The Girl Who Taught The Dying How to Live

This story is inspiring and illustrates how much of a blessing we can be when we sacrifice all for God.  This story is a challenge to be thankful for no matter your circumstances.

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THE GIRL WHO TAUGHT THE DYING HOW TO LIVE

Sari grew up in an orphanage in India.  Despite her loneliness, she loved Christ and was a devoted Christian. Sari was wonderful and talented in many ways, so it was no surprise that a handsome young missionary adored her.  She rejoiced that she was soon to be married.

One day Sari was cleaning in the kitchen and noticed some sores on her hand. She had seen such sores before, and her heart broke. It was soon confirmed that she had leprosy. All her dreams of marriage and future dried up; her youth and beauty would be eaten by the disease.

When Sari left for the leprosy asylum, she put on her beautiful white wedding dress so the orphans would remember her as hopeful and beautiful.  Still, many wept when she and her brother walked across the courtyard and out the gates.

Arriving at the leprosy asylum, she was stunned at what she saw.  The women there were dirty.  Their faces were empty, sad, and hopeless.  Dread filled her heart, and putting her arms around her brother, she sobbed,  "Jareth. Am I going to be like them?"

The missionaries said, "Sari. We have heard you love Jesus.  Can you love these women too?  There is much they need."

A spark of hope lit her heart.  She got a vision of what she could do for God in that awful place.  She started a school for women and taught them to read and write.  She was talented at music and taught the women how to sing, and even started a chorus.  She was able to play the piano, so the missionaries got her a folding organ, and she brought music into the asylum.

The place began to change; the sad, sick women there found hope and meaning.  The compound became clean.  The women began to take care of themselves and fix up their hair and wash their clothes.  Anna taught them how to live even though they were slowly dying.

After a few years, Sari's brother asked her about coming to the leprosy asylum.  She said, "When I first came to this Asylum, I was hopeless.  Now, I know that God has work for me to do for Him here.  If I had not become a leper, I would have never found my work.  Each day I thank Him for having sent me here and for the work He has given me to do."

Sari worked in the asylum for years as leprosy consumed her; though her body decayed and withered away, her face was bright with an inner glow.  She never uttered a word of complaint.  She always had a word of cheer for the sad and weary ones.  Many were brought to the Lord because of her.

(C)Adron Dozat

The Teaching Of The Silversmith

This short story illustrates one of the truths of the Christian life of faith and helps us to think about God's purposes in our trials.

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THE LESSON OF THE SILVERSMITH

A man went to visit a silversmith. The silversmith took some dull gray ingots of metal and put them in a crucible. He set the crucible over a hot fire, and he pumped gas and air into the flames and made the fire hotter and hotter. The visitor could feel the heat from a distance across the workroom. The silversmith leaned closer and bent over the crucible looking intently into the hot molten metal.

"What is it you are doing to the metal in the crucible?" asked the visitor.

The smith just waved his hand, so intently was he watching the silver.

"What are you looking for?" The visitor asked.

"I am looking for my face in the silver. When I see my image reflected in it, then I stop. The work is done."

The man leaned over the shoulder of the smith and peered into the crucible. The dull gray lumps of metal had melted into a metallic fluid; it was now pure silver, bright and clean. A moment later it became a mirror showing the face of the man.

God is like the silversmith. He may need to put us in the crucible and heat the flames to test and purify us but He is bent over watching for His image to develop in us.

(C)Adron Dozat

The Sargent and the Boots That Turned.

This is the story of how one person came to faith and continued to live his faith in the face of adversary and how it had a powerful effect on others.

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THE SARGENT AND THE BOOTS THAT TURNED

There was once a Sargent in the Scottish Guards who was a fearsome man in or out of uniform. He was taller and stronger than most men. He was known as the "Mallet" because his fists were so large. When Sargent McGregor was off duty he would dare anyone to go one round with him in a bout of fist-to-cuffs. The wager was a tempting one for many but none could last a single round with the Mallet. He could take the best blows they could give but after a half a minute he would stop playing and crash a powerful punch upon his opponent and send him flying, thus winning the bet. As much as the men in his company feared him they respected his leadership blindly. Sgt. McGregor was a seasoned soldier who fought in the king's army in many campaigns. He was fearless in battle.  Sgt. McGregor was also a bully who used threats, taunts, ridicule, and harsh punishments to keep his command in order.

Randy was a private in his command. Randy is the nickname for one who has loose values and morals; and Randy was a lover of fun, gambling, strong drink, and many other wicked things.  Randy was a good soldier who obeyed orders well enough and fought in combat with distinction worthy of the elite Highland Unit.

Returning from war in the east the Highlander's ship stopped at the island of Malta; the island where Paul the Apostle did many wonders. The highlanders had left to explore and amuse themselves on the island. Randy found himself separated from his companions and wandered about alone.

He came to a statue of St Paul. Without understanding why Randy was drawn to it. He could not help but stand for some time looking at the statue of St Paul. The statue seemed to trouble him but he was not able to leave.

"The Apostle did many miracles on this island." A voice behind him said. Randy turned and saw an old man in plain black clothes.

"The face on this statue looks so peaceful, yet full of authority and confidence," Randy commented.

"Paul was all those things- after he met Jesus."  The old man said. "Have you met Jesus?"

"How can I?" Smirked Randy, "Jesus died long ago."

"You can meet Jesus today and know him as Lord and Savior. He loves you and died for your sins."

Randy looked at the old man and considered these words. The old man had the same spirit of peace and confidence. "Tell me more."

That day Randy learned the Gospel of Jesus and he received Jesus into his life as Lord and Savior. He became a new creation in Christ and resolved to live for Jesus with the same abandon and passion that earned him the nickname of Randy.

His daily prayers and diligence to read the Bible was quickly observed. He gave up strong drink, late-night carousing, his language was without cussing and became gracious.

McGregor despised Randy for all of this. He saw religion as weak and hypocritical. He bullied Randy harshly with many jeers and insults and gave the private dirty hard task to perform. The Sargent criticized every effort Randy made to live a righteous life.

In spite of all the hardships, Randy was faithful to the Lord who he loved. He read the Bible daily and sought to win others for Christ. He was persistent in prayer. His reputation for Godly living became known throughout the entire regiment.

It became his custom to read the Bible in the morning at breakfast. A few guardsmen would sit with Randy and listen to his reading of a few verses. The Sargent would hover nearby for the purpose of mocking God's Word.

One morning the regiment was camped in tents in some distant campaign, and the soldiers were around the campfires when Randy read the words of Jesus' sermon. "But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: But whosoever shall smite the on the right cheek turn the other to him also." * The Sargent rushed out of his tent and pounced upon the words of Jesus, criticizing the teaching of Jesus with mocking and cursing. Randy quietly tried to defend the Lord's words but McGregor refused to listen.

It was a day of a long march through muddy marshes. The cold damp overcast day put the entire regiment in a bad mood; McGregor was more of a bully than ever, and his temper was growing around the campfire that night.

As his last duty of the day the Private knelt in his tent to pray, giving thanks and worship to the Lord; and beseeching God's blessing on the King, country, regiment, and brothers in Christ. His words were soft-spoken but audible to those passing by the tent.

McGregor hearing the muttered prayers became enraged. He was sitting on a stool next to the fire and had taken off his muddied boots to relieve his swollen sore feet. Grabbing one he threw it with all his might into the Private's tent hitting Randy full on the right side of his face knocking him over. The laughter around the campfire was like a roar. The Sargent teased, "I wager he'll not turn that cheek for a time."

Randy quietly picked himself up and resumed his prayers kneeling the other way, facing his other cheek to McGregor, who shouted. "I've never refused a challenge in my life." He snatched up his other muddied boot and threw it hitting the Private squarely on the side of the face knocking him over again. The private picked himself up again and knelt as before to pray for the regiment.

Many of the men around the campfire were humiliated by the scene of Randy faithfully enduring the Sargent's abuse. In shame and silence, they turned away and sought their own tents. McGregor sensing he was losing his audience raised his voice louder and added more insults against the private and his Lord.  He pulled out a flask of rum and drank until he stumbled into his tent for the night.

The sun rose the next morning shining its yellow light on the tents of the camp as the men were making breakfast fires to cook on and to warm themselves. McGregor opened the flap of his tent to preview the weather and mood of the Guardsmen. His eyes rested upon two shiny beautiful boots before his tent. The leather shown with polish and the brass fittings were buffed until they gave off a golden light. They were his own boots that he had thrown at the faithful Christian Private. The boots were now cleaned of all grime and mud; they were restored to a condition better than McGregor had seen since they were new.

"Who cleaned my boots?" The Sargent muttered half suspecting the answer. A passing Guardsman carrying a bucket of water supposing the question was addressed to him replied, "Private Randy, Sir. He spent most of the night at the task."

The words and sight of the cleaned boots did what battles and warfare could not do. McGregor's resistance broke and his heart melted by an act of love and forgiveness. The many words of the Gospel which Randy faithfully proclaimed flooded up in his soul. Tears rolled down his scarred cheeks. He turned back into the tent, knelt next to the cot, and prayed, confessing his sins and receiving the love of his Lord who he now trusted as Savior.

* Matthew 5:39

(C)Adron Dozat

The Princess And The Crown Of Iron Thorns.

The true facts of this story are lifted from history and are an example of suffering for your faith. Sometimes we are saved out of trials but most often we are saved through them.

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THE PRINCESS AND THE CROWN OF THORNS

In days of old when the land was divided into many kingdoms, there was a kingdom called Frisia, an icy snowy country far to the north. The people of Frisia were very warlike and worshiped pagan gods of war. The chef god was Fosite, a god of vengeance and justice. The god Fosite would speak to his priest at the sacred oak tree in the midst of the land. This oak tree was venerated, and the site was considered most holy. Under its leaves marriages would take place, pledges made, and the sick would be placed for healing. The tree was beautiful and the strength of the oak was a reminder that the god Fosite was a warrior's god unyielding without mercy and swift to avenge.

The king had a daughter called Fostedina which means, The Darling Of Fosite. She was so named because of her wondrous beauty and comely disposition. With golden hair like sunlight, eyes blue like a summer sky, lips that were full and red she herself looked like a daughter of the old gods. Her beauty shadowed in the grace of her character for she was of such a sweet disposition that Frostedina was always sought as a companion. Her mind was sharp and with uncommon wisdom; Fostedina was barely a teen when she was asked to sit beside the king so he could receive her counsel as he made judgments.

One cold winter night some Christians came to the land of Frisia. They had a love of God in their hearts and a passion to tell the story of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for all mankind. In the cold these missionaries stopped under the shelter of the sacred oak tree, and finding broken dried branches on the ground they built a fire to keep warm. It blazed bright and high licking the very branches of the sacred oak. In the distance, the castle guards saw the fire and sounded an alert. "They are trying to burn down our sacred tree!" Soon the entire countryside was filled with torches as warriors and Fostie's faithful rushed to the oak to avenge their god.

The troop of warriors and the priest of Fostie surrounded the Christians and bound them. "You were burning the sacred tree of our god." The priest said, "You will be thrown into the pit with the bears and wolves; but not tonight, we will wait until the full moon to celebrate our god and to deepen the hunger of the beast." The Christians were drug off despite their protest of innocence. Bound in a cage they could hear the bears and wolves howling in the nearby pit, it would be long days until the full moon.

About that time a traveling singer with a harp came to the land. He was invited to sing at the nightly feast for the king and his court. This was not the usual minstrel for he, too, was a believer in the Christian God. His songs were not of battle or hunt or vengeance on enemies, but he sang of one named Jesus. The minstrel sang of how Jesus walked among the poor and needy, how Jesus healed the sick and comforted those who despair. He sang how Jesus was betrayed by a trusted friend and how the Roman governor condemned him though finding no guilt in Jesus. He sang of the cross where Jesus died, the nails in his hands, and the crown of thorns given to mock him, and yet in his suffering, He forgave his enemies.

He sang of one named Jesus

Fostedina's eyes filled with tears as she heard the stories of Jesus' love and compassion. She could hardly keep from crying out as the tale was told about the whipping, mockery, and torture. She covered her weeping face in her hands as the minstrel sang of the crucifixion. After hearing about the victory of the resurrection she rejoiced because by then she had become a believer. She had trusted Jesus, he was her savior now and she vowed a princess's vow to follow him and his way as long as she had breath.

Not all who heard the songs were so moved, at the words Jesus spoke from the cross saying, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do," the warriors roared with rage. The priest stood up and declared, "We do not forgive our enemies. We are vengeance. Tomorrow the Christians will be given to the wolves."

Fostedina was troubled that night. She loved Jesus now and was one of his. The Christians were his children too, she could not allow them to be thrown to the bear pit. That night she took a lamp and silently slipped from the castle. Going with the stealth common to her warrior people she came before the cage that held the Christians without giving any alarm to the wolves.

"Quickly, you must leave this place," She whispered. "Go back to the south-lands and never come here again. If you do come back you will die a more terrible death than that of the wolves."

The bear and the wolves roared and howled as the Christians trotted past the pit.

As dawn's grey light spread across the dark land the escape was discovered. The people were enraged that they were robbed of their sport. "Who let the Christians escape?" the king demanded.

Fostedina came and knelt before the king. "It was I who let them go. For I too am a Christian and could not allow my brothers to die."

The priest threatened her and vowed vengeance. Fostedina stood unmoved by their curses and threats; she would face the wolves and the bears. "I would rather die than deny my Jesus, I will gladly suffer as he did."

The crown of iron thorns

"From your own mouth, you condemn yourself." The priest of Fostie shouted. "You will be like him then. Tomorrow at dawn you will stand in the city square from sunrise to sunset and you will wear a crown of thorns pressed down on your brow just like Jesus."

Anyone else would have taken the day as an opportunity to flee but she was a princess, and more- she was a Christian. Fostedina spent that day in prayer and readied herself for punishment. Remembering the prayer of Jesus in the garden she too prayed, "Father, if there is another way let this cup pass, but let your will be done not mine."

The sun rose over the crowded city square. All Frisia came to see the princess humiliated and tortured. The people were shocked at her beauty; for to make herself ready she put on the purest white doeskin dress, her glorious hair hung in golden cascades, the ivory of her skin seemed to glow as she presented herself at her best for Jesus sake.

She knelt as the pagan priest brought the iron crown fashioned to his wicked design by the blacksmith. The crown bristled with long razor-sharp spikes. Her blue eyes met his black eyes as she whispered "I forgive you." The priest rammed the thorny crown down on Fostdina's head. Red blood streamed out staining her face, hair, and dress as the priest gave it a twist of hatred. The people watched to see if she would cry out, beg for mercy, or call for help, but they were disappointed. Instead, her eyes were set to heaven and her lips moved in prayer for her tormentors. Throughout the day the princess stood as people threw mud, filth, and stable droppings at her, they spit in her face and jeered insults to her. Each time she whispered the words of her Savior on the cross. "Father, forgive them." Many people were ashamed of their countrymen for treating her so, and many more were ashamed afterword of themselves for taking part.

The priest rammed the crown on Fostdina's head

The day slowly melted in the afternoon haze as the sun set. Fostdina was faint with the loss of blood when she went to her cambers to be ministered to by her handmaid. The blood matted hair did not easily give up the iron crown and only after hours of soaking in water was the maid able to remove it. The cut flesh left jagged rows of raw skin and exposed bone.

Thereafter whenever the princess went about her royal duties or was seen in public all eyes were drawn to the horrible crisscross of scars on her brow and the raw patches of skin ringing her head. It was a testimony of her faithfulness to her God. Never did she speak with anger or bitterness but always had a gentle, humble, and loving spirit. As years passed the people's hearts were won by her Christian character and grace, and began to question the old gods; slowly the population became Christian. Churches were built in the land.

The old king died and Fostdina became queen. She ordered the sacred oak to be cut down and a church was built on its place. Her gracious nature became legend and suitors from all Europe sought her hand in marriage. She married a Christian prince and on her wedding day she wore a crown-shaped like a golden helmet, and when it was on her head it covered the scars of the iron crown of thorns.

Frostina is still honored today in her land and each year she is celebrated by young maidens who don a golden helmet.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the country Frisia.

(C)Adron Dozat 3/31/12

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