Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Inside matters
As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messyand that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actuallytake delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making boldX's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to revieweach child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However,when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with aready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around. .'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, wellliked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but h is father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed ofherself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmaspresents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except forTeddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paperthat he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it inthe middle of the other presents. Some of the children started tolaugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and,despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and shewas still the best teacher he ever had in life.Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that whilethings had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honours.He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favouriteteacher he had ever had in his whole life.Then four more years passed and yet another letter cam e. This time heexplained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go alittle further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer...The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letterthat spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to bemarried. He explained that his father had died a couple of years agoand he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at thewedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of thegroom. Of cou rse, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his motherwearing on their last Christmas together.They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said,'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodistin Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to revieweach child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However,when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with aready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around. .'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, wellliked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but h is father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.'
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed ofherself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmaspresents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except forTeddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paperthat he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it inthe middle of the other presents. Some of the children started tolaugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.'After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year,Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and,despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..'A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and shewas still the best teacher he ever had in life.Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that whilethings had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honours.He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favouriteteacher he had ever had in his whole life.Then four more years passed and yet another letter cam e. This time heexplained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go alittle further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer...The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letterthat spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to bemarried. He explained that his father had died a couple of years agoand he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at thewedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of thegroom. Of cou rse, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his motherwearing on their last Christmas together.They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.'Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said,'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.'
(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodistin Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
YES pre-service prayer!
YES 5 – “Yes and Amen”!
More than an event...
More than a service...
More than a programme...
YES is an expression of our agreement with heaven, that none shall perish but all to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
YES is an outworking of our faith that Jesus is the Saviour of all, and we can’t keep the good news to ourselves!
Most of all, YES is a response of love – from God, through us, to the world!
So pray and encourage each other to bring your friends who need to hear and experience the love of Jesus.
This Saturday,
Party starts at 5pm @ The Plaza
Service starts at 6pm in the Auditorium.
Worship, Music, Drama, Food and Games...
With Guest Speaker – Pastor Gary Koh
Pre-service prayer at Blk 40A Room 1. Let’s come and PRAY!
More than an event...
More than a service...
More than a programme...
YES is an expression of our agreement with heaven, that none shall perish but all to have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
YES is an outworking of our faith that Jesus is the Saviour of all, and we can’t keep the good news to ourselves!
Most of all, YES is a response of love – from God, through us, to the world!
So pray and encourage each other to bring your friends who need to hear and experience the love of Jesus.
This Saturday,
Party starts at 5pm @ The Plaza
Service starts at 6pm in the Auditorium.
Worship, Music, Drama, Food and Games...
With Guest Speaker – Pastor Gary Koh
Pre-service prayer at Blk 40A Room 1. Let’s come and PRAY!
Monday, July 21, 2008
cell debrief 180708
hey cell,
we talked about Holy Spirit being a Person. Holy Spirit being a person, means that we can communicate and grow in intimacy with Him. And the more we are intimate with Him, the more we are abe to tap on our spiritual gifts which He has given to us!
hope everyone enjoy the Worship and ministry time! remember to journal down what Dad has told you and continue to process it =)
love,
kev
we talked about Holy Spirit being a Person. Holy Spirit being a person, means that we can communicate and grow in intimacy with Him. And the more we are intimate with Him, the more we are abe to tap on our spiritual gifts which He has given to us!
hope everyone enjoy the Worship and ministry time! remember to journal down what Dad has told you and continue to process it =)
love,
kev
marathon anyone?
anyone interested in standard chartered marathon?
for more info:
http://www.singaporemarathon.com/en/faqs/?sec=199&ssec=808
kev =)
for more info:
http://www.singaporemarathon.com/en/faqs/?sec=199&ssec=808
kev =)
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Yet another reason to YADAH!
After youth service yesterday, I started thinking about our Father's definition of beauty and whether I would define it the same way as Him. Just want to share with whoever that is reading this- my conversation with Him...it may seem silly, but it is really something from my heart..:P
me: God, what do You consider as beautiful? Could You show me a verse that shows what we must have or do to be beautiful?
G: My love for you is sufficient and it is more than enough to cover the whole universe.
me: Wow..I just can't imagine how someone can love each and everyone of us this much..ehh..my question is still not answered?
G: Aurelia, you do not have to do anything at all...for Me to consider you as beautiful! See Psalms 139
me: :) ok...(then I read Psalms 139:13 and although I have read this verse countless of times, a new revelation dawned upon me - that it is not enough to stop complaining about how ugly I feel, but that I should praise God instead for how He has created me to be!)
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I PRAISE you, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
I realized that He has already made us to be beautiful, and that we should not only stop comparing and complaining (secretly or not) and start PRAISING Him!
Checked out http://scripturetext.com/psalms/139-14.htm and the root word of 'praise' in this verse is YADAH.
YADAH - يدا Definition: Yadah is a verb with a root meaning, "the extended hand, to throw out the hand, therefore to worship with extended hand.
Thank You God, for this is yet another reason to YADAH, for Your wonderful works in each of our lives!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
interesting quotes
dear cell, these are some interesting quotes i've gotten from my email devotional =)
1. Be Fishers of Men.... You catch 'em, He'll Clean 'em.
2. A family altar can alter a family.
3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
4. Don't put a question mark where God put a full stop.
5. Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
6. Exercise daily... Walk with the Lord!
7. Forbidden fruits create many jams.
8. Give God what's right, not what's left!
9. Give satan an inch and he'll be a ruler.
10. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
11. God grades on the cross, not the curve.
12. God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit"
over "religious nuts"!
13. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
14. Having truth decay? Brush up on your Bible!
15. He who angers you, controls you!
16. He who is good at making excuses, is seldom good for
anything else.
17. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone!
18. Kindness is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
19. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory capacity.
20. Never give the devil a ride! He will always want to drive!
21. Nothing ruins the truth like stretching it.
22. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
23. "Pray" is a four-letter word that you can say anywhere.
24. Prayer - Don't give God instructions - just report for duty!
25. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of
God will not protect you.
26. This Church is "Prayer Conditioned"!
27. To be almost saved is to be totally lost.
28. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning!
29. Watch your step carefully! Everyone else does!
30. We don't change the message, the message changes us.
31. Wisdom has two parts: 1) Having a lot to say. 2) Not saying it.
32. Worry is the darkroom in which "negatives" are developed
33. The work will wait while you look at the rainbow, but the
rainbow won't wait while you do the work.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Your Pizza IS Coming!
Here's something I came across today while surfing the net. The actual article can be found here . Read, have a good laugh and be encouraged!
Pizza My Heart
Written by: Bill Johnson
I often go down to the local pizza parlor and order pizza. The pizzas in this particular place are so expensive that I can"t afford them. Thankfully, a very wealthy man gave me his credit card to use whenever I want. He simply said, "Just use my card; you can have any pizza you want at any time."
On this particular day, I walk up to the counter and order a pizza. I am given a little plastic sign that has a number on it.
Then I am told as usual, "Go put this on your table. Your order is number fifty-nine. It means that when pizza number 59 is ready, it's your pizza." They always give me number 59; nowadays it almost feels like I own it myself!
After I've been given the number, they give me a receipt; I sign my benefactor"s name on it and start walking back to my table. I am hungry enough I could eat the sign, but I know my pizza is coming soon. You see, the little number is "the substance of things hoped for." 1
As I"m still walking, I hear a man snicker and say, "You're not really getting a pizza." I look straight at the tall, lanky man. His eyes are flitting back and forth nervously. Then I say confidently, "Look at this number, number 59. It represents my pizza. When it"s delivered, it's coming to my table."
Well, I've been noticing over time that there haven't been too many people in this restaurant ordering pizza. I don"t know why. It's my favorite place and has an atmosphere like none other! There"s something so majestic in this place that I can't help going back.
Finally, some of my friends have been starting to come in, but mostly to rescue me from the illusion that I was actually going to be eating a pizza. The first one came a few years ago. He sat down, his glasses and countenance clearly distinguishing his high level of theological education. He and his family thought I just hadn't been educated enough on the subject of "ordering pizzas" (as if it were really complicated).
"Bill," he said, "there aren't any pizzas anymore. They weren"t made anymore after the last apostle in the Bible died. It"s really vain for you to think you could actually have a pizza! So, my family and I have come because of our burden for you and your well-being. We don't want you to live with the illusion that you could actually eat a pizza."
I said, "It's too late! My family's been ordering pizzas for years. I've come from a long line of pizza-eaters! I mean, my grandfather sat in the same pizza parlor as Wigglesworth, one of the greatest pizza-eaters in history! I haven't had too many pizzas myself, but I"ve ordered and I know they are real. I"ve tasted some of the most exquisite kinds and I can't go back."
He became so upset that he said matter-of-factly, "Well, those are counterfeit pizzas. There's no such thing as true pizzas today! So if you think you've eaten pizzas, they are counterfeit pizzas!" At that point, he wouldn't even listen to me, so he and his family left.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been the only one who's wanted to pay me an unfriendly visit when I've been at the pizza parlor. In fact, after quite a few had come, something strange started to happen. The more I listened to people, even though I didn't believe what they were saying, the number 59 just started to disappear! Once I thought I had completely lost it behind the salt-shaker. I couldn"t even see it anymore. I had to come to my senses, find it, and put it in front of me again because I had almost lost my own number!
Sometimes I would just get confused after hearing so many negative words. Then I would sit there and stare at number 59 and remind myself, "This is the substance of things hoped for. The pizza is coming!"
"Why" I'd think to myself, "because I've got number 59." I'd bring out my receipts and start looking at them. Genesis through Revelation"it"s just filled with receipts! I'd go over all the different types, simply trying to meditate on them in order to encourage my faith.
One man who troubled me the most, barely knew me, but he definitely wanted to have his say. He seemed to carry a pompous and angry attitude when he came in.
He asked bluntly, "Who do you think you are ordering pizza? You can't afford these pizzas!"
I calmly brought out the receipt and said, "I didn't use my card. Somebody else bought this for me. Look. It says "Bill Gates" there. He's offered to buy them. It's his resources, not mine. It isn't based on who I am; it's based on that little name there "Bill Gates. He bought this pizza."
Frustrated, he asked, "Who do you think you are just using his name"?
"Well, he told me I could. He said I could do that," I responded innocently. Thankfully he walked out, but he was huffing and puffing the whole way. It really shook me up for a while. I started to wonder, "Well goodness, who do I think I am"? Then I realized I'm a buddy of Bill. I've got the same name!
Another memory that stands out at the parlor was with a well-meaning person. When I looked into his eyes, I knew he was trying to be gentle and thoughtful for my benefit. He had always been a caring friend.
"Now, Bill . . . ," he said. "We just don't want you to get your hopes up. We know that you've ordered pepperoni, but the Chef knows best and he just might give you anchovies. This restaurant should be called "Russian Roulette." You never know. You may get it, or you may not."
I thought to myself, "I don't know about you, but anchovies don"t belong on a pizza. If you like it that way, then I'm sure He'll get it to you that way." I was so disturbed for a moment that I lost sight of my number again and then started to wander on the road of disbelief thinking, "Maybe my friend is right . . . ."
It finally began to dawn on me why there weren't many people in this restaurant. I hadn't known it was such an ordeal to order a pizza! The war that was surrounding me was dramatic. And it was for simply an order! Then I started to remember, "If you abide in Me and I abide in you, you may ask for whatever pizza you desire and it will be given to you." 2 It wasn't until that receipt came to mind that I began to have the presence of mind to make it through the battle that was going on inside.
I kept on meditating on number 59 and look over other receipts, "By His stripes you are healed." 3 "Oh, that's good!" I thought. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the pizza that you desire." 4 "Oh, what a receipt!" "Taste and see!"5 "Wow! The Chef really knows what He"s talking about!" I began to bring these particular receipts to memory, became tremendously encouraged, and was somehow able to silence the unbelieving thoughts. As often as I would quote receipts in my mind, the number on the table became clearer, and people"s negative voices were not quite as loud.
Finally, I was calm enough again so that I began to anticipate and then drool as I waited for my pizza.
More recently a narrow-minded person came in and said, "Did you know that pizzas weren"t meant for this country? This particular restaurant is a chain and they sell well in Brazil and in Africa. But pizzas really weren"t meant for an educated culture. Pizzas are necessary for third-world countries where they don"t have as high an education as we do."
I laughed and thought, "Man, where do I trade in my education? I want pizza. If education equipped me not to get a pizza, what am I going to do with it"?
Just this last year, I struggled with helping a good friend understand why I was there at the parlor again, ordering pizza.
He had told me, "Bill, I don"t want to discourage you." (That is always a sign that what someone is going to say is going to be discouraging!)
"I don"t want to discourage you, but just two weeks ago my aunt ordered a pizza and she never got it. Our whole family was here together when she ordered it. We watched the order go through. We just became so hurt that we left the restaurant, threw the number in the trash and then left the building entirely."
I didn"t know how to tell him that just because his pizza didn"t come through, he shouldn"t have given up ordering. I had tasted this one-of-a-kind, delicious pizza and I knew I would again. Discouragement wouldn"t make me give up!
Back to this particular day, I"ve become so excited because the restaurant is getting packed!
I ask the people in the next booth, "Hey, what number are you"?
"I"m sixty-one."
"Oh yeah? Yours is coming up!"
"Who signed your receipt"? some ask me.
"The same one as yours," I always say. I encourage them and say, "Cool. You should have that one in no time."
As I go back now, every day, I notice that there are actually more pizzas than there are numbers on the table, and not an anchovy to be seen (except for those who like them)! There used to be football fields between tables; now people are sitting right next to each other. It"s so fun to look around the restaurant and see people not just waiting for pizza, but also see all the people who have already gotten them! Sometimes I sit there without my pizza, but somebody next to me always offers me some of theirs.
I look across the aisle and think, "Oh! I can hardly wait ?¥til mine comes. Look at that thing! There"s more cheese and pepperoni on that than should be legal! I"m about to have an amazing experience!" I get encouraged by listening to the stories of how they got their pizzas, and I treasure those moments because they are a testimony that prophesies what I"m waiting for.
I think again, "Man. It"s going to be sweet when mine comes!"
One of the greatest privileges of my life was to sit and wait for pizza alone, when the culture around me had reason to do otherwise. I will never trade my experiences at the pizza parlor, but let me tell you, it"s getting even better! Faith is material; it is concrete. We cannot bypass it if we want the kingdom of heaven here on earth. It is the only way to open the floodgates of heaven and create a descending and ascending portal that allows Jesus" nature to become our own. If I get to stand in faith with another"it is an honor; if I have to stand by myself"still, it is an honor. Faith is a privilege I dare not live without.
Let us join in the opportunity to eat all that we can in the pizza parlor of His goodness!
*****************************************************************
Pizza My Heart
Written by: Bill Johnson
I often go down to the local pizza parlor and order pizza. The pizzas in this particular place are so expensive that I can"t afford them. Thankfully, a very wealthy man gave me his credit card to use whenever I want. He simply said, "Just use my card; you can have any pizza you want at any time."
On this particular day, I walk up to the counter and order a pizza. I am given a little plastic sign that has a number on it.
Then I am told as usual, "Go put this on your table. Your order is number fifty-nine. It means that when pizza number 59 is ready, it's your pizza." They always give me number 59; nowadays it almost feels like I own it myself!
After I've been given the number, they give me a receipt; I sign my benefactor"s name on it and start walking back to my table. I am hungry enough I could eat the sign, but I know my pizza is coming soon. You see, the little number is "the substance of things hoped for." 1
As I"m still walking, I hear a man snicker and say, "You're not really getting a pizza." I look straight at the tall, lanky man. His eyes are flitting back and forth nervously. Then I say confidently, "Look at this number, number 59. It represents my pizza. When it"s delivered, it's coming to my table."
Well, I've been noticing over time that there haven't been too many people in this restaurant ordering pizza. I don"t know why. It's my favorite place and has an atmosphere like none other! There"s something so majestic in this place that I can't help going back.
Finally, some of my friends have been starting to come in, but mostly to rescue me from the illusion that I was actually going to be eating a pizza. The first one came a few years ago. He sat down, his glasses and countenance clearly distinguishing his high level of theological education. He and his family thought I just hadn't been educated enough on the subject of "ordering pizzas" (as if it were really complicated).
"Bill," he said, "there aren't any pizzas anymore. They weren"t made anymore after the last apostle in the Bible died. It"s really vain for you to think you could actually have a pizza! So, my family and I have come because of our burden for you and your well-being. We don't want you to live with the illusion that you could actually eat a pizza."
I said, "It's too late! My family's been ordering pizzas for years. I've come from a long line of pizza-eaters! I mean, my grandfather sat in the same pizza parlor as Wigglesworth, one of the greatest pizza-eaters in history! I haven't had too many pizzas myself, but I"ve ordered and I know they are real. I"ve tasted some of the most exquisite kinds and I can't go back."
He became so upset that he said matter-of-factly, "Well, those are counterfeit pizzas. There's no such thing as true pizzas today! So if you think you've eaten pizzas, they are counterfeit pizzas!" At that point, he wouldn't even listen to me, so he and his family left.
Unfortunately, he hasn't been the only one who's wanted to pay me an unfriendly visit when I've been at the pizza parlor. In fact, after quite a few had come, something strange started to happen. The more I listened to people, even though I didn't believe what they were saying, the number 59 just started to disappear! Once I thought I had completely lost it behind the salt-shaker. I couldn"t even see it anymore. I had to come to my senses, find it, and put it in front of me again because I had almost lost my own number!
Sometimes I would just get confused after hearing so many negative words. Then I would sit there and stare at number 59 and remind myself, "This is the substance of things hoped for. The pizza is coming!"
"Why" I'd think to myself, "because I've got number 59." I'd bring out my receipts and start looking at them. Genesis through Revelation"it"s just filled with receipts! I'd go over all the different types, simply trying to meditate on them in order to encourage my faith.
One man who troubled me the most, barely knew me, but he definitely wanted to have his say. He seemed to carry a pompous and angry attitude when he came in.
He asked bluntly, "Who do you think you are ordering pizza? You can't afford these pizzas!"
I calmly brought out the receipt and said, "I didn't use my card. Somebody else bought this for me. Look. It says "Bill Gates" there. He's offered to buy them. It's his resources, not mine. It isn't based on who I am; it's based on that little name there "Bill Gates. He bought this pizza."
Frustrated, he asked, "Who do you think you are just using his name"?
"Well, he told me I could. He said I could do that," I responded innocently. Thankfully he walked out, but he was huffing and puffing the whole way. It really shook me up for a while. I started to wonder, "Well goodness, who do I think I am"? Then I realized I'm a buddy of Bill. I've got the same name!
Another memory that stands out at the parlor was with a well-meaning person. When I looked into his eyes, I knew he was trying to be gentle and thoughtful for my benefit. He had always been a caring friend.
"Now, Bill . . . ," he said. "We just don't want you to get your hopes up. We know that you've ordered pepperoni, but the Chef knows best and he just might give you anchovies. This restaurant should be called "Russian Roulette." You never know. You may get it, or you may not."
I thought to myself, "I don't know about you, but anchovies don"t belong on a pizza. If you like it that way, then I'm sure He'll get it to you that way." I was so disturbed for a moment that I lost sight of my number again and then started to wander on the road of disbelief thinking, "Maybe my friend is right . . . ."
It finally began to dawn on me why there weren't many people in this restaurant. I hadn't known it was such an ordeal to order a pizza! The war that was surrounding me was dramatic. And it was for simply an order! Then I started to remember, "If you abide in Me and I abide in you, you may ask for whatever pizza you desire and it will be given to you." 2 It wasn't until that receipt came to mind that I began to have the presence of mind to make it through the battle that was going on inside.
I kept on meditating on number 59 and look over other receipts, "By His stripes you are healed." 3 "Oh, that's good!" I thought. "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the pizza that you desire." 4 "Oh, what a receipt!" "Taste and see!"5 "Wow! The Chef really knows what He"s talking about!" I began to bring these particular receipts to memory, became tremendously encouraged, and was somehow able to silence the unbelieving thoughts. As often as I would quote receipts in my mind, the number on the table became clearer, and people"s negative voices were not quite as loud.
Finally, I was calm enough again so that I began to anticipate and then drool as I waited for my pizza.
More recently a narrow-minded person came in and said, "Did you know that pizzas weren"t meant for this country? This particular restaurant is a chain and they sell well in Brazil and in Africa. But pizzas really weren"t meant for an educated culture. Pizzas are necessary for third-world countries where they don"t have as high an education as we do."
I laughed and thought, "Man, where do I trade in my education? I want pizza. If education equipped me not to get a pizza, what am I going to do with it"?
Just this last year, I struggled with helping a good friend understand why I was there at the parlor again, ordering pizza.
He had told me, "Bill, I don"t want to discourage you." (That is always a sign that what someone is going to say is going to be discouraging!)
"I don"t want to discourage you, but just two weeks ago my aunt ordered a pizza and she never got it. Our whole family was here together when she ordered it. We watched the order go through. We just became so hurt that we left the restaurant, threw the number in the trash and then left the building entirely."
I didn"t know how to tell him that just because his pizza didn"t come through, he shouldn"t have given up ordering. I had tasted this one-of-a-kind, delicious pizza and I knew I would again. Discouragement wouldn"t make me give up!
Back to this particular day, I"ve become so excited because the restaurant is getting packed!
I ask the people in the next booth, "Hey, what number are you"?
"I"m sixty-one."
"Oh yeah? Yours is coming up!"
"Who signed your receipt"? some ask me.
"The same one as yours," I always say. I encourage them and say, "Cool. You should have that one in no time."
As I go back now, every day, I notice that there are actually more pizzas than there are numbers on the table, and not an anchovy to be seen (except for those who like them)! There used to be football fields between tables; now people are sitting right next to each other. It"s so fun to look around the restaurant and see people not just waiting for pizza, but also see all the people who have already gotten them! Sometimes I sit there without my pizza, but somebody next to me always offers me some of theirs.
I look across the aisle and think, "Oh! I can hardly wait ?¥til mine comes. Look at that thing! There"s more cheese and pepperoni on that than should be legal! I"m about to have an amazing experience!" I get encouraged by listening to the stories of how they got their pizzas, and I treasure those moments because they are a testimony that prophesies what I"m waiting for.
I think again, "Man. It"s going to be sweet when mine comes!"
One of the greatest privileges of my life was to sit and wait for pizza alone, when the culture around me had reason to do otherwise. I will never trade my experiences at the pizza parlor, but let me tell you, it"s getting even better! Faith is material; it is concrete. We cannot bypass it if we want the kingdom of heaven here on earth. It is the only way to open the floodgates of heaven and create a descending and ascending portal that allows Jesus" nature to become our own. If I get to stand in faith with another"it is an honor; if I have to stand by myself"still, it is an honor. Faith is a privilege I dare not live without.
Let us join in the opportunity to eat all that we can in the pizza parlor of His goodness!
*****************************************************************
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
EXPLANATION of God by an 8 yr old
It was written by an 8-year-old named Danny Dutton, who lives in
Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment,
to 'explain God.'
I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
[ ... and he had such an assignment, in California , and someone
published it, I guess miracles do happen ! . ]
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace
the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of
things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies I think
because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have
to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can
just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful
lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things,
pray at times besides bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the
radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must
be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a
way to turn it o ff.'
'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which
keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going
over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you
couldn't have.'
'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there
are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our
church.'
'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on
water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who
didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him
preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind,
like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what
they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK.'
'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his
hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the
road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps h
is dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are
important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of
himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more
important.'
'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because
they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy,
and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like
going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come
out at the beach until noon anyway.'
'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be
very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like
to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're
scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into
real deep water by big kids.'
'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I
figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God.'
Chula Vista , CA . He wrote it for his third grade homework assignment,
to 'explain God.'
I wonder if any of us could have done as well?
[ ... and he had such an assignment, in California , and someone
published it, I guess miracles do happen ! . ]
EXPLANATION OF GOD:
'One of God's main jobs is making people. He makes them to replace
the ones that die, so there will be enough people to take care of
things on earth. He doesn't make grownups, just babies I think
because they are smaller and easier to make. That way he doesn't have
to take up his valuable time teaching them to talk and walk. He can
just leave that to mothers and fathers.'
'God's second most important job is listening to prayers. An awful
lot of this goes on, since some people, like preachers and things,
pray at times besides bedtime. God doesn't have time to listen to the
radio or TV because of this. Because he hears everything, there must
be a terrible lot of noise in his ears, unless he has thought of a
way to turn it o ff.'
'God sees everything and hears everything and is everywhere which
keeps Him pretty busy. So you shouldn't go wasting his time by going
over your mom and dad's head asking for something they said you
couldn't have.'
'Atheists are people who don't believe in God. I don't think there
are any in Chula Vista . At least there aren't any who come to our
church.'
'Jesus is God's Son. He used to do all the hard work, like walking on
water and performing miracles and trying to teach the people who
didn't want to learn about God. They finally got tired of him
preaching to them and they crucified him But he was good and kind,
like his father, and he told his father that they didn't know what
they were doing and to forgive them and God said OK.'
'His dad (God) appreciated everything that he had done and all his
hard work on earth so he told him he didn't have to go out on the
road anymore. He could stay in heaven. So he did. And now he helps h
is dad out by listening to prayers and seeing things which are
important for God to take care of and which ones he can take care of
himself without having to bother God. Like a secretary, only more
important.'
'You can pray anytime you want and they are sure to help you because
they got it worked out so one of them is on duty all the time.'
'You should always go to church on Sunday because it makes God happy,
and if there's anybody you want to make happy, it's God!
Don't skip church to do something you think will be more fun like
going to the beach. This is wrong. And besides the sun doesn't come
out at the beach until noon anyway.'
'If you don't believe in God, besides being an atheist, you will be
very lonely, because your parents can't go everywhere with you, like
to camp, but God can. It is good to know He's around you when you're
scared, in the dark or when you can't swim and you get thrown into
real deep water by big kids.'
'But...you shouldn't just always think of what God can do for you. I
figure God put me here and he can take me back anytime he pleases.
And...that's why I believe in God.'
Friday, July 4, 2008
hi guys!
us is fantastic so far. been doing a lot of traveling and working when i'm not so been pretty busy. havent really got a time to update and post photos or anything.. so here's a few. waiting for my stuff to cook so got a bit of time. haha..
place where i do qt once a week. we'll sit on the rocks overlooking the river. quite cool.
another shot. buildings are downtown Richmond, the capital of virginia
the ride where i work. called the tornado. basically u sit in a raft of 4 and u slide down the mega funnel and go up and down. many times. super fun.
i'll be back soon. a few more weeks. take care and god bless guys! hope you're enjoying your hols.
us is fantastic so far. been doing a lot of traveling and working when i'm not so been pretty busy. havent really got a time to update and post photos or anything.. so here's a few. waiting for my stuff to cook so got a bit of time. haha..
place where i do qt once a week. we'll sit on the rocks overlooking the river. quite cool.
another shot. buildings are downtown Richmond, the capital of virginia
the ride where i work. called the tornado. basically u sit in a raft of 4 and u slide down the mega funnel and go up and down. many times. super fun.
i'll be back soon. a few more weeks. take care and god bless guys! hope you're enjoying your hols.
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