Good Story

The Parable Of The Spoons (A Beautiful Story)


A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like. "The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand."

It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think only of themselves.

Katrina

Seems like Katrina has been a part of our thought pattern for such a long time. I tend to be a bit more attentive to the hurricane season now that my oldest son and his wife are in Florida.

Last night, Grandma came into our room to tell us about a story she saw on TV (she uses local programming since she doesn't have a Dish TV connection as we do). She said the reporter had interviewed a woman with a 5 day old baby in New Orleans, I believe. She had commented that she had used everything she could find for diapers and was running out. I never thought that deeply about the ramifications of this terrible situation.

First of all, I want to sing:

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee,
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art,
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art,
How great Thou art.

Understanding that EVERY knee will bow before Him someday is made just a little more poignant at this time.

I find myself thanking God, when I turn on my water, cook a meal, take a shower, get in bed, flush a comode, feel the air conditioner, make a phone call, send my husband to work, drive our car, feed our pet, watch TV, use the computer, turn on a light,water my plants, go to Wal Mart, get mail and go to church. I can't even think how it would be if I were a mother of small children and responsible for their needs, both emotional and physical. My heart goes out to those people in the devastated area.

On the other hand, I wonder if the people that have pushed and pushed to have Casinos all along the coast have realized that God is not pleased with this industry. And then I can't help but think about Mardi Gras. In my mind, New Orleans, second only to Las Vegas, is probably one of the most wicked cities in the United States. I say that with no statistics to back me up but the few times I have seen scenes from Mardi Gras it was grieving to my spirit. I think it is time that this nation realize that we can't continue down the road of sin that we are traveling and expect to have the providential protection of God on our whole countryside.

We live in a day when people leave God out of everything and look at you as if you are superstitious to say anything concerning things of this nature. How sad!

The trouble is, God's wrath will affect both the believer and the unbeliever. I'm sure we will hear story after story of good christian people who were protected and saw the hand of God in the whole thing. On the other hand, there will be stories of christians who just don't understand why and have deeply hurtful things happen as a result of these last few days. Thankfully, the christian can claim: Romans 8:28 "And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

In contrast, I don't know how a person would handle this sort of situation as an unbeliever. I will be praying that those that are saved will share the gospel with everyone they come in contact with.

Old Age

I'm sure this will be a "rambler". I can not get my thoughts together and organized about this subject.

I will soon be sixty years old. That sounds so old. I remember when my paternal grandmother was in her sixties. She was white headed and old.

I don't feel old in the middle! Do you understand what I mean. My body is looking old but really in the middle, in the "who I am", I am still a little girl, eternally young, with not a care.

I said this was going to be a rambler and so it will because as I type each sentence, more thoughts are stirred.

God blessed me with a good home. My parents were saved when I was four years old and I was able to observe their fresh faith at a crucial time in my life.

Within a year of salvation, my father surrendered to the ministry. I am so proud of how he trusted God and was not afraid of hard work when it was necessary to sustain his family when the churches he pastored could not afford to pay much.

My mother stuck by his side, playing the organ, going on visitation, raising five children, cooking EVERY meal, and enduring much hardship to keep the children clothed and clean.

I love them so much and remember all the good times and there were many.

Now they are nearing eighty and physically, the father that I knew, who was never still, is losing his abilities to contribute a lot of physical activity. I got a report from my sister who is now living with our parents, that he is depressed and always in pain.

I don't want to think about my parents as OLD. I remember when I was in the fifth grade. I was walking home from school one day and a block from my house I saw my dad standing out on the street beside our car, giving a whistle(which meant "Come to me immediately--no delay!!!") I had been walking with a new friend. We were playing and she was holding on to my arm. I said quickly, "Oh, that's my dad!! I HAVE to go right now!" She said "That's not your dad!!!! He's too young to be your dad!" I want to think of dad that way.

I want to remember the twinkle in his eye when he slipped in the back door on Christmas Eve with the bride doll I wanted so much and thought I had no hope of getting!

I want to remember my mother like she was when I was in high school, when she babysat for a little girl and fell in love with this child. She made her a little dress and gave her special attention. I loved that about my mother. She was always on the side of the most needy person.

I remember my senior year in high school when my brother's friend moved in with us. He probably wasn't invited but, as I said, my mother had a soft spot for a person in need. If ever there was one who was needy, that was one. She shared time, food, shelter and attention and made a difference in that life.

I remember her visit when I had my second child, the meals she cooked, the bath she drew for me. It was one of the only times in my life as an adult, that I felt I could relax and the person caring for me truly did it because she loved me! I have always had a problem feeling like I must work for whatever attention I get.

My parents are a very good example of God's grace and care. They have been faithful to Him in so many areas. Especially in giving, I have seen thier hearts.

I think that all our lives we have felt that we mattered to God because of what we did! How devastating in this day when abilities decrease and the cares of life are piled like mountains all around us. We MUST hold to God's words. "...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirimities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong." II Corinthians 12:9-10

Our hope lies here, that while our abilities and self worth decrease, perhaps we will find the peace, so lacking in a world of works by mere physical strength. Maybe we will be finally in a place of quietness that God can work on our hard hearts and speak in an intimate way to our souls. Oh God, we pray for that just now!!

Don't Give Up

Don't give up,
Though the way seems long,
Don't give up,
Though all goes wrong.

The God you served
For many a year,
Is there to comfort
And dry your tears.

Have not you said
Many times before,
"Your life is a vapor,"
So trust Him more.

The God you served,
Who in His grace,
Led you and fed you,
Is still in His place.

The pit may be deep,
The walls may be tall,
But there's still a Deliverer
Who lifts when you fall.

Oh taste and see,
That He is good,
His mercy is there,
Though not understood.

Oh, don't give up,
Though the battle's long,
The God that has led you,
Will still make you strong.

Don't look on yourself,
And say that you've failed.
It's the Potter's right,
To do as He wills.

Give it to Jesus
The fear and the doubt,
The Lord Who's been with you,
Can still bring you out.

poem written 7/20/93

Thankfulness

We should all be very thankful today. I have watched with anticipation, the coverage of Hurricane Katrina. I have a sister, brother-in-law, nieces and nephews in the Mobile area. My prayers are for them today.

Yesterday was a difficult day on the bus though rewarding in retrospect. Bus 5 had 26. We were not the number one bus but we always have next week. Now that I think of it, next week will be Labor Day so it will probably be a low day. God will give the increase. We have learned to go out and be faithful to our part and give God the glory for whatever He gives us.

Caleb was back yesterday. He had a rough beginning but I was able to give a little moral support.

Our bus was early which is unusual so I went around to classes to make sure that there was adequate supervision in place before leaving them. I found the 4th grade boys without a teacher yet. Caleb was there with two other boys. I knew better than to leave that alone. I just stayed and talked to the boys until the teacher got there. I was able to give Caleb a motherly hug and ask him to please be good today. He said "I'll try." I told him that was enough.

Obviously, everything went well because I heard nothing from either teacher. In fact, I almost forgot he was on the bus in the afternoon. Then I realized that it was because of the two Snicker bars I was holding for prizes. When he got off the bus he asked if he had been good enough for the prize. I hugged him again and told him that I had noticed how good he was this afternoon but if he wanted a prize, he needed to be good when he got on the bus too. He didn't argue at all. He just said ok. That is a milestone. He usually gets off the bus and makes suggestive finger gestures to the rest of the bus kids as we pull away.

Oh yes, Saturday, when I was visiting, I stopped at his house. He and his sisters and brother were all out in the yard with several friends. I passed out bubble gum and talked to them all a while, inviting them all to church. At one point, Caleb accidentally dropped the scooter he had in his hand. It landed very close to my foot. He said "Oh, I'm, sorry!" I hugged him and thanked him for being so nice.
Who knows what the Lord will do with that little one.

Now for an update on the teens that were going visiting with me Saturday. I got a call from Erica on Friday. She said that she and Megan were in cross-country track and that they were going to have some sort of training on Saturday and their coach had said it was imperative for them to be there. She was very apologetic and assured me they would be there Sunday.

Sunday morning, I got a call from Erica to tell me she was at Megan's house and that they were going. Fifteen minutes later, I got another call from Megan's house. Megan's mother had something planned and they could not go.

Do you see the evident signs of demonic oppression? Maybe that is a little strong but this one thing I know, there is a real battle for the lives of those kids and Satan does not want them to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit!!!

We've got to put on the WHOLE armor of God!!!

Encouragement

Today I had the privilege of going with my husband to work. He is a piano tuner and since the children are all out of the house now, occasionally, I will go with him.

I get to meet some very interesting people. Today I met a young lady who encouraged me in ways she will never know. Isn't God good to send encouragement when we need it the most.

She began to tell me of her conversion. It was evident in her facial expressions that this was the most important thing that ever happened to her.

I can not remember what she told me got her started thinking about her soul condition but basically it was through Christian radio that she heard the gospel. She attended a conference of some kind where they gave an altar call. She had never had any experience with that but immediately knew this was what she needed. She went forward that night and gave her life to Christ.

She excitedly went home and told her unbelieving husband that the Bible was true. She was able to lead her mother-in-law, her mother and father to the Lord. Her husband also gave his life to the Lord 2 years later.

It was such an exciting story because, having grown up in church it is hard to believe that anyone could be saved apart from the working of a local congregation. I really think that God was trying to teach me something here. I think that He made it plain that salvation was HIS work and His work alone. It is only my pleasure to be a part of His plan.

In the past few years, I have won several people to the Lord but have yet to see any progress in their Chrisitan life. I have questioned if their conversion was real, and yet I am faced with the fact that to approach them with that is to possibly put a question in their mind that need not be there. After all, I told them that they only had to call on the Lord ONE time and it was He that did the work, not them. It was not according to their feelings but according to the work of the Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saved. I do believe that, but discouragement sets in when you see, supposed christians, still living the life they lived with no change. And then there is the one that really took to the christian life but is now back to the old life. It is very confusing.

But God showed me truth today. 2Co 5:17 (KJV) "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." I am afraid that I can no longer give people a false sense of security. That is too dangerous.
Php 2:12 (KJV) "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." After thinking about this situation, I think I should add this to my personal witnessing and warn those that accept that they need to make sure of their decision. Some have been afraid of this verse because it looks like it may teach works for salvation. That is not at all what I believe. I think it was a warning that as a christian, you need to be reading your bible and applying scripture to your life in order to make sure that your heart is right. A new creature will produce different works from an old sinner.

This is such a confusing study. There is much more to be said about this. I welcome any comments.

Martha, Martha

I rarely have my TV on in the mornings. Personally, I hate the intrusion BUT it was a little stormy looking and my husband wanted to see the forecast before he left for work. My smile came when I saw an advertisement by Martha Stewart! She is my kind of girl, not that I am very crafty nor do I feel I am the ultimate homemaker, but the character trait that she has, to make the best out of everything, is the one I admire. There she was advertising her new program beginning in September. You saw a picture of her boarding the plane in the famous crocheted afghan, and I believe there was her mugshot. Then you saw the queen herself with a big smile. I think she said "I learned a lot during my incarceration...microwave cooking. Do you know you can make a great Creme Broule in the microwave?"

For those of you that are dying to get that recipe, don't wait for it. That is the only fancy dish I could think of and I can't remember what dish she did say but you get the picture. There she was, as big as life, thumbing her nose at her accusers, saying, "You didn't get me down. I learned even under the worst of circumstances."

I think that is a key to bad circumstances but even in saying that I realize that as a christian sometimes it is harder than that. It is hard to let go of ALL your struggling and let God do what He wants to do in your life.

Herein lies one of my hardest problems---self!! In my own strength, forged by parents that demanded a high moral and spiritual standard, I could work through most any hard circumstance. But is it always right to do?

I am beginning to see that God sees the heart and He knows if you are just working hard in the flesh with the wrong motive. I want to love God with all my heart. Again I ask, how do I do that?????

Bus Business

Bus 5 had 33 today with 3 first time visitors. It was a special day because Cheyenne, who got saved last Sunday, came with her permission slip signed and was baptized this morning. She is in the sixth grade.

The thing that impressed me is that she came alone. Perhaps that doesn't sound like a "biggie" to you BUT, I spent over an hour talking with several young teens who have each ridden our bus for 4-5 years. The are losing interest and don't want to come unless their friends come.

I did a lot of talking to two girls on Saturday. Jessicia is very mature for her 14 years. She has had quite a bit of responsibility and has come very regularly and brought her little sister for the past three years. She was the one that was listening intently. Erica was staring off into space and not acting like she heard me too much.

I tried to explain to the girls how that someday they would stand before God and would, at that time, be so ashamed if they had just taken advantage of His grace and yet put nothing into the relationship that God challenged them to build.

This morning I received a call at 6:55 from Erica. She had spent the night with Megan and they wanted to go to church. They had invited another friend over and she was going to come also.

Not only that, the girls told me they would like to go with me on visitation because they have a lot of friends they would like to get on the bus.

My heart soared like a kite!!! My prayer is that I can disciple these girls. I want them to be able to apply bible truths to their life. I want to see them yield their lives to Him.

Kyle is another teen who has begun to lose interest because his cousin doesn't go all the time. He doesn't want to come alone.

I can't wait to see how the Lord works in these lives.

Oh yes, last week, I had to go into Donald's apartment, where teenage cousins were sleeping in the living room floor. We hunted and hunted, finally locating two DIFFERENT shoes. He came anyway!!!!

Then today, Jared and Shawna got on the bus. It wasn't long before they changed seats and Jared ended up sitting with me. I happened to notice that his pants were not snapped so I tried to offer assistance to help him. I saw that he was a little reluctant. When he stood, I realized that these pants were not going to snap no matter what I did. So, he just left them unsnapped.....and he came anyway!!! By the way, Jared is in the first grade.

Thank you Lord for all these blessings.

Caleb

Maybe I shouldn't use the real name. But I need to remember my thoughts on this child.

Sunday, Caleb rode the bus.

If I were to describe him, I suppose I would say that he is a child scarred by the sin of those in charge of his upbringing.

You are not to be surprised at anything that comes out of the mouth of this child. Sometimes it is hurtful. Most of the time it is suggestive.

He is completely out of control. He does what he wants and says what he wants.

And yet, God allowed me, quite accidentally to look inside a hurt little boy.

It happened a few weeks ago when I called his home to see if any of the four children were riding the bus the next morning. Caleb answered but being a pre-adolescent and not having the benefit of voice changes, I mistook him for his sister. I had already mentioned something that had been said to me about his sister which indicated that she was sweet. I can not remember exactly the quote but I was stunned when I realized my mistake and he asked, in a shocked voice, "REALLY!!!!"

It was just one word, but it said so much. It cried out to me, "PLEASE! WILL JUST ONE PERSON IN THIS WORLD LOVE ME!"

The last time he rode, he was so unruly that I, as his bus captain, was called to take him out of the Sunday School class. I chose to take him to the balcony of "big church". He did amazingly well. He was very curious about everything in there and everything that was happening. I quietly explained things to him. He was like a little sponge.

I'm really sorry that I forgot about that and didn't pursue him a little stronger after that incident. I will do better this time.

This time, I had started to class when I met another bus worker who explained that Caleb was giving them trouble again. I started toward his class and found an adult male Sunday School worker giving him a real tongue lashing. I am sure he deserved every word.

I stepped in and told the worker that I would take care of the situation to which he gladly relinquished all connection. Caleb said, "Oh, Hi, Mrs. C......! Are you going to take me to big church now?" At that moment, I realized that he thought this was what it would take to get him some special attention. I said, "Oh, no, Caleb. We have to go to class. " I took him gently by the hand.(I emphasize "gently" because that is one thing I have learned. I must pray to be gentle with these children that need attention so badly.) We went back to class and I sat down with him at the back of the room. The teacher explained that he was welcome to stay if he would behave. He agreed.

Moments later, as the teacher explained that Saul of Tarsus had been such a feared man in persecuting christians and yet God chose him for His service. I couldn't help but be touched that God could take a little guy like Caleb and use him in His service also. I raised my hand. The teacher acknowledged me and I asked, "Mr. B...., do you mean that even when everyone thinks you are bad, God can still use you?" He took it from there and explained very skillfully how a child must submit to God. I felt a tap on my arm and turned to see black, mischevious eyes and a cute grin. "Mrs. C...... Did you mean me?" "I meant ANYONE, Caleb."