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December 11, 2018

I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories – “A Jesus Encounter”

A Jesus Encounter

Entering the wide glass doors brings the woman into a whole new environment. The entrance is clean and friendly and glancing around one can see a modern, well-kept facility.

A long hall meanders off to one side of a large living space with comfortable chairs and couches. Another long hall winds toward a sitting around where games and Television can be enjoyed. Each hall is lined with doors and each door has a name and picture of the one who occupies the space behind the door.

Walking briskly down one hall the woman gently knocks on the door hoping she isn’t disturbing the occupant of the room. “Come in” is softly heard through the door. She opens the door slowly and steps inside.

Sitting in a recliner is an aged woman. Her smile lights the room as she enthusiastically greets her visitor, the one she calls her angel. The elderly woman stands with outstretched arms, “Give me a hug,” she states and her arms enfold her visitor.

Taking a seat they chat. The visitor can’t help but love this woman even though they have only been acquainted a few months. When she looks at her she sees Christ within her. Her soft-spoken, loving voice is like a soft melody floating through the air. Her graciousness and love for Christ is so evident it almost brings tears to her visitor.

So often we read in God’s Word how we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. This woman seems to love everyone, regardless of their physical or mental health. Each visitor is welcomed with love.

She speaks kindly of those in the community she now lives in. Her laughter is joyous, and although her eyes don’t always sparkle His light shines through them.

The visitor rises to leave after their short visit. She doesn’t want to tire her precious friend. Hugs are in order again as the elderly woman takes hold of her walker and walks her visitor to the door.

As the woman slowly walks down the long hallway toward the entrance of the Assisted Living and Memory Care Home she thinks, I have just encountered Jesus.

~~~~

Matthew 5:16 -“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

~~~~

We have all met people of all walks of life and there are few that we know of their life stories. We often wonder what is in the heart of those with the sour expressions, the harsh words, and seem to be angry just for breathing. There are others we meet that seem to shine. Their faces are aglow and their smiles infectious, and their joy seems to just bubble up. Then there are those that are somewhere in between. We call those, “Normal,” or maybe even “Christian.” For those of us that have had the absolute pleasure of meeting someone that shines the light of Christ in what seems to be all they do and say, we are truly blessed. The Lord has said in His word to let His light shine through us. We don’t necessarily have to say a word and people can see His light within us. Our goal must be to let our words be His words, our love of others like His love for us and  our behavior as His. Our hope should be that when others encounter us they will see Christ in us and walk away thinking, “I have just seen Jesus.”

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			December 10, 2018

			
					


		
I AM – Devotional Style Short stories – “Been There-Not Going Back”

	


		

		
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BEEN THERE – NOT GOING BACK


Her fingers are cramped, her back hurts, her eyes burn, and her neck feels as though its frozen in place as she sits slumped over the legal pad as her pen skirts across the paper filling page after page as it writes the next chapter.


“Take a break, child.” The Lord whispers in her ear. “Go lie on the couch and rest for a while.” He gently adds. She lays her pen down and standing, flexes her fingers, groans, and stretches her back muscles. Taking a deep breath she slowly walks to the couch and stretches out giving a long sigh of relief. The pen has been writing furiously and now she can take a time out.


Her head has barely touched the pillow when suddenly everything turns to black. Black, as no other black can be described. Her body has suddenly been transported from the comfort of her couch to a place that is so dark she can’t see her hand in front of her face. She’s scared. Her body begins to shake and she sense’s Someone has stepped up behind her. Peace begins flowing through her like a gentle wave. No words are spoken.


The blackness is so black there’s nothing for her eyes to adjust to. It isn’t like walking into a dark room where some light peeks in and one can see at least a shadow. No, this is so black it can’t be described! Suddenly faces begin to appear in the darkness. She sucks in a breath as they come closer and closer to where she’s standing. Men and women, teen-age girls and boys, with expressions of fear, anger, shame, confusion, and some with hatred written in their eyes and across their faces as though in large dark ink. She takes a step back. Somehow these people are not allowed to touch her but they have. They’ve touched something deep within her.


A woman, with her head thrown back, screams a bone chilling scream as she furiously twists her long hair and pulls frantically. She screams an agonizing scream, yet no sound comes from her mouth. As she watches in horror a man leans toward her and pleads “help me,” yet no words are spoken. His face is a horrible mask of agony like nothing she’s ever witnessed.


Face after face appears and pass before her with torture written on them, eyes filled with emptiness, screams of pain and desolation. A man’s face appears and comes toward her with his face contorted with absolute hatred and his eyes meet hers with a putrid violence. She jumps back bumping into the white robe behind her. “You’ll be okay, My child” is whispered in her ear as gentle arms wrap around her from behind. She feels His beard on her cheek and the comfort of His arms.


She turns her head to look at Him and asks, “Who are these people?” His eyes fill with tears. “Those who have rejected Me,” He replies with sadness. “But can’t You help them?” she asks. “No child. They chose this place. I gave them every opportunity but they chose this as their eternal home.” She wants to scream! She wants to beg Him to take them out of here! She wants to run from this horrible place. The comforting arms drop from their hug and He takes a step back.


Suddenly the faces are gone and she’s standing as stiff as a telephone pole. Red hot flames have encircled her; orange, red, yellow, flares up on all sides of her. Only her head and eyes move as she looks around. Furious fire engulfs her, yet not one spark touches her.


The Man is beside her. “You’re safe” He says. The flames grow hotter, taller and she can’t believe she’s not even feeling the heat from them. “I am with you,” He says. The flames lick at her but don’t touch her. They grow hotter still and looking skyward she can see the flames are all around her and above her. There is no escape! “I am always with you, even in the fires of life,” is gently spoken.


Poof, the flames are gone!


She’s standing in the total blackness again. Her mind is whirling. She has a million questions she wants to ask but suddenly her attention is drawn to a white building appearing out of the pitch blackness. It’s a small country-style church. It begins turning. The whole building is slowly turning counter-clockwise on its axis. It begins to turn faster and gradually it begins to spin faster and faster and faster until it spins off its axis and flies out into the darkness and disappears.


Suddenly she’s jolted from the darkness back onto her couch with the blare of the telephone ringing. Confused and disoriented, she can barely speak.


~~~


Joshua 24:14 “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you shall serve.”


~~~


This story is not an imaginary story that popped into my mind. It is a true account of the Lord transporting me into hell through a vision. I was wide awake when He chose to allow me to experience, in part, the real hell.


Hell is a very real place and Jesus refers to it many times throughout scripture. We have to make the choice before our last breath on this earth as to where we will spend eternity. We only have two choices. Heaven is our place of peace and everlasting love. Hell is the place without love. It is the place of eternal torment. Romans 10:9 states that if we “confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, pray this simple prayer. Where you spend eternity rests on your decision.


I come to you Lord Jesus and ask that you forgive me of my sins. I believe in my heart that you are God’s Son and you died on the cross and arose for the forgiveness of my sins. I am giving you my life. Please come into my heart now and fill me with your Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name, Amen


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			December 9, 2018

			
					


		
I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories -“The Mistletoe”

	


		

		


The Mistletoe


Christmas decorations line streets and the shops are filled with people.


The morning air is cold as the two women set out for the hour and a half drive on a narrow two-lane country road to visit a relative in the country.


“I think we need to head back, I don’t want to get in work traffic,” the daughter announces and stands to leave the relatives home. Hugs and Merry Christmas is offered and the two women leave.


Driving the same country road the mother is looking out the window at the tops of the trees. “There’s mistletoe in all of these trees!” she exclaims.


“Yes, it’s pretty common down here.”


“I want some of that mistletoe!” the mother exclaims.


“Mom, it’s in the top of the trees.”


“Stop, stop, stop. There’s some that is low down.” The mother shouts.


The daughter jerks the pickup to the side of the road and stops. “Where?” She asks.


“Back up. It’s right back there.”


The daughter backs up and pulls the truck next to a tree her mother is pointing out. On a lower branch a clump of mistletoe hangs enticingly.


With the mother’s excited prompting the daughter tries to climb the tree but can’t. She climbs into the bed of the pickup and tries to reach the mistletoe. Her mother hands her a long stick but it doesn’t reach.


“Grab that limb, you can climb the tree from there!” the mother insists.


“I’m not going to try to climb this tree, Mom!”


A car pulls up behind them and a Man steps out and approaches. “Can I help you ladies?” He asks and smiles at the daughter standing in the back of the pickup swinging a stick at the clump of mistletoe while trying to keep her balance.


“I want that mistletoe!” the mother replies emphatically while pointing to the clump of mistletoe.


“Let me see if I can reach it for you,” the Man says while climbing into the bed of the truck.


He tries and can’t.


“Here, get on my shoulders and you’ll be able to reach it,” the Man tells the daughter.


“Are you crazy!?” the daughter exclaims, but He talks her into it and precariously she balances on His shoulders and grabs the clump of mistletoe.


The mother is shouting and clapping in glee after laughing hysterically at the sight of her grown daughter on the shoulders of a strange Man.


The truck’s interior is filled with laughter as the two women drive home with a large clump of mistletoe safely clasped in the mother’s hands.


“I think God sent that Man.” the mother states eyeing her treasured prize.


~~~~


Phil. 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengths me.”


~~~~


There’s a saying that if there’s a will, there’s a way. I’m not sure that the scripture used means Jesus will show up and we can stand on His shoulders, but He will give us His strength in doing all things that we are called to do. The story was inspired by a trip my mother and I took and she did insist I climb a tree along side the road to get mistletoe. A fond memory but it also reminds me that no matter what our endeavor Christ is always there to guide and help provided it is within His will and good purposes. Any task we think is impossible is not impossible for our Lord and Savior. Lean on Him, seek Him, and you’ll be surprised when He offers His “shoulders” to stand on.


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			December 8, 2018

			
					


		
I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories “The Hunters”

	


		

		


Winter has set in and the mountains are clothed with their winter coats. The birds are resting comfortably in their nests and the animals are hunkered down in their dens for warmth. Deer roam the meadows in search for food with their winter coats thick. A slight wind blows across the mountains leaving an even deeper chill.


Three hunters are bundled in their warm hunting clothes and slowly maneuver the deep snow. Their rifles are loaded and hopes are high for bagging at least one buck. They’ve seen the deer tracks and are following in silence when they spot a large buck. His thirteen point rack tells them he’s ripe for the kill. They aim their rifles but suddenly a doe and two small fawns appear out from behind a clump of trees. The family of deer is beautiful, even to the hunters.


“We can’t shoot that buck.” One of the hunters whispers and lowers his gun.


“It is a beautiful sight.” Another interjects, lowering his gun.


They kneel in awe for several minutes watching the deer family graze.


A fourth Man steps up beside them and slowly kneels in the snow. He says nothing while gazing at the deer.


“Where did you come from?” One surprised hunter asks.


“Heaven.” The Man whispers.


A quiet chuckle is heard from the hunter.


All is quiet as the hunters and the Man watch the deer graze.


Suddenly a shot rings out across the snowy land and the deer jump and with lightning speed dart into the cover of the trees.


The hunters jump to their feet searching the woods for whoever shot.


The Man stands calmly as the hunters search. The solitude of the mountains has been breached.


The Man asks, breaking the silence, “Had that shot not been fired would you have killed the deer?”


“That’s what we’re out here for!” One of the hunters sarcastically answers.


“Were you not enthralled by their grace and touched by the beauty of the family?”


“We weren’t going to kill the doe and fawn.” Another of the hunters replies.


“Ah, but when the father is removed the entire family suffers, much like a shepherd with his flock of sheep,” The Man states.


The third hunter turns and looks intently at the Man. He weighs his words carefully before speaking and then quietly states, “You’re not really a hunter are you?”


“I am the I Am and yes, I hunt for my lost sheep when they have gone astray.”


The hunter suddenly falls to his knees at the feet of the Man, as the other two stand gaping in amazement.


***


Luke 15:3,4 -“So He spoke this parable to them, saying, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?”


***


Jesus is the Shepherd and we are His flock. When one becomes lost in the wiles of the world He will send His Holy Spirit to search out all who are lost. The Holy Spirit is the One who woo’s us toward accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior and without Him we would remain lost. There are those who will try to run and hide and use any excuse to not enter the family of God. Christ never gives up and it is our choice as to whether we will allow Him to pick us up out of the depravity of our worldly ways and unite us with Him.


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			December 6, 2018

			
					


		
Q & A ; A Tag

	


		

		
Wally, from Truth in Palmyra tagged me for this question and answer. Like Wally, I don’t usually do these things but since it is only three questions and I have a little time I decided to partake.


Here are the rules:


1. Answer the questions you receive (straight, funny, absurd, up to you)


2. Provide three new questions of your own


3. Tag three people


My questions:


1. What is your favorite family tradition, not just Advent, but for all time?


My family wasn’t a Christian family so I never knew about Advent but we did have one tradition for Christmas Eve. We kids could open one gift and we usually argued about whether it would be the biggest gift or the smallest. Mom usually settled the argument, “Keep it up and you’ll not open anything!”


2. What was your favorite family vacation you ever took and why?


We would pack the car and go to a “spot on the road” town in northern Calif. called Junction City. It had a bar and gas station (one building) and a big river. We’d camp next to the river, no tents or sleeping bags, put a blanket on the ground and a blanket to cover us. We’d dig a small hole in the ground for our butt to fit in and sleep like babies with a camp fire burning. My younger sister and I played all day in the freezing water while my brother fished. The bar would smoke the salmon my brother caught and we’d eat smoked salmon for days. I have always loved nature and camping was my favorite. No sleeping on the ground now though.


3. Describe your perfect meal.


A big thick Rib Eye steak grilled just right, (medium), a baked potato with lots of butter, and lightly grilled fresh asparagus topped off with a dish of chocolate ice-cream.


Bonus question: Is a frog’s butt waterproof?


I certainly hope so! lol


My questions:


1. As an adult do you sneak to the Christmas tree and rattle a few gifts?


2. What do you consider to be the absolute worst gift you received for Christmas and why?


3. If someone gave you a fruitcake, and you HATE fruitcake, what would you do with it?


 


My tagees are: (And I won’t be offended if you don’t play. I did only because it’s short)


Greg, from Inspirational Christian Blogs


Kathy, from Maggie Tiggles


Mia, from The Grizzle Grist Mill


Merry Christmas and blessings to you.

			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			December 4, 2018

			
					


		
Guilty

	


		

		


 


The sun shines bright but the day is cold. Bitter cold has invaded the country and people go about their business bundled in heavy coats, hats, scarves, and boots. The snow is deep and pure white as the sun reflects off the icy snow.


A business man hurries toward his car that’s parked across the street from his office. He has a date with his mistress and dinner guests are expected at home this evening. His wife will be furious if he is late. His mind is occupied as he reaches his gloved hand for the car door handle.


A Man steps up and asks, “May I ride with you for a short distance? My battery is dead on my car and there’s a repair shop a few miles from here.” He blows warm breath on His cold bare hands. The business man looks at him and hesitates for a moment. He can see the Man is cold but He looks innocent enough so he says, “Sure, hop in.”


Music is playing softly on the radio as the business man drives slowly down the snow covered street. The Man looks over at the driver and states, “It’s beautiful when it snows.” The driver smirks and replies, without taking his eyes off the road, “Yeah, it is pretty now but when it starts melting its ugly as sin.”


The Man chuckles and replies, “Yes, sin is certainly ugly!”


“That was just an expression I used. It has nothing to do with sin.”


“Ah, but it has everything to do with sin,” The Man states.


“How so?”


“Man sees something beautiful, like a beautiful woman. Gradually he becomes acquainted and before long there’s an adulterous affair taking place. What began as beautiful has suddenly turned quite ugly.”


A guilty groan escapes the driver before he can stop it.


“Sin always has a consequence and it always affects more than just the one who is sinning.” The Man continues as He looks over at the driver.


The driver squirms in his seat and speeds up. “What’s the name of this repair shop you want?” The driver asks in a perturbed tone.


This conversation is not what he expected or wants.


“David’s Car Repair. You know, like David in the Bible that had the affair with Bathsheba?”


“Who are you and what do you want!?” The driver angrily demands as he jerks the car to the side of the road and stops.


“I am the I Am. You have a beautiful wife that loves you very much. Go and sin no more.” The Man opens the car door and steps out into the cold and watches as the car fishtails on the icy road  when the driver guns the car and speeds off.


~~~~


(Sue’s version) John 8:34


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			November 24, 2018

			
					


		
The Medicine Cabinet

	


		

		
What’s in your Medicine cabinet? 


Mike Ridenour's avatarNew Hope for Dry Bones


I remember, when I was much younger, seeing some show on TV that showed people snooping through other people’s medicine cabinets.  I can’t recall any details of the show but it involved someone getting mad at someone for looking inside their medicine cabinet.



Then, of course, they looked in someone else’s medicine cabinet and thought it was fine.



Well, I got the idea that looking in medicine cabinets must be the thing to do.  So I started snooping around in them.  Usually there was toothpaste, toothbrushes, hair spray, combs, bobby pins and hemorrhoid cream.



I didn’t understand what all the to do about looking into the medicine cabinet was all about and lost interest.



Still, if I have company over and they are in the bathroom a little too long, I get uncomfortable thinking they may be in there snooping through the medicine cabinet.



See, when I invite someone over…


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			November 24, 2018

			
					


		
The Ransom

	


		

		


With a quick kiss on the cheek the husband leaves for work. The kids have stepped onto the school bus and the breakfast dishes are tucked into the dishwasher. With a sigh she pours herself a cup of coffee and sits down at the table.


The morning news is playing on the T.V. and something being said catches her attention. She grabs her coffee mug and quickly walks to the remote and turns the volume up. A woman is shown. Her hair is in disarray and her dress has dirt on it. As the camera closes in on her face she tells the reporter that she was kidnapped.


“I told the guy I had no money and I have no one who has any money. They said they took me for a ransom.” Tears slide down her face.


“Do you know where they took you?” The reporter asks.


“I’m not sure, but it was an old cabin in a wooded area. I kept telling them I am alone and nobody is going to pay a ransom for me! But they wouldn’t listen!” She shakily swipes at a tear.


The camera turns to the reporter. In the background are heavy woods and he points to the woods. “This is where Sara was found, at the edge of those woods. The police are searching the woods as we speak.”


Turning back to the woman, he asks, “How did you escape?”


“It was really rather strange.” The woman replies as she pushes a clump of hair off her face. “A Man showed up. He seemed different from the others.”


“Different, how so?” The reporter asks.


“He was clean-cut. He had a beard and what took me by surprise are His eyes. They were soft and He was so gentle and I saw compassion in them.”


The reporter excitedly asks, “Did He say anything? Do you know who He is?”


“He held out His hand and took mine. He said not to be afraid. His touch, His touch is so loving. He told me I am never alone and that He paid my ransom. I was free to go.”


The camera focuses on the reporter as he exclaims, “Ladies and gentleman, this is a very strange story! This woman has been kidnapped from her home, held in a cabin in the woods, and a strange Man tells her He paid her ransom and sets her free. Unbelievable! We will follow-up on this very strange story and keep you updated as more details come in as to who this strange Man is! For now, this is Rob with CNN in the field.”


~~~~


(Sue’s version) 1Timothy 2:5-6


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			November 22, 2018

			
					


		
Stand Strong

	


		

		


Exasperation, frustration, and nerves that seem to be stretched like a rubber band, the woman trips as she turns with a pot of hot water. Juggling the pot just so, so as not to slosh any of it on the wee child at her feet, she sucks in a breath of relief that none hit the child.


The day has been long and tiring. The kids have fought, argued, and cried. The dish washer sprang a leak and flooded the kitchen floor. The laundry is piled high, and the microwave broke. Her husband expects a nice dinner on the table and a chilled glass of wine when he walks through the door from work.


She’s ready to scream.


Through dinner she listens as he expounds on his day. Instead of screaming, “What about my lousy day?” she smiles weakly and pretends she’s listening.


Pulling the hero pajamas onto the last of the kids she tucks him in bed and with a quick prayer and a good night kiss she clicks off the light and gently closes the door.


Leaning against the hall wall she fights the tear that tries to escape.  Exhaustion has set in and all she wants is a long hot bubble bath. A cherished time alone.


Her husband passes her in the hall and without looking at her, he states, “I’m going to bed!”


She doesn’t reply.


The water is running hot and the tub fills quickly. Bubbles are already forming high and fluffy. Sticking her foot into the water she slowly slides into the tub and leans back with a long relieving sigh. Closing her eyes she slides a little farther down in the hot welcoming water.


She doesn’t see the invisible Man reach down and gently touch her ear. She sighs and a smile creases her lips. Her revelry is interrupted when she hears distant music. She cocks her head slightly trying to figure out where its coming from.


She opens her eyes, no one is there, she closes them, and lies quietly in the water listening. “We’re waiting on the Lord….” The voices are so soft and seem miles away and she can’t make out all the words.


“We’re standing waiting on the Lord….”


“Stand strong while we wait…”


“We’re waiting on the Lord. Stand strong, stand strong….”


The song ends and her eyes flutter open. Sitting up she grins. I just heard the heavenly choir. Thank you Lord for helping me to stand strong, she thinks as she steps out of the tub and begins drying off.


~~~~


(Sue’s version) Psalm 91:2

			

	
	



			
				


		

		

			November 22, 2018

			
					


		
Giving Thanks

	


		

		
Those of us that spend the holidays alone have nothing to complain about. Be thankful for every blessing, large and small. Happy Thanksgiving. 


Bill Sweeney's avatarUnshakable Hope


Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on our many blessings. Mary and I have so much to be thankful for. You might be thinking, “but you have ALS, you can’t eat turkey, dressing, and mashed potatoes with gravy. You can’t even eat pumpkin pie with a good cup of coffee for dessert…” Yeah, I think the same thing every year, it’s a real bummer sitting there watching family and friends eat Thanksgiving dinner while the “food” pump next to my wheelchair delivers formula into my feeding tube.






More frustrating than not being able to eat is not being able to speak when family and friends are gathered around our tble. I try to chime in using my computer’s Text-to-Speech app, but it takes me so long to type my thoughts that usually the group has changed subjects two or three times by the time I finish typing…


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