by Inspiration | Jul 31, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Taking Jesus with You I drive into work listening to gospel music or a pre-recorded sermon on the radio. I get out of the car and walk to the building… Taking Jesus with You I drive into work listening to gospel music or a pre-recorded sermon on the radio. I get out of the car and walk to the building entrance. As I open the building door I leave just enough room for me to get in and I leave Jesus standing outside as the door closes behind me. He’s standing with His palms on the door glass and watches me as I get on the elevator. His eyes are sad and He turns and goes to sit on the stone bench. There He’ll sit patiently and wait for me for the next 9 hours. First two hours of work – I fuss and complain about things not going right. Jesus, sitting with his chin in His hand looks upward toward the building wishing He could help me. By lunchtime – I’m flustered, regretting I work in this place and sputtering bitterness all over folks. Jesus comes around to the side of the building where my cubicle is located. He looks up from the ground trying to get my attention but I can’t hear him; my focus is on my
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by Inspiration | Jul 30, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Living Without Sin There was a little girl whose father was a pastor. One day, she came to her father and said, “Daddy, can a person go their whole life… Living Without Sin There was a little girl whose father was a pastor. One day, she came to her father and said, “Daddy, can a person go their whole life without sinning?” The father answered, “No, honey, I’m sorry, but that’s just not possible.” “What about a year, daddy? Can a person go a whole year without sinning?” She continued. “No, I don’t think that’s possible either.” “What about a day, can a person go a day without sinning once?” “It’s very unlikely, no, I don’t think they can.” “What about one moment, daddy, can a person go one moment without sinning?” “Yes, that is possible.” “Then daddy, I want to live my life, moment by moment.” Isn’t that how we should live our lives. Not looking ahead to our whole lives, or distant plans. But live moment by moment, as if this moment where your last one before you reach eternity. And that is a pointer to living without sin. — Author Unknown Meditation: If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared. – Psalm 130:3-4
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by Inspiration | Jul 29, 2024 | Relationship
Meeting with God There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase… Meeting with God There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer, and he started his journey. When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry so he offered her a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered her a root beer. Once again, she smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word. As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was, and he got up to leave. But before he had gone more than a few steps; he turned around, ran back to the old
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by Inspiration | Jul 28, 2024 | Inspiration, Archives
Explaining God’s Love As I gazed up at the mountains, I was awed by their majesty; I bowed my head and asked myself, “Why should He care for me? I… Explaining God’s Love As I gazed up at the mountains, I was awed by their majesty; I bowed my head and asked myself, “Why should He care for me? I am not great like the mountains that tower so high above, What is there about me that God can find to love?” “Father, I am not strong like the wind that makes your tall trees sway, I cannot sing sweetly like your birds; will you love me anyway? But most of all, I am simply me, and often have cause to fear, In spite of all my weaknesses, do you promise to be near?” With eyes closed tight against my tears, I wished He could hear me pray. Then I felt His Spirit tell me, “Child, look up, I have something to say. “You are simply you, the spirit I love, a part of my great plan. I put you here to learn of life and to return to me again.” “You are more beautiful to me than the loveliest mountain I made, And your strength exceeds that of the wind’s, so do not be afraid. I love you not
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by Inspiration | Jul 27, 2024 | Marriage, Archives, Parenting
After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I started to go out with another woman. It… After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I started to go out with another woman. It was really my wife’s idea. “I know you love her,” she said one day, taking me by surprise. “But I love YOU!” I protested. “I know, but you also love her.” The other woman my wife wanted me to visit was my mother, who has been a widow for 19 years. The demands of my work and my three children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally. That night, I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie. “What’s wrong, are you well,” she asked? My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news. “I thought it would be pleasant to pass some time with you,” I responded. “Just the two of us.” She thought about it for a moment, then said, “I would like that very much.” That Friday, after work, as I drove over to pick her
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