Am I a Fireman Yet??
Saturday, September 30, 2006
HOW BIG OUR GOD IS
Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead tell your storm how big your GOD is!
In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stareddown at her 6 year old son, who was dying ofterminal leukaemia.
Although her heart was filled with sadness,she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up &fulfil all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukaemia would see to that. But she stillwanted her son's dream to come true.
She took her son's hand and asked,"Billy, did you ever think about what you wantedto be once you grew up?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would do withyour life?"
Mommy, "I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up."
Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we canmake your wish come true." Later that day she went to her local firedepartment in Phoenix, Arizona,where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as bigas Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish andasked if it might be possible to give her 6 yearold son a ride around the block on a fire engine.
Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clockWednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day.
We can come down to the fire station, eat with us,go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards!
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy --one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Departmenton it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.
And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy --one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Departmenton it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.
They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, sowe can get them fast." Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waitinghook and ladder truck.
Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and helpsteer it back to the fire station.
He was in heaven.There were three fire calls in Phoenix that dayand Billy got to go out on all three calls.He rode in the different fire engines, theparamedic's van, and even the fire chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the local news program.
Having his dream come true,with all the Love and attention that was lavishedupon him, so deeply touched Billy,that he lived three months longer than any doctorthought possible.
One night all of his vital signs began to dropdramatically and the head nurse, who believed
in the hospice concept - that no oneshould die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
in the hospice concept - that no oneshould die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.
Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as afireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it wouldbe possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes.
Will you please do me a favour? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system, that there is not a fire? It's the department coming to see one of its finestmembers one more time. And will you open the window to his room?
About five minutes later a hook and ladder truckarrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room.
With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him
and told him how much they LOVED him.
and told him how much they LOVED him.
With his dying breath,Billy looked up at the fire chief and said,"Chief, am I really a fireman now?"
"Billy, you are, and the Head Chief,Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said.
With those words, Billy smiled and said,"I know, He's been holding my hand all day, andthe angels have been singing.."
He closed his eyes one last time.
Don't Underestimate the power of prayer
Thursday, September 28, 2006
A young university student was home for the summer. She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time passed quickly as each shared their various experiences of the past year.
She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.
As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked "God" to keep her safe from harm and danger.
When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.
She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for "God's" protection. Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.
The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.
Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.
The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed. The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.
She asked if they would ask the man one question?
Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her. When the policeman asked him, he answered, " Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her.
She ended up staying longer than planned, and had to walk home alone. She wasn't afraid because it was a small town and she lived only a few blocks away.
As she walked along under the tall elm trees, Diane asked "God" to keep her safe from harm and danger.
When she reached the alley, which was a shortcut to her house, she decided to take it. However, halfway down the alley she noticed a man standing at the end as though he were waiting for her.
She became uneasy and began to pray, asking for "God's" protection. Instantly a comforting feeling of quietness and security wrapped around her, she felt as though someone was walking with her. When she reached the end of the alley, she walked right past the man and arrived home safely.
The following day, she read in the newspaper that a young girl had been raped in the same alley just twenty minutes after she had been there. Feeling overwhelmed by this tragedy and the fact that it could have been her, she began to weep.
Thanking the Lord for her safety and to help this young woman, she decided to go to the police station. She felt she could recognize the man, so she told them her story.
The police asked her if she would be willing to look at a lineup to see if she could identify him. She agreed and immediately pointed out the man she had seen in the alley the night before. When the man was told he had been identified, he immediately broke down and confessed. The officer thanked Diane for her bravery and asked if there was anything they could do for her.
She asked if they would ask the man one question?
Diane was curious as to why he had not attacked her. When the policeman asked him, he answered, " Because she wasn't alone. She had two tall men walking on either side of her.
What if God... ?
Friday, September 22, 2006
What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?
What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?
What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?
What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?
What if, God took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?
What if, God took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?
.....THINK ABOUT THIS ONE.....
What if, God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?
What if, the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
What if, God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
What if, God would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?
What if, God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?
What if, God met our needs the way we give Him our lives???
New Version of "Footprints"
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Imagine you and the Lord Jesus are walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord's footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace.
But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked.
Your dream ends. Now you pray:
"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."
"That is correct."
"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."
"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."
When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."
"Precisely."
"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."
There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures, and returns.
For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord's, soon paralleling His consistently.
You and Jesus are walking as true friends!
This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: Your footprints that once etched the sand next to Jesus' are now walking precisely in His steps.
Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, you and Jesus are becoming one.
This goes on for many miles, but gradually you notice another change. The footprints inside the large footprints seem to grow larger.
Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints. They have become one.
This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Gashes in the sand. A variable mess of prints.
You are amazed and shocked.
Your dream ends. Now you pray:
"Lord, I understand the first scene, with zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But You walked on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with You."
"That is correct."
"And when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was actually learning to walk in Your steps, following You very closely."
"Very good.. You have understood everything so far."
When the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I suppose that I was becoming like You in every way."
"Precisely."
"So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints separated, and this time it was worse than at first."
There is a pause as the Lord answers, with a smile in His voice.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: A time to weep, a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,4.
