Unknown Caller: Ring, Ring!
Young People: Hello?
Unknown Caller: Finally you answered your phones! I have been calling you for so many years. Have you been avoiding me all of this time? I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but how is it that you answer when your other friends call, but when I call for something more important you don’t answer my calls?
(Silence.)
Unknown Caller: You can’t image how much I have missed you. I want you to know that I haven’t stopped thinking about you. I haven’t taken my eyes off of you since the day you were born. I want you to know that since I left Earth all I have been doing is speaking on your behalf. You can’t image how painful it is for Daddy to watch the things that you do for your...friend. I want you to know that the friend you have cares nothing for you. The friend that you now hang out with was once my Daddy’s "son of the morning". Now his sole purpose is to destroy everything and everyone that mirrors my Daddy’s image. I am begging you—please stay away from him.
Young People: Friend? Who are you talking about? The things that you are saying are not true. My friend cares about me: he takes me to the best parties, he teaches me to wear the coolest clothing—you know the shirt with the skull on it, my pants below my butt...this is the style now. He tells me the best movies to watch—you know, the ones with all of the shooting, car chases, murders...and don’t forget the naked ladies!
Unknown Caller: My young people, listen: “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” My dear young people, I urge you to read for yourself the history of your friend to see what he is really like. Pick up the King James Version of The Holy Bible and read. It is the best novel ever written. I am telling you once you start reading you will never be bored again.
(Silence.)
Unknown Caller: If you haven’t figured out who is speaking and who this friend is, I advise you with love and concern to please read the book I suggested to you. Goodbye for now. I will talk to you soon.
By Elder Maurice C. Mason
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Heavenly Whereabouts
The Bible always talks about Christ's second coming, and pastors preach that all of heaven will be empty when Jesus comes. But where will God the Father be?
The Bible says "…in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself". God the Father will be in the same position as He was when Christ came the first time—right there with Jesus.
It's a reassuring thought that God the Father and God the Son will be in the same place. If we remain where Jesus is (by doing what He asks us to do), we will, by simple association, be in the same place God the Father is! That kind of thought lets me sleep good at night.
So, how do can we be where Jesus is, who is always where God the Father is? The Bible gives us a simple formula and it calls for unity, at its core. Jesus wants us all to be unified as a body of believers so that we can be with Him. He is with His Father. So we can be with Jesus, who is with His Father, and we can all be together.
Is there anything stopping you from being unified with your brothers or sisters? Take a moment to resolve your differences. It's the Christian thing to do! Once reconciled, you'll be in unity, and therefore with Jesus, who is with the Father.
God bless you as you go about doing good.
Elder Pauline Thomas
The Bible says "…in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself". God the Father will be in the same position as He was when Christ came the first time—right there with Jesus.
It's a reassuring thought that God the Father and God the Son will be in the same place. If we remain where Jesus is (by doing what He asks us to do), we will, by simple association, be in the same place God the Father is! That kind of thought lets me sleep good at night.
So, how do can we be where Jesus is, who is always where God the Father is? The Bible gives us a simple formula and it calls for unity, at its core. Jesus wants us all to be unified as a body of believers so that we can be with Him. He is with His Father. So we can be with Jesus, who is with His Father, and we can all be together.
Is there anything stopping you from being unified with your brothers or sisters? Take a moment to resolve your differences. It's the Christian thing to do! Once reconciled, you'll be in unity, and therefore with Jesus, who is with the Father.
God bless you as you go about doing good.
Elder Pauline Thomas
Tragedy in Haiti
On Tuesday, the nation of Haiti was rocked with a devastating earthquake that registered an astounding 7.0 magnitude, which sent aftershocks of up to 5.9 further across into the Dominican Republic. Without a doubt, something major happened that should send a message to Haitians, Haitian-Americans, Americans, and humans in general.
One message that the earthquake should have sent is that, as predicted eloquently in the Bible, there will be a time when strong buildings, cities, and nations will not be able to stand. There will be earthquakes and famines. Major tragedies.
But another message is sent, one that pulls at the heartstrings of every human with compassion. What is that message? That we love one another. That, I believe, is a message that we can all accept.
Jesus Christ said "…by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another", and I believe that. In this time of tragedy for the Haitians, we as humans have to rise to the occasion and take a firm grip of the indomitable "human spirit"—the same one that New Yorkers resorted to during the tragedy of 9/11—and show our love to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
What can you do to support? Find what you can satisfactorily do and exert the effort to see it through to fruition. There are humans in legitimate need depending on your benevolent assistance. Find the most wholesome resource to give to, and then trust that God will do the rest. If you need help choosing a place to give, consider ADRA. Their track record is impeccable.
God bless you, as you bless others.
Elder Scott Hampton
One message that the earthquake should have sent is that, as predicted eloquently in the Bible, there will be a time when strong buildings, cities, and nations will not be able to stand. There will be earthquakes and famines. Major tragedies.
But another message is sent, one that pulls at the heartstrings of every human with compassion. What is that message? That we love one another. That, I believe, is a message that we can all accept.
Jesus Christ said "…by this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another", and I believe that. In this time of tragedy for the Haitians, we as humans have to rise to the occasion and take a firm grip of the indomitable "human spirit"—the same one that New Yorkers resorted to during the tragedy of 9/11—and show our love to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.
What can you do to support? Find what you can satisfactorily do and exert the effort to see it through to fruition. There are humans in legitimate need depending on your benevolent assistance. Find the most wholesome resource to give to, and then trust that God will do the rest. If you need help choosing a place to give, consider ADRA. Their track record is impeccable.
God bless you, as you bless others.
Elder Scott Hampton
A Successful Failure, part 2
Last week we embarked upon an urgent concern surrounding family success or failure. The point was made by defining success as "fortune" and failure as a careless regard for the original institution. Marriage and family failure has reached epidemic proportion in today's society.
There are many families who have a sincere concern for marital maintenance or marriage recovery. The major cause of marital failure is the lack of respect for, or the understanding of, the marriage institution. Since marriage originated with God, it is reasonable to assume that God must always be in the marriage. A loss of respect for the creator and originator of marriage is a sure recipe for a marriage failure.
The best approach to marital maintenance or recovery is to establish or renew your relationship with the Creator. Trust Him to begin the process for full recovery to a normal, healthy marriage.
Marriage is something that will influence and affect your life both in this world and in the life to come. A sincere partner will not advance his plans in the direction of marriage without the knowledge that God approves his course. Weigh every sentiment and watch every development of character in the one with whom you are thinking of linking your life destiny.
You may have a very successful marriage. A successful marriage is a happy one and breeds happy, successful offspring. Thus you are building a strong foundation for future success for many generations. Take the time to nurture your partner. It takes love, patience, and hard work to achieve true success in your marriage and family.
God bless you,
Pastor Jones
There are many families who have a sincere concern for marital maintenance or marriage recovery. The major cause of marital failure is the lack of respect for, or the understanding of, the marriage institution. Since marriage originated with God, it is reasonable to assume that God must always be in the marriage. A loss of respect for the creator and originator of marriage is a sure recipe for a marriage failure.
The best approach to marital maintenance or recovery is to establish or renew your relationship with the Creator. Trust Him to begin the process for full recovery to a normal, healthy marriage.
Marriage is something that will influence and affect your life both in this world and in the life to come. A sincere partner will not advance his plans in the direction of marriage without the knowledge that God approves his course. Weigh every sentiment and watch every development of character in the one with whom you are thinking of linking your life destiny.
You may have a very successful marriage. A successful marriage is a happy one and breeds happy, successful offspring. Thus you are building a strong foundation for future success for many generations. Take the time to nurture your partner. It takes love, patience, and hard work to achieve true success in your marriage and family.
God bless you,
Pastor Jones
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