The word of the Father by whom all time was created was made flesh and born in time for us. He without whose divine permission no day completes its course, wished to have one of those days for His human birth. In the bosom of His Father He existed before all the cycles of the ages. Born of an earthly mother, He entered on the course of the years on that very day. The maker of man became man that He ruler of the stars might be nourished at the breast, that He the bread might be hungry, that He the fountain might thirst, that He the light might sleep, that He the way might be wearied in the journey, that He the truth might be accused by false witnesses, that He the judge of the living and the dead might be brought to trial by a mortal judge, that He justice itself might be condemned by the unjust, that He discipline personified might be scourged with a whip, that He the foundation might be suspended on a cross, that He courage incarnate might be weak, and He security itself might be wounded, and He life itself might die.
Augustine

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BBD 08.26.02 The Rollercoaster From Hell

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#1 · August 26, 2002, 6:06 pm

Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>

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The Burning Bush Devotional
08.26.02

The Rollercoaster From Hell

"They wandered in the wilderness in a desolate way; they found no city to
dwell in. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried
out to the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their
distresses. And He led them forth by the right way." - Psalm 107:4-7a.

Richard Rodriguez has spent the summer riding a rollercoaster for ten hours
a day trying to set a new world record for rollercoaster endurance.
Rodriguez is 42 years old and is a lecturer at the University of Chicago.
To take his mind off of the stomach turning and churning rides in the German
town of Hassloch he says, "I read the newspapers, I have a walkman, I have
my cellphone, so I try to talk to people and message people during the day.
I've been on this rollercoaster for quarter of a year now, so I am kind of
anxious for the ending."

Hard to imagine spending an entire summer riding a rollercoaster! However,
some people spend much of their lives on a spiritual rollercoaster. Paula
J. Anderson shares of her rollercoaster ride: "I was brought up in the
church, I loved school and was an honor student. A happy child hood I had. I
went astray at the young age of 14 years old. I got pregnant so I decided to
get married. I was 15 years old when my first son was born. I would
eventually have four more children out of wedlock, three girls and one more
boy. I didn't understand and couldn't cope with the responsibilities of
taking care of a husband or a child. I strayed even further away from my
family responsibilities and God."

"At 16, I was introduced to heroin by a neighbor, an ex-marine. I liked the
calm, peaceful feelings it gave me. I became immediately addicted and
started "shooting up" every day. I left my husband and child to begin a
life-style of drugs, prostitution, and shoplifting. For the next 25 years
of my life, I never really lived, but only existed day to day in this human
shell. I would do almost anything for my next fix, whenever that pain and
want in my body took control. I jumped from one drug to the next, whatever
was easily available and affordable. Always looking for that numbing warm
feeling that gave me that artificial peace."

"In a one year period I overdosed and was comatose nine times! I was sent to
the State Hospital and was diagnosed as suicidal and certified an addict.
I've had many serious operations and a finger removed due to my intravenous
drug use. My heart is now damaged from drug abuse. I've lost everything dear
to me."

"I tried many drug treatment programs without success. I went on Methadone
Maintenance for many years, another addiction, but it was cheap, legal and
it kept me out of jail. I sit in prison today, 42 years old, and at the end
of my five year sentence.."

Paula has been on a wild roller coaster ride but she did find the way off as
she says, "I sit in prison today, 42 years old, and at the end of my five
year sentence, a new woman in Christ. My Lord and Savior has pulled me out
of the pit and off of Satan's rollercoaster of Hell. I have found a new
program for my survival: "THE JESUS PROGRAM". Through him I have that
warmth, love and a peace no drug or man could ever compare too!! Praise the
Lord, I was lost but now I'm found, my faith in him will heal me!"

If you've been on the rollercoaster from hell maybe it is time to cry out to
the Lord so He can deliver you.

Copyright © 2002. Ed Wrather. Permission is given for use of the
devotionals on a non-profit basis with source credited.

If I can help you in any way please contact me at wrather@logixonline.net

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