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The Room…

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings.

As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Brian Moore.” I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have betrayed.” The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed at.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I've yelled at my brothers.” Others I couldn't laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.”

I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I have listened to,” I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!”

In insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh.

And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep.

Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again.

He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me. Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. “No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no, ” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards.

I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.” I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

Note: contrary to the intro that usually goes with this story (which I have not included), it was actually written by Joshua Harris, and was published in the Spring 1995 issue of New Attitude magazine.

A hemophilic boy in Pennsylvania bleeds to death over a period of two days from a small cut on his foot. An Indiana girl dies after a malignant tumor sprouts from her skull and grows so enormous that it’s nearly the size of her head. A boy in Massachusetts succumbs to a bowel obstruction. (His cries of pain are so loud that neighbors are forced to shut their windows to block out the sound.)

None of these children benefit from the readily-available medical treatments that might save their lives, or at least mitigate their suffering. Because the tenets of their parents’ religious faiths mandate it, their ailments are treated by prayer rather than medical science. The results are tragic.

It is difficult to determine precisely how many children in the United States lose their lives every year as the result of the phenomenon that has come to be known as religion-based medical neglect. A landmark study published in the journal Pediatrics uncovered more than 150 reported fatalities over a 10-year period – a tally that one of the study’s authors later said represented only “the tip of the iceberg” of a surprisingly pervasive problem. Assessing whether forms of religion-related child abuse pose a greater risk to children than more widely publicized threats, such as ritual satanic abuse, a wide-ranging study funded by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect concluded that “there are more children actually being abused in the name of God than in the name of Satan.”

Since the late nineteenth century, hundreds of such instances of abuse have resulted in tangled criminal litigation. The parents charged in these cases – many of them Christian Scientists or members of small Christian churches that ground their doctrines in narrowly literal interpretations of the Bible – often have argued that the First Amendment safeguards their decision to adhere to their faiths’ religious traditions and treat their ailing children solely by spiritual means. Prosecutors, meanwhile, have balked at the notion that constitutional protections for religious liberty provide an absolute bar to state regulation of religious conduct, particularly when that behavior puts the safety of children at risk. Their task often has been complicated, however, by murky state manslaughter and abuse statutes that appear to provide exemptions for religious healing practices.

Arguing that they were “Christians first, citizens afterward,” a prominent Christian spiritual healer once urged his followers to disregard secular laws that might compel them to forsake their religious beliefs regarding healing. Such is the dilemma that confronts parents who choose to treat their sick or injured children with prayer instead of medicine. Not only must they safeguard the health of their sons and daughters; they also must try to reconcile their devotion to God with their duties as citizens in a society that boasts a long and sometimes checkered history of regulating uncommon religious conduct.

Defining these obligations through the enforcement of secular laws – especially ones that are constitutionally fuzzy – can be a complicated business. Moreover, there is no guarantee that it will deter devout and stubborn parents from engaging in religious practices that endanger the health of their children. But the alternative – simply ignoring the suffering of the youngest and most vulnerable members of our nation’s churches – seems unconscionable.

From: http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/guestvoices/2008/01/shawn.html

Let's see what the bible might say about this…

(Mat 25:35-36) For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'

Note Jesus doesn't say “you prayed for me” for all of the things… He expects us to take action, and resolve them ourselves where possible. Praying and having faith at the same time, absolutely, but that goes along with our actions, not instead of.

Then there's this:

(James 2:15-16) If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

These are supposedly my spiritual gifts… I didn't feel like reading all of this, and I didn't really agree with the parts I did read, but I might be wrong - any thoughts/comments?

Test taken at http://www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi?intro=1

Your dominant gifts are Pastor/Shepherd, Exhortation

The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your number one dominant gift is PASTORING/SHEPHERDING! The Greek word “poimen” means pastor. In Paul's spiritual gifts listing in Ephesians 4:11, this term is translated “pastor.” Although the word “poimen” is translated pastor only one time in Scripture it is used sixteen additional times. The remaining sixteen are all translated “shepherd.” Therefore, we are actually discussing the GIFT of shepherding, not the POSITION of pastor. Though a good pastor must have the gift of shepherding, everyone who has the gift of shepherding is not called to be pastor. The gift can be used in many positions in a church.

As a gifted shepherd, you have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by overseeing, training, and caring for the needs of a group of Christians. You are usually very patient, people-centered, and willing to spend time in prayer for others. You tend to be a “Jack of All and Master of ONE,” meaning you are usually dominant in one of the speaking gifts (evangelist, prophet, teacher, exhorter) as well. You are often authoritative, more a leader than a follower, and expressive, composed, and sensitive. Your pleasing personality draws people to you.

You have a burden to see others learn and grow and are protective of those under your care. You want to present the whole Word of God and do not like to present the same materials more than once. You are willing to study what is necessary to feed your group and are more relationship oriented than task oriented. You are a peace-maker and diplomat - very tolerant of people's weaknesses. You tend to remember people's names and faces. You are more concerned with doing for others than others doing for you. You are faithful and devoted and may become a workaholic. You can become an all-purpose person in order to meet needs.

People with the gift of shepherding make the best Sunday school teachers and group leaders because their desire is to go beyond just teaching or leading, to shepherd and minister to the daily needs of their students. The position of Sunday school teacher or group leader is an extension of the pastoral ministry in the church. These groups should be shepherded on a small scale the same as the pastor shepherds the whole congregation on a large scale.

Be careful to involve other people; don't try to do it all yourself. Work on making people accountable. Do not be overly protective of your “flock.” Because of these potentially weak areas, other people may think it is your job to do all the work; they rely too heavily on you. You may be expected to be available at all times, know all the answers, and be at every function. Learn when to say no.

Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He will cause discouragement when the load gets heavy, and pride because your “sheep” look up to you. You may develop family problems because of too little time and attention. You may become selfish when “sheep” feed in other pastures.

HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR GIFT? This gift is a great help in many areas. You may serve as a Sunday school teacher, small group leader, pastor or assistant pastor, bus captain, special ministry leader (such as youth, children, men, etc.), nursery worker or as a half-way house or other type shelter volunteer. You may consider serving as a dormitory leader in a college, orphanage, children's home, etc. Scout troops would appreciate your assistance as a den leader.

The results of your Spiritual Gifts Inventory indicate that your second dominant gift is EXHORTATION! The Greek word “parakaleo” means to admonish, to encourage, to beseech. You are a “how to” person. You have the Spirit-given capacity and desire to serve God by motivating others to action by urging them to pursue a course of conduct. In a teaching position, you are able to explain how to apply God's Word. Your goal is to present material that enables the Holy Spirit to promote change in the student's life. You reach out and help Christians become more mature.

As an exhorter you are a very practical person, a good counselor, tolerant of others, serious-minded, orderly, and usually impulsive. You are expressive in a group setting; the group listens when you speak. You are comfortable working one-on-one or in groups. You are enthusiastic and talkative and enjoy encouraging others.

You are burdened to show how Scripture relates to conduct and have a desire to unify people by using practical rather than doctrinal issues. You likely place great importance on God's will and believe that His Word has the answer for every problem. You tend to make decisions logically rather than on feelings and are very orderly.

Be careful not to interrupt other people; your enthusiasm sometimes makes you guilty of this. Others may think you don't use enough Scripture in teaching because you tend to use Scripture to support what you are teaching rather than starting with Scripture.

Unlike teachers, you have the willingness to teach the same material again and again, updating and perfecting it as you do. As a counselor you usually have the ability to leave other people's problems “in the office” rather than letting them drag you down.

Beware of Satan's attack on your gift. He may cause pride in your motivational abilities. He may influence you to lose sight of people because of program emphasis. Don't become discouraged when results are not evident. Be careful not to encourage others to do the wrong things through your persuasive abilities.

HOW CAN YOU USE YOUR DOMINANT GIFT? You may use your special gift in many areas. You may want to be a leadership trainer. You could certainly serve as a counselor in church or in a counseling center. You could teach in church training or seminars or even small groups. You would make a good telephone ministry worker and would be a tremendous volunteer to follow up with new converts. You would work well as an encourager with those who are discouraged and as a counselor in a drug or alcohol program, rescue mission, poverty program, half-way house or runaway ministry or in a shelter for abused women and children. You could also use your gift in organizing or serving in a Men's or Women's Ministry.

If you read all of that, you may as well go on and comment…

Think Louie Giglio, John Piper, David Crowder Band, Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman (I think?) - this is going to rock so much :D

Keep an eye on http://268generation.com/WT/ for more info!

From: Kent Hovind
Sent: September 4, 2007
To: Goliath of Gath
Subject: Only the Strongest Survive?

KH: Excuse me Mr. Goliath of Gath (GG), I couldn’t help but hear you yelling and swearing (I Samuel 17:8). What seems to be the problem here?

GG: I can’t understand these stupid Jews. They think their God is the only one there is. They think He’s all powerful. What a joke!

KH: Why would you say that?

GG: Their God told them-so they say-to conquer the land of Caanan-four-hundred years ago! They claim their God promised to drive out the people who lived there (Joshua 1). My people had been living there for centuries. It’s our land!

KH: They did conquer the land, didn’t they?

GG: Only part of it. Their God couldn’t make them conquer my city of Gath (Joshua 11:22). That was over three-hundred years ago and they still can’t beat us! If God told them to do it, why didn’t they finish the job?

KH: Good question.

GG: I’ll tell you why. Their God is weak. That’s why. Why, just a few dozen years ago this puny nation of Israel didn’t even have a king. They said this “God” was their king and He lived in a box they called the “ark.” My father was in the battle when Israel tried to fight us (I Samuel 4:1-2). He said it was not even a fight. We beat them bad! Dad said they killed 4,000 men in just one day (I Samuel 4:2). Then, the “military leaders” of this weak little country sent men to get their God in a box to bring Him to help them win the battle (I Samuel 4:3-5). What a joke! We beat then again and took their box away from them. Ha! So much for their silly God in a box.

KH: Did your father’s people keep the box?

GG: For awhile, yes, but bad things started happening in the city of Ashdod, so they brought it to my city of Gath (I Samuel 5:8).

KH: And what happened in your city?

GG: We had an outbreak of emerods (I Samuel 5:9) so we sent the ark to another city (I Samuel 5:10). After seven months (I Samuel 6:1) our Philistine rulers sent the box back to Israel (I Samuel 6:12).

KH: Did the emerolds go away?

GG: Yes they did. So we decided there was some poison in the box. There was never any proof that God had anything to do with it. My father was a giant like me (Numbers 13:33; Deuteronomy 3:11; Joshua 12:4). He taught me to be a fighter. We know that might makes right. There is no one God to tell us right from wrong. The strongest decide right and wrong.

KH: So why are you out here yelling and swearing today.

GG: I’m cursing the stupid God of these cowardly Jews to show them the truth about their God in a box. He’s nothing. If He even exists, He has no power like mine. Look at me. I’m nearly ten-feet tall!

I’ve got four brothers (II Samuel 21:16-22) who are as big as me. We are the dream team. We will take on anyone including that puny God of the Jews.

I’ve been coming out here for forty days now, yelling and cursing at these Jews and their God in a box. I told them to send me a man to fight with me, but they are all too scared (I Samuel 17:16). I challenge them every morning and evening, but there are none brave enough to fight me. They talk about how they trust their God, but they are all liars. I trust my great strength not some imaginary God in a box. They talk big, but never really put their faith into action.

KH: How long are you going to do this?

GG: I don’t know. I made my challenge about thirty minutes ago and they all ran away (I Samuel 17:24) just like they always do. I’ll wait a few more minutes just to rub their nose in it. I really enjoy making fun of their God and demonstrating that He doesn’t exist.

KH: What are you trying to accomplish?

GG: I want to get them to give up their stupid religion and see reality. Only the strongest survive. They need to quit wasting time talking to their God and start working out and enjoying life. They claim their God gave them some rules to live by. There are no rules from God. I break all ten of their silly rules all the time and nothing ever happens to me.

KH: Are any of your children planning on becoming University Professors to continue the tradition of mocking God and teaching others to ignore His rules?

GG: What?

KH: Never mind. I just thought I might have met some of them. He, Mr. Goliath, I think I see someone coming from the camp of Israel. You have a challenger.

GG: It’s about time! It only took them forty days.

KH: What are the rules for the fight?

GG: No rules. Just one on one.

KH: Then why do you have two (I Samuel 17:41)?

GG: See, there you go, too. Rules are man made and mean nothing to me. Say, you’re not a Jewish spy are you?

KH: No, sir. I’m Norwegian.

GG: Nor what?

KH: Never mind. It looks like your challenger is kind of small and unarmed.

GG: It’s just a little boy with a rag on a string and a rock! I’ll teach those Jews to mock me by sending this dog! I’ll kill him and feed his body to the birds (I Samuel 17:44)! We’ll see how puny their God really is.

KH: You might want to listen carefully to that boy. He may have a totally new thought to put into your head (I Samuel 17:49). I’ll get out of the way now. Tell God I said “hi” when you see Him in a few minutes.

GG: Huh?

http://www.cseblogs.com/?p=110