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beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Next Bus

You know, love is just like someone waiting for a bus.
When the bus comes, you look at it and you say to yourself
"eeee...so full...cannot sit down, I'll wait for the next one."

So you let that bus go and wait for the second bus. Then the
second bus comes, you look at it and you say, "eeee...this bus
is so old...so shabby!" So you let that bus go and again,
decide to wait for the next bus.

After a while another bus comes, it's not crowded, not old but
you say, "eeee... not air-conditioned ...better wait for the
next one."

So again you let the bus go and decide to wait for the next bus.
Then the sky starts to get dark as it is getting late.
You panic and jump immediately inside the next bus. It is not
until much later that you found out that you had boarded the
wrong bus!

So you wasted your time and money waiting for what you wanted!
Even if an air-conditioned bus comes, you can't ensure that the
air-conditioned bus won't break down or whether or not the
airconditioner will be too cold for you.

So people... wanting to get what you want is not wrong. But it
wouldn't hurt to give other people a chance, right? If you find
that the "bus" doesn't suit you, just press the red button and
get off the bus (as simple as that).

Hey who said life is fair??? The best thing to do is be
observant and open while you scrutinize the bus. If it doesn't
suit you, get off. But you must always have an extra something
which you could use for the next bus that comes.

But wait... I'm sure you've had this experience before.
You saw a bus coming (the bus you want, of course), you flagged
it but the driver acted as if he did not see you and zoomed past
you! It just wasn't meant for you!

The bottom line is, being loved is like waiting for a bus you
want. Getting on the bus and appreciating the bus by giving it
a chance depends totally on you. If you haven't made a choice,
WALK! Walking is like being out of love. The good side of it is
you can still choose any bus you want... the rest who couldn't
afford another ride would just have to be content with the bus
they rode on.

One more thing.... sometimes it's better to choose a bus you are
already familiar with rather than gamble with a bus that is
unfamiliar to you. But then again, life wouldn't be complete
without the risks involved.

But there's one bus that I forgot to tell you about - the bus
that you don't have to wait for. It will just stop on its own
and will ask you to come inside and take a free ride for the
rest of your life.

You Never Lose By Loving
You Always Lose By Holding Back
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Thankful Prayer of Blessings


Dear Jesus,

Thank you,O, Lord,

For the people you, have and are,
Putting in my life,
That have given me sight,
Of Satans Big-Bad Bite.

Thank you,O, Lord,
For the things you give me.
Such as, meat instead of milk,
And victory instead of defeat.

Thank You For Everything...

PRIDE is the master sin of the devil
and the devil is the father of lies.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Calling

I let my son die on the cross,
To save you from your sin.
Then I called to you while you were still lost,
To open the door and let Me in.
You turned to Me to save your life,
And called to Me the Lord, your God,
The Christ. The price has been paid,
Your soul has been bought.
Because of the blood shed on the Cross,
I give to you the privilege to serve,
Completely free of cost.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Diary of a Bible


JANUARY: A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for the first two weeks, but they have forgotten me now.

FEBRUARY: Clean-up time. I was dusted yesterday and put in my place. My owner did use me for a few minutes last week. He had been in an argument and was looking up some references to prove he was right.

MARCH: Had a busy day first of the month. My owner was elected president of the PTA & used me to prepare a speech.

APRIL: Grandpa visited us this month. He kept me on his lap for an hour reading I Cor 13. He seems to think more of me than do some people in my own household.

MAY: I have a few green stains on my pages. Some spring flowers were pressed in my pages.

JUNE: I look like a scrapbook. They have stuffed me full of newspaper clippings - one of the girls was married.

JULY: They put me in a suitcase today. I guess we are off on vacation. I wish I could stay home; I know I'll be closed up in this thing for at least two weeks.

AUGUST: Still in the suitcase.

SEPTEMBER: Back home at last and in my old familiar place. I have a lot of company. Two women's magazines and four comic books are stacked on top of me. I wish I could be read as much as they are.

OCTOBER: They read me a little bit today. One of them is very sick. Right now I am sitting in the center of the coffee table. I think the Pastor is coming by for a visit.

NOVEMBER: Back in my old place. Somebody asked today if I were a scrapbook.

DECEMBER: The family is busy getting ready for the holidays. I guess I'll be covered up under wrapping paper & packages again ... just as I am every Christmas.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Cross


One night, an Olympic-level diver (who was often unhappy) was heading to the pool to practice. He loved to dive just by the moonlight coming through the skylights in the poolhouse, so he didn't turn on the lights. He climbed the highest diving board, and prepared to jump backwards.

As he stretched out his arms on either side of him, he saw a shadow of himself on the wall in the shape of a cross. He remembered all that his friend Tom had told him about Christianity, and he realized that God was what was missing from his life.

He fell to his knees, crying, and asked God to come into his life. He stayed that way, up on the high-dive praying, for half an hour.

Just as he was standing up to begin his diving, a janitor came into the poolhouse and turned the lights on. The man looked down, and began crying again. He had forgotten that the pool had been drained during the day for cleaning.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Fire


An orphaned boy was living with his grandmother when their house caught fire. The grandmother, trying to get upstairs to rescue the boy, perished in the flames. The boy's cries for help were finally answered by a man who climbed an iron drainpipe and came back down with the boy hanging tightly to his neck.

Several weeks later, a public hearing was held to determine who would receive custody of the child. A farmer, a teacher, and the town's wealthiest citizen all gave the reasons they felt they should be chosen to give the boy a home.

But as they talked, the lad's eyes remained focused on the floor. Then a stranger walked to the front and slowly took his hand from his pockets, revealing severe scars on them.

As the crowd gasped, the boy cried out in recognition. This was the man who had saved his life. His hands had been burned when he climbed the hot pipe. With a leap the boy threw his arms around the man's neck and held on for dear life.

The other men silently walked away, leaving the boy and his rescuer alone. Those marred hands had settled the issue. And so it is with Jesus. His nail-pierced hands remind us that he has rescued us from sin and its deadly consequences.

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." - Galatians 2:20
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Greatest Gift

Gods amazing love

His love never dies

And never goes away

No matter what you have done

God still loves you

He watchs over you

And protects you from evil

He sent his only so

To wash away our sins

Gods love is so amazing

The greatest gift Gods love
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Groom


Fed up with the way the bride invariably steals the show at her own wedding, the university at which Rob Tombes works (exact school unknown) carried in its news weekly its own "unbiased" account of his recent marriage to Mary Beth Snyder:

Mr. Robert Tombes, son of Dr. and Mrs. Averett Tombes of Fairfax, Va., became the bridegroom of Miss Mary Elizabeth Snyder today at Fairfax Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Tombes was attended by his brother Thomas Hamilton Tombes as best man. As the groom approached the altar he was the cynosure of all eyes. Blushing handsomely, he replied to the questions of the clergyman in low but firm tones. He was charmingly clad in a 3-piece suit consisting of coat, vest and pants.

The coat, of some dark material, was draped handsomely about the shoulders and tastefully gathered under the arms. A touching story was current among the guests that the coat was the one worn by his father and grandfather on their wedding days.

Mr. Tombes would neither affirm nor deny the truth of this sentimental touch. The vest was sleeveless and met in the front. It was gracefully fashioned with pockets and at the back was held together by a strap and buckle of the same material.

The groom's pants were of some dark material, and were suspended from the waist, falling in a straight line almost to the floor. The severe simplicity of the garment was relieved by the right pantelet which was caught up about four inches from the floor by a Boston Brighton worn underneath, revealing just the artistic glimpse of leather, laced with string of the same color. The effect was rather chic.

Beneath the vest the groom wore blue galluses attached to the pants fore and aft and passing in a graceful curve over each shoulder. His neck was encircled with a collar characterized by a delicate sawedge, and around the collar a cravat was loosely knotted so that it rode up under his left ear with a studied effect of carelessness which marks supreme artistry in dress.

The best man's costume was essentially the same as the groom's, and as the two stood at the altar, a hush of awed admiration enveloped the audience.

As Miss Snyder led the groom from the nuptials, it was noted that she wore the conventional white veil and orange blossoms.

Unbiased? Hardly! It sounds so strange because we are used to the splendor of the bride being described. It just doesn't seem fitting for that same sense of "glory" to be attached to the groom.

And yet, in a spiritual sense it is most fitting. For those who are in the church are the "bride of Christ", and the groom is none other than Jesus Christ himself. And while we are used to hearing about the splendor of the bride, in this relationship, it is the groom who is to be held in awe. Any glory that is ours is only because of what the groom has done for us.

"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish."
(Eph. 5:25-27).

May I draw your attention to the Groom and his magnificent glory!
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Legend of the Dogwood Tree


When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
to a towering size with a lovely hue.
It's branches were strong and interwoven
and for Christ's cross it's timbers were chosen.
Being distressed at the use of this wood
Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Not ever again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree and so
Slender and twisted it shall always be
With cross~shaped blossoms for all to see.
The petals shall have bloodstains marked in brown
And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of me,
Nailed to the cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherrished this tree shall be
A reflection to all of my agony."
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset

The Legend of the Sand Dollar



There's a lovely little legend
That I would like to tell
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lovely shell.

If you examine closely
You'll see that you find here
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman's spear.

On one side the Easter Lily
In its center is the star
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.

The Christmas Poinsettia
Etched on the other side
Reminds us of His Birthday
Our Happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open
And here you will release
The five while doves awaiting
To spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol
Christ left for you and me
To help us spread His Gospel
Through all Eternity
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Legend of the Sand Dollar (Version 2)


Upon this odd-shaped sea shell
A legend grand is told
About the life of Jesus
The wondrous tale of old

The center marking plainly shows
The well known Guiding Star
That led to tiny Bethlehem
The Wise Men from afar

The Christmas flower, Poinsettia
For His Nativity
The Resurrection too is marked
The Easter Lily, see

Five wounds were suffered by our Lord
From nails and Roman's spear
When He died for us on the cross
The wounds show plainly here

Within the shell, should it be broke,
Five Doves of Peace are found
To emphasize this legend
So may Love and Peace abound
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Living Father

I am a young 20 years old girl...with my own dreams n hope for the future. I am born in a HINDU family but still Christ called me out of the darkness n sin. Its been just 3yrs since I met the Lord. I have slowly grown in Him. I have been attending Church n Prayer meetings in another city where my college is. God has revealed Himself to me in many ways n has touched me.

This is one of my testimonies...April,13th/2001...the day of GOOD Friday. I always wanted to be like my other Christian friends n also wanted to speak in the church like them. And God did hear my prayer again. The pastor of our church asked me to speak in the church on one of the sayings of our Lord on the cross. I thanked God n accepted the offer.

On 13th...I was a little scared...but more than that I was upset because it was the first time I was speaking in the church n wanted one of my family members to be there but didn't realize that who can be a better parent than God.


I went on my knees to pray...I was crying...but I didn't want to read the BIBLE but something told me to read psalms 45:2...yes it was my FATHER saying....you are most handsome of men,you are an eloquent speaker,you have always been blessed.(today's english version).....That put a smile on my face,I spoke amongst other preachers n yes everybody said that my message was the best.

But I say my FATHER is the best n today I appeal to all of u to say with me just as the LORD said"father,into thy hands I lay my spirit."
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Horseman

It was a bitter, cold evening in northern Virginia many, many
years ago. The old man's beard was glazed by winter's frost
while he waited for a ride across the river. The wait seemed
endless. His body became numb and stiff from the frigid north
wind. He heard the faint, steady rhythm of approaching hooves
galloping along the frozen path.

Anxiously, he watched as several horsemen rounded the bend.
He let the first one pass by without an effort to get his
attention. Then another passed by... and another. Finally, the
last rider neared the spot where the old man sat like a snow
statue. As this one drew near, the old man caught the rider's
eye and said, "Sir, would you mind giving an old man a ride to
the other side? There doesn't appear to be a passageway by foot."

Reining his horse, the rider replied, "Sure thing. Hop aboard."
Seeing the old man was unable to lift his half-frozen body from
the ground, the horseman dismounted and helped the old man onto
the horse. The horseman took the old man not just across the
river, but to his destination, which was just a few miles away.

As they neared the tiny but cozy cottage, the horseman's
curiosity caused him to inquire, "Sir, I notice that you let
several other riders pass by without making an effort to secure
a ride. Then I came up and you immediately asked me for a ride.
I'm curious why, on such a bitter winter night, you would wait
and ask the last rider. What if I had refused and left you there?"

The old man lowered himself slowly down from the horse, looked the
rider straight in the eyes, and replied, "I've been around these
here parts for some time. I reckon I know people pretty good."

The old-timer continued, "I looked into the eyes of the other
riders and immediately saw there was no concern for my situation.
It would have been useless even to ask them for a ride. But when
I looked into your eyes, kindness and compassion were evident.
I knew, then and there, that your gentle spirit would welcome
the opportunity to give me assistance in my time of need."

Those heartwarming comments touched the horseman deeply.

"I'm most grateful for what you have said," he told the old man.
"May I never get too busy in my own affairs that I fail to
respond to the needs of others with kindness and compassion."

With that, Thomas Jefferson turned his horse around and made his
way back to the White House.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Latter Part

According to Ecclesiastes, sooner or later, for every one of us,

"The sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark,
the clouds return after the rain."

We are all subject to the merciless and inevitable order of this
life, in which the young and the beautiful wither and the strong
grow weak.

Yet there is more to this life.

There are certain human qualities that seem to go the other way.

As the physical frame ages and bears the consequences of life's
struggles and passage of time, these qualities grow, increase,
and flourish, and really start to blossom only at the later part
of a long life.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Measure of All Things

Lord, You're the measure of all things
When my world turns inside out and I'm filled
With many doubts about myself and what I bring.
I look to the cross and know without a doubt

You're my Savior the measure of all things.
Sometimes I feel like I'm stumbling in the dark.
There's so much to be done I'm afraid I'll
Miss the mark, but then You're love surrounds me
And I know You set me free by dying on the cross
At Calvary.

Lord, all that we do is a reflection of You.
When all the world's unfair You are always there
To care and remind us You're the measure of all Things
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Legend of the Sand Dollar (Version 3)


Upon this odd-shaped seashell a legend grand is told,
about the life of Jesus, that wondrous tale of old.
At its center you will see, there seems to be a star,
like the one that led the shepherds and wise men from afar.
Around its surface are the marks of nails and thorns and spear,
suffered by Christ upon the cross; the wounds show plainly here.
But there is also an Easter lily, clear for us to see,
the symbol of Christ's resurrection for all eternity.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Painting of the Last Supper


The story behind painting of the Last Supper is extremely interesting and instructive. Two incidents connected with this painting afford a most convincing lesson on the effects of thought in the life of a boy or girl, or of a man or woman. The Last Supper was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci, a noted Italian artist. The time engaged for its completion was seven years.

The figures representing the twelve apostles and Christ himself were painted from living persons. The live model for the painting of the figure of Jesus was chosen first. When it was decided that DA Vinci would paint this great picture, hundreds and hundreds of young men were carefully viewed in an endeavor to find a face and personality of unaffected by sin.

Finally, after weeks of laborious searching a young man, nineteen years of age, was selected as the model for the portrayal of Christ. For six months DA Vinci worked on the production of this leading character of the famous painting.

During the next six years DA Vinci continued his labors on his sublime work of art. One by one, fitting persons were chosen to represent each of the eleven apostles, space being left for the painting of the figure representing Judas Iscariot as the final task of this masterpiece.

This was the apostle, you remember, who betrayed his Lord for thirty pieces of silver with $16.95,in our present day currency. For weeks DA Vinci searched for a man with hard callous face, with a countenance marked by scars of avarice, deceit, who would betray his best friend.

After many discouraging experiences in searching for the type of person required to represent Judas, word came to DA Vinci that a man whose appearance fully met the requirements had been found. He was in a dungeon in Rome, sentenced to die for a life of crime and murder. DA Vinci made the trip to Rome at once, and this man was brought out from his imprisonment in the dungeon and led out into the light of the sun.

There DA Vinci saw before him a dark, swarthy man, his long shaggy and unkempt hair sprawled over his face. A face which portrayed a character of viciousness and complete ruin. At last the painter had found the person he wanted to represent the character of Judas in his painting.

By special permission from the king, this prisoner was carried to Milan where the fresco was being painted. For six months the prisoner sat before DA Vinci, at appointed hours each day, as the gifted artist diligently continued his task of transmitting to his painting this base character in the picture representing the traitor and betrayer of the Savior.

As he finished his last stroke, he turned to the guards and said, "I have finished, you may take the prisoner away, he suddenly broke loose from their control and rushed up to DA Vinci, crying as he did so; "Oh, DA Vinci, look at me!

Do you not know who I am?" DA Vinci, with the trained eyes of a great character student, carefully scrutinized the man upon whose face he had constantly gazed for six months and replied; "No, I have never seen you in my life until you were brought before me out of the dungeon in Rome."

Then lifting his eyes toward heaven, the prisoner said, "O God, have I fallen so low?" Then turning his face to the painter he cried, "Leonardo DA Vinci, look at me again, for I am the same man you painted just seven years ago as the figure of Christ!"

This is the true story of the painting of the Last Supper that teaches so strongly the lesson of the effects of right and wrong thinking of an individual. He was a young man whose character was so pure and unspoiled by the sins of the world, that he represented a countenance and innocence and beauty fit to be used for the painting of a representation of Christ.

But during the seven years, following a life of sin and crime, he was changed into a perfect picture of the most notorious character ever known in the history of the world.
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
ABIDE

A~Ask God to be Lord of every part of your life.
B~Believe He is in control of every situation as Lord.
I~Intercede for others while "abiding" in faith.
D~"Daring to make a difference" while "dwelling in His invisible presence."
E~Expecting only "good things" from changes He makes. ABIDE and EXPECT To "hear" and "rightfully discern" His words and will then ask....and it shall be done!

Claim this promise today and be blessed! "It takes little steps to climb a mountain".
 

extramarital

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
JOSEPH PRINCE'S FALSE DOCTRINE EXPOSED!

[video=youtube;I7ap1pt5Qqg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7ap1pt5Qqg[/video]
 

beensetfree

Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
The Real Story About Crucifixion

What is crucifixion?

A medical doctor provides a physical description: The cross is placed on the ground and the exhausted man is quickly thrown backwards with his shoulders against the wood. The legionnaire feels for the depression at the front of the wrist. He drives a heavy, square wrought iron nail through the wrist deep into the wood.

Quickly he moves to the other side and repeats the action, being careful not to pull the arms too tightly, but to allow some flex and movement.

The cross is then lifted into place. The left foot is press backward against the right foot, and with both feet extended, toes down, a nail is driven through the arch of each, leaving the knees flexed.

The victim is now crucified. As he slowly sags down with more weight on the nails in the wrists, excruciating fiery pain shoots along the fingers and up the arms to explode in the brain- the nails in the wrists are putting pressure on the median nerves. As he pushes himself upward to avoid this stretching torment, he places the full weight on the nail through his feet.

Again he feels the searing agony of the nail tearing through the nerves between the bones of his feet. As the arms fatigue, cramps sweep through his muscles, knotting them deep relentless, and throbbing pain.

With these cramps comes the inability to push himself upward to breathe. Air can be drawn into the lungs but not exhaled. He fights to raise himself in order to get even one small breath. Finally, carbon dioxide builds up in the lungs and in the blood stream, and the cramps partially subsided.

Spasmodically, he is able to push himself upward to exhale and bring in life-giving oxygen. Hours of limitless pain, cycles of twisting, joint wrenching cramps, intermittent partial asphyxiation, searing pain as tissue is torn from his lacerated back as he moves up and down against rough timber.

Then another agony begins: a deep, crushing pain deep in the chest as the pericardium slowly fills with serum and begins to compress the heart.

It is now almost over-the loss of tissue fluids has reached a critical level-the compressed heart is struggling to pump heavy, thick, sluggish blood into the tissues-the tortured lungs are making frantic effort to gasp in small gulps of air. He can feel the chill of death creeping through his tissues

..Finally, he can allow his body to die...

All this the Bible records with the simple words,
"and they crucified Him"(Mark 15:24).


What wondrous love is this? Many people don't know that pain and suffering our Lord, Jesus Christ went through for us... because of the brutality, crucifixion was given a sentence to only its worst offenders of the law.

Thieves, murderers, and rapists would be the types of creeps who got crucified. Yet, here Jesus is being crucified between two hardened criminals...

What did Jesus do? Did he murder anyone? Did he steal anything?

The answer as we all know is NO!!

Jesus did nothing to deserve this type of death, yet he went willing to die, in between 2 thieves, so that we might be saved. And there, in between the sinners, was our slain savior for our sins.
 
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