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THE SON
POSITIVE ANSWERS
John 3:16
Virus Warning
THE CONVENTION
The Carpenter
Love is...
Some things to think about:

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young
son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled
around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many
others adorned the walls of the family estate.

The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child
became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp
business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with
art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left
to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father
received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art
collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his
son again.

Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while
rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays
with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and
his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On
Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man.

As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only
reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door,
he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He
introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son.
I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few
moments? I have something to show you."

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had
told everyone of his father's love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said
the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped
the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's
son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius,
the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang
the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the
soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing
aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his
chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During
the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though
his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because
of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued
dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.
As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him,
fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting
of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any
interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored.
He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation.

With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings
would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man,
all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter day, the day he had
received his greatest gift.

The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world
gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings.
Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as
many would claim "I have the greatest collection."

The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It
was the
painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid.
The room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked.
Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who
cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son.
Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in
agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the
auctioneer.

"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke.
"Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I
knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will
anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the
auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with
it and we can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the
audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What
do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old
guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of
dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all!"

Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter day, the
message is still the same - the love of a Father - a Father whose
greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life
rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever takes
the Son gets it all.

POSITIVE ANSWERS

For all the negative things, God has a positive answer..
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
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 9 1:15)
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)

John 3:16

God greatest Lover
so loved greatest degree
the world greatest company
that He gave greatest act
His only begotten Son greatest gift
that whosoever greatest opportunity
believeth greatest simplicity
in Him greatest attraction
should not perish greatest promise
but greatest difference
have greatest certainty
everlasting life greatest possession

Virus Warning
VIRUS WARNING - This one's for real! Send it to everyone you know!
Alert! This is a notice to inform you of
THE CURSE. The most devastating catastrophe known to humanity.
INFECTION STATUS: You are already infected! (The CURSE was downloaded by
Adam and Eve and we all are born into it.)
DAMAGE: Every component of your life is affected. We have been brought
under the wrath of God (Eph2:3); made liable to all miseries in this life,
to death itself, and even to the pains of hell forever! (Rom6:23;
Matt25:41)
REMEDY: The only remedy is complete forensic reconfiguration of all
component parts. This is called Justification. (Eph1:7; 2Cor5:21) This is
followed by a radical lifetime software purge called
Sanctification. (2Thess3:13;Eph4:24) The only means of rescue from the
power and results of THE CURSE is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
(Acts4:12)
COST: You cannot purchase this remedy. It is not so simple. The cost is the
eternal wrath of God.
ACCESS: You may acquire justification free of charge. The price was already
paid on the cross of Christ. But you must humble yourself in repentance and
call on the name of the Lord for forgiveness. (many perish maintaining
their "dignity" i.e. pride)
"Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ: By whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand,
and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God."(Rom5:1,2)
For more information and validation, consult the only User's Manual - The
Holy Bible.
WARNING - THIS IS NOT A HOAX. Please do not disregard this warning. Do not
delay! The CURSE impairs logical functions, input and output, processing
and communication, linkup with other systems, and corrupts all disks. The
final result will be a total crash. The time of the crash cannot be
ascertained, but the fate is worse than mere termination. Jesus Christ is
the Lord of all things, every system, every user... and is your only hope.
The good news is that He is available by 24hr access. No hardware
necessary. Simply call out to Him to pay for and cover your sin and = give
you His righteousness. Understanding your plight, you have no options: The
buttons are not OK or CANCEL. They are REPENT or PERISH.
"Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved"

THE CONVENTION
submitted by MJack22108

Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil
angels, he said, "We can't keep the Christians from going to church. We
can't keep them from reading their Bibles & knowing the truth. We can't
even keep them from conservative values. But we can do something else. We
can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in
Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is
broken. So let them go to church, let them have their conservative
lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that experience in
Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, Angels. Distract them from
gaining hold of their Savior & maintaining that vital connection throughout
their day!"
"How shall we do this?", shouted his angels.
"Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life & invent un-numbered
schemes to occupy their minds," he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend,
spend, then, borrow, borrow, borrow. Convince the wives to go to work for
long hours & the husbands to work 6 or 7 days a week, 10-12 hrs. a day, so
they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their
children. As their family fragments, soon, their homes will offer no
escape from the pressures of work."
"Over stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small
voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they
drive, to keep the TV, VCR, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their
homes. And see to it that every store & restaurant in the world plays non-
biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds & break that union
with Christ."
"Fill their coffee tables with magazines & newspapers. Pound their minds
with the news 24 hrs. a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards.
Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogues, &
every kind of newsletter & promotional offering, free products, services, &
false hopes."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from
their recreation exhausted, disquieted & unprepared for the coming week.
"Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them
to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts & movies instead.
"And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip &
small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences & unsettled
emotion."
"Let them be involved in soul-winning. But crowd their lives with so many
good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be
working in their own strength, sacrificing their health & family unity for
the good of the cause."
It was quite a convention in the end. And the evil angels went eagerly
to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy
& rush here & there.
Has the devil been successful at his scheme?
You be the judge.

The Carpenter

The heavy door creaked on its hinges as he pushed it open. With a
few strides he crossed the silent shop and opened the wooden shutters to
a square shaft of sunshine that pierced the darkness, painting a box of
daylight on the dirt floor.

He looked around the carpentry shop. He stood for a moment in
the refuge of the little room that housed so many sweet memories. He
balanced the hammer in his hand. He ran his fingers across the sharp
teeth of the saw. He stroked the smoothly worn wood of the sawhorse. He
had come to say good-bye.

It was time for him to leave. He had heard something that made
him know it was time to go. So he came one last time to smell the
sawdust and lumber.

Life was peaceful here. Life was so...safe. Here he had spent
countless hours of contentment. On this dirt floor he had played as a
toddler while his father worked. Here Joseph had taught him how to grip
a hammer. And on this workbench he had built his first chair.

I wonder what he thought as he took one last look around the
room.
Perhaps he stood for a moment at the workbench looking at the tiny
shadows cast by the chisel and shavings. Perhaps he listened as voices
from the past filled the air.

"Good job, Jesus."

"Joseph, Jesus--come and eat!"

"Don't worry, sir, we'll get it finished on time. I'll get Jesus
to help me."

I wonder if he hesitated. I wonder if his heart was torn. I
wonder if he rolled a nail between his thumb and fingers, anticipating
the pain.

It was in the carpentry shop that he must have given birth to his
thoughts. Here concepts and convictions were woven together to form the
fabric of his ministry.

You can almost see the tools of his trade in his words as he
spoke. You can see the trueness of a plumb line as he called for moral
standards. You can hear the whistle of the plane as he pleads for
religion to shave away unnecessary traditions. You can picture the
snugness of a dovetail as he demands loyalty in relationships. You can
imagine him with a pencil and a ledger as he urges honesty.

It was here that his human hands shaped the wood his divine hands
had created. And it was here that his body matured while his spirit
waited for the right moment, the right day.

And now that day had arrived.

It must have been difficult to leave. After all, life as a
carpenter hadn't been bad. It wasn't bad at all. Business was good. The
future was bright and his work was enjoyable.

In Nazareth he was known only as Jesus, the son of Joseph. You
can be sure he was respected in the community. He was good with his
hands. He
had many friends. He was a favorite among the children. He could tell a
good joke and had a habit of filling the air with contagious laughter.

I wonder if he wanted to stay. "I could do a good job here in
Nazareth. Settle down. Raise a family. Be a civic leader."

I wonder because I know he had already read the last chapter. He
knew that the feet that step out of the safe shadow of the carpentry shop
would not rest until they had been pierced and placed on a Roman cross.

You see, he didn't have to go. He had a choice. He could have
stayed. He could have kept his mouth shut. He could have ignored the
call or at least postponed it. And had he chosen to stay, who would've
known? Who would have blamed him?

He could have come back as a man in another era when society was
not so volatile, when religion wasn't so stale, when people would listen
better. He could have come back when crosses were out of style.

But his heart wouldn't let him. If there was hesitation on his
part of
humanity, it was overcome by the compassion of his divinity. His
divinity heard the voices. His divinity heard the hopeless cries of the
poor, the bitter accusations of the abandoned, the dangling despair of
those who are trying to save themselves.

And his divinity saw the faces. Some wrinkled. Some weeping.
Some hidden behind veils. Some obscured by fear. Some earnest with
searching. Some blank with boredom. From the face of Adam to the face of
the infant born somewhere in the world as you read these words, he saw
them all.

And you can be sure of one thing. Among the voices that found
their way into that carpentry shop in Nazareth was your voice. Your
silent prayers uttered on tearstained pillows were heard before they were
said. Your deepest questions about death and eternity were answered
before they were asked. And your direst need, your need for a Savior, was
met before you ever sinned.

And not only did he hear you, he saw you. He saw your face aglow
the hour you first knew him. He saw your face in shame the hour you
first fell. The same face that looked back at you from this mornings
mirror, looked at him. And it was enough to kill him.

He left because of you.

He laid his security down with his hammer. He hung tranquillity
on the peg with his nail apron. He closed the window shutters on the
sunshine
of his youth and locked the door on the comfort and ease of anonymity.

Since he could bear your sins more easily than he could bear the
thought of your hopelessness, he chose to leave.

It wasn't easy. Leaving the carpentry shop never has been.

By Max Lucado

Love is...
Posted by Refuge on the 7ball magazine board.

Love is always putting the other person above yourself. (Philippians 2:4-5)

Love understands the other person, even when they don't always make sense.
(Ephesians 4:2)

Love relishs every moment spent together. (John 15:9)

Love is accepting all of the person�their faults, their annoying little
habits, their glowing talents, their comforting smiles and even when they
trip over a loose shoe string. No mater how idiotic it seems, loving means
loving all of that beauty and idiocy. (John 13:20, Proverbs 10:12)

Love is supporting someone through the worst time of their life and soaring
with them during their best. (Psalm 13:5)

Love is wanting to know everything about that person. (John 10:14-15)

Love is always willing to wait. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

Love is allowing the one you love to fly. (Psalm 119:32)

Love is being an open book without being afraid of how many pages are
turned. (Psalm 40:10)

Love is a decision. And once you decide to love someone, you can't go back
to where you were. The love will always be there, because God doesn't give
us love only to take it away. He gives it to us to enrich our lives. (1
Chronicles 17:13)

Love is controlled by God, not by your actions or feelings. (1 John 4:16)

Love is giving all of yourself, even when there is part of yourself that
you're ashamed of. (Romans 12:9)

Love is not being jealous of other people or other things, because you know
that they love is there. (Song of Solomon 8:7, 1 John 4:18)

Love is always forgiving, not matter how unforgivable it seems. (James
2:13)

Love is not an obligation, it is a privilege. (Colossians 3:14)

Love is having an open heart when you listen to each other. (Deuteronomy
11:18)

Love is unfailing in its truth. (Psalm 33: 5,22)

Love is being patient while the other person learns to love. (Song of
Solomon 2:7)

Love wants the best for the person you love, even if it isn't you.
(1Corinthians 16:14)

Love is letting someone know that you need them. (Psalm 26:3)

Love is as strong as death. (Song of Solomon 8:6, Ephesians 6:24)

Some things to think about:

Here is a quote from C.S. Lewis:
It is not an abstraction called Humanity that is to be saved. It is you,
.....
your soul, and, in some sense yet to be understood, even your body, that
was made for the high and holy place. All that you are...every fold and
crease of your individuality was devised for all eternity to God as a glove
fits a hand. All that intimate particularity which you can hardly grasp
yourself, much less communicate to your fellow creatures, is no mystery to
Him. He made those
ins and outs that He might fill them. Then He gave your soul so curious a
life because it is the key designed to unlock that door, of all the myriad
doors in Him.

Creation, corruption, catastrophe, confusion, Christ, cross, conquest,
consummation
- a brief history of the Universe (Ken Ham/Ray Joseph)

Thought for the day:
I love the journey. Sometimes God walks by, rattles your tree just so
you'll know you're still alive, and He's still in charge. Tree
rattlings are good. They cause you to feel, cry, think, move, laugh,
eat, sleep, mourn, rejoice...and it's all part of the journey. The
brick walls, we run into that seem so important and heart-breaking
today, when we're 90, will look like speed bumps on the road of
life...and make great nursing home stories. - Mark Lowry (I think =0)

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