Catacombs

I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.

Revelation 2:13

A Christian without trials would be like a mill without wind or water. What place should we have for patience, meekness, readiness to forgive, if we had nothing to try us? -John Newton


The catacombs underneath Rome is where the first Christians buried their dead and held their worship services. It was a network of tunnels that hid them in 1AD-5AD from the Roman authorities. The tunnels are filled with early Christian symbols of lives persecuted for what they believed and were willing to die for. Among the dead martyrs bodies are many stories. Some untold, only known by God, others we have the honor of knowing. Here is one such story.


In the catacombs, one day, this Christian who had been sobbing in great sorrow for the loss of his wife went underground to the catacombs. In search of comfort for his aching heart. He walked down the descending stairs with each step heavy. Stopping at the bottom of the stairs he wrote on the wall. He left a message for his beloved wife. Wishing her now a joyful life.


"Sofronia vivas cum tuis"(Oh, Sophronia, may you live with your dear ones).


Traveling on past the stairs, he pauses for a moment. He thinks of her and her new life with our Lord. This time with a shaking hand he scribbles her name. With tears in his eyes he writes his message:


"Sofronia, vivas in Domino" (Oh, Sophronia, may you live in the Lord).


With each step his faith grows stronger that he will see her again. His heart beats faster as he pauses once again. This time in a cubicle on the side of an arcosolium. His hand more steadier, he writes his note:


"Sofronia dulcis, semper vives in Deo" (O sweet Sophronia, you will live forever in God).


At last, he has found him a place to rest. Crying so bitterly along the way, his eyes have become reddened. He doesn't cry for her. But, for himself does he weep. Awaiting for the glorious day, when he shall join her. Hope now springs up in him like a gushing fountain. Love overflows from his heart and he writes now with blessed assurance of the resurrection promised by our Savior:



"Sofronia, vives..." (Yes, Sophronia, you will live).


It is a wonderful expression of human love transcended from this world to the next life. The love they shared for each other and for Christ would continue on. It's a love story of believers. Their assurance that they will see each other again. And his devotion to her and Jesus is truly moving. He acknowledges where both his true loves lie. And he knows and believes that the Lamb has made a way for him to see her once again.


By Lance Gargus

Am I A Fireman Yet?

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 2:6

In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up & fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true. She took her son' s hand and asked,Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up?Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life? Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up. Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true. Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fire man Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix . She explained her son's final wish and Asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots. 'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix so we can get them fast.' Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy,dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, and even the fire chief's car.He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to dr op dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire?' 'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?' About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window--------16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him.

Author Unknown

Orchard Of Heaven

Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard,
Song of Solomon 4:1

My younger son, Lance, and I walk out to the back of the house to the orchard one Sunday afternoon.

As we walk, so many memories come back to me. We planted apple, pear, and peach trees in the orchard.

More husband enjoyed walking out there everyday, and sometimes the boys walked with us.

He was a big teaser. He always teased the boys about how the trees were growing. "We'll soon have fruit on them," he picked. Well, being impatient little boys, they checked everyday. After checking everyday, they realized the trees would have to get along bigger before they bore fruit. So they learned that trees have to be taken care, and that it takes time, quite a bit of time, especially, to a 9 and 11 year old to mature. In time, the trees began to bear fruit.

My husband enjoyed going to the orchard to reflect and pray. He also enjoyed sharing his fruit with others. One tree in particular he called a Myrtle tree. He called it that after my mother's love for June apples. My mother was always informed first when the tree was ready for picking. He would gather her up a basket so she could make her famous apple preserves, right behind her famous pear preserves.

My father loved to eat the bounty my husband brought as gifts. Always this was a special time for my family to share in a harvest.

But as time went on I lost my mother, then father, and then my husband. Though they are gone, the orchard trees they loved still stand, and every season they bear fruit. I like to walk the old orchard paths and reminiscence. Walking the old paths gives me the assurance of where they are now. My boys, daughter in law, and grandchildren and I will walk with them again, on a celestial path, beside the crystal sea that feeds the orchard of heaven.

by

Louise Gargus

Wet Pants

Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend ..

Proverbs 27:9

Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives. The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, 'Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat.' He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered. As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap. The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, 'Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!' Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!' Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, 'You did that on purpose, didn't you?' Susie whispers back, 'I wet my pants once too.'

Between The Lines

Holding his hands in mine I ask him,"Which hand do you want to use?" "Left," he says. So I clutch his left one, while trying to shape it in the right way to hold his crayon. Guiding his hand across the paper I try to help him keep between the lines. He's grown so much in three years. No longer looking like a baby, but like his mother's little man. He has his moments, as all children do at that age. Overall he has a good heart like his mom. He looks up at me and grins that mischevous grin. "No, let me lead your hand, son," I say. Still feels strange calling someone son, when that's what I had been called for so long.
Life's roles change so quickly though. The father has a son and then the son becomes the father. Time waits for no man, I know. It doesn't seem that long ago to me I was sitting on my dad's lap coloring. Saying almost the exact same things that once was spoken to me. How funny to consider the way I speak, and even the way I hold my head reminds me of him.
Now my son looks to me for guidance. He tries to follow my footsteps. "God help me, help my stupid self," comes to mind at the very thought of someone following me. My path isn't straight, more like one step forward, two to the left, five to the right, three back, and then right on my face.
Never have been much of a leader. And being a father scares me to death. Every move I make for better or worse is scrutinized by young eyes.
What dark blue eyes he has, too. He's always looking for an opportunity to show love to someone. The first hint from a person that they are going to be receptive to him, he's off. Arms wide open and always with a kiss on the cheek, he comes. One lady, at a restaurant, upon recieving one of his classic hugs, remarked,"Wouldn't it be great if we all could love like that?" How right she is. A child's love like that is unconditional. Maybe there is some part of me, long forgotten by me, at his core. It could be, like I referenced earlier, his mom's caring heart. I like to think the latter.
Looking at the clock I see it's time for me to go to work. "Gotta go, buckaroo," comes my good bye. "But, I'll miss you," is his reply. Now what I can say to that except choke up. "I'll miss you, too." He holds on a little tighter, laying his head on my shoulder. Boy, I tell you, it's hard to put him down after that. I hand him to my wife. And with a kiss good bye I leave.
Backing out of the driveway he waves, another moment in my memories. Oh, how fleeting are those moments. What kind of impact am I making in his life? Will I be able to keep between the lines to lead him?
I bow my head,"Father, oh Father, how can I lead, when I don't even know where this road leads in the end?"
Feeling a hand on mine as I hold the steering wheel, my answer comes. The answer comes in a voice so simple and low. The voice is from so long ago. Learning to drive my father said,"It's a long, narrow road. Only the good Lord knows where it leads in the end, but you've got to begin. Don't worry, if you need me, I'll help you keep it between the lines." And so life begins again, as my soul searching continues between the lines. The lines are God and us, and between them is Jesus. (For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:5)by
Lance Gargus

Bible Prophecy-Will America Be Sleeping?

Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.
Mark 13:36

"There is a famine in America. Not a famine of food, but of love, of truth, of life."
Mother Teresa

I wondered as I sang Silent Night, Holy Night to my children. I thought about what they would be missing as they drifted off to sleep. On that night in Bethlehem, I wondered if the people even realized that a King was among them as they slept.The King had left his throne. He sleeps in a manager cause noone would take him in. On this day, God stepped down to become a man. You will go down in history as a city with no room for its King.

What about Jerusalem? Have you went to sleep and can't hear the sounds of the hammers, the sounds of the crowds, and the sounds of pain and agony. The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today. You will go down in history as a city with no room for its King.

Back to where I am with my kids in my small town. As I get sleepy, I wonder about what sings me to sleep in this country of the United States of America. The sounds of philosophies sing us to sleep of save the trees and kill the children.While lying in the dark there'll be a shout across the eastern sky. The bridegroom has come and carried his bride away in the middle of the night.

Will Jesus leave us slumbering as a nation with no room for its King? Will we be too busy sleeping and dreaming about the new house, new cars and trucks, new boats, new fishing equipment, new golf clubs, new vacation you plan, the brand new place of worship built to outdue the church up the road?

Is this what will happen to us? Will we be lulled to sleep by the materialism of this world? As we push our children to become great athletes and to be like them, and we push our children to achieve the highest IQ they can muster, and teach them to want to be the richest person, no matter what price they pay.

Or,or, do we instill Christ's principles of civility, kindness, compassion, sportsmanship, chivalry, respect, and most importantly love. Teach them to be children of character like our Lord.

Maybe those particular kids with Christ's character can rouse us from our deep sleep so we can see our one and only King, before he returns.
by
Lance Gargus

Rain On The Windshield

When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:35-36





One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the
main streets of town, taking those extra precautions
necessary when the roads are wet and slick.
Suddenly, my daughter spoke up from her relaxed
position in her seat. "Dad, I'm thinking of something."

This announcement usually meant she had been pondering
some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all
that her six-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear.

"What are you thinking?" I asked.
"The rain," she began, "is like sin, and the
windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away."

After the chill bumps raced up my arms ! I was able to
respond. "That's really good, Aspen."

Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this
little girl take this revelation? So I asked.
"Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming?
What does that tell you?"

Aspen didn't hesitate one moment with her answer:
"We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us."
I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.

Deck Of Cards

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:3

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard.

The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week.

As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk.

Just then an army sergeant came in and said, 'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?'

The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord'

The sergeant said, 'Looks to me like you're going to play cards.'

The soldier said, 'No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country,

I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.'

The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?'

'You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy.. He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him.

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year.

There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter .

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.'

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, 'Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?'

Author Unknown

Rich And Poor

The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
1 Samuel 2:7

"Since much wealth too often proves a snare and an incumbrance in the Christian's race, let him lighten the weight by 'dispersing abroad and giving to the poor'; whereby he will both soften the pilgrimage of his fellow travelers, and speed his own way the faster."

Toplady, Augustus

The 12 room house is too small, the cadillac is two years old;
The maid wants more off days, the butlers wants a raise,
And me worried sick about the price of my gold.
While the beggar on the corner pleads his living!

Interest, Dividends are going up on my Stocks and Bonds and on my Bank Account;
but to a man of my stature and my importance
it seems such a piddling amount!

While a widowed mother of
5 children, destitute, homeless,
moans, "Is this life?"

But the Master of Old, had neither
silver nor gold, no place to lay his head,
Boats, hilltops, the wilderness his pulpits,
a manger his only known bed.

Such as he had he gave unto man,
All things in his hands for the giving,
peace his goal, the Savior his role,
Set the perfect example by his living;
While those will, may say,"Here is life!"

by
James Gargus

Hide And Seek

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day,... hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" Genesis 3:8-9

I have been living in this house almost since the day I was born.

At times, these walls have seen me happy, other times it has seen me torn. They've had a front row seat to the breaking of my heart.

I remember running down the hallway with my brother playing hide and seek.

I didn't know I was searching for You, Heavenly Father, to notice me.

Sometimes I felt alone and undiscovered as children at that age often due.

I felt alone in a crowd, when I was really seeking You.

I want answers from You.

I ask,"Why do love ones have to die?"

No answer. I seek but never find.

The answer speaks to my heart of why and then I see You.

I see You, and I am the thorn in Your crown.

I see You, and I am the sweat from Your brow.

I see You, and I am the nail in your wrist.

I see You, and I am Judas' kiss.

See now, I am the man who yelled out from the crowd for Your blood to be spilled on this earth shaking ground.

And then, I turned away with this smile on my face, with this sin in my heart, trying to bury your grace, as I am the stone rolled in front of Your tomb.

Yet, in spite of this, alone in the night, I still called out for You and ask, "Why?" I am so ashamed of my life and the reasons I doubt.

By this I am stilled.

In that moment, I feel a gentle breeze on my face carrying Your answer to me.... "Trust child, I love you anyways." by Lance Gargus

Lance, The Light Spear

But one of the soldier's with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came out blood and water.
And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
John 19:34;37Lance, the name means latin for,"a light spear." This spear was a tool of war and used in many ancient armies. A weapon of choice for Rome's army at the time of Christ. Cassius as he is called by some historians or Longinus by others was the one according to tradition who pierced the side of Christ. As he was on the cross, the soldier took the lance and jabbed it into him to make sure he was dead. Blood and water flowed from his side healing the soldier of an eye illness. He later became one of the early converts.
Now the "Holy Lance" or "Spear of Destiny" as it's been called has gone through many hands. Some claim whomever has ownership of it that their army can't be defeated. So many rulers and leaders have sought the lance. However,scholars have debated it's authenticity. Others still consider it a holy relic.
I think we all have missed the point. Though it was just one person who pierced Christ's side, why does it say,"They shall look upon him whom they pierced."?
We all held that spear, everyone of us. My name makes it especially clear to me, Lance, or logche as it is known in Greek. I pierce his side everyday. I relive that moment when I fail my Lord. My sin wounds him. Driving into his side deeper each time. The sin seperating me from him, trying to make him dead in my life. So blind this sin makes me. Just as the soldier was losing his eyesight, my failings blind me a little more.
In the midst of his sacrifice, I put in the final insult. How could he love someone who does him so wrong? Yet, love flowed from his wounded side; healing me of my blindness, restoring my sight, helping me to see. Blood and water washing over my face to light eyes long kept in darkness. Some how my shortcomings lead me back to the cross. And I fall upon my face to behold the true extent of the damage I do to my king. Hanging there for all the world to see my shame. I drop the spear from my hands. Sick to my stomach of what I have done. Wondering and trembling at a love so amazing. Tears, moans, cries cannot express the suffering I have caused him. These hands held the lance that not just pierced his side but his heart.
God, have mercy upon me. I am resposible for the jabbing of your son's side. He asks You to forgive me and You do. This love I cannot comprehend, nor wrap my mind around. All I know is that my sacrifice is small compared to His.
Jesus, as my body is broken through the years of my soul searching, and as the pain comes on with the wear and tear of time. May this be an offering of love to You.
Amen.by
Lance Gargus

Don't Worry Son, It'll Be Alright

Therefore I tell you, do not worry....
Matthew 6:25



"The branch of the vine does not worry, and toil, and rush here to seek for sunshine, and there to find rain. No; it rests in union and communion with the vine; and at the right time, and in the right way, is the right fruit found on it. Let us so abide in the Lord Jesus.”



Taylor, Hudson



Down our long, dusty gravel driveway I walked. The sun's beams were shining through the treetops. I was cool from the autumn breeze that rustled the leaves on the tree branches. Standing and waiting for the bus. My first day at a new school. I didn't want to go. My stomach was in knots. I set out for that long walk to the end of the driveway. With tears in my eyes and not knowing what to expect, I dug in against my mother about getting on the bus. Daddy took me by the hand, bent down, and lifted me up to talk to him. He reassured me with these words,"Don't worry son, it'll be alright." I believed him and off I went to school.
At a teenager, I wanted to do my own thing so I set my mind to it. Along that broken road I wanted to be wild and free. In the process, I said some hurtful things at times to my father. In my will to create my own independence and identity, I left carnage in my wake. In my quest, I got into jam after jam. Always escaping by the skin of my teeth. Jumping in before I thought anything through. And through it all, he stood. Knowing alot more of what was going on than I thought I was keeping secret. Always when I had to face the music, to be the better man he wanted me to be, he waited patiently for me to come around. Not wanting to talk about it, he waited on me. Patting me on the back, I sat there slumped over and lost in my thoughts. With the look of despair on my face,I felt noone understood me. And with these words he let me know someone cared, "Don't worry son, it'll be alright." Leaving his door open, he let me know he was available to talk. I may not have always liked his advice, but he always had a sympathtic ear to listen. Though in later years, I came to realize how right he was.
And so the years grew and I settled into a family. As my time with him became more limited, I longed for more moments with him. Obligations and commitments kept me busy, I squeezed every spare chance I had to discuss what life was throwing at me. Life finally threw me the ultimate curve ball. I held his hand as his life slipped away over the weeks in the hospital. Night slipped in and he was doing like he always did. Reassuring me with the same words I heard my whole life,"Don't worry son, it'll be alright:" " How can he be so sure? How does he know?" these questions filled up my mind. All these years I heard these words, but never truly understood the message. With a simple jesture, he put those words into perspectice. Taking his hand, he simply pointed up.

Even after his passing, his words stayed in the back of my mind. Until the moment I was standing in a delivery room, I was amazed at the cries of newborn life. The doctor took my son, and placed him in my hands.Tears welling up in my eyes, he looked up at me with his big blue eyes. Placing him on my shoulder I reassured him,"Don't worry son, it'll be alright."
by
Lance Gargus

All The Colors Of The Rainbow

Once upon a time the colors of the world started to quarrel: all claimed that they were the best, the most important, the most useful, the favorite.
GREEN said: "Clearly I am the most important. I am the sign of life and of hope. I was chosen for grass, leaves, trees - without me, all animals would die. Look out over the countryside and you will see that I am in the majority."
BLUE interrupted: "You only think about the Earth, but consider the sky and sea. It is the water that is the basis of life and drawn up by the clouds from the deep sea. The sky gives space and peace and serenity. Without my peace, you would all be nothing."
YELLOW chuckled: "You are all so serious. I bring laughter, gaiety, and warmth to the world. The sun is yellow, the moon is yellow, the stars are yellow. Every time you look at a sunflower, the whole world starts to smile. Without me, there would be no fun."
ORANGE started next to blow her temper. "I am the color of health and strength. I may be scarce but I am precious for I serve the needs of human life. I carry the most important vitamins. Think of carrots, pumpkins, oranges, mangos, and pawpaws. I don't hang around all the time, but when I fill the sky at sunrise or sunset, my beauty is so striking that no one gives another thought to any of you".
RED could stand it no longer. He shouted out: "I am the ruler of all of you! I am blood! Life's blood! I am the color of danger and of bravery. I am willing to fight for a cause. I bring fire to the blood! I am the color of passion and of love, the red rose, the poppy and the poinsettia. Without me, the earth would be as empty as the moon!"
PURPLE rose up to his full height. He was very tall and spoke with great pomp: "I am the color of royalty and power. Kings, chiefs, and bishops have always chosen me for I am a sign of authority and wisdom. People do not question me, they listen and obey".
Finally, INDIGO spoke, much more quietly than all the others, but with just as much determination: "Think of me. I am the color of silence. You hardly notice me, but without me you all become superficial. I represent thought and reflection, twilight and deep water. You need me for balance and contrast, for prayer and inner peace."
And so all the colors went on boasting and quarreling, each convinced of their own superiority. Soon, their quarreling became louder and louder. Suddenly there was a startling flash of bright lightening! Thunder rolled and boomed! Rain started to pour down relentlessly. The colors crouched down in fear drawing close to one another for comfort. In the midst of the clamor, RAIN began to speak: "You foolish colors, fighting amongst yourselves, each trying to dominate the rest. Don't you know you were each made for a special purpose, unique and different? Join hands with one another and come to me."
Doing as they were told, the colors united and joined hands. The rain continued: "From now on, when it rains, each of you will stretch across the sky in a great bow of colors as a reminder that you can all live in peace. The rainbow is a sign of hope for tomorrow". And so, whenever a good rain washes the world, and a rainbow appears in the sky, let us remember to appreciate one another.

The rainbow is a symbol of God's faithfulness and his promise to never again destroy the earth by flood. It comes from the story of Noah and the Flood. After the flood, God placed a rainbow in the sky as a sign of his covenant with Noah to never again destroy the earth and all living creatures by flood (Genesis 9:12-16). In Revelation, John saw a rainbow around the throne in heaven:
Revelation 4:2-3

At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. (NIV)

My daughter simply describes all the colors of the rainbow as this:

by Autumn Gargus, 8 years old.

All the colors of the rainbow are as pretty as they can be.

Let's say all the colors to you and me.

There are lots in the rainbow like red, blue, and green.

There's also orange too.

Pink is the color of a toy pig.

And that's all the colors in the rainbow.

The End.

Prayer For A Lost Cause

My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
Psalm 38:10
God, I am a lost cause.... My brother felt that way at times. And now at this moment, I feel the same. So much is happening in my life, I don't know where to start. My heart calls out your name, Lord. Your sons and daughters long for You. Even the waves reach up to You. All creation screams out for it's Creator just like a hurt child screams out for a parent.
We are the lost cause without You. We are helpless and alone. The sufferings of this world chain us. You are hope in the darkness but You are so far away... I know there is always a dawn after darkness. A peace after the storm. A time for all this to end. But I am human Lord. I live in the moment. I can't see over the next horizon like You. All I see is my misery. I can only see the mud and mire that I slowly sink in everyday. The cares of this life pull on me dragging me down. And so, I just lay down in the muck and loose hope. The hopelessness and sins of this world drag me back to places I should never be. And as I loose one more light of love one in this world, mine grows darker. You have their lights, and I can't see them anymore...

I leave my son to spend sometime talking to You. He makes me pinky promise I will return to him. I could call him on the phone but it wouldn't be the same. You promised to return to end our suffering but when Lord...when? How much must we wait? How much longer can we stand hurting each other? I want to understand but I don't know how.

Help me to understand where Your light is in a world full darkness. Cause I need help in relighting mine. Cause You can't see mine if my light isn't bright enough. I've just about snuffed mine out... and I am oh so tired of trying to light mine alone.
Father, send the Holy Spirit to ignite me. And please don't forget this lost cause....Amen.

by

Lance Gargus

Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
Psalm 38:21

Family

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

Ephesians 3:14-15

I wake up to what seems a madhouse. The kids screaming as their playing. The phone ringing constantly as person after person calls. My neighbor's dog barking at anything it sees, even a bug on the ground. What could make it any worse?  Before me sits a stack of bills that is overdue.. I jump in the shower to grab a quick bath, only to hear the washing machine a thumping. I'll have to remember to fix that. Better quit daydreaming, only 30 minutes left to finish up and eat. The date has gone out on the milk. How lovely. Off I go into the fray of battle called work.

Come home, rush to help finish school work, coordinate their teeth brushing, bathing, prayers, and sometime among the pandemonium catch my breath. After the storm, I catch a moment of calm. Their asleep so I take the opportunity to rest. What do I suddenly hear but knock, knock. "What's wrong?"I ask. "I had a bad dream." You let one in, the other wants in too. Between a truck and unicorn , they crunch into bed. 

They fall asleep and as I often do, I watch them. Each one sleeping peacefully beside each other. In the still of that late night hour, I believe I can almost hear each one's heart beating. The beat is better than any rhythm I know. It's the beat of life, my life with them.

Thank you Lord for my family you've entrusted me with. Though it isn't always easy, it's a road worth traveling. Help those who are without loved ones on their journey. Be the family that that they're missing tonight.

Amen.

by

Lance Gargus

Lance Gargus

False Gods

And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils,... This shall be a statute for ever unto them throughout their generations.

Leviticus 17:7

God made a statute and a commandment against worshipping other gods. But later on He tells us, right up front, who they truly are. In disguise they came, [ for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Corinthians 11:14 NAS] seeking worship at the expense of some kind of demented sacrifice.

They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not.

Deuteronomy 32:17

These false gods/demons did not seek out people. Just the opposite, we humans sought them out. What did we give as offerings to these so called gods? Whatever they asked for, including [Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto devils, Psalm 106:37].

Yet, we didn't fear them. We were friendly with them. [and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. 1 Corinthians 10:20]

Even at the end of time, according to the book of Revelation, God gives mankind chance after chance to turn to Him. But they refuse, even after all that happens on the earth. They still won't bend the knee.

... yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:

Revelation 9:20

Why you may ask would they continue in this way? Cause of the lust of the human heart. They offered gold and silver, aka-money; brass, aka metals-automobiles, electronic devices, luxury items; stone and wood, aka-mansions, houses; in exchange for our worship. Sacrificing ourselves for objects that do not think or feel, which cannot see or touch us back.

How foolish we are. Willing to sacrifice ourselves in the pursuit of false gods that do not love. When we have a true God, who willingly sacrificed Himself in the pursuit of our love.

by

Lance Gargus

God Of Second Chances

And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once,
Judges 16:28
O God of second chances and new beginnings,
Here I am,
Again.
That prayer sticks out in my mind. As I recall the conversation held earlier in the Critical Care Unit with my friend, I realize that God is a God of second chances. I was expecting his condition to be quite dire from all the stories at work. A car accident on the way there had resulted in massive internal bleeding, a ruptured lung, and a broken pelvis. Yet, here he was sitting up right and talking to me. Revealing his new scar that ran along his chest, I wondered how this was possible. A year earlier, he had suffered the loss of his mother in a car wreck. Tragedy seemed to have followed him. But now he sat before me in bed carrying on a conversation. I prayed with him before I left. Not sure what words to say but God did. I ended my prayer with the God of second chances, for that is what he had.

He had been heading down a road that would have lead to his own self destruction. Now he had the opportunity to embark on a different course. This opportunity I don't believe had fallen on deaf ears. Shaking my friend's hand I started to leave. I looked back to see tears in his eyes. "Thank you for coming by and what you prayed," he said. " Praise God for this moment not me," was my response.

Leaving I felt a little choked up. I thought of how Samson had failed our Lord, Jonah had ran from Him and Peter had denied Him. How much worse am I than they? How many second chances had God given me in life?

A second chance when my life was shattered. A second chance when my heart had become hardened. A second chance to do the right thing. A second chance after failure. A second chance to walk in God's power. A second chance after death for a new life.

Lord,
Thank you, for all the second chances you have given me. At times, when I become angry at my children, help me to be a father like You, filled with second chance for His children.
Amen..

by Lance Gargus

The Story Of The Three Trees

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Psalm 96:12
Once upon a mountain top, three little trees stood and dreamed of what they wanted to become when they grew up.

The first little tree looked up at the stars and said: "I want to hold treasure. I want to be covered with gold and filled with precious stones. I'll be the most beautiful treasure chest in the world!".

The second little tree looked out at the small stream trickling by on its way to the ocean. "I want to be traveling mighty waters and carrying powerful kings. I'll be the strongest ship in the world!".

The third little tree looked down into the valley below where busy men and women worked in a busy town. "I don't want to leave the mountain top at all. I want to grow so tall that when people stop to look at me, they'll raise their eyes to heaven and think of God. I will be the tallest tree in the world."

Years passed. The rain came, the sun shone, and the little trees grew tall. One day three woodcutters climbed the mountain.

The first woodcutter looked at the first tree and said, "This tree is beautiful. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the first tree fell. "Now I shall be made into a beautiful chest, I shall hold wonderful treasure!", the first tree said.

The second woodcutter looked at the second tree and said, "This tree is strong. It is perfect for me." With a swoop of his shining axe, the second tree fell. "Now I shall sail mighty waters!" thought the second tree. "I shall be a strong ship for mighty kings!"

The third tree felt her heart sink when the last woodcutter looked her way. She stood straight and tall and pointed bravely to heaven. But the woodcutter never even looked up. "Any kind of tree will do for me" he muttered. With a swoop of his shining axe, the third tree fell.

The first tree rejoiced when the woodcutter brought her to a carpenter's shop. But the carpenter fashioned the tree into a feedbox for the animals. The once beautiful tree was not covered with gold, and not filled with treasure. She was coated with saw dust and filled with hay for hungry farm animals.

The second tree smiled when the woodcuter took her to a shipyard, but no mighty sailing ship was made that day. Instead the once strong tree was hammered and sawed into a simple fishing boat. She was too small and too weak to sail to an ocean, or even a river, instead she was taken to a little lake.

The third tree was confused when the woodcutter cut her into strong beams and left her in a lumberyard. "What happened?" the once tall tree wondered. "All I ever wanted was to stay on the mountain top and point to God..."

Many many days and nights passed. The three trees nearly forgot their dreams.

But, one night, a golden starlight poured over the first tree as a young woman placed her newborn baby in the feedbox. "I wish I could make a cradle for him.", her husband whispered. The mother squeezed his hand and smiled as the starlight shone on the smooth and sturdy wood. "This manger is beautiful." she said. And suddenly the first tree knew he was holding the greatest treasure in the world.

One evening a tired traveler and his friends crowded into the old fishing boat. The traveler fell asleep as the second tree quietly sailed out into the lake. Soon a thundering and thrashing storm arose. The little tree shuddered. She knew that she did not have the strength to carry so many passengers safely through with the wind and the rain. The tired man awakened. He stood up, stretched out his hand, and said, "Peace." The storm stopped as quickly as it had begun. And suddenly the second tree knew he was carrying the King of heaven and earth.

One Friday morning, the third tree was startled when her beams were yanked from the forgotten woodpile. She flinched as she was carried through an angry jeering crowd. She shuddered when soldiers nailed a man's hands to her. She felt ugly and harsh and cruel.

But, on Sunday morning, when the sun rose and the earth trembled with joy beneath her, the third tree knew that God's love had changed everything. It had made the third tree strong. And everytime people thought of the third tree, they would think of God. That was better than being the tallest tree in the world.

Author Unknown

God often uses the most insignificant things bring about His will. Only at the end is that reason fully understood. May my soul searching lead me to that purpose.

By Lance Gargus

Empty This Vessel

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6
My Creator,
I know how far I can stray. Seeking the ways of man. Trying to fill myself with this world. But it always leaves me wanting more. It's never quite enough. The father of lies leads so many prodigals away. He whispers words of vain ambition. Allowing myself to be filled with selfishness inside. As the poison of my pride slowly kills me, separating me from You.
The vessel that I am becomes filled with his lies. God, empty it and fill it with your truth.
Amen.

by

Lance Gargus

"There once was in man a true happiness of which now remain to him only the mark and empty trace, which he in vain tries to fill from all his surroundings, seeking from things absent the help he does not obtain in things present. But these are all inadequate, because the infinite abyss can only be filled by an infinite and immutable object, that is to say, only by God Himself."
Pascal, Blaise

Life On The Train

Even to your old age and gray hair I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4

(NIV)
A while back, I read a very interesting book that compared life to a train ride or a series of train rides.

Life is like a train ride it read. We get on, we ride, we get off. We get back on and ride some more. There are accidents and there are delays. At certain stops there are surprises. Some of these will translate into great moments of joy, some will result in profound sorrow.

When we are born we first board the train, we meet people whom we think will be with us for the entire journey. Those people are our parents.

Sadly this is far from the truth, Our parents are with us for as long as we absolutely need them. They too have journeys they must complete . We live on with the memories of their love, affection, friendship, guidance and their ever presence.

There are others who board the train who eventually become very important to us in turn. Those people are our brothers, sisters, friends and acquaintances whom we will learn to love and cherish.

Some people consider their journey like a jaunty tour. They will just go merrily along. Others will encounter many upsets, tears, losses on their journey. Others still, will linger on to offer a helping hand to anyone in need.

Some people on the train will leave an everlasting impression when they get off. Some will get on and get off the train so quickly, they will scarcely leave a sign that they ever traveled along with you or ever crossed your path…

We will sometimes be upset that some passengers whom we love, will choose to sit in another compartment and leave us to travel on our own. Then again, there is nothing that says we cant seek them out anyway. Nevertheless, once sought out and found, we may not even be able to sit next to them because that seat will already be taken.

Thats okay everyones journey will be filled with hopes, dreams, challenges, setbacks and goodbyes.

We must strive to make the best of it no matter what…

We must constantly strive to understand out travel companions and look for the best in everyone.

Remember that at any moment during our journey, any one of our travel companions can have a weak moment and be in need of our help.

We too may vacillate, or hesitate every trip hopefully we can count on someone being there to be supportive and understanding.

The bigger mystery of our journey is that we don’t know when our last stop will come. Neither do we know when our travel companions will make their last stop Not even those sitting in the seat next to us.


I know I will be sad to make my final stop. My separation from all those friends and acquaintances I made during the train ride will be painful. Leaving all those I am close to will be a sad thing. But then again, I am certain that one day I will get to the main station only to meet up with everyone else. They will all be carrying baggage…most of which they did not have when the first got on the train.

I will be glad to see them again, I will also be glad to have contributed to their baggage… and to have enriched their lives, just as much as they will have contributed to my baggage and enriched my life.

We are all on this train ride together. Above all, we should all try to strive to make the ride as pleasant and memorable as we can right up until we can make the final stop and the leave the train for the last time.

Author Unknown

The day of my father's passing, I heard a train whistle off in the distance. He spent his entire working career on trains. Maybe this was one small sign of God's reassurance that all is well on The Heavenly Express.

by

Lance Gargus