ithirstnw - Inspirational Stories

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES 1. "Are You Loving Others Enough?" by Robert Baines  2. "Giving Up Elijah" by Jerry Ousley   SHORT STORY 1. "Better A Junkie than a Bundy" by Marilyn Schnepp  THE ART OF WRITING 1. "Help, My Muse is Missing" by Bob Valleau

Love knows no boundaries.

INSPIRATIONAL STORIES

Are You Loving Others Enough?  by Robert Baines  1/23/2010 / Relationships Loving others means that you are showing longsuffering kindness to others (see I Cor. 13:4-18). It is obvious that we are duty bound to love those who we are committed to such as family members and to a lesser degree, friends, and even lesser degree co-workers and neighbors. However, I remind us that we are duty bound to love even our enemies, according to Matthew 5:44. Here are several suggestions in this area of Christian growth: 1. Love others enough to show courtesy. It is sad to see how difficult it is to get people to simply say, "good morning," to one another. Some act as if smiling is painful or calls for too much energy. Lending a hand shake or opening a door seems so far stretched for too many. Loving others should include a certain amount of courtesy. In fact, among believers, Paul talks about greeting one another with a holy kiss (see Rom. 16:16). This calls for more discussion, but we can surely say that a holy kiss would include some basic courtesy. It is true that sometimes your friendly courteous spirit will be misunderstood and even taken advantage of. However, tweak your approach and keep obeying God's word. We don't love because people are so lovable. Some are very hard to love (smile). We love because of God's commandment to love even those who are difficult to love (see Jn. 13:34-35; Mt. 5:44). 2. Love others enough to evangelize. Although I am listing this early, it may not be the first thing that can be worked on directly. Understand that no matter what else we do, if a person doesn't have Jesus in his or her life, they are still on their way to Hell (see Mk. 8:36). You all can be very friendly and affectionate. You may help him or her to get a good job or out of a bad situation. But without Christ, Hell is still waiting. Visit Christian-Living-Site.com/Personal-Evangelism.html to see an article on personal evangelism. Evangelism is often at its best, in warm relationships. 3. Love others enough to respond to their perceived needs. If a person is hungry, they may need prayer, but their perceived need is food.

It is too easy for middle class people to forget how close some people live to the edge of their finances. We can forget how, while we are talking, the person we are talking to may be anxious about how they are going to satisfy basic needs. Notice that Jesus made blind people see, lamb people walk, and gave hungry people food all in addition to teaching, preaching, praying, and forgiving. Let's strive to be more like Christ. That is, let's strive to respond to perceived needs, in addition to whatever else we are working on. 4. Love others enough to reform systems. This last idea can get ugly. It can surely get confrontational. If systems are causing harm, it is a loving thing to do to work towards fixing the systems. For example, where there is no welfare, not child care, but unemployable young women with children, there is a system problem. Somehow the community must provide a way for the weakest to recover and move forward. In this case, it may be advocating for the provision of child care, while the mother goes to job training and get a job. Another example may be to advocate for quality public education. If our young people don't get a quality public education, they are almost certain to go to jail or an early grave. Thus, in the name of loving others, you may need to get involved with not simply tutoring but with making sure schools have proper funds, are using funds properly, and are dealing with student behavior issues properly. This can be a messy love. But Jesus turned over money tables, because the system needed to be reformed (see Mt. 21:12-13). In fact, He died, as a means of sealing the new contract between humanity and God. Let's love others enough to reform systems. In summary, loving others can be difficult. It often includes loving others enough to be courteous, to evangelize, to respond to perceived needs, and to reform systems. Please complete the feedback form below. -- Dr. Robert E. Baines, Jr. uses his doctorate of ministry degree and twenty years of pastoral experience to provide quality and helpful Christian living information to 1,000's of visitors a month. Make sure you secure your free copy of his ebooklet, "How to Encourage Yourself: 21 Practical Tips," and sign up for his newsletter that features great articles, helpful devotionals, and Bible based teaching notes at www.RobertBaines.com. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS (Inspirational Stories)

Giving Up Elijah  by Jerry Ousley  1/30/2010 / Christian Living If you're like me, when talking about Elijah and Elisha, you often get them confused. I couldn't tell you how many times I've read about these two great prophets of God; still, I suppose because their names are so similar, whenever I speak about them I usually have to take the time to look it up to make sure I've got the right prophet. Personally I think many pastors and speakers have the same problem but most won't acknowledge it. But then, that's the good thing about the Bible; when we get confused we can take the time to look it up to make sure we've got our facts straight. Elijah was the mentor of Elisha. A careful reading of 1 and 2 Kings will reveal their story. God had told Elijah to make an apprentice of this farmer and I believe that it was in Elisha's heart all along. That's just the way God works. From the moment Elijah approached Elisha he left all and followed him. The Bible tells us in 1 Kings 19:19-21, that even though he wanted to say good-bye to his father and mother, when Elijah departed from him, he immediately killed the yoke of oxen with which he was plowing, cooked their meat and gave it to the people, then left all to follow the prophet. In 2 Kings 2 we read the story of how Elijah was taken from Elisha. It was time for the student to become the prophet and the teacher. Elisha didn't want Elijah to leave. You can read the story for yourself but the point I'd like to make is that there always comes a time for the apprentice to become the master. I've had several "Elijahs" in my lifetime. I remember as a teenager, just called into the ministry and raw as a rare steak, my pastor at the time was an "Elijah" to me. Often in my spare time I'd visit him and we would talk about the Bible for hours. I learned much from this man. But the time came when I had to leave. A couple of years later another pastor became my "Elijah." God placed him in my life and he gave me many opportunities to teach and to preach the word of God. There were times he put me in a place where I just had to grab the reins and take control. I was scared and I'm sure I made mistakes; but he pushed me to do things I probably would have never done on my own.

Later in life another man, who was a district overseer of the denomination I was in at the time, became another "Elijah" to me. These men were all used greatly to shape and mold me. They taught me things I will never forget. But there came a time when God pushed me out of the nest of these wonderful men.  I could also say that my grandfather and grandmother were "Elijahs" to me, as well as my parents. And I'm certain there were many others who just don't come to mind right now. I spent a year in Bible College and finished by correspondence. School is always beneficial and I will never knock getting an education. But these people in my life were in a very big way another school to me. They taught me things about people, relationships, and practical knowledge that you can never find in an institution of higher learning. The point is that we all encounter "Elijahs" in our lives. There are people God places before us for our benefit and learning. There will come a time when we will graduate from that school. Perhaps we'll move on to another "Elijah" as I did throughout my life. We may not understand. Maybe your "Elijah" passed away and you felt robbed and cheated. Or there could have been other circumstances that caused the departing and you just couldn't understand why. The fact is that we all graduate sooner or later. That's just the way it is. The time comes when we are to take the reins and drive the horses ourselves. When this happens always depart peacefully. If it has happened to you and it wasn't a peaceful departure, if possible go back and make it right because more than likely the departure was orchestrated by God Himself. Let "Elijah" go, grab up the mantel and move on in what God has for you and your life. When we do, it's hard telling what God intends to do next but isn't it exciting? -- Jerry D. Ousley is the Author of five books, "Soul Challenge", "Soul Journey" "Ordeal" "The Spirit Bread Daily Devotional" and his first novel "The Shoe Tree." Listen to the daily broadcast Spirit Bread. Find out more by visiting www.spiritbread.com or email us at jousley@spiritbread.com; Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS (Inspirational Stories)

Better A Junkie than a Bundy by Marilyn Schnepp  1/25/2010 / Miracles His knife slipped easily through the space between door and door jamb, then with one swift motion he lifted the hooked latch out of the eye on the screen door and stealthily entered my apartment. Sitting cross-legged in the middle of my bed reading the newspaper with my back to the door, I never heard a sound...until I felt the cold sharp edge of the knife blade as it came to rest at the base of my throat, along with a masculine voice behind me saying, "Give me your gun!" Just two feet away concealed under a magazine on my nightstand lay a loaded revolver; but I hadn't bargained for a knife at my throat when I placed it there for protection, and reaching for it now under these circumstances would be foolhardy. I was neither that courageous nor that stupid. You'll never believe the ridiculous thoughts that race through ones mind during those first few seconds under such fearful constraint. For instance, I remember cousin Ron's insistence that I buy a weapon when I moved to Detroit ten years ago. "Women living alone in a Big City need it for protection." he'd said. I wondered what Ron would say if he could see how worthless his idea of protection was to me now...absolutely useless. I also became vividly aware that I was scantily clad in nothing but Fredericks of Hollywood's niftiest sleepwear, so even under extreme duress, modesty trumped fear as I hastily tried to cover my body with my newspaper. I told you the mind does some ridiculous things during traumatic times. "Where's your gun?", the voice said again. "I don't have one", my voice cracked as I lied. Pressing the knife harder against my throat, he repeated his demand. Envisioning large imaginary droplets of blood cascading down my neck, fear of death suddenly pushed stubborn bravery aside and I reluctantly pointed to the (dig this!) Life Magazine on the nightstand. The knife was immediately discarded and replaced by my fully loaded Smith & Wesson revolver to the back of my head. "Lie face down on the floor and don't move," he commanded.

For the next few minutes my face was buried in the deep shag carpet listening to the intruder rifle through my purse, closets, and dresser drawers while I prayed non-stop. Meanwhile he was walking by, around and over me carrying TV, radio, stereo, camera and anything he could carry to the back door.   Finally the nightmare was over. He ordered me to remain where I was for five minutes - "and remember I'll be watching you" were his parting words. I heard the back door close, the sound of a car pulling away and then silence.   "Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Jesus! I wept. The intruder had cleaned me out of house and home, but I was so grateful to be alive and unharmed, I couldn't stop praising God. I don't know how long I laid there before getting up and calling the police.   Later, after the Police Officer finished filling out his report, he shook his head at the same time he shook my hand; "You're a very, very lucky young lady that your thief was a hard line junkie instead of a perverted killer or rapist like Theodore "Ted" Bundy. It's tough losing all your hard earned possessions to some pawn shop junkie so he can feed his habit and get a "fix"; but you CAN always replace material things...but NEVER your life. Remember that."   I thanked the Officer, and after I closed the door I looked around at all the empty spaces and fell to my knees once more...and wept. Not tears of sorrow, but grateful to be alive.   Two weeks later I packed my belongings, collected my final paycheck, and left the Big City for good.   PS: By the way, it's been thirty five years since that fearful episode - and I've yet to replace my Smith & Wesson. I now put my full trust in my Heavenly Father's promises: Be not afraid (or fearful), for "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matt:28:20   God's never out of my reach...He's just a whisper away.   -- Can be reached at schneppm@att.net; Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS (Inspirational Stories)

Help, My Muse Is Missing by Bob Valleau  1/14/2010 / Writing There have been a few times, in my writing career, when I could not think of what to write about or even how to approach a subject. Okay. Forget I said "a few." There have been many. What do we, as Christian writers, do when it seems like our muse is playing hide-and-seek with us? How can we smash through a wall of absolutely "nothing there" whenever it decides to erect itself? If your muse is missing, or you are facing a brick wall, try one of these practical tips to re-ignite your passion. 1. Up, up and away. I find a blank computer screen staring back at me intimidating. Instead of trying to have a "stare-down contest" with the technological beast, I get up and move around. I go to another room, take a walk, bike, hike or visit with friends. How does this help? I'm physically infused with energy and have a different attitude when I sit down at the computer again. 2. Scribble-scrabble. Carry a small notepad and pen with you. Or, in today's world, any kind of digital gadget with note-taking capabilities will do. How does this help? Whenever, and wherever, an idea pops into your head, jot (or type) it down.

3. Free-form. Take a word (or topic) and begin to freely write things about it. Let your writing flow. So what if you stray off course. That's why it's called free-form. How does this help? Usually, you can find a unique angle for a story or an article when you do this. Or, a cluster of thematic topics will appear that can aid you in your quest for an idea. These three ideas have helped me the most. But, the greatest piece of advice I can give for finding your muse or breaking through your writer's block is to pray. God still speaks to us in a still, small voice. We just need to quiet ourselves long enough to hear Him. ---Copyright 2010 by Bob Valleau. Bob has over 20 years of writing experience for the Christian market. He was once named Christian Writer of the Year by the American Christian Writers Association. Currently, he freelances and lives in Texas. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS (Inspirational Stories)