I AM – Devotional Style Short Stories -“With Me or Without Me”

With Me or Without Me

The city lights have dimmed and the crowds have gathered. The people have been protesting and groups for one side of the controversy gather on one side of the street while others on the other side of the controversy gather across from them. Signs are painted, faces painted, children hug their mothers legs.

The police line along the center of the street. It looks like there could be trouble. Curse words have started being shouted, some have a sack of rocks in their hands. Their signs spew filth.

People on the other side have their signs painted also and instead of rocks in sacks, they hold their Bible close. Prayers are lifted and small groups gather in a circle to pray for Divine intervention. There are no shouts, no accusations, and their signs speak love.

A speaker steps out from the rowdy crowd and steps up to a makeshift podium and begins yelling into the microphone. Cheers rise as the speaker praises the killing of innocent children and proclaiming it is the women’s rights.

A Man walks to the podium when the speaker has wound down a bit and gently asks if He may say a few words. She starts to object but steps aside.

The Man looks out across the crowd and silence fills the air. He doesn’t shout but calmly states, “I am the I Am and I knew each of you before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb. I am who formed you and I have given each of you a divine purpose.”

Some boo’s are heard and are quickly hushed when the Man states, a little louder. “I love each of you and the child that is within the womb is mine! If you choose to rid your body of what I have created, you rid yourself of me. For I am in you and you in Me.”

The speaker quickly steps to His side and tries to push Him aside and grab the microphone. He looks at her with a look that only He can give and she quickly steps back.

He stands quietly looking out over the crowd and then speaks.

“I ask that each of you reconsider your position. Eternity is at stake. Live it with Me or live it without Me. Your choice.”

He then steps aside and disappears.

Silence permeates the air and slowly the crowds quietly disperse.

~~~~

 Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.”

~~~~

Pick any seed and hold it in your hand. At first it looks inconsequential but look closer. If we could see within the outer shell of that seed we would see that everything, yes everything, that God created it for is there, be it a giant Oak tree or a tiny delicate flower. It’s total purpose is encased within that shell. All that is needed is for it to be planted and nurtured. The same is true within man’s seed. It is planted within a womb and contains everything that is needed to grow into a human being. It is alive, not a “blob of cells” that can be discarded. It is a human being that God created! That seeds destiny was given before that seed ever entered the womb. Every child is created by God and for His good purposes. There are no “accidents” or unwanted children by God. Every life is precious! It is a travesty that there are those who are more than willing to end these precious lives before they can be born into what God created them to be. Forgive those who have sinned against God and His creation, and pray for those who are considering it, that their eyes will be opened before they commit this heinous crime of murder.

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Sweet Aroma

The child stands at the edge of heaven. She’s curious about what goes on below and stands quietly while pondering all that she sees.

Waves of strife waffle up to her, streaks of stress zip past, anger thunders through the clouds, and as she is about to turn and walk away, The Man appears beside her.

She looks up at His face and with furrowed brows asks, “Is there no love there?” He kneels down beside and places His arm around her small shoulders. She nuzzles up closer to Him.

“Listen with your heart,” He tells her. She cocks her head a little and  scrunches up her face as though that helps her to tune into her heart.

“I don’t hear anything” she finally states.

“Close out the sounds of anger, hate, and dissension.” He whispers.

She tries again.

A sweet aroma engulfs her and she suddenly jumps away from Him and excitedly shouts, “I hear it. I feel it, I can smell love!”

“When we focus on God’s aroma we will escape the foul smell of sin.” He replies.

He leans over and gently kisses her on the cheek.

(Sue’s version) 2Cor. 2:15

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In An Instant

The WheatandTares's avatarthe grizzle grist mill

Too often, we take for granted what we have right before our eyes. We get into a routine, and we expect everyone who’s in our little orbit to always be there tomorrow. We expect to wake up in the morning, and everything be the same.

We have no guarantees.

All we know can be gone in one instant.

Car wrecks, terrorist attacks, earthquakes and floods happen in the blink of an eye. Breakups, broken promises, angry flare ups and heartaches may take days in the making but take only a moment to occur. Crushed dreams, destroyed relationships, words unspoken, volumes that can never be erased come in a split second.

We have no guarantees.

All we know can be gone in one instant.

Are you ready to say goodbye? Do you cherish the one you’re with? Will you make the moment last? Could you build the memories of a lifetime?

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Three Swans

The trees and flowers are in full bloom. The Cherry trees blossoms are in their pink and white splendor. The Azaleas are full with a variety of colors as they line the parks pathway.

The birds can be heard chirping and whistling their songs loudly as the sun rises further up toward the sky, streaking it with the colors on a painters pallet. God’s painting splashed across the horizon.

The park seems still as she slowly strolls along the paved path as she soaks up the solitude, peace, and quiet around her. But her thoughts are troubled and she’s escaped to try to find peace. Where is this God everyone talks about? she ponders as she moves to take a seat on a nearby bench.

She looks up at the painted horizon, hears the birds, and a distant frog croaking at the nearby lake. He’s never done anything for me, she thinks.

A Man strolls up the path and as He approaches she starts to stand. “Don’t leave because of Me,” He states gently and adds quickly, “It is beautiful, isn’t it?”

She sits back down and mutters, “Yes,” but awe is showing in her eyes as she stares at the painted sky.

“I hear people say it’s God’s art work,” the Man says, pointing to the colorful sky.

She looks at Him for a long moment in silence. “I’m not sure there is a God,” she finally states.

The Man smiles and asks, “Who do you think created all this?” He then begins a conversation with her. By the time their discussion is ending the sun has warmed the day and puffy clouds have replaced the kaleidoscope of color. The birds continue to fill the air with their songs and the Man asks, “Do you hear the birds?” Before she can answer He says, “If God created the birds and takes care of them, don’t you think He cares for you more?”

Her eyes have filled with tears and she nods her head, yes.

“Let’s walk,” the Man says, and they stand and stroll down the path toward the waters edge. He’s pointing out various flowers, asking questions of her, and giving her little nuggets of information to dwell on.

They finally reach the lake. Small ripples cascade across the blue water as a breeze pushes them gently.

She stops suddenly and gasps at the beauty when she sees three delicate swans lazily swimming near the waters edge. She seems transfixed.

The Man smiles and quietly backs away leaving her to drink in the grace and beauty before her.

(Sue’s version) Matthew 6:26-27

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True Freedom

The roar of helicopters fill the air over the jungles as soldiers stomp through the marshes. Their lives are at stake and yet they continue to move forward protecting those within their country.

The sacrifice, they say, is well worth it, as they crawl among the trees and brush. Bullets whiz past and they return fire. So far none in their squadron has been hit this morning. They lift up silent prayers that they achieve what others are unwilling to do.

Back home their families make due on the little the government gives them. Mom’s hold the household together and pray fervently that their loved one will come home safe while others are screaming, cussing, and protesting.

The battle field is treacherous and as one soldier dives towards his  fox hole a bullet rips through his body and he falls bleeding in the dirt and mud.

“Dear God, oh Jesus, help me,” he whispers as his life blood stains the dirt. A Man steps down into the fox hole and kneels beside the soldier. The soldier looks at him through the sweat and dirt on his face. “Who are you?” the soldier whispers.

“I am the I Am.”

The soldier whispers, “I give you my soul,” and slowly closes his eyes. The darkness turns to a brilliant light engulfing him in a peaceful dimension of pure love. The Man holds his hand and looks up to heaven.

(Sue’s version) Psalm 31:5

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The Unexpected Guest

Two children lie flat on their backs in the back yard of their home on the lush green grass. The sky is a beautiful blue with a few puffy clouds lingering about just to entice the children to try to guess what they look like.

Mom has given each a small sack with peanuts so they’ll have a snack while guessing what each cloud looks like. She watches out the kitchen window and chuckles when Timmy yells, “I see a rabbit!”

Sissy looks intently at the cloud her brother is pointing to and excitedly yells, “I see it, too.”

Mom turns from the window with a smile and a chuckle and thinks, “I wish you were here, Honey, to see this.” Her husband had gone to be with the Lord a few months before. Tears fill her eyes thinking of him.

The doorbell rings. Mom quickly dries her hands and places the dish towel on the counter, and goes to the door. A Man stands on the front porch. She’s never met this man before and cautiously asks, “Can I help you?”

“I am the I Am and I’m here to tell you that your husband, James, is so very happy.”

“What? Who did you say you are?” Mom demands as anger flares up at the thought that this is some sort of sick joke.

“I am the I Am. May I come in?”

Unexpected peace suddenly flows through her and she opens the screen door and steps back to allow the Man entry. She offers him a seat and some ice tea but He declines the tea and takes a seat in the chair across from the couch.

They chat for a little while and He tells her that her worries are taken care of. She need not worry that she’ll lose her home or the children will not have enough to eat or the bills won’t be paid.

By the end of the conversation Mom has tears streaming down her cheeks and can’t seem to thank the Man enough.

“May I hug you?” she asks as they stand near the door when He’s ready to leave.

“Of course,” The Man replies and as she hugs Him tight, He whispers in her ear. “I will take care you. I love you very much.”

Then He leaves.

(Sue’s version) Psalm 68:5

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The “Prophet”

As people leave their cars and file into the church the air is filled with conversations and anticipation. The seats begin to fill. There are no drums, guitars, or keyboards. No instruments fill a corner of the room.

Someone is heard telling their neighbor, “The prophet is going to speak this morning. I’m so excited!” A hush passes through the room as the “prophet” walks across the floor and sets two books on the podium. He smiles brightly and says, “Good morning” and all echo their greeting back to him.

Sitting in the back row of the room a Man sits quietly, watching and listening.

The “prophet” opens one book and holds it up for all to see. Then he opens the second book and holds it up. “We will be reading from both,” he tells the people.

He reads a scripture from the first book, the Holy Bible and pauses.

All eyes are riveted to the “Prophet” and all are listening intently. The “Prophet” takes a deep breath and exhales slowly before stating matter-of-factually, “We know this is not true!” He sets the book down.

All heads nod in agreement – except one.

The “Prophet” picks up the second book while stating, “Now we will hear truth,” and reads from it and begins to expound on the words he’s just read to the people. A lady begins to cry, another hands her a tissue and lovingly pats her on the shoulder.

The “Prophet” stops speaking, as the crying lady’s tears turn to loud sobs. When he asks her what’s wrong she chokes back the sobs and exclaims, “My dead Aunt just told me she’s here with us.” Applause fills the room and cheerful conversation fills the room.

The Man stands to His feet and slowly walks toward the front of the room. He looks into the eyes of the “Prophet” and then turns to the people.

People look to each other, some turn in their seats, “Who is he?” is whispered around the room.

He waits. He looks sternly across the group of people.

He waits.

Someone shouts, “Who are you?”

Murmurs fill the room.

He waits.

When it quiets down He states, “I am the I Am and I have come to tell you to beware of false prophets. There are many wolves dressed in sheep’s clothes. Be not deceived.” He looks directly at the “Prophet.”

The room bursts into angry accusations, threats, and clenched fists. “Who does He think He is!?” One woman shouts.

The Man pays no heed as He slowly walks to the back of the room and out the door.

(Sue’s version) Matthew 7:15

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More Scum Bags off the Streets.

DOJ Arrests 2,300 Alleged Child Pornographers And Sex Traffickers

“Any would-be criminal should be warned: this Department will remain relentless in hunting down those who victimize our children.”

Photo by Samuel Corum/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

ByJACOB AIREY

June 13, 2018

In a press release Tuesday, the Department of Justice announced that it had arrested over 2,300 child pornographers and child sex abusers in the large-scale sting “Operation Broken Heart.”

The DOJ announced in a press release:

The Department of Justice today announced the arrest of more than 2,300 suspected online child sex offenders during a three-month, nationwide, operation conducted by Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces. The task forces identified 195 offenders who either produced child pornography or committed child sexual abuse, and 383 children who suffered recent, ongoing, or historical sexual abuse or production of child pornography.

The 61 ICAC task forces, located in all 50 states and comprised of more than 4,500 federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, led the coordinated operation known as “Broken Heart” during the months of March, April, and May 2018. During the course of the operation, the task forces investigated more than 25,200 complaints of technology-facilitated crimes against children and delivered more than 3,700 presentations on Internet safety to over 390,000 youth and adults.

According to VOA News, federal authorities arrested suspects who were allegedly using the internet to lure children into sex trafficking with some victims being forced over state lines and even sold internationally.

“No child should ever have to endure sexual abuse,” said Attorney General Jeff Session.

“We at the Department of Justice are determined to strike back against these repugnant crimes,” he added. “It is shocking and very sad that in this one operation, we have arrested more than 2,300 alleged child predators and investigated some 25,200 sexual abuse complaints.

“Any would-be criminal should be warned: this Department will remain relentless in hunting down those who victimize our children,” he concluded.

READ MORE: CONSERVATISM DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FBI JEFF SESSIONS LAW ENFORCEMENT POLICE SEXUAL ABUSE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION