 Night is coming, when no one can work." John 9:4 (NKJV) It's March — time for "March Madness" for all you basketball fans and the setting aside of one day when we all become a little Irish. March 17th is a time for shamrocks, Leprechauns, kissin' the Blarney stone, and wearin' o' the green. On a personal note, I'm preparing for a month-long trip back to the U.S. the end of March. I'm looking forward to updating everyone on my activities here, visiting with friends and my mother, and filling up on all the foods I've missed during the 27 months I've been in India. (Look out, McDonald's and Pizza Hut, here I come!) I would greatly appreciate your prayers for safe travel and opportunities to tell others about this wonderful Savior of mine. If God enables, I'll still send out my April newsletter while I'm in the States. For now, please enjoy the following uplifting stories, cartoons, and humorous tid-bits.  Be blessed in Jesus' name, and remember: The Christian life is not what we do for God, but what God does for us!
Your sister & servant in Christ,  My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry |
To the world you might be one person, but to one person you might be the world. |
 Who was St. Patrick? The person who was to become St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born in Wales about 385 A.D. His given name was Maewyn. At the age of 16, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. During his captivity, he became closer to God. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre, for 12 years. During his training he changed his name to the Christian name Patrick and was called by God to convert Ireland's native pagans to Christianity. But his superiors appointed St. Palladius to Ireland instead. Two years later when Palladius transferred to Scotland, Patrick was appointed as second Bishop to Ireland. Patrick was quite successful at winning converts. And this fact upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down where he died on March 17 in 461 A.D. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since. One reason St. Patrick's Day might have become so popular is that it takes place just a few days before the first day of spring. One might say it has become the first green of spring. All rights reserved. Used by permission. |
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Open letter to pets The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food, the other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run. I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm. For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob, or get your paw under the edge to try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years — canine or feline attendance is not mandatory. The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough! To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door: and Like to Complain about Our Pets
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"Jesus answered and said to them, 'Have faith in God.'" Mark 11:22 Jesus told His disciples they could command a mountain to be cast into the sea , and if they believed it would happen, it would. Jesus then gave them His meaning behind that astonishing promise. He said, "Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will" (Mark 11:24). Jesus was speaking about answered prayer. We can ask and receive answers only if our asking is directed to God in faith and according to His will (1 John 5:14). I've often wished that I could move mountains by faith. Having once lived in Switzerland, I'd like God to move the Alps into my backyard in England. But He has done something much more important. He has removed mountains of worry, fear, and resentment from m y heart and cast them into oblivion through my faith in Him. He is still in the mountain-moving business! Have faith in God and pray! by Joannie Yoder When the Spirit prompts the asking, When the waiting ear believes, Then we know of each petition — Everyone who asks receives. Faith is the key to answered prayer. "Our Daily Bread" © 2004 RBC Ministries |
The Shamrock One traditional icon of St. Patrick's Day is the shamrock. This stems from a bona-fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day. All rights reserved. Used by permission. |
 Laugh often. |
The trouble with doing something right the first time is that nobody appreciates how difficult it was. Each day I try to enjoy something from each of the three major food groups: the chocolate group, the salty-snack group, and the caffeine group. Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it. If olive oil comes from olives and corn oil comes from corn... where does baby oil come from? Did you ever notice that when you put the 2 words "The" and "IRS" together, it spells "THEIRS"!! |
Editor's Note I received the following message from one of my readers, and I just had to share it with all of you, too! You quoted: "The optimist says, 'The cup is half full.' The pessimist says, 'The cup is half empty.' The child of God says, 'My cup runneth over by faith.'" One day when my son was little, I was trying get across the principle of having a God outlook. I used the above scenario. During this time we were drinking a couple of sodas. When I was finished with my explanation, my son looked at my "empty" glass and said, "Look, dad, your glass is full all the way to the bottom." How often do we miss the blessings of God because we do not present Him a glass that is full "all the way to the bottom"? For when we do, we allow God to choose how to fill it. The person who allows God to fill their life is rich indeed. The Bible says, "And a child shall lead them." I always assumed it was talking about Jesus. Yet God showed me that God does use children to lead HIS people, if we will let Him. After my son taught me the importance of being "full all the way to the bottom", I recalled one of Gaither's songs. Even now I can't remember the whole thing, but one line goes, "How could He fill hands that were already full?" I've since written a song myself (which I don't sing that often and the music isn't on me. It was on the computer until it crashed not too long ago) called "Full to the Bottom". The last two lines of the chorus are as follows: but my cup overflows when it's empty in Your hand. Take care and God bless. David Brollier (Because of the threat of spam or other web abuses, I don't publish people's email addresses. Please contact me if you'd like to write to David.) |
Editor's Note I couldn't find the song by the Gaither's that David referenced above, but I did find this beautiful poem written by Martha Snell Nicholson, a woman who suffered from four incurable diseases. She lived with intense pain more than 35 years as an invalid, bound to her bed. Her spirit was so transcendently triumphant through those many weary years that she wrote some of the finest Christian poetry ever written. One by one He took them from me, All the things I valued most, Until I was empty-handed; Every glittering toy was lost. And I walked earth's highways, grieving. In my rags and poverty. Till I heard His voice inviting, "Lift your empty hands to Me!" So I held my hands toward heaven, And He filled them with a store Of His own transcendent riches, Till they could contain no more. And at last I comprehended With my stupid mind and dull, That God could not pour His riches Into hands already full! by Martha Snell Nicholson See more of her poetry at Mercy Drops |
 "I'm getting so fat, I can hardly scratch where it itches!" |
A group of senior citizens were sitting around talking about their ailments. "My arms are so weak I can hardly hold this cup of coffee," said one. "Yes, I know. My cataracts are so bad I can't even see my coffee," replied another. "I can't turn my head because of the arthritis in my neck," said a third, to which several nodded weakly in agreement. "My blood pressure pills make me dizzy," another went on. "I guess that's the price we pay for getting old," winced an old man as he shook his head. Then there was a short moment of silence... "Well, it's not that bad," said one woman cheerfully. "At least we can still drive!" |
"Mather said, 'You're young and have the world before you. Stoop as you go through it, and you will avoid many hard thumps.' That advice has been very useful to me. I avoided many misfortunes by not carrying my head too high in pride." Copyright © 2006 by Moody Bible Institute |
 Everyone needs to feel secure! (How secure are you?) |
Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18 Paige was a twenty-year-old dreamer; so when her boyfriend asked her to get married, she accepted. After a beautiful wedding, life went downhill in a hurry. He flunked out of college, she became pregnant and went to work to support them. Then, when the baby was eleven months old, he committed "an unforgivable sin," and Paige called her parents to come get her. What was the husband's "unforgivable sin"? Paige doesn't say. But it raises the question: Is there any sin so bad that God can't or won't forgive? That we can't forgive? The apostle Paul made it clear that he believed himself to be the chief of sinners. He was a blasphemer, a persecutor, approved of the killing of innocent people, and put many others in prison. Yet he found that none of those sins was unforgivable in God's sight (Colossians 2:13). God Himself said there was no limit on forgiveness (Matthew 18:22). The efficacy of the blood of Christ is infinite. It is able to wash away every sin you may find unforgivable. God's only warning about sin being unforgivable is when we fail to forgive others (Matthew 6:15). it is in his power to commit more than God could forgive?" Francis de Sales "Grace for the Day" by Dr. David Jeremiah |
The turtle tried again and again while a couple of birds sitting on a branch watched his sad efforts. Finally, the female bird turned to her mate. "Dear," she chirped, "I think it's time to tell him he's adopted." |
Lord, rend the heavens and come down. Isaiah 64:1 The air in the sanctuary suddenly seemed charged with electricity. The people fell silent. No one moved. Every person in the building knew that God had come down, but no one knew how to respond. So no one did. Finally the pastor stood up . . . only to have something happen that he will never forget. The pulpit he was standing behind was a clear acrylic-looking pulpit. The makers of this particular brand say it can be dropped from a thirty-story building and not sustain any damage. What those manufacturers didn't include in their calculations was the impact God stepping behind that same pulpit would have. As the pastor stepped behind the pulpit, it suddenly split in half and fell into two pieces on the floor, and the pastor was thrown several feet back, unharmed, and lay on the floor under the power of God. Immediately, conviction of sin surged through the hearts of the people as a holy God stood unveiled in their presence. Many fell weeping and repenting on the floor. Those who stood had uplifted hands and tears coursing down their cheeks. Time no longer meant anything. Hours passed and the next service should have been about to start. Cars pulled into the parking lot and the people, unaware of what was happening inside the church, began getting out of the cars and heading into the church. But... The power of God cannot be contained in one place. It was flowing out of the building. People who were walking toward the church . . . would crumple to the ground, weeping over their sinful hearts. The conviction of the Lord was everywhere. When I first heard about what had happened, I was ready to jump in my car and head off to Houston. As I was getting ready for bed one night shortly afterward, I was talking to the Lord and telling Him how incredible I thought what He had done was. Hundreds of souls were saved or recommitted to Him in one day. Souls that would never see their God as anything but holy, and would never want to live without Him. As I talked to the Lord, one thing I said as I finished my thoughts to Him was how incredible it was that He had split the pulpit. I knew those people would forever have a physical reminder of the day that God came. The altar became an altar. Then God interrupted me and told me to go and read 1 Kings 13:3-5. I opened my Bible and read these words: "That same day the man of God gave a sign to prove his message, and he said, 'The Lord has promised to give us this sign: this altar will split apart and its ashes will be poured out on the ground' . . . at the same time a wide crack appeared." Then the Lord spoke to me again. He said, "Michelle, you thought what I did in Houston was so incredible. I just wanted to show you that I had done it before." So what about you? Have you ever encountered God? Have you ever had a run-in with the Holy One? It marks your life forever. There are people throughout history who have had similar encounters. All have a different story, but all have the same end result: a life never the same. Isaiah 6:1 says, "In the year that King Uzziah died, I [Isaiah] saw the Lord..." Isaiah saw God face-to-face and it cleansed him and sent him. He was never the same. He saw the courts of heaven and cried out for the sin in his life. He saw the glory cloud fill the room. He saw the seraphim and heard them crying out to the Lord, "Holy, holy, holy!" Is it any wonder that when the Lord asked in verse 8, "whom shall I send? Who shall go for us?" that Isaiah responded saying, "Here am I, send me!" Encounters with God . . . can happen . . . whenever He desires to come down. But His coming is in response to a cry that resounds off the very pillars of heaven. It is a cry that will not be stopped until [we are] standing before Him in those same courts that Isaiah saw. [We] cry, "Lord, I need You. I want to see your face. Please God! Rend the heavens and come down or take me there. I am hungry, starving, famished for your presence! I cannot imagine waiting for death to bring me to You. I need to see You now. You are my life! I crave you. Please, Lord! Come to me!!!" And He does. At times when [we] can least expect it and at others in response to a promise that He would come down. What do I hope to inspire in you today? A craving for Christ. A desire to see the face of God and a passion to pursue His presence until you, like so many others before you, have tasted of the Lord and seen how incredibly wonderful His presence is. What do you crave more than Him? The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13 that you can seek God and find Him when you search for Him with all of your heart. There is nothing to compare it to. Have you encountered Him? Seek Him and find Him. He is waiting for your call. Living for the Call Ministries Encountering God Conference—A New Beginning August 25-27, 2006 Tall Timbers Conference Center, Alexandria, Louisiana, USA |
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The greatest enemy of destiny and power is not Satan, but complacency. |
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no, it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment. The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, the fulfillment of your fall. Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come. |
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Unfortunately, one of the calves grew sick, then sicker, and the farmer came into the house one day looking sad. He looked at his wife and said, "You'll never guess what's just happened. The Lord's calf is dead!" |
isn't a denial of trouble. It helps us see those situations from God's perspective — as opportunities to discover His power and love. |
simile n. poetical comparison of one thing with another using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’ (e.g. as brave as a lion). Editor's Note I have a friend in Ohio who sometimes likes to compete with me to see who can write the longest run-on sentence. She holds the record... until now. I believe this one beats both of us! There was something funny about the kidnapping crime scene that Special Agent Frievald couldn't quite place, and the thought stuck with him throughout the rest of the day, like those tiny little bits of the circumferent skin from the bologna slices on a foot-long Subway Cold Cut Trio that get stuck in between the last two molars on the upper left, on the tongue side where you can't possibly reach them with a toothpick, your finger nails, or even a systematically straightened paper clip, they just sit there and make everything you eat at your next meal taste vaguely like vinegar and mayonnaise, and then somehow — quietly but miraculously — they disappear by themselves in the middle of the night while you're asleep, just like the visiting Countess appeared to have done. |
The postal employee was touched. He showed the letter to his fellow workers and all decided to kick in a few dollars each and send it to the family. They were able to raise $300. A couple of weeks later the same post office received a second letter addressed to God. The boy thanked God for the recent infusion of cash, but ended with this request: "Next time would you send the money directly to us? If you send it through the post office they deduct $200." Received from "sharon498" |
 My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry has a vision for a great Christ awakening and revival around the world, and a passion to help bring this about, directly or indirectly, irrespective of national boundaries, languages, denominations, or ethnic, racial or social/economic castes or classes. We are a non-denominational, Christ-centered Free Ministry and Missions Society. In accordance with IRS Code § 508(c)(1)(A), all donations are tax-deductible. Scripture taken from: King James Version (KJV), Copyright © 1990 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New International Version (NIV), Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society New King James Version (NKJV), Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. New Living Translation (NLT), Copyright © 1996 by Tyndale House Publishers World English Bible (WEB), 2001 MT-based public domain update of 1901 American Standard Version (ASV) Copyright © 2006. My Redeemer Lives Christian Ministry™. All rights reserved. |