GETTING CLOSE TO MY BIRTHDAY

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com
December 3, 2005 #395

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside.

Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...

See you soon .... I love you !

-JESUS-

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Each week I send out writings as an e-mail Ministry. I welcome you to join us as we share. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests.

NEW BLOG at Blogger.com: SURFINGWITHJESUS

I am new at this but thought I would give it a try. My son did the nice ones so this is my first try. Maybe this ole man can learn new tricks???

395 GETTING CLOSE TO MY BIRTHDAY

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com
December 3, 2005 #395

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation.

The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face......... and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me.

Since I was not invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a great time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying : "Santa Claus, Santa Claus"... as if the party were in his honor !

At 12 midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and do you know .... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all you heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invitation, will be left outside.

Do you know how you can answer this invitation? it is by extending it to others whom you care for... I'll be waiting for all of you to attend my party this year...

See you soon .... I love you !

-Jesus-

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Each week I send out writings as an e-mail Ministry. I welcome you to join us as we share. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests.

NEW BLOG at Blogger.com: SURFINGWITHJESUS

I am new at this but thought I would give it a try. My son did the nice ones so this is my first try. Maybe this ole man can learn new tricks???

#378 - PSALMS 39

Psalm 39

Apart From God, Life Is Fleeting and Empty

Today, I would like to share some thoughts from the commentary on this chapter from the Tyndale Life Application Bible that blessed me. In this chapter we see an appeal for God’s mercy because life is so brief. Let us read this chapter first.

Psalm 39 (King James Version)
1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.
2 I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred.
3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,
4 LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is: that I may know how frail I am.
5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.
6 Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
7 And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
8 Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish.
9 I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it.
10 Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand.
11 When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah.
12 Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
13 O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.

“David resolved not to sin with his tongue; that is, he decided not to complain to other people about God’s treatment of him. David certainly had reason to complain. He was the anointed king of Israel, but had to wait many years before taking the throne. Then one of his sons tried to kill him and become king instead. But when David could not keep still any longer, he took his complaints directly to God. We all have complaints about job, money, or situation, but complaining before others may make them think that God cannot take care of us. It may also look as if we blame God for our troubles. Instead, like David, we should take our complaints directly to God.”

“Life is short no matter how long we live. If there is something important we want to do, we must not put it off for a better day. Ask yourself, if I had only six months to live, what would I do? Tell someone that you love him or her? Deal with an undisciplined area in your life? Tell someone about Jesus? Since life is short, don’t neglect what is truly important.”

“How temporary our lives are! It is as if we were God’s guests, visiting with him for a short while before passing on. But while our time her is short, the effects of what we can be eternal. One well-worn saying states: ‘Only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.’”

May we take time to talk to our Heavenly Father and recover our strength as we go forward in the strength of His mercy. Our hope is not in things and stuff but in God whom we trust and obey.1 John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

To join our weekly email list please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. We welcome prayer requests anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests.

#377 - GOOD MORNING!

GOOD MORNING!

It is with great pleasure I write to you today and share the love of Jesus with you. As I arose today I looked out and saw the wonderful beauty God has given us on this earth. At this time of year in my part of the world, the trees are green, the grass needs to be mowed every two or three days, the birds are singing and it is very warm each day.

How long has it been since you stopped and thanked God for all this beauty? One may complain about it being too hot in the heat of the day but it sure beats the cold that comes our way in the winter. God is so good to us, we are blessed with the only true God that loves and cares for each of us with an unending love each moment of the day.

So, it is a good morning. Let us rise and be thankful for life, health,strength, and Salvation that comes only thru Jesus. You may mumble and complain and say what life, what health, and what strength? I challenge youto go to your local shopping area, find you a seat, do a little people-watching and it won't be long before you will see someone that has less health and strength than you do. If that doesn't wake you up to how blessed you are simply drop by your nearest hospital and visit and you will find many who would love to just have your aches and pains today.

What is life? Life is knowing Jesus to me. Life is having friends and family that we can share our heart with. Life is not always fair one may think when things don't go our way. We may find out we have a bad heart, cancer, some other bad health situation or we may lose our best friend or our job but even in the midst of these storms you see the beauty that comes only in knowing God.

One writer wrote, "Joy comes in the morning." So, you see, it is a good morning. I often think of David Ring when he is speaking and tells of people complaining and he looks at them and says, I have cerebral palsy, what's your problem. He gets so excited about life and how God has blessed him with 4 beautiful children. David's love for the day radiates as he tells his story and says and my kids are normal.

As you start your day, ask yourself "What is normal?" Lord help me today to be thankful for the normal in my life. Lord, may I be thankful that I have you. Lord, refresh my thoughts as I lift my voice in adoration and praise for what you have placed on my plate today knowing that I am able to do all things thru you and that you will be with me this morning as I rise and go my way. Thank you Lord, thank you for your tender mercies that are extended to me today.

Yes, it is a good morning and I know God will be with me in all my endeavors. Thank you Lord for planting your word in my heart and I'm excited about this morning because I know you will not leave me, you will not forsake me, and that you will be with me all day. Thank you Jesus, thank you for this day. This is the day that the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it.

1 John 1:9. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive usour sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests.

#376 - LIFE IS SO FRAGILE

LIFE IS SO FRAGILE

All of us are affected by death from time to time. It is at these times we pause and realize how quickly time passes us by.

Today, a precious friend at age 41 has gone to be with the Lord too quickly and too soon for all of us. This young man has always been such a blessing to everyone he comes into contact with. He sang about the love of God and brought us to a new height of worship many times in our community.

Life is so fragile and precious. Times like these make me stop and think about all the goodness of the Lord but it also opens my eyes to the shortness of our time on earth. We are never ready to allow one to leave us but I know my friend is not only singing like an angel today; he is singing with them around the throne of God.

This reminds me so much of the song "Our life is but a vapor it vanishes away, our days are very few upon this earth, Why spend your life in foolishness just to pass the time away, the price you pay will be more than Its worth, Don't overlook Salvation while searching for great joy, he's knocking at your heart's door let him in, step out for the Savior and join his mighty band, for he will give you peace and happiness."

Lord help us this day to do our best for you, help us to live our life pleasing to you and share your love in song and word to those you entrust us with. Help us live everyday as though you will come for us to join you with our many friends who have finished their course in this life. I pray we will be the witness you will be pleased with so we too can sing before you with the angels in heaven?

When I have trouble comprehending things in life I love to go to God's word for comfort. Today I will leave you with one of my favorite Psalms that has helped me many times in my Christian walk.

Psalm 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Thank you Lord for the comfort of your word, thank you for life, you are so precious to me and I praise you for the touch of your hand today.

1 John 1:9. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests.

#375 - INDEPENDENCE DAY

INDEPENDENCE DAY

I know I have people from many other nations on my Surfing with Jesus mailing list. However, I must take a moment to Celebrate July 4, 2005 as this is our Independence Day in the United States of America. May peace abound in all nations and war cease for evermore.

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY AMERICA!

1John 1:9. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

To join our weekly mailing list please send your request to

gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. We welcome prayer requests anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests.