The Comforter

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16

"If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end; if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth..." C.S. Lewis

The Greek word for Comforter is “parakletos”, which literally means called to one's side, was used to describe someone who pleaded another's cause, or who helped others by defending or comforting them.

The Comforter came to me in a dream. In the dream, I felt a prayer in my soul, but I couldn't find the words. A bible verse came to mind from Romans 8:26,"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." My deepest feelings were uncovered, and in that moment I felt the hands upon my shoulders like when I was young. The times I was at my saddest, when I was most upset, my father would come up, as a loving parent does, and place his hands on my distressed form. Trying to comfort me when I was most vulnerable. In some way, it felt as though he was transferring his strength into me. That is how I felt in that dream. A sense of reassurance was laid upon me.

I awoke from my night vision with a feeling I will never be alone. No matter the difficulty or hardship I carry the Comforter inside me. As I search my soul, I find this Truth,"In the dark nights of your soul — death, divorce, disease, betrayals, loss of job, bankruptcy, failures — you may feel so broken and alone that all the future appears to be as dark as your present. It’s then that God provides the Comforter to stand along side you and embrace you in your hour of need."

by

Lance Gargus

The True Meaning Of Christmas

I had just finished the household chores for the night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front of the house. I opened the door to the front room, and to my surprise, Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas tree. He placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I saw that he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement: "TEACH THE CHILDREN!" I was puzzled, what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, "Teach the children. Teach them the real meaning of Christmas. The meaning of Christmas that nowadays has been forgotten." Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind. All the needles point Heavenward, making it a symbol of man's thoughts turning toward Heaven. He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. Teach the children that the star was the Heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of the fulfillment of His promise. He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light, we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness. Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love Christ showed for us. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection. He then pulled from his bag an ornament of HIMSELF. Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December. He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood that He shed for us. Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, "Teach the children that God so loved the world that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift. Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy Babe and presented Him with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give gifts in the same spirit of the wise men. Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherd's crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring strayed sheep back to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother's keeper. He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded the glorious news of the Savior's birth. The angels sang "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men of good will." Suddenly I heard a soft tinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL. Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should bring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return. Santa looked around and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, "Remember, TEACH THE CHILDREN the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship Him, Our Lord, Our God, and Savior. 

Man's Best Friend

"No man can be condemed for owning a dog. As long as he has a dog, he has a friend; and the poorer he gets, the better friend he has." - Will Rogers Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. Proverbs 27:9

"What do you expect to do with that puppy?" He stared at me with glaring eyes. "I'm gonna get him some dog food," he explained that cold night. The ball of fur snuggled deeper into his jacket. It poked out between his zipper. My brother could barely stand, he'd been drinking. I tried to get him out of there before the boss saw him. He was off the clock, but I was working that night. "Get out of here before you get in trouble." "No! Not until I get my new best friend some dog food," he demanded. "Alright, here, let me help you." I took the little thing and hid him in my jacket this time. I was getting off shortly. As we rambled down one aisle after another, we finally found the dog food. I purchased it, and snuck a pup and a passed out brother into my car. We got out of there unnoticed even after his partying that night. Sneaking home I tried to get both past my mother. The plan was to get him to bed, but the pup gave us away with his whimpering. "Oh, no. She's gonna flip out to find him drunk." I sat my brother on the couch as my mom came in.

"What was that noise?" came her questioning. "That's nothing," he grumbled in a voice he was hoping sounded sober but just sort of slurred out. "Here, let me fix him some coffee," she exclaimed. "Don't tell, Dad," he said in a worried teenager's voice. I think he didn't even realize he was taking to Mom. "He came up to work drinking and I covered for him...." HHMM..... UUNNN.... "That's the sound I heard earlier," she declared. "Oh, that's a puppy one of his friend's gave him. It's a chow, I think. Look, mom, don't be mad at him. He asked this girl out, and he really liked her. He had been talking to her for months. Well, you know how they do him. He talked to a friend, and he went to drown his sorrows."

"Well, the puppy sure is cute. And his hangover will be quite painful tomorrow. I'm not saying I'm not disappointed in him, but I can understand the hurt," she said, "Go to bed and he can sleep it off."

"Funny, the dog starts whining when I try to take him away from him." "Just leave him with him tonite. He'll be alright," she stated. So began the time that Bear, as we called him that night came into our lives. We had owned many dogs before but this one lived the longest and touched our lives the deepest. I think from that small moment on he was put here to comfort us in times of distress. He never was the type of dog that jumped up on you, he only came over when you sat down, to place his head in your lap to be petted. He never got excited like most chows. He patiently waited on you until you returned. All with a pleasant demeanor.

I spent many nights, when I was at my saddest, just sitting on a front porch swing looking at the stars. Those times he came and laid his head in my lap to let me know he cared was innumerable. He was like that to us all. But he especially knew when my brother was sad. Animals who love us can sense these things. He cared and paid special attention to my father in his last few years. Always gentle with the children. Even as he got too old, Boo-Bear, as they called him, was a member of the family. The day he died closed a chapter in my life. We have never had a dog like him since.

God gave him to the most distraught member of our family that night. He gave us all 13 years of love. Maybe God has given such an animal as this to you at sometime in your life.

This is just another layer I peel back in understanding God's immense love. He uses even a dog to show affection and understanding when all other friends are gone. Like God, he never cared if I was rich or poor, good looking or ugly, dumb or smart. He didn't care what kind of car I drove, how big my house was, or what kind of clothes I wore. He was always glad to see me and loved unconditionally. His feelings never changed, they were unwavering. He was my friend. He saw me and the rest of us through some tough times. There will be a day, a perfect day, when my soul searching is done, when I'll play chase with him again. And I'll sit underneath one of heaven's trees and my friend will lay his head in my lap once again.

By

Lance Gargus

Sunset

"Daddy look the sunset. My Friend,God,made it." by Connor Gargus

My son pointed the obvious to me when he was just 5 years old.