Friday, April 28, 2006

PEARL NECKLACE #420


SURFING WITH JESUS #420042806
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
www.SurfingwithJesus.com
gene@SurfingwithJesus.

PEARL NECKLACE

I've seen this several times and thought I would share it with you today.

The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."

Then give me your pearls."

"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite."

"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night."

And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you."

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.

So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

Isn't God good? Are you holding onto things that God wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities that you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing. God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

I'm reminded of the song right now. "Give it all, give it all to Jesus." What are you willing to place in the hands of Jesus today?

Will you lift up your hands to Jesus this moment and say here Master, this is for you?


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

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com.

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.

NEW: wwwSurfingwithJesus.com. You will find recent writtings if you missed them in your e-mail.


Saturday, April 22, 2006

GOD USES COMMON PEOPLE #419

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com
www.SurfingwithJesus.com
April 22, 2006 #419

GOD USES COMMON PEOPLE

God uses all kinds of people to do his work. He even chose you and me. What a treat to be chosen of God. Reflect with me on men and women God used.

JACOB was known as a liar but his task was to "father" the Israelite nation (Genesis 27).

JOSEPH was a slave. His task was to save his family (Genesis 39).

MOSES was a shepherd in exile and murderer. He was to lead Israel out of bondage to the promise land (Exodus 3).

GIDEON was a farmer. He was to deliver Israel from Midian (Judges 6:11).

JEPHTHAN was the son of a prostitute. His task was to lead Israel from the Ammonites (Judges 11:1).

HANNAH was a housewife. She was to be the mother of Samuel (I Samuel 1).

DAVID was a little shepherd boy the least in the family. He would commit adultery and see a man was placed in the right place to be killed. He was to become Israel's greatest King (I Samuel).

EZRA was a scribe. His task was to lead the return to Judah and to write part of the Bible (Ezra, Nehemiah).

ESTHER was a beautiful slave girl. She was to save her people from massacre (Esther).

MARY was just a small peasant girl. She was to be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:27-38).

MATTHEW was a tax collector. He was to become an Apostle and Gospel writer (Matthew 9:9).

LUKE was a Greek physician. He would be a companion of Paul and a Gospel writer (C0lossians 4:14).

PETER was a proud fisherman. His task was to be an Apostle, a leader of the early church, and a writer of two New Testament epistles (Matthew 4:18-20).

We are called today from all walks of life, background, and discipline to serve God in specific ways. God promises us the tools and strength we need to complete our task. Don't spend time making excuses about your limitations. God knew you before he called you. Instead spend your time, your thoughts, and your energy doing what Jesus wants. Just remember that you should never forget to acknowledge God in all your ways and allow Him to direct your path.

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

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com / (www.SurfingwithJesus.com)

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.



Tuesday, April 11, 2006

HE AROSE AND LIVES IN MY HEART TODAY

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com
www.SurfingwithJesus.com
April15, 2006 #418

HE AROSE AND LIVES IN MY HEART TODAY

Have you ever taken time to ponder what you would do if you knew this was your last week on earth? Most of us haven't thought much about it. We find ourselves making preparation for the week ahead with family and friends to be together in church or maybe to gather and have quality family time.

Jesus knew his time was short on the earth. We find him busy continuing to prepare his disciples for what lay ahead. There is no way they could comprehend it at this time. We would find it hard to understand if when someone was to tell us, "I'm going away, I will be betrayed by one of my friends, and I will die."

Let's take a moment and appreciate the magnitude of what Jesus did for us that day. He willingly laid down his life and arose on the third day conquering death and the grave. It's a great time for us to celebrate his life and thank him for his love as he shed his blood for our sins.

Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice. He was without blemish. We could not be the sacrifice because we have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Oh, what a Savior! Jesus our Lord did it all for you and me. Now, it's up to us to come to him, ask forgiveness, repent of our sins, receive his forgiveness and walk in him.

Why does man make it so difficult and complicated? Jesus has paid the price. Man simply needs to get on board of that train bound for heaven. If you don't believe in the blood of Jesus, if you're too busy to accept his free gift of Salvation, I really feel sorry for you. Why waste your time in foolishness just to pass the time away? The price you pay will be far more than it's worth.


I pray during all your hustle and bustle this week getting ready for the many events like the Easter Parade, the Easter Play, the Easter Cantata, and perhaps a egg hunt that you take time to commune with our Lord. Remember when you take communion he said "as oft as you do this you do it in remembrance of me."

I want to remember him this week and let him know I love him. How about you?

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

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com / (www.SurfingwithJesus.com)

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.








Saturday, April 08, 2006

HIDE THOU ME LORD

SURFING WITH JESUS
Pastor Gene A. Dasher, Sr.
gene@SurfingwithJesus.com
April 8, 2006 #417

HIDE THOU ME LORD


Like David of ole, I found myself discouraged this week with events of life. I pondered why Lord? Why? Then, I stuck my head in the sand for a day. My wife cried out I don't like you like this and I understood because I don't like it when I waste a day that I should have my eyes and heart lifted up knowing that Jesus loves me and that God never fails.

I am so thankful to God in times like this that he has blessed me with a lovely, God fearing wife that knows I'll come thru it but stays right beside me to lift me up and encourage me. I haven't written this week as you can see but I must write when I can write if that makes sense to you.

As I write this morning the old song "Hide Thou Me" (Copyright 1926, renewed 1954 by Thoro Harris/Assigned to John Benson) comes to my heart and mind which says :

Sometimes, I feel discouraged and think my work in vain,
I'm tempted oft to murmur, to grumble and complain;
But when I think of Jesus and what He bore for me,
Then I cry to the Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

O Rock of Ages, hide thou me,
There is no other refuge, Can save but Thee;
Thru this old world I wandered, So far, far from thee,
Then I cry to the Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

I know everyone wants to sing the new songs and dance, dance, dance as you worship. If this works for you to draw near to God that's fine with me but please don't take away the precious thoughts, words, and sounds that have sustained many a soul to bring the gospel to you and me over the years. Every generation comes up with new songs and this is good but what is important is for them to bring us together in Jesus.

This week I found myself down over my church, my weight loss, my truck breaking down on the way to an annual clinic appointment, and AOL continuing to block all my AOL addresses for 12-24 hours at a time, etc. So, I found myself at home just waiting and thinking. Then, out of the clear blue sky a subscriber to Surfing with Jesus writes thanking me for the writing and how he is able to use it in South Africa. Thank you brother for your kind words at the right time. He even honored me by inviting me to minister in South Africa. Wow! This blew my mind.

Now, back to our song:

I have a friend in Jesus blest anchor of the soul, I feel His presence ever when stormy billows roll; And when I think of Jesus and what He bore for me, Then I cry to the Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

Sometimes I feel I cannot go one step farther on, My body waxing older and falt'ring steps begun; But when I think of Jesus and what He bore for me, Then I cry to the Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.

Yes, pastor needs prayer too, remember when God places someone on your heart to always take time to allow the Spirit of God to speak to you. You will make a difference in their life and you will be blessed as God ministers thru you.

Oh, yes, for those of you that may miss a week of Surfing with Jesus, I'm doing it as a blog now also. Go to Blogger.com, type in SurfingwithJesus and you will find it. Thank all of you for allowing me in your home and your life. I look forward to sharing each week. God bless you.

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

To join us weekly or stop receiving Surfing with Jesus please send your request to gene@SurfingwithJesus.com. Go to Blogger.com type in SurfingwithJesus for our blog.

We welcome prayer request anytime. Join us in prayer for these requests. My sole desire is to uplift Christ, fellow Christians, and share the love of Jesus with others.