I read this and just had to share it here~

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?"

You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge, and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,
God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the water comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

David

2 Samuel 11 tells us the story of David and Bathsheba.  When David saw Bathsheba from the rooftop he allowed lust to overcome all the training he had received from the Law of God.

So, despising the commandments of the Lord, he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and then in an attempt to cover his sin, he arranged for her husband to be murdered.  When the husband died, David brought Bathsheba and married her in an effort to make it look like the child she carried had been concieved after they were wed.

The story moves on to chapter 12 where we see Nathan the prophet coming to David.  He tells him the story of the traveling man who visits a farmers house and instead of taking from his own ample flock of sheep to serve a banquet, takes the one sheep that was like a child to the farmer.  Under Nathan's direction, David realizes that HE is the man who did this horrible thing.  What was David's response?  Verse 13 tells us 'Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord".' 

What was David’s response to Nathan?  He admitted his sin.  He didn't try to blame it on any one, offer any excuses, or justify what he had done.  He simply fell on his knees before God and admitted his sin.  In return, the Lord forgave his sin.

True repentance prepares the way for restoration of broken relationships

So, what is the difference between Esau and David in regard to thier repentance?  Esau wept tears of regret over the loss of blessings.  David wept tears of repentance over the damage to his relationship with God.  That my friends, is the true essence of repentance.

These examples leave us with a choice and a challenge.  Are we going to choose to be like Esau and continue to justify and blame other people for the things we do that are not pleasing to God?  Or will we simply utter those timeless words that carry such promise for the future..."Lord, I have sinned!" 

The most essential purpose of repentance is salvation which I am reminded of  in the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee...the Publican beat on his chest and said, "God be merciful to me a sinner."  Oh that we would all make this cry to God! Once we make this cry and accept God's gift of salvation, then repentance is an ongoing process of confession and forsaking of sin.

Have you don't this my friend?  Please open your heart to the message of repentance we have seen here.  Stop justifying and blaming....recognize your state before the Almight God and cry out like I did "Lord, I am a sinner!"

Well my Xanga friends, once again it has been wayyyy to long since I have updated here.  Since moving to facebook that is how I keep up with everyone now.  Still, that does not warrant neglecting my Xanga friends!

Josh and I have now been married for a little over a year and a half.  He is still teaching school and I am still cutting hair.  Our latest adventures have taken us to Farmington, NM this past weekend where we interviewed for a job for Josh as a full time youth minister.  It is a long way from home, but we are open if that is where God calls us.

Other than that, how do you put into words all the things that have happened over the course of a year???  My oldest sister had a baby on labor day...a beautiful baby girl name Lillian.  And we just got a phone call that her family will soon be expanding again!  What fun!  She is happy and has a great family where she lives.

I guess the biggest reason that I want to start blogging again, is this is a great way to journal the lessons God teaches to all of us each day.  And if someone can be encouraged or learn from the things I deal with, that is awesome!

So, I will try to be more faithful about keeping up with this again...

I hope you are all well and I look forward to getting reaquainted with everyone here!