THE STORY OF THE BARBER

A man went to a barbershop to have his hair
 cut and his beard trimmed.

As the barber began to work, they began to
have a good conversation. They talked about
so many things and various subjects. When
they eventually touched on the subject of God,
the barber said: "I don't believe that God exists."

"Why do you say that?" asked the customer.

"Well, you just have to go out in the street to
realize that God doesn't exist. Tell me, if God
exists, would there be so many sick people?
Would there be abandoned children? If God
existed, there would be neither suffering nor
pain. I can't imagine a loving God who would
allow all of these things."

The customer thought for a moment, but didn't
respond because he didn't want to start an
argument.

The barber finished his job and the customer
left the shop. Just after he left the barbershop,
he saw a man in the street with long, stringy,
dirty hair and an untrimmed beard. He looked
dirty and unkempt.

The customer turned back and entered the
barber shop again and he said to the barber:
"You know what? Barbers do not exist."

"How can you say that?" asked the surprised
barber. "I am here, and I am a barber. And I just
worked on you!"

"No!" the customer exclaimed. "Barbers don't
exist because if they did, there would be no
people with dirty long hair and untrimmed beards,
like that man outside."

"Ah, but barbers DO exist!", answered the barber.
 "What happens, is, people do not come to me."

"Exactly!" - affirmed the customer. "That's the point!
God, too, DOES exist! What happens, is, people
don't go to Him and do not look for Him. That's why
there's so much pain and suffering in the world."

(GodVine)

POLLY WANT A CRACKER

A lover of exotic birds finally gave in to her hidden
 desire for a parrot that could really talk. After
months of searching, she found the parrot of her
dreams. That bird could talk a blue streak!
Unfortunately, it had been previously owned by a
man whose everyday vocabulary included a great
deal of profanity. Nevertheless, the woman worked
hard at teaching the parrot good sayings, like
"Praise the Lord," "I love you," "God is good.
" One day, the woman forgot to feed the parrot
before leaving the house for the day. When she
returned home she heard him uttering all the curse
words he had ever learned. Whereupon she picked
up the bird, put it in the deep freeze, and as she
shut the door, she said, "I'll teach you not to use
those bad words ever again." A few minutes later,
she opened the freezer door and asked. "Have
you learned your lesson?" "Yes Ma'am," the
shivering parrot replied, "but can I ask a question?"
"Yes, you may," said the woman. The parrot replied,
"I thought I knew all the bad words, so tell me, what
did that frozen turkey in there say?"
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

LAZARUS LAUGHED

Eugene O'Neill wrote a wonderful play called
"Lazarus Laughed." The play begins with Lazarus
being raised from the dead by Jesus, as in the
Bible story. People have gathered at Lazarus' home
in Bethany for what they thought was going to be a
funeral. They had come to mourn. But now, Lazarus
has been raised from the dead and the grieving has
been transformed into rejoicing. And then came the
questions: "What did you see during those four days
when you were dead? What was it like -- the life beyond?"

In the midst of it all, Lazarus' father proposes a toast:
"To my son, Lazarus, whom a blessed miracle has
brought back from death!" Hearing this, Lazarus says,
"No! There is no death!" And the people, holding their
wine goblets in midair all echo his words as a question:
"There is no death?" And Lazarus laughs, and he says
happily,

"There is only life! I heard the heart of Jesus laughing in
my heart. 'There is only eternal life,' it said. And my heart,
reborn to love of life, cried 'Yes.' And I laughed in the
laughter of God. Laugh, laugh with me! Death is dead!
Fear is no more! There is only life!"

We hear the words... we may even echo the words, but
do we really believe them? We say, 'This sort of talk is
hard to endure! How can anyone take it seriously?' And
then like Peter we answer, "Lord, you have the words of
eternal life. We have come to believe"...

HAVE YOU COME TO BELIEVE?

( Sunday Sermons Online)

STRANGE TO THE WORLD

Scripture:

"God blesses those who are poor and realize
their need for him,* for the Kingdom of Heaven
is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for
they will be comforted. God blesses those who
are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
Matthew 5:3-5, NLT

Reflection:

Jesus began his sermon with words that seem
to contradict each other. But God's way of living
usually contradicts the world's.
If you want to live for God you must be ready to
say and do what seems strange to the world.
You must be willing to give when others take, to
love when others hate, to help when others abuse.
By giving up your own rights in order to serve others,
you will one day receive everything God has in store
for you.

(Life Application Daily Devotion)

ATTACKS ON MUSLIMS

Attacks against Muslims in Illinois are increasing.
Will you join the faith community in responding?

Just this week, your Muslim neighbors in the
Chicago suburbs were targeted when:
* A man fired shots at a mosque in Morton Grove
while 500 people prayed inside last Friday night.[i]
    * Two nights later in Lombard, a homemade
bomb exploded outside an Islamic school during
evening prayers.[ii]

We’re thankful that no one was injured by these
hate crimes, but unfortunately these are not isolated
incidents. From the Sikh temple shooting near
Milwaukee to the burning of a mosque in Joplin, Mo.,
attacks on religious minorities are increasing. We are
angered by this violence and threat to religious freedom.

Christians need to help mend this brokenness in Illinois
and offer a witness of love in the midst of hate.

Just this week, the Council on American-Islamic
Relations issued a safety advisory for mosques. We are
outraged that it’s gotten this bad in the U.S. We honor
the United States’ proud tradition of religious freedom –
and we know that Christians are all called by our faith
to show God’s love to those around us.

As people of faith, we have the opportunity to speak
out against this violence and show our Muslim neighbors
that we love them.

(Sojourners GO TO http://sojo.net/ TO HELP).

START THE MORNING

This is a prayer to help you get started every day.
Inspired by St. Patrick.

Recite this prayer in the morning and you are ready
to face the world.

I arise today through the
power of God:
God's might to comfort me,
God's wisdom to guide me,
God's eye to look before me,
God's ear to hear me,
God's word to speak for me,
God's hand to lead me,
God's way to lie before me,
God's shield to protect me,
God's Heavenly Host to save me
from the snares of the devil,
from temptations to sin,
from all who wish me ill,
from near and afar,
alone and with others.

May Christ shield me today
against poison and fire,
against drowning and wounding,
so that I may fulfill my mission
and bear fruit in abundance.
Christ behind and before me,
Christ behind and above me,
Christ with me and in me,
Christ around and about me,
Christ on my right and on my left,
Christ when I lie down at night,
Christ when I rise in the morning,

Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone that speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

THE RESUME

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible
Keywords: Jesus Christ, Lord & Savior

My name is Jesus - The Christ. Many call
me Lord! I've sent you my resume because
I'm seeking the top management position in
your heart. Please consider my
accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

Qualifications:

I founded the earth and established the heavens
(see Proverbs 3:19).
I formed man from the dust of the ground
(see Genesis 2:7).
I breathed into man the breath of life
(see Genesis 2:7).
I redeemed man from the curse of the law
(see Galatians 3:13).
The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes
upon your life through me (see Galatians 3:14).

Occupational Background:

I've only had one employer (see Luke 2:49).
I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful
or disrespectful.
My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me
(see Matthew 3:15-17).

Skills & Work Experiences:

Some of my skills and work experiences include:
empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing
the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing
the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at
liberty them that are bruised (see Luke 4:18).
I am a Wonderful Counselor (see Isaiah 9:6). People
who Listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not
fear evil (see Proverbs 1:33).
Most importantly, I have the authority, ability & power
to cleanse you of your sins (see I John 1:7-9)

Educational Background:

I encompass the entire breadth & length of knowledge,
wisdom and understanding (see Proverbs 2:6).
In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge (see Colossians 2:3).
My Word is so powerful; it has been described as
being a lamp unto your feet and a lamp unto your path
(see Psalms 119:105).
I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart
(see Psalms 44:21).

Major Accomplishments:

I was an active participant in the greatest Summit
Meeting of all times (see Genesis 1:26).
I laid down my life so that you may live
(see II Corinthians 5:15).
I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind &
made a show of them openly (see Colossians 2:15).
I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and
raised the dead!
There are many more major accomplishments, too
many to mention here. You can read them on my
website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE.
You don't need an Internet connection or computer
to access my website.

References:

Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my
divine healings, salvation, deliverance, miracles,
restoration and supernatural guidance.

In Summation:

Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that
I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this
vital position in your heart. In summation, I will
properly direct your paths (see Proverbs 3:5-6), and
lead you into everlasting life (see John 6:47). When
can I start? Time is of the essence (see Hebrews 3:15).

(GodVine)

FREE WORLD

We say we live in a free world, but no one can deny
that mass media has a hold on our minds. Society
has a set of values that are not always our own –
and we are bombarded by them every single day.
The question for each one of us is: will we let the
world change us, or will we change the world?

We can associate with those who bring us down,
or – like the prophet Daniel – we can influence
everyone around us and raise them up. By sticking
to a moral code dictated by biblical values instead
of the latest magazines, we set an example and
encourage others.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein

HOMESICK

Scripture:

"By the waters of Babylon,
there we sat down and wept when we remembered Zion.
...our captors required of us songs,
and our tormentors, mirth, saying,
'Sing us one of the songs of Zion!'

"How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?"
(Ps. 137:1, 3-4).

Reflection:

Homesickness is something most of us can identify
with. Most of us have experienced the deep longing
-- the physical ache -- that comes with homesickness.
In the blockbuster Broadway musical, "Les Miserables,
" the most poignant solo -- the song which moves
audiences to tears -- is called "Bring Him Home!"
It touches something in us.

We have been created by a Gracious God with a
built-in homesickness. The experience of emptiness
is part of what makes us human. It is the sense of
incompleteness -- until we find home. It is the sense
of powerlessness -- until we find home. It is the sense
of hopelessness -- until we find our home in God. The
experience of emptiness, while it has to be dealt with
for what it is, nevertheless is more than just a passing
experience. It is a call to come home -- to God!

(Sunday Sermons Online)

A LIBERATION

Scripture:

"Go to now, you rich man, we can howl for your miseries
that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted,
and your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver
is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness
against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire.
You have heaped treasure together for the last days.
Behold, the hire of the laborers who have reaped
down your fields, which is of you back by fraud,
crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped
are entered into the years of the Lord of Sabaoth".
(James 5:1-4)

Reflection:

There are as many as 600 passages of Scripture
that make us aware that God has a special
commitment to the poor. This is because He is a
God who loves justice, and it is the poor who are
usually the victims of injustice.

We "middle-range Christians" buy into this view
of God. And while we're not about to take up arms
against the ruling establishment, we nevertheless
work for justice for the oppressed and help the poor.
We are part of what futurologist Tom Sine calls
"The Mustard Seed Conspiracy." By establishing
within our society a variety programs and projects
that express a love and concern for the poor that runs
counter to the values of our and consumer-orientated
society, we believe we can gradually permeate that
society with the new ethos. We believe that we can,
through our middle-range projects, be what the
Bible calls "leaven."

There is a belief among us that the feelings and
the thinking of America can be changed this way.
We believe ours is also a kind of "Liberation
Theology", but is one of positive nonviolent activism
that affirms that God is at work in America,
transforming it from the bottom up. And we
believe that those who participate with God in what
He is doing through our middle-range "Mustard
Seed" projects will themselves be transformed
in the process.

Some Christians want to become personally involved
in meeting the needs of suffering people.Their
opting for middle-range projects stems from a desire
to have hands-on experiences and a longing to see
direct results from their efforts. They have begun to
discover what happens to them emotionally when they
are doing things that make a difference in the lives of
people whom they personally know. They feel the
transformation of personality through involvement in
direct social action. THIS TO MANY IS A REBIRTH!
In their own lives they have come to understand the
deeper meaning of Christian Faith.

THEY ARE LIBERATED AND WANT TO LIBERATE
OTHERS!

Prayer:

Almighty God thank you for your son Jesus Christ
who through His death upon the cross gave us true
liberation. Liberation from sin and oppression and
and freedom in life through faith. Give us the
strengths to liberate all those who are in need.
We praise you and honor you, in Jesus name
AMEN.

(some excerpts taken from Tony Campolo's book
"Wake Up America")

ONE RAINY SUNDAY AFTERNOON

One rainy Sunday afternoon, a young couple were
on their way to their Church to get married. On the
way there, their car lost control and slammed into
a telephone pole – killing them both instantly.The
couple soon found themselves standing in front of
St. Peter at the Pearly Gates, welcoming them to
Heaven. The young woman asks Peter if they
could get married in Heaven, since their time on
Earth was cut short. He replies that he’ll get back
with them on that request. A month later, St. Peter
finds them and announces that they can – in fact –
get married in Heaven. To his surprise, the woman
asks “Just wondering, if things don’t work out will
we be able to get a divorce?” With a stern look in
his eye, Peter blurts out “Look lady, it took me a
month to find a preacher up here… you really think
I’m gonna find a lawyer?”

CHANGING ENEMIES INTO FRIENDS

Scripture:

Read: Matthew 5:43-48

But I say to you, love your enemies . . .
do good to those who hate you. —
Matthew 5:44

Reflection:

During the US Civil War, hatred became
entrenched between the North and South.
In one instance, President Abraham Lincoln
\was criticized for speaking of benevolent
treatment for the Southern rebels. The critic
reminded Lincoln that there was a war going
on, the Confederates were the enemy, and
they should be destroyed. But Lincoln wisely
responded, “I destroy my enemies when I
make them my friends.”

Lincoln’s comment is insightful. In many ways
it reflects Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the
Mount: “I say to you, love your enemies, bless
those who curse you, do good to those who
hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use
you and persecute you, that you may be sons
of your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:44-45).

We will encounter difficult people in our lives—
some on whom we will need to set limits. But
to give in to the temptation to undermine or hurt
them in any way is not God’s way. Instead, we
should pray for them, show consideration, look
out for their best interests, and emphasize the
positive. This may result in changing an enemy
into a friend.

Not everyone will respond positively to us, but
we can pray and plan for a more harmonious
relationship. What difficult person can you start
befriending?

Prayer:

Lord, some people in my life are difficult to love.
I am tempted not even to try to care. But You
showed love to me even when I was Your enemy.
Please direct me into ways to love with Your
power and grace. It’s hard to hate someone when
you’re doing something good for him.

(Our Daily Bread)

COMPASSION

Scripture:

"...and He took pity on them, because they were
like sheep without a shepherd"
(Mark 6:34)

Reflection:

A student asked anthropologist Margaret Mead
what was the earliest sign of civilization in a given
culture. He expected the answer to be a clay pot
or perhaps a fish hook or grinding stone.

Her answer was: "A healed femur."

Mead explained that no mended bones are found
where the law of the jungle -- survival of the fittest --
reigns supreme. A healed femur shows that
someone cared. Someone had to do that injured
person's hunting and gathering until the leg healed.
The evidence of compassion is the first sign of
civilization.

To feel and to express compassion is largely what
it means to be a Christian.

Unfortunately:

We fail to live up to our mandate to be a people of
compassion.

I was hungry...
and you formed a humanities club
and discussed my hunger.

I was imprisoned...
and you crept quietly
to your chapel in the cellar
to pray for my release.

I was naked...
and in your mind
you debated the morality of my
appearance.

I was sick...
and you knelt and thanked God
for your health.

I was homeless...
and you preached to me
of the spiritual shelter of the
love of God.

I was lonely...
and you left me alone
to pray for me.

You seem so holy;
so close to God.

But I'm still very hungry...
and lonely
and cold.

So where have your prayers gone?
What have they done?
What does it profit a man to page through his
book of prayers when the rest of the world is
crying for help? -1

(Sunday Sermons Online)

WHO DO YOU THINK I AM

Scripture:

Matthew 16:15-16

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say
I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,
the Son of the living God.”

Reflection:

Have you ever asked the question "Who do you think I am?"
You know when you think about it is quite a question to ask.
I mean it can be taken all different kinds of ways, depending
on how you ask it. You may ask it in such a way that you are
boastful in your tone, "WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?". Or you
may even ask it in an inquisitive kind of way, kind of timid,
"who do you think I am?"

But I think in this situation Jesus Christ is really asking Simon
Peter about his faith. I believe he's really asking Peter Who do you
"really"  think I am. And I get a picture here that Peter is quite
forceful when he looks at Christ and says, "You are the Messiah,
the Son of the living God. Peter's response shows that he has real
faith that Jesus Christ is not only human but also divine. This man
that he is following is the Son of the living God. WOW what a
statement of faith.

I think that Jesus Christ is asking us the very same question,
"Who do you think I am?"
What is your response to such a question. How do you feel about
Jesus Christ, who do you really think he is. I believe this is a
question we should ask ourselves every day. We should look at
our faith and what we believe. By reminding ourselves that question,
 we are reminding ourselves that Jesus Christ is in our lives. I
believe the kind of response that we give,every day, will have an
effect on the rest of our lives. You see I really believe that Jesus
Christ is in my life yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and that He is
my Savior, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. And because I
believe that in my heart and in my soul I will be bonded to Jesus
for eternity.

It is my hope you have the same response to the question
"Who do you think I am?"

Prayer:

Oh Lord thank you for being my Messiah, for being my Christ,
for being God's only son. Thank you for being in my life every day,
there to guide me, to comfort me, to give me strength, and to love me.
"Who do I think you are", I think you are Jesus Christ my Lord
and Savior. AMEN