If Noah built the Ark today

And the Lord spoke to Noah and said: "In six months I'm going to make it rain until the whole earth is covered with water and all the evil people are destroyed. But I want to save a few good people, and two of every kind of living thing on the planet. I am ordering you to build Me an Ark." And in a flash of lightning He delivered the specifications for an Ark.

"OK," said Noah, trembling in fear and fumbling with the blueprints.

"Six months, and it starts to rain," thundered the Lord. "You'd better have the Ark completed, or learn how to swim for a very long time." And six months passed.

The skies began to cloud up and rain began to fall. The Lord saw that Noah was sitting in his front yard, weeping. And there was no Ark. "Noah," shouted the Lord, "where is My Ark?" A lightning bolt crashed into the ground next to Noah.

"Lord, please forgive me!" begged Noah. "I did my best. But there were big problems. First I had to get a building permit for the Ark construction project, and your plans didn't meet code. So I had to hire an engineer to redraw the plans. Then I got into a big fight over whether or not the Ark needed a fire sprinkler system. My neighbors objected claiming I was violating zoning by building the Ark in my front yard, so I had to get a variance from the city planning commission.. Then I had a big problem getting enough wood for the Ark because there was a ban on cutting trees to save the Spotted Owl. I had to convince U.S. Fish and Wildlife that I needed the wood to save the owls. But they wouldn't let me catch any owls. So no owls. Then the carpenters formed a union and went out on strike. I had to negotiate a settlement with the National Labor Relations Board before anyone would pick up a saw or a hammer. Now we have 16 carpenters going on the boat, and still no owls. Then I started gathering up animals, and got sued by an animal rights group. They objected to me taking only two of each kind. Just when I got the suit dismissed, EPA notified me that I couldn't complete the Ark without filing an environmental impact statement on your proposed flood. They didn't take kindly to the idea that they had no jurisdiction over the conduct of a Supreme Being. Then the Army Corps of Engineers wanted a map of the proposed new flood plain. I sent them a globe. Right now I'm still trying to resolve a complaint from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over how many Croatians I'm supposed to hire, the IRS has seized all my assets claiming I'm trying to avoid paying taxes by leaving the country, and I just got a notice from the state about owing some kind of use tax. I really don't think I can finish your Ark for at least another five years," Noah wailed.

The sky began to clear. The sun began to shine. A rainbow arched across the sky. Noah looked up and smiled. "You mean you're not going to destroy the earth?" Noah asked, hopefully.

"Wrong!" thundered the Lord. "But being Lord of the Universe has its advantages. I fully intend to smite the Earth, but with something far worse than a flood. Something Man invented himself."

"What's that?" asked Noah.

There was a long pause, and then the Lord spaketh His Last Word: "Government."

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It is Good

I heard the story told recently about a king in Africa who had a close friend that he grew up with. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!". To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took them to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake.

As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king they sent him on his way.

As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right" he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

No," his friend replied, "this is good!"

What do you mean, 'this is good'! How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year."

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you."

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Beautiful

No words can describe Your beauty, Your beyond my relm of thought. You were all that I needed, You were all that I sought. You made me whole, You filled me up, You brought me to Your river's shore. I'll live with You'll live with me, Together for evermore.

Beautiful You are, my Lord. You're all I need, I need no more. You pick me up when I fall down. You're the king, You wear the crown.

Life isn't easier now, Walking on the narrow path. But You have made me a promise, You have always got my back. I may struggle here on this earth, But I know I must be bold. 'Cuz when I die and when it's done, I'm gonna walk on streets of gold.

By- Nat Summit (e-mail- nat_summit@kdsi.net )

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Lost and Found

Lost and Found

Lost and drowning, Wallowing in the death of sin. Oh how I longed to live again. Imprisoned by my wrongs, Tried to free myself by doing right, But I ended up clinging to my past too tight.

But then You stepped in the room. Then Your grace came into view. You took my burdens off of me. You took the blame, You set me free. I thank You, Jesus.

Far from perfect, Was my life before. Trapped in a room without a door. I needed freedom from my sins. I need to start over again.

But then You stepped in the room. Then Your grace came into view. You took my burdens off of me. You took the blame, You set me free. I thank You, Jesus.

by- Nat Summit (e-mail nat_summit@kdsi.net )

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Heaven's Grocery Store I was walking down life's highway, a long time ago. One day I saw a sign that read "Heaven's Grocery Store." As I got a little closer, the door came open wide. And when I came to myself, I was standing just inside. I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said, "My child, please shop with care." Everything a Christian needed was in that Grocery Store. And all you couldn't carry, you could come back the next day for. First, I got some PATIENCE, LOVE was in every row. Further down was UNDERSTANDING, you need it where you go. I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH. I just couldn't miss the Holy Spirit, for He was all over the place! I stopped to get some STRENGTH and COURAGE to help me run this race By then my basket was getting full but... I remembered I needed some GRACE! I didn't forget SALVATION, for SALVATION that was free. So I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me. Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill, for I thought I had everything to do my Master's will. As I went up the aisle I saw PRAYER and I just had to put that in. For I knew that when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin. PEACE and JOY were plentiful; they were on the last shelf. SONGS and PRAISES were hanging near, so I just helped myself. Then I said to the angel, "How much do I owe?" He just smiled and said, "Just take them everywhere you go." Again I smiled at him and said, "How much do I owe?" He smiled again and said, "My child, JESUS PAID YOUR BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO!" -- ================================================================
The Choice Since the dawn of time when Adam fell, We have all inherited sin, A gap was formed between man and God, Which seperated us from Him. Centuries later sin still grew, and the world became perverted, So in rage and wrath destruction came, From the God whom man deserted. For the wage of sin is always death, and this you must understand, Cause unless you turn from your sinful ways, You'll miss out on God's glorious plan. For God so loved the world you see, That he gave his only son, So that through faith in Jesus Christ, Your salvation can be won. "Never again," God did say, "Will I destroy the Earth with a flood." So out of love God saved the Earth, Through Jesus precious blood. So as Jesus hung upon the cross, With his flesh ripped apart, The people spit and cursed at Him, But they couldn't touch His heart. So now He's waiting with open arms, Longing for you to come. Cause He paid the price for you that day, When at death He said "It is done." Jesus was the living sacrifice, To cleanse us all from sin, But first you must accept Him, And strive to live for Him. Although its up to you to choose, And a choice you must make. but if you choose to reject Jesus Then just realize your mistake. For God will judge all mankind, For the decisions we now make. And if you choose a different path, Then your destiny's a firey lake. By David Christie -- ================================================================
Heaven With great joy Jesus runs up to you and says, "My Child!! We can be together at last! Face to face!" With a heart full of great joy, and tears of happiness he begins to tell you His Heart; "I've been looking forward to this day so much more than you could ever imagine! I love you! Every moment of every day, in your life, I longed to be more than Someone you run to when life was hard, more than a Father who blesses you with so many blessings, more than a Saviour who gave His life for you. I wanted and I still long to be your best Friend. This is the desire of my heart. I wanted to be able to fully reveal my love for you, so that you could love others, and change the world with that love. I wanted to show you something new in Me, each day. To fill your day with happiness and joy from your life in Me. Many times I was rejected. Put aside for a time when you weren't busy. My heart was deeply grieved. I could have taken your troubles and given you peace, taken your pain, and given you healing. I silently ask for your time, just a few minutes to talk. I would long for the time when you would listen to My words, and you would tell me of your love for Me. Oh, how My heart rejoiced when you would come into My presence, when we would spend time together. I knew you inside out, yet I wanted *you* to reveal your heart and your feelings and your hurts to Me. I would look forward with great anticipation to the time when I could reveal another small part of My heart to you. Yet I always knew I could look forward to this day. A time where I could have your full attention and dedication. A time where we could spend every moment for the rest of eternity together! I have covered you with my hand, and pleaded to the Father on your behalf, for your protection from the Evil One. No one or anything could seperate you from Me. Nothing except your choice. Yet, I still love you, and this time that we have together for forever is a great treasure to Me. I love you....." - Jesus -- ================================================================
If Jesus came to your house. If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two. If he came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do. Oh, I know you'd give your nicest room to such an honered Guest, And all the food you'd serve Him would be the very best, And you'd keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there That serving Him in your home is joy beyond compare. But when you saw Him coming, would you meet him at the door With arms outstreached in welcome to your heavenly Visitor? Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in? Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been? Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't heard? And wish you hadn't uttered that last loud, hasty word? Would you hid your worldly music and put some hymn books out? Could you let Jesus walk right in, or would you rush about? And I wonder if the Savior spend a day or two with you, Would you go right on doing the things you always do? Would you go right on saying the things you always say? Would life for you continue as it does from day to day? Would your family converstaion keep up its usual pace? And would you find it hard each meal to say a table grace? Would you sing the songs you always sing, and read the books you read, And let him know the things on which your mind and spirit feed? Would you take Jesus with you everywhere you planned to go? Or would you, maybe, change your plans for just a day or so? Would you be glad to have Him meet your very closest friends? Or would you hope they'd stay away until His visit ends? Would you be glad to have Him stay forever on and on? Or would you sigh with great relief when He at last was gone? It might be interesting to know the things that you would do If Jesus Christ in person came to spend some time with you. -- ================================================================
The Touch of the Master's Hand It was battered and scared, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while. To waste much time on the old violin, But he held it up with a smile. "What am I bidden, good folk?" he cried, "Who'll start the bidding for me? "A dollar - a dollar - then two, only two - "Two dollars, and then who'll make it three? "Going for Three" - but no - From the room far back, a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow, Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening the loosened strings, He played out a melody pure and sweet As a caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said, "NOW what am I bid for the old violin?" And he held it up with the bow. "A thousand dollars - who'll make it two? "Two thousand dollars - and who'll make it three? "Three thousand once - three thousand twice - "And going - and gone," cried he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, "We don't understand. "What changed it's worth?" Quick came the reply, "The touch of the Master's hand." And many a man with life out of tune, And battered and scarred with sin, It auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin. A "mess of pottage" - a glass of wine, A game - and he travels on: He is going once, - and going twice - He's going - and almost gone! But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought BY THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND. By Myra Brooks. --


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