During a training session for soldiers who were about to make their first parachute jump, the sergeant explained how to open the reserve chute if the main chute didn’t open. A private nervously raised his hand and asked, “Sergeant, if my main chute doesn’t open, how long do I have to pull my reserve?” The sergeant looked directly into the young private’s eyes and replied, “The rest of your life, soldier. The rest of your life.” (Reader’s Digest, Feb., 1982.)
The most important decision you will ever make is to trust Jesus Christ, asking him to forgive your sins, and inviting him to be the Lord of your life. How long do you have? Make the decision now.
Illustration from FB posting from my friend Yolande Petersen: An amazing chapter of a rather dramatic story unfolded this week. Earlier in the semester, one of my students, "Emily," left the classroom, presumably to use the rest room. When the class concluded, she hadn't returned, so her classmate, "Lynn" packed up her things and volunteered to wait until she returned. As I was locking up the room, Emily appeared, in tears and with bleeding wrist. Lynn and I rushed her to the nurse (just downstairs from us).
While she was being tended to, Lynn suggested that I check the restroom, where Emily might have left something behind. On the way there, I was frantically accosted by "Sue," a student from a different class, who is also a believer. She told me, "I noticed shoes facing the wrong way, and Jesus told me to ask her how she was doing. She told me she was OK, but He told me not to let her go, so I kept asking if she was sure she was OK, and she ran out of the stall." I was able to assure Sue that Emily was receiving medical attention. And we both continued to pray.
Last week, Sue shared with me that she saw "the shoes" and approached Emily to ask how she was doing. Rather than being defensive, Emily thanked her for saving her life and shared something that brought Sue and me to tears. Shortly after "the incident," another friend of Emily's shared the Lord with her and brought her to church. It was there that she gave her life over to Christ.
Emily's problems (including ones that contributed to "the attempt") have not magically disappeared, but she has someone to walk beside her and carry her through them. Our Lord is great, and He cares for people in so many different ways. And I'm grateful that He let Sue and me see a little more of the story.
The most important decision you will ever make is to trust Jesus Christ, asking him to forgive your sins, and inviting him to be the Lord of your life. How long do you have? Make the decision now.
Illustration from FB posting from my friend Yolande Petersen: An amazing chapter of a rather dramatic story unfolded this week. Earlier in the semester, one of my students, "Emily," left the classroom, presumably to use the rest room. When the class concluded, she hadn't returned, so her classmate, "Lynn" packed up her things and volunteered to wait until she returned. As I was locking up the room, Emily appeared, in tears and with bleeding wrist. Lynn and I rushed her to the nurse (just downstairs from us).
While she was being tended to, Lynn suggested that I check the restroom, where Emily might have left something behind. On the way there, I was frantically accosted by "Sue," a student from a different class, who is also a believer. She told me, "I noticed shoes facing the wrong way, and Jesus told me to ask her how she was doing. She told me she was OK, but He told me not to let her go, so I kept asking if she was sure she was OK, and she ran out of the stall." I was able to assure Sue that Emily was receiving medical attention. And we both continued to pray.
Last week, Sue shared with me that she saw "the shoes" and approached Emily to ask how she was doing. Rather than being defensive, Emily thanked her for saving her life and shared something that brought Sue and me to tears. Shortly after "the incident," another friend of Emily's shared the Lord with her and brought her to church. It was there that she gave her life over to Christ.
Emily's problems (including ones that contributed to "the attempt") have not magically disappeared, but she has someone to walk beside her and carry her through them. Our Lord is great, and He cares for people in so many different ways. And I'm grateful that He let Sue and me see a little more of the story.
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