Things aren't always what they seem

[Brooke]

got this from a friend:



Things Aren't Always What They Seem...

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied..."Things aren't always what they seem".
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable, farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where the could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel "How could you have let this happen!? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, "she accused. "The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die." "Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem."

Remember, things are not always what they seem.

[LawLess]

Good post Brooke.

[7sanjamama]

Wow she posted somthing besides SPAM

[Nitro390]

Man thing aren't what they seem ??

but they where left with each other !

I injoyed that Brooke

[GRUNT]

Nice.

[Nitro390]

Subject: Praying for the President

"I recently attended the National Pastors Convention in San Diego with
several thousand pastors from many different denominations. During one of
the general sessions, the MC introduced a pastor from Uzbekistan. He had
traveled the farthest to attend the convention, so they wanted to interview
him. I don't remember his name, and even if I did, I know I couldn't
pronounce it.

However, I do know this: I will never forget this man.

"Right away, I liked him. He was humble, sincere, and gracious. He
apologized for his broken English, though I thought he spoke very well. As
the MC interviewed him, he began to sha re about his ministry in his country
that borders Afghanistan. He talked about the church he pastors of a few
hundred people. He also shared how it is illegal in his country to be a
Christian. You see, his church is an "underground" church. Amazingly, his
city also has 3 "underground" Christian schools. He talked about how the
Christians have been arrested and even killed in his country.

"Then, as the interview was about to end, he began to speak very urgently
and passionately. He said something to this effect: 'I would like all of
you to know that my church and the Christians in my country are praying that
President Bush will be reelected.'

"I was stunned. I knew that this gathering had to include many pastors from
all over the political spectrum and I was certain this would not go over
well. Immediately, there were murmurings and rumblings throughout the
audience and the MC seemed a little uncertain about what to do next.

"However, this pastor would not be denied. Grasping the microphone firmly
in his hand, he continued, 'The officials in my country are afraid of
President Bush, so they don't persecute Christians as much. Under Clinton
it was very bad for us. Many of us were arrested, put in jail, and some
were killed. With Clinton, it was very bad. But under President Bush, it
has been so much better, so we are praying for him.'

"The murmuring ended. It was suddenly very quiet. The MC paused. Then he
just asked us to stand and pray for this man and we did so with great
passion. Choking back tears, I was immediately struck with this realization
in my heart: this coming election was not just about me or my church or my
country. This coming election would affect the entire world. And while
there are many Christians and churches in this country that may not support
and may even despise our current President, there is a group of Christians
halfway around the world who are desperately praying for his reelection.

"All of the sudden, the election became something very different for me. It
is not just about the economy, gay marriage, or weapons of mass destruction.
It's about the persecuted church around the world. As believers, what
issues should be more important to us? This transcends politics. This is
about the Kingdom of God for which Christ suffered and died, and for those
believers in other countries who are suffering and dying as well.

"I was also convicted in my heart about praying for our President. And I
wonder, which church is praying more fervently for him: the persecuted
church in Uzbekistan or the prosperous church in America? It makes you
think.

"As the Apostle Paul said in Hebrews 13:3, "Remember those in prison as if
you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you
yourselves were suffering."

"Remember, this election is not just about us. It's about them."

James Lair, Senior Pastor
Church of the Living Christ
190 E El Roblar Drive

[Brooke]

I was also convicted in my heart about praying for our President. And I wonder, which church is praying more fervently for him: the persecuted church in Uzbekistan or the prosperous church in America? It makes you think.

A very nice article Nitro. And it does make you think. We have many people here who are strongly opposed to the government/President Bush and publicly run both down. And then halfway around the world there are people who are praying that he be reelected. This election will greatly affect the whole world, not just the United States.