"WISE OLD MAN"
A very "Wise Old Man" lived on this hill overlooking
the village. He was know to give wise advise about any and all problems in
life. When city officials - lovers - youth - anyone, had problems they
made their way up the mountain to the "Wise Old Man" to ask of him how to
solve their problem.
Two youth of the world decided to trap the "Wise Old
Man." This was their scam: "Let us trap a bird and go up the mountain to
the Wise Old Man." Their scheme was to hold the bird in their hands and ask
the "Wise Old Man" if the bird was dead or alive. If he said alive, they
would crush the bird in their hands - if dead, they would set the bird free.
So they trap their bird and make their way up the mountain to the "Wise Old
Man's" cabin. "Wise Old Man," one cried out - come out, we need your
advise about this bird cupped in my hands. "Wise Old Man," is this bird
dead or alive?
As the "Wise Old Man" stood there facing the two youth
of the world he said: "Boy's, you have in your hands to do what
you want to do."
You too have in your hands to do what you want to do.
Are you ready to vote?
Confused about the issues? Can you believe the politicians and what
they say they will do? There is one choice that you need to make -- if you
haven't already. Sooner or later you need to make a choice about Jesus.
When it comes to your decision about Jesus, no one knows when the polls are
going to close.
Heaven's inhabitants are made up of "Christians -
born-again people; a great multitude which no man can number, gathered out
of all nations, and kindred's and people and tongues".
As most of Americans I watched TV as former President
Ronald Reagan was memorialized. Air Force jets flew over in what is known
as the "missing man maneuver." Clusters of jets flew overhead, with one jet
in the final cluster suddenly peeling up, away, and out of sight. It's a
symbol that says a lot.
On that day of national mourning, Ronald Reagan was the missing man - the
one who was suddenly not with us anymore. Some day I'll be the missing man.
Some day you'll be the missing man, the missing woman. For many of us, that
day will come with no warning. In the words of the Bible,
"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what
a day will bring forth"{Prov. 27:1}
For many people, that "tomorrow" was going to be when they finally got
around to making sure they were right with God, and that tomorrow never
came. Eternity did and they weren't ready. For you and me, the means of
leaving this world may be an accident, a blood clot, a heart attack. But in
reality, the "cause of death" really doesn't matter much does it? We're all
terminal. That's why the Bible gives this critical warning:
"Prepare to meet your God."
{Amos 4:12}. And there's
really only one way to be prepared for that day when you and I are the
missing man or missing woman.
"My Friends, you have in your hands to do what you want to do."
><)))> In
"HIS" Service
Roy
PRAYER Rx --- September 16
Dear Lord, we Your people, who call ourselves Your "church,"
find ourselves as Christians to be under attack today, both from without and
within, with Your deity being questioned, Your sovereignty demeaned, and
Your atonement mocked. ... Help us who have committed ourselves to You as
our Lord and Savior and who know You as "the Truth" to stand firmly in Your
defense, lest the church be redefined to suit the agenda of those who would
crucify You anew. ... Oh Lord, we weep at the arrogance of those who want to
design their own "gods" to include their pagan beliefs and their favorite
sins. ... Open their eyes and ours before it is too late. Help us as
Christians to first understand Your will, and then help us to have the
courage we will need to be obedient to it during the critical times that we
may face in the future.
In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
by D. L. Hammond, Permission to copy granted for noncommercial use.