The Bulletin Board:(Please SCROLL DOWN this page to find the article titled on this post in LARGE CAPITAL LETTERS. Thank you.)
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
"Stars Fell on Alabama - A CHRISTMAS STORY FOR OUR TIME " - By: Eric Metaxas| Breakpoint.org: December 23, 2014; http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/entry/12/26595?spMailingID=10234854&spUserID=MTMyMjM2ODE5OQS2&spJobID=441920324&spReportId=NDQxOTIwMzI0S0 [AS I SEE IT: I did see this story presented on the evening news last week. What the author of this article does not reference is that the acts of kindness demonstrated in this story were started by a police officer. One of those who people have been demonstrating against for several months now, with even one group yelling "Kill the cops!" The fact that the activists who were behind the protests never denounced such expressions makes it hard not to fault them in part for the two officers assassinated the other day. Also, the fact that this all takes place during the Christmas season speaks of how the timing of all this ongoing ugliness does not have the Evil One behind it. What does it say of how much the meaning of this season has been lost on so many. Rather than take the time to stop and reflect on what the coming of God to this earth means people continue to engage in such hate-filled protests. And led by a so-called reverend at that! (Be sure to check out the link below to see a video clip of this story.) - Stan]
What were you hoping for this Christmas? Well, Helen Johnson was just hoping for five eggs; but she got much more.
Friends, we’re coming to the close of a dark year. We’ve witnessed the brutality and barbarism of ISIS overseas and watched violent clashes between police and protesters in the Heartland. All around we see death, anger, and despair. I’m sure you’ll agree there is much about the human condition we wish weren’t true.
Yet as we approach Christmas, we’re reminded once again that the darkness gathering around us does not have the final word. John the Apostle opens his Gospel with timeless words of hope regarding the Word of God: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Earlier this month, in Tarrant, Alabama, the beautiful light of hope shined into one woman’s family. Let me tell you their story.
As reported at AL.com, Helen Johnson stood in the store aisle in despair. She and her two daughters, a niece and two grandchildren, had not eaten for two days and now she was 50 cents short for the dozen eggs she was hoping to buy. Out of options and hope, Helen stuffed five of the eggs in her pocket and tried to walk out. Fortunately, as it turns out, they broke. “I'm not a good thief at all,” she said. When confronted by store employees, she admitted her crime and waited for police. Yet, when Officer William Stacy got there, the story didn’t go as she expected. Instead of escorting her to the back of his squad car, Officer Stacy bought the dozen eggs for her and let her know the store was not pressing charges. When asked how she could repay him, Stacy told her not to shoplift again.
When I heard about this, I kept thinking about the touching scene in Les Miserables where Bishop Myriel presses the silver candlesticks into the criminal Jean Valjean’s hands. Your life has been spared for God, he told him. Kindness, rather than retribution, and mercy instead of justice, is what makes these stories great.
But Helen Johnson’s story did not end there. A man filmed the incident at the store and posted it online. The video went viral and offers of help began pouring in. Three days later, police officers were helping Mrs. Johnson sign up for a toy drive and the following day, officers returned with two truckloads of food. For a family with virtually nothing, a stocked pantry was unbelievable. “My heart is wide open right now,” she said.
The small acts of kindness by the store’s management and Officer Stacy sparked a wave of compassion and charity.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This, as much as any other, is the message that gives us hope at Christmas.
Every year, we take time to wonder at the kindness of a God who would descend from eternal bliss to live in squalor among us. His acts of kindness, and above all the gift of his own life for us, continue to work their way through history, inspiring countless acts of mercy throughout every land and age. The stories of Jean Valjean and Helen Johnson inspire us because they are our story, too. We are all condemned before the Lord, but rather than mete out justice, He offers forgiveness and new life.
Most of us may never know what it’s like to be 50 cents short of providing a meal for hungry children. But our Lord does: He came to serve the poor and the wretched, the “miserables” among us.
God’s ongoing blessing to us, if we choose to receive it, is to share His works of mercy in the world. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Jesus said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And blessed are the rest of us, who’ve been given opportunities to serve them.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION - This is the time of year when we purposefully pause to celebrate the merciful kindness of God toward all mankind. Helen Johnson's story is an encouragement to all believers to take every opportunity to show kindness and mercy to those around us this Christmas season.
"Tarrant police officer delivers groceries to woman caught stealing eggs at Dollar General" - Carol Robinson | AL.com | December 10, 2014;
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/12/tarrant_police_officer_deliver.html [Go to this weblink to see a video of this story.]
PRAY FOR AMERICA: THANK GOD for His many blessings on America throughout it's history. May we then ask that AMERICA once again be a blessing TO GOD, by once again submitting to HIS will in our affairs - both personal and national - that He may truly "heal our land." (2 Chron. 7:14)
Here is an example of how a 13-year old can say things much more eloquently than too many adults. In the midst of all the protests over recent decisions regarding officer actions, people are forgetting the daily sacrifices SO MANY make. Especially during this season of the year, you would think people would pause to remember our PEACE officers. [Let's all be in prayer for this teen and the other members of the families grieving as we prepare for Christmas.]
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER:1) Let's be praying that God showed us grace in giving us representatives who will sincerely work to DO NO HARM to us and future generations. Let's also be praying that should He have chosen to give us those who WILL do us harm, that He extends mercy to us now and for the years ahead. His will is now done as far as the results we have. Now it's up to us to be diligent to hold those elected accountable!, and 2) Let's be praying that the present lame-duck session in Congress will not be allowed to pass legislation that will do harm to our country as they can easily do. (See post #1051 - 'Return of the Zombie).
Here is an example of how a 13-year old can say things much more eloquently than too many adults. In the midst of all the protests over recent decisions regarding officer actions, people are forgetting the daily sacrifices SO MANY make. Especially during this season of the year, you would think people would pause to remember our PEACE officers. [Let's all be in prayer for this teen and the other members of the families grieving as we prepare for Christmas.]
NOW THAT THE ELECTION IS OVER:1) Let's be praying that God showed us grace in giving us representatives who will sincerely work to DO NO HARM to us and future generations. Let's also be praying that should He have chosen to give us those who WILL do us harm, that He extends mercy to us now and for the years ahead. His will is now done as far as the results we have. Now it's up to us to be diligent to hold those elected accountable!, and 2) Let's be praying that the present lame-duck session in Congress will not be allowed to pass legislation that will do harm to our country as they can easily do. (See post #1051 - 'Return of the Zombie).
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: Save Christian Mom Asia Bibi from Execution - A Christian mom has been sentenced to death in Pakistan for her faith. Asia Bibi was falsely accused of “blasphemy” – speaking against the prophet Muhammad. Now this wife and mother of five will hang for her Christian faith.She would be the first woman executed under Pakistan’s Shariah blasphemy law.This is the ultimate human rights violation. We’re mobilizing our international affiliate – the European Centre for Law and Justice – and its partner in Pakistan to stop this atrocity. Add your name to our letter to the government of Pakistan demanding Asia Bibi’s freedom.Go to http://aclj.org/persecuted-church/save-christian-mom-asia-bibi-from-execution; please add your signature to mine and over 35,000 others AND pray for Asia Bibi.
U.S. Supreme Court has Reconvened: Let's be praying WHENEVER the Court is in session as their decisions can have impact on GENERATIONS to come. The fact that they may have an opportunity this session to actually vote on same-sex "marriage" where it has the same impact on this country that Roe v. Wade did should be motivating enough!
WORLD-WDE PRAYER REQUESTS:
Friday, Sept. 26th - Two Year Anniversary of Pastor Saeed Abedini's Imprisonment in Iran! - [NOTE TODAY'S POST!]
We need to continue to pray for Pastor Saeed - that his health will improve and that he will be re-united with his wife and two young children who live in the United States. [If you have not yet, please sign the petition for his clemency- http://beheardproject.com/saeed#sign] For comfort and .\
"Not Everyone Happy with Religious Ambassador Pick," Caitlin Burke,July 29, 2014;
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2014/July/Obama-Taps-Rabbi-for-Religious-Freedom-Ambassador/ "..An estimated 76 percent of the world's population live in countries where religious freedom is restricted. Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States must take a strong stand against those violations. "Around the world repressive governments and extremists groups have been crystal clear about what they stand against, so we have to be equally clear about what we must stand for," Kerry said. "We stand for greater freedom, for greater tolerance, greater respect, for rights of freedom of expression and freedom of conscience," he said A key development in the 2013 report is the large number of displaced members of religious communities, including entire Christian communities in Syria and Iraq that have been forced to flee their homes because of persecution."
SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
Of course, let's CONTINUE PRAYING FOR AN END TO THE EBOLA CRISIS IN WEST AFRICA AND THE HEALING OF ALL THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN INFECTED.
PRAY FOR THE CRISIS HAPPENING NOW IN IRAQ (see post #907) Pray that allied forces will be able to drive the group ISIS back (see post #964)
/PRAYER ALERT- UKRAINE: As the Lord leads, please pray:
*For God to suppress President Putin’s ambitions to "restore" the Soviet empire.
*For the people of Ukrainen [esp. for the church 'to be THE church'] as they wait to see if the Russian troops will advance.
*About President Obama and to use wisdom in crafting our foreign policy, and wisdom for his advisers.
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
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What were you hoping for this Christmas? Well, Helen Johnson was just hoping for five eggs; but she got much more.
Friends, we’re coming to the close of a dark year. We’ve witnessed the brutality and barbarism of ISIS overseas and watched violent clashes between police and protesters in the Heartland. All around we see death, anger, and despair. I’m sure you’ll agree there is much about the human condition we wish weren’t true.
Yet as we approach Christmas, we’re reminded once again that the darkness gathering around us does not have the final word. John the Apostle opens his Gospel with timeless words of hope regarding the Word of God: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
Earlier this month, in Tarrant, Alabama, the beautiful light of hope shined into one woman’s family. Let me tell you their story.
As reported at AL.com, Helen Johnson stood in the store aisle in despair. She and her two daughters, a niece and two grandchildren, had not eaten for two days and now she was 50 cents short for the dozen eggs she was hoping to buy. Out of options and hope, Helen stuffed five of the eggs in her pocket and tried to walk out. Fortunately, as it turns out, they broke. “I'm not a good thief at all,” she said. When confronted by store employees, she admitted her crime and waited for police. Yet, when Officer William Stacy got there, the story didn’t go as she expected. Instead of escorting her to the back of his squad car, Officer Stacy bought the dozen eggs for her and let her know the store was not pressing charges. When asked how she could repay him, Stacy told her not to shoplift again.
When I heard about this, I kept thinking about the touching scene in Les Miserables where Bishop Myriel presses the silver candlesticks into the criminal Jean Valjean’s hands. Your life has been spared for God, he told him. Kindness, rather than retribution, and mercy instead of justice, is what makes these stories great.
But Helen Johnson’s story did not end there. A man filmed the incident at the store and posted it online. The video went viral and offers of help began pouring in. Three days later, police officers were helping Mrs. Johnson sign up for a toy drive and the following day, officers returned with two truckloads of food. For a family with virtually nothing, a stocked pantry was unbelievable. “My heart is wide open right now,” she said.
The small acts of kindness by the store’s management and Officer Stacy sparked a wave of compassion and charity.
The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 12: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This, as much as any other, is the message that gives us hope at Christmas.
Every year, we take time to wonder at the kindness of a God who would descend from eternal bliss to live in squalor among us. His acts of kindness, and above all the gift of his own life for us, continue to work their way through history, inspiring countless acts of mercy throughout every land and age. The stories of Jean Valjean and Helen Johnson inspire us because they are our story, too. We are all condemned before the Lord, but rather than mete out justice, He offers forgiveness and new life.
Most of us may never know what it’s like to be 50 cents short of providing a meal for hungry children. But our Lord does: He came to serve the poor and the wretched, the “miserables” among us.
God’s ongoing blessing to us, if we choose to receive it, is to share His works of mercy in the world. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” Jesus said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” And blessed are the rest of us, who’ve been given opportunities to serve them.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
FURTHER READING AND INFORMATION - This is the time of year when we purposefully pause to celebrate the merciful kindness of God toward all mankind. Helen Johnson's story is an encouragement to all believers to take every opportunity to show kindness and mercy to those around us this Christmas season.
"Tarrant police officer delivers groceries to woman caught stealing eggs at Dollar General" - Carol Robinson | AL.com | December 10, 2014;
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/12/tarrant_police_officer_deliver.html [Go to this weblink to see a video of this story.]
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