 
THE THIRD MAN
Last night, I dreamed I took a walk op Calvary's lonely hill.
The things I saw with my own eyes, could not have been more real.
I saw upon three crosses, three men in agony.
Two cried out for mercy, and the third Man looked at me .
Oh the hurt in this Man's eyes, just broke my heart in two
And it seems I could hear Him say, "Child, I'm doing this for you."
I knelt beneath the third Man's cross, and slowly bowed my head.
I reached out to touch His feet and it stained my hands with red.
When I heard Him cry out in pain, I raised my eyes to see
The blood spilled from the third Man's side, and some spilled out on me.
The third Man wore a crown of thorns; spikes held Him to the tree.
And I heard Him say, "Oh God, My God! Why hast Thou forsaken me?"
There within the mighty crowd, the ones who mocked Him cried,
"King save Thou self if Thou art The King,'' and then the third Man died.
Suddenly I heard the thunder roll, I saw lightning pierce the sky.
The third Man was still hanging there, and I began to cry.
I saw the boulders fall and heard the breaking of the ground
Then I awoke and thought I'd dreamed, I touched my cheek and found,
My eyes were wet where I had cried, the dream I wish I knew.
I still can hear the third Man say, "I'm doing this for you."
- Unknown Author -
GOD'S LOVE IS ALL AROUND US
God's love is all around us and beautiful it is to see,
Like autumn leaves a'falling and the rippling of the sea.
Like flowers in full bloom with colors glowing bright,
Like fireflies all around us, just lighting up the night.
God's love is in a RAINBOW shining in the sky,
and with the little birds that are ever flying high.
In our little children, precious one and all,
In winter and the Springtime, the summer and the fall.
God's love is on the mountain, where the trees are very green,
and down in the valley where much of life is seen.
In a time of sorrow God's love is surely found,
When all your friends and loved ones are come to gather round.
God's love is not just things that we can see or own,
It's also what's inside us ... to help to take us home...
Author Unknown
WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves,
God has a positive answer for each one.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I FORGIVE YOU
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith
(Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you
(Hebrews 13:5)
"Heaven and earth shall pass away but
my words shall not pass away."
- Jesus -
THE CROSS
Last night I dreamed that I went back to the time of
Jesus day. I became part of the crowds that followed
the soldiers as they forced Him up Calvary's way.
The sights I saw... I will never forget, the experience...
it became so real.
And I knew in my heart...this was a message for me,
for His pain I needed to feel.
I remember, I walked slowly up toward that old rugged
cross, for His face I just had to see.
That man! That man, there in the middle, who could this
man really be?
I turned my face the other way at the sight of Him hanging there in pain, while a crown of thorns pierced His head,
all I could do was hang mine in shame.
There were spikes driven deep in His hands and feet, torn flesh deep in His side, and this man had to hang there,
until this man died!
In horror, I listened as the soldiers cursed Him and
laughed at His Holy Name, 'Jesus of Nazareth' ... was
from where they say this man came. I heard He performed miracles and spoke of God's forgiving love.
And some say He even proclaimed the Father had sent him from up above.
When suddenly ... some of the people began cheering,
while there were others who began to cry!
Then the dark, gray sky began to rumble, and somehow I
knew this humble, sinless man was just about to die.
I saw His Mother kneel down at the foot of His cross
and bowed her head there in silent prayer.
Everyone got deathly quiet as a cold chill seemed to fill
the air. Oh, the agony! The pain... I could see it upon
His face! But we all just watched Him hanging there in silence, not really knowing what was about to take place.
Right then grief overtook my heart.
I dropped to my knees as others too began to pray
and at that very moment, I knew in my soul that this precious man, Jesus, was dying for me today. I could not believe the suffering we had caused Him to go through, just to show us who He was and how much He loves us all too!
Why was the cross necessary, we might ask ourselves today?
Because of mine and your hardened hearts, God knew there was no other way!
To prove just how much He loves you and me,
He sent us His Son, Jesus ... all we must do is believe.
© Connie Sue Jones, 1999
MAY THE ANGELS KEEP YOU
May the angels keep you til morning.
May they guide you through the night.
May they comfort all your sorrows.
May they help you win the fight.
May they keep watch on your soul.
May they show you better ways.
May they guard you while you're sleeping.
May they see you through your days.
May they show you new hopes.
May they still your every doubt.
May they calm your every fear.
May they hear you when you shout.
May the angels keep you til morning.
More than this I cannot pray.
And if the angels ever fail you.
Then may God be there that day.
- Author Unknown -
A PRAYER
Father, I ask you to bless my friend reading this right now!
Lord, show them a new revelation of Your love and power.
Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them Your peace & mercy.
Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence in
Your ability to work through them.
Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, & strength as they learn submission to Your leading.
Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.
Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage.
Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life.
Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders, and friends to support, and encourage them.
Give each of them discernment to recognize the demonic forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.
I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name!
In Christian love,
Your friend in Jesus
AN ANGEL WROTE ...
Many people will walk in and out or your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.
To handle yourself, use your head,
To handle others, use your heart.
Anger is only one letter short of danger.
If someone betrays you once, it's his fault.
If he betrays you twice, it's your fault.
Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.
God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into it's nest.
He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses more;
He who loses faith, loses all.
Beautiful young people are acts of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.
Learn from the mistakes of others.
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.
The tongue weighs practically nothing, but so few people can hold it.
- Author Unknown Angel -
A STRAY DOG'S PRAYER
Dear God please send me somebody who'll care!
I'm tired of running, I'm sick with despair.
My body is aching, it's so racked with pain
dear God I pray as I run in the rain.
That someone will love me and give me a home
A warm cozy bed and a big juicy bone.
My last owner tied me all day in the yard
Sometimes with no water and God that was hard!
So I chewed my leash God and I ran away
To rummage in garbage and live as a stray.
But now God I'm tired and hungry and cold
And I'm so afraid that I'll never grow old.
They've chased me with sticks hit me with stones
While I run the streets just looking for bones!
I'm not really bad God, please help if you can
For I have become just a "victim of man!"
I'm wormy dear God and I'm ridden with fleas
and all that I want is an owner to please!
If you find one for me God, I'll try to be good
I won't chew their shoes, and I'll do as I should.
I will love them, protect them and try to obey
When they tell me to sit, to lie down or to stay!
I don't think I'll make it too long on my own
Cause I'm getting so weak and I'm Oh so alone.
Each night as I sleep in the bushes I cry
Cause I'm so afraid God, that I'm gonna die!
I've got so much love and devotion to give
That I should be given a new chance to live.
So dear God please, please answer my prayer
send me somebody who will really care,
That is, dear God, if You're really there!
- Author Unknown -
This poem is printed here on behalf of all the stray, unwanted and unloved animals. Animals are my favorite of all God's creatures. They have feelings, they love, they suffer. Please have your pets spayed or neutered to prevent more unwanted and unloved animals. They are creatures of God as much as we are.
SOMEONE CARES
When the day has come and gone,
and you're sitting there all alone.
Feeling angry, depressed and rejected,
wondering if your life can ever be corrected.
Needing someone to call your very own, someone
who's love and devotion is clearly shown.
Someone to sit and talk to, who will
understand your dreams, your wishes,
and the things you would like to plan.
Someone to laugh and have fun with,
Someone to help you enjoy life just a little bit.
Life does have it's way of dealing
low blows, Leaving you confused, unhappy, and
wandering which way to go.
'When all your efforts to find or recapture
happiness have all been at their best,
Then only God can do the rest!
- © Dorothy Martin, 1999 -
A LOVE STORY
One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise.
Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description.
As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.
He asked me,
"Do you love me?"
I answered,
"Of course, God! You are my Lord and Savior!"
Then He asked,
"If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?" I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the
rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't;
be able to do, the things that I took for granted.
And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still
love You."
Then the Lord said,
"If you were blind, would you still love my creation?" How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."
The Lord then asked me,
"If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?" How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still
listen to Your word."
The Lord then asked,
"If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?" How
could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me:
God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could
not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name.
And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"
With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly,
"Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!"
I thought I had answered well, but God asked, "Then why do
you sin?" I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect." "Then why in times of peace do you stray the
furthest? Why only in times of trouble to do you pray in earnest?"
No answers. Only tears.
The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and
retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"
The tears continued to roll down my cheeks. "Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the good news? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer
My shoulder to cry on? Why make excuses when I give you opportunities to serve in My Name?"
I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give. "You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away.
I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do
not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears
were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your
eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all."
"Do you truly love me?" I could not answer. How could I?
I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What
could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."
The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."
I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do
You love me so?"
The Lord answered,
"Because you are My creation. You are my child.
I will never abandon you.
When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you.
When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you.
When you are down, I will encourage you.
When you fall, I will raise you up.
When you are tired, I will carry you.
I will be with you till the end of days, and I will
love you forever."
Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been
so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?
I asked God, "How much do You love me?"
The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior.
And for the first time, I truly prayed.
- Author Unknown -
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