When getting killed by a train is easier

Easier.

I was feeling very sad. Hopeless.

I knew that people living with HIV were social outcasts, because they would die very quickly. I was in shock. I was now in that group. I asked myself, now what? Where will I get drugs? Will I marry, have kids? I couldn’t sleep.

I walked along the railway line in Kibera thinking it would be best to be killed by a train. That would be the end and people would say that Charles died because he was hit by a train, not Aids. It would be an easier way to die.

Its easy to ‘categorize’, ‘generalize’ and ‘comparmentalize’ our perceptions of people. Especially when we don’t understand them.

Someone once explained the ability to have compassion as “being able to put yourselves into the shoes of the sufferer, and feeling the pain he feels”.

I think this is so important as we relate to those around us, especially if they are less fortunate than us.

My parents were never divorced, but I have a number of friends who do. I have a particularly close friend, who now has 3 women claiming the title ‘mama’ in his life. He was willing to open and let me into his family history and share with me how it feels and struggles. I think the conversation we had was one of the more meaningful and substantial conversations we ever had. Thanks, friend.

I don’t have any friends who have HIV, and I’ve always wondered, what would I ask him about his sickness? Not that I can’t have a normal conversation with him, but I really want to get an insight into his life? to understand his struggles, if any. To discover what gives him joy, if any. To share his outlook on life. To prepare myself that I may intercede at the throne of grace more intelligently. I want to listen, learn and feel.

So when I came across this photo journal, and the title for this entry was ‘Easier’, I tried putting myself into his shoes, they fit easily, but I could not keep them in. I had to remove them. The sting was too sharp. I was at a loss of words. Helpless.

And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. (Mark 6:34)

Lord Jesus, give me the grace to love You do. Help me to be filled with compassion, as You were.

Photo journal: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/picture_gallery/05/africa_my_life_with_hiv/html/4.stm

Emergency phone numbers

Received this in the email:

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These are more effective than 911
When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27< /A>
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone < /B>Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is b igger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone < /I>Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation’s and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone M ark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul’s secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12
ALTERNATE NUMBERS
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18
ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY.
NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY.
ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY.

Life can change in a moment

How are they [brought] into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. (Psalm 73:19)

It is easy to forget that we hardly know what the next moment would bring. We don’t normally realise the folly of assuming the next moment comes in the tone of the current moment. We assume that things will happen in an expected manner, and in accordance to what we have planned.

These pictures tell the reality of this…

Life as they thought they knew it, changed. In a moment.

One moment, the mirth of wedding bells. The next, the thunder and roar of destruction and despair.

What a stark realization, friends, especially if you are not saved from your sins.

Don’t think death and destruction are far away from you. You really don’t know. The Lord Jesus stands today, ready to save. Forgiveness of sins is available. The door to heaven is open. Jesus WANTS you to have forgiveness. Question is, do you?

For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2)

Please don’t delay getting saved.

50 ways to use gospel tracts

Read this on mwtb.org

It lists some creative ways of how gospel tracts can be used.

It has always baffled me why so many Christians like to keep tracts, and treat them like souveniers or bookmarks. C’mon! Tracts are not for the saved, its for the lost. So lets get inspired to give out those tracts. Feel free to add your own ideas on how to put tracts into the hands of those who are yet to ’saved from the wrath to come’.

No matter where or how you choose to distribute tracts, we have these suggestions:

1. Obey all local ordinances. (Some areas or stores, including the US Post Office, have prohibited the distribution of literature). This also includes littering, etc.
2. Leave at least two copies of a tract so someone will feel better about not taking the last one. Plus you’ll double the number of souls witnessed to!
3. Most importantly, ask God to use you, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for each tract placed, and then pray for the Lord of harvest to bless it.

1. Leave in phone booths.
2. Put in greeting cards.
3. Leave at roadside rests.
4. Put on car windows in parking lots.
5. Leave on sitting areas of shopping malls.
6. Pass out door to door.
7. Pass out to fellow campers.
8. Tack up on bulletin boards.
9. Put in pockets of used clothing given away.
10. Leave in dressing rooms of clothing stores.
11. Pass out at parades, festivals, and special events.
12. Leave in city parks on benches, etc.
13. Put in helium-filled balloons.
14. Leave at funeral homes.
15. Leave in newspaper machines.
16. Hand out at stadium entrances, etc.
17. Put in sealed bottles in the ocean.
18. Mail out to names in a telephone book.
19. Leave in laundromats.
20. Give to attendants at parking garages, etc.
21. Leave in motel rooms (in the drawers, telephone book, etc.)
22. Leave in glove compartment of car you test drive.
23. Place in six-packs of beer, or in toilet tissue rolls in grocery stores.
24. Include in bills paid by mail.
25. Slip in pump handles at self-serve gas stations.
26. Hand to store employees, check-out clerks.
27. Leave in returned library books.
28. Put in magazines in waiting rooms.
29. Put up tract racks in stores, beauty parlors.
30. Put in correspondence to prisoners, etc.
31. Leave in bank where deposit slips are.
32. Leave in zip code book in post office.
33. Leave in restrooms at restaurants, etc.
34. Leave with (generous) tip in restaurants.
35. Give to hospital and nursing home patients.
36. Leave on tables at flea markets.
37. Hand out at zoos, picnic areas, beaches.
38. Leave on seats on bus, cab, airplane, etc.
39. Leave in locker at “Y” or health club.
40. Pass out on busy street corners.
41. Put in mouth of vending machines.
42. Pass out at schools after dismissal.
43. Leave in cafeteria at work, school.
44. Leave for newspaper boy, milkman, etc.
45. Put in each box or bag of merchandise sold.
46. Put in airport lounges, bus terminals, etc.
47. Send to relatives of deceased in obituaries.
48. Send to parents in birth announcements.
49. Give to students at Vacation Bible School and Sunday School.
50. Rent booths at fairs for tract displays.

What would you add?