For the last 20 years I have presented the Gospel to each new youth at the highly secure prison for the kids ages 13 to 19 at Gainesville, Texas. It is the first time that most any of them have stopped “running on the streets” and had the time to think about their life. Most every one made a decision to make God part of their life. After our hour+ together I would write each one a letter. As a result I corresponded more with many of them. And in each letter I would enclose a group of short stories or poems. They really liked them, especially those with an emotional message. You probably would not believe how many locked-up prison boys have loved theses little stories, and read them over and over.
In my soon to be published book I enclosed a long list of those short stories in the Appendix. Since the prison boys liked them so much, I thought you may like to see some of them. So, here is a 24th group of them for you. And you are welcome to share them with others.
Ron
Toys vs. Character
The world gives us toys, things that look exciting but are not the main point. The less mature you are, the more you get things for the toy appeal, and the less you get them for the higher purpose.
“The only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.” That is a rather well known saying. Maybe the real difference between men and boys is that real men need less toys.
It is not really a function of age. I’ve seen old men still fascinated and focused on toys while neglecting the important things of life and family.
Choosing a woman based on curves not character or choosing a man based on cash not character……..toys.
17, 27, 47 or 87, age doesn’t really matter, only maturity.
Three dictionary definitions of fiber are:
1. Something that provides substance or texture.
2. Essential character or structure.
3. Basic strength or toughness; fortitude.
Three dictionary definitions of toy are:
1. An object for children to play with.
2. Something of little importance; a trifle.
3. A bauble
Fiber or Toys?
Good question.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man,
I put away childish things.” 1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV
Traveling Angels:
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. Not knowing they were angles, the family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room.
Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.
As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a strange hole in the wall and repaired it.
When the younger angel asked why he did that, 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 they 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, he accused.
The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the 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 huge hoard of gold stored behind 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 him the cow instead.
Things aren’t always what they seem.”
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way they should with those who are close to the Lord. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out-come is always to your advantage with the Lord’s care. You just might not know it until some time later……
God Protects his own – A true story
It has been confirmed that 80% of the town of Meulaboh in Aceh , Indonesia was destroyed by the Tsunami waves and 80% of the people also died. This is one of the towns that was hit the hardest.
But there is a fantastic testimony from Meulaboh. In that town are about 400 Christians.
They wanted to celebrate Christmas on December 25th but were not allowed to do so by the Muslim majority of Meulaboh. They were told if they wanted to celebrate Christmas they needed to go outside the city of Meulaboh to celebrate. Because the Christians desired to celebrate Christmas the 400 believers left the city on December 25th and chose a high hill on the edge of town. After they celebrated Christmas they stayed all night on the hill.
The morning of December 26 there was the earthquake followed by huge Tsunami waves destroying most of the city of Meulaboh and thousands were killed.
The 400 believers were on the mountain and were all saved from destruction.
Now the Muslims of Meulaboh are saying that the God of the Christians punished us for forbidding the Christians from celebrating Christmas in the city. Others are questioning why so many Muslims died while not even one of the Christians died there.
Had the Christians insisted on their rights to celebrate Christmas in the city, they would have all died. But because they humbled themselves and followed the advice of the Muslim majority they all were spared destruction and can now testify of God’s marvelous protection.
This is a testimony of the grace of God and the fact that as believers we have no rights in the world. Our right is to come before God and commit our lives to Him. Our right is kneeling down before the Lord almighty and committing our ways to Him.
He is our Father and is very capable of caring for His children. Praise the Name of the Lord!
Bill Hekman
Pastor Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia.
Twinkies and Root Beer:
Once there was a little boy. He had problems that made his spirit hurt. He had never known his dad. Since his mom had to work so much, he was ever so lonely, and since she came home so tired, he felt as if he never saw anyone smile.
He decided one day that he wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God lived, so he packed his little suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer from the icebox and he started on his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a Twinkie. The old man gratefully accepted it and smiled at him.
His smile was so pleasant that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer. Again, the old man smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but never saying a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old man, and gave him a big hug. The old man gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by something she had not seen in a long time…….a look of joy on his face. She asked him, “What did you do today that made you so happy? “He replied, “I had lunch with God.” But before his mother could respond, he added, “You know what? He’s got the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen!”
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home. His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and he asked, “Dad, what did you do today that made you so happy?” He replied, “I ate Twinkies in the park with God. “However, before his son could respond, he added, “You know, he’s much younger than I expected.”
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. And know that for some strange reason God chose to do His work through people.
If you would like to watch a wonderful, life changing movie, get yourself all prepared with the time to watch a full length movie, and then go to this site and be ready for a life changing experience. .…………….. https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/english.html
如果您想观看一部精彩的、改变生活的电影，请准备好观看一部完整电影的时间，然后访问这个网站，为改变生活的体验做好准备………..…………https://www.jesusfilm.org/watch/jesus.html/chinese-mandarin.html
True Texan Tales 