Web for Christ: STORIES

Web for Christ: STORIES

Dear friends, This month we have activated only first two stories for running in the Power Point Show. The others however, will be available in text mode until their turn comes. This is done to avoid the traffic overload on the site.
(This is one of the restrictions we face as we have this site placed under 'free service'. Inconvineance is regretted.)

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A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water in his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your masters house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts." The pot said. The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the Pot apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pots side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my masters table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house." Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Fathers table. In Gods great economy, nothing goes to waste. Don't be afraid of your flaws.. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

THE BARBER

A person went to his favorite barber shop for his haircut. In the course of their conversation they touched upon the subject of God. The barber said “Look man, I don’t believe that God really exists as you believe” “Why do you think that?” asked the Christian. “Well it's so easy" said the barber, “You only have to go out in the streets to realize that God does not exist. If God existed would there be so many sick people, abused and crippled children? If God existed there would be no suffering or pain. I cannot imagine a loving God who would permit any of these things.” The Christian didn’t want to enter into an argument and could think of no immediate response to the barber's logic. The barber finished his job and the Christian left the shop. The moment he stepped out of the shop he saw three men sitting on the curb, whose long hair and beard were in need of the barber’s attention. They looked dirty and untidy. The Christian reentered the shop and said to the barber “You know what, barbers absolutely do not exist”. “How can you say that barbers do not exist? I am a barber and I just cut your hair” The Christian reasserted “No! Barbers do not exist because if they did exist there would be no people with long hair and beard like those men sitting on the curb. ” “Oh barbers do indeed exist, what happens is that people first have to come to me.” The barber continued “They seek me out and find me.” You are exactly right that’s the point! God does exist. What happens is people don’t go to Him and do not look for Him. That is why there is so much pain and suffering in the world.

HEAVEN’S GROCERY STORE

As I was walking down life’s highway, many years ago, I came upon a sign that read ‘Heaven’s Grocery Store’. I saw a host of angels, they were standing everywhere and one handed me a basket and said “My child, shop with care”. Everything a human needed was in that grocery store and what you could not carry you could come back for more. First I got some Patience, Love was in the same row, further down, Understood you need that everywhere you go. I got a box or two of Wisdom, and Faith a bag or two, and Charity of course I would need some of that too. I couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost He was all over the place, and then some Strength and Courage to help me run the race. My basket was getting full, but I remembered I needed Grace, and then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free. As I went up the aisle, I saw Prayer and put that in, for I knew when I stepped outside, I would run into sin. Peace and Joy were plentiful; the last things on the shelf Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself. Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill for I thought I had everything to do my Master’s will. Then I said to the angel “How much do I owe?” He smiled and said “Just take them wherever you go”. Again I asked, really now, “How much do I owe?” “My child” he said “God paid your bill a long time ago”. Dear Friends, We need not go to Heaven’s Grocery Store to get the things, required to do God’s will because all of them has been freely given to us by God. We simply need to accept them as ours. You say “I am always worried and frustrated” God says “Cast all your cares on me” I Peter 5:7 You say “I feel all alone” God says “I will never leave you or forsake you” Heb 13:5

THE HUT IS BURNING

A ship was wrecked in a stormy sea and… The only survivor was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and everyday he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he managed to build a little hut to protect him and store his few possessions. But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rising up to the sky. The worst had happened, everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. “God, how could you do this to me”? He cried! Early the next day however he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. How did you know? I was here? We saw the smoke signal. It is easy to get discouraged when things go wrong but we should not lose heart because God is at work in our lives even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning, it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God. For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it. You say “It is impossible” God says “All things are possible” Luke 18:27 You say “I am too tired” God says “I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28 You say “Nobody really loves me” God says “I love you” John 3:16 You say “I can’t forgive myself” God says “I forgive you” I John 1:9 You say “I am afraid” God says “I have not given you a spirit of fear II Tim 1:7 You say “I can’t manage” God says “I will supply all your needs” Phil 4:19 You say “I can’t go on” God says “My grace is sufficient” II Cor 12:9 You say “I can’t figure things out” God says “I will direct your steps” Pro 3:5 You say “I can’t do it” God says “You can do all things” Phil 4:13 You say “I am always worried and frustrated” God says “Cast all your cares on me” I Peter 5:7 You say “I feel all alone” God says “I will never leave you or forsake you” Heb 13:5