Do we complain about, or pray for, our bosses and those in leadership?

I don’t expect this to be the most popular of my blogs, but I don’t mind because it’s a very important topic that most people in the work force fail to realize….praying for those who lead us.

Yesterday as I left the workplace, I saw my boss poised over just one of the many problems that he faced that day. Earlier I had watched his wife, who also runs the company, running around trying to settle personnel problems and accounting issues. Yet both of them had the added burden of trying to keep the employees motivated and trying not to look stressed. While they pulled this feat off well, I couldn’t help to think about all they go through.

Today is Friday and throughout the world, employees everywhere are elated because of the upcoming weekend. But the problem that business owners and others in charge have, is that most of them never quit working. They have a lot of responsibility that goes home with them. It doesn’t stay at the office because it’s 5 O’clock. They have invested everything they have in it. Their livelihood depends on the success of their business. So maybe we as employees can help them out. How? By praying for peace and success in the business that we are employed by. By becoming better employees and allowing Jesus to shine though us by having an exemplary work ethic. By not getting mad if they initiate a policy that we think is unfair. Policies are not always easy to institute because the person doing the enforcement will become very unpopular. Let’s try to walk a step in their shoes. And this includes our political leaders as well.

I am blessed to have two Christian bosses who are wonderful people. If you’re not, and am less than thrilled to be working for them, don’t be angry and hate, pray for them. Maybe that prayer will change their lives and business around. Believe me, they are stressed, and they need prayers for peace just like anyone else. Having said all of this I have posted a prayer below and ask that you pray this for your bosses before and during work today or whenever (since this blog is read around the world). If you can’t think of a prayer consider the one below, or just simply say a brief one. Our leaders need it.

 

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

 

Dear God, our Creator,

We come to You today praying for our boss, our supervisors and for those in authority over us in the workplace.

We begin by requesting that you will give our boss and supervisors your wisdom, guidance and the ability to lead well.  Help them to seek out and listen to sound advice and to decide how to take action in timely and efficient ways that are good for the business and good for the customers and clients who are served.  Here are some specific special requests I now make for my boss…

We pray for the family life of our boss and supervisors that they will be able to balance work and home life in healthy ways.  We pray for their spiritual life that they might come into a stronger faith in You.  We pray for their social life that they might partner with and support worthy causes in our community as You prosper them in business.  Here are some specific prayers I offer for my boss…

We intercede for them about the things only you can provide.  We pray for their physical health that it might remain strong.  We ask that they will be able to maintain a healthy physical and moral lifestyle.   We pray for Your forgiveness and mercy in any ways they have erred.  We pray for Your blessings upon them as You open new doors of opportunity before them. We stand against any emotional or spiritual attacks they might be facing and we plead the blood of Christ over them in their times of stress and crisis.  We pray that you will increase their ability to bear the responsibility of running a business.  Give them grace and fairness in dealing with employees.  Grant them a spirit of inclusiveness, respectfulness, teamwork, and self control.   Lead them not into the temptation of seeking bottom line profits through questionable or unethical means.  And deliver them from the evils of ruthless competitors.  Here are some specific needs my boss has today…

We conclude our prayer by offering out thanksgiving for our boss and supervisors.  Thank you for their ability to handle daily problems, for their experience and leadership, for their vision and dedication.  Thank you for the jobs they have provided for us and for the income these jobs provide.  May we learn how to express our gratitude to them for their guidance and mentoring.  Here are some specific ways I am thankful for my boss…

Amen.

Lessons on getting along from Geese.

“Look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.” –Proverbs 6:6, MESSAGE

We can learn many lessons from nature! When you see geese heading south for the winter, notice their V formation. Scientists have discovered that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following it. By flying in formation, the flock has a 70 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. We can learn some useful truths about leadership and teamwork from the geese.

Get to your destination with less effort.

People who share a common direction and a sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they travel on the thrust of one another. Teamwork should not be forced. It should flow easily because everyone is committed to traveling in the same direction.

Stay on course.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone – and it quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front of it. If we start to stray from our course, the team will help us get back on track.

Share the front.

It’s tiring to be at the front, blazing the trail for everyone else. When the lead goose gets tired, it scoots back in formation and another goose takes the lead. With teamwork, you don’t have to be the one and only leader at all times. Share responsibility. It builds more confidence among the team.

Be careful with your horn.

We each have a “horn” and we need to be careful with how we honk from behind. The geese flying in the back of the formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Your words are one of the most powerful instruments in building people up or tearing them down. Use them well.

Protect one another.

When one goose falls out because of injury or whatever, two more leave the formation and stay with that goose until he rejoins the group. They act as protectors in the goose’s vulnerable and weakened state. We should stand by each other, protect one another and make new friends with those who are going in our direction.

 

This article was provided by our partner, Frank Damazio, Pastor of City Bible Church and the Chairman of Ministers Fellowship International, a fellowship of thousands of churches nationwide and around the world.

What I’ve learned, and sometimes the hard way

I’ve learned– that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I’ve learned- that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.

I’ve learned- that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I’ve learned- that it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

I’ve learned- that you can get by on charm for about fifteen minutes. After that, you’d better know something.

I’ve learned- that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do.

I’ve learned- that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I’ve learned- that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I’ve learned- that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I’ve learned- that you can keep going long after you can’t.

I’ve learned- that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I’ve learned- that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I’ve learned- that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I’ve learned- that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I’ve learned- that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I’ve learned- that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I’ve learned- that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I’ve learned- that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.

I’ve learned- that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I’ve learned- that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.

I’ve learned- that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.

I’ve learned- that you should never tell a child their dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if they believed it.

I’ve learned- that your family won’t always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren’t related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren’t biological.

I’ve learned- that no matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I’ve learned- that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you are to learn to forgive yourself.

I’ve learned- that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.

I’ve learned- that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I’ve learned- that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.

I’ve learned- that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I’ve learned- that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I’ve learned- that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I’ve learned- that no matter how you try to protect your children, they will eventually get hurt and you will hurt in the process.

I’ve learned- that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.

I’ve learned- that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I’ve learned- that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I’ve learned- that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

I’ve learned- that it’s hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people’s feelings and standing up for what you believe.

But the most important lesson of all is that no matter how bad I mess things up….no matter how far I stray…now matter how much of a sinner I have become…Jesus died on the cross, I am forgiven, and God always loves me. Now that is a lesson I cannot afford to forget.

Did Jesus use wireless at the Sermon on the Mount?

Did Jesus use a modem

At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did He ever try a broadcast fax

To send His message out?

Did the disciples carry beepers

As they went about their route?

Did Jesus use a modem

At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did Paul use a Laptop

With lots of RAM and ROM?

Were his letters posted on a BBS

At Paul.Rome.Com?

Did the man from Macedonia

Send an E-Mail saying “Come?”

Did Paul use a Laptop

With lots of RAM and ROM?

Did Moses use a Joystick

at the Parting of the Sea?

And a Satellite Guidance Tracking System

To show him where to be?

Did he write the law on tablets

Or are they really on CD?

Did Moses use a joystick

At the parting of the Sea?

Did Jesus really die for us

One day upon a tree?

Or was it just a hologram

Or technical wizardry?

Can you download the Live Action Video Clip

To play on your PC?

Did Jesus really die for us

One day upon a tree?

Have the wonders of this modern age

Made you question what is true?

How a single man in a simple time

Could offer life anew?

How a sinless life, a cruel death

then a glorious life again

Could offer more to a desperate world

Than the inventions of man?

If in your life, the voice of God

Is sometimes hard to hear.

With other voices calling

His doesn’t touch your ear.

Then set aside your laptop and modem

And all your fancy gear.

And open your Bible, open your heart

And let your Father draw you near.

By: Ellis Bush

The whispers of temptation, do you listen to them, or turn a deaf ear?

Temptation…it whispers to us. It appeals to our pleasure, arouses our attention, and can make us fall quicker that a ton of dynamite. Temptation is like stepping into the quicksand of sin and sinking fast.When temptaion leads to sin, people respond in many different ways. Some cry like they’ve never cried before, filled with shame and remorse, but most hide in the deepest parts of their hearts, afraid, alone, hurt and ashamed with waves of guilt crashing around them like the ocean waves. These, and feelings like them, are common when we know we’ve gone to far, made the wrong choices, and and led a reckless life. We self-destruct, but it was our chosing that got us there.

Temptation seems to creep around when we least expect it. We fool ourselves into thinking that we’re strong and can handle it. Satan knows just when to push our buttons, however. At just exactly the wrong time, when we least expect it and our defenses are down, the enemy shows up with His bag full of temptations. He has a way of tricking us into thinking it’s all right, aking us see various shades of grey rather than the black and white of right and wrong.

Sometimes temptation comes in the form of things, places, and people to bandage the wound in the soul that cannot humanly be met. The need was created by God and for only God to fill. Everything else will feel empty and incomplete. Everyone has emotional needs that they try to meet in inferior ways, like ungodly friendships, emotional affairs,  obsession with work, food, and money, and the list goes on and on into infinity. In other words, they they grab on to false ways to meet their needs that only the Lord can satisfy.

We have to look at temptation for what it really is. Temptation, when it stands alone, is just a withering, shrinking lure. Despite how often we see it, it has no power unless we just give in to it. Remember that temptation itself is not a sin, Jesus was tempted, but giving in to the lure is where we fall into the catagory of Sinfulness.

Remember that we are never alone in outr struggles with temptation. We have a mighty God who has the transforming power to change us into Godly people, satisfy our deepest needs, be our greatest defense against the enemy, protect us, keep us from temptation, and deliver us from evil. Our victory over Satan has already been won through Christ.

Some passages to study the issue of temptaion include:

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

James 1:12-16 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Hebrews 2:18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

Matthew 4:1-11 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple …

Is your Church a fortress, or a refuge?

There’s a Church accross the street from us that has one of the most unique neon signs in Las Vegas (And there’s a lot of them here) always flashing some new catchy phrase or message. That sounds pretty cool, right? Well, while I don’t really oppose it, I do wish they would change the message and mindset.

On this sign, they are always running a brightly colored slogan about what the Church has to offer and inviting them to come in. The problem is that they expect people to take the first step and go to the Church, when if you look at the Biblical concept of God‘s House, it should be going to the world.

It’s easy to stay behind the security and safety of walls, but if we really want to make a difference and become a Church like Jesus and the early Apostles showed us, we would be going out on the streets to where the people are. It’s very rare that someone will look at a sign and just pop into a house of worship, they need to be invited. They need to know that there are people who care about them, and most of the time that’s not going to happen with an invitation, but it will happen if someone from the Church takes a step outside and SHOWS them they care.

Now I’m not bashing this Church at all, I’m sure it does a lot of great things, but here’s what concerns me about this congregation. This Church is right in the middle of the foreclosure capital of the nation, and they are constantly building onto the grounds while people are losing their homes a block away. I would love to see them coming out from behind the fortress that they are building, and going out among the people that live nearby and seeing how, or if, they could help. Imagine what kind of a ministry that would be. I can just picture the scenerio…someone is losing their home and don’t know where to turn. Suddenly they get a knock at the door. It’s someone from the Church accross the street. The heart-broken person breaks down crying while telling their visitor from the House of God how they feel like they are losing everything and are scared. The person from the Church offers to help them with groceries and starts to pray with them. They may still  feel scared, tbut now there’s renewed hope. They see that the words of Jesus are more than just words, they are demonstrated though His followers. They have a new found sense of hope, it’s called Jesus. Now that’s evangelism.

I know a lot of Churches would love to do more outreach, but in most cases the interest from the congregation isn’t there. Having said that, ask yourslef this morning if you’re active enough in the Church to where they can come out from behind their walls. If the volunteers are there, and your Church still isn’t doing outreach, pray on it and see where the Lord leads you. Maybe simply ask someone how you can help to reach more people for Jesus. Often times encouraging your Pastor through the gift of volunteering will inspire Him.

Please read the scripture below that backs up what I’m talking about this morning, and please help someone outside of the walls today… 🙂

———————————————————-

Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

 

Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

——————————————————————————————

Luke 10:25-37

New International Version (NIV)

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

²⁵ On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

²⁶ “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

²⁷ He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’^[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[b]”

²⁸ “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

²⁹ But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰ In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. ³² So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii^[c] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

³⁶ “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

³⁷ The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

The latest news story from the Christian Post…no age restriction or permission needed for the morning after pill.

The Story below just shows how little value is placed on the life of our unborn children these days. What do you think?

A federal judge in New York ordered the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Friday to make the Plan B emergency contraceptive pill available to young teens and girls without a doctor’s prescription. The White House promptly responded by saying the age restriction was the “right common-sense approach.”

While today’s women need to prove at the pharmacy they are 17 or older to be able to buy the morning-after pill, U.S. District Judge Edward Korman for the Eastern District of New York ruled Friday that women of any age should be able to buy emergency contraception without a doctor’s prescription, according to The Associated Press.

President Barack Obama had supported a 2011 decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius setting age limits for Plan B One-Step and its generic versions, which can prevent pregnancy if taken soon enough after unprotected sex. Obama had then supported Sebelius, saying she acted because she wasn’t sure that an 11-year-old “should be able, alongside bubble gum or batteries…to buy a medication that potentially, if not used properly, could end up having an adverse effect.”

Korman, too, acknowledged that the case was controversial, as “it involves access to emergency contraception for adolescents who should not be engaging in conduct that necessitates the use of such drugs,” but he called Sebelius’ decision “politically motivated, scientifically unjustified and contrary to agency precedent.”

Justice Department spokeswoman Allison Price said Friday that the decision of whether to appeal would be taken soon. “The Department of Justice is reviewing the appellate options and expects to act promptly,” she said.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said Friday the president hasn’t changed his position. “He believes it was the right common-sense approach to this issue,” Carney said.

The Family Research Council expressed “serious concerns” regarding the court ruling.

“This ruling places the health of young girls at risk. Making Plan B available for girls under the age of 17 without a prescription flies in the face of medical information and sound judgment,” said Anna Higgins, director of the Center for Human Dignity at the FRC, in a statement. “I am very troubled that the court has not fully taken into account the concerns expressed by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and many public health advocates that there is not enough data on the health effects of Plan B on young girls.”

The court order was in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights in 2005. “More than twelve years have passed since the citizen petition was filed and eight years since this lawsuit commenced,” Korman wrote. “The FDA has engaged in intolerable delays in processing the petition. Indeed, it could accurately be described as an administrative agency filibuster.”

“Today science has finally prevailed over politics,” Nancy Northrup, president and chief executive of the liberal advocacy group, said in a statement. “This landmark court decision has struck a huge blow to the deep-seated discrimination that has for too long denied women access to a full range of safe and effective birth control methods.”

The morning-after pill contains a higher dose of the female progestin hormone – to prevent ovulation or fertilization of an egg – than is in regular birth control pills. However, if a woman already is pregnant, the pill has no effect.

About 19.7 million new sexually transmitted infections were reported in 2008, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Based on the CDC’s estimates, that brings the total number of STIs in the country to just over 110 million, and most of the new cases crop up in young men and women aged between 15 and 25. “Making Plan B available over-the-counter for any age will put many of these young girls at further risk because it circumvents necessary medical screening for sexually active girls,” Higgins said.

There is also a real danger that “Plan B may be given to young girls, under coercion or without their consent,” Higgins added. “The involvement of parents and medical professionals act as a safeguard for these young girls. However, today’s ruling removes these commonsense protections.”

However, some see the morning-after pill as a way of reducing teenage pregnancy.

The New York City Department of Education last year decided to make the morning-after pill available without parental consent to high school teenage girls as young as 14, at 13 public schools, expanding a program that began in 2011.

Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League, then told The Christian Post that the decision was “the kind of imperial edict that demands a lawsuit.”

“Whenever it comes to sensitive issues such as sexuality, the government must always play an ancillary role to that of parents,” he said. “The provision that parents can opt out smacks of governmental arrogance and must be resisted: the government has no business eclipsing parental rights.”

A must read story called the room.

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline and do not alter the content.

The Auction. A must read story

The upstate NY man was rich in almost every way. His estate was worth millions. He owned houses, land, antiques and cattle. But though on the outside he had it all, he was very unhappy on the inside. His wife was growing old, and the couple was childless. He had always wanted a little boy to carry on the family legacy.

Miraculously, his wife became pregnant in her later years, and she gave birth to a little boy. The boy was severely handicapped, but the man loved him with his whole heart. When the boy was five, his mom died. The dad drew closer to his special son. At age 13, the boys’s birth defects cost him his life and the father died soon after from a broken heart.

The estate was auctioned before hundreds of bidders. The first item offered was a painting of the the boy. No one bid. They waited like vultures for the riches. Finally, the poor housemaid, who helped raise the boy, offered $5 for the picture and easily took the bid. To every-one’s shock, the auctioneer ripped a hand written will from the back of the picture. This is what it said: “To the person who thinks enough of my son to buy this painting, to this person I give my entire estate.”

The auction was over. The greedy crowd walked away in shock and dismay.

How many of us have sought after what we thought were true riches only to find out later that our Father was prepared to give us His entire estate if we had only sought after His Son alone?

The room….what’s in your file cabinet?

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The story below, although fictional, reminds us of our failures, as well as the Lord’s love for us and His ability to love us past our faults. Enjoy, and let me know what you think.

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In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for one wall covered with small index card files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “People I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have Betrayed.”

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my short life to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them! In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than 3 inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

– by Joshua Harris