One for fun & one for serious

First the serious: An article I found in a monthly newsletter that I subscribe to from "The Voice of the Martyrs," which features articles about Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. From the founder Richard Wurmbrand:

The Unreasonableness of God
"I shared and viewed the sufferings of many fellow prisoners in an underground Communist prison. What intrigued us most was that we did not obtain from heaven what it was obviously reasonable to expect: a slight improvement in our situation, food to quiet our hunger, and abatement of our cruel torture. We did not get what we expected because heaven is not -- humanly speaking -- reasonable.

Jesus said, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance." (Lk. 15:7) This is surely not reasonable.

Nowhere does the Bible speak about the reasonableness of God, according to man's reasoning, but rather about His foolishness (I Cor 1:25). He is unreasonable as are the thoughts of little children. Christ became a child and recommended that we become as children too.

Was it reasonable to sacrifice the unique Son of God for witless, dirty, dumb sheep? I have asked many shepherds what they would do if they saw a wolf. They all replied, "We would run for our lives." No man dies for sheep. Yet Jesus did. He died for beings worse than sheep -- for those who denied and betrayed Him, for those who demanded His crucifixion. He died for His killers, for all who blaspheme and hate God.

Do not be surprised if you fail to get from God what you might reasonably expect. If He were truly reasonable, He would never listen to the prayers of people like us, nor would we have salvation. Rather, God loves to the point of folly.

If you are in the sad situation of experiencing neither His reason, nor His mad love, you might consider the fact that in the parable of the ninety and nine, only the lost sheep had sure proof of His love and concern. The others could reasonable say they were neglected and abandoned. Those who are faithful should simply be glad that others experience His love to folly.

While in solitary confinement, I waited for years for God to come to my aid. In solitary we were happy about His mad love even in moments we were not its recipients.

Do not count on reasonableness in heaven and you will never be disappointed. Count only on the fact that there is One who loves you to such folly that He died for you. In response, forget about sweet reason and let yourself fall madly in love with Him.


For fun, from Reader's Digest: "From television shows to sports events, everything seems to have a sponsor. In an effort to make sure that no person or historical event is without a backer, The Washington Post asked its readers to come up with logical patrons for some historical events and life stories.

The Strom Thurmond Story, brought to you by Pop Secret
The Life of Captain Kidd brought to you by IHOP
The Success of Jeb Bush, sponsored by Hasbro."

Now, didn't at least one of those make you smile??

Pictures forthcoming in the next day or two...