A Letter From Billy Graham

I just received this letter from Billy Graham by email. It's perfectly time appropriate for many people; hope for believers and insight for non-believers.
I would like to share the letter with you.

'God Knows Your Heartaches'
November 3, 2010 - Billy Graham encourages those who endure hardships.
by Billy Graham

In a few days I’ll be 92. I would have never dreamed I would live this long. My wife, Ruth, passed away a little over three years ago, and a little bit of me died with her. I miss her more with each passing day. This was Ruth’s favorite time of year. She enjoyed watching the leaves turn and couldn’t wait to build a fire at the first hint of autumn. Always joyful, Ruth brightened up the darkest of days.

Foreboding clouds darken the world this side of Heaven as controversy swirls over the debate “who is a Christian.” USA Today ran an article last month by a professor from the University of Chicago stating, “America’s fastest-growing brand of belief is non-belief.” Confronted with the myriad of religions in the world, it isn’t difficult to see why people are finding it easier to accept them all—or none at all. But having faith in religion only clouds the truth. It brings greater confusion and deeper doubt, because religion can be anything! The Bible indeed sheds light on this dilemma that stirs in the human soul and carries the truth of redemption by the death of our Savior and His glorious resurrection. This is truth—God coming to man in a personal relationship. This is why He sent His Son to earth to redeem the human soul from sin that leads to despair.

The Bible says, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7–8, NIV).

Recently Dr. Mark O’Farrell, president of Trinity College in Florida (where I attended Bible school as a young man), sent me the school’s newsletter with a wonderful insight from Scripture. He is graciously allowing me to share this tremendous spiritual application with you as to the state of despair that so many are experiencing today.

The Bible tells of the children of Israel who were enslaved in Egypt. One of their major tasks was to make bricks by an ancient process that required mixing clay and straw. The Egyptian taskmasters stopped providing the necessary straw, ordering the laborers to find their own straw, but with no adjustment in the quota of bricks they were required to produce. What was necessary to accomplish the work was taken away even though the expectation and demands remained the same.

Have you experienced this kind of despair—having to make bricks without straw? The income is no longer there, but the bills keep coming. Resources and workers are cut, but not the workload. Age or health robs strength, but life’s duties remain. A wife or husband is gone, yet family responsibilities continue. What is your straw that has been taken away even though you must somehow still complete the task or fulfill the responsibility?

The Bible says, “The people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. ... God heard their groaning. ... God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Exodus 2:23–25, ESV). God knows your heartaches! He hears you when you cry to Him. He knows that your straw has been taken away. He knows your hurt, your fear and groaning. He knows! And He is doing something about it. “I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them” (Exodus 3:7).

The Deliverer is on the way! How God acts on your behalf may not be exactly the way you envision, and His timing may not be what you prefer, but He knows your situation and He remembers His promises to you.

Going through hardship tends to plow up the surface of our lives to uncover the depths that provide greater strength of purpose. Deeply plowed earth yields bountiful harvests. When difficulties come we must learn to entrust each day into God’s hands and express our thanks to the Lord for never leaving us alone. I have talked with many over the years who have fallen on hard times but found light in the darkness while expressing thankfulness to God.

As we approach the Thanksgiving season I am reminded of the many commands in God’s Word to be thankful in all things. "Begin the thanksgiving in prayer" (Nehemiah 11:17, KJV); "Come into his presence with thanksgiving” (Psalm 95:2, ESV); and then the Scripture urges us to “Continue in prayer ... with thanksgiving" (Colossians 4:2, KJV).

There is no better time than now to thank all those who have stood with us in prayer and support in the work God is doing through the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I am grateful for each one who joins with us in reaching out to where the Gospel seed is being sown. There remain nations to be cultivated and souls to be redeemed. There are harvest lands of great promise.

I long to tell more people about God’s truth and the salvation it brings when people repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ who loves us and longs to hear our lips praise Him for the mighty works He has done. Perhaps the Lord will strengthen me in the coming year to once again stand with Bible in hand to declare with thanksgiving that salvation is found in the Lord Jesus Christ, rich in mercy and love. The Bible says, "For [God’s] mercy reaches unto the heavens, and [His] truth unto the clouds" (Psalm 57:10, NKJV).

May God bless you,
Billy Graham

Our Liberty and Freedom

America is Broke!
Obama admin. is bailing out unions as there is no tomorrow. It doesn't matter there is no money left. He is willing to write blank checks. One can conclude that he really doesn't care neither the future of this country nor the future of our children's well being. He is only looking after his own future and a few interest groups in order to preserve his own power.
Here is a letter that one of the Local Union Office sent out to its members asking to vote for Jerry Brown as the next Governor of California. Campaigning for Jerry Brown is one thing however, it's troubling on their attitude about Corporations and 'according to them so call 'rich tycoon' are another. We have unemployment rate of its own members, construction workers, are over 23% even higher in some areas in California. I haven't seen any 'shovel ready jobs' the government promised. Only hope that I see is that some Corporations and 'rich tycoon' start spend money to hire them. As we all know, a poor person doesn't hire people but a rich can.
We are living in a very troubling time. America that we all know and are proud of is fading away. Unfortuately, some people don't see it yet that our liberty and freedom which our forefathers fought vigorously for, is going down with it slowly.
Wake up Ameria! We can change it on November Election 2010.

A Glass of Milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.

He drank it so slowly, and then asked, “How much do I owe you?"

”You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all.

Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this:

Bread cast on the water comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Tomorrow Is Never Promised!

I would like to share 'Tomorrow is never promised' with you.
We often overlook those who we love the most. This story reminds us to reach out others and live fullest each day.

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage.....And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to all those people who are "keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way. Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow.

I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised. . .

Courageous Prayer

A Paster with Guts

I received this by email and I thought it's very interesting and inspiring. I would like to share it with you.

This prayer was given at the opening session of the Kansas Senate.
It still stirs up some controversies to some people.

Courageous Prayer by Minister Joe Wright

Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare...
We have killed our unborn and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem...
We have abused power and called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.
We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment.
Search us, Oh, God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Amen!

According to this email, 'the response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively... The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from Inida, Africa and Korea.

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his raido program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'one nation under God.'

This email also says, 'If you don't stand for something, you will fall for everything.'

Friend's Email

A friend of mine who isn't a Christian sent me this email. She thought this explains so well about God. I thought that this story will help if any one is searching for an answer. I would like to share it with you too.


God's cake... This is one of the best I've ever read as an explanation.

Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation! A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.
Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'
'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers.
'Yuck' says her daughter.
'How about a couple raw eggs?' 'Gross, Mom!'
'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'
'Mom, those are all yucky!'
To which the mother replies: 'Yes , all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! '
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance!

Three Trees

When you think things aren't going your way
Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods.
They were discussing their hopes and dreams when
The first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a great
Treasure Chest. I could be filled with gold, silver
and precious gems. I could be decorated with an
intricate carving and everyone would see my beauty.'

Then the second tree said, 'Someday I will be a
Mighty Ship. I will take Kings and Queens across the
waters and sail to the corners of the world. People
will feel safe in me because of the strength of my
h ull .'

Finally the third tree said, 'I want to grow to be
the tallest and straightest Tree in the forest. People will see me on
top of the hill, look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and
God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of
all time and people will always remember me.'

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group
of woodsmen came upon the trees.
When one came to the first tree he said, 'This looks like a strong tree,
I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter, and he began
cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew the carpenter would
make him into a treasure chest.

At the second tree the woodsman said, 'This looks like a strong tree.
I will be able to sell it to the shipyard.'
The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming
a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened
because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come
true. One of the men said, 'I don't need anything special from my tree,
I'll take this one,' and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed
box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This
was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams
of being a mighty ship and carrying Kings had come to an end.

The third tree was cut into large pieces, and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams.

Then one day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they
placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first
tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but
this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of
this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second
tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on
the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong
enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood
and said 'Peace' and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew
that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through
the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they
came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to
die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize
that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as
close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your
way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in
Him, God will give you great gifts.

Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had
imagined.

We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His
ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

Please keep this moving....... Pass it on, so God may inspire more
people on the way.

May your day be blessed. And until we meet again, may God cradle you in
the palm of His hand

The Legend of the Cherokee Indian Youth's Rite of Passage

I received the following story by email. I thought that we all can learn from the moral of the story as one said, "Just because you can't see God, doesn't mean He is not there."

Do you know the legend of the
Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him
and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump
the whole night and not remove the blindfold until
the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He
cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this
experience, because each lad must come
into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all
kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be
all around him. Maybe even some human
might do him harm. The wind blew the
grass and earth, and shook his stump, but
he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.
It would be the only way he could become
a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared
and he removed his blindfold.
Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this
experience, because each lad must come
into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all
kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be
all around him. Maybe even some human
might do him harm. The wind blew the
grass and earth, and shook his stump, but
he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.
It would be the only way he could become
a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared
and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting
on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting
his son from harm..

We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, God is watching
over us, sitting on the stump beside us.

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach
out to Him.

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."