Does This Railroad Lead To Heaven? As told by Pastor F. M. Dosh

This is another true story taken from the 1894 edition of "Touching Incidents And Remarkable Answers To Prayer."  As you'll see, this wonderful story seems to speak to adults as well to children.  It's easy to see why Jesus urged the disciples to "Permit the little children to come to Me, for to such as these belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Luke 18:16)
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       In traveling we often meet with people of different nationalities and languages.  We also come across various incidents, some sorrowful, and others joyful.  I recently witnessed one of the most joyful incidents while traveling on the railroad.
      The train was going west, and it was evening.  At a station a little girl about eight years old came aboard, carrying a little purse under her arm.  She came into my car and quickly took a seat.  She then began to study each face, but all were strange to her. She appeared weary, and using her pure for a pillow, she laid down on the seat to try to get a little sleep.
      Soon the conductor came along collecting tickets and fare.  Observing him, she asked him if she could lie there.  The gentlemanly conductor replied that she could, and then kindly asked for her ticket.  She informed him that she didn't have one, and then I overheard the following conversation.  Said the conductor:
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to heaven," she answered.
"Who's paying your fare?" he asked.
She said, "Mister, does this railroad lead to heaven, and does Jesus travel on it?"
" I don't think so, " he answered. " Why did you think that?"
"Why , sir, before my mommy died she used to sing to me about a heavenly railroad, and you looked so nice and kind that I thought this was that railroad.  My mommy used to sing about Jesus on the heavenly railroad, and that He paid the fare for everybody, and that the train stopped at every station to take people on board.  My mom don't sing to me anymore.  Nobody sings to me now, and I thought I'd take the train and go see my mommy.  Mister, do you sing to your little girl about the railroad that goes to heaven?  You have a little girl, don't you?"
     With tears in his eyes, he replied, "No, my little dear, I have no little girl now.  I had one once, but she died some time ago and went to heaven." 
    "Did she go over this railroad, and are you going to see her now?" she asked.
     By this time every person in the coach  was upon their feet, and most of them were weeping.  An attempt to describe what I witnessed is almost impossible.  Some said, "God bless this little girl."  Overhearing someone say that she was an angel, the little girl earnestly replied, " Yes, my mommy used to say that I would be an angel some day. "
    Addressing herself once more to the conductor, she asked him, " Do you love Jesus? I do, and if you love Him, He will let you ride to heaven on His railroad.  I'm going there, and I wish you would go with me.  I know Jesus will let me into heaven when I get there, and He will let you in too, and everybody that will ride on His railroad--yes, all these people.  Wouldn't you like to see heaven, and Jesus, and your little girl?"
     These words, so pathetically and innocently uttered, brought a great gush of tears from all eyes, but most profusely from those of the conductor.  Some who were already traveling on the heavenly railroad shouted aloud for joy.
     She now asked the conductor, "Mister, may I lie here until we get to heaven?"
     "Yes, dear, yes," he answered.
    "Will you wake me up when we get there so that I can see my mommy, and your little girl, and Jesus?" she asked.  "I so much want to see them all."
    His answer came in broken phrases, but in words very tenderly spoken, "Yes, dear angel, yes.  God Bless you." "Amen!" was sobbed by more than a score of voices.
    Turning her eyes once more upon the conductor, she questioned him again, "What should I tell your little girl when I see her? Should I tell her that I saw her daddy on Jesus' railroad? Should I?"
     This brought a fresh flood of tears from all present, and the conductor knelt by her side and, embracing her, wept the reply he could not utter.  At this point the brakeman called out the name of another station.  The conductor got up and asked the brakeman to take care of his duty for him at that station, for he was busy.  That was a precious place.  I thank God that I was a witness to this scene, and I was sorry that at that point I was obliged to leave the train.

****************The Sequel**********************

A letter from the conductor to Pastor Dosh

Dear Pastor Dosh
    I wish to unburden my heart by writing to you and saying that that angel visit on the train was a blessing to me, although I didn't realize it in its fullness until some hours later.  But blessed be the Redeemer, I know now that I am His and He is mine.  I no longer wonder why Christians are happy.  Oh, my joy, my joy!
   The instrument of my salvation has gone to be with God.  I wanted to adopt her in the place of my little daughter, who is now in heaven, and with this intention I took her back to her hometown, where she left the train.
    When I talked with my wife about adopting her, she replied, "Yes, certainly, and immediately too, for there is a Divine providence in this.  Oh," she said, "I could never refuse to take under my charge the instrument of my husband's salvation."
    When I returned to the town where I had left the little girl, I asked about her and learned that in just three days after her return she died suddenly, without any apparent disease, and her happy soul had gone to dwell with her mother, my little girl, and the angels in heaven.
    I was sorry to hear of her death, but my sorrow is turned to joy when I think that my daughter in heaven received word from earth concerning her daddy, and that he is on the heavenly railway. Oh! sir, I think I see my little girl near the Redeemer.  I think I hear myself sending back the reply, "Yes, my darling, we are coming and will soon be there." Oh, my dear sir, I am so glad that I know you!  May the blessing of the great God rest upon you.  Please write to me, and be assured I would be most happy  to meet you again.

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We learn many things from this incident.  "From the mouth of infants and nursing babes Thou hast established strength .  .  ." (Psalm 8:2)  Not only should we never be afraid to speak out for Jesus, no matter where we are, but we should never give up praying for the salvation of those we love.  The conductor's wife was obviously a godly woman who must have been praying for her gusband's salvation.  It looks like God honored her prayers witha visit from this "little angel" who came in love, boldness, and with a word from the Lord about the conductor's daughter.  The right word at the right time is a mighty tool in the hand of God.
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I get tears in my eyes everytime I read this account.  Even typing this I did.  It reminds me of when my mom would play the organ and sing.  I wondered why she wasn't on TV then when I got older I realized no one saw here the same way I did.  Mom would and still does tell stories of growing up and raising us 12 kids and whenever she gets tears in her eyes (which is often when she speaks of Christ's goodness) I remember I could never hold it back and I'd get tears in my eyes -- not necessarily from the story, but because she was my mom and somehow it touched me inside.  She often said I have a good heart -- if I do then I got it from her & dad & Jesus.   Mark
                                                                              

Philip Mann's President's Address at his graduation of 1935 upstate NY

We, the Class of "35," have come to our graduation. Our High School days are ended.  We have successfully completed the course of study required of us, and this day divides, as no other day has done, the past from the future of our lives.  What that future shall be, whether prosperous of disastrous, no one can tell.  But, this we know, it will depend upon ourselves, upon the use we make of our gifts and the powers we possess, upon the worthiness of our aims and purposes in life, upon the attention we pay to little things for character is built upon little things well and honorably transacted.

We may try to deceive ourselves by saying we have had bad luck, but it is not luck but labor that makes men.  Luck relies on chance, labor on character.  "It will do!" is the common phrase of those who neglect little things.  "It will do!" has blighted many a character.  Those of us who learn nothing or accumulate nothing in life will be set down as failures, and it will be because we have neglected little things.  Again and again our faithful teachers have impressed these truths upon us more tenderly and forcible than words of mine can do.

We have laid a few foundations in learning, only that; I am sure they are good foundations and well laid.  The superstructure is yet to be reared.  What shall it be?  It will depend on you, on me.  We can build it strong and beautiful.

The world is waiting for us; it has need of us; it has a place for each of us.  It may not be a conspicuous place; it may be very humble, but there is a greatness which each of us may attain.  It is the greatness of good life.  Let us then be true to our Alma Mater, to ourselves, to our age, our country and to God.

Philip Edward Mann (born 1916; heaven 1998)
106 Pearl Street
Liverpool, NY 13088

Posted by his 11th child of 12/ 7th son of 8 (Mark Mann)
The world needs many more men like my dad.  Men of hard work, honest, giving, caring -- godly character. 

CHUCK - season 4 episode 7 titled "First Fight"

Answer to last Blog - The Little Princess" Leisel Mathew version 1995

This episode was great.  The writing on this show is just getting better.  If you're looking for a fun show to start watching that is clean & funny & SCI-FI  & Mission Impossible type stuff the join me and start watching.  It's on Monday nights channel 5.

One line in this show was Chucks bff talking to chucks mother after 20 yrs and when they meet (she hadn't seen him since he was 9 yrs old) one of the first things he says is "I haven't had a good rice crispy treat since".  It's not just the story that's good it's the character development and relationships.  Simple one liners like the rice crispy treat make it relatable -- I actually burst out laughing numerous times when watching each episode. 

Good night and may God bless!  Happy Thanksgiving to ALL!

KINDLE MY HEART lyrics - Little Princess movie

MULAN is answer to both questions on last blog.



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KINDLE MY HEART

as the moon kindles the night
as the wind kindles the fire
as the rain fills every ocean
and the sun the earth
with your heart kindle my heart

take my heart
take my heart

kindle it with your heart
and my heart cannot be
kindled without you
with your heart kindle my heart

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You must go to youtube or watch the movie and

hear this song.  It's quite unique and I love it!

What is this quote from?  That dashing milk man - you should run away with him - it would be terribly romantic.

Brother's in the Night - sung by Ray Kennedy

Yesterday's Enterprise was the Answer to last question

What is the answer to this question from a Disney animated movie?  "Whatta weee waaaant..."

We're all startin' to feel
The pain we endure.
Makes us wonder what in the hell
We're all fightin' for.
A decade of nightmares,
Long years of tears.
Who can take the injustice?
Who can get past the fears?
And true hearts of courage,
Even in a world turned rotten.
Those precious hearts are gone,
But they're never forgotten.

I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall.
They live on forever,
Forever standin' tall.
I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall.
We're all brothers in the night,
Reaching out for something right.

There are dark, evil forces
That hide behind masks.
And to right all the wrongs
Is an impossible task.
Yet at a certain time,
And in a certain place,
Man can redeem
Mankind's disgrace.
The courage of our past
Will lead to peace at last.
Even after war so rotten,
So many hearts are gone, but not forgotten.

I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall.
They live on forever,
Forever standin' tall.
I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall.
We're all brothers in the night,
Reaching out for something right.
We're all brothers in the night.
It's our time, please, let's unite.

Oh, I believe, I believe, I believe,
The courage of our past
Will lead to peace at last.
Even after war so rotten,
So many hearts are gone but not forgotten.

I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall,
And live on forever,
Forever standing tall.
I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall,
And live on forever,
Forever standin' tall.

I believe, I believe,
They're never forgotten.
I believe, I believe,
That they're never forgotten.

I believe that all good deeds of men will never fall,
And live on forever,
Forever standin' tall.

We're all brothers in the night,
Reaching out for something right.
We're all brothers in the night.
It's our time, please, let's unite.

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You can find this on youtube or end of move called

Uncommon Valor.  It's about vietnam era and

coming together to fight dark times as a country and

as brothers.  Hopefully others see God all over this

song even though He's not mentioned.  Greater

love has no man than he lay down his life for his

friend.  We are created for good works in Christ.

And the song states correctly that all good deeds

will not be forgotten.  All that's done for Christ will

last -- anything with wrong motive will be burned up

at judgment time.  It's a great song from the proper

perspective. 

quote:  Did they send me daughters when I asked for sons? Mister I'll

make a man, out of you.  What movie is this from (animated)?

Answer on next blog.

TAPESTRY OR "THE MASTER WEAVER"

Answer to last blog question -  The Emrgency Medical Hologram (EMH)
Doctor from Star Trek Voyager

What episode is this quote from? : Romulan ship: Surrender and prepare to be boarded.  Picard's response "That'll be the day".

TAPESTRY OF LIFE

My life is but a weaving between my God and me,
I do not choose the colors; He works so steadily.
Oft times He weaves in sorrow, and I in foolish pride,
Forget He sees the upper, and me the underside.
Not till the loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Will God unroll the canvas, and explain the reason why.
The dark threads are as needful in the weavers skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver in the pattern He has planned.

Corrie Ten Boom (author of "The Hiding Place") & surviving prisoner of Nazi Germany******************************
another version

The Plan Of The Master Weaver
Our lives are but fine weavings,
That God and we prepare,
Each life becomes a fabric planned
And fashioned in His care.
We may not always see just how
The weavings intertwine,
But we must trust the Master’s hand
And follow His design,
For He can view the pattern
From the upper side,
While we must look from underneath
And trust in Him to guide.

Sometimes a strand of sorrow
Is added to His plan,
And though it’s difficult for us,
We still must understand
That it’s He who fills the shuttle,
It’s He who knows what’s best,
So we must weave in patience
And leave to Him the rest…

Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why—
The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
And the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

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Star Trek TNG Season 6 Episode 15 called Tapestry is a great episode that demonstrates how life really is a tapestry - how God weaves in the good times with the bad and somehow it all works out for good to those who love God. 

To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.

Answer last blog question: Rosie was the maid on Jetson's cartoon

Who said this?  You're a women seven.  Her reply: "Is that an observation or a diagnosis?"

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
What does the worker gain from his toil?  I have seen the burden God has laid on men.  He has made everything beautiful in its time.  He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.  I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.  That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God.  I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it.  God does it so that men will revere him.  Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.  And I saw something else under the sun:  In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there.  I thought in my heart, God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.
I also thought,  As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.  Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both; As one dies, so dies the other.  All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal.  Everything is meaningless.  All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?  So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot.  For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?



Mark's Analysis:  Jesus revealed clearly that to be absent from the body is to be present with God.  Those who don't know him go to hades where they await their final judgment after which they enter eternal separation from God -- which was there choice.   By not choosing God they default into eternal separation from God.  Those who choose to do things God's way and accept Jesus as Lord obtain eternity with God thru Christs blood on the cross shed for the remission of sin.  Take it or leave it, but it's our only hope.  Choose Life!!!

Festo Kivengere story

quote of day:  What was the name of the maid on the Jetson's cartoon?

Answer to last post: Casablanca and farewell was from Lawrence Welk show

Festo Kivengere:
Revolutions ravaged East Africa (Uganda) during 70s & 80s. Idi Amin killed hundreds of thousands of his own people.  God raised up a man named Festo.  Born in 1919 he was grandson of king of the Bahororo tribe.  Festo grew up worshiping spirits and caring for his fathers cattle.  Festo knew there was a God and desired to know him.  He knew God was the Creator and so he tried to worship Him, but did not know how, so he worshiped all kinds of spirits.  When he as just a boy an African missionary came to his village and built a mud-hut church.  Thru this Festo learned to read and ended up attending college.  When he came home after college to be a teacher in his village, he no longer believed in God.  A revival had started in East Africa and people were confessing wrong things they had done and trying to make them right.  This shocked Festo who thought religious people usually only pointed out other sin.  It made him think and he finally became a Christian.  Confessing sin and becoming brothers and sisters in Christ became the core of Festo's ministry after that.  He became the Anglican Bishop of Kigezi.  When Idi Amin tried to stamp out all Christains in his country, the church remained strong even though many beleivers died.  Festo and his wife had to flee the country.  He wrote a book called "I love Idi Amin".  He explained "On the cross, Jesus said. "Father forgive them because they don't know what they are doing." As evil as Idi Amin was, how can I do less toward him?"  When Amin was finally thrown out of the country, hatred remained between the people.  Until he died of leukemia in 1988, Festo did much to help heal the wounds of the war.

Analysis:  Most people love things and use people. God would have us use things and love people.  He came to seek and save sinners.  A sinner is anyone who is not perfect.  God demands perfection.  Since none can meet that criteria we need a savior.  Someone to pay our debt - a get out of jail free card.  His name is Jesus.  We deserve death, but can have eternal life in paradise just by asking God and beleiving by faith alone -- no works or deed are needed or desired by God.  If we could do anything to deserve it Jesus would not have come and died on the cross for our us.  Freedom of choice which we all have been given by God resulted in a chaotic sinful world.  Mercy is a withholding of something you deserve whereas Grace is a receiving of something you don't deserve.  Big difference.  You obtain eternal life in heaven by confessing with your mouth Jesus as Lord of your life by faith and beleiving God raised him from the dead taking death captive and securing your redemption thru Jesus Blood on the cross.  You have been bought with a price.  Jesus precious blood.  He that calleth upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  He that hath the son hath life and he that hath not the son of God hath not life.  It's that simple.  God said unless you come to me like a little child you shall in no way enter into my kingdom.  Again I'll quote Jim Elliot "he is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose."  My sinful empty broken miserable, fragile, weak short life here for eternity upon eternity never ending paradise with wonder untold. Sounds like a deal to me. I'm with Joshua of old who said before he died.  " Chose this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house we will serve the Lord".

Solomon & Elizabeth Fry (Gurney)

Answer to previous quote: Kelly's Heroes

New Quote:  "Here's looking at you kid"

Elizabeth Fry:

A Quaker she believed in simple living.  Born 1780, Norwich, England.  In 1813 she visited Newgate Prison in London and was shocked by prison conditions.  She started a group of volunteers to start a school for children of prisoners.  Though often sick herself and had her own family to care for she kept reaching out to the poor and prisoners for the sake of Christ.  Her constant prayer was "Whatever I do in anything, may I do it as to thee".  She died in 1845 age 65.  This was also the era when England sent many prisoners to Botany Bay Australia.

Solomon (cont)

So I hated life because the work that is done under the sun was grevious to me.  All of it is meaningless, a chasing after teh wind.  I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.  And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool?  Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun.  This too is meaningless.  So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun.  For a man may do his work with wisdsom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it.  This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.  What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?  All his days his work is pain and grief, even at night his mind does not rest.  This too is meaningless. A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?  To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God.  This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Analysis:
Do you wish to be wise Saheeb?  A wise man will take from Solomons words that motive and attitude are key.  The circumstances are the same for all, but the difference is whether we do it all for selfish reasons or whether we do all as unto God with thanksgiving and a servants heart.  A wise man named Jim T once told me you can't truly be thankful and have a bitter negative spirit at the same time -- it can't be done.  When you're truly thankful only love and appreciation come forth out of your heart.  Enjoy what God has blessed you with, love God, and do unto others as you'd have them do unto you.  Against such things there is no law.

"Good night sleep tight and pleasant dreams to you - here's a wish and a prayer that every dream come true and now til we meet again. adios, arivwa, aphetisan, good night!"

Anyone recognize that farewell song?

Solomon's Wisdom & Jim Elliot story (Auca Indian tribe)

Answer to yesterdays quote is - the movie On Borrowed Time starring Lionel Barrymore 1939.

What movie is this Quote of the day from:  "I'm coming down there Booker!" & "They're using some type of code we don't recognize like Big Joe and Crap Game and Oddball." Both from same movie.

JIM ELLIOT: 
Born in Portland Oregon 1927 he accepted Christ at age 6.  Attended Wheaton College 1945.  He married in 1953 and died in 1956 within days of his first contact with the Aucas Indian tribe who had never heard about Jesus. As a boy he dreamed of going to sea.  He got his wish by sailing to Ecuador to bring God's word to unreached tribes in South America.  Jim and 4 other men were killed by Auca lances while trying to make personal contact with the tribe. Inspired by their dedication to bring God's word to unreached people, hundreds of young people around the world volunteered to become missionaries in their place.  Eventually two of the mens wives live among the Aucas and learned their language and translated the Bible for them.  Jim knew that Christians are sometimes called by God to "fall to the ground and die," like seeds, so that good fruit will grow. (John 12:24)
Jim also said   "He is no fool, who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he can never lose."

Solomon (cont)

Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly.  What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?  I saw that wisdom is better than darkness.  The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.  Then I thought in my heart, The fate of the fool will overtake me also.  What then do I gain by being wise?  I said in my heart, This too is meaningless.  For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten.  Like the fool, the wise man too must die!

Analysis:  Death is the great equalizer.  No matter what we attain in this life.  While this seems to apply to earthly reasoning, God makes it clear in Eccl 12:14, and many other verses in the old and new testament that what we do here (in this life) has a great impact on eternity.  God speaks of laying up treasure in heaven where no one can steal it and it doesn't decay or rust.  I find it amazing how God's word always has a ring of truth to it when I read or hear it.  Maybe its the fact that Gods law is written on our heart and when we hear it or read it it somehow connects with our hearts creating that true feeling somehow. 

Good night all.  Sleep well and "Drive careful" as my dad used to say.

Solomon's Wisdom & Peter Cartwright's story

Answer to yesterdays quote:  Move "Return to me" starring Minnie Driver

Quote for today:  What movie is this in?  " How long is eternity gramps?  It's a right smart piece of time boy!"

Ted Bundy (murdered over 30 women)  said since nothing created the universe and we were created by random processes everything must be relative and morals are subjective.  Logical conclusion is that killing a pig for ham sandwich is no different that raping a women & killing her for pleasure.  I'm so glad God did create our universe and established standards to live by and made a way to heaven for anyone who would reach out and accept it.  He will not force it upon anyone.  Jim Elliot a modern day martyr for Christ said something very wise.  He said "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he can never lose."  For anyone who may not understand -- giving our short lives in this world to Jesus and living for him in exchange for eternal life in paradise with God and all the people who also gave their lives to Christ.  I agree with Jim Elliot anyone who makes that choice is no fool.  I gave Jesus my heart, repented of my sin and accepted by faith His gift of salvation when I was 19 in the Philippines.  And I can still make mistakes everyday and still make it into heaven because of what Christ did for me on the Cross of Calvary. WOW!!!!!!

Peter Cartwright:
As the American frontier moved west, preachers called circuit riders traveled from place to place visiting families.  Peter Cartwright was a successful circuit rider.  He found Jesus at age 15 converted from a life of gambling, horse racing, & fighting.  At 17 (1802) he started preaching which lasted 53 yrs.  He brought the Gospel to frontier families in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois.  He became friends with Abraham Lincoln and died at his farm in Pleasant Plains, IL, on Sept 25, 1872 age 87.   I love examples like this of people who give to others all their lives, like my mom and dad (Phil & Inez)

Solomon (cont)

I thought in my heart, "Come now. I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good."  But that also proved to be meaninless.  Laughter, " I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"  I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly--my mind still guiding me with wisdom.  I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.  I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.  I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.  I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house.  I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.  I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces.  I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well--the delights of the heart of man.  I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me.  In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 
I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.  My heart took delight in all my work; and this was the reward for all my labor.  Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.

Analysis:  I've heard testimony of football stars, baseball stars, hall of famers, movie stars etc.  who have said the same thing after their ultimate success.  Is that all there is?  I made it to the top and still feel empty.  There must be more.  Well there is.  That's what heaven is for.  God said " neither eye has seen or ear heard the glory God has prepared for those who love him." 

Till tomorrow.  If I don't make it - I love you all and hope to spend eternity with you on the other shore.

Solomon's Wisdom & John Bunyan

ANSWERS questions on YESTERDAYS POST:
(Unforgiven and Red Skelton)

Q: What movie is this quote from?:  "It's those with the most character that God gives the most challenges.  You can take that as a complement."  And also "When she met you her heart beat truly for the first time."

Solomon continued:

I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem.  I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.  What a heavy burden God has laid on men!  I have seen al the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.  What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.  I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me;  I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."  Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.  For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.

Mark's Analysis:  Solomon had everything (wisdom, power, riches, honor, reputation, & God's favor), and yet discusses the vanity and emptiness of all this world has to offer.  Looking back over his life he saw most of it as meaningless.  Maybe he wanted his readers to avoid his own mistakes and realize that nothing apart from God could satisfy permenently.  If we try to find meaning in our accomplishments, rather than God, we will never be satisfied, and everything we pursue will become wearisome.  Apostle Paul said that he knew what is was to be both rich and poor, but that the answer was that whatever state he found himself to be content.  Godliness with contentment is great gain he said -- that rings true to my heart - how about you? 

JOHN Bunyan:  was born 1628 in southern England.  He became a preacher and ended up in prison for refusing to stop per the king's order (1661).  The prison just down from his home enabled his blind daughter Mary to bring him a jug of soup daily.  Bunyan spent almost 12 yrs in prison where he wrote many articles and books.  The most well known being Pilgrim's Progress, an imaginary story of a young man traveling toward heaven.  John got out of prison in 1672 and returned to his life as a pastor.  He died in London in 1688 from pneumonia, which he apparently caught after riding thru a chilling rainstorm to help settle an argument between a father and son.


Mark's Analysis:   It amazes me how God uses ordinary people thru good and hard times to accomplish his work.  I can't help but also notice that many great songs and writings are the result of extremely stressful situations in people lives.  For instance we would most likely not have Pilgrim's Progress if John Bunyan had not been put into prison.  Go figure.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer German Hero

Hello

I saw The Guardians Owl movie and Secretariat movie today.  Both were excellent.  I lived thru the triple crown winner, but it was still great to watch. 

Quote of the day:  " I don't appreciate people decorating their establishments with my friends"  what movie is this from????  Answer tomorrow

Dietrich Bonhoeffer born in Breslau, Germany 1906 became involved in a resistance movement to overthrow Hitler.  This led to his arrest by the Gestapo in 1943.  On April 9, 1945 he was hanged with several other resisters just weeks before Hitler committed suicide & Germany surrendered to the Allies.  Bonhoeffer proclaimed that Jesus alone is Lord and that loyalty to Hitler was idolatry.  Along with thousands of other pastors, he refused to accept the "Aryan Clause" that discriminated against anyone of Jewish descent.  It intrigues me that he dared stand up to Hitler, yet the newspapers, radio, and universities all yielded to his propaganda and intimidation -- only the Christ followers/Church had gumpshon to publicly defy the Nazi movement from within Germany.  I heard somewhere that Einstein was very disappointed and surprised that the universities and newspapers didn't speak out against Hitler and became his puppets so quickly once public opinion swayed in his direction.  Was Bonhoeffer brave or stupid?  I say brave for standing up for what he believed and speaking out against evil.  If life has meaning we must be here to DO something -- what is it????

As I said I was reading Solomon.  Solomon wanted to spare future generations the bitterness of learning through their own experience that life is meaningless apart from God.  I think he is right which is why I started this Blog and want to learn more about the wisdom God gave Solomon.  He lived around 1000 BC.  He shared much on his life looking back over the years lived apart from God.  I hate getting my bubbles burst by reality.  Like finding out your Easter Bunny is hollow.  Or thinking you won something and finding out you didn't.  Thinking someone loves you and finding out they don't. 

Here we go:

The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
Meaningless! Meaningless! says the Teacher.  Utterly meaningless!  Everything is meaningless.  What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?  Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever.  The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises.  The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course.  All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full.  To the place the streams come from, there they return again.  All things are wearisome, more than one can say.  The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its full of hearing.  What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.  Is there anything of which one can say, Look! This is something new? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.  There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow. 

Analysis:  I come from a large family of 12 kids.  I was number 11.  Any other number 11s out there??  I remember many great times, but tough times as well.  When I was around 10 I remember asking God while in bed that if he was real please show me somehow.  Since he doesn't talk to us audibly.  Not til I was 19 did I finally find myself turning my life over to Jesus as my savior in the Philippines no less.  I should have died many times over, but I suppose God isn't done with me yet. I find Solomon comforting because he tried everything and had passed his wisdom to us so we don't have to make all the same mistakes he did.  I'll never be King or have 500 wives etc. but still know those things don't satisfy in the long run.  I can spend my limited time on earth doing hopefully the right things.  Till next time.  Hang in there and who is this from? "Good night and may God bless"  Answer in tomorrows entry.  If I forget someone remind me.

Joy in the Journey

Hello Visitor  (I do realize the spelling on my website is wrong; it should be Klaatu Barada Nikto) it was not available so I changed the spelling slightly.

I believe people of all ages have pondered the meaning of life.  I've been reading the words of Solomon (the wisest man to ever live) and will be sharing my thoughts of what I read and discover along the way. 

Welcome to my journey.  It has been said that the joy is not in our destination but in the Journey.  I've come to realize that only applies to people who have surrendered their lives to Jesus and thus been born again spiritually.   Then and only then can we have the hope and security and joy and peace that comes from real saving grace that only God can provide thru his son Jesus Christ. 


DEDICATION:
This blog is dedicated the my brothers and sisters and mom (who is now 92 as I write this) and my dad who passed into paradise in 1998 after a long bout with cancer.  My brother Ed is in heaven because he gave his heart to Christ as the Bible says and mom & dad brought us up to believe.  I know several of my siblings have given there hearts to Christ but not all.  My prayers and burden has always been that we could all spend eternity with God.

Remember heaven is free BUT you MUST choose it and accept it from God as specified in the Bible (simple & clear). If everyone automatically went to heaven -- Jesus would not have died on the cross for our sins.  Don't miss it.   Jesus paid our sin debt that we could never pay so we could get into heaven.  Ask mom or myself if you have questions.  I will not argue with you, but if you're really seeking truth I'll be glad to discuss question about God. 

God said in Jeremiah 29:13 - You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.