an amazing rendition of amazing grace...
by Josh Wilson
the video speaks for itself...
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Harvest Festival
Saturday Morning Clayton Harvest Festival in Clayton, NC
It is 730 am my wife and I are in Clayton, NC setting up a booth on the streets for the Clayton Harvest Festival. John and Roger soon showed up and were helping set up, the tent, table, tracts, bibles and books... Before the morning began we were in prayer for what God would have us do today, for the divine appoints for the lost and saved, to be an encouragement for believers and a light for the lost. The crowds started to build slowly. We spoke with some Catholics (they just happened to have a booth set up about 50 feet away from us), pastors, believers, unbelievers; some were encouraged by our presence.
Kim Input: Bill and the rest of the group had stepped out of the booth to talk to people and pass out tracts. I was sitting there quietly...clutching my coffee cup and trying to stay warm. Then I felt God speak to my heart, "Are you going to just sit there holding your coffee cup or are you going to get up and do something?" At first I wanted to look around to see if He was referring to someone else....but I knew he was speaking to me. So I put down my cup, picked up a few tracts and stepped out from under the "safety" of the tent. I stood there a minute or two clutching the tract just like the coffee cup but then I did it...I actually handed someone a tract and I didn't run! And he actually said "thank you"! After that, it wasn't as hard and as the crowd picked up, the easier it became. It's amazing how God works through us...even when we aren't willing at first. But when He asks you to do something...you'll know it!
As we were passing out tracts and talking to people I heard a voice from my right that sounded familiar (my wife) she was passing out tracts. She took a step and broke the next barrier. Set up: she had left tracts at places before but had not passed out a tract to an individual, without running away (the tract and run). So here she was standing ground and passing out tracts, it truly caught me off guard and immediately praised God, that she was able to take the next step. Never ceased to be amazed.
Later that morning, Jim Thompson showed up with a group of 6 or 7 that had been going through the training course with him. And this was their chance to break some barriers they had. They set themselves up in the midst of the crowd's main walkway and started passing out tracts, doing one-2-ones, did some intelligence tests, and had some very good interactions.
Scott McKay and his family showed up a little later and set up for some open air across the road from the Booth and quickly drew a crowd with some trivia for cash and had an individual go through the good person test. Was up for about 30 minutes and some folks stopped over at the booth afterwards where we had more discussions.
Roger had his first impromptu open air. There was a group of 13 teens standing close by and I gave him a pink and blue, and some quick pointers. He went over and went through the pink and blue and some gave him a goofy look, but he kept on and then had a couple engaged in the good person test while the rest listened (he had one fidgeting; getting convicted). They thanked him and moved on after he gave them tracts. I asked him how it felt to do an open air; he looked at me as if to say what you are talking about. I told him that what the just did was an open air, you had one to 2 engaged but the group whole group was listening, that is open air... more people means more volume in your voice. You don't have to draw a crowd, God can give you a crowd, and you took advantage of it, amen.
John was also encourage with some great one-2ones that challenged him, some receptive others not so receptive, but he did not shy away. Both John and Roger are relatively new to going out like this, but looked seasoned. We gave out about 10 to 15 bibles, 20 way of the master books, and 15 one heart beat away books, as well equipping other Christians with tracts and challenging them to give to someone they know. We had some Christians we encountered that wanted to give us back the tracts to give them to someone who is not saved, and we challenged them to give to someone they know. All in all was a truly awesome amazing day in service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
It is 730 am my wife and I are in Clayton, NC setting up a booth on the streets for the Clayton Harvest Festival. John and Roger soon showed up and were helping set up, the tent, table, tracts, bibles and books... Before the morning began we were in prayer for what God would have us do today, for the divine appoints for the lost and saved, to be an encouragement for believers and a light for the lost. The crowds started to build slowly. We spoke with some Catholics (they just happened to have a booth set up about 50 feet away from us), pastors, believers, unbelievers; some were encouraged by our presence.
Kim Input: Bill and the rest of the group had stepped out of the booth to talk to people and pass out tracts. I was sitting there quietly...clutching my coffee cup and trying to stay warm. Then I felt God speak to my heart, "Are you going to just sit there holding your coffee cup or are you going to get up and do something?" At first I wanted to look around to see if He was referring to someone else....but I knew he was speaking to me. So I put down my cup, picked up a few tracts and stepped out from under the "safety" of the tent. I stood there a minute or two clutching the tract just like the coffee cup but then I did it...I actually handed someone a tract and I didn't run! And he actually said "thank you"! After that, it wasn't as hard and as the crowd picked up, the easier it became. It's amazing how God works through us...even when we aren't willing at first. But when He asks you to do something...you'll know it!
As we were passing out tracts and talking to people I heard a voice from my right that sounded familiar (my wife) she was passing out tracts. She took a step and broke the next barrier. Set up: she had left tracts at places before but had not passed out a tract to an individual, without running away (the tract and run). So here she was standing ground and passing out tracts, it truly caught me off guard and immediately praised God, that she was able to take the next step. Never ceased to be amazed.
Later that morning, Jim Thompson showed up with a group of 6 or 7 that had been going through the training course with him. And this was their chance to break some barriers they had. They set themselves up in the midst of the crowd's main walkway and started passing out tracts, doing one-2-ones, did some intelligence tests, and had some very good interactions.
Scott McKay and his family showed up a little later and set up for some open air across the road from the Booth and quickly drew a crowd with some trivia for cash and had an individual go through the good person test. Was up for about 30 minutes and some folks stopped over at the booth afterwards where we had more discussions.
Roger had his first impromptu open air. There was a group of 13 teens standing close by and I gave him a pink and blue, and some quick pointers. He went over and went through the pink and blue and some gave him a goofy look, but he kept on and then had a couple engaged in the good person test while the rest listened (he had one fidgeting; getting convicted). They thanked him and moved on after he gave them tracts. I asked him how it felt to do an open air; he looked at me as if to say what you are talking about. I told him that what the just did was an open air, you had one to 2 engaged but the group whole group was listening, that is open air... more people means more volume in your voice. You don't have to draw a crowd, God can give you a crowd, and you took advantage of it, amen.
John was also encourage with some great one-2ones that challenged him, some receptive others not so receptive, but he did not shy away. Both John and Roger are relatively new to going out like this, but looked seasoned. We gave out about 10 to 15 bibles, 20 way of the master books, and 15 one heart beat away books, as well equipping other Christians with tracts and challenging them to give to someone they know. We had some Christians we encountered that wanted to give us back the tracts to give them to someone who is not saved, and we challenged them to give to someone they know. All in all was a truly awesome amazing day in service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Time that's left
There is a song by Mark Schultz, that is called Time that is left.
Most of our past weighs on us like some hidden burden that we stuff away in a closet.
He said he would take that burden away
With my final breath, with every last second, I will not say die... Kim my wife can attest to that... For what has been done for me the lowly of the low, the depraved of the depraved or as Paul said "The Chief of All Sinners", how could I ever keep my mouth shut...
Its not about a building, or about a day in December, or a bunny, or the north pole, or about some place in Rome...
If all he did was to be born into this world what hope have we... Oh no, we truly have hope indeed, for on the cross lay my sins and the sins of anyone who would come and lay it down, never to return again.
Every second someone dies, we are never guaranteed another day nor the day we wake up in... seconds stand between you and eternity... will you place your faith in this world or in the one who purchased you with his own blood so that you may be with him for eternity...
what will you do
with the time that is left
What will you do with the time that's leftHave you ever gave it a thought. From this point forward what will you do?
Will you live it all with no regret?
Will they say that you loved
till your final breath?
What will you do with the time that's left?
What will you do with the time that's past?
Oh and all the pain that seems to last?
Can you give it to Jesus and not look back?
What will you do with the time that's past?
What will He say when your time has come?
When He takes you into His arms of love?
With tears in His eyes will He say well done?
What will He say when your time has come?
What will you do with the time that's left?
Will you live it all with no regret
Will they say that you loved
till your final breath?
What will you do with the time?
Most of our past weighs on us like some hidden burden that we stuff away in a closet.
He said he would take that burden away
As Far As the East is FROM The WestWhen I look back at my life, I truly have tears in my eyes... it is gone, forgiven, as far as the east is from the west never to be seen again... So how could I not rejoice in my life, my new life, and not scream from the top of my lungs on every roof top.... for I do not boast in anything of me... oh no... for I am nothing without my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!...
With my final breath, with every last second, I will not say die... Kim my wife can attest to that... For what has been done for me the lowly of the low, the depraved of the depraved or as Paul said "The Chief of All Sinners", how could I ever keep my mouth shut...
Its not about a building, or about a day in December, or a bunny, or the north pole, or about some place in Rome...
If all he did was to be born into this world what hope have we... Oh no, we truly have hope indeed, for on the cross lay my sins and the sins of anyone who would come and lay it down, never to return again.
Every second someone dies, we are never guaranteed another day nor the day we wake up in... seconds stand between you and eternity... will you place your faith in this world or in the one who purchased you with his own blood so that you may be with him for eternity...
what will you do
with the time that is left
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Christianity: Pleasure Cruise?
Christianity is not a pleasure cruiser. It is a rescue ship. This video is a must see. We are called to seek and save that which is lost. Not just play church and talk about reaching the lost.
So many think this is a game... what is the worst that could happen. (hell? sorry purgatory does not exist, there are only two lines mentioned in the bible and not a third line; those to the left and those to the right)
So... lets say you die... where will you go? heaven or hell?
simple question... so you think you are going to heaven... why?
because of good things you have done? what about the bad things? (lying, stealing, looking with lust, blasphemy, hatred, etc....)
will God just look past those things?
Isn't God just? and if he is just shouldn't people be punished for things they have done? what about Hitler?...
So you think God will forgive you just because you ask him to? where do you get that from (that is not in the Bible)
I spoke with someone recently who believed there was no such thing as hell... he then stopped and questioned himself when asked what about Hitler.
If you stand in a court room guilty of serious crimes can the Judge just let you go because you said you are sorry? (he will say you should be, these are very serious crimes)
Or what if you tell the Judge that stuff happened a long time ago and you wont do that again, will say "okay"?
Or I have done more good things than bad things... will that matter?
There is a fine that must be paid, you can't pay it... Jesus steps in and pays the fine, you are free to go... Repent (stop doing things that are offensive to God) and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ...
Grace will be given to you (Grace: unmerited gift, you cant earn it) but like any gift it will remain where it is unless you take it..
So many think this is a game... what is the worst that could happen. (hell? sorry purgatory does not exist, there are only two lines mentioned in the bible and not a third line; those to the left and those to the right)
So... lets say you die... where will you go? heaven or hell?
simple question... so you think you are going to heaven... why?
because of good things you have done? what about the bad things? (lying, stealing, looking with lust, blasphemy, hatred, etc....)
will God just look past those things?
Isn't God just? and if he is just shouldn't people be punished for things they have done? what about Hitler?...
So you think God will forgive you just because you ask him to? where do you get that from (that is not in the Bible)
I spoke with someone recently who believed there was no such thing as hell... he then stopped and questioned himself when asked what about Hitler.
If you stand in a court room guilty of serious crimes can the Judge just let you go because you said you are sorry? (he will say you should be, these are very serious crimes)
Or what if you tell the Judge that stuff happened a long time ago and you wont do that again, will say "okay"?
Or I have done more good things than bad things... will that matter?
There is a fine that must be paid, you can't pay it... Jesus steps in and pays the fine, you are free to go... Repent (stop doing things that are offensive to God) and put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ...
Grace will be given to you (Grace: unmerited gift, you cant earn it) but like any gift it will remain where it is unless you take it..
Draw me lord
As I stood contemplating this journey. I took inventory of what I was bringing with me. The baggage of my life, I thought, was minimal. An ex-catholic disenchanted with the church and the Bible. I remember 'reading' the Bible but It was a task and not something that was meaningful. Don't get me wrong I believed in God, I just looked at the people who went to church and thought how can this be? How can so many people say they believe and yet still live life like there was no care or concern. It just seemed very hypocritical. It started when I went away to a Teen Encounter Christ weekend, it changed my view of things, it opened me up in ways I never felt before, but what I had was an emotional experience.
So here I was a supposed catholic, or ex-catholic trying to come to grips with life. When you hit the age when you have to become an adult there are many questions that you feel ill-equipped to answer. You feel indestructible and vulnerable at the same time.
Well I was used to being a spectator, however impatient with waiting for answers. So many words spoken, thoughts held. But yet nothing to hold onto. When you want to know something but don't know what you want to know life becomes a crowded place.
Well I studied allot of beliefs out there read many a book. Most of it was shaped by martial arts training I was getting at the time. So a lot of Eastern Philosophy, psychology, hypnosis, mediums, psychic stuff, you name it, I was looking for answers.
Well at the time I called myself a Christian without any understanding of what that meant. So in a sense I was really a new-ager. I was skydiving at the time when I was deep into this journey. There was a group of us that got together every Saturday morning. We called ourselves the breakfast club. We would very in depth discussion on life, spirituality, you name we discussed.
all the while I had this feeling of being lost, like a cloud was following me. Well to bring things into light my financial status was an utter shambles, many a day and night holding my head in my hands wondering how this journey could have brought me to such a place.
There were many a times when depression would grab me and try to take me out. So much knowledge i had gathered over the 10 years, yet I was stupid. My arguments were always fueled by emotion with not a lot of rational.
Through this journey I have taken I had brought myself to a place where there was no hope. Through all of the yelling I had been doing I could not hear the whisper that was calling to me. one of the last things I remember holding onto during this journey was talking to a preacher and heckling him, yes I gave him a very hard time. I was mad at this point in my search for answers.
In this search for truth I found many truths and many lies, but nothing solid. I wanted something concrete, that would stand no matter what was thrown at it, but I could not find it. Well this brings me to Vandalia, at this time I am leaving out much of this journey, but it becomes very hard to look at without wanting to cry. Most people didn't know and probably still don't know that I was literally living out of truck of which I could not even afford. So many faces, so many words, so many thoughts, of all I had done could I die happy? most have not even scratched the surface of what I have experienced. yet for all of this experience I still had no answers.
I remember that night, alone, I had the weight of the world on shoulders, bridges were broken, i was sure i would not make it.
With what money I had I bought a six pack of beer and went out to the airport where i had been skydiving. The airport was vacant, it was late at night on a Tuesday in September 1998. I sat back on my tailgate and gazed at the night sky. I don't get it anymore.... no job, very little money, no place to live, what does this all mean. I looked up at the sky, crying, I said words from deep inside me.... Oh God..... What do want from me. What am I supposed to do, why am I here?... And I felt a voice there rocked me to my core. You are here to save someone.
I through my head in my hands, how can I save anyone, I cannot even save myself. With that I looked up and said Oh God, I will follow you no matter if you only show me truth what I am to know. I felt otherworldly at the time, like it was some kind of movie, but the words, the feelings and what happened that night never left me. It was not a burning bush but I didn't need a burning bush. I needed a hand to reach in and pull me out. Nothing anyone could have said to me at the time could have altered my next steps. This journey was about to take a turn.
So here I was a supposed catholic, or ex-catholic trying to come to grips with life. When you hit the age when you have to become an adult there are many questions that you feel ill-equipped to answer. You feel indestructible and vulnerable at the same time.
Well I was used to being a spectator, however impatient with waiting for answers. So many words spoken, thoughts held. But yet nothing to hold onto. When you want to know something but don't know what you want to know life becomes a crowded place.
Well I studied allot of beliefs out there read many a book. Most of it was shaped by martial arts training I was getting at the time. So a lot of Eastern Philosophy, psychology, hypnosis, mediums, psychic stuff, you name it, I was looking for answers.
Well at the time I called myself a Christian without any understanding of what that meant. So in a sense I was really a new-ager. I was skydiving at the time when I was deep into this journey. There was a group of us that got together every Saturday morning. We called ourselves the breakfast club. We would very in depth discussion on life, spirituality, you name we discussed.
all the while I had this feeling of being lost, like a cloud was following me. Well to bring things into light my financial status was an utter shambles, many a day and night holding my head in my hands wondering how this journey could have brought me to such a place.
There were many a times when depression would grab me and try to take me out. So much knowledge i had gathered over the 10 years, yet I was stupid. My arguments were always fueled by emotion with not a lot of rational.
Through this journey I have taken I had brought myself to a place where there was no hope. Through all of the yelling I had been doing I could not hear the whisper that was calling to me. one of the last things I remember holding onto during this journey was talking to a preacher and heckling him, yes I gave him a very hard time. I was mad at this point in my search for answers.
In this search for truth I found many truths and many lies, but nothing solid. I wanted something concrete, that would stand no matter what was thrown at it, but I could not find it. Well this brings me to Vandalia, at this time I am leaving out much of this journey, but it becomes very hard to look at without wanting to cry. Most people didn't know and probably still don't know that I was literally living out of truck of which I could not even afford. So many faces, so many words, so many thoughts, of all I had done could I die happy? most have not even scratched the surface of what I have experienced. yet for all of this experience I still had no answers.
I remember that night, alone, I had the weight of the world on shoulders, bridges were broken, i was sure i would not make it.
With what money I had I bought a six pack of beer and went out to the airport where i had been skydiving. The airport was vacant, it was late at night on a Tuesday in September 1998. I sat back on my tailgate and gazed at the night sky. I don't get it anymore.... no job, very little money, no place to live, what does this all mean. I looked up at the sky, crying, I said words from deep inside me.... Oh God..... What do want from me. What am I supposed to do, why am I here?... And I felt a voice there rocked me to my core. You are here to save someone.
I through my head in my hands, how can I save anyone, I cannot even save myself. With that I looked up and said Oh God, I will follow you no matter if you only show me truth what I am to know. I felt otherworldly at the time, like it was some kind of movie, but the words, the feelings and what happened that night never left me. It was not a burning bush but I didn't need a burning bush. I needed a hand to reach in and pull me out. Nothing anyone could have said to me at the time could have altered my next steps. This journey was about to take a turn.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
As I sit here… I wonder about my life and where I am. I wonder if I had not cried out that fateful night in Vandalia, Illinois would I be here. It is like gazing into a mirror and looking back at the person, a reflection of you, and asking who this is that is looking back at me.
You stand at a point looking at yesterday, today and tomorrow, and wonder…
There comes a point where we have to ask ourselves is the person I have become the person whom I was meant to be, and if I was meant to be this person, than for what purpose.
But I guess we really don’t have to ask ourselves that question we can just accept what is before us. But than what becomes of us, what will be the outcome… for there is always an outcome some pleasant and some dark.
A journey… that is what you hear people talking about day in and day out, concerning life. So we are vagabonds in life, a traveling minstrel acting out pleasantries for the world to see and praise us.
So starts one mans' traveling minstrel. And a point to which there was none… an answer to a question I didn’t know how to ask. How do you pack for such a trip? What do you take with you if you take anything at all? It seemed like this world had an answer for just about anything you could throw at it, but was it the truth. So if I take anything with me how would I know that those things were not shaping answers to fit my question? I know sounds pretty deep. But in most cases we are all deep playing in the shallows.
You stand at a point looking at yesterday, today and tomorrow, and wonder…
There comes a point where we have to ask ourselves is the person I have become the person whom I was meant to be, and if I was meant to be this person, than for what purpose.
But I guess we really don’t have to ask ourselves that question we can just accept what is before us. But than what becomes of us, what will be the outcome… for there is always an outcome some pleasant and some dark.
A journey… that is what you hear people talking about day in and day out, concerning life. So we are vagabonds in life, a traveling minstrel acting out pleasantries for the world to see and praise us.
So starts one mans' traveling minstrel. And a point to which there was none… an answer to a question I didn’t know how to ask. How do you pack for such a trip? What do you take with you if you take anything at all? It seemed like this world had an answer for just about anything you could throw at it, but was it the truth. So if I take anything with me how would I know that those things were not shaping answers to fit my question? I know sounds pretty deep. But in most cases we are all deep playing in the shallows.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
The Rush
You’ve always wanted to skydive, but the thought scared you too much to try it. That is, until you met someone who had made over 100 jumps. He talked you into it by explaining how safe it was. His enthusiasm was contagious. He spoke of the freedom of falling through the air ...the adrenaline rush...the unspeakable exhilaration. Now you are standing on the edge of a plane, looking down on the earth far, far be-low.
Everything has been checked. Double-checked. This is safer than driving on the freeway—a thought that helps you deal with the fear. Modern parachutes are state-of-the-art. Besides, there is a backup chute. Still, your heart is beating with apprehension. Suddenly, you jump! You have trained so much for this moment, you instinctively spread your hands and legs. The speed is unbelievable. The power of the air forcing itself against your body is incredible. It’s like a dream. You are defying the law of gravity, racing through the air at more than 120 mph!
The earth is coming closer. All normal sense of time lost. Speed, thrust of air, unspeakable joy. You glance at the altimeter on your wrist. Only another ten seconds and you will pull the rip cord and feel the jolt of the parachute opening. All that you had been told was true. The adrenaline rush is like nothing you have experienced. If only it could last a little longer. Reluctantly, you pull the cord. It opens, but there is no jolt!
You tilt your head back to see a horrifying sight: the parachute has twisted and is trailing like a flapping streamer. Your heart races with fear, pounding in your chest. Your eyes bulge in terror. Your chest heaves as you gasp for air. You try to keep a clear mind and remember your training...pull the second cord. Nothing happens! You pull again. Again! Harder. Harder! Nothing. Your throat lets out a scream, a groan of panic. Your heart is pounding so hard you think your chest will burst. Sweat breaks through your skin. A thousand thoughts speed through your mind. Your family! Your fate!...Safer than driving on the freeway! You whisper, “What a fool I was ...to think that I could defy the law of gravity.” Now a merciless law waits for the moment of impact. The ground accelerates toward you. No words can describe the terror gripping your mind.
A voice is speaking to you. It is the voice of good sense. It is the voice you ignored so often: “You have played the fool. You have given up your life, your most precious possession, for a cheap thrill. You have exchanged your loved ones for a rush of adrenaline. What a fool ...what a fool!” One word stands alone to describe how you feel about what you’ve done. One word screams within the corridors of your terrified mind as the earth races toward you, as death readies to embrace you. One word, a word that you have never understood fully until this moment. That terrible word is remorse!
The world, the flesh, and the devil whisper to you about how pleasurable sin is. That God isn’t angry at sin. God is love. It is safe to jump into the arms of iniquity and abandon yourself to a free fall through its vast domain. You go where angels fear to tread. But it is worth it. The rush is everything sin promised. You drink in iniquity like water. You love the darkness. Conscience speaks again and again, but you ignore its warning. You are defying the Moral Law and loving every minute.
Now you stand before the Judge on Judgment Day. You pull your first line by telling God what a good person you are. Nothing happens. The Moral Law rushes at you. In panic, you pull the second line and tell God that you believed in Him. Again, nothing happens. It is no use. Your mouth is stopped. The Moral Law accelerates toward you even faster, promising to so impact you that it will “grind you to powder” (Luke 20:18). Death and hell wait to embrace you. Unspeakable terror fills your heart. Conscience speaks so clearly now: “What a fool you have been. You rejected the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. You have given up your loved ones in exchange for the joys of a sinful lifestyle. You relinquished your most precious possession, your very life, for the cheap thrill of sin. What a fool! What a fool!” One word will stay with you for eternity. One word alone will echo forever within your tormented mind. Remorse! You whisper the word, “Remorse...remorse.”
Suddenly you are staring at the ceiling of your bedroom, still mouthing the word through dry lips. Remorse! The sheets are soaked with sweat. It was just a dream. You look out the window and see the sun breaking through the green trees. It was just a dream! It’s morning now. A peaceful new day. Today’s the day you go skydiving. It will be your first time.
www.livingwaters.com
Everything has been checked. Double-checked. This is safer than driving on the freeway—a thought that helps you deal with the fear. Modern parachutes are state-of-the-art. Besides, there is a backup chute. Still, your heart is beating with apprehension. Suddenly, you jump! You have trained so much for this moment, you instinctively spread your hands and legs. The speed is unbelievable. The power of the air forcing itself against your body is incredible. It’s like a dream. You are defying the law of gravity, racing through the air at more than 120 mph!
The earth is coming closer. All normal sense of time lost. Speed, thrust of air, unspeakable joy. You glance at the altimeter on your wrist. Only another ten seconds and you will pull the rip cord and feel the jolt of the parachute opening. All that you had been told was true. The adrenaline rush is like nothing you have experienced. If only it could last a little longer. Reluctantly, you pull the cord. It opens, but there is no jolt!
You tilt your head back to see a horrifying sight: the parachute has twisted and is trailing like a flapping streamer. Your heart races with fear, pounding in your chest. Your eyes bulge in terror. Your chest heaves as you gasp for air. You try to keep a clear mind and remember your training...pull the second cord. Nothing happens! You pull again. Again! Harder. Harder! Nothing. Your throat lets out a scream, a groan of panic. Your heart is pounding so hard you think your chest will burst. Sweat breaks through your skin. A thousand thoughts speed through your mind. Your family! Your fate!...Safer than driving on the freeway! You whisper, “What a fool I was ...to think that I could defy the law of gravity.” Now a merciless law waits for the moment of impact. The ground accelerates toward you. No words can describe the terror gripping your mind.
A voice is speaking to you. It is the voice of good sense. It is the voice you ignored so often: “You have played the fool. You have given up your life, your most precious possession, for a cheap thrill. You have exchanged your loved ones for a rush of adrenaline. What a fool ...what a fool!” One word stands alone to describe how you feel about what you’ve done. One word screams within the corridors of your terrified mind as the earth races toward you, as death readies to embrace you. One word, a word that you have never understood fully until this moment. That terrible word is remorse!
The world, the flesh, and the devil whisper to you about how pleasurable sin is. That God isn’t angry at sin. God is love. It is safe to jump into the arms of iniquity and abandon yourself to a free fall through its vast domain. You go where angels fear to tread. But it is worth it. The rush is everything sin promised. You drink in iniquity like water. You love the darkness. Conscience speaks again and again, but you ignore its warning. You are defying the Moral Law and loving every minute.
Now you stand before the Judge on Judgment Day. You pull your first line by telling God what a good person you are. Nothing happens. The Moral Law rushes at you. In panic, you pull the second line and tell God that you believed in Him. Again, nothing happens. It is no use. Your mouth is stopped. The Moral Law accelerates toward you even faster, promising to so impact you that it will “grind you to powder” (Luke 20:18). Death and hell wait to embrace you. Unspeakable terror fills your heart. Conscience speaks so clearly now: “What a fool you have been. You rejected the mercy of God in Jesus Christ. You have given up your loved ones in exchange for the joys of a sinful lifestyle. You relinquished your most precious possession, your very life, for the cheap thrill of sin. What a fool! What a fool!” One word will stay with you for eternity. One word alone will echo forever within your tormented mind. Remorse! You whisper the word, “Remorse...remorse.”
Suddenly you are staring at the ceiling of your bedroom, still mouthing the word through dry lips. Remorse! The sheets are soaked with sweat. It was just a dream. You look out the window and see the sun breaking through the green trees. It was just a dream! It’s morning now. A peaceful new day. Today’s the day you go skydiving. It will be your first time.
www.livingwaters.com
Friday, September 5, 2008
TOGETHER a story
There are no words to describe what you're about to see. It's all about HIM!
A Son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together."
To which, his father said "Yes".
For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.
Father and son went on to complete the race together!
So often we feel as though we can go through things alone...
That by my own strength I will survive...
But together the seemingly impossible becomes possible...
A Son asked his father, "Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?" The father who, despite having a heart condition, says "Yes". They went on to complete the marathon together. Father and son went on to join other marathons. The father always saying "Yes" to his son's request of going through the race together. One day, the son asked his fater, "Dad, let's join the Ironman together."
To which, his father said "Yes".
For those who don't know, Ironman is the toughest triathlon ever. The race encompasses three endurance events of a 2.4 mile (3.86 kilometer) ocean swim, followed by a 112 mile (180.2 kilometer) bike ride and ending with a 26.2 mile (42.195 kilometer) marathon along the coast of the Big Island.
Father and son went on to complete the race together!
So often we feel as though we can go through things alone...
That by my own strength I will survive...
But together the seemingly impossible becomes possible...
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
This life is but a blink
Every day seems like an eternity.
Gazing down a road and seeing no one.
Walking slowly crying into the wind.
Knowing what I was and how that man died and now seeing that man standing within a world he no longer belongs to or fits in.
For the journey was not the point but the destination.
For a man can walk a lifetime and get to place he never wanted.
For I walked a life I thought was me and what I wanted.
Not until I saw the destination did I understand.
For many feel it is about the journey.
But a journey with no point is a waste.
So I laid my life down and I gave it to the king, so that I might be what he wants of me.
A voice, speaking in compassion and passion.
So that the light might be seen in the darkness.
So that many may know there is a way.
So the road they may find would be straight and narrow.
To spend so much time focusing on one second of an eternity.
To make that second so full and disregarding the rest is foolishness.
But to give up that second so that an eternity may be full...
This life is but blink
Eternity is forever
Gazing down a road and seeing no one.
Walking slowly crying into the wind.
Knowing what I was and how that man died and now seeing that man standing within a world he no longer belongs to or fits in.
For the journey was not the point but the destination.
For a man can walk a lifetime and get to place he never wanted.
For I walked a life I thought was me and what I wanted.
Not until I saw the destination did I understand.
For many feel it is about the journey.
But a journey with no point is a waste.
So I laid my life down and I gave it to the king, so that I might be what he wants of me.
A voice, speaking in compassion and passion.
So that the light might be seen in the darkness.
So that many may know there is a way.
So the road they may find would be straight and narrow.
To spend so much time focusing on one second of an eternity.
To make that second so full and disregarding the rest is foolishness.
But to give up that second so that an eternity may be full...
This life is but blink
Eternity is forever
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
WHAT IF??!!!
What if you could read minds?
What if you knew the winning lottery numbers one day early?
What if you could live forever?
What if you were breathing your last breath right now?
What if you had already eaten your last meal?
What if you had your conscience for a reason?
What if you knew what the reason was?
What if it were a beacon - a warning of an impending doom?
What if justice were not corrupt, but something true something eternal?
What if the standard for life were a perfect Law you already knew?
What if in the stillness of a silent moment you knew you had broken that Law?
What if life is really a test, a series of choices, in which only one choice really matters?
What if we ignore the inner warning light which pulses when we lie, steal and lust?
What if even our hatred is counted as murder?
What if pain and pleasure are only shadows of greater sensations to come?
What if there is a Heaven?
What if there is a Hell?
What if there is a just Judge who knows even our thoughts?
What if He holds us accountable for every thought, word and deed?
What if our idea of justice is only a shadow of something coming - where the prison times are eternal and no bond can be posted once the sentence is passed?
What if death is the fine for breaking an eternal Law?
What if someone paid that fine for you?
What if Jesus Christ is that person?
What if He defeated death by rising from the dead?
What if you could turn from your sin, put your faith in Him and live?
What if He gave you your conscience to point you to Him?
Every second two people die... What if this is your second?
cusotmmtractsource.com
What if you knew the winning lottery numbers one day early?
What if you could live forever?
What if you were breathing your last breath right now?
What if you had already eaten your last meal?
What if you had your conscience for a reason?
What if you knew what the reason was?
What if it were a beacon - a warning of an impending doom?
What if justice were not corrupt, but something true something eternal?
What if the standard for life were a perfect Law you already knew?
What if in the stillness of a silent moment you knew you had broken that Law?
What if life is really a test, a series of choices, in which only one choice really matters?
What if we ignore the inner warning light which pulses when we lie, steal and lust?
What if even our hatred is counted as murder?
What if pain and pleasure are only shadows of greater sensations to come?
What if there is a Heaven?
What if there is a Hell?
What if there is a just Judge who knows even our thoughts?
What if He holds us accountable for every thought, word and deed?
What if our idea of justice is only a shadow of something coming - where the prison times are eternal and no bond can be posted once the sentence is passed?
What if death is the fine for breaking an eternal Law?
What if someone paid that fine for you?
What if Jesus Christ is that person?
What if He defeated death by rising from the dead?
What if you could turn from your sin, put your faith in Him and live?
What if He gave you your conscience to point you to Him?
Every second two people die... What if this is your second?
cusotmmtractsource.com
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