Jesus Christ

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 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 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 6, 2018

Now That’s Faith!

 

The sun is beating down. Sweat pours down men’s sides, down their faces, rags are dug out to swipe the sweat from their eyes as the crowd closes in closer and closer and closer.

A woman leaves her chair and with disgust she thinks, “This has got to stop and I’m going to do something about it right now!” She peeks out the window and can hear the crowd and see many gathered together.

Leaving the comfort of her home, in pain she crawls slowly toward the crowd. She has to stop and crouches over as pain rips through her body. Taking a deep breath of determination, slowly she claws her way through the legs, around robes, and ignores the stench of dirty feet.

She looks up and moves robes to the side and with a sigh crawls the next few inches to where a Man is standing. With her last bit of energy she reaches up and grabs the tassel hanging from His shawl. She wants to cling to it with all her might but is thrown back as though lightning has struck her as soon as she touches it.

The Man turns suddenly and shouts, “Who touched Me?” The woman lies sprawled on the ground at His feet.

“Who touched Me? I felt My power leave my body.” The Man states.

The crowd goes crazy and someone shouts, “With all these people how do we know who touched you?” The Man looks down and sees the woman sprawled on the ground. He kneels down and gently lifts her up and cradles her in His arms.

Now He knows who touched Him.

Her eyes flutter open, she sighs as she gazes up at Him.

Her infirmity is healed.

 

(Sue’s version) Matthew 9:21

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October 27, 2018

An Unexpected Trip

The T.V. is turned off and having gone to bed the woman sighs loudly, stretches, lies back, and suddenly remembers she forgot to brush her teeth.

She rises with a groan while throwing her feet off the side of the bed. She was so looking forward to collapsing into a peaceful night of sleep that would leave her refreshed and feeling renewed in the morning.

Before returning to her bed she suddenly finds herself on the floor with the room spinning violently. What is going on? She is suddenly hit with a bout of vomiting that is so violent that it stands her on her head.

“Call an ambulance,” the Lord whispers in her ear as she violently retches and the room spins at top speeds. The phone is clear across the room and she isn’t sure she can get to it.

The room continues its spinning, the retching slams her against a wall but she manages to slowly crawl across the room with a trash can held close.

The woman is kneeling on the carpet clutching the trash can and the cordless phone lies next to her when the ambulance arrives. She can’t explain what happened, the dizziness is too much, the vomiting too severe.

She hears the siren blast suddenly and thinks, “Oh crap, this is serious.” Everything suddenly goes black.

She isn’t aware of the siren or the E.M.T. stating, “Her heart has stopped!” She isn’t aware when she is rolled quickly into the emergency room or the doctors working on her.

She has suddenly been transported to another world and while others are trying to save her life she stands in the most beautiful green pasture with translucent flowers bordering its fringes, having a discussion with the Great I Am.

Suddenly she awakens to a Doctor telling someone, “Get her a room. We’re keeping her.”

Scripture ref: 2 Corinthians 12:2

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October 15, 2018

Injured at Sea

The anticipation is high and the drive is long as the two friends head for the beach. There’s been hurricane watches along the Eastern coast but the hurricane is still out to sea far enough for no warnings being warranted.

Checking into the hotel and donning their swim suits they grab the beach umbrella, small ice chest with their bottles of water, sun screen, and towels.

The wind is blowing, the sun shines brightly, and the sea gulls are swarming near a couple flipping pieces of potato chips up into the air.

One lady smooths sun screen on her arms, legs, and chest while the other spreads their towels, pops the umbrella open and shoves the pole into the sand. They’re ready to play in the salty water and let the waves slap at their bodies.

The day has been filled with sand, sun, salty water, waves beating their backs, perusing a gift shop, a dinner of crab legs, a stroll along the beach, and a night of much-needed rest.

The next day is filled with the same anticipation of playing in the ocean. The waves are meaner and the water churning, but no restrictions have been ordered.

Being cautious the one lady, who does not swim, stays in the shallower water while the other one wades out deeper.  She jumps up to avoid the bigger waves knocking her over. She laughs joyously as a wave smacks her in the back and rolls over her head.

While swiping the salty water out of her eyes a large wave sneaks up behind her and smacks her, full force. It hits her hard. She is thrown forward, down and under, the sea churns around her and fighting to keep from drowning at the bottom of the sea she struggles.

Her knee suddenly twists, pops, and she tries not to scream as she claws her way along the sandy bottom fighting the churning water that’s trying to drag her back out to sea.

On wobbly legs she stands. Swiping at the water in her eyes, coughing, and taking deep breaths, she limps her way toward the sandy beach.

Standing at the water’s edge is the Life Guard watching her. The Man asks, “Are you okay? I saw that wave hit you.”

She coughs and then laughs nervously and replies, “That one hurt!”

“Are you sure you’re okay?” The Man asks again with concern written across His face.

She rubs her knee and states, “I think so, but I don’t think I’ll be going back out there for now. Thank you for checking on me.”

The waves rage on.

The next morning the beach is closed to swimming. The hurricane warnings are up.

~~~~

Scripture reference: Isaiah 41:10  ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

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October 7, 2018

The Spirit’s Alive

Cars line to enter the already packed parking lot. The sun is bright and hot but it hasn’t detoured the saints from coming. People are already standing at the doors waiting to enter the sanctuary and the women fan themselves as the men wipe sweat from their brow.

Music can be heard sifting through the rafters and seeping through the walls. The vibration can almost be felt in their feet as the excitement grows.

Suddenly the doors are thrown open and thousands rush to find a seat. The music reverberates through the room and hands have already started to clap, bodies are dancing between the rows of seats, and others are doing little jigs as they walk down the isles.

The music softens just a bit and through the loud speakers, as the stragglers search for a seat, a voice roars, “Are you ready to worship the Lord?” The crowd roars, “Yes,” and the drums, guitars, and key board roars over the crowd.

Praise songs are sung, the music is ear-bursting loud, but nobody complains as they dance at their seats, raise their hands high in the air, and give the Lord their praises through the words of the songs.

The Man isn’t seen but He’s watching and listening.

The devil runs as the room is filled with His glory.

The drums quiet, the keyboard softens, and the voices fill the room in hushed reverence. Tears are filling eyes, heads are bowed, and the sound of “Holy is our Lord God Almighty,” is being sung softly.

A Wind blows across the room and suddenly the heavens are opened. Standing before the King is a choir of thousands and their voices are joining with the saints in this room.

Shekinah glory fills the room. Heavenly light flows through the room. Some fall under the Power, they cannot stand, and yet they worship.

As the song ends, Jehovah Elyon’s eye’s fill with tears of love and joy.

He has been magnified.

~~~

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September 5, 2018

Ya’ Just Never Know

The weeks have been long and tiring for the woman. Her husband has been ill and now as she stands by his graveside the tears flow. She didn’t think she had any more tears but her wet cheeks have proven her wrong.

Her friend stands beside her and places a hand on her shoulder. “He’s with the Lord now and no more sorrow, no more illness. He’s at peace.” her friend whispers to the new widow.

The widow looks at her with crinkled eyebrows. “He wasn’t a believer. He’s in hell!” She bursts out sobbing and her friend pulls her into a tight hug.

The widow sobs in her friend’s arms as the people quietly back away and begin returning to their cars. Slowly the tears abate and the widow apologizes to her friend for her outburst.

Her friend looks and there’s a Man standing near the Oak tree. He looks familiar. The friend nudges the widow. “Do you know Him?” she asks. The widow glances over to the Man and suddenly sucks in a breath.

The Man approaches her and with love in His eyes He opens His arms to her and she quickly embraces Him as tears stream down her face.

The Man caresses her back gently and whispers in her ear, “Be not downcast, My daughter, for Jack is in heaven. He gave his life to Me and has been forgiven.”

The widow suddenly pulls back from the Man, “Oh praise be to God. Thank you Jesus!” she shouts.

Her friend stands transfixed, not knowing what just happened.

(Sue’s version) Matthew 5:4

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