The Doughnut Story 17 Jul 2011 11:08 AM (13 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
There was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the Western United States.
Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course his or her freshman year regardless of his or her major.
Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously.
This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.
One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many pushups can you do?"
Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."
"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?"
Steve replied, "I don't know . . . I've never done 300 at a time."
"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.
"Well, I can try," said Steve.
"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind, and I need you to do about 300 pushups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.
Steve said, "Well . . . I think I can . . . yeah, I can do it."
Dr. Christianson said, "Good! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."
Friday came, and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. Now these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls.
Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson's class.
Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?"
Cynthia said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Cynthia can have a donut?"
"Sure." Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.
Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"
Joe said, "Yes."
Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten pushups so Joe can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups, and Joe got a donut.
And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten pushups for every person before they got their donut, and down the second aisle, till Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship. When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"
Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own pushups?"
Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them."
Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."
Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?" With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten pushups.
Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"
Dr. Christianson said, "Look, this is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk.
Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow. Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry.
Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"
Sternly, Jenny said, "No." Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more pushups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?" Steve did ten, and Jenny got a donut.
By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say "No" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks. Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these pushups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.
Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each pushup to make sure he did the full ten pushups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely.
Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that now there were 34 students in the room.
He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.
Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set. Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?"
Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your pushups . . . You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.
A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!" Jason didn't know what was going on.
Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."
Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten pushups for him?"
Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut"
Dr. Christianson said, "Okay, Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now.
Jason, do you want a donut?" Jason, new to the room hardly knew what was going on.
"Yes," he said, "give me a donut."
"Steve, will you do ten pushups so that Jason can have a donut?" Steve did ten pushups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.
Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each pushup in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. Sweat was profusely dropping off of his face and, by this time, there was no sound except his heavy breathing, there was not a dry eye in the room.
The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"
Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you."
Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten pushups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?" Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow pushups for Linda.
Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?" Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"
Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone, I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not.
When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve, here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work.
Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do pushups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your pushups. He and I made a deal for your sakes.
Steve, would you do ten pushups so Susan can have a donut?" As Steve very slowly finished his last pushup, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 pushups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.
Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said. "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, he yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten."
Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile. "Well done, good and faithful servant" said the professor, adding "Not all sermons are preached in words."
Turning to his class the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who spared not the only Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all for the whole Church, now and forever.
Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid. Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it laying on the desk?"
Laminin 16 Jul 2011 8:02 PM (13 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
Don't Mess With Seniors 16 Apr 2011 7:43 AM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
The lawyer is thinking that seniors are so dumb that he could get one over on them easily.
So, the lawyer asks if the senior would like to play a fun game.
The senior is tired and just wants to take a nap, so he politely declines and tries to catch a few winks.
The lawyer persists, saying that the game is a lot of fun...."I ask you a question, and if you don't know the answer, you pay me only $5.00. Then you ask me one, and if I don't know the answer, I will pay you $500.00," he says.
This catches the senior's attention and, to keep the lawyer quiet, he agrees to play the game.
The lawyer asks the first question. "What's the distance from the Earth to the Moon?"
The senior doesn't say a word, but reaches into his pocket, pulls out a five-dollar bill, and hands it to the lawyer.
Now, it's the senior's turn. He asks the lawyer, "What goes up a hill with three legs, and comes down with four?"
The lawyer uses his laptop to search all references he can find on the Net.
He sends E-mails to all the smart friends he knows; all to no avail. After an hour of searching, he finally gives up.
He wakes the senior and hands him $500.00. The senior pockets the $500.00 and goes right back to sleep.
The lawyer is going nuts not knowing the answer. He wakes the senior up and asks, "Well, so what goes up a hill with three legs and comes down with four?"
The senior reaches into his pocket, hands the lawyer $5.00, and goes back to sleep.
GRACE 11 Apr 2011 2:18 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
What Are Words 8 Apr 2011 8:39 AM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
This guy was a contestant on American Idol. His fiancé was in a terrible car accident that left her brain damaged and in pretty bad shape, but he chose to stay and be there for her. He wrote this song for her that really touched my heart. All should have the character this young man has.
Don't Go Barefoot 7 Apr 2011 8:44 AM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
AND YOUR FEET SHOD WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE
In Ephesians 6:11 we are told to put on the whole armor of GOD. Many Christians are truthful. They have their heart free of sin, they are sure of their salvation, they rightly use the WORD of GOD, but they are shoeless... they are not prepared to share the gospel. In Ephesians 6:15 we are told to shod our feet with the preparation of the GOSPEL of Peace. Those who do not advance the cause of the GOSPEL are stationary soldiers; any evangelistic movement is too painful for them. If they are not seeking to save the lost, they are not taking ground for the KINGDOM of GOD. Paul climaxed his admonition to the Ephesians by highlighting what the battle is for. He pleads with them to pray for him to have boldness to reach out to the unsaved, citing his moral responsiblity.(v 20)
Brother's and Sister's, we should be sharing the GOSPEL to those around us...are you? Advance the KINGDOM! Be Bold! Be active soldiers for CHRIST...AND DO NOT FORGET ALL YOUR ARMOR PIECES! YOU CAN READ ABOUT IT IN EPHESIANS 6:10-20. GOD bless you all in battle!
Some of the information taken from The Evidence Bible/King James Version
A Call To GOD 17 Mar 2011 6:35 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
GOD'S "PHONE" NUMBER
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Japan Earthquake Tsunami Prayer Song 15 Mar 2011 6:27 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
A "Little Johnny" Joke Sooooo Funnnnnyyyy!!!!!! 13 Mar 2011 3:08 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
My Friend Sophie 12 Mar 2011 5:34 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
My sweet Belgian friend, Sophie and I have been keeping in contact. In a note to her, I ended with, "Bisou and hugs". Bisou is "kisses" in French, but did not know the word for hug. She wrote back..." Donna, I praise God to have a friend and a sister like you. I miss you here in Belgium. There's no French word for "hug", anyway, each time I read you, i'm moved by the love of Jesus and this is the best hug I know."
Her English is a lot better than my French that is for sure! I left her note the way she wrote it because it has more heart!
Anyway, her message spoke to me today. We as Christian's should always speak to one another as if our words are the hug from JESUS that people need!
Thank you, Sophie, you are a true sister in CHRIST, and I will treasure our relationship for all eternity! You do not realize it, but I felt a huge hug from JESUS today, because you let HIM shine through you. Again, thanks my dear sister in CHRIST!
Protesting Military Funerals 11 Mar 2011 3:05 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be unto you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
BEST POEM IN THE WORLD 26 Feb 2011 9:10 AM (14 years ago)
I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.
But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics and the trash.
There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice.
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice.
Bob, who I always thought
Was rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.
I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.
'And why is everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.'
'Hush, child,' He said,
'They’re all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'
JUDGE NOT!!
Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a
Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!
Praise the LORD that every sinner has a future in JESUS CHRIST!!!!!
Glory Baby 14 Feb 2011 6:24 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
Two weeks ago, my husband and I went to the fertility clinic to do Insemination. We have waited, and waited and the day to do the pregancy test was today...sad that it is a BIG FAT NEGATIVE!
My heart is in pain tonight! I have had 11 miscarriages over the past 15 years, the doctors finally found the cause (my thyroid were producing antibodies and were attacking all my babies) they treated it, and now I am in a position to try again. So, we have been since last spring, but to no avail.
Today, as I was sure I was pregnant,got a negative and it ripped my heart out. I am almost 43, my clock is running out of tick tocks. So I am trying one more time to see if I can keep the baby to full term. I pray one day soon, we will have our prayers answered.
Today, I have also been thinking about my babies waiting for me in HEAVEN. My heart aches for them too, to know what they were, boy or girl, what did they look like? I heard this song and it was a reminder that my babies are in a much better place then here, and they are with JESUS sooner than us. Though my heart longs to be with them, I am comforted to know they are safe with JESUS!
This song is for all the parents who have children waiting in HEAVEN.
GLORY BABY by WATERMARK
Radical 12 Feb 2011 6:43 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
I am reading a book called, Radical, Taking Back Your Faith From The American Dream, by David Platt. I have never been this challenged before. Wow! I am on chapter Three and I have had to stop and pray several times.
Get the book and read it and let me know what you think of it!
Here is a little short video introduction.
Adorable 2 Year old Sings God Will Take Care of You 30 Jan 2011 6:30 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
Mass Exodus From Public Schools 27 Jan 2011 4:36 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
Awesome Church Sign Sayings 26 Jan 2011 7:39 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
The Story of Stuff 22 Jan 2011 6:20 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
Hymns for People over 50 20 Jan 2011 8:09 AM (14 years ago)
Hymns for People over 50
Give Me the Old Timers Religion
Precious Lord, Take My Hand, And Help Me Up
Just a Slower Walk with Thee
Go Tell It on the Mountain, But Speak Up
Nobody Knows the Trouble I Have Seeing
Guide Me O Thou Great Lord God, I've Forgotten Where I've Parked The Car
Count Your Many Birthdays, Count Them One By One
Blessed Insurance
It Is Well With My Soul, But My Knees Hurt
Political Philosophies Explained in Simple "Two-Cow" Terms 19 Jan 2011 5:38 PM (14 years ago)
Hello All, Grace and Peace be to you from our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST.
Political Philosophies Explained in Simple "Two-Cow" Terms
Socialism:
You have two cows. You keep one and give one to your neighbor.
Communism:
You have two cows. The government takes them both and provides you with milk.
Fascism:
You have two cows. The government takes them and sells you the milk.
Bureaucracy:
You have two cows. The government takes them both, shoots one, milks the other, pays you for the milk, and then pours it down the drain.
Capitalism:
You have two cows. You sell one and buy a bull.
Corporate:
You have two cows. You sell one, force the other to produce the milk of four cows and then act surprised when it drops dead.
Democracy:
You have two cows. The government taxes you to the point that you must sell them both in order to support a man in a foreign country who has only one cow which was a gift from your government.