I received this story in my email today from a friend of mine and wanted to share it as I thought it was quite inspirational. Enjoy!
Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on
ground. The man slowly looked up. This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life. His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before. "Leave me alone," he growled...
To his amazement, the woman continued standing. She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked. "No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away." The woman's smile became even broader...
Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. "What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone." Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked...
"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet.. Will you help me?" The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's
been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?" "See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." "Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything." "This is a good deal for you, Jack," the officer answered. "Don't blow it."
Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the
breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...
The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.
"What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?" "This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. "Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business." Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in
the first place." The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled. "Sir, are
you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" "Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."
"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?" "What business is that of yours?" I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company." "Oh." The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?" "No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." "Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?" "Yes, ma'am. That would be very nice." The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said. "That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."
She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently. "Jack, do you remember me?" Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes.. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar." "I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry." "Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.
"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked
out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat." Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." "I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble...
Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right." "So you started your own business?" Old Jack said. "I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet...If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."
There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank
you?" he said. "Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you." Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways...
"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said. "On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget.
And...And thank you for the coffee."
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
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7 comments:
Coffee is bad for you. It has caffeine in it. That woman in that story was actually hurting those people by buying them coffee. She gave them poison!
Ellen White says to avoid coffee.
Hi David,
Now lets see, Jesus came to save those under the Law yet we are not under the Law but Under the teachings or authority of Jesus, right? Is the teachings of Jesus any different than the Law. Did He not Give the Law at Sinai? He created "ALL" things, right?
What you say directly contradicts the Apostle Paul. iN Romans 7, Paul says he had not known sin unless the Law said thou shalt not covet. He goes on to say that the Law is Holy Just and Good. Sounds like he was inspired to write those verses. Paul says in Romans 3:31 "do we make void the Law through faith? God forbid. You throw out the Law and what do you have? Chaos. Imagine having no traffic laws. The Law is something that is good. It protects us like a hedge about us. The Law points out sin and shows us that we need a Savior to save us. Surely your not saying that the Law has been done away with, are you? Your not Lawless are you? haha
David, it has always been based on Love. Obedience without Love is worthless. But, our obedience shows that we Love God for who He is and what He has done for us. Thats why John says "that he that says he knows Him and does not keep His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him." 1John Its like a man who tells his wife that he loves her but goes out with other women. Would she believe that he really loves her? Love always leads to obedience not out of obligation but out of love for the one who has done so much for us.
The Sab is in the heart of the ten and if you throw the Sab out, as it seems you are intent on doing. then you must throw out all of the Law. John plainly says that sin is the transgression of the Law and so does Paul. Jesus kept the Sab not Sunday and showed us the true meaning of the Sab in helping our fellow man. NO Where did He tell us to quit keeping the Sab or to keep another day. To me that is proof positive that the Sab is still in force just like "don't kill, steal, or commit adultery."
LOve you much
Dad
PS Be patient with me as I am learning to post and use this site I believe I posted this in the wrong place but apply it to your response.
To Anonymous,
"Tea and Coffee
Tea acts as a stimulant and, to a certain extent, produces intoxication. The action of coffee and many other popular drinks is similar. The first effect is exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach are excited; these convey irritation to the brain, and this in turn is aroused to impart increased action to the heart and short-lived energy to the entire system. Fatigue is forgotten; the strength seems to be increased. The intellect is aroused, the imagination becomes more vivid.
Because of these results, many suppose that their tea or coffee is doing them great good. But this is a mistake. Tea and coffee do not nourish the system. Their effect is produced before there has been time for digestion and assimilation, and what seems to be strength is only nervous excitement. When the influence of the stimulant is gone, the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding degree of languor and debility. The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by headache, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trembling, and many other evils; for they wear away the life forces. Tired nerves need rest and quiet instead of stimulation and overwork.
Nature needs time to recuperate her exhausted energies. When her forces are goaded on by the use of stimulants, more will be accomplished for a time; but, as the system becomes debilitated by their constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the energies to the desired point. The demand for stimulants becomes more difficult to control, until the will is overborne and there seems to be no power to deny the unnatural craving. Stronger and still stronger stimulants are called for, until exhausted nature can no longer respond.
source: The Ministry of Healing, E.G.White page 326."
To Anonymous cont.,
"Health Benefits of Tea and Coffee
The good news for café lovers is that recent research shows antioxidant-rich tea and coffee have positive effects on the body.
Tea
Research shows that tea is rich in polyphenol antioxidants that may help keep you healthy for longer by promoting heart and bone health and assisting to maintain healthy teeth. Tea has also been shown to have positive effects on maintaining alertness throughout the day, while also evoking feelings of relaxation. Green, black and oolong tea have all been shown to have positive health effects, and because of the different antioxidants found in each tea variety the greatest benefits come from consuming all of these varieties rather than just drinking one or the other..
Coffee
The roasted beans that are used to make coffee are a rich source of antioxidants, particularly a certain type of antioxidant called chlorogenic acid. It is the antioxidant content of coffee that is thought to be responsible for many of its health benefits. Like tea, coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of many chronic diseases and help maintain blood glucose levels and a healthy weight. Coffee also contains caffeine, a substance that stimulates the central nervous system and which may in turn be responsible for enhancing learning, memory, performance and coordination.
Research suggests a moderate intake of around 3 cups of tea or coffee per day is needed for the beneficial effects and is unlikely to cause any negative effects on health.
source: http://www.muffinbreak.com.au/Benefits-of-tea-and-coffee/default.aspx"
David
I hope you don't take their claims about the benefits of coffee at face value. They sell coffee!!!
To Still,
Of course not. I found many sources that explained the various health benefits of tea and coffee. I utilized the article that I did out of convenience, because it listed both tea and coffee and their various health benefits in one easy to read article.
I would not have used it as a source if it was not accurate. Do some research for yourself, and you'll find that tea and coffee both have some significant health benefits to them contrary to what Mrs. White said.
Blessings!
Hi Dad,
I have copied your comment to the correct place under Adventist Arguments: The Sabbath Part 7. My response is there as well.
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