But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 1 Peter 3:15
As I read this in my devotional this morning it reminded me of an incident that happened several years ago. I was in hospital being treated for a brain tumour at the time, on this particular evening my consultant was doing his final rounds. He looked at my charts and asked me how I was feeling to which I responded that I felt good. As he hung my charts on the end of my bed he smiled asking me, “why are you so positive, what gives you so much hope?” I was stunned by the question, these incidents don’t arise often. I shared in a few words my faith in God, that death held no fear over me, that I trusted God to use him and his staff to heal me. Importantly that I was at peace regardless of the outcome. There was a momentary silence as he took in what I had said, then he smiled and thanked me. He told me he thought I was going to be fine, in his experience patients with faith in God had the best outcomes.
I often think of that moment on the hospital ward in Edinburgh, I find myself wondering what was the outcome for my consultant. He was a lovely man who I had much time for, when I remember him I pray for him even if only briefly.
Let me challenge you dear reader, are you ready to answer anyone who asks you about your faith today? Such appointments are arranged by God, ask Him to put you in His diary today!
Devotional Treasures
This is a wonderful post, and a great challenge to us all. Many of us find sharing our faith very difficult, yet a few of us take the time to actually prepare to do so! Thank God for you and the consultant who took care of you
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I find sharing difficult too Andy, but on this occasion God put me on the spot…it would have been rude not to accept the opportunity. 😁
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Reblogged this on Why I Follow Jesus and commented:
Hi
Thanks for the follow and all the best with your blog
craig
for your entertainment in social isolation/hibernation
https://creativekiwis.wordpress.com/2020/04/05/im-in-hibernation/
A church has a rat problem
The church doesn’t want to kill the rats so they trap them and release them far away, but the next day they are back.
Next they try ask them politely to leave, still they won’t budge.
Finally the priest has one last idea, he baptized all the rats.
Now they only come at Christmas and Easter.
man walked into a bar. He sat down and asked the bar tender “If I impress you, can I have a free drink?”. The bar tender said sure, so the man reached in his pocket and pulled out a tiny piano. He then pulled out a small rat and set it by the piano. It crawled on to the bench and began playing
music. The bar tender was amazed, so he gave the man a beer. Next, the man said “If I impress you even more, can I have free drinks for life?”. The bar tender didn’t think it was possible, so he agreed. The man pulled a frog out of his pocket, and it began to sing by the piano. The bar tender smiled and told the man that he was impressed. A man in a suit with a cane walked into the bar, saw the small animals, and offered to buy them for $2 million. The owner said no, but he offered to sell the frog for $500k. The rich man agreed, took the frog, and left. The bar tender couldn’t believe the owner just did that and said “Why did you just sell the frog?! There is no singing now!”. The owner laughed and said “Don’t worry; the rat is a ventriloquist!”.
Two professors of economics were walking down a road when they saw a dead rat.
The older one said – “If you eat this, I’ll pay you ₹10,000”. The younger one makes a quick cost-benefit analysis and finally eats the rat.
The younger professor experiences a bad after-taste and wants the older professor to experience the same. When he sees another dead rat on the road, he dares the professor to eat it in exchange for the old ₹10,000. The senior professor, eager to recover his reckless bet, eats it.
After a few minutes of walking silently, the younger professor finally says – “Looks like we’ve been eating dead rats for free.”
The older professor remarks, “But don’t forget we just added ₹ 20,000 to the GDP!”
RATS!
from
https://upjoke.com/rat-jokes
##############
PART II
Thanks for the follow and all the best with your blog
“the totally unmusical pie piper”
Shared by “early bird” (very) * craig
* my “best” time (by far)
“Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder” *
* not bridges (thank goodness)!
Well my family and friends say I’m “safest” just writing and sharing
Still
Driven to share, uplift, encourage and (perhaps even) inspire
“Live each day as if it’s your last…
and one day you’ll be right!
PS
So it may be better and safer for you following the rats!
PPS
Don’t worry about the world ending today…
it’s already tomorrow in scenic and tranquil ‘little’ New Zealand
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Thanks for reading my post yesterday
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I try to keep up with what other folk are writing, but some days I struggle healthwise and then I end up chasing my tale. But the upside in this is that you guys write such inspiring stuff it lifts my soul, despite my bodies rebellion. So thank you Jim and God bless you brother.
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Aww that’s encouraging; God bless your day today!
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Wow! What an amazing opportunity! And also encouragement to you, because it speaks loudly of how brightly the light and love of Jesus is shining through you. Especially in our lowest moments, is when what is really inside especially shows!
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I remember that day, Prof. Whittle was a real nice guy.
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