I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior at age 6 via the Wordless Book.

My mother had a doctor’s appointment one morning and was unable to take me with her. She put me in the care of her good friend, Pearl.

Pearl was a wonderful Christian woman. She loved the Lord.

After my mother left for her appointment, Pearl asked me if I would like to hear a story. Naturally I said yes, for entertainment and for much craved attention!

She showed me a “wordless” book with different colored pages.

“GOLD is for Heaven and God wants us all to go there but…” as she turned to the black page, “we can’t because of our BLACK sins. Turning to the red page she stated, “RED is for the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross for us”. She then turned to the white page and continued with the story, “and when we ask Jesus to forgive our sins and come into our hearts as Lord and Savior, our BLACK sins are turned WHITE as snow.

She turned back to the gold page and continued on, “When we die we can go to Heaven (GOLD)” and closing the pages, she showed me the cover and said “the color GREEN is for all growing things and we can GROW in the Lord.”

I accepted the Lord as my Savior right after the plan of salvation was presented to me using The Wordless Book.

Over 50 years later, these booklets are still in print and are available at any Gospel or Christian supply store or they can be purchased directly from Child Evangelism Fellowship®.

Technorati Tags: Evangelism, Faith, Religion, Religious, The Wordless Book, Wordless Book

Once upon a time, when I rededicated my life to the Lord, I decided that part of placing God first in my life was to trust Him first with my money.

This is all relative… (the year, 1976).  I had a monthly take home pay of $295. My rent was $150. Food was $100 but I qualified for that much in food stamps at a reduced price of $30 monthly. Utilities were $15 or so for gas company, $30-45 monthly for electric.

I tithed $30 monthly.

The balance of my take home pay went for gas for a VW, insurance, clothing, and etc. That balance amounted to approximately $25 and God s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d it so much that I dressed better than I ever had. My old VW ran and ran and ran without ever adding oil or having a tuneup, much less an oil change. I was so “well off” that I was able to help less fortunate families at my church.

All because I genuinely trusted God with all my money from the first cent to the last!

I still tithe to this day. The numbers still don’t add up! Any accountant would be first to say it’s impossible to “make your ends meet”, that something had to go.

Well, my almighty God has met every need I’ve had. If you don’t believe this, and haven’t tried that, you haven’t trusted in Him!

Technorati Tags: Faith, God, Life Story Writing, stories, Tithe, Tithing, Tithing Stories, writing

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “Girls I Have Liked”. I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.

;A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file names “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I Have Betrayed”. The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read”, “Lies I Have Told”, “Comfort I Have Given”, “Jokes I Have Laughed At”. Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I Have Yelled At My Brothers” Others, I couldn’t laugh at; “Things I Have Done In My Anger”, “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath At My Parents”. I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature. When I pulled out the file marked “Songs I Have Listened To”, I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn’t found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented. When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts”, I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test it’s size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed contents. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke within me. One thought dominated my mind: “No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!” In an insane frenzy, I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.

But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared The Gospel With”. The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key. But then, as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally, He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands, and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things, but He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me. Then, He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. “No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

Written by Joshua Harris.  Special thanks for allowing us to continue to display his mighty works on Life Story Writing.

I cannot say “Father” if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say “Who Art In Heaven” if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.

I cannot say “Hallowed Be Thy Name” if I, who am called by his name, am not holy.

I cannot say “Thy Kingdom Come” if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.

I cannot say “Thy Will Be Done” if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.

I cannot say “On Earth As It Is In Heaven” unless I am truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.

I cannot say “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread” without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellowmen.

I cannot say “Forgive Us Our Trespasses As We Forgive Those Who Trespass Against Us” if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say “Lead Us Not Into Temptation” if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say “Deliver Us From Evil” if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say “Thine Is TheKingdom” if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say “Thine Is The Power” if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.

I cannot say “Thine Is The Glory” if I am seeking my own glory first.

I cannot say “Forever” if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.

I cannot say “Amen” unless I honestly say, “cost what it may, this is my prayer.

Author unknown

Here’s some of my favorites on Faith:

WHAT IS FAITH?
In Hebrews 11:1, the Living paraphrase says,”… It is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen. It is the certainty that what we hope for is waiting for us, even though we cannot see it up ahead.”

FOR THOSE WHO DOUBT
Jesus replied to (doubting) Thomas in John 20:29, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” (NAS)

BY FAITH WE UNDERSTAND
To preface faith I’ve included:  John 1:1 says, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (NAS)

Hebrews 11:3 says,”By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” (NAS)

WHERE DO WE GET FAITH?
Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (NAS)

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE FAITH?

You get a free gift!

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (NAS)

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him.
- John 3:16-17 (NAS)

WHAT IS GOD’S WILL CONCERNING FAITH?

As I Timothy 2:3-5 says, “…This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

Technorati Tags: Bible, Faith, scripture

Their dutiful children followed in their foot-steps. Life at times was HELL because that’s where we were heading, although at the time, we didn’t know it.

My brother, however, became a committed Christian and married Penny, a lovely Christian girl. I knew he was religious but “so was I.” After all, I had accepted Jesus as my Savior at age 6. I had never quit believing, I just wasn’t walking the Christian walk… nor did I have any belief system for that matter. As I recall, I was pretty down on myself at the time. But … I digress.

Back to my age 25… I was between marriages and pregnant outside of marriage on top of that. My family wasn’t particularly pleased about the coming birth but they seemed to welcome me home whenever I visited.

I remember visiting my brother during my pregnancy. Prior to retiring for the night, I picked my brother’s Bible up off the coffee table. It looked different than my old Bible and read, “New American Standard” version on it.

After questioning my brother at length about this new Bible translation, my brother and his wife went to bed.

Alone, I began browsing though this “new” Bible by myself. I couldn’t believe how easy it was to read and understand! I’d grown up on the King James and the Revised Standard Bible versions, so this Bible version was very easy to comprehend for me. It was also the first time as an adult that I had even bothered to read the Bible and I wasn’t quite sure why I was comprehending what I read so well.

After about one half hour of browsing through the bible, I found the verse, 1 Corinthians 10:13.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”

Through that verse, I immediately felt that God was revealing Himself to me.

I committed my life back to Him right there in the livingroom! Afterwards, I remembered lessons from Sunday School as a child that we were to memorize Scripture. So I memorized that verse and it has been dear to my heart since then and I claim it OFTEN!!!!

A few weeks after I recommitted my life to Christ, I gave birth. I named my newborn daughter “Christen Dawn,” a new beginning in Christ.  She’s an adult and has a family of her own now. Her husband, Alex, is an ordained minister in the Houston, Texas area.  He performed the double marriage ceremony for my twin daughters in 2002 and then married Bill and I in 2005.  Please do him the honor of visiting the Reasons for Faith ministry he started.

I would love to hear from other committed Christians, sharing their favorite personal verse and why it means so much to them!

Technorati Tags: Bible, Bible verse, God, King James, Resived Standard, Sunday School

One parent came up with an original idea that was hard to refute. He listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to see aparticular PG-13 movie. It had their favorite actors. Everyone else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great. It was only rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex. They never really showed it. The language was pretty good. They only used the Lord’s name in vain three times in the whole movie. The video effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed. Yes, there was the scene where a building and a bunch of people got blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn’t very bad.

Even with all these explanations for the rating, the father wouldn’t give in. He didn’t even give them a satisfying explanation for saying “No”. He just said, “No”.

It was a little bit later that evening, that this same father asked his teens if they would like some brownies he had prepared. He explained that he had taken the families favorite recipe and added something new. They asked what it was. He calmly replied that he had added dog poop. He stated that it was only a little bit. All the ingredients were gourmet quality. He had taken great care to bake it at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb. Even with all the explanations of the perfect attributes of the brownies, the teens would not take one.

The father acted surprised. There was only one little element that would have caused them to act so stubbornly. He assured them that they would hardly notice it if at all. They all held firm and would not try the brownies.

He then explained that the movie they wanted to see was just like the brownies. Satan tries to enter our minds and our homes by deceiving us into believing that just a little bit of evil won’t matter. With the brownies, just a little bit makes all the difference between a great brownie and a totally unacceptable product.

He explained that even though the movie people would have us believe the movies which are coming out are acceptable for adults and youth’s to see they are not. Test your movie and see. Would you be comfortable taking Christ with you to see the movie? Now when this father’s youth want to do something or see something they should not, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his special dog poop brownies and they never ask about that item again.

Technorati Tags: brownies

A pastor went out one Saturday to visit his church members. At one house it was obvious that someone was home, but nobody came to the door even though the pastor had knocked several times. Finally, the pastor took out his card and wrote “Revelations 3:20″ on the back of it, and stuck it in the door. [Revelations 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and him with me.]

The next day, the card turned up in the collection plate. Below the pastor’s message was the notation “Genesis 3:10″. [Genesis 3:10: I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.]

Technorati Tags: Church, Church Humor, comedy, Faith, funny, funny jokes, Funny Stories, Humor, Life Story Writing, stories, writing