Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Five Important Lessons 606011310

Surfing with Jesus

Pastor Gene A Dasher, Sr.

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com/

Five Important Lessons

#60801132010

1 - First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor Gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?" Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the Cleaning woman several times. She was tall, Dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. "Absolutely,” said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant... They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello."I've never forgotten that lesson... I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. - Second Important Lesson - Pickup in the Rain

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American Woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rain storm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960's. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab. She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door. To his surprise, a Giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached. It read: "Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away... God Bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others." Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3 - Third Important Lesson - Always remember those who serve.

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, A 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. "How much is an ice cream sundae?" he asked. "Fifty cents," replied the waitress. The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it. "Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?" he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. "Thirty-five cents," she brusquely replied. The little boy again counted his coins. "I'll have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the

table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn't have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4 - Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a Roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand! Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

5 - Fifth Important Lesson - Giving When it Counts...

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, "Yes I'll do it if it will save her." As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, "Will I start to die right away". Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

"Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, and dance like you do when nobody's watching."

You never know how or when you'll be paid!

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

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Thursday, January 07, 2010

When Should One Pray 607010709

Surfing with Jesus

Pastor Gene A Dasher, Sr.

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com/

When Should One Pray

#60701072010

When I receive a prayer request I pray as I read and respond to it. I believe it is important to pray as soon as a need is made known. Waiting until church time may be too late for some needs. When someone is going into surgery this morning they need prayer now as well as later.

Jesus taught us how to pray and it is our vital link to reaching God without delay. He does hear our cry and provides for us each day. I’ve used this before but I often am blessed as I think on how I’ve Sis Elva Howard handles this. I’ve been in a restaurant and hear someone start praying and yes it was her. She said if she is ask to pray right then is the time to do it. Later might be too late or she might forget it.

We should never be embarrassed to call on God no matter where we are at. As a child of God we have power with God and it is a wonderful strength to use to see God glorified as we call upon Him and trust that a need is met. The Bible tells us in I Thessalonians 5:17

New International Version (©1984) pray continually.

New Living Translation (©2007) Never stop praying.

International Standard Version (©2008) Continually be prayerful.

King James Bible Pray without ceasing.

Bible in Basic English Keep on with your prayers.

Darby Bible Translation pray unceasingly;

I love it. Pray continually, never stop praying, continually be prayerful, pray without ceasing, keep on with your prayers, and pray unceasingly. Any way you write it there is power in this verse as we apply it to our life.

If you have one person praying for you it is powerful. Never take prayer for granted. We must pray without ceasing to meet the needs in our life and in the world in which we live. When someone is hurting it is time to minister to them in the name of Jesus.

I thank God for answered prayer. Yesterday, I tried once again to get our water to work at church and God honored our prayers as it kicked in and the water flowed. Thank you so very much Lord.

In the past few days my wife was at her sisters home when word was received from the doctor telling her sister she has no cancer. They cried and God was glorified.

Folks, prayer works. Prayer changes things and it will make a difference in my life and yours. Pray for yourself, pray for me, pray for your family, pray for your community, pray for your church, pray for our world and pray for your enemies.

When we pray and bombard God with our needs he will hear from heaven and it will make us want to do what the Bible says in the last verse of Psalms (150:6), “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

Wow! I feel his presence right now and I’m so thankful I am His and He is mine. Take time and receive of the Lord right now this moment and be uplifted by God’s love.

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

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Friday, January 01, 2010

Never Judge #60601012010

Surfing with Jesus

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com/

Never Judge #60601012010

Some people!" snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store. "You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line.

I looked to the front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw a well dressed, young woman, trying to get the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.

"It's one of them welfare card things. … People need to get a job like everyone else", said the man standing behind me.

The young woman turned around to see who had made the comment.

"It was me," he said, pointing to himself.

The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove way.

After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use food stamps; I had learned never to judge anyone, without knowing the circumstances of their life. This turned out to be the case today.

Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away.

"Why would she do that?" asked the man. Everyone in the line looked around at the fellow who had made the statement.

"I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry," said the man.

"Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was Killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support," he said in a very firm voice.

"I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know," he replied, shaking both his hands about.

The young man asked, "Are these paid for?" pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries.

"It wouldn't take her card", the clerk told him.

"Do you know where she lives?” asked the man who had made the comment.

"Yes, she goes to our church."

"Excuse me," he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, "Please use my card. PLEASE!. The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries.

"Hold on," said the gentleman. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. "Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!" he told everyone in line.

Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts.. "Go back and get two big turkeys," yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man.

"NO," yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds. "Four turkeys," yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work.

When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries. He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface. He turned around and handed the check to the young man."She will need a freezer and a few other things as

well," he told the man.

The young man looked at the check and said, "This is really very generous of you."

"No," said the man. "Her brother was the generous one."

Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American.

We live in the Land of the free, because of the Brave!

Remember our troops of yesterday and today!

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This is the beginning of a New Year and you are thousands of miles from home in a land you never heard of. I had this experience in 1967 and know how lonely this is. So, may we all take a moment to remember our troops throughout the world because I know love and prayer makes a difference.

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

Pastor Gene A Dasher, Sr.

Join Surfing with Jesus mailing list: genedash@yahoo.com.

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The Awsome Power of a Wife's Love #60501012010

Surfing with Jesus

Pastor Gene A Dasher, Sr

genedash@yahoo.com.

60501012010

Web Site: http://SurfingwithJesus.Blogspot.com/

The Awesome Power of a Wife's Love

A very old man lay dying in his bed. In death's doorway, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookie wafting up the stairs.

He gathered his remaining strength and lifted himself from the bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands.

With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in heaven.

There spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.

Was it heaven? Or was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table. The aged and withered hand, shaking, made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when he was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife.

"Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral.

I decided to start the New Year on the lighter side. Too often we take life too serious and need to lighten up on ourselves and others. Have a wonderful day as we celebrate a New Year God has given us to together.

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

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