By Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Other I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards?

But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only and inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot.

Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self- pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep  that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written in His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

-         End

What will the cards in your file room say?

How many cards will Jesus have to sign in His blood to cover you…more importantly have you done what is necessary for Jesus to even go to your file room.

What will you do when you finish reading this that will begin to write new cards?

How will you fill the ‘People I shared the Gospel with’ file drawer? Whatever thoughts or intentions you have, begin to think about how it will affect your file room if the same scene illustrated here happens to you.

I just added another card to my file, now it’s your turn. God Bless

As we navigate the pathways, highways and byways of life, we often find ourselves in the position to make promises. When we were young the promises were simple and often too easy to keep or on the opposite side: impossible to keep. You know those young promises;  

we’ll be best friends forever,

I’ll be good in school,

and I’ll keep my room clean …well, from now on.

These promises were broken, not because they were impossible to keep. They were broken because the issue was just not important enough to us or too grand an idea or ideal or the promisee was not due the honor of our faithful fulfillment. This is not to judge right from wrong, nor to say that our words have no value, I’m just stating the way things are.

Then there came the opportunities to make more sincere, but still unrealistic young adult promises.

I’ll love you and only you forever,

I’ll study hard, I’ll graduate on time,

I’ll stop seeing that girl,

I’ll help you anytime you need it,

I’ll never look at another woman,

I’ll make you proud mommy,

I’ll make you proud Daddy….you’ll see….you’ll see.

Though these were also promises made with the best intentions, they were also promises all too often bent or broken.

Fast forward to mature adulthood. Here we still make some of those immature promises.

Promises to our doctors;

I’ll exercise more or I’ll smoke or drink less,

to the finance company; oh don’t worry I’ll pay this bill on time,

to our friends; we’ll never part no matter what.

But this is also the time in life when hopefully we have learned the breadth and depth of what a broken promise can do. The time where we have made some major, sincere, promises. Promises made with our signatures on official documents. Promises linked to our livelihood and our ability to support our families. And even promises made with a ring in front of friends and family. By now we may have already hurt someone or lost something due to some of the important promises we didn’t keep.

Why all this, you may be asking about promises and such. What does all this have to do with today and the situation we find ourselves in?

A part of me is glad you want to know. You see I made a promise. I made a promise without trying to appease someone, without trying to shut them up, without a long drawn out speech about flying pigs or ice cubes in Hades, without being duly sworn with my right hand raised, and without a signature connected to the threat of repossession or collections. I made a simple promise to a simple man. The words of that promise are not important now….but know that since the day I uttered it, I have kept it. Know that there is no force on this earth that will cause me to break it. Before you get to the edge of your seat in anticipation of hearing the words of that promise, don’t bother…it was between me, him, and God.

But back to the point, I can’t possibly be the only one in this room that made promises to my father. I know without knowing that promises have been made by his friends, by my brothers, by my sisters, by my nieces and nephews. Some of those promises I may have already spoke of. Think now about something you once promised him.

My charge to you today, to all of us is simply this; if there is a promise or even a list of promises you have made to my father, choose one and purpose in your heart that beginning this day you will keep it. It doesn’t matter how big or how small. It doesn’t matter if you only said it to keep him from bothering you about something, it doesn’t even matter what the reason you made the promise is. Just choose one and keep one. He deserves that and more from all of us. To those who never made a promise to him, choose one you made to someone you love and keep it. Purpose in your heart that to honor the type of life my father lead that you will keep just one promise. As for me don’t worry dad, I’ll keep mine….

                                      Written and read by "sinypcrx"

                                      at the funeral of  his father.

                                      (3 months ago)

                                      I miss you dad!  :'(

God loves you. Jesus is Risen. He is not here, He arose. Believe in the God who believes in you. Accept Christ as Savior and Lord. God is offering you a chance. You can take a narrow view of the way to heaven and get saved. Even good people need Jesus. But if God does not know you in the end it was a life in vain lived. That is why we need to read the Bible to know if it is God and God's way. God is not unjust to love you and give you space to repent. We all need to repent. In some ways we can repent before God for our whole nation, America, who used to be great for the stand she took for God. Save yourself from this untoward generation and understand life is short. Life is hard, but God is good. He asks us what do we want in heaven and opened an ear and held out His arms to welcome, and we crucified Him nailing Him to a tree cross. What more can God do for you than wait for a response when He did everything to save you if you would only react by getting salvation? Even living your rest of life for Him by faith through grace on a kneel in unceasing prayer and praise? The choice remains until you see the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ! Until then we are ambassadors for God's glory. II Cor. 4.

I was only a small child when I gave my heart to the Lord but I knew I had the goods. Jesus was the stuff and I knew I NEEDED Him. I surrendered my life, my whole future to lay them at His feet. At an altar with God I found the Lord's Presence near me. From then on I HAVE READ MY BIBLE DAILY, PRAYED TO GOD OBEDIENTLY, AND LOVED GOD AND MY FELLOW MAN. But it is by grace to be saved, the Gift of God and I know Jesus's Blood has saved my soul. But my life is not in a state of heaven yet so my life becomes a thankyou letter to God and that is why by faith I have vision to live FROM Jesus Christ within! AND throughout eternity I'm going to praise Him. And I'll live and reign with Him for all eternity. When Christ, Who is our life appears, then shall we also appear with Him in glory. As you have received Christ, live and also walk in Him. May Jesus Christ be praised.   DC

My church link

Professing themselves to be wise. They became fools. And changed the glory of the Un-corruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and to birds and to four legged beasts and to creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to there uncleanness through there lusts of there hearts. To dishonor their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more then the creator. Who is blessed forever, Amen For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman. Burned in their lust one toward another: Men with Men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was meet. And even as they did not retain God in there knowledge. God gave them over to reprobate mind. To do those things which are not convenient: Being filled with unrighteousness, Fornication, Wickedness, Covetousness, Maliciousness: Full of Envy, Murder, Debate, Deceit, Malignity, Whisperers, Backbiters, Haters of God, Despiteful, Proud, Boasters, Inventors of Evil Things, Disobedient to Parents. Without understanding, Covenant breakers, Without Natural Affection Implacable, Unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God that they which commit such things are worthy of Death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

And Thinkest thou this O Man, that Judge them which do such things, and doest the same, That thou shall escape the judgment of God??

Or despisest thou the riches of HIS Goodness and Forbearance and Longsuffering: Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth you to repentance??

But after the hardness and impenitent heart: Building up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous Judgment of GOD: Who will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life.

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the Truth, but obey Unrighteousness. Indignation and Wrath!!

Romans 1: 22-32 , 2: 3-8

If you live the way you want, ignoring God then you will have God Promise that on the Day of Judgment God's wrath will be poured out upon you!

Don't let that happen He does not want to give you wrath. He wants to give you eternal life!!

Repent and turn from sin today and put you faith in Jesus Christ!!

And He will have mercy upon you, Forgive your sins and give you the key to heaven and eternal life!

A Song from Keith Green

My son, My son, why are you striving

You can't add one thing to what's been done for you

I did it all while I was dying

Rest in your faith, my peace will come to you

For when I hear the praises start

I want to rain upon you

Blessings that will fill your heart

I see no stain upon you

Because you are my child and you know me

To Me you're only holy

Nothing that you've done remains

Only what you do for Me

         suggested by Davvvyc from beloved RC

InTouch.org

I just got back from another fantastic conference...This year's presenters and pulpit masters were both dynamic and inspiring. If you have not heard a sermon by Rev. Joel Gregory, you have not heard sound exigetical preaching. The lectures by Morehouse President Dr. Robert Franklin and Katie Cannon (kinda related to nick...inside joke) brought to the forefront the issues clergy face when dealing with an ever changing world.

If you missed it this year, there is always next year. You don't have to be clergy, but you do have to enjoy the preached word and praising God.

Fathers day, without a father, my father died in 2000, he died of demtia, he was 87 years old, yet I many years later still miss this wonderful father of mine, I am 53 years old and still miss my wonderful late father, who was like a buddy to me. I honor his memory, the time he had when I was growing up. We should honor both living and dead fathers on fathers day. A note tied to a ballon, sent aloft. just both good memories and some not so good, he was a good male/man friend who I deeply miss but know where is  their is no more pain etc.  Are my thoughts before fathers day, fathers and son's  , daughters too "Do your best", ,,, Do your best in life"

Going to Heaven?

Ask yourself, have you ever Lied, Stolen, Looked with Lust.

Then God sees us as lying, thieving and adulterers at heart and the bible says we deserve Hell, That’s not Gods will, but we cant be good enough on our own to please God we need a Savior!

Go to www.TheGoodPersonTest.net to see what God did for you!

I'm not sure how to start this...The feeling of being stuck seems to enter everything I begin. Will this be the same? Only time will tell.

God is love. God's love was such that He gave us life (for it is about life not existence) to test us to see if we would inch our way to Him to lay hold of Him even if there are distractions, divided hearts, cares of the world, or divided attentions spans. In spite of crowds who wanted to hear Jesus (and there will always be crowds who want to do that) there were relatively few in number that wanted to be His Disciples at such a time as when Jesus could begin talking about discipleship after performing miracles. 

Jesus' statements and mention of counting the cost, forsaking all, to follow, to be able to believe Him to be the Messiah, Son of Man, who is servant to man and minister to all, etc. all were irritating. People found them hard statements if they had not been softened by His goodness enough. To Jesus miracles were a side issue to heart matters if the temporal need was not immediate as He saw fit. Jesus did not like to be called Master for this reason.

He would go to the cross and rise from the dead to be seated in Heaven to go great lengths to reveal His Risen purpose to obtain true Disciples of God in this grace age.

And when He arose from the dead over five hundred brethren (see I Corinthians 15) observed Him ascend to Heaven but where were they ten days later? Only one hundred twenty were in the upper room to be commissioned by our Lord and to wait for the Promise of His Father: The Holy Spirit which was to come. (Jesus said, "I must go away, so that the Comforter, The Holy Spirit may come John 14-17.")

Jesus wants us to go beyond the bread and the fishes of His provision and the tingling of the ears of hearing His sermons and allow Jesus Himself be the "first love of our life" and to embark on a journey of leaving the past behind for The Great Adventure of being born from above. And simply if we would go after Jesus' Gift with reckless abandon for Him and the calling from the Christ, and pursue His cause, leaving sin and sinful things on a permanent basis behind and obtaining forgiveness from God, they could have '"church" with their heavenly Father God and one another consistently so they could find the simple relationship God is after with them, and they too reciprocating of what would fulfill them the most (God-man relationship!) Jesus saves, keeps, and satisfies! 

God is reaching out to you and if you will hear His Voice, don't harden your hearts while it is still called Today, but come to Jesus Christ Hebrews 3:15! His love is unfailing! He will not fail you to not accept you (He will not cast you away) but He will throw the biggest party for you this side of heaven has ever been for you! Accept Him and you can be His crucified yet risen child Gal 2:20;Col 3:1. God will put you right with Him.

All of heaven rejoices when one sinner repents. And there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who's repenting than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance!

When a man found a treasure in a field He hid it in the ground and sold all he had to buy that field. Jesus said, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness and all these things will be added unto you" Mat.6:33. This is that Kingdom treasure we can lay up in heaven. Nothing, no thing can corrupt it. It starts w/ love, joy, peace, and healing (Therapuo sounds like therapy in Grk?)

Jesus Christ will listen to you with meekness of heart and become your rest (Hebrews 4) and cause you to find Him the Savior and Lord, Jesus for your soul, real refreshment! Talk it over with Him. We're not talking about never a bad thing happening but a well-balanced Christ - in - you, the hope of glory, life Col 1:27; Phil 1:21;2:12,13. A more than a conqueror love from God to firm up your spirit in Christ in victory will be yours also Roman 8:29-38.

These steps are to real peace with God in prayer, praise, worship, and purpose Rom. 5:1. Read Matthew 8:1-22. Read, "The Pursuit Of God," by A.W. Tozer.

Jesus gave the signs of the Kingdom and then the calling to the Kingdom. His miracles were just a preview of the Kingdom. But right in the middle of all this power...Jesus thought... of as important: calling children to Himself for blessing and the basics for disciples.

PEOPLE are Drawn to Jesus. The great PASSION of God is the unsaved. Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10.) Jesus sees the crowd - He has compassion. The "crowds" come because of their needs. It is all about what they can get out of Jesus (Jn 6:26.) This is the major problem with the "Seeker Sensitive." People will always be drawn to those who will help. But, they will not stay when they don't get what they want!

Jesus knew it was time to leave! In the middle of the miraculous, God gets tough! He will use the blessing as a call to commitment. Jesus is asking for our hearts today... Let us come and commit it all to His Hand... and forsaking all, deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him.

Signs and wonders are part of LIFE in Christ. They follow obedience and preaching the word. Jesus can touch anyone...leper, Roman, even a     M -I - L!

It's not about the disease, but about the WORD! Jesus takes and carries them... Disciples learned: The heart of ministry to the hurting is Jesus. The Passion of the Heart of God is LIFE. Our ministry awaits...

Following Hard after God, tenaciously serving Jesus... I am His servant,  Dave C w/ help from beloved RC