The Dart Test

                                                        

The Dart Test

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class, given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his elaborate object lessons. One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even drawing pimples on the face.

Sally was pleased with the overall effect she had achieved. The class lined up and began throwing darts. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the students to return to their seats. As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target from the wall.

Underneath the Target was a picture of Jesus. A hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced. Dr. Smith said only these words...

"In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." Matthew 25:40. No other words were necessary; the tear-filled eyes of the students focused only on the picture of Christ.

We pray today for the victims of violence and war. We ask your healing, O Lord, for those who have been wounded in body, hurt emotionally, and broken spiritually. For the refugees who have been forced out of their homes because of war and destruction, we ask your protection and guidance. Amen

Shalom

Question: What Happens After We Die on Earth?

                         QUESTION: WHAT HAPPENS                                                  

AFTER WE DIE ON EARTH?

George Barna is founder and president of the Barna Research Group, a marketing research firm in Ventura California. He has been named among the most influential Christian leaders in the nation.

I found this story in one of his books. (He is a best selling author of more than 30 books).

THE STORY IS TOLD of an encounter with the devil. Satan entered the home of a man, sat down on his couch, leaned forward with a big smile, and made his pitch.

"I'd like you to sell me your soul."

The man's eyes narrowed as he sized up the devil. "What are you prepared to offer?"

Still smiling, the evil one replied, "In exchange for your soul, I'll give you all the money you could ever want plus fame, power, and respect."

The man sat back in his chair and pondered the offer for several minutes. Finally he muttered out loud, "Hmmm, there must be a catch."

I make bold to speak like this, but that man, along with millions of Americans, and most Christians today truly has no clue. The exchange summarizes the relative unimportance many people attach to their spiritual essence. Millions do not understand the existence and workings of evil, grace, salvation, the soul, Heaven, and Hell. Displaying typical American optimism, we assume that if we mean well and try hard, everything will work out for the best. Barna says, “our national surveys consistently identify a paradox. On the one hand, most people have not confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. On the other hand, more than nine out of ten adults believe that when they die they will experience eternal life. Of course, this is a contradiction only if you possess a biblical worldview. Otherwise, that pair of perspectives seem to fit together as naturally as eggs and bacon.”

Scripture asserts that your soul is the most important aspect of your existence because it is eternal and its vitality is directly related to your experience with God.

(See Matt. 16:26)

You engage in thinking, speaking, and behaving through your physical being, but the final effect is experienced by your soul. Therefore, how you express interest in and commitment to loving and obeying God will determine your soul’s ultimate outcome. (See Proverbs 24:12, Matt.10:28, Isaiah55:3).

After you die, your soul will continue to exist in the eternal state. What can you do to prepare your soul for a positive eternal experience?

I again remind you: fervent study and religious discussion honors God.

                                                                                                                         Al

Christmas Thoughts

          

 I wish you from the bottom of my heart a New Year filled with kindliest benedictions

Al Thiery

HERE ARE A FEW QUOTES FOR 

 “SPIRITUAL THINKERS”

Such is our dependence upon God that we are obliged not only to do everything for His sake, but also to seek from Him the very power. This happy necessity of having recourse to Him in all our wants, instead of being grievous to us, should be our greatest consolation. What a happiness is it that we are allowed to speak to Him with confidence; to open our hearts and hold familiar conversation with him, by prayer! He Himself invites us to it.

                                                                                                                     ... François Fénelon

Two thousand years of failure have not taught some reformers that you can't stop sin by declaring it illegal. Two thousand years have not taught them that you can't save a man's soul by force -- you can only lose your own in the attempt. Drunkenness and gambling and secularism and lechery -- various hopeful churchmen have earnestly tried to outlaw them all; and what is the result? A drunken nation, a gambling nation, a secularist nation, an adulterous nation. And, often, a ruined Church. ...                                                               Joy Davidman,

We find not in the Gospel, that Christ hath anywhere provided for the uniformity of churches, but only for their unity.                                                                                  ... Roger Williams

I have a capacity in my soul for taking in God entirely. I am as sure as I live that nothing is so near to me as God. God is nearer to me than I am to myself; my existence depends on the nearness and the presence of God.                                                                 ... Meister Eckhart

There is much that is bad and meaningless in the universe, and the universe contains men who know that much is bad and meaningless. The Christian answer is that this is a good world gone wrong, but with a memory of what it should have been.       ... Kathryn Lindskoog

Heaven will be the perfection we've always longed for. All the things that made Earth unlovely and tragic will be absent in heaven.                                                      -Billy Graham

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through!

Advent Ark 2

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will        come.”              (Mt. 24:36-39, 42)   

My Dear Friends,

   I do hope that you found the “Advent Ark” series thought provoking. Christ Jesus will be coming again! We are to be ready.

   Now few things in this earthly life are absolutely certain. But one thing for certain and undebatable is death. Every man, even the atheist will admit this. Death, however is not the very last event in this life ours. If we have honestly done our best and follow the commandments of God, we shall be rewarded with a perfect life of heaven. If, however, we have disregarded God's loving directions and refuse to make use of His generous help, we shall be condemned to hell. We want to live each day as we would want to live the last day of our life. Too many have died suddenly and unprepared. "The Son of Man will come at that hour when He is not expected."

   How many have deceived themselves into thinking that they still had plenty of time. And they were snatched unexpectedly from this life. Death, with all its uncertainties, is the fact. 

   How sad to see so many young people looking only to the joys and satisfactions of this world. But perhaps we remember when our thinking was at one time like theirs “why think about heaven or hell, when death is still so far off?” Now being older and hopefully wiser worldlings, we know how brief and even disappointing some of life’s pleasures can be. The one who lives only for what this life can offer is due to face great disappointment.

   It is possible for the prayerful person to gain some heavenly liberty from this earthly life while still in it. (Jn.17:15-16) But believe this….this liberty cannot be understood by the worldly person.

   We think straight on so many things, but when it comes to thinking about eternity, our thinking slows down or stops altogether. God does not forbid us the enjoyments of earthly life, as long as we use them intelligently and rightly; keeping in mind that God asks us to prepare ourselves for eternity. “Keep building your ark” by a life of goodness and wisdom on earth.                                                                                                     Al T.

   Let us pray: My God, in You I place all my hopes and desires. To You, I offer all my sorrows, trials, and disappointments. Let me never treasurer what can take me away from You; nor desire anything which can keep me from doing Your holy will. No one, nor any created things can take Your place in my life. Stay with me and teach me how to live my life in union with You. Enlighten me, strengthen me, and correct me, so that I may seek You  first in love… You above all else… Amen

                                                            

Our Advent Ark