for atheists. Just when might that holiday be, your Honor?"

The judge said, "Well it comes every year on exactly the same date---April 1st! Since our calendar sets April 1st as "April Fools Day," consider that Psalm 14:1 states, "The fool says in his heart, there is no God." Thus, in my opinion, if your client says there is no God, then by Scripture, he is a fool, and April 1st is his holiday!"

Now, have a good day and get out of my courtroom!

* * * * * * *

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. Proverbs 26:5

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Don't have fools as friends lest you become one of them.

Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

God's Protection!

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Psalm 91:5

For He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Psalm 91:11,12

The God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour; Thou savest me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:3

Sometimes things happen fast and unexpected; you may slip on a icy spot; a vehicle turns right in front of you; a storm develops fast while you're at sea etc.
You may think for a split second that you're facing this calamity all by yourself, until you discover that God has sent help before you even have asked.

I'll share with you the following incident which happened to my husband, Casey when he was a teenager. During those years he loved to be in the woods and nature, just as he is doing now on a daily basis.

One day, Casey walked through the woods close to the dunes by the North Sea in the Netherlands. Hardly anybody would visit this wooded area, but this was Casey's familiar ground and he biked there nearly every day. He would check birds nests, climb trees, pick berries, make a camp fire etc.

While he was busy with his activities all of a sudden two young men came running up, approached him and started to beat him up, for no reason. They rather surprised him, since he was usually alone in that area of the woods.

One of the men hit him over the head with a steel bar and Casey went about through his knees, when all of a sudden out of the "nowhere" a tall person appeared and chased after the two young men, without saying a word. Casey scrambled on his feet and followed, with his eyes, the stranger chasing the two culprits through the woods and over the open field until they disappeared. Slowly he walked home with a headache, and a big dent in his skull, which he still has up to this day. Luckily there was no internal injury, Praise God, Casey was saved! He had never seen this person before and never met him again after.

Ever since this happened, he believes and knows that God sent an angel to rescue him and save his life.

God is always there at the right moment. AMEN!! God acts according to His word and to His promises. Therefore, let us walk according to His word so His promises will be manifested.

We have experienced several of such amazing instances, which I may report at a later date.

* * * * * * *

But the LORD your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. 2 Kings 17:39

Angels are ministering spirits sent forth to serve ; messengers of encouragement to the believers; to destroy God's enemy; to support, rescue and save God's people.

And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. Acts 12:8


For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12

If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31b

In the service of the Almighty,
Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

Consider the aging and dying people!

Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; Even I will carry, and will deliver you. Isaiah 46:4

Dear friend, I come to realize more and more my own aging and mortality. And as I see my life passing by before my own eyes, I want to do even more before I'm gone.

Ten years will fly by like nothing. I can hardly believe how many years have passed since I worked as professional with the aging and dying people. It makes me somehow sad. Most of these people have died by now.

This stirs my soul just thinking about all these people, the loneliness, rejection by family and the pain that so many have, and about the time that will never return. Yesterday is gone... it's gone. Oh, God use me in an even more powerful way. Send them Lord, use me and this website in a greater power, I pray, for Your glory and to bring Your Light to a people lost in sin and in darkness. AMEN !!

The above is referring to one of my website writings of my personal experience working with the elderly and dying patients ADJUSTMENT OF AGING

If you're young and don't know much about the aging process and where some people are going through or even what your own parents are facing, both links will help you understand better. If you are middle aged or aging yourself the two links will surely benefit you and even encourage you to continue in your walk with the Lord.

The following link brings you to another website. You MUST view Parent's Wish A touching and poignant slideshow of a parents' wish during their old age...


Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 56:22

May the Lord and Master of your soul touch the depth of your heart and teach you how to pray for your aging parents, friends and neighbours.

In His wonderful service.
Minister Dr. Trudy Veerman

Astounding discovery!!

Why did Jesus fold the burial head napkin after His resurrection?

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!"

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see.

The other disciple outran Peter and got there first.

He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there,

while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Is that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master was done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm done".

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........

The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

JESUS IS Coming Back!

Hallelujah!

Mystery of Iraq

IRAQ AND THE BIBLE

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq

2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq, was the cradle of civilization!

3. Noah built the ark in Iraq

4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq

5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq !

6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq !

7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq

8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq

9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel

10. Amos cried out in Iraq!

11 Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem

12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq!

13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq!

14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writing on the wall" in Iraq

15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq

16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq

17. The wise men were from Iraq

18. Peter preached in Iraq

19. The "Empire of Man" described in Revelation is called Babylon , which was a city in Iraq!

20. Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible, but Iraq is the second

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, Iraq is not the name that is used in the Bible.
The names used in the Bible are Babylon, Land of Shinar, and Mesopotamia. The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

The name Iraq, means country with deep roots.

Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible.

No other nation, except Israel, has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq.

HE IS YOUR FATHER!

God knows your needs. He will supply strength and bring blessings upon your life, just for the asking.

Psalm 107:29... He calms the storm, so that its waves are quiet.


YOUR FATHER

You glance at the waters, while beholding the sea,
you long for that which is far beyond you and me.
Brooks and deep wells are established by His Hand,
so is your soul, which He restored and did mend.
He is your Father... you cannot comprehend.

You look at the hills and wonder what is beyond.
Could it be a valley, some green pasture... a pond?
You reflect on your past and now you understand,
at these mountains you see an outstretched hand.
It is your Father's... from heaven sent.

You observe the sky and its ever moving clouds
they remind you of past days with its depressing bouts.
But one thing you can expect, and you know for sure,
the sun will come shining through and its light will mature
because of your Father... you can endure.

* * * * * * *

copyright © Dr. Trudy Veerman, 2007.
ALL rights reserved.


1 Peter 5:7... Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.


Psalm 121:1,2... I will lift up my eyes to the hills - from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

From the poetic webpage http://achristiancounselor.com/holdme.html

ALL GLORY BE TO OUR LORD AND SAVOUR!

AMEN AND AMEN!

In His incomprehensible love,

Dr. Trudy Veerman

The Brick!

For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in My name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. Mark 9:41

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared . Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"
The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister... please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."

With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car. "It's my brother,"he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up, please."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned 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 driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him everything was going to be okay.
"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door.

He kept the dent there to remind him of this message: "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

Author unknown.


Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Romans 13:10,11

"You will receive as you do unto others"

The Cracked Pot

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots; each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walks from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?"

"That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them."

"For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

"Neglect not the gift that is in thee," 1 Timothy 4:14a

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

SO, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

~`~ `~ `~ `~ `~ `~ `~

May you be encouraged, for God loves you with an everlasting love.

In His service.
Dr. Trudy Veerman

Have Child-like Faith!

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24

This beautiful story was written by a doctor who worked in South Africa.

One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we could do, she died, leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying two-year-old daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator (we had no electricity to run an incubator).

We also had no special feeding facilities.

Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in.

Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst (rubber perishes easily in tropical climates).

"And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways.

"All right," I said, "put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon , as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough,mentioning the hot water bottle, and that the baby could so easily die if it got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.

During prayer time, on e ten -year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt conciseness of our African children. "Please, God" she prayed, "Send us a hot water bottle today. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added, "And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?"

As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say "Amen"? I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything; the Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever, received a parcel from home.

Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the car had gone, but there on the verandah was a large 22-pound parcel. I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box.

From the top, I lifted out brightly-colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - that would make a batch of buns for the weekend.

Then, as I put my hand in again, I felt the.....could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out. Yes, a brand new, rubber hot water bottle. I cried.

I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could.

Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!"

Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully-dressed dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted!

Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go over with you and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?" Of course,I replied!

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator.

And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child - five months before, in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that afternoon."

"Before they call, I will answer." (Isaiah 65:24)

When you receive this, say the prayer. That's all you have to do. No strings attached. Just send it on to whomever you want - but do send it on.

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue praying for one another.

Heavenly Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this. I ask You to minister to their spirit. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence to work through them. Where there is tiredness or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength. Where there is fear, reveal our love and release to them Your courage. Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them.

Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name. Amen and Amen!

***************

We serve indeed an awesome God. He is alive and real. Our family has experienced similar situation and God has never failed us. Glory to His wonderul name.

That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 1 Corinthians 2:5

Be encouraged and blessed in Him.
Dr. Trudy Veerman

The value of a $20 bill

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Sometimes we just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We may feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE and WHOSE WE ARE.

"You are special- Don't EVER forget this."

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

You may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or the hope that it can bring, if you don't tell this to others.

Count your blessings, not your problems.

And remember: amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.

If God brings you to it - He will see you through it.

And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

Receive the blessings of the Most High!

Dr. Trudy Veerman

When I Whine

It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High. Psalm 92:1

When I Whine

~~~~~~~

Today, upon a bus, I saw a girl with golden hair

I looked at her and sighed and wished I was as fair.

When suddenly she rose to leave,

I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and used a crutch

But as she passed, she passed a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine

I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

~~~

I stopped to buy some candy

The lad who sold it had such charm

I talked with him a while, he seemed so very glad

If I were late, it'd do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me,

"I thank you, you've been so kind.

It's nice to talk with folks like you.

You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

~~~

Later while walking down the street,

I saw a child with eyes of blue

He stood and watched the others play

He did not know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said,

"Why don't you join the others, dear?"

He looked ahead without a word.

And then I knew, he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have 2 ears, the world is mine.

~~~

With feet to take me where I'd go.

With eyes to see the sunset's glow.

With ears to hear what I would know.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I've been blessed indeed, The world is mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


After all, it's just a simple reminder....

We have so much to be thankful for!!!

I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. Psalm 30:12

The Duck and the Devil

There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner.

As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved! In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing.

After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes", but Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?"

So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper."

Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.

After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer.

He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave of you."

<~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~>

Thought for the day and every day thereafter?

Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and that you are forgiven.

He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of you.

The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy that we are saved.

Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. Revelation 12:10b

Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this with a friend and always remember: God is at the window!

When Jesus died on the cross; He was thinking of you!

NEVER QUIT

Someone told me the following experience:

One day I decided to quit.... I quit my job, my relationship, my
spirituality..... I went to the woods to have a talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo".

He said. "In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit.

He said. "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots. I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others."

He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come, "God said to me. "You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."
I left the forest and brought back this story. I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you........

Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you Happiness.
Bad days give you Experiences.
Both are essential to life.
Keep going...
Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you Humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

Look Upwards!

BUZZARD

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6' x 8' and is entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of 10-12'. Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.


BAT

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkably nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and painfully until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.


BUMBLEBEE

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.


PEOPLE

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat and the bumblebee. We struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that all we have to do is look up. Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up. Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly and trust in our Creator who loves us.

Author unknown

Think about it and make the appropriate adjustments.
This life is your classroom, God's word is your textbook and Christ is your teacher. Go for the A+ mark!!
Dr. Trudy Veerman

What lies beyond death?

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die.
Tell me what lies on the other side."

Very quietly, the doctor said, "I don't know."

"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient! , the doctor said, "Did you notice my dog?
He's never been in this room before. He didn't know what was inside.
He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear.

I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...
I know my Master is there and that is enough."

I will not be discouraged!

I will not be discouraged!

I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
and here's the reason why:

I have a God who's mighty,
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
and I am on His team.

He is all-wise and powerful.
Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.

My God knows all that's happening;
Beginning to the end;
His presence is my comfort;
He is my dearest Friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me,
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.

When circumstances threaten
to rob me of my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast,
Where all my strivings cease.

When my heart melts within me,
and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms,
He soothes my heart and soul.

The great "I AM" is with me.
My life is in His hand;
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope,
It's in His strength I stand.

I refuse to be defeated,
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me,
as through this life I trod.

I'm looking past all my circumstances,
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God
I'm resting in His love.

I give God thanks in everything.
My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory mine;
He'll help me win the race.

~~ Author BJ George ~~

JESUS LOVES ME

A pastor once stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Senior version of Jesus Loves Me"

Here is a new version just for us who have white hair or no hair at all.
For us over middle age (or even those almost there) and all you others, check out this newest version of Jesus Loves Me.

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

(CHORUS)
YES, JESUS LOVES ME... YES, JESUS LOVES ME...
YES, JESUS LOVES ME FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song.
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

from a Devotion by Sue Diaz

A Lesson to be Learned!

He who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:21

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said: "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."

The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table.
In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.
They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.

The holy man said: "I don't understand."
"It is simple", said the Lord: "It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves."

When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you!

People choose hell themselves!


He that loveth his brother abideth in the light. 1 John 2:10

By love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

Bear ye one another's burden and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

The Days to Come!

The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.
That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.
Zephaniah 1:14,15

THIS WRITING HAS BEEN UPDATED AND MOVED TO MY MAIN WEB SITE.

http://achristiancounselor.com/days.html

Dr. Trudy Veerman

Nine Free Gifts!

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Email funpages to your friends. Share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.
A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, "Hello" or "Thank You".

9) THE GIFT OF SALVATION ...


It doesn't cost us a cent but it has been paid for in full at the price of God's own Son, Jesus.
"The gift of God is eternal Life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. "
In order to receive this "most wonderful of all gift", you have to accept it through faith.

Have a Blessed Day!

You are my Sunshine...

God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us; Selah. That Thy way may be known upon earth, Thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Psalm 67:1-3

Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.

They found out that the new baby was going be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in mommy's tummy.

He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown , Tennessee !

In time, the labor pains came.

Soon it was every five minutes, every three, every minute. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor.

Would a C-section be required? Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born.

But she was in very serious condition.

With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville , Tennessee. The days inched by. The little girl got worse.

The pediatrician had to tell the parents there is very little hope.

Be prepared for the worst. Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot.

They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral.

Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister.

I want to sing to her, he kept saying.

Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over.

Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care.

Karen decided to take Michael whether they liked it or not. If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.

She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket.

The head nurse recognized him as a child and bellowed, "Get that kid out of here now. No children allowed."

The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister" she stated.

Then Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. After a moment, he began to sing.

In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray."

Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady. "Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes.

"You never know, dear, how much I love you, please don't take my sunshine away."
As Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr.

"Keep on singing, sweetheart." "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms". Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her.

"Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse.

Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don't take my sunshine away..."

The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home.

Woman's Day Magazine called it The Miracle of a Brother's Song .

The medical staff just called it a miracle.
Karen called it a miracle of God's love.

NEVER GIVE UP ON THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE.
LOVE IS SO INCREDIBLY POWERFUL.



And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. Psalm 103:11

May His light shine upon you!

The Rope

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:26

The story tells about a mountain climber, who wanted to climb the highest mountain.
He begun his adventure after many years of preparation. But since he wanted the glory just for himself, he decided to climb the mountain all alone.

The night fell heavy in the heights of the mountain, and the man could not see anything.
All was black. Zero visibility, and the moon and stars were covered by the clouds.

As he was climbing, just a few feet away from the top of the mountain, he slipped and fell into the air, falling at a great speed. The climber could only see black spots as he went down, and felt the terrible sensation of being sucked by gravity. He kept falling... and in those moments of great fear, all the good and bad episodes of his life came to his mind.

He was thinking now how close death was getting, when all of a sudden he felt the rope, tied to his waist, pull him very hard.
His body was hanging in the air. Only the rope was holding him... and in that moment of stillness he had no other choice but to scream: “Help me God!”

All of a sudden, a deep voice coming from the sky answered: “What do you want me to do?”

“Save me God!”

“Do you really think I can save you?”

“Of course, I believe You can.”

“Then cut the rope tied to your waist.”

There was a moment of silence; and the man decided to hold on to the rope with all his strength.

The rescue team tells, that the next day a climber was found dead and frozen... his body was hanging from a rope. His hands holding tight to it, only 10 feet away from the ground of a mountain plateau.

* * * * * * *

And YOU... how attached are you to your rope? Will you let go?

Don’t ever doubt the things from God. You never should say that He has forgotten or abandoned you. Don’t ever think that He does not take care of you.

Remember: For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

Author unknown

The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me. Hebrews 13:6

Thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:3

Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet Thy commandments are my delights. Psalm 119:143

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2

Hear what the Spirit of God says unto His children!