by Inspiration | Nov 17, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Me, An Idol Worshiper? I wondered why I was in the queue of the accused at all. I am intelligent, aggressive, young, totally committed to my God. What am I… Me, An Idol Worshiper? I wondered why I was in the queue of the accused at all. I am intelligent, aggressive, young, totally committed to my God. What am I doing here with this sheet of supposed sins in my hand? I wondered. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t fornicate, I don’t steal, I am righteous. Others should be here not me. It was finally my turn to face the Man. I placed my sheet before Him, He glanced at it and sighed softly. He looked at me and calmly said, ‘Guilty of idol worship.’ Imagine my anger, my fury, my indignation. I jumped out of the chair and said ‘Of course not! Check the sheet again, check the name, It can’t be mine.’ He sighed again and mentioned one of my names that no one knows. I would not be stopped. It’s impossible’ I yelled. I worship only God, the Most High, Maker of heaven and earth, the King of kings and Lord of lords. I bow down to none, I have no talisman, no amulet, no pot underneath my bed. ‘You are guilty of idol worship’
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by Inspiration | Nov 1, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Voice Like His Pastor Mark Thompson of Faribault, Minnesota, suffered terrible knife wounds from an assailant in his home, in October 1988. One of the many consequences of his difficult… Voice Like His Pastor Mark Thompson of Faribault, Minnesota, suffered terrible knife wounds from an assailant in his home, in October 1988. One of the many consequences of his difficult recovery was being forced to miss watching his son Chris run in the state cross-country championship meet. Pastor Thompson commissioned his brother Merv to go in his stead. According to the account in the St. Paul Pioneer Press & Dispatch, Mark told his brother, “I can’t be there to see Chris run. So I want you there at the beginning of the race. Holler a lot… Then at the end, I want you to really cheer loudly. And I want you to make your voice sound like mine.” Merv heeded the advice, and Chris ran a strong race, finishing second. Merv, also a pastor, discerned the theological truth in the story. “That’s what Jesus wants us to do.” he said. “Make your voice sound like mine.” — Author Unknown Meditation: Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. But you do not believe, because you are not
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by Inspiration | Oct 25, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
The Bible and the Coal Basket The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each… The Bible and the Coal Basket The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again
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by Inspiration | Oct 16, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
The Lonely Ember Story A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It… The Lonely Ember Story A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and
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by Inspiration | Sep 30, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
I asked God to take away my pride. God said, “No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.” I asked God to… I asked God to take away my pride. God said, “No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.” I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, “No. Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.” I asked God to grant me patience. God said, “No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.” I asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No. I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.” I asked God to spare me pain. God said, “No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.” I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, “No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.” I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, “No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.” I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me. God said, “Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!” _ What if God couldn’t take
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by Inspiration | Sep 28, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Getting to His House Make a Right onto “Believeth Blvd.” Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ. From there, you must turn onto the “Bridge… Getting to His House Make a Right onto “Believeth Blvd.” Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ. From there, you must turn onto the “Bridge of Faith,” which is over troubled water. When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight. You are on the “King’s Highway” – Heaven-bound. Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost. Then exit off onto “Grace Blvd.” From there, make a Right turn on “Gospel Lane.” Keep Straight and then make another Right on “Prayer Blvd.” As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on “Temptation Ave.” Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END. Pass up “Envy Drive,” and “Have Avenue.” Also, avoid “Hypocrisy Street,” “Gossiping Lane” and “Backbiting Blvd.” But you have to go down “Long-suffering Lane”, “Persecution Blvd.” and “Trials and Tribulations Ave.” But that’s all right, because VICTORY Blvd. is straight ahead! — Author Unknown Meditation: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
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