This is a true story about romance. This is not a fairy tale written in a long ago day of magic and dragons and enchanted princesses. This is a story about a man and a woman and a God that controls everything.
It started a long time ago in a hospital birthing room. The man was born into a normal family in a normal town in our fair country, the U.S. of A. He was a healthy, noisy little child, and his family named him John (all names are changed to protect the individuals here.)
A few years later in another state, another hospital ward room, was born a little girl. She was a healthy child, quiet, reserved, and her mother called her Marsha.
John and Marsha grew up in similar circumstances. Both attended public schools, both wanted to have a house and children someday...both were young, and happy, and innocent.
Although in seperate states and environments both children grew up with knowlege of the Church that God built. Marsha stayed saved and led a typical life of one who is raised in Truth. She got saved and sanctified at a young age, had the usual battles and temptations, but allowed herself to draw near to God and cultivated the truth that was taught her in Sunday School.
Our story focuses on the rapidly maturing young man we know as John. John was raised early on in truth, but through manifold testing of the devil, his family went through a divorce, and he was taken out of the truth with his mom and raised in comparative darkness. His dad showed up and John visited with him, but he viewed his dad as old and out of touch with life.
John remembers reaching the age of accountability and his first curse word that seperated him from the innocent and sheltered life he enjoyed. John went through school as a normal child, and he loved to have fun and pull pranks. He was rowdy, healthy and should have grown up as an Alpha Male and a strong, productive leader.
In his high school years, John allowed his hyperactive nature to get the best of him and his schoolwork earned less than average scores. He hung out with the wrong crowd, and learned how to ditch school, do drugs, and he cultivated these desires.
John's sister, Sharnell accompanied him in alot of his rowdy doings, and participated in the unruly life that he lived. Together they partied, and lived a life on the broad road of sin. John tells stories about his party days, and is able to relate times that he suffered horrible physical abuse from those whom he called 'friends.' Sometimes tears come to John's eyes as he tells this testimony and how different his true friends in the Church are from those of his party days.
Sharnell came to know truth eventually. Through a combination of her father's prayers and friends who invited her to church, God was able to convict her soul and brought her to an altar of repentance. She proved herself, and married a fine man named Jeffrey.
On Sharnell and Jeffrey's wedding day, John recieved a strong dose of truth as he sat through the ceremony. Marsha was also there and she fell in love with John. She felt that he was the one that God had sent for her. In the months and years afterward she experienced strong emotional distress.
John left the wedding sort of dazed. He witnessed the change in Sharnell's life. The change that brought her from a girl crazed on drugs, and addicted to cigarettes to a beautiful young lady. This change was not a change brought on by therapy. No John knew that God had changed Sharnell's heart. John saw that the addictions had left Sharnell's life the same moment that God forgave her sins.
Sharnell tried to talk to John about it and she told John that he could have this same thing if he wanted it. John didn't.
John was not only addicted to drugs, but he also had a gambling problem. He stole from his mother and lived a life that threatened to destroy his career and kill his body. Little did he know that Martha was in love with him and was praying for him.
Martha was going through a hard trying time. Growing up in a Church that does not practice ecuminicalism is difficult for those who are looking for a companion. The devil will tell someone that it is impossible for them to find the right match in Church, and will try to convince them to go into the world and marry someone. That is a foolish move, but unfortunately many young men and women choose that option and lose their souls. Few of these people ever get saved again, and fewer unsaved companions convert into the Church that God built.
Sharnell was concerned for her friend Marsha. She knew that Marsha was in love with her wayward brother, and she tried to warn Marsha, but it was of little use. Marsha could not be disuaded from loving John. Sharnell was worried about it. Worried that Marsha would lose her faith in God through this situation. Marsha was tried sorely. She wanted to get married and she didn't think that she would ever find someone in truth. God had to bring someone to the church for her to get married to.
John hit rock bottom one day. He burned his final paycheck in a casino and lost his job. Life was over. His body was ruined from alcohol, drugs and dissipation. John went to church. He heard that God could take the train wreck of his life and turn it around. He heard that the toxic waste dump of his body could be healed and his addictions erased. His mind could be righted and he wouldn't have to worry about his past anymore. Marsha saw him in that service and was praying. Sharnell saw him in that service and was praying. Sharnell's husband Jeffrey who worked with John saw him in that service and was praying. God knew he was in service and felt the tug from all the prayers. God told the pastor to preach, and preach he did.
John was gloriously saved that service. His addictions left right away. Eventually he got his job back and got his life straightened out. God changed his heart and healed his mind and body. God is love.
John and Marsha were married a few years later. They have two beautiful children and a happy home and marriage. Nobody recognizes the new John. His friends from high school can't believe that he is a productive member of society.
At every wedding that John and Marsha sit through, they remember their wedding and the trials that led up to it. God made everything work out and they live happily ever after. True Romance is Not A Pipe Dream. God is the God that always comes through.
If you are a young person and have wondered if you are ever going to get married remember the tale of John and Marsha. Perhaps you will one day meet them and be encouraged.
I have. My name is David and this is a True Story. e-mail me at: not.a.pipe.dream@gmail.com
Thanks for reading.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Psalms 19
1: To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
The proof of how big God is can be seen by observing the work of God's hands. The sky, the universe, the natural world.
2: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
David wrote this to say that the work of God's hands speeks to us to show that God has infinite control in the day passing to day and the night going to night as God made it to be and saw that it was good.
3: There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Everybody can see the witness of God's creation.
4:: Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5: Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6: His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The Day and Night create a place for the sun to shine in it's glory. The sun passes from horizon to horizon and everything feels the heat and warmth that it gives. God has set this in order in the beginning and because of His infinite power it will be there to the end.
7: The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
As God created a perfect world by His law, also he can create a perfect man through His Laws. Those who have nothing to hide understand God's witness and and they are wise in their understanding. God is not complicated.
8: The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes.
Our heart languishes in God's statutes. God's commandments give us clear vision.
9: The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Our perspective of God is respectfulf and as we honor and worship God for who He is, our honor and worship gives us a clean fear of God that never faileth. God's judgments are true and righteous all together, through and through and they compliment each other without contradiction.
10: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
David was the King of Israel, and he had much fine gold indeed, and yet he realized how absent his life was without the judgments of God. Back then honey was one of the sweetest things that they had. There wasn't any real way to process foods and make all the different types of candy that we have today. Honey and the honeycomb itself was a rich thing, and to compare the judgments of God as sweeter than honey was a good choice of words.
11: Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
The judgments of God will let us know where the boundaries are, and a servant of God will heed the warning. There is great reward in heeding the warning. Consequences of heedless action are great and long lasting.
12: Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
God is faithful to show us where we need to measure up. His love for us is so great that He will tell us when we are doing something wrong. We have to make sure that we are honest and WANT God to do that, and if we meet the conditions of an honest heart we will hear God's voice talking to us.
14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be aceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
God is MY redeemer. What a strong statement! God loved me so much that he wants to clean me up and make my life comfortable and happy. God is MY strength. My strength to stand against the devil. My help in hard times. My ability to measure up to GOd's word and enjoy all the benefits that living a clean life gives us.
God will help us to have clean conversation and clean desires. Praise God for everythign that He does for us.
e-mail me: not.a.pipe.dream@gmail.com
Thanks for reading, and stay encouraged.
-David
The proof of how big God is can be seen by observing the work of God's hands. The sky, the universe, the natural world.
2: Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
David wrote this to say that the work of God's hands speeks to us to show that God has infinite control in the day passing to day and the night going to night as God made it to be and saw that it was good.
3: There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Everybody can see the witness of God's creation.
4:: Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
5: Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
6: His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The Day and Night create a place for the sun to shine in it's glory. The sun passes from horizon to horizon and everything feels the heat and warmth that it gives. God has set this in order in the beginning and because of His infinite power it will be there to the end.
7: The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
As God created a perfect world by His law, also he can create a perfect man through His Laws. Those who have nothing to hide understand God's witness and and they are wise in their understanding. God is not complicated.
8: The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes.
Our heart languishes in God's statutes. God's commandments give us clear vision.
9: The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Our perspective of God is respectfulf and as we honor and worship God for who He is, our honor and worship gives us a clean fear of God that never faileth. God's judgments are true and righteous all together, through and through and they compliment each other without contradiction.
10: More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
David was the King of Israel, and he had much fine gold indeed, and yet he realized how absent his life was without the judgments of God. Back then honey was one of the sweetest things that they had. There wasn't any real way to process foods and make all the different types of candy that we have today. Honey and the honeycomb itself was a rich thing, and to compare the judgments of God as sweeter than honey was a good choice of words.
11: Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
The judgments of God will let us know where the boundaries are, and a servant of God will heed the warning. There is great reward in heeding the warning. Consequences of heedless action are great and long lasting.
12: Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
13: Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
God is faithful to show us where we need to measure up. His love for us is so great that He will tell us when we are doing something wrong. We have to make sure that we are honest and WANT God to do that, and if we meet the conditions of an honest heart we will hear God's voice talking to us.
14: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be aceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
God is MY redeemer. What a strong statement! God loved me so much that he wants to clean me up and make my life comfortable and happy. God is MY strength. My strength to stand against the devil. My help in hard times. My ability to measure up to GOd's word and enjoy all the benefits that living a clean life gives us.
God will help us to have clean conversation and clean desires. Praise God for everythign that He does for us.
e-mail me: not.a.pipe.dream@gmail.com
Thanks for reading, and stay encouraged.
-David
Thursday, April 17, 2008
I'm Gonna Make It Through
I’m Gonna Make It Through
Through so many dangers and toils of this life;
I have already come,
but he keeps on giving the grace and the strength
To just keep pressing on
He’s given a promise, and I'm gonna stand
On every word his word has said
And holding his hand, I’ll never fear:
Whatever lies ahead
I’m gonna make it
He already said that I could,
Ill keep on trusting that he’s working everything for my good;
He walks beside me, heaven is in my view
Oh, Oh, I’m going to make it through
Sometimes there are storms that darken my way
They cause my strength to fail.
But though I am tried and tested
I’m still determined to prevail
Because I remember the promise he made
That in my weakness he is strong
And that’s when I know whatever may come
His steady hand will lead me on. And on and on
I’m gonna make it.
He already said that I could.
Ill keep on trusting that he’s working everything for my good.
He walks beside me heaven is in my view.
Oh, Oh, I’m going to make it through
He walks beside me heaven is in my view
Oh, Oh, I’m going to make it; he said I could
I’m gonna make it through.
Through so many dangers and toils of this life;
I have already come,
but he keeps on giving the grace and the strength
To just keep pressing on
He’s given a promise, and I'm gonna stand
On every word his word has said
And holding his hand, I’ll never fear:
Whatever lies ahead
I’m gonna make it
He already said that I could,
Ill keep on trusting that he’s working everything for my good;
He walks beside me, heaven is in my view
Oh, Oh, I’m going to make it through
Sometimes there are storms that darken my way
They cause my strength to fail.
But though I am tried and tested
I’m still determined to prevail
Because I remember the promise he made
That in my weakness he is strong
And that’s when I know whatever may come
His steady hand will lead me on. And on and on
I’m gonna make it.
He already said that I could.
Ill keep on trusting that he’s working everything for my good.
He walks beside me heaven is in my view.
Oh, Oh, I’m going to make it through
He walks beside me heaven is in my view
Oh, Oh, I’m going to make it; he said I could
I’m gonna make it through.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Fill the gaps
Circle the wagons. Fill the gaps. Reload the guns. Some have gone on to their final reward, but we are still fighting the good fight.
Dont' get discouraged about this. Even if your best friend has passed away or backslidden, get more friends. Get close to the YP. True Church of God people love each other. We care for each other so much.
Now someone has got to wear those awesome suspenders. Keep trusting in God! Keep loving each other. Don't give up even if you don't understand what God is doing!
Call me if you need me. Random YP have my number. E-mail me at not.a.pipe.dream@gmail.com if you want it too. This space doens't really have much about my true identity and I am trying to keep it that way, but let the chips fall as they might. Take care people.
-David
Dont' get discouraged about this. Even if your best friend has passed away or backslidden, get more friends. Get close to the YP. True Church of God people love each other. We care for each other so much.
Now someone has got to wear those awesome suspenders. Keep trusting in God! Keep loving each other. Don't give up even if you don't understand what God is doing!
Call me if you need me. Random YP have my number. E-mail me at not.a.pipe.dream@gmail.com if you want it too. This space doens't really have much about my true identity and I am trying to keep it that way, but let the chips fall as they might. Take care people.
-David
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