Thursday, March 25, 2010

Is Our Testimony Worth More Than A Quarter


Several years ago, a preacher accepted a call to a church in Houston,Texas .
Some weeks after he arrived, he rode the bus to the downtown area.
When he sat down, he discovered that the driver
had given him a quarter too much change.
As he considered what to do, he thought to himself,
You'd better give the quarter back.
It would be wrong to keep it.
Then he thought, Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter.
Who would worry about this little amount?
Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it.
Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.
It all balances out anyway,
because many times I'm shorted on change given back to me.

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door,
and then he handed the quarter to the driver
and said, 'Here,you gave me too much change.''

The driver, with a smile, replied,
'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'
'Yes' he replied.

Well, I have been thinking about going somewhere to worship.
I wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change.
I'll see you at church on Sunday.

When the preacher stepped off of the bus,
he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on,
and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read.
This is a real example of how much people watch us as Christians
and will put us to the test!
May we always be on guard,
and remember that we represent Jesus to the world we live in.

May we watch our thoughts - they become words.
May we watch our words - they become actions.
May we watch our actions - they become habits..
May we watch our habits - they become character.
May we watch our character - it effects others.


A friend forwarded this to me.

Living the Call Together - - - - - - - - - - All for the Glory of God

Thursday, March 18, 2010

So... Your Not Going To Pray or Read My Word


"I had a personal shipwreck in 1984 up in Alaska...
That morning before I left for work... I was frustrated with being a Christian...
my life was horrible it was nothing like the name it and claim it faith...
it was the exact opposite... my family was in ruins and I was working, but broke...
after reading and praying every single chance since 1977...
I couldn't bear it any more...
couldn't be strong or faithful... bla bla bla...
so I cursed God and threw my bible in the garbage can...
saying as I walked out the door for work...
I was "never" gonna read His word again
and was never gonna pray again "ever"...

Long story... short, I was knocked overboard off a barge that day...
fully dressed in boots, arctic coveralls pants, long johns coat and gloves...
I sunk like a stone went down so deep my ears almost burst...
I started praying God save me...
I heard a voice say...
"so your not gonna pray no more...
your not gonna read My word no more?"
I couldn't repent fast enough, all I could do is say I'm sorry I didn't mean it...
please help me...
When I finally reached the surface, I knew I was screwed...
The water was freezing and I couldn't get my boots off.
I was so tired of treading water... but it was sink or swim...
God help me I prayed with every stroke...
When I finally made it to the side of the barge there was nothing to hang onto...
so I floated down it's side and then I saw the tug boat churning powerfully against the current...
I realized I was gonna get ground up inside it's propellers ...
I was ready to die a horrible death worse than drowning...
all of a sudden my glove was caught on a little bur of metal
that was sticking out on the wall of the barge...
it was the cotton of my glove that got snagged and held...
I was totally at the end of my strength exhausted and frozen...
but ooooh so grateful... it took six men to pull me up to the deck of the barge.
I just collapsed there.

When I got home, I dug my bible out of the trash can
and asked God to show me something...
I opened up to Psalms 34... in the old living bible...
and read... "the Lord is near to all who's hearts are breaking...
He rescues those who are sorry for their sins... the good man has his troubles...
but the Lord saves him... He even protects him from calamity and accidents"...

I have been sailing with Him ever since."
(Dan Tindal - State of Washington)

Thank you Dan for sharing your testimony with us.
You can learn more, on what the Lord has been doing with Dan since that day by becoming a fan of FaceBook "City Church" page.

He is now giving his life to pulling others onto the deck of the Lord's ship.


You are a blessing, brother... finish strong for Him.

Think Again


We think: "It's impossible" - God says: All things are possible.
(Luke 18:27)

We think: "I'm too tired" - God says: I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28-30)

We think: "Nobody really loves me" - God says: I love you.
(John 2: 16 & John 13:34)

We think: "I can't go on" - God says: My Grace is sufficient.
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

We think: "I can't figure things out" - God says: I will direct your steps.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

We think: "I can't do it" - God says: You can do all things.
(Phillipians 4:13)

We think: "I'm not able" - God says: I am able.
(II Corinthians 9:8)

We think: "It's not worth it" - God says: It will be worth it.
(Romans 8:28)

We think: "I can't forgive myself" - God says: I forgive you.
(I John 1:9)

We think: "I can't manage" - God says: I will supply all your needs.
(Phil 4:19)

We think: "I'm afraid" - God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear.
(II Tim 1:7)

We think: "I'm always worried" - God says: Cast all your cares on me.
(I Peter 5:7)

We think: "I don't have enough faith" - God says: I've given faith.
(Romans 12:3)

We think: "I'm not smart enough" - God says: I give you wisdom.
(I Corinthians 1:30)

We think: "I feel all alone" - God says: I will never forsake you.
(Hebrews 13:5)

Thank you Erlend Hovdhaugen