Atheist
A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver.  The only religious influence on his life came from his outspoken Christian friend.  The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.  One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended.  The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright there was plenty of light to practice by.  The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall.  The shadow of his body, was in the shape of a cross.  Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life.  As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turn the lights on.  The pool had been drained for repairs. 

                        

  GOD WALKS BESIDE YOU

When life's road seems dark & foreboding,
   And the hills too steep to climb,
And you just know you're going to stumble
   In just "a matter of time,"
Don't ever stop walking-just slow down,
   And you'll find some time each day
To enjoy the countless wonders
   God has placed along the way.
If the going ever gets too tough
   And you could use a friend-
Remember-God walks beside you,
   As He will till your journey's end.
Just reach out and call His name.
   He'll gently take your hand.
He'll guide you and protect you,
   And help you understand...
That life is never easy.
   There will be joy and sorrow,
But if you learn to turn to Him,
   He'll get you through each "tomorrow."
                 Submitted by Verna Berecky

Three Doctors

Three doctors are waiting in line to get into the pearly gates. St. Peter walks out and asks the first one, "What have you done to enter Heaven?" "I am a pediatrician and have brought thousands of the Lord's babies into the world." "Good enough to enter the gates," replied St. Peter and in he goes. The same question is asked of the second doctor. "I am a general practioner and go to Third World countries three times a year to cure the poor." St. Peter is impressed and allows him through the gates. The third doctor steps up in line and knowing the question, blurts out, "I am a director of a HMO."

St. Peter meditates on this for a while and then says, "Fine, you can enter Heaven...but only for 2 days."

Ship Wrecked

     A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.  The two survivors, not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to God.
     However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite sides of the island.
     The first thing they prayed for was food.  The next morning, the first man saw a fruit bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit.  The other man's parcel of land remained barren.
     After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife.  The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land.  On the other side of the island, there was nothing.
     Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food.  The next day, like magic, all of these were given to him.  However, the second man still had nothing.
     Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could leave the island.  In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of the island.
     The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.  He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.  As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"
     "My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them," the first man answered.  "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything."
     "You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him.  "He had only one prayer, which I answered.  If not for that, you would not have received any of my blessings."
     "Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?"
     "He prayed that all your prayers be answered."
     For all we know, our blessing are not the fruits of our prayers alone, but those of another praying for us!