"...and if not let him overdose and die." ~addicted

Uncle Archie,

I had an amazing experience on new years eve. After considering what you said about talking to homeless people, I finally had an oppurtunity when one asked me for some money, to ask him if he had ever seen God do anything for him. He wasn’t exactly homeless, but awfully close. 

He proceded to tell me how after a life of cocaine and heroin addiction, losing his wife, children, and even the support of his own mother, he moved from California to Oklahoma. He prayed to God that if Jesus was real he wanted to have him in his life and if not let him overdose and die. 

That was 1994, he had been clean for fifteen years, he was out with others in the area trying to raise money for the homeless shelter many recovering addicts stay at. He had much more to say, and with such passion and conviction, it was evident God was at work in his life. 

Thanks for a great idea, I look forward to my next opportunity to do that again!
Todd

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"It is past time to guard the windows to your soul." ~priest

When you look into someone's eyes what do you see?  It is said the eyes are the windows to the soul.  I think that may be the case.  

I was looking into the eyes of my granddaughter a couple days, ago.  Such beauty, innocence and life was present.  I've seen the same brilliance in my grandson's eyes. The blessing of life can be seen in their eyes.

A couple years back, I had the honor of burying a cherished family pet.  Ben was the dog's name.  We all loved Ben.  In his last few days, life became a terrific struggle.  He was still Ben.   His eyes were bright.  He recognized his friends and family.  But life was ending....

When Ben passed, his eyes once vibrant with life changed.  His eyes once able to communicate his love no longer communicated anything.  From one instant to the next, everything changed, yet nothing changed.  He was still Ben, but now there was no life.  The eyes had nothing to say....

I wonder about the soul.  Could it be there is something very tangible and real about one's soul.  Could it be the eyes truly are the window to our soul?  Maybe it is past time for each of us to better protect our soul by sheltering our eyes from things hurtful.  

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

Mr. Splashy Pants Wins!

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"God’s kingdom is like a fishnet cast into the sea, catching all kinds of fish." ~Jesus

Happy New Year!  

I sincerely appreciate the very "real" relationships developed this past year in a very "virtual" and possibly "unreal" world.  Some would say, church can not be experienced on the internet and that relationships developed are fantasy.  I disagree strongly because of YOU!  That's right you.  You, the one reading this.  You are very real and have been a blessing to me and the thousands of other readers of your comments during the past year.  Thank you.

With the new year I am keenly aware of how little time we have here on earth.  Balanced against eternity, we have no time at all.  I am seeking God for direction on how He would choose for me to invest the time I have left.  

I believe strongly in the concept of "Social Networking" via the internet and having a "drill down" effect to "face-to-face" interaction.  I also think it strategic to get in front of as many people as possible with the good news of Jesus.  One of my Facebook friends (Vickie Deppe) who I have never met "face-to-face" effectively said that God prepares the way before I get there.  I like that.  

With that thought, I am prayerfully considering taking Church to an area flea market this year.  Can you imagine?  Hundreds of people walking in front of your booth and your total cost of $25.  Not hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands or even millions of dollars, just $25.  It will actually be more, because I want to give away Bibles and stuff.  Do a heart check at this point and see if God wants you involved in this new effort.  Maybe yes.  Maybe no.  All that matters is obedience.  Right?

Then from the social network, I hope to expand my Facebook friendship to 5,000 this year.  You can help there without it costing you even a penny.  Just recommend your friends request my friendship at Archie Rhines My focus in friendship is to validate the reality of Church interaction in an internet based social network venue.  Pretty cool, right? You will benefit directly by having a platform for your voice as a friend of mine in making your own personal heartfelt comments. 

There you go.  That is my dream for the new year.  I trust God is laying out the path even as I take the steps.  Thank you for choosing to walk with Jesus and I during the new year.  God bless you in your own dreams and visions.

archie  

Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection...

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"Love how fun God can be!" ~Foshee

Colleen Holloran Foshee 

I've got a" beautiful day in the neighborhood story". Friend was looking for new home. Praying for God's leading. God said two words "Mr Rodgers". She and husband looked for months until one day a guy at a house for sale opened the door to them and said "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood, isn't it?" Done deal. Love how fun God can be!

Surf to: http://www.freshc.org for a Fresh Connection...

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

I am conflicted. If it is not about the 80,000 readers, what is it about?

Today or tomorrow there will be 80,000 views of God Spots.  Some will say, it is not about the numbers and I tend to agree in an altruistic way.  If in two years of blogging, a single person is encouraged to find their way to a faithful walk with Jesus, then the effort has been worthwhile.  But in the same breath, I'd suggest I don't have enough years left in my life to impact one person every couple years.  

I'm not negating the importance of the one and you reading this may be the one.  I thank God for you, but I dream of sharing Christ with thousands and seeing each one of them choose to walk with Jesus.  Notice I didn't say, walk the aisle or pray  the believers prayer, although both may be a good first step.  It's my desire to see others exchange their life for the life of Christ.  I desire to see thousands choose to walk with Jesus at their side.  That is my desire....

So with the new year starting today, I need wisdom for the future.  I believe God wishes to give one the desires of one's heart (when those desires align with His).  I believe He wants to see His Church walk with him.  I believe His Spirit grieves to see His church walk without Jesus.  I believe this possible, although you might struggle with the idea of being possessed by the Holy Spirit and choose to not walk with Jesus.  Think about it.

God has given me a passion to reach out and touch those who have ditched religion often referred to as church.  This is not the Church as known as the "Bride of Christ".  This is the church known as religion.  The church is where you go religiously on Sunday.  I'm not saying it is a bad place.  I love my church.  I'm just saying it is not the Church.  As a member of the Bride of Christ, we are the Church.  You and I are priests in the royal order of the "Priesthood of Believers".  It is time we took on the identity of priest.

So that is where I am today, on the first day of the year and the first day of the rest of my life.  I seek answers.  I seek God...

What do you seek?

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream

"I pray God's deepest love on you, your family and friends in the new year." ~priest

Well, it is the 1st day of a new year, 2010.  Expressing it as: 01-01-10 is as unique as "once in a blue moon" welcoming us to the new year.  I like to think the new year will be a good year.  A year of rebirth in body, soul and spirit.  I am expectant of God's grace creating a beautifully fragrant new year. I think the fragrance of our future will be enhanced by a remembrance and yet forgiveness of our past.

It has been a tough year for many of us.  I have seen in my thousand or so blog posts, suffering is a much too often connecting thread between us all.  It is something that can not be ignored and yet it is something we can't let define our lives.  We must accept it as something God likely never intended and seek God for the provisions to walk through it.  We can choose Jesus to walk through life at our side in the midst of the good and bad.  It is the best choice to make and one that leads to freedom.

So with the new year upon us, I pray God's richest blessings on you and your family.  I pray it will be a year of solid footing and fertile ground for God to do miraculous works in your life.  I pray most of all you will experience a genuine love of God, that can not be held captive by your heart.  A love that has to be shared with all who God places in your path.  I pray this love will draw you close to God and encourage others to seek after Him.  

With this thought of love, I wish to say, "Thank you!" to all my readers this past year.  You have been a key motivator in my daily posts.  I have enjoyed hearing from you in the times of celebration and the times of suffering.  It is this mutual sharing of life that has fueled the fire of readership at 37stories.  God Spots have been dazzling this past year and I have expectations of them to be even more brilliant in 2010.  

So, thank you for being a part of my life.  I look forward to being a part of yours as the year unfolds.  

God bless,

archie

Posted via email from Archie's Life Stream