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In this document you find texts from all flashes from e-water.net. It can be used as a source for group discussions. Just print out the desired sheets and start the discussion with some provocative questions. The text rights are reserved to the authors. Sincerely yours, 

Michael Graber www.e-water.net

Flash texts of e‐water.net 

E-Water

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Love Letter  Text: Barry Adams, fathersloveletter.com Images: istockphoto.com, fotolia.com 

Love letter – God has written you a letter

My Child, You may not know me, but I know everything about you. (Psalm 139:1)

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. I am familiar with all your ways. (Psalm 139:3)

For you were made in my image. (Genesis 1:27) You are my offspring. (Acts 17:28)

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. (Psalm 139:15-16)

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. (Acts 17:26)

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

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My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. (Psalm 139:17-18) And I rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. (Psalm 34:18) As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. (Isaiah 40:11)

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. (Revelation 21:3-4)

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. (Romans 8:31-32)

My question is: Will you be my child? (John 1:12-13)

I am waiting for you. (Luke 15:11-32)

Love, Your Dad - Almighty God

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One simple carpenter...  Text: after »One Solitary Life« by James Allan Francis (1926) Images: istockphoto.com, The Passion of The Christ 

One simple carpenter...

He was born in a little village, the child of a peasant woman.

He learned to be a carpenter, and worked in his father's carpentry business until he was thirty years old.

Then he spent three years as an itinerant preacher, telling people about God and God's love.

He never wrote any book. He never held any office.

He never went to a university. He never had a family or a house of his own.

He never travelled more than 200 miles from the place he was born. He never commanded a great army and never won any wars - for he opposed violence.

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He was always loving towards his fellow-humans - even his enemies.

When he was only thirty-three years old, public opinion turned against him. His friends betrayed and deserted him.

He was turned over to his enemies and endured taunting and spitting at his trial.

Despite being innocent, he was nailed to a cross between two common criminals.

When he was dead, he was laid in a borrowed grave.

But the story of this man does not end here... By his death and resurrection people were freed from sin.

Since then, many centuries have come and gone...

All armies ever to have marched, all ships ever to have sailed the seas, all parliaments that ever sat, all kings that ever reigned, ... have not had such a profound influence on the people of this planet as did this carpenter's life.

Give him some influence over your life, and you will see miracles happen.

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Psalm 121  Text: Psalm 121.1‐8, »New International Version« Images: webshots.com 

I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Verses 1 and 2)

He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Verses 3 - 5a)

The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. (Verses 5b and 6)

The Lord will keep you from all harm, he will watch over your life. The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and for evermore. (Verses 7 and 8)

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Irish Blessing  Text: Author unknown Images: istockphoto.com, fotolia.com 

Irish Blessing

I wish you not a path devoid of clouds, Nor a life on a bed of roses,

not that you might never need regret, nor that you should never feel pain. No, that is not my wish for you.

My wish for you is: That you might be brave in times of trial, when others lay crosses upon your shoulders.

When mountains must be climbed and chasms are to be crossed; when hope scarce can shine through.

That every gift God gave you might grow along with you. And let you give the gift of joy to all who care for you.

That you may always have a friend who is worth that name. Whom you can trust, and who helps you in times of sadness. Who will defy the storms of daily life at your side.

One more wish I have for you: That in every hour of joy and pain you may feel God close to you.

This is my wish for you, and for all who care for you. This is my hope for you, now and forever.

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Beatitudes  Text: Matthew 5:1‐10, »New International Version« Images: pbase.com 

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. And he began to teach them, saying:

»Blessed are the poor in spirit - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn - for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek - for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness - for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful - for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart - for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers - for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness - for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.«

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A very special man  Text: Gospel of John, »New International Version« Images: pbase.com, istockphoto.com 

Once upon a time, 2000 years ago, there was a man who lived in the Middle East. This man was called Jesus, and he travelled throughout the land to speak to people and to heal the sick and the disabled. Those who knew him closely were aware that this Jesus was a very special man.

It was said that he was a prophet. Others took him for a poet. Some saw him as a magician. Others still, a politician. But what did Jesus say about himself?

»I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.« (John 8:12)

»I am the vine. You are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.« (John 15:5)

»I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.« (John 6:35)

»I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.« (John 10:11)

»I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.« (John 10:9)

»I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.« (John 14:6)

»I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies.« (John 11:25)

Because Jesus claimed to be God's son, he was put to death. Do you believe Jesus?

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... about sorrows  Text: various Texts from the Bible, »New International Version« Images: webshots.com, istockphoto.com 

O God, do not ignore my plea. Hear me and answer me. My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught. (Psalm 55:2-3)

Listen to me, you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and grey hairs I am he. I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (Isaiah 46:3-4)

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? (Luke 12:25)

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? (Matthew 6:25)

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

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Space Flash  Text: Psalm 8:4‐5, »New International Version« Images: Greg Martin, gallery.artofgregmartin.com 

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place.

What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that

you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.

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Prayer of hope Text: Sabine Naegeli Images: istockphoto.com, fotolia.com, webshots.com 

Prayer of hope

I cannot do it on my own strength, Lord, but by the power of your Spirit I renew my commitment to you.

My wish is to belong to you completely, with all of my heart.

Though my predicament is hard to bear, I still confess: You are my God.

You are hidden from me more than ever, yet in you I long to trust.

My life has never been more hopeless, but you know the way.

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I do not feel your love, but neither can I rely on my feelings.

I am yours forever.

It is you who plumbs the depths of my fear and knows what faith I lack.

You care about my weakness.

Even when I am forsaken, you are here.

I will not be broken by this, for it is you who watches over me. Amen.

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Psalm 139  Text: Psalm 139:1‐12, »New International Version« Images: istockphoto.com 

Psalm 139

O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. (Verses 1 and 2)

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. (Verse 3)

Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. (Verse 4)

You hem me in- behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. (Verse 5)

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. (Verse 6)

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? (Verse 7)

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If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. (Verse 8)

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. (Verses 9 and 10)

If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, (Verse 11)

... even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Verse 12)

Psalm 139 Verses 1 – 12

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Headlines  Text: e‐water.net and C. S. Lewis, translated by Charles Mitchell Images: webshots.com 

The sun – UK's biggest selling newspaper What a shocker! Jew claims he's God's son!

Yesterday we reported about a Middle Eastern hippie carpenter (30) called Jesus. And today this upstart's driving everyone up the wall. He claims he's God's son! Just imagine!

People have been quick to react. "What an incredible guy!" "He's had one too many!" "Unmitigated blasphemy!" "That's a pretty tall story"

Certainly a tall story! The Sun's team wonders if there's any truth to it.

Well, that's a good question... What makes somebody claim they're God's son?

If somebody claims to be God's son, there are three options: 1. He's a liar. But will a liar let himself be killed for his lie?

2. He's a madman. But can a madman put his finger on people's weaknesses so well?

3. He really is God's son. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29)

You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God.

But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.

He did not intend to. From "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis

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Admirers and disciples  Text: Søren Kierkegaard, translated by Charles Mitchell Images: istockphoto.com 

Jesus does not want admirers but disciples

Admirers commend the great deeds of Jesus in the world of yesteryear. Disciples know that Jesus wants to be present in the world today.

Admirers deftly dodge an irrevocable decision for Jesus. Disciples unreservedly connect their fate to Jesus' fate.

Admirers are thrilled by Jesus today and thrilled by another one tomorrow. Disciples cannot undo their change of Master.

Admirers ask: What can Jesus give to me? Disciples ask: What can I give to Jesus?

Admirers love to bask frequently in the light of Jesus. Disciples love to turn willingly to alleviate the world's misery.

No - Jesus does not want admirers; he can do without them. But not without disciples. Søren Kierkegaard

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Paradise  Images: istockphoto.com, fotolia.com  

A walk in His garden

   

    

 

     

   

  

     

I'm looking forward to ...