Find interesting, inspiring stories and uplifting Christian writings that may make you stop and think about what's important in your life.
Inspirational Christian Stories
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Inspirational Stories - #12
Food For Thought
Author Unknown
One Sunday morning during service, a 2,000-member congregation was
surprised to see two men enter, both covered from head to toe in black and
carrying sub-machine guns. One of the men proclaimed, "Anyone willing to take a
bullet for Christ remain where you are." Immediately, the choir fled, the
deacons fled, and most of the congregation fled. Out of the 2,000 there only
remained around 20.
The man who had spoken took off his hood, looked at the preacher and said,
Okay Pastor, I got rid of all the hypocrites. Now you may begin your service.
Have a nice day!"
And the two men turned and walked out.
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THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic
diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken
Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his
friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The
lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright,
there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the
highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the
board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of
his body in the shape of a cross. Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God
to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and
turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.
*************************************************************
QUESTIONS
I asked God to take away my pain. God said, No. It is not for me to take
away, but for you to give it up.
I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, No. Her spirit was
whole, her body was only temporary.
I asked God to grant me patience. God said, No. Patience is a by-product of
tribulations. It isn't granted, it is earned.
I asked God to give me happiness. God said, No. I give you blessings.
Happiness is up to you.
I asked God to spare me pain. God said, No. Suffering draws you apart from
worldly cares and brings you closer to me.
I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, No. You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, No. I will give you
life so that you may enjoy all things.
I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me. God said... Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.
*************************************************************
A SIGN OF THE TIMES
They lie on the table, side by side The Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
One is well worn, but cherished with pride (Not the Bible, but the TV Guide)
One is used daily to help folks decide. (Not the Bible: it's the TV Guide.)
As the pages are turned, what shall they see Oh, what does it matter?...turn
on the TV.
Then confusion reigns, they can't all agree on what they shall watch on the
old TV.
So they open the book in which they confide (No, not the Bible.....it's the
TV Guide.)
The Word of God is seldom read. Maybe a verse e'er they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be... not from reading the Bible-from
watching TV.
So then back to the table, side by side, lay the Holy Bible and the TV Guide.
No time for prayer....no time for the Word. The plan of salvation is seldom
heard.
But forgiveness of sin so full and free is found in the Bible.....NOT on TV!
Inspirational Stories - #13
The Enemy's Perfect Plan
Author Unknown
Let's not allow the enemy to distract us...
Satan called a worldwide convention. In his opening address to his evil angels, he said, "We can't keep Christians from going to church. We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth. We can't even keep them from conservative values. But we can do something else. We can keep them from forming an intimate, abiding relationship experience in Christ. If they gain that connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken. So let them go to church, let them have their conservative lifestyles, but steal their time, so they can't gain that experience in Jesus Christ. This is what I want you to do, angels. Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!"
"How shall we do this?" shouted his angels.
"Keep them busy in the nonessentials of life and invent unnumbered schemes to occupy their minds" he answered. "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend then borrow, borrow, borrow. Convince the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work six or seven days a week, ten to twelve hours a day so they can afford their lifestyles. Keep them from spending time with their children. As their family fragments, soon their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work."
"Overstimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still small voice. Entice them to play the radio or cassette player whenever they drive, to keep the TV, VCR, CD's and their PC's going constantly in their homes. And see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly. This will jam their minds and break that union with Christ."
Fill their coffee tables with magazines and newspapers. Pound their minds with news 24 hours a day. Invade their driving moments with billboards. Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, sweepstakes, mail order catalogues, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering, free products, services and false hopes."
"Even in their recreation, let them be excessive. Have them return from their recreation exhausted, disquieted, and unprepared for the coming week. Don't let them go out in nature to reflect on God's wonders. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, concerts and movies instead. And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences and unsettled emotion."
"Let them be involved in soul-winning. But crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Christ. Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family unity for the good of the cause."
It was quite a convention in the end. And the evil angels went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busy, busy, busy and rush here and there.
Has the devil been successful at his schemes? You be the judge.
Inspirational Stories - #14
If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma Bombeck
If I Had My Life To Live Over.......
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if
the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of
pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for
the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show
soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,I'd have cherished every
moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only
chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never
have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's".. more "I'm sorry's"
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.
Inspirational Stories - #15
The Son
Author Unknown
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had Everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out his package.
"I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.
The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?" There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!" But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel.
"I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
Inspirational Writings - #16
The Ticket
Author Unknown
Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often?
When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror.
The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand.
Bob? Bob from church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A Christian cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little anxious to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow. Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he saw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen
in uniform.
"Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this."
"Hello, Jack." No smile.
"Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids."
"Yeah, I guess."
Bob seemed uncertain. Good. "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit-just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?"
"I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct."
Ouch! This was not going in the right direction. Time to change tactics.
"What'd you clock me at?"
"Seventy-one. Would you sit back in your car, please?"
"Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as I saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket.
"Please, Jack, in the car."
Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand. Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip.
"Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read:
"Dear Jack,
Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it - a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters. All three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again.
Even now. . . Pray for me. And be careful. My son is all I have left. Bob"
Jack...twisted around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived.
Life is precious. Handle with care.
(More Inspirational Stories follow these reflective questions.)
Do I believe there is a real heaven and hell?
When I die where will I go?
What do I need to do to live forever?
Why do I believe what I do?
If what I believe isn't true, would I want to know it?
Who has the answers?
Click Here
Inspirational Writings - #17
An Unspoken Bible
Author Unknown
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans
and no shoes. This was literally is wardrobe for his entire four years of
college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became
a Christian recently while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative
church. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans,
his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and So Bill
starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now people are
really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer
and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizes there are no seats,
he just squats down right on the carpet. (Although perfectly acceptable
behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this had never happened in this
church before!
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the
church, an Elder is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the Elder is in
his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man,
very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he
starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying To themselves that you
can't blame him for what he's going to do.
How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some
college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane.
All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The
minister can't even preach the sermon until the Elder does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great
difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with
him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says,
"What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen,
you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible
some people will ever read."
Inspirational Writings - #18
Brownies With A Difference
by Annette Nay
Many parents are hard put to explain to their youth why some
music, movies, books, and magazines are not acceptable material for
them to bring into the home, for their youth to see, or hear. One
parent came up with an original idea that was hard to refute.
He listened to all the reasons his children gave for wanting to
see a particular PG-13 movie. It had their favorite actors. Everyone
else was seeing it. Even church members said it was great. It was only
rated PG-13 because of the suggestion of sex. They never really
showed it. The language was pretty good. They only used the Lord's name in vain three times in the whole movie. The video effects were fabulous and the plot was action packed. Yes, there was the scene where a building and a bunch of people got blown up, but the violence was just the normal stuff. It wasn't very bad.
Even with all these explanations for the rating, the father
wouldn't give in. He didn't even give them a satisfying explanation for saying, "No." He just said, "No."
It was a little bit later that evening, that this same father
asked his teens if they would like some brownies he had prepared. He
explained that he had taken the families favorite recipe and added
something new. They asked what it was. He calmly replied that he had added dog poop. He stated that it was only a little bit. All the ingredients were gourmet quality. He had taken great care to bake it at the precise temperature for the exact time. He was sure the brownies would be superb.
Even with all the explanations of the perfect attributes of the brownies, the teens would not take one.
The father acted surprised. There was only one little element
that would have caused them to act so stubbornly. He assured them that
they would hardly notice it if at all. They all held firm and would not try the brownies.
He then explained that the movie they wanted to see was just
like the brownies. Satan tries to enter our minds and our homes by
deceiving us into believing that just a little bit of evil won't matter. With the brownies, just a little bit makes all the difference between a great brownie and a totally unacceptable product. He explained that even though the movie people would have us believe the movies which are coming out are acceptable for adults and youth's to see they are not. Test your movie and see. Would you be comfortable taking Christ with you to see the movie?
Now when this father's youth want to do something or see something they should not, the father merely asks them if they would like some of his special dog poop brownies and they never ask about that item again.
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