My Christian Diary

Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look good.'

'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'

'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time..'

'Good... Anything I can help you with?'

'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' th em peas..'

'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble here.'

'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.

When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come on their next trip to the store.'

I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado , but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand

and led me to the casket.

'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size.....they came to pay their debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho .'

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The Moral:

We will not always be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I AM THE LORD. Leviticus 19:18

~Author Uknown~

Hello All, grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

Matthew 24:4-5 says, And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

1 John 2;18 says, Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

We are finally in our new house, but we have nothing to go in it, because our household goods will not be here for about a month and a half to two months. When I get my computer back I will post more often. Thank you everyone for being patient with me.

We have not found a Church yet, but I know GOD will lead us to where HE wants us. I love GOD so much and I just want to be faithful to HIM and HIS WORD. I feel out of sorts when I am not plugged in to a Church, but I know my relationship with GOD is still growing, but I feel weird not going to Church. Please continue to pray as we are still going through this transition.

GOD bless you all!

Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and Savior JESUS CHRIST.

GREAT VIDEO!!! There is nothing more important than coming to the complete understanding of what JESUS did on the CROSS for everyone in the world. Too, we need to understand that HE did not stay on the CROSS, HE died, and then three days later HE arose from the dead, conquering death for all who will trust in HIM.

If you are here reading this and have never put your trust in JESUS, let me encourage you to do so today. HE is waiting to receive you at this very moment.

Hugs and Love to you all!

GOD bless you!

Hello All,Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.

I know it has been some time since my last post, but the Army moved us from Belgium back to the States. I have mixed feelings about it. I left a good Church and great friends, but look forward to the new chapter in my life.

I know GOD is leading our lives so I trust HE will lead us to a HOLY SPIRIT filled Church and a new Church family. Please pray for us!

We are in the middle of in processing our new installation, so I will post when can. Thanks, to all who have not left me due to my lack of posts. I will be more faithful when I get settled.

Three weeks before leaving Belgium, we traveled to many places, I can not wait to tell you all about it...I also have pictures!

GOD bless you all! A hug for your neck and a smooch for your cheek! Feel the love!!!!

Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you. I read this and I thought I would pass it along to you. It has a great message. PRAISE GOD!!

Psalm 66:18-19 says...
If I regard iniquity (sin) in my heart, The Lord will not hear, But certainly GOD has heard me;HE has attended to the voice of my prayer.

Meaning if we have unconfessed sin in our heart, the LORD will not hear us. That makes me want to continually examine myself against the SCRIPTURE to see what sin I have within me so I can confess it and ask for forgiveness. Not that I want to focus on sin, but as I spend time with GOD in prayer and SCRIPTURE, I ask HIM to reveal any sin that is within me. Then I know for sure that HE will forgive and attend to the voice of my prayer.

It is bad to be in trouble, but worse to be in trouble with GOD. According to King David, if we are harboring sinful attitudes in our hearts or willfully indulging in sinful activities, we should not expect GOD to respond to our prayers.
This is not because GOD doesn't love us. HE does more than we realize. It's not because GOD doesn't want to help us, HE really wants to deliver us. It is simply that a HOLY GOD cannot wink at sin or look the other way. Intimacy with GOD requires honesty, humility, and purity.
Attempting to approach GOD without first addressing the ways in which we have knowingly offended and wronged HIM is an exercise in futility. Sin is the "elephant in the room" that must be acknowledged and dealt with. Once we do that, we again enjoy sweet fellowship with GOD. Clean and forgiven, we can be sure he hears our pleas for help.
A prayer of GOD's promise:
Lord, you do not listen to my prayers when I have unconfessed sin in my life. By your SPIRIT give me the humility I need to take a hard look at my soul. Show me, GOD, any wrong attitudes and actions that I need to acknowledge. I want to be right with you. I want to be close to you. Thank you for pledging to hear those who humble themselves and acknowledge their sin. May my sins, which block me from you when I don't confess them, become a bridge to you as I admit them, forsake them, and experience your forgiveness.