By Faith Alone
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Midi music (click on title): Amazing Grace, Hosanna(traditional), Hosanna(rock), Impossible Dream, Jesus Christ Superstar By Eunice Soper
"When Spring Returned"
Oscar Wilde's story "The Selfish Giant" is an interesting treatise on selfishness. Listen as we retell it:
The Giant's garden was lovely, with soft green lawns, shady trees, and fragrant flowers. In the spring the trees were covered with pink and white blossoms and in the fall they offered fruit of many kinds.
Every afternoon the children played in the garden. The birds sang sweetly and the children exclaimed, "We're so happy here."
One day, after a seven-year absence, the Giant returned. When he saw the children, he roared, "What are you doing in my garden?" The children were so frightened they ran away. "It's my own garden and no one else shall enjoy it," said the Giant. So he built a wall so solid and so high that no one else could get in. Then he put up a sign that read "TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED."
Now the children had no place to play but the dusty streets, and they didn't like it. They often looked at the high wall and thought about the lovely garden behind it.
Then spring came again. It came every place but in the Giant's garden. The birds didn't want to be where there were no children. The flowers wouldn't grow under the shadow of that selfish sign. Only the snow and frost remained.
The Giant couldn't understand why spring was so late.
One morning the Giant heard the loveliest music from the garden. It was a bird singing. The snow and hail had stopped, and the delicious odor of spring came through the window. The Giant hurried to the window.
There he saw that through a little hole in the wall the children had crept into his garden and were perched in all the trees. Birds were singing, the grass was green, and flowers were blooming.
The Giant's heart softened as he looked. "Now I know why spring didn't come," he said. "I'm going to knock that wall down and the children shall use my garden as a playground forever."
He was as good as his word, and in the years that followed he became the best of friends to the children. He loved his flowers, he said, "but the children are the most beautiful flowers of all."
We are all selfish in some respects and at certain times. It is a trait of character that we are born with. But as we grow, we gradually learn to think of others, their wants and needs. The antidote for selfishness is included in our verse today. If we feel that we are inclined to selfishness we might try devising "liberal things" for others.
You have heard of the Alcoholics Anonymous organization, which has done so much to help alcoholics overcome the habit of drinking and return to respectable life, but did you ever hear how it started?
In an old stone house near Central Park in New York City, a refuge for drunks and other addicts, a patient awoke from a drunken nightmare. He glared at the doctor bent over him.
"So I'm here again, eh, doc?"
"Yes, and you may be interested to know that this is the fiftieth time you've been here, Bill."
Bill forced a sickly grin. "Not much chance I'll get better, is there?"
"Frankly, no," sighed the doctor.
"Well, give me a drink, then, to celebrate the verdict."
The doctor looked at this wreck of a human being, and said: "I'll make a bargain with you, Bill. You do something for me, and I'll let you have that drink."
The drunk shrugged his shoulders. "O.K."
The doctor went on. "Down the hall is a young man who was brought here for the first time last night. Stumble down there and give him a good look at you as a horrible example, and maybe it'll scare him out of ever drinking again."
"Fat chance," jeered the drunk, but he put on his bathrobe and in a short time was sitting on the end of the young man's bed, coaxing and pleading with him to leave off drinking, telling him why it was bad for him, quoting Bible texts.
As he talked, Bill began to feel a power rising in himself that he had not known was there. He assured the young man that he needed the power of God to help him. "You can't lick this thing by yourself," he told the boy. "Pray, and I'll help you."
All morning the two talked, the young man and the old drunk, and when they parted, the older man found that his talk had made such a profound impression on himself that he did not want to collect the drink the doctor had promised him!
Bill was back to that old stone house many times thereafter, but never again as a patient, for he had found that there is a Power that can help us help ourselves and others. As a result of that first talk with that boy, Alcoholics Anonymous was formed, and has helped people all over the world back to a new life and faith.
Bill found, as so many others have, that though we may fall many times we are not "utterly cast down." God is with us and will uphold us "with his hand." Through His power we may overcome the worst of temptations.
It was "show and tell" day in the third-grade room, and Gary was ready for it. His arms still ached from lugging the heavy barnacle-covered thing to school that morning. It lay on his desk now, ugly and rusty, but it had dried off since his father had fished it out of the river the day before.
Teacher stopped by Gary's desk and looked at the curious object.
"What is it?" she asked.
Gary's narrow shoulders shrugged. "Dunno. Some sorta shell, I guess. I brought it for 'show 'n' tell'."
Teacher stared at it thoughtfully. Then without a word she headed for the principal's office.
Soon Gary found his "show and tell" object being looked at by the principal. Gary was proud to think they were so interested in what he brought. Then the principal spoke to the teacher in a low voice and went out. Classes started as usual. Reading was over and Gary was busy with his arithmetic when the schoolroom door opened. The principal came in, followed by a man in uniform.
"This man would like to see your shell, Gary," said the principal.
Gary's chest swelled with pride, and he pointed to the shell. "My dad got it out of the river yesterday," he said.
There was a muffled exclamation from the officer. Then, "Gary, I'm going to take this away with me, if you don't mind," said the man, and in a moment Gary was deprived of his "show and tell" shell.
Later a report came from the principal. Gary's plaything was a live 75-millimeter shell that could have gone off at any moment!
Gary was completely innocent. He did not realize that that old shell, rust and water soaked as it was, was alive and could have destroyed not only himself but many of his schoolmates. It was only because an alert teacher and principal recognized that this might be a live -- and therefore dangerous -- shell, that a tragedy was prevented. "You people must live right," exclaimed the man from the bomb disposal squad, as he took the shell away.
Maybe they did. However that may be, we can be sure that God in heaven had His eye upon a small boy's "show and tell" offering that morning, and kept it from doing any danger until it was recognized by someone older and wiser. His eyes are watchful of our every move. And how glad we are that He sees all we do and protects us in times of ignorance.
An active little boy had been hearing the minister talking about heaven. The longer the minister spoke, the longer the child's face became. He was still looking serious after church, when someone said, "What's the matter, Jimmy? Why the long face?"
Said the little boy, "You know, I don't know that I want to go to heaven."
"Why, Jimmy! The very idea! Why not?"
"Well, if all we will have to do is sit on a cloud and play our harps, I don't think it would be much fun. I don't think I want to go there."
And many of us who are older than Jimmy would agree with him. If cloud sitting and harp playing were to be all that heaven consisted of, there would not be much incentive toward being there, would there? But Jimmy needn't have been worried about something to do in heaven, for it will be a busy, cheerful, happy place, with something to interest everyone for an eternity.
For one thing, we will never stop learning. We may not have organized schools as we have here, but we will have unlimited opportunities to learn. The best-informed people of the ages will be there. Think of learning to care for your garden under the tutelage of the Maker of the Garden of Eden. Think of discussing gardening with the one man of all times who lived in that wonderful place -- Adam.
Think of sitting down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and studying history. That will be almost like living it. There will be music and singing with the angels. Undoubtedly there will be harps for those who want them. And those of us who were unable to learn to play instruments upon this earth will have the ability to do so up there.
And speaking of angels, you will have the opportunity of learning more about these angelic beings. We will each become acquainted with the angel who has stood by us since the day we were born. Won't it be interesting to discuss with him some of the past events and learn why certain things happened?
Are you interested in higher mathematics? In travel? In heaven, with the whole universe to get acquainted with, there will be plenty of time and space for both.
And, most of all, there will be the wonderful chance to sit down at the feet of the Master Teacher and of hearing Him tell us more about the plan of redemption that made heaven possible for us. All eternity will not be long enough to learn all there is to know on that great theme.
Are you interested in astronomy? Up there in heaven we will not only be able to study with the Maker of the stars "who lives in the height of heaven" and who knows the "height of the stars," but we will be able personally to visit the inhabited planets.
Yes, if you are a person who loves activity, who likes to do things, go places, meet people, and learn new things, heaven will be the place for you. And we will not there be handicapped by having only threescore years and ten to finish all our learning. All eternity will be ours.
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"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons." -- The Roan Mountain Institute of Christian Science and Health
"Religion is a unique force in society. It promotes both good and evil. Historically, it has helped to abolish slavery. It has promoted racial integration, equal rights for women, and equal rights for gays and lesbians. It has motivated individuals to create massive support services for the poor, the sick, the hurting, and the broken. Conversely, it has been used to justify slavery, racial segregation, oppression of women, discrimination against homosexuals, genocide, extermination of minorities, and other horrendous evils." -- Religious Tolerance "I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light and create darkness, I make peace and create evil. I am the Lord, that does all these things." Isaiah 45:6-7 Widely varied in size and structure, picturesque houses of worship cling throughout generations to Appalachia's hills and hollers. There's an echo of faith in everyday conversation and an ancient devotion steels residents in courage, humor and grace as they struggle with weather-related and man-made catastrophes. Eunice Soper has written many devotional books, mostly for children. Semi-retired from professional service worldwide for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, she and her husband, Francis, radiate peace, strength and practical good-heartedness from their adopted home in Virginia's central Shenandoah Valley. Sister Mary Rose McGeady, administrator of Covenant House, writes a very readable monthly on-line newsletter about her experiences with some of the 44,000 homeless and runaway children CH helps each year. Covenant House offers assistance, including food, clothing, medical aid, educational and vocational training and counseling, through shelters in 15 major cities. Their toll-free NINELINE (1-800-999-9999) connects children to counselors and resources in any area. "Love is the answer to the final question." -- Unknown. Spirit Web: Spiritual Consciousness on the WWW, a site maintained in Switzerland with copious worldwide links, introduces alternate and ancient paths of enlightenment which have become increasingly popular throughout this century, including within Appalachia. "The path of knowledge is that of the occultist and the sage; that of love is that of the mystic and the saint. The head or heart approach is 
not dependent upon the ray, for both ways must be known; the mystic must
become the occultist; the white occultist has been the saintly mystic.
True knowledge is intelligent love, for it is the blending of the
intellect and the devotion. Unity is sensed in the heart; its
intelligent application to life has to be worked out through knowledge."
-- Alice A. Bailey, A Treatise on White Magic, page 120; quote from The Feather of Maat and other words of wisdom
The Hindu Tantric Home Page explores the ancient, complex spiritual tradition of India. "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.... Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them with a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.... that your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the Lord sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth." -- Deuteronomy 11:13,14,18,21 
"Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit." Zechariah 4:1-6. Beth El Shaddai, a small Messianic Synagogue uniting Jews and Gentiles from Birmingham Alabama, updates their informational site weekly with pertinent Biblical history, feasts and holidays, and maintains related web links. "The [Japanese] Ninja that played an important role in the information battles upraised their abilities to the highest level by using the Ninpou they established. The Ninpou forming prompt actions and the toughest mental powers can also be a trustworthy guide to success.... The Iga Ninpou were developed in order to train the mind, techniques and body of the Ninja. Among the secrets that turned impossible into possible, there are relaxing techniques, health maintaining methods and healthy diets that all can be adapted to the lives of modern people. " -- The Truth of Iga Ninja "Mine is the secret that opens upon the door of youth and mine is the Cup of the Wine of Life and the Caldron of Cerridwen, which is the Holy Grail of Immortality. I am the Gracious Goddess who gives the gift of joy unto the heart of man upon earth. I give the knowledge of the Spirit Eternal, and beyond death I give peace and freedom and reunion with those that have gone before.... I who am the beauty of the Green Earth, and the White Moon amongst the stars and the mystery of the Waters, and the desire of the heart of man, I call unto thy soul to arise and come unto me. For I am the Soul of Nature who giveth life to the universe; from me all things proceed and unto me all things must return.... I have been with thee from the beginning, and I am that which is attained at the end of desire." -- Book of Shadows "...So let our sacrifice rise before you today, And fully follow after you, For those who trust in you will not be disappointed. So now we follow you with all our hearts; we revere you And seek your face. Do not disappoint us, But deal with us in your forbearance And your abundant mercy. Deliver us in your wonderful way, And glorify your name, Lord; May all who do your slaves harm be disgraced; May they be put to shame and lose all their power and might, And may their strength be broken. Let them know that you are the Lord God alone, Glorious over the whole world." -- The Song of the Three Children: 16-21,, The Apocrypha trans. by Edgar J. Goodspeed; also see Old Testament Apocrypha, Wesley Center for Applied Theology; and Gnostic Virtual Home) |
Midi (click on title): "The Rose," Words & Lyrics by Amanda McBroom
Word Preserve -- A Country Rag Index
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And the soul, afraid of dyin', that never learns to live. 
By Faith Alone, text © Eunice Soper, 1996, 2000. All rights reserved.