Posted on 12/11/2002 11:18:38 AM PST by Liz
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
Luke 2:2-20
KJV
Our time on this earth is finite and much of what we all go through genuinely sucks, frequently because of the choices (remember fee will?) other people make and not because of anything good or bad we ourselves may have done.
It's like the joke about the guy in a flood. The water reached the point where he had to climb on his roof. A boat came by and when they told him to climb in he said, "No, I trust the lord to save me". Later the water reached the top of his roof and he perched on the chimney. Another boat came by and he had the same answer, "No, I trust the lord to save me". Finally, the water reached up to his neck. A helicopter arrived, hovered, and lowered a rope to him. Same response. He yelled, "No, I trust the lord to save me".
A short time later the man drowned. On entering heaven he demands to be brought before G*d. When he is, he says, "I trusted you but you you didn't save me !" G*d replied, "what are you talking about! I sent you two boats and a freaking helicopter!"
Instead of asking "Where was G*d?" maybe we should ask "Where were we?", "where was the CIA?", "where were Bill & Hill and the other buffoons who had Bin Laden in their grasp and let go?".
As somebody else pointed out, there was supposed to be upwards of fifty thousand people in those towers. Was a death toll of six percent of that number a miracle? I don't know but I do believe the "blame" for all those innocent deaths lies with the people that did it and those who had a real chance to stop it but didn't.
I've never heard anything more ignorant in my life? Where is he when there are car crashes? Where is he when there is war? Where is he when there are earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, famine, disease? He's in your heart at all times....perhaps with your exception. Seek him out and be ready for when he calls you home, because death comes in millions of ways and most times when you least expect it!
Finding God
Tomorrow morning," the surgeon began, "I'll open up your heart..."
"You'll find God there," the boy interrupted.
The surgeon looked up, annoyed. "I'll cut your heart open," he continued, "To see how much damage has been done..."
"But when you open up my heart, you'll find God in there."
The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. "When I see how much damage has been done, I'll sew your heart and chest back up and I'll plan what to do next."
"But you'll find God in my heart. The Bible says He lives there. The hymns all say He lives there. You'll find Him in my heart."
The surgeon had had enough. "I'll tell you what I'll find in your heart. I'll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I'll find out if I can make you well."
"You'll find God there too. He lives there."
The surgeon left. The surgeon sat in his office later, recording his notes from the surgery, "...damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bedrest. Prognosis: " here he paused, "death within one year."
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said. "Why?" he asked aloud. "Why did you do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain and You've cursed him to an early death. Why?"
The Lord answered and said, "The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine.
His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow."
The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. "You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why?"
The Lord answered, "The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb."
The surgeon wept.
The next day the surgeon sat beside the boy's bed; the boy's parents sat across from him. The boy awoke and whispered, "Did you cut open my heart?" "Yes," said the surgeon.
"What did you find?" asked the boy. "I found God there," said the surgeon.
- Author Unknown
He was waiting for you, and many others, to sincerely ask where He is.
Where were YOU?
God Save America (Please)
So many people forget the real meaning of Christmas.Thanks for this thread.
Gets the uncleanness of religion out of the public square, right? I can't even mention the Bible or Jesus in an original post without getting it ghettoized off into that dead zone.
Merry Christmas!
We might not want to go there.
While "The Room" is indeed beautiful, it was apparently written in 1995 by Josh Harris, then editor of New Attitude, and was published in the Spring 1995 issue of the magazine and, later, in a book Harris wrote.
It also appears that, while the Brian Moore part of the story is partly true, several published stories indicate that he falsely claimed authorship when he presented the story at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting, and his parents were misled by his claim when they promulgated the story as Brian's.
A few references I found:
It's on both TruthOrFiction and snopes, too.
"The Room" is still a wonderful story, though, a keeper I'll be passing on...
u
Post #43 that you mentioned -- "The Room" is the title of that piece.
Merry Christmas, Freepers!!
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