When a man no longer seeks his comfort from any creature, then he first begins to enjoy God perfectly, and he will be well content with whatever befalls him. Then he will neither rejoice over having much, nor grieve over having little, but will commit himself fully and trustfully to God, who is all in all to him.
Thomas a Kempis

Forums

Forum Navigation
You need to log in to create posts and topics.

Tribute To The Bible

Avatar
Forum Archives
1,544 Posts
#1 · March 11, 2003, 1:21 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

<> Tribute To The Bible <>
 
The Bible is not an amulet, a charm, a fetish, or a book that
will work wonders by its very presence.  It is a book that will
work wonders in every life if acted upon and obeyed in faith
and sincerity.  It is God's inspired revelation of the origin and
destiny of all things, written in the simplest human language
possible so that the most unlearned can understand and obey
its teachings.  It is self-interpreting and covers every subject
of human knowledge and need.
 
As a literary composition, the Bible is the most remarkable
book ever written.  It is a divine library of 66 books, some of
considerable size, and others no larger than a tract.  These
books include various forms of literature - history, biography,
poetry, proverbial sayings, hymns, letters, directions for
elaborate ritualistic worship, laws, parables, riddles, allegories,
prophecy, drama, and others.  They embrace all manner of
literary styles in human expression.
 
It is the book that reveals the mind of God, the state of man,
the way of Salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness
of believers.  Its doctrines are Holy, its precepts binding, its
histories true, and its decisions immutable.
 
Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be
holy.  The Bible contains light to direct you, food to support
you, and comfort to cheer you.  It is the traveler's map, the
pilgrim's staff, the pilot's compass, the soldier's sword, and the
Christians charter.  Here heaven is opened, and the gates of
hell disclosed.  Jesus Christ is its grand subject; our good is its
design, and the Glory of God its end.  It should fill your
memory, rule your heart, and guide your feet in true
righteousness and true holiness.
 
Do not allow it to gather dust.  Read it slowly, frequently,
prayerfully, meditatively, searchingly, devotionally, and study
it constantly, perseveringly, and industriously.  Read it through
and through until it becomes a part of your being and generates
faith that will move mountains.
 
The Bible is a mine of wealth, the source of health, and a
world of pleasure.  It is given to you in this life, will be opened
at the judgment, and will stand forever.  It involves the highest
responsibility, will reward the least to the greatest of labor, and
will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< +<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <><
 
<>< Learn To Listen ><>
 
Midnight phone calls stir a mother's heart. We all know what it's like to get that phone call in the middle of the night. This night was no different. Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on the red, illuminated numbers of my clock.
 
Midnight. Panicky thoughts filled my sleep-dazed mind as I grabbed the receiver. "Hello?" My heart pounded, I gripped the phone tighter and eyed my husband, who was now turning to face my side of the bed.
 
"Mama?" The voice answered. I could hardly hear the whisper over the static. But my thoughts immediately went to my daughter. When the desperate sound of a young crying voice became clear on the line, I grabbed for my husband and squeezed his wrist.
 
"Mama, I know it's late. But don't . . . don't say anything until I finish. And before you ask, yes I've been drinking. I nearly ran off the road a few miles back and . . ."
 
I drew in a sharp, shallow breath, released my husband and pressed my hand against my forehead. Sleep still fogged my mind, and I attempted to fight back the panic. Something wasn't right.
 
"I got so scared. All I could think of was how it would hurt you if a policeman came to your door and said I'd been killed. I want . . . to come home. I know running away was wrong. I know you've been worried sick. I should have called you days ago but I was afraid . . . afraid . . ."
 
Staying on the line, sobs of deep-felt emotion flowed from the receiver and poured into my heart. Immediately I pictured my daughter's face in my mind, and my fogged senses seemed to clear, "I think ---"
 
"No! Please let me finish! Please!" she pleaded, not so much in anger, but in desperation. I paused and tried to think what to say. Before I could go on, she continued. "I'm pregnant, Mama. I know I shouldn't be drinking now, especially now, but I'm scared, Mama. So scared!" The voice broke again, and I bit into my lip, feeling my own eyes fill with moisture.
 
I looked up at my husband, who sat silently mouthing, "Who is it?" I shook my head and when I didn't answer, he jumped up and left the room, returning seconds later with a portable phone held to his ear. She must have hear the click in the line because she asked, "Are you still there? Please don't hang up on me! I need you. I feel so alone." I clutched the phone and stared at my husband, seeking guidance. "I'm here, I wouldn't hang up," I said.
 
"I should have told you, Mama. I know I should have told you. But, when we talk, you just keep telling me what I should do. You read all those pamphlets on how to talk about sex and all, but all you do is talk. You don't listen to me. You never let me tell you how I feel. It is as if my feelings aren't important. Because you're my mother you think you have all the answers. But sometimes I don't need answers. I just want someone to listen."
 
I swallowed the lump in my throat and stared at the how-to-talk-to-your-kids pamphlets scattered on my night stand. "I'm listening," I whispered.
 
"You know, back there on the road after I got the car under control, I started thinking about the baby and taking care of it. Then I saw this phone booth and it was as if I could hear you preaching to me about how people shouldn't drink and drive. So I called a taxi. I want to come home."
 
"That's good honey," I said, relief filling my chest. My husband came closer, sat down beside me and laced his fingers through mine.
 
"But you know, I think I can drive now."
 
"No!" I snapped. My muscles stiffened and I tightened the clasp on my husbands hand. "Please, wait for the taxi. Don't hang up on me until the taxi gets there."
 
"I just want to come home, Mama."
 
"I know. But do this for your Mama. Wait for the taxi, please." Learning to listen: I listened to the silence . . . fearing. When I didn't hear her answer, I bit into my lip and closed my eyes. Somehow I had to stop her from driving.
 
"There's the taxi, now." Only when I heard someone in the background asking about a Yellow Cab did I feel my tension easing. "I'm coming home, Mama." There was a click, and the phone went silent.
 
Moving from the bed, tears forming in my eyes, I walked out into the hall and went to stand in my 16-year-old daughter's room. My husband came from behind, wrapped his arms around me and rested his chin on the top of my head. I wiped the tears from my cheeks. "We have to learn to listen," I said to him.
 
He studied me for a second, then asked, "Do you think she'll ever know she dialed the wrong number?" I looked at our sleeping daughter, then back at him. "Maybe it wasn't such a wrong number."
 
"Mom, Dad, what are you doing?" The muffled voice came from under the covers. I walked over to my daughter, who now sat up staring into the darkness. "We're practicing," I answered.
 
"Practicing what?" she mumbled and laid back on the mattress, but her eyes already closed in slumber.
 
"Listening," I whispered and brushed a hand over her cheek.
 
<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< +<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <><
 
<>< May I Have a Word With You ><>
 
May I have a word with you?
I won't take too much time.
The Lord told me to pray with you
for strength and peace of mind.
 
You can choose to pray alone,
and that's all right by me.
But there can be a mighty force
when two or more agree.
 
You don't have to say a word;
God knows what's on your heart.
Just lift your hands toward heaven
and let the healing start.
 
The two of us will both agree
for God to give you peace;
To flood your soul with happiness
and cause the pain to cease.
 
Just go ahead and shed the tears;
be open and be free.
The Lord can do amazing things
when two or more agree.
 
He wants for you to come to Him
and know that He is able.
Your problems He can handle
when you bring them to the table.
 
So when you feel abandoned,
and your way you cannot see;
I'll be there to pray with you,
and together we'll agree.
 
Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
 
Necessary Legal Information
 
I do not mail idea-central  unsolicited. If you are receiving this newsletter from me it's because you have subscribed to this mailing list. If you receive this newsletter and are not a subscriber then someone, other than me, has forwarded it to you.
 
 
 
 

 

Click for thumbs down.0Click for thumbs up.0