Quote from Forum Archives on September 9, 2004, 3:32 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

 

 

We Will Never Forget..September 11, 2001!

This is in memory to the heroes and victims of that tragic day of September 11, 2001. We 

ask you to take a minute to remember and say a prayer for the men and women who lost their lives that day, to the innocent victims as well as the members of all the FDNY, NYPD PAPD, and everyday people that put their lives on the line so unselfishly to save others.

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<img alt="" hspace=0 src="mhtml:mid://00000302/!cid:011701c496a1$bf5fe390$5dab3918@pce6yr5b7ucd02" align=baseline border=0>

Please keep praying for Niki and also say a prayer of thanks on the good things happening now with Niki.We will have a new update to show God working and answering our prayers.

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Don't Go To Bed   
      

Don't Go To Bed....

I've heard it said don't go to bed

while hanging on to sorrow,

you may not have the chance to laugh

with those you love tomorrow.

You may not mean the words you speak

when anger takes its toll,

you may regret your actions

once you've lost your self control.

When you've lost your temper

and you've said some hurtful things,

think about the heartache

that your actions sometime bring.

You'll never get those moments back,

such precious time to waste,

and all because of things you said

in anger and in haste.

So if you're loving someone

and your pride has settled in,

you may not ever have the chance

to say to them again...

"I love you and I miss you

and although we don't agree,

I'll try to see your point of view,

please do the same for me."

 

 

Come As You Are 

 

I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn't be the right place.
After all, I couldn't possibly be welcome here. I had been
given an invitation several times, by several different people,
and had finally decided to see what this place was all about.
But, this just couldn't be the right place. Quickly, I glanced
down at the invitation that clutched in my hand. I scanned
past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required," and
found the location.

Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window
again and saw a room of people whose faces seemed to glow
with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments
and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite
restaurant. Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and
torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy.

A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn't shake the
grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the
words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me, "Come as
you are. No jacket required."

I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage
I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked
up to a man standing behind a podium.

"Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile.

"Daniel F. Renken," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust
my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains.

He didn't seem to notice the filth that I was covered in and he
continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name.
Would you like to be seated?"

I couldn't believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face
and I said, "Yes, of course!" He led me to a table and, sure
enough, there was a placard with my name written on it in a
deep, dark red.

As I browsed over a menu, I saw many delightful items listed.
There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence,"
"assurance," "hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized
that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu back
to the front in order to see where I was at. "God's Grace,"
was the name of this place!

The man returned and said, "I recommend the 'special of
the Day'. With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of
everything on this menu."

You've got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean,
I can have ALL of this!

"What is the 'special of the Day,'" I asked with excitement
ringing in my voice.

"Salvation," was his reply.

"I'll take it," I practically cried out. Then, as quickly as I
made that statement, the joy left my body. A sick, painful
ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes.
Between my sobs I said, "Mister, look at me. I'm dirty and
nasty. I'm unclean and unworthy of such things. I'd love to
have all of this, but, I Just can't afford it."

Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has
already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there,"
he said pointing to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus."

Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the
room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself
walking towards Him and in shaking voice I whispered, "Sir,
I'll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash.
I'll do anything I can do to repay you for all of this."

He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this
is yours if you just come unto Me. Ask Me to clean you up
and I will. Ask Me to take away the stains and it is done.
Ask Me to allow you to feast at My table and you will eat.
Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must
do is accept this gift that I offer you."

Astonished, I fell at His feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please
clean up my life. Please change me and seat me at Your
table and give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the
words, "It is finished." I looked down and white robes adorned
my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had
happened. I felt new, like a weight had been lifted, and I found
myself seated at His table.

"The 'special of the Day' has been served," the Lord said to me.
"Salvation is yours."

We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time
that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He
would like me to come back as often as I liked for another
helping from God's Grace. He made it clear that He wanted
me to spend as much time with Him as possible.

As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real
world," He whispered to me softly, "And Daniel, I am with
you always." And then, He said something to me that I will
never forget. He said, "My child, Do you see these empty tables
throughout this room?"

"Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied.

"These are reserved tables, but the individuals whose names are
on each placards have not accepted their invitations to dine.
Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those
who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked.

"Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the
invitations.

"Go ye therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to
leave.

I walked into God's Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin.
My righteousness as filthy rags. And Jesus cleaned me up.
I walked out a brand new man... robed in white, His righteous-
ness. And so, I'll keep my promise to my Lord. I'll go.

I'll spread the Word.

I'll share the Gospel . . .

I'll hand out the invitations.

And I'll start with you. Have you been to God's Grace?
There's a table reserved in your name, and here's your
invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket required."

 

 

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

 

 

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