Sunday, December 31, 2006

Be The Apple Of God's Eye In 2007 #458

SURFING WITH JESUS # 458123106
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

BE THE APPLE OF GOD’S EYE IN 2007


A few years ago, a group of salesmen went to regional sales convention in Chicago. The convention lasted all week, and all the salesmen had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner.

As they hurried to the airport to catch their return flight, they rushed down the airport's corridor with their briefcases in hand. In their rush, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table, which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all continued running so they would make their plane.


All but one; he stopped after running a few more yards, took a deep breath, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl running the apple cart was totally blind. She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of the apples had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did.

Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister..." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our call, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world (shopping, working, reacting to others that are serving us) that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Let us live like we are worth the price He paid. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.God bless you!


Our lives and the lives we touch will be enhanced as we accept the challenge to be seen as Jesus in all we do in 2007. May we share the love of Jesus each day of our new year and encourage souls to receive Christ as their Savior. Likewise, may we be an encouragement and help to fellow Christians as they continue their journey in God. Thanks for sharing with us Patty.

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."


Subscribe/Unsubscribe at: gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.


Send prayer request to: gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323

Read previous writings at: http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com.

Join us in prayer for all request received each week. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.












What I Received For Christmas #457

SURFING WITH JESUS # 457123006
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

WHAT I RECEIVED FOR CHRISTMAS

Wow! I am blessed this year to have the knowledge of Jesus Christ. I know for sure that if I were to die today that I would be with Jesus because I have confessed my sins and he has forgiven me and he lives in my heart today.

It has been wonderful to see all the celebrations as we sing and rejoice about Jesus this month. There have been live nativity scenes, cantatas and plays, manager scenes and many other things that bring our thoughts to Jesus, which is what this season is all about. With all the commercialization to pump up sales using everything but Jesus it is refreshing to join family and friends in our homes and church and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.

I know this may not be the day or date that Jesus was born but we don’t worship the date. We with the angels in heaven take time to rejoice that a Savior was born to take away the sins of the world and we are blessed to have this shared with us. It is a thrill to know God cared for us and shared His son Jesus with us.

Praise the Lord! I received many things for Christmas but the best gift is the love of God, and the love of my family, and friends. Things are good and I love them but being blessed to have all of my family together was the best gift. On Christmas day thanks to my nephew, my mother arrived from Ohio and is spending time with me as I write. Wow! This is a special treat; I never dreamed of having my mother in my home for Christmas. It’s been a long time since we spent Christmas together. Normally, we go see her on Thanksgiving and don’t fight the bad weather that she normally has in Ohio at Christmas time.

You know, God is so good to me; I don’t deserve all that he bestows upon me. I do thank Him for His love, His care, and His mercy. I don’t know why anyone would want to go a moment without Jesus in their heart. It makes me want to sing the kids song I was taught many years ago. “Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, Come in today, Come in to stay, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.” As I watch children sing the songs of Christmas, it is so precious to see them pouring their heart out to our Lord.

So, in closing, I say, thank you Lord for your blessings on me, thank you Lord for saving my soul, thank you Lord for making me whole, thank you Lord for my family and friends, thank you Lord for allowing me to minister and share your love with others. May I never forget to lift you higher as I praise and worship you in the days ahead? In the year ahead remember Jesus is the reason for the season, yes, every season. The right season for Jesus is every day, 365 days a year.

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."


Subscribe/Unsubscribe at:
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

Send prayer request to:
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323

Read previous writings at:
http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com.

Join us in prayer for all request received each week.


My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.


Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Is There A "W" In Christmas #456

SURFING WITH JESUS # 456121806
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

IS THERE A “W” IN CHRISTMAS

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peacefulexperience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations...extensive cardwriting, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending

Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the preciousfamily moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas. My son,Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season fora six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's"Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working thenight of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spokewith his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal themorning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend thatevening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholasseemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early,found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room,I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats.
As I waited, the students were led into the room.
Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor.Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to theholiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun,commercial entertainment...songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakesand good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love,"I was slightly taken aback by its bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzymittens, red sweaters, and bright snowcaps upon their heads. Thosein the front row - center stage - held up large letters, one by one,to spell out the title of the song.

As the class would sing, "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up theletter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holdingup his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her;a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down -totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1stthrough 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she hadno idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her"W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughtercontinued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together.A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant,we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holidayin the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for ourfestivities.

For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear:"CHRISTWAS LOVE" And, I believe, He still is!!!

God certainly does work in mysterious ways!!!

HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

Shared by Ed

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."


Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Subscribe or Unsubscribe at
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com.

Join us in prayer for all request received each week. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.


Friday, December 15, 2006

Bright Lights #455

SURFING WITH JESUS # 455121306
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

BRIGHT LIGHTS

This time of year everyone smiles as they look at the bright lights around our homes and our communities. These lights make everyone smile and beam from ear to ear. We are so happy that we tend to be kind and cheerful all month long. It is amazing how just a few lights can change our actions as we deal with people in crowded traffic and busy stores as we rush around to find that perfect gift to give to everyone.

As I ponder on this excitement I can only imagine how happy God is when he sees his children happy and excited about Jesus. As we celebrate the birth of our Lord, I pray we will share the story of Jesus and his love with this busy world in which we live.

Let me share a story that took place yesterday. My mother whom will be 85 next Monday went to the store to get some things for her home. During the busy time of day in her town her car broke down in the middle of the street. By the time she got out of her car two men jumped out and offered to help her. These men pushed her car out of the road and assisted her in getting her car towing service to come to help her. One of the men had to leave but the other one refused to leave her until help arrived.

In the next few minutes they began to talk and he ask if she went to church. She told him where she attended. Then, he went further and asks her if she knew Jesus. She told him she accepted Jesus in her heart when she was nine. In the midst of this entire struggle the bright lights continue to shine and everyone continues to be in a hurry but this young man took time to share Jesus. I’m so thankful my mother knows the Lord, but I’m excited that a total stranger took time for a little lady out in the cold with a need.

I like to imagine that if my mother had need of Jesus that the angels in heaven would have rejoiced and brighter lights than any on this earth would have burst forth because a soul was saved and returned to the Lord.

This was a great experience for this young man and my mother. I can only imagine this young man as he witnesses to someone else this Christmas season and he leads him or her to our Savior as they accept Jesus in their heart. I can feel the excitement and joy in the air as they rejoice together with a pure heart before God. In closing I pray you will be a bright light shinning for Jesus this Christmas season.

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."


Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323 Subscribe or Unsubscribe at gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com. Join us in prayer for all request received each week. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.


Sunday, December 10, 2006

A New Beginning #454

SURFING WITH JESUS # 454120506
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

A NEW BEGINNING

Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ. This birth brought a new beginning to mankind; it would turn the world upside down. No event since the creation of man has ever had such a dynamic effect on this earth. God came to earth in the flesh and would be called Jesus. From this humble beginning in a lowly manager without fanfare in the city of Bethlehem a child came forth to bring redemption to all who would receive Him.

This child, soon to become a young man did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Man was looking for a King to set upon a throne to lead them and to reign. When King Herod heard these things he was troubled and demanded the chief priest and scribes tell him where Christ should be born.

When Herod saw he was mocked by the wise men not returning and telling him where the child was; he was angry and slew all the children in Bethlehem and the costal area that were under two years of age. Yes, Christ birth created quite a stir in our world and this was just the beginning of his impact to mankind.

Christ came to earth and fulfilled his purpose, as he became the sacrifice that would be acceptable to cover all our sins. Man would no longer continue to bring the animals as a sacrifice because Christ blood replaced this as he paid the price of redemption for lost man.

In this Christmas season, if you have not asked God to forgive you of your sins, you can receive the greatest gift ever offered to mankind by repenting and asking God to forgive you of your sins. Receive Christ into your heart and accept him as your Lord and Savior. This new beginning in Christ will allow you to rejoice with the angels in heaven because a sinner has returned to God.


1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Subscribe or Unsubscribe at gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com. Join us in prayer for all request received each week. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

A LETTER FROM GOD TO HIS CHILDREN #453


SURFING WITH JESUS
# 453120106
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

A LETTER FROM GOD TO HIS CHILDREN

Dear Children:


It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you're predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santa’s and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can & may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals & whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me & do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above & get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU. Thanks to several of you for this one.

God’s love shown thru you is the greatest Christmas gift you can give to anyone. Remember, God is love and as you share his love you receive much more from him than you could ever give to someone you bless with your love.

1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr., 2355 Parkway Dr. SE, Cleveland, TN 37323
Subscribe or Unsubscribe at
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. http://www.SurfingwithJesus.com.

Join us in prayer for all request received each week. My sole desire as I share is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.