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This brought tears Shirlener even though I have read before. thank U 4 this blessing *4U
by shirlener88
29 May 2008
lbrow, you and I are alot alike - I always feel it almost as much as the first time - you know - that just means that we truly understand the message. *4U
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45544554Can you email me . The one I printed off was very hard to read. Thankyou & God bless. :)
42046Very touching - I have a brother-in-law that was a missionary for many years, and I think that he will like that, but, probably has seen. He has been confined to bed for about a year, but he loves things like this. Thank you.
44813I've seen this many times and it NEVER fails to get to me.;)
158553Oh dear Shirlene, great story, thank you so much to share it with us. Flower and XoXo
44254Thank you, Shirlene, for the beautiful story.
Has anyone checked out Godtube.com? "The Bridge" is a powerful video, with a similar message.
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367Thanks Shirlene what a great thought for the day.Hugs & *
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20839811Got the tissues out for that one thanks. Just as we are reminded throughout out chats to vote. We also need reminding of what our Heavenly Father had done for us.
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62459Ok shirlener Dont keep us haghing there. Where is the rest of your story :(
42046>>>>>>>>>>>more>>>>>>>>> sorry for the caps, but that is how I received it - THIS WILL GIVE YOU CHILLS: AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.
IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH
AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.
WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK.
'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST,' HE BEGAN.
'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BACK TO THE SHORE, 'THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'
THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST
TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY.
THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS
STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE
LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST
EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO
WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE.
'HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.
'THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS SON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT.
'THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES.
'AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, "I LOVE YOU, SON!" HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON'S FRIEND WHOM HE LOVED LIKE HIS OWN.
'BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING
SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS
BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.'
BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME
OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.
'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON
WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT
JESUS...
THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO
SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. 'HOW GREAT IS THE LOVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED.< BR>
I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.' WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.
THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE
RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL. WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE.
'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.'
'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD
MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOWN AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW
FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS
AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT?
BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME. YOU SEE... 'I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'
by nonna57
27 May 2008
Well you got me, Have printed off so I can put up on notice board at Sunday School. Thankyou.
by shirlener88
27 May 2008
Great! I even saved it and changed the lettering and everything - if any one wants it - email me and ask for it - I will attach it via email.
by mops
28 May 2008
I did the same, saved it after changing the lettering and put it in my Shirlene file. Thank you.
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