A place to grow your relationship with God

Archive for the ‘inspirational stories’ Category

A Fork’s Symbolism: Hope and Faith

When I was about 16 years old, I heard a story about a woman who was getting her affairs in order. It is an interesting story. I am going to repost it here.

Keep Your Fork… (Author Unknown) There was an older lady who was getting her affairs in order. According to her doctors she did not have long to live.  She called the pastor over. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, which scriptures she would like read, and which outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order, and the pastor was preparing to leave when the lady suddenly remembered something very important to her.

“There’s one more thing,” she said excitedly.

“What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.

“This is very important,” the lady continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the lady, not knowing quite what to say.

“That surprises you, doesn’t it?” the lady asked.

“Well, to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor. She answered by saying, “In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, “Keep your fork.” It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming… like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, she said, “I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, “What’s with the fork?” Then I want you to tell them, “Keep your fork … the best is yet to come.” The pastor’s eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the lady goodbye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the lady had a better grasp of heaven than he did.

At the funeral, people were walking by the lady’s casket, and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the lady shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it, either.

He was right. So, the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

The fork was needed to enjoy the dessert. Faith in God is needed to go to heaven. So, keep your fork “faith”.

Inspiring Tales of Faith and Divine Protection

Category:

inspirational stories, Stories and more

Tagged with:

Inspiring Tales of Faith and Divine Protection

Inspirational Stories

This collection features inspirational stories emphasizing hope, divine protection, and the transformative power of prayer. It includes person struggles, lessons from family and the kindness of strangers. The narratives highlight the significance of faith and the demonstrate how simple prayers can lead to profound changes and salvation.

  • Never Lose Hope: This is the story of a mother, facing surgery and despair over infertility. She discovers she is pregnant. Despite an accident and being told the baby was dead, hope prevails, leading to a miraculous birth.
  • Short Prayer: The narrator recalls a challenging experience in a malfunctioning car when an 18-wheeler turned too sharply nearby. Despite the chaos, no one honked, demonstrating community support. This experience reinforced the importance of sincere prayer and a relationship with God.
  • God’s protection: At age 7, I cherished my white boots, playing outside while unaware of a rattle snake on my bike path. My mom found the snake, revealing my boot print on it. This experience reminded me of God’s protective presence, even in ignorance.
  • God Will Provide: Growing up in a financially strained environment after my parents’ divorce, both underwent serious health challenges, leading to unemployment. Despite hardships, including housing insecurity and my mother’s disability, faith and determination inspired resilience. Miraculously, provisions often appeared as answered prayers, allowing us to survive and maintain our home.
  • A Life Saved by Prayer: A long-haul truck driver’s perilous mountain descent coincided with his wife’s fervent prayer for his safety. An angel, resembling their daughter, miraculously stabilizes the trailer throughout the descent. After the dangerous experience, the driver acknowledges the power of prayer, emphasizing its potential to save lives when a strong urge to pray arises.
  • Lessons from my grandpa’ life: Great-grandpa Berry lived a complex life, serving in the army, farming, and working various jobs, but he struggled with hypocrisy and illegal activities. In his final days, he expressed love for his family and a longing for redemption before passing away.
  • Delivered from Cocaine: Marvin, a man once addicted to cocaine and alcohol, transformed through prayer and support from his wife, Annabel, and Pastor Roy. After a powerful encounter at church, he overcame abuse and addiction, remaining faithful until his passing, with Annabel always by his side.
  • Nostalgic Hymns and Childlike Faith: The author reflects on childhood church hymns that inspired emotions and visions of angels, emphasizing the importance of childlike faith in perceiving spiritual experiences.
  • Freezing Children and Kindness from a Stranger: In the 1960s, Marcus and Ann, traveling with their young children, sought warmth at a stranger’s home after a cold church service. The welcoming black couple defied racial norms, demonstrating kindness and compassion, highlighting a memorable act of humanity and divine blessing.
  • The Power of prayer: a childhood story: In the late 1960s, a family moved to an oilfield town where the children, Jerry and Karen, faced a challenge crossing a cattle gap. After Karen got stuck, she prayed for help, and Jerry miraculously bent the pipe to free her. Their father, skeptical, eventually recognized the extraordinary event as a manifestation of their faith.
  • Beating out the Fire: In 1963, Grandpa Paul, a new assistant pastor, shocked a congregation by admitting to “beating” his wife, which he later explained was to extinguish her dress fire. This incident taught the community the importance of understanding intentions behind actions, emphasizing listening before judgment.
  • The Power of Simple Prayers: A Personal Journey: The author recounts experiences from childhood living in a remote town with their mother, emphasizing the power of prayer. During dire moments, including a near-train accident and car troubles, simple prayers were instrumental in their survival. These events reinforced the belief in Jesus’ assistance and the importance of trust in divine timing.
  • Heaven: At a young age, the author learns about Jesus, heaven, and hell, desiring to go to heaven due to chronic sickness and the allure of animals there. After persistently praying, the author dreams of heaven where ailments disappear. Eventually, health improves, confirming the belief that Jesus answers prayers in various ways.
  • God Hears Every Prayer: A mother’s prayer for protection from snakes illustrates faith’s significance, showing that no concern is too trivial for God.
  • A Fork’s Symbolism: Hope and Faith: A woman nearing death insisted on being buried with a fork, symbolizing hope for something better, reminding others that faith leads to eternal life and joy.
  • Car Trouble and the Good Samaritan: A story about a good Samaritan that was the mostly likely to be considered a good Samaritan.
Inspiring Family Stories That Uplift Your Spirit

Category:

inspirational stories, Stories and more

Tagged with:

Lessons from My Great-Grandpa Berry’s Life

My great-grandpa Berry did many things in his lifetime. Such as being a son, a husband, and a father. Berry served in the army. In addition, he worked as a farmer, sales representative, and a night watchman. In addition, he worked to start a church. Berry and his family went to church. He went to the same church for more than 60 years. He married a lady, and they were married for over 60 years. He was sick off and on much of his life. He was a good bench warmer all of these years, but he was not saved. Outside of the church is where he showed his true colors. Some of the other things he did included making, selling, and drinking white lighting. White lighting is a type of illegal whiskey.  Later, he moved up to taking and selling drugs. He even injected the needle that overdosed his neighbor. This neighbor died from the overdose. By being a hypocrite, he hindered his family and community. Everyone knew that he was at church every time the doors were open. They also knew what he did outside the church doors. This gave a bad testimony. In his upper 80’s he seemed to start to change for the good. Then one day he had a heart attack and was in the hospital for a few days. He seemed to be improving. However, he asked to see his whole family. They came and he told them that he loved them. He also talked to his pastor privately. After doing all of this, he got quiet for a few minutes. Everyone thought that he was getting tired and needed some rest. In Church, he loved the Song “Beulah Land”. At this time, he raised his hand and pointed to the ceiling. Berry then started singing, “Beulah Land, I am longing for you”. His hand fell and he was gone. No matter your life, it is never too late until you stop breathing.

Category:

Family stories, inspirational stories

Tagged with:

Marvin’s Miracle: Faith, Support, and Transformation
 

I recently heard the story of a man that I believe is a wonderful testimony to the grace and love of God. The man has now gone to be with the Lord. Therefore, I am going to tell his story for him.

Marvin was a man of 6’4”. He was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. His wife, Annabel, was a Christian. She went to Pastor Roy’s Church. Pastor Roy suggested that she leave her husband because he was abusive to her and the children. She said, “God is going to change him.” Pastor Roy said, “Yeah to the grave. This man is down to 90 pounds. He is nothing but skin and bones.” Annabel just kept praying.

One night not long after this conversation, Marvin came to church. He was high on cocaine. However, the power of God still got to him. He went straight to the alter and fell down. He did not get up until he had been filled with the Holy Ghost. He stayed at the church for 3 days and 3 nights. He prayed and was prayed for during his withdrawals from cocaine and alcohol. Pastor Roy and Annabel stayed with him. They held him and offered support. They also brought him food and water.

After he went home, he was a changed man. He stopped being abusive to his wife and daughters. He started holding down a good job. However, there were still times that he felt cravings for cocaine and or alcohol. Every time this happened, he went and lived at the church until it passed. Pastor Roy and Annabel always went with him to support him. Over time, the cravings got less and less, but the cravings never fully went away. However, with the help and grace of God, Marvin never gave in to the cravings. About 30 years after his 1st trip to the alter, the Lord called him home. Annabel stayed by his side the whole time.

Enhanced by Zemanta

Category:

inspirational stories, Stories and more

Tagged with:

My Journey to Understanding Heaven as a Child

The Picture shows a beautiful orchard with many different types of fruit trees
When I was about 5 or 6 years old, I begin to learn about Jesus, heaven, and hell. I was told that Jesus loves me so much that he came and died on the cross for my sins. I learned that 3 days later he came back to life. Later he went to heaven to create a home for everyone who believes in him. In heaven, there is no sickness, pain, or suffering. Someone said that hell is 10 times hotter than Georgia is in the summertime. I had been to Atlanta, Georgia in December and it was hot then. I did not want to go anywhere that it was hotter than Atlanta, Georgia.

During this time, I was also very sickly. There were many foods that I could not eat and playing with animals caused me to have an asthma attack. Someone said that there were animals in heaven. Therefore, I got it in my head that I wanted to go to heaven. You have to understand, I was tired of always being sick. I wanted to play with animals. The preacher had said no one is sick in heaven. Therefore, I got a few toys together. Then I sat in a corner and told Jesus that I was ready to go to Heaven. I did this every day for about 2 weeks. My mom thought that I was playing either school or church. She did not know that I was waiting on Jesus to come get me and take me to heaven.

Finally, one night I had a dream. In the dream, Jesus came and took me to heaven. It was wonderful. I was able to eat all of the food that grew in the garden. This included tomatoes and butter bean. Both of which normally made me sick. I was also able to drink milk from a cow. In addition, I was able to play with the dogs, cats, lambs, horses, and goats. I had so much fun. Just being able to run in open fields without having an asthma attack gave me great joy.

Then Jesus talked to me. He explained that I still needed to live on earth. However, things would get better. He said that I could come back to heaven to live one day.

With time I outgrew my childhood food allergies. Now I am able to eat whatever I want to. In addition, I no longer have the server asthma that I had as a child. Yes, it was several years before I outgrew these problems, but Jesus was right things did get better.

As a child, I did not have perfect understanding of the Bible, but I understood enough to know that heaven is where I wanted to go. Hell is too hot, but heaven is perfect. I also understood that I had to talk to Jesus in order to go to heaven. Therefore, I persistently ask Jesus to take me to heaven. He answered my prayer in the best possible way. I know that whatever you may want or need, if you persistently ask Jesus, he will answer. The answer may be wait, yes, or no.

Inspiring Tales of Faith and Divine Protection

Category:

inspirational stories, Stories and more

Tagged with: