The Ragman

[FineLinen]

Three Sons

There was a father that had three sons. They all came of age and moved out. The eldest became very successful and constantly sent great gifts home to his father. But, he had little time for his father. The second also became an outstanding citizen and successful man. He did make time to hurriedly come to the father's house and do chores for him. But, he seldom had time to set and talk.

The third son was a problem.

He never achieved much in life. He was constantly failing at one thing and then another. But, he visited his father often. He made his father cry as he would share his heartbreaks. And, he made his father laugh so many times as well! Often he needed a handout or help from the father in some way.

The time came for the father to divide up the inheritance to his sons.

The two eldest paced the floor in their father's house. Both were in a hurry. They were busy men. The third, the loser, sat their smiling and content. He was quite comfortable in his father's house and in his presence.

The father came into the room and told the two eldest sons that they would be amply rewarded but that the bulk of his estate would go to the third son.

The two eldest sons raged at the father pointing out the injustice of this! They said unkind and accusatory things against their younger brother. The younger brother said not a word in return to them as he knew that they were right in their accusations and he had no defense. He bowed his head in shame.

The two eldest told the father that this younger one would waste the fortune he was giving him. The father told them that the storms of life he had endured and the counsel he had constantly sought from his father had equipped him to do well.

As the two eldest continued to rage and qualify themselves through all they had done for the father and asking, "Why? Why? WHY?" The father only looked with love upon the younger son and repeatedly said,"But, he has loved me....."

How Precious Is Your Love

http://newhopemusic.com/songs.n-r/precious.ihp.htm

 

[FineLinen]

Blind Horse -Author Unknown-

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by, one will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.

Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field.
Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is trusting that she will not lead him astray.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see.

 

[FineLinen]

A letter that Ben Franklin wrote for his nephew, entitled;

The Whistle


When I was a child of seven years old, my friends, on a holiday, filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop where they sold toys for children; and being charmed with the sound of a whistle, that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, I voluntarily offered and gave all my money for one.

I then came home, and went whistling all over the house, much pleased with my whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and sisters, and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told me I had given four times as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind what good things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at me so much for my folly, that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave me more chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.

This, however, was afterwards of use to me, the impression continuing on my mind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I said to myself, Don't give too much for the whistle; and I saved my money.

As I grew up, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met with many, very many, who gave too much for the whistle.

When I saw any one too ambitious of court favor, sacrificing his time in attendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends, to attain it, I have said to myself, This man gives too much for his whistle.

When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect, He pays, indeed, said I, too much for his whistle.

If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, Poor man, said I, you do indeed pay too much for your whistle.

When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, Mistaken man, said I, you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you give too much for your whistle.

If I see one fond of of fine clothes, fine furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, Alas! says I, he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.

When I see a beautiful sweet-tempered girl married to an ill natured brute of a husband, What a pity it is, say I, that she should pay so much for a whistle!

In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value of things, and by their giving too much for their whistles.

[move]Are you paying too much for your whistle?[/move]

 

[Starr SDA Living Word]

Keep up the Good work. Excellent and very uplifting to many.

 

[FineLinen]

Keep up the Good work. Excellent and very uplifting to many.

Hi there Starr SDA. In this depressing world system, uplift can be far away at times. Glad you stopped in for a wee visit!

How important is the Bible?

It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible. -George Washington-

The whole inspiration of our civilization springs from the teachings of Christ and the lessons of the prophets. To read the Bible for these fundamentals is a necessity of American life. -Herbert Hoover-

In regard to this great book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good Savior gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for man's welfare, here and hereafter, are to found portrayed in it. -Abraham Lincoln-

Hold fast to the Bible as the sheet-anchor of your liberties; write its precepts in your hearts and practice them in your lives. To the influence of this book we are indebted for all the progress made in true civilization, and to this we must look as our guide in the future. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people. -Ulysses S. Grant-

[move]Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage. I reflect at night on who You are, O Lord, and I obey your law because of this. [/move]

 

[FineLinen]

Break Thou the bread of life, dear Lord, to me,
As though didst break the loaves beside the sea;
Beyond the sacred page I seek Thee, Lord;
My spirit pants for Thee, O Living Word!

Mary Artemisia Lathbury

While Break Thou the Bread of Life is often sung during Communion, it is really intended to prepare the heart for Bible study. The great London preacher, G. Campbell Morgan, customarily read the words of the hymn before his midweek service.

The author, Mary Lathbury, was better known as a commerical artist than as a poet. Her illustrations regularly appeared in the popular magazines of the 19th century. She was a devout Christian who often vacationed at Lake Chautauqua, where she became one of the founders of a new movement. Mixing Christian inspiration, culture, and education, the Chautauqua movement spread across the country.…As she sat with her Bible, overlooking Lake Chautauqua, she thought of the disciples at the Sea of Galilee and wrote this hymn. Mary Lathbury's desire was to take Bible students "beyond the sacred page" to meet the living Word.

From The One Year Book of Hymns (Tyndale House), entry for February 15

 

[FineLinen]

Personal Responsibility Comes Home

The USS Astoria was the first U.S. cruiser to engage the Japanese during the Battle of Savo Island, a night action fought 8-9, August 1942.

About 0200 hours Signalman 3rd Class Elgin Staples was swept overboard by the blast when the number one 8-inch gun turret exploded. He was kept afloat by a narrow life belt that he managed to activate.

At around 0600 hours, Staples was rescued by a passing destroyer and returned to the Astoria, whose captain was attempting to save the cruiser by beaching her. The effort failed, and Staples, still wearing the same life belt, found himself back in the water. Picked up again, he was one of 500 survivors.

On board a transport, he closely examined the life belt that had served him so well. It had been manufactured by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company of Akron, Ohio, and bore a registration number.

Given home leave, Staples asked his mother, who worked for Firestone, about the purpose of the number on the belt. She replied that the company insisted on personal responsibility for the war effort, and that the number was unique and assigned to only one inspector. Staples remembered everything about the life belt, and quoted the number. It was his mother's personal code and affixed to every item she was responsible for approving.

Commander Eric J. Berryman, quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) p 234-35

 

[FineLinen]

Three Sons

There was a father that had three sons. They all came of age and moved out. The eldest became very successful and constantly sent great gifts home to his father. But, he had little time for his father. The second also became an outstanding citizen and successful man. He did make time to hurriedly come to the father's house and do chores for him. But, he seldom had time to set and talk.

The third son was a problem.

He never achieved much in life. He was constantly failing at one thing and then another. But, he visited his father often. He made his father cry as he would share his heartbreaks. And, he made his father laugh so many times as well! Often he needed a handout or help from the father in some way.

The time came for the father to divide up the inheritance to his sons.

The two eldest paced the floor in their father's house. Both were in a hurry. They were busy men. The third, the loser, sat their smiling and content. He was quite comfortable in his father's house and in his presence.

The father came into the room and told the two eldest sons that they would be amply rewarded but that the bulk of his estate would go to the third son.

The two eldest sons raged at the father pointing out the injustice of this! They said unkind and accusatory things against their younger brother. The younger brother said not a word in return to them as he knew that they were right in their accusations and he had no defense. He bowed his head in shame.

The two eldest told the father that this younger one would waste the fortune he was giving him. The father told them that the storms of life he had endured and the counsel he had constantly sought from his father had equipped him to do well.

As the two eldest continued to rage and qualify themselves through all they had done for the father and asking, "Why? Why? WHY?" The father only looked with love upon the younger son and repeatedly said, "But, he has loved me....."

How Precious Is Your Love

http://newhopemusic.com/songs.n-r/precious.ihp.htm

 

[FineLinen]

The Word Transforms

Dr. E. V. Rieu was a classical scholar and translator for many years. He rendered Homer into very modern English for the Penguin Classics. Rieu was 60 years old and a lifelong agnostic when the same firm invited him to translate the Gospels. His son remarked:

It will be interesting to see what Father makes of the four Gospels. It will be even more interesting to see what the four Gospels make of Father.

The answer was soon forthcoming. A year later, Rieu, convinced and converted, joined the Church of England.

In an interview with J. B. Phillips, Rieu confessed that he had undertaken the task of translation because of an "intense desire to satisfy himself as to the authenticity and spiritual content of the Gospels." He was determined to approach the documents as if they were newly discovered Greek manuscripts. "Did you not get the feeling," asked Canon Phillips, "that the whole material was extraordinarily alive?" The classical scholar agreed. "I got the deepest feeling," he replied. "My work changed me. I came to the conclusion that these words bear the seal of the Son of Man and God."


From J. B. Phillips, The Ring of Truth. quoted by R. Kent Hughes in 1001Great Stories and Quotes (Tyndale House) pp 28-29

http://www.bible-researcher.com/rieu.html

 

[FineLinen]

Wanted

Many of us become nostalgic as we think about how things used to be, when things were simple, uncluttered and serene, and when red tape was almost nonexistent. I've wondered many times over-if Jesus were with us in person during these days, how would His ministry be carried out in the midst of our rat race, sophisticated, high tech world? Someone has quipped that if Jesus were to do His same ministry on earth today:

He'd be wanted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for turning water into wine without a license;

He'd be wanted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for killing fig trees;

He'd be wanted by the American Medical Association (AMA) for practicing medicine without a license;

He'd be wanted by the Department of Health (DOH) for asking people to open graves, for raising the dead, and for feeding five thousand people in the wilderness;

He'd be wanted by the National Education Association (NEA) for teaching without a certificate;

He'd be wanted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for walking on water without a life jacket and for flying without an airplane;

He'd be wanted by the Society for the Preservation for Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for driving hogs into the sea;

He'd be wanted by the National Board of Psychiatrists (NBP) for giving advice on how to live a guilt free life; and,

He'd be wanted by the Zoning Department for building mansions without a permit.

I'd venture to say that few of us appreciate today's red tape, and yet we're forced into it. The complexity of living in these days stands in stark contrast to a simpler way of life that Jesus both taught and practiced. Says the old Shaker hymn:

'Tis a gift to be simple, 'Tis a gift to be free,
'Tis a gift to come down where we ought to be.

In the midst of an increasingly complex world, may God grant us insight in knowing how to "come down to where we ought to be."

~Paul W. Brubaker ~

 

[FineLinen]

Let the fool choke on them

This story is about an Episcopal clergyman who took a seat in a dining car on a train traveling along the Hudson River. It happened that opposite him was an atheist. Seeing the clerical collar of his companion, he set out to argue with him and begun thus: "I see, sir, that your are a clergyman." "Yes," was the reply. "I am a minister of the Gospel." There was a pause, after which the atheist said: "I suppose, then, that you believe the Bible."

Now the clergyman was a man of sound, scriptural faith, so that he replied: "I do believe the Bible to be the Word of God." Immediately there came a query: "But don't you find things in the Bible that you can't understand?" The minister answered humbly: "Yes, there are places in the Scripture too hard for me to understand." The athiest retorted with an air of triumph, thinking he had his companion cornered: "Well, what do you do then?"

Quietly the minister went on eating his luncheon, which happened to be Hudson River shad, a delicious fish, but noted for the over-development of its bony structure. Then he looked up and said: "I do, sir, just as I do when eating this shad. When I come to the bones, I put them to the side of the plate and go on enjoying my lunch, leaving the bones for some fool to choke on."

~Frank E. Gaebelien~


Quoted in 1001 Great Stories and Quotes complied by R. Kent Hughes (Tyndale House) pp 27-28

 

[FineLinen]

Things to do on a rainy day....

Whack The Penguin

http://www.birdcheck.co.uk/whackthepenguin.htm

 

[FineLinen]

Oh give thanks unto the Lord


http://www.promiseofgod.com/thanksgiving/

 

[Hollip05]

gud story finelinen!

 

[FineLinen]

Little Woman, Long Shadow

Two weeks before Christmas, on December 12, 1840, a baby girl was born into an aristocratic plantation family in Albemarle County, Virginia. Her name was Charlotte Diggs Moon, but everyone called her "Lottie." She grew to just four feet three inches, yet her intellect and force of personality were enormous. Lottie spoke six languages and earned a master's degree in education in 1861.

Lottie came from a family of dedicated Southern Baptists, but she became a staunch skeptic. Yet, it would be her intellect and skepticism that would bring her to faith one sleepless night in December 1858 as she pondered a message by Dr. John Broadus.

At age thirty-three, Lottie heard a call to missions "as clear as a bell." In July 1873 the foreign mission board of the Southern Baptist Convention appointed her its first unmarried missionary to China. She tirelessly advocated for the needs of the people of China. In 1888 she persuaded SBC women to take an annual missions offering on Christmas Eve. By 1912, despite such gifts, thousands of people were dying every day in famine-ravaged Shantung Province.

At seventy-two, Lottie Moon was coming home. But that same night, aboard a ship off Japan, she died—of complications from starvation. A few months before she had written, "If I had a thousand lives, I would give them all for the women of China." The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering continues to this day. The 2005 goal is $150 million.

 

[FineLinen]

The World's Ugliest Dog?

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/uglydog.asp

 

[FineLinen]

Stop The World!

LINK

 

[FineLinen]

Hello Little Friend

LINK

Japanese Drums


http://accordionguy.blogware.com/_attachments/1578270/japanese_drum_machine.swf

 

[FineLinen]

Brittany Maier: Playing By Ear

HERE

 

[FineLinen]

A Most Important Lesson -Author Unknown-

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:

"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely, this was some kind of joke.

I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello'."

"I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

[move]"For the Father himself loves you..."[/move]

The Master's Touch

There was an organist in the ancient Cathedral at Friburg. He was so jealous of his instrument that he instructed the old caretaker never to let other fingers than his own touch the keys. He wanted sole control of the pedals and the stops and claimed that great throbbing instrument, with a thousand voices, as his own; and guarded it with jealous care.

One day, as the caretaker was cleaning out the church, an old man came in and entered into conversation with him. As they talked they walked near the organ and the stranger quietly seated himself upon the bench, and his fingers started to pull out the stops. The caretaker of the church knew his orders, but he was fascinated by the stranger and made no attempt to stop him.

The fingers then began to press the keys. They fondled them with an affection like unto the hands of a mother fondling her babe; and from the throat of that great instrument there came forth a melody. The old cathedral rang with it. It rose and fell like an ocean of symphony, until the building seemed to say, "I have never heard such music as this before." The stranger played on. Then the sound stopped; the bellows emptied; and the old man stepped down from the console. Slowly he walked toward the back of the cathedral, and then he stopped; for there, sitting with bowed head, was the organist of the church whose orders had been broken. Tears were in his eyes as he spoke to the stranger. "I never have allowed another to touch that organ. No fingers but my own did I want to caress its keys. But you, sir, will do me an honor if you will play and play and play. I ask no higher privilege than to listen. Are you a stranger in this town? The old man replied, "I am." "And what is your name, may I ask?"

As the old man walked slowly away, he said in a whisper, "My name, did you say? My name is Mendelssohn."

There are other fingers than yours which can bring the sweetest melody out of your life, and it is only when the nail-scarred hands of the Christ touch the chords of heart and spirit that the melodies divine begin to throb through human lives.

Nothing of Ourselves

Christian Perfection! Can we poor mortals ever be perfect in anything? Certainly not, if we attempt it by our good works or rely upon self-attained righteousness. The secret of victory over sin and self is to recognize that in ourselves we can do nothing__ nothing but open wide the door of the heart and invite the Galilean to enter.

Then, day by day, as we yield to His will; moment by moment as we trust Him for His grace; the life of Christ becomes manifest in us and through us. Then and then only can it be said that we are truly His disciples. Only Christ can live the Christ life in us. We cannot! It is the beauty of His indwelling presence that makes life beautiful. He is the Holy One Who imparts the spiritual grace of holiness. Is He not our wisdom? Is He not our sanctification? The glory of it all is that we can possess His perfection the moment we let Him in! Man is perfect in that day in which he completely yields his heart and life to Jesus! Then, through that surrendered, yielded heart and body, the life of Christ begins to flow; and every channel of our being is a river bed down which the living waters flow, making the heart glad and giving victory over sin and self."

...Only Christ can live the Christ life in us. We cannot! -Charles Price-
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