Just A Pleasant Place

[Judy Harder]

OVERCOMING THE VOICES OF DISCOURAGEMENT


But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest
any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  Hebrews 3:13


A while back, I had lunch with a well-known Christian leader.  This man is a dynamic preacher, a brilliant thinker, and a respected statesman for the cause of Christ.  As with anyone who takes a strong stand for Jesus, this man is not without his detractors.  He has some vocal enemies who publicly vilify and criticize him at every turn.     

While I was talking with him over lunch, I asked him how he handled all the vicious criticisms that come his way.  His answer shocked me.  "Jeff," he said, "I often wonder why the Lord puts me in these situations. seeing that I am one who gets easily discouraged."  Wow.  I always thought this guy was impervious to the hurtful remarks and comments of people.  After his confession, I felt an immediate kinship with him because I also fight the demons of discouragement.  Do you? 

THE DEVIL'S LETHAL WEAPON

My Associate Pastor, Larry Sims, once shared with me that the devil's favorite and most lethal of weapons is the weapon of discouragement.  If he can get you discouraged, he can get steal your joy and excitement about the Christian life and doing the will of God. 

Discouragement is the first step down the dark, lonely road of despair.  Many a person has thrown in the towel on marriage. on ministry. on career. on dreams. on taking a step of faith. all because of discouragement. 

OVERCOMING THE DISCOURAGEMENT

One of the great laws God has built into the world we live in is the law of the harvest: we reap what we sow - "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7).  Now when it comes to personal discouragement, one of the best ways to overcome it is to sow seeds of encouragement in others.  As you encourage those around you, God will bring a harvest of encouragement to you. 

Hebrews 3:13 instructs us to encourage one another each and every day.  I believe if we are not reminded, we forget to do it.  We want people to encourage us. yet we so often fail to see that God has called us to be His ambassadors of encouragement to other people.   

Who can you encourage today?  Your spouse. your parents. your children. your siblings. your boss. your employees. your Sunday school teacher. your neighbors. your friends. your pastor. someone you admire for courage?  I remember sending an email to a frontline Christian leader who was getting hammered big time for his stand for Christ.  He was so moved by my encouraging words, he called me on the phone to thank me. 

Would you commit to the Lord to be an encourager and not a discourager?  Would you make it a priority of each day to give the gift of encouragement?  Encouragement is simple, rewarding, and free.  It blesses God and makes a HUGE difference in the lives of those discouraged.
Love,



Jeff Schreve
Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org

[Judy Harder]

Why go to Church?

If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!

Why Go To Church?

A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."

This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:

"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!

All right, now that you're done reading, send it on! I think everyone should read this! "When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"

[Judy Harder]

Do You Believe IN Easter?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.

One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.

Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"

Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting  room. After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"

Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."

Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"

Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!" Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that after noon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."



Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.



Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.

One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.



Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."



One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is  your special day." Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life. "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.

Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"



Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.

When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"



Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a
table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"



If you believe in Easter, forward this on. God works in wonderful ways, and to believe in his power is to truly be free. If Jesus had e-mail, he'd do the same for you.

(Actually, maybe He just did)[/b]

[Judy Harder]

Just a folded napkin

This is a neat perspective...Something I didn't know about the napkin

This is really beautiful, with such significance. I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

John 20:7 reads (in "The Woman's Study Bible, The New King James Version) "v. 6: Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, v.7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself."

Now, please read the rest of this and see the reason I think this is beautiful.

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the e-mails so; I'll start it, if it touches you and you want to forward it.

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
I never noticed this....The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.

She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!

'Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linenwrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.

. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table.

For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'He is Coming Back!! Be Blessed

[Judy Harder]

Psalm 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.


Sin is not merely doing what is wrong, but doing what is wrong in the sight of the Lord. God has offered us suggestions for living full and happy lives. Our being disobedient to those suggestions doesn't hurt God, it hurts us. God is saddened by out refusal to be obedient, but He is always willing to hear our petition for forgiveness, and He will show us His mercy. When we sin, it is a private matter between God and ourselves. Take your sins before God, repent of each one, and glory in the grace of God, by which we receive full pardon of all we do wrong.
Prayer:

Forgive me, Lord. Make a new creation out of this old soul. Prepare me for the Kingdom to come, each day of my life. Amen.

[Judy Harder]

Just Checking in!

A
minister passing through his church
in
the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar

and see who had come to pray.




Just
then the back door opened,
a
man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw

the man hadn't shaved in a
while.
His shirt was kinda shabby

and his coat was worn and
frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his
head,
Then rose and walked away.


In
the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,

each time he knelt just for a
moment,
A
lunch pail in his lap.


Well,
the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,

He
decided to stop the man and ask him,

'What are you doing here?'


The
old man said, he worked down the road.

Lunch was half an hour.

Lunch time was his prayer time,

For finding strength and
power.


'I
stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far
away;
as
I kneel here talking to the Lord,

This is kinda what I say:


'I
JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE
FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH
OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING
IN TODAY.'


The
minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.

He
told the man he was welcome

To
come and pray just anytime


Time
to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He
hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,

he'd never done it before.


His
cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.

As
the tears flowed, in his heart,

he
repeated old Jim's prayer:


'I
JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE
FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH
OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU
EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING
IN TODAY.'


Past
noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.

As
more days passed without Jim,

he
began to worry some.


At
the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,

But he'd given them a thrill.


The
week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.

His smiles, a joy contagious.

Changed people, were his reward.


The
head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,

when no flowers, calls or cards
came,
Not a visitor he had.


The
minister stayed by his bed,
He
voiced the nurse's concern:

No
friends came to show they cared.

He
had nowhere to turn.


Looking
surprised, old Jim spoke
up
and with a winsome smile;

'the nurse is wrong, she
couldn't know,
that he's in here all the while


Every
day at noon He's here,
a
dear friend of mine, you see,

He
sits right down, takes my hand,

Leans over and says to me:

'I
JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE
FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.

ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,

I
THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'


If
this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your
life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart


May
God hold you in the palm of His hand
and Angels watch over
you.


Please
pass this page on to your friends & loved ones. If you aren't
ashamed. Jesus said,
'
If you are ashamed of me,' I will be ashamed

of
you before my Father.'


If
you are not ashamed, pass this on. But only if you mean it.


So
this is me . Just Checking In



IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART

[Judy Harder]

The Sounds of Silence
Mark Daniels
Talk Show Host

I remember a TV program that aired back when I was a kid called "The Christophers." It always began with a basso profundo voice, proclaiming that "it is better to light a single candle, than to curse the darkness."

I find myself, more often, cursing the chaos these days.  It surrounds us from the minute we awaken, to the moment we close our weary eyes to rest. And it has "ramped up" in every sector of our lives, like a billion small children clamoring for our attention.

And that's what's happening, in essence. Recognizing the competition that now exists for our ears and eyes, every form of media has "pumped up the volume." TV, radio, internet, print, billboard—even gas pumps screens—now assault our senses. The noise and confusion have become so pervasive, that even a moment of silence seems almost... awkward. 

But my pastor makes an interesting point about silence, as well. How often, when confronted with silence, do we lunge for the TV "switcher," and the comfort of cacophony? How much easier is it to drown out the conviction of that still, small voice in our hearts with the larger and louder noise of the world? How comfortable are we, when we're alone with ourselves, and our thoughts? When was your last quiet time with God?

I'll admit that peace and quiet are often idols for me. Truth is, as time goes by, I'm less and less able to deal with the busyness and confusion that is life in our culture today. I crave peace, not for a time of quiet reflection and prayer, but to run away from a world that seems more unfamiliar with each passing day. Part of that is due, admittedly, to my aging eyes and ears. And sometimes, these are unhealthy symptoms of withdrawal. But I'm encouraged to consider that my thirst for peace and quiet is a healthy sign, as well.

Before knowing Christ as Lord, I was incredibly content with the growing and swirling chaos of American life. This world fit me like a glove! But since becoming a Christian, the things of this world no longer hold such attraction; serving a God of peace, not confusion, has created in me a longing for the well-ordered life I'm sure awaits us in eternity.

As I mature, I realize that my quiet time alone with God is precious, and I must guard it zealously. For the peace He brings prepares me to step out each day into a noisy world I have no choice but to confront. For, living in this world are billions of people who do not know the peace that passes all understanding, and I have promised to participate in His great commission to reach them. There is no turning back.

And it is better to light a single candle of hope, then to be content with the darkness.

[Judy Harder]

 

I have no idea if this is a true story or not, but I like it.


As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my
cart  of groceries  towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood
of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
 
The  old man was looking at the engine.  I put my groceries
away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from

about  twenty five feet away.

I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag
in his arm, walking towards the old man.  The old gentleman

saw him coming, too, and took a few steps towards him.  I saw

the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.

The  young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a
brand  new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man

and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't

even beallowed to drive a car at your age.'  And then with a wave

of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.

I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop
his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.

He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared  to tell

her it would be okay. 
 
I had seen enough and I approached the old man.  He saw me
coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like
you're having a problem.'
 
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head.  I looked
under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was,

it was beyond Me.  Looking around I saw a gas station up the road

and told the old man that  I would be right back.  I drove to the

station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars. 

I approached one of  them and related the problem the old man

had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back

and help him.

The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree     

and appeared to be comforting his wife.  When he saw us he

straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics

diagnosed the problem (overheated Engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.

When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps

ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a
Marine too.  I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you
serve with?'  He said that he had served with the first Marine Division

at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal.  He had hit all the big

ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over.
 
As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics

lower the hood.  They came over to us as the old man reached for his
wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the  bill on
my AAA card...  He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that

I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket.  We

shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife.
 
I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the
station.  Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their
own jobs to come along with me and help the old man.  I
said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.

One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the

card  the old man had given to me.  Both of the men told me then,
that they were Marine Corps Reserves.  Once again we shook hands

all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at

the card the old man had given to me.  I said I would and drove off.

For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and

took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long time.  The name

of the old gentleman was on the card in gold leaf and under his name was 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'

I  sat there motionless looking at the card and reading It over and over.

I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and
marveled that on this day that four Marines had all come together,

because one of us needed help.  He was an old man all right, but it
felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor

to have been in his presence.  Remember, OLD men like him gave you
FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served...and those who
supported them.
 
 
America is not at war.  The U.S. Military is at war.  America is at the
Mall.  If  you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand

in front of them!  Remember, freedom isn't free, thousands have paid

the price so you can enjoy what you have today

[Judy Harder]

G U I D A N C E

This is amazing that someone even thought of this!



Dancing With God

When I meditated on the word Guidance,

I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.

I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing.

When two people try to lead, nothing feels right.

The movement doesn't flow with the music,

and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person realizes that, and lets the other lead,

both bodies begin to flow with the music.

One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back

or by pressing Lightly in one direction or another.

It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.

The dance takes surrender, willingness,

and attentiveness from one person

and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word Guidance.

When I saw "G": I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i".

"God, "u" and "i" dance."

God, you, and I dance.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust

that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

My prayer for you today is that God's blessings

and mercies are upon you on this day and everyday.

May you abide in God, as God abides in you.

Dance together with God, trusting God to lead

and to guide you through each season of your life.

This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.

If God has done anything for you in your life,

please share this message with someone else.

There is no cost but a lot of rewards;

so let's continue to pray for one another.

And I Hope You Dance !

[Judy Harder]

God Loves Whom He Treasures
John 10:28

Think about the most valuable gift you've been given.

A watch from a grandfather.

A new car.

A diamond necklace or bracelet.

An electronic gadget.

If you get something really valuable as a gift—what do you do with it? You protect it. You keep it safe. You might even buy insurance for it.

Did you know that if you are a believer, you are God's most precious treasure. And because you're God's treasure, guess what?

God doesn't lose what He treasures. This tells you once you've put your faith in Him, He keeps you. In the gospel of John, Jesus said that not only are you kept safe in Jesus hands, but you're kept safe in God's hands as well. Jesus also said that all those who have been given to Him by God—those who choose to put their faith in Jesus—will never be lost. They won't be cast out. They won't be forgotten.

This is how much Jesus loves you. Maybe today you're feeling down or discouraged. Know this. You're safe and secure in the arms of Jesus. HE loves you unconconditionally. Despite what you've done for Him or what you will do.

Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing can separate you from God's love. Nothing.