Passing along a chuckle from my dear Mother-in-law:
Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers.
One evening, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the 95th birthday gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who moved to Florida.
The first said, “You know I had a big house built for Mama.”
The second said, ” And I had a large theater built in the house.”
The third said, “And I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her.”
The fourth said, “You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can’t read
anymore because she can’t see very well. I met the preacher who told me about a parrot
who could recite the entire Bible. It took ten preachers almost 8 years to teach him. I
had to pledge to contribute $50,000 a year for five years to the church, but it was worth
it. Mama only has to name the chapter and verse, and the parrot will recite it.”
The other brothers were impressed. After the celebration Mam sent out her “Thank You”
notes.
She wrote: Milton, the house you built is so huge that I live in only one room, but
I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway.”
“Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home; I have my groceries delivered, so I
never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks.”
“Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound and it can hold 50 people,
but all of my friends are dead, I’ve lost my hearing, and I’m nearly blind. I’ll never use
it. Thank you for the gesture, just the same.”
“Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a little thought to
your gift.
The chicken was delicious. Thank you so much.”
Love, Mama
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Now?
You’re disappointed–nobody wants to leave a party early–but you leave, and your friend drops you off at your house. As you approach the door, you’re feeling all alone and sorry for yourself. As you open the door and reach for the light switch, you sense someone’s there. Your heart”s in your throat. You flip on the light.
“Surprise!” Your house is full of smiling people, familiar faces.
It’s a party–for you. You smell your favorites–barbecued ribs and pecan pie right out of the oven. The tables are full. It’s a feast. You recognize the guests, people you haven’t seen for a long time. Then, one by one, the people you most enjoyed at the other party show up at your house, grinning. This turns out to be the real party. You realize that if you’d stayed longer at the other party, as you’d wanted, you wouldn’t be at the real party–you’d be away from it.
Christians faced with terminal illness or imminent death often feel they’re leaving the party before it’s over. They have to go home early. They’re disappointed, thinking of all they’ll miss when they leave. But the truth is, the real party is underway at home–precisely where they’re going. They’re not the ones missing the party, those of us left behind are.”
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Actually, JESUS is who the party is all about–what a joy it will be to worship Him forever!!!!!! I like this simple explanation of how to get to Heaven in this link: http://www.evantell.org/the-gospel and the quote there that sums up God’s precious free gift of Eternal life. “The gospel in its simplest form is ten words: “Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.”
959. Joy and I took turns reading aloud last evening on a bench by the lake. The wind made it delightfully cool jacket weather and we saw the beautiful colorful changes of a brilliant sky as the sun went down–a lovely gift of a Mother/Daughter Time.
960. Joy sharing this beautiful song with me (Come to Jesus): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4g8_e16dc
961.
962.
Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. His family listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, TX. He called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf . This is the recording of that 2 minute call: a precious conversation I felt privileged to listen in on and I hope you guys will too.
Dear Paula,
These were so neat. Thanks for sharing. Have you read Randy Alcorn’s book “Heaven”. I don’t remember if the party story was in that book but it’s a wonderful book that makes heaven so real to our finite minds.
Love, Lillie
Dear Paula,
My comment didn’t go through but I appreciated this. Wonderful stories.
Love, Lillie
Hi Lille! Nice to hear from you! Yes, I read that book and that quote was in it. I know that book is contraversial and some of it supposition rather than Bible based but it does have some gems in it. Still praying for you and your family, 🙂 Paula