Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving #500

Surfing with Jesus #50011232007
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com

Happy Thanksgiving, you will find your Thanksgiving card at the following
site. Thank you for allowing me in your home each week.
http://www.jacquielawson.com/viewcard.asp?code=HY27482779

The Blessing of Thorns


Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed against aNovember gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like aspring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minorautomobile accident stole her ease.

During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. Shegrieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband'scompany threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose annual holiday visitshe coveted, called saying she could not come. What's worse, Sandra's
friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to
maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. "She
has no idea what I'm feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder.
"Thanksgiving? Thankful for what?" she wondered aloud. For a carelessdriver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For anairbag that saved her life but took that of her child?
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled her."I... I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra. "For Thanksgiving?Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the daywith a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving Special?" asked the shopclerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued."Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?
"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months,everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. " Sandra regretted heroutburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk said, "I have theperfect arrangement for you."
Then the door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "HiBarbara... let me get your order." She politely excused herself and walkedtoward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an
arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except
the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped...there were no flowers.
"Want this in a box?" asked the clerk.
Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Whowould want rose stems with no flowers? She waited for laughter, butneither woman laughed.

"Yes, please," Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after
three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its
significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again," she said as she
gently tapped her chest.
"Uhh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uhh... she just leftwith no flowers!"
"Right... I cut off the flowers. That's the Special... I call it theThanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.
"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that?"exclaimed Sandra.
"Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like youfeel today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to bethankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was
failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery."
"That same year I had lost my husband, "continued the clerk," and for thefirst time in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had nochildren, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow anytravel.
"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.

"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've
always thanked God for good things in life and never thought to ask Him
why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever
ask! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I always
enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of
God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we'reafflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.
"Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing herfriend had tried to tell her.”I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost
a baby and I'm angry with God." Just then someone elsewalked in the shop.
"Hey, Phil!" shouted the clerk to the balding, rotund man. "My wife sentme in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement... twelve thorny,long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him atissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.
"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me
asking why she wants something that looks like that?

"No... I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and Inearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with theLord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He
rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of
rose stems to remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and that
was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I
decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks to Him
for what that problem taught us."
As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra saidto the clerk. "It's all too... fresh."
"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me thatthorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care
more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of
thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."
Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since theaccident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelvelong-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out. "I hoped you
would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute."
"Thank you. What do I owe you?" asked Sandra. "Nothing." said the clerk."Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart.

The first year's arrangement is always on me. "The clerk smiled and
handed a card to Sandra.” I’ll attach this card to your arrangement, but
you'd like to read it first."
It read: "Dear God, I have never thanked you for my thorns. I have thanked
you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach
me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me
that I have climbed closer to you along the path of pain. Show me that,
through my tears, the colors of your rainbow look much more brilliant."


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.”

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Join us in prayer for all request received each week.
Read previous writings at:
http://surfingwithjesus.blogspot.com/
Send prayer request/Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com




Revival in Our Land #499

Surfing with Jesus #49911172007
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

Revival in Our Land

It is so sweet to be involved in revival at our church. It’s refreshing to share in song, testimony, and God’s word. Our evangelist really got us excited as he shared from Daniel where Nebuchadnezzar was unhappy that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego failed to fall down and worship his gods. They took care to answer because they knew they would be put into the fiery furnace for not obeying the king. (Daniel 3:17-30.)

These boys had enough trust in God that they said that the God they served would deliver them from the fiery furnace and the king. They even had enough trust that even if they were not delivered they would not serve the kings gods.

Wow! How much trust do we have in God today? When we are placed in the fiery furnace do we believe the God we serve will deliver us? Can those around us see the Son of God in the furnace with us? Can our enemies see our clothes are not burned and that there is no smell of fire upon us? It is exciting to know that our God is here with us and as we trust him all things will work out according to his will in our life.

After seeing the deliverance power of these boys God, the king changed his actions. He now wanted to follow their God with them. I think it is a privilege for others to see Jesus in us and desire to know our Lord as their King. I’m so happy Jesus saved me from a devil’s hell one day and put me on the path to heaven. It is so wonderful when to see someone receive Christ in their life. It’s like I said in a previous writing “plus one for Jesus, minus one for the devil.” Victory in Jesus!

I know this is short this week but if you’re in the area come join us in revival this weekend. I’m looking forward to receiving what God has in store for us as we worship him in song, praise, and the word. I pray God will bless our evangelist as he continues to feed us and follows the leading of the spirit of God.

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.”

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Join us in prayer for all request received each week.
Read previous writings at:
http://surfingwithjesus.blogspot.com/
Send prayer request/Subscribe/Unsubscribe:
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com


Saturday, November 10, 2007

A Chaplain in Iraq #498

Surfing with Jesus #49811112007
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

As a veteran I want to give a special thank you to all veterans who gave and continue to give that we might be free and share with others today. I find this article special and typical of those who continue to serve us. Please remember all veterans in prayer. Many continue to battle wounds received many years ago and need your love.

Written by Chaplain Jim Higgins on 5/14/07: LSA Anaconda is at the Balad Airport in Iraq, north of Baghdad

A Chaplain in Iraq:

"I recently attended a showing of "Superman 3" here at LSA Anaconda. We have a large auditorium we use for movies as well as memorial services and other large gatherings. As is the custom back in the States, we stood and snapped to attention when the National Anthem began before the main feature. All was going as planned until about three-quarters of the way through the National Anthem the music stopped.

Now, what would happen if this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back in the States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls, laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sit down and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if they had stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 Soldiers continued to stand at attention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The Soldiers continued to quietly stand at attention. And again, at the same point, the music stopped. What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter as everyone sat down and expected the movie to start.


Here, you could have heard a pin drop. Every Soldier stood at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand Soldiers.


And the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?'

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq. I wanted you to know what kind of Soldiers are serving you here.

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.”

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Join us in prayer for all request received each week.
Read previous writings at: http://surfingwithjesus.blogspot.com/
Send prayer request/Subscribe/Unsubscribe: gene@SurfingwithJesus.com

How Old Is Old #497

Surfing with Jesus #49711072007
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

HOW OLD IS OLD

When I was a lad I thought my dad became an old man when he turned 36. In our church the youth age was 35 and under. Then, I became 36 and I didn’t think my dad was old at all and wondered how one could judge this youthful age as old.

Today, I work with young people in their teens and they look at some of their parents and teachers as old. I look at these same adults and call them “young whipper snappers.”

I have asked my mother, mom, how old is old. She says I don’t know I don’t feel old and she is 85.

Now, the proof of the pudding, as my aches and pains grow stronger and as some of you ask for prayer for your bodies and I think maybe my body is getting old but I’m not convinced that we are old.

Several of you know what I mean and those that don’t will know in a day or two. But what does this all mean? Nothing I guess but I wanted to take a moment to encourage you that God will be with you at any age and he will lead and guide you at all times.

As we continue our journey, our minds can began to work on us and cause us to have fears about how we are going to live, how our health is going to hold up, how we are going to die and when we are going to die.

A hundred years ago we put less thought on these things because our life expectancy was less than 50. Today, more and more are living beyond 100 and blessing those younger with your golden nuggets you share each day.

Be encouraged today that God’s word is true and he told us not to take any thought about what we would eat or drink because he would provide our needs. So, “Don’t worry about tomorrow, just live from day to day, the Lord is right beside you and he will lead the way. Let’s have faith hope and charity that’s the way to live successfully. How do I know the Bible tells me so?”

Now, to my 80 and 90 year old friends and to my youthful teens and all those in between, get up and rejoice when you behold what the Lord has done for you. Now, take time to slow down and see what he is about to do in your life as you continue your journey in him.

Wow! It is exciting to know Jesus and to realize he is preparing a mansion for us in heaven. Those of you that are 100 must really have a big one because Jesus is still working out all the details on your new home. I don’t know the name of your street yet but I know its streets are paved with pure gold.

Have a glorious day in 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.”

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Join us in prayer for all request received each week.
Read previous writings at: http://surfingwithjesus.blogspot.com/
Send prayer request/Subscribe/Unsubscribe: gene@SurfingwithJesus.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Great Dog Story #496

Surfing with Jesus #496110207
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

GREAT DOG STORY

Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy. Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing.

Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of his other favorite toys. Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.

It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal. She scheduled the double mastectomy.
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him. The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.

The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.

Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.

When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong.She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned! While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love.

Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking farther and farther together every day. It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky continues to steal treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

If you see someone without a smile today give them one of yours! Live simply. Love seriously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

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.”

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Join us in prayer for all request received each week.
Read previous writings at: http://surfingwithjesus.blogspot.com/
Send prayer request/Subscribe/Unsubscribe: gene@SurfingwithJesus.com