Summer, 2000

The Sea
By Susan Cunningham

Author's Note: Hi Iona, I just want to tell you how much I enjoy your website...it is very inspiring and uplifting! God bless you and all involved!!

I have been writing today and wanted to share something "new" but old. The enclosed piece of work is a message of love. The Sea is our Lord, mighty and powerful. The sand is man shifting and rebelling against God as the shore meets the tide. Only our Creator knows the outcome of our destiny, but if our spirit is fused with the Holy Spirit the depth of His love will be revealed to us as solid and sure. Have a wonderful day in the Lord!!

Warmly in His love,
Susan

Rolling along, through the darkest hour,
into the light of truth, is the body of water
that was brought to life by the Master.
Risen, through redemption..given.
The sands that line the breaking point of time, our faith,
that hears the sea speaking in tones of power's mercy.
Day after day, hour after hour, the very breath of life-giving grace.
And so it is with the sea, as it travels in its destiny-
the depth is not measured by man, as it shifts and settles,
only by the Creator..majestic and mighty.
Sifted and shining lie the stones, where the tide meets the shore,
touched by the hand of infinite tenderness,
washed by the tears of the Holy Spirit's promise..
moving swiftly, timely, boldly..into the realm of Heaven.

The Life of a Sinner

As we reflect on our lives, we seem to remember many deeds we have accomplished and many that we have not; I am speaking of "good deeds."

We are of no value if we are Christians in name only. As we are obedient, we must also set examples. There are no rewards for us by simply allowing ourselves to "think" we are above reproach.We must live for Christ.

Matthew 3:9-10 tells us: "And do not think you can say to yourselves, ' We have Abraham as our father.' I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the roots of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire." (NIV)

People will be judged if they are unproductive in their lives, and when we do not produce, we know for certain the deeds are not being "pruned."

As a sinner - I always have been & always will be - I do not say I can not change and be obedient to God, but to know him better each day and provide my knowledge for others. Our deeds do not have to be a"present," nor a "I wonder if a person is watching me " ( just to impress them). A deed must reflect from our hearts - and not our heads.

How productive are you to mankind?

Submitted by,
A Sinner who repents,
In Christ's Love and Joy,
Ebe46@aol.com
Janet

I Made Her Because I Love Her
From Cindy

I made her . . . She is different,
She is unique,
With love I formed her in her mother’s womb.
I fashioned her with great joy.
I remember, with great pleasure, the day I created her.
(Psalm 139:13-16)

I love her smile,
I love her ways,
I love to hear her laugh,
And the silly things she says and does.
She brings Me great pleasure.
This is how I made her.
(Psalm 139:17)

I made her pretty and not beautiful,
Because I knew her heart,
And knew she would be vain . . .
I wanted her to search out her heart,
And to learn that it would be Me in her
That would make her beautiful . . .
And it would be Me in her
That would draw friends to her.
(1 Peter 3:3-5)

I made her in such a way,
That she would need Me.
I made her a little more lonesome
Than she would like to be . . .
Only because I need for her to lean and depend on Me . . .
I know her heart, I know if I had not
Made her like this,
She would go her own chosen way
And forget Me . . . her Creator.
(Psalm 62:5-8)

I have given her many good and happy things
Because I love her.
(Psalm 84:11, Romans 8:23)

Because I love her,
I have seen her broken heart . . .
And the tears she cried alone.
I have cried with her,
And had a broken heart, too.
(Psalm 56:8)

Many times she has stumbled
And fallen alone
Only because she would not hold My Hand,
So many lessons she’s learned
The hard way.
Because she would not listen
To My voice . . .
(Isaiah 53:6)

So many times I have sat back
And sadly watched her go
Her merry way alone.
Only to watch her return to
My arms, sad and broken.
(Isaiah 62:2)

And now she is Mine again . . .
I made her, and then I bought her . . .
Because I love her.
(Romans 5:8)

I have to reshape her and remold her . . .
To renew her to what I had planned for her to be.
It has not been easy for her,
Or for Me.
(Jeremiah 29:11)

I want her to be conformed to My image . . .
This is the high goal I have set for her,
Because I love her.
(2 Corinthians 2:14)

Side by Side
Submitted by Crystal Owings

They lie on the table side by side
The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.

One is well worn and cherished with pride.
Not the Bible, but the TV Guide.

One is used daily to help folks decide.
No, not the Bible, but the TV Guide.

As the pages are turned, what shall they see.
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the TV
So they open the book in which they confide.
No, not the Bible, but the TV Guide.

Maybe a verse before they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy as tired as can be.
Not from reading the Bible, from watching TV
So back to the table side by side,
Lie the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.

No time for prayer, no time for the Word,
The plan of salvation is seldom heard.
But forgiveness of sin, so full and free,
Is found in the Bible, not on TV.

The 7-Ups of Life

1. Wake Up - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice & be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart" I Sam 16:7

3. Shut Up - Say nice things & learn to listen. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul" Proverbs 13:3
"Gossip betrays confidence; avoid men who talk too much" Proverbs 20:19
"Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise" Proverbs 19:20

4. Stand Up - For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..."Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up - To the Lord. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Phillipians 4:13

6. Reach Up - For something higher. As Jiminy Cricket sings "High Hopes" Always try to better yourself.

7. Lift Up - Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING" Philippians 4:6

Liberal Headlines

If Biblical Headlines were written by Today's Liberal Media

On Red Sea crossing:
WETLANDS TRAMPLED IN LABOR STRIKE
Pursuing Environmentalists Killed

On David vs. Goliath:
HATE CRIME KILLS BELOVED CHAMPION
Psychologist Questions Influence of Rock

On Elijah on Mt. Carmel:
FIRE SENDS RELIGIOUS RIGHT EXTREMIST INTO FRENZY
400 Killed

On the birth of Christ:
HOTELS FULL, ANIMALS LEFT HOMELESS
Animal Rights Activists Enraged by Insensitive Couple

On feeding the 5,000:
PREACHER STEALS CHILD'S LUNCH
Disciples Mystified Over Behavior

On healing the 10 lepers:
LOCAL DOCTOR'S PRACTICE RUINED
"Faith Healer" Causes Bankruptcy

On healing of the Gadarene demoniac:
MADMAN'S FRIEND CAUSES STAMPEDE
Local Farmer's Investment Lost

On raising Lazarus from the dead:
FUNDAMENTALIST PREACHER RAISES A STINK
Will Reading to be Delayed

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