I received this as an e-mail from a friend:
"Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference and finally, it
exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it
to find a man with a carpenter's toolbox. "I'm looking for a few days'
work," he said. "Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with? Could I help you?"
"Yes," said the older brother. "I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor. In fact, it's my younger brother! Last week there was a meadow between us. He recently took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between
us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one
better. See that pile of lumber by the barn? I want you to build me a
fence an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore."
The carpenter said, "I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you."
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day -- measuring, sawing and nailing. About
sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his
job.
The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all.
It was a bridge .. a bridge that stretched from one side of the creek to
the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all! And the neighbor,
his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched..
"You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and
done."
The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in middle, taking each other's hand. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox onto his shoulder.
"No, wait! Stay a few days. I've a lot of other projects for you," said the older brother. "I'd love to stay on," the carpenter said, "but I have many more bridges to build."
Remember This... God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but He'll
ask how many people you helped get where they needed to go.
God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how manypeople you welcomed into your home.
God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
God won't ask how many friends you had, but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
God won't ask about the color of your skin, but He'll ask about the
content of your character.
God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation, but He'll
lovingly take you to your mansion in Heaven, and not to the gates of
hell.
God won't ask how many people you forwarded this to, but He'll ask why you were ashamed to pass it on to your friends..."
Originally posted by dj2beckerNice story....and yes, it is a reflection of our Lord......🙂
I received this as an e-mail from a friend:
"Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it ...[text shortened]... le you forwarded this to, but He'll ask why you were ashamed to pass it on to your friends..."
Originally posted by MaustrauserIf you consider the moral (you may have missed it) it reflects what the Bible says.
Yes very splendid. The author makes heaps of statements about God's professed character but fails to reference them. Is the author playing God perhaps in writing these claims? Can't say I find many of these words in the Bible - supposedly God's only written correspondence with his creation.
Originally posted by dj2beckerYou say?
And I say that the one who spits in the face of the 'carpenter' after he has built the 'bridge of salvation' deserves eternal torment.
I think Lemon Jello posted this quote just for you:
"He who begins by loving Christianity better than Truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or Church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all."
Coleridge
Originally posted by Bosse de NageYou will know the truth and the truth will set you free. If you have experienced the truth in reality you will love the truth above all else.
You say?
I think Lemon Jello posted this quote just for you:
"He who begins by loving Christianity better than Truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or Church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all."
Coleridge
Originally posted by Bosse de NageJust as an after thought, if Coleridge was refering to Christ as being the truth, then his statement has some truth in it.
You say?
I think Lemon Jello posted this quote just for you:
"He who begins by loving Christianity better than Truth, will proceed by loving his own sect or Church better than Christianity, and end in loving himself better than all."
Coleridge
Originally posted by dj2beckerIf a person willfully abstains from accepting Christ because he feels that there is insufficient evidence to warrant such belief, is that akin to spitting in the face of Christianity? If not, does this person also deserve eternal torment? How, exactly, can one be deserving of infinite punishment anyhow? If your God exists, the he no doubt has the power to subject a person to infinite punishment; but under what conditions can such methods of punishment be considered just? On the one hand, you claim your God is morally perfect; on the other hand, you claim he tortures certain people for all eternity. Precisely how are those two claims compatible with each other?
And I say that the one who spits in the face of the 'carpenter' after he has built the 'bridge of salvation' deserves eternal torment.
Originally posted by dj2beckerNow where's the vomiting smiley when you need it?
I received this as an e-mail from a friend:
"Once upon a time, two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side-by-side, sharing machinery and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch.
Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it ...[text shortened]... le you forwarded this to, but He'll ask why you were ashamed to pass it on to your friends..."
Is this what Christians do all day - send each other twee emails full of mindless platitudes? No wonder Islam is on the rise...
And the person who spits in the face of the 'carpenter' deserves eternal torment? Seems a bit harsh. What would he deserve if gave the 'carpenter' a wedgie and then defecated on his tool box? In the words of Blackadder, "...a fate worse than a fate worse than death?"