Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his room-mate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The man described the park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn’t hear the band – he could see it in his mind’s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Then unexpectedly, a sinister thought entered his mind. Why should the other man alone experience all the pleasures of seeing everything while he himself never got to see anything? It didn’t seem fair. At first thought the man felt ashamed. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window – that thought, and only that thought now controlled his life. Late one night as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running in. In less than five minutes the coughing and choking stopped, along with that the sound of breathing. Now there was only silence-deathly silence. The following morning the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take it away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the world outside. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, “Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”

Epilogue. . . .
You can interpret the story in any way you like. But one moral stands out: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can’t buy.

Source: Internet email

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A young man began his studies at a well-known university, and had to get around on crutches everywhere he went. He was a friendly, gregarious, and positive person, and he earned the respect and friendship of many of his fellow students.

One day a friend asked him what had happened that necessitated the crutches. He replied, “Infantile paralysis,” and seemed to close the conversation. But the friend was insistent, and continued, “With something as bad as that, how in the world can you face the world so cheerfully?”

“Oh,” the young man responded, “the disease never touched my heart.”

It’s all attitude, and we can choose.

Source: Unknown

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A close friend of mine was asked back to his forty-year high school reunion. For months he saved to take his wife back to the place and the people he’d left four decades before. The closer the time came for the reunion, the more excited he became, thinking of all the wonderful stories he would hear about the changes and the accomplishments these old friends would tell him. One night before he left he even pulled out his old yearbooks, read the silly statements and the good wishes for the future that students write to each other. He wondered what ol’ Number 86 from his football team had done. He wondered if any others had encountered this Christ who had changed him so profoundly. He even tried to guess what some of his friends would look like, and what kind of jobs and families some of these special friends had. The day came to leave and I drove them to the airport. Their energy was almost contagious. “I’ll pick you up on Sunday evening, and you can tell me all about it,” I said. “Have a great time.”

Sunday evening arrived. As I watched them get off the plane, my friend seemed almost despondent. I almost didn’t want to ask, but finally I said, “Well, how was the reunion?” “Tim,” the man said, “it was one of the saddest experiences of my life.” “Good grief,” I said, more than a little surprised. “What happened?” “It wasn’t what happened but what didn’t happen. It has been forty years, forty years — and they haven’t changed. They had simply gained weight, changed clothes, gotten jobs…but they hadn’t really changed. And what I experienced was maybe one of the most tragic things I could ever imagine about life. For reasons I can’t fully understand, it seems as though some people choose not to change.”

There was a long silence as we walked back to the car. On the drive home, he turned to me and said, “I never, never want that to be said of me, Tim. Life is too precious, too sacred, too important. If you ever see me go stagnant like that, I hope you give me a quick, swift kick where I need it — for Christ’s sake. I hope you’ll love me enough to challenge me to keep growing.”

Author: Tim Hansel
Source: Holy Sweat, Word Books Publisher, 1987, Page 54-55

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Commitment to God often comes in difficult circumstances. When death seemed so close to Delos Miles in a bunker in North Korea, he began to pray. As he lay on the ground, a Chinese soldier put a rifle to his head. Miles prayed something like this: “Lord, if you are all-powerful like I’ve always heard you are, you can bring me out of here alive. If you will save my life, I’ll do anything you want me to do.”

The soldier fired. Instead of going through Delos’ head, the bullet went down across the right side of his head.

After 18 hours in that bunker pretending to be dead and 3 days and nights searching, Delos made it back to the First Marine Division. He now serves as Professor of Evangelism at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

For the complete story see Delos Miles, Introduction to Evangelism
(Nashville: Broadman Press, 1983, p171-173)

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Bob Richards, the former pole-vault champion, shares a moving story about a skinny young boy who loved football with all his heart.

Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere.

At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played.

This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.

This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him, but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn’t want to. But the young man loved football, and decided to hang in there.

He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he’d get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench-warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.

When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a “walk-on.” Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always put his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed.

The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big playoff game, the coach met him with a telegram.

The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, “My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?” The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, “Take the rest of the week off, son. And don’t even plan to come back to the game on Saturday.”

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room, put on his football gear, and as he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. “Coach, please let me play. I’ve just got to play today,” said the young man.

The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in.

“All right,” he said. “You can go in.”

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked, and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied.

In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard.

Finally, after the stands had emptied, and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner, all alone. The coach came to him and said, “Kid, I can’t believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?”

He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, “Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?” The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, “Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!”

Like the athlete’s father, God is always there cheering for us. He’s always reminding us to go on. He’s even offering us His hand for He knows what is best, and is willing to give us what we need and not simply what we want.

God has never missed a single game. What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest. Live for HIM, for He’s watching us in the game of life!

Source:Unknown

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A parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule ‘braying’ — or –whatever mules do when they fall into wells.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened…and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back…a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back… HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” he repeated to encourage himself.

No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!

You’re right! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him… All because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. Hey, that’s life!

If we face our problems and respond to them positively and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity… the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us!

Remember that forgiveness — faith — prayer — praise and hope all are excellent ways to “shake it off and step up” out of the wells in which we find ourselves!

Life Is Either A Daring Adventure Or Nothing At All.
-Helen Keller

The Pessimist Complains About the Wind;
The Optimist Expects It to Change;
And the Realist Adjusts the Sails.
-William Arthur Ward

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Behind the scenes of an Arizona circus, Bobb Biehl started chatting with a man who trains animals for Hollywood movies:

How is it that you can stake down a ten-ton elephant with the same size stake that you use for this little fellow?” I asked, pointing to a baby elephant who weighed three hundred pounds. “It’s easy . . . ” the trainer said. “When they are babies, we stake them down. They try to tug away from the stake maybe ten thousand times before they realize that they can’t possibly get away. At that point, their ‘elephant memory’ takes over and they remember for the rest of their lives that they can’t get away from the stake.”

Humans are sometimes like elephants. When we are teenagers, some unthinking, insensitive, unwise person says, “He’s not very good at planning,” or “She’s not a leader,” or “Their team will never make it,” and zap, we drive a mental stake into our minds. Often when we become mature adults, we are still held back by some inaccurate one-sentence “stake” put in our minds when we were young. Today you are an adult capable of much more than you realize. You are far more capable than you were even twelve months ago, and next year you will be able to do things you can’t imagine doing today.”

Author: Bobb Biehl
Source: Masterplanning

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He was the primary instrument that God used to kindle the fires of the Great Awakening. In Enfield, Connecticut, he preached a message entitled, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God,” which may be the most famous sermon in American history.

Yet, Jonathan Edwards was marked by physical weakness. He was a very frail man. He was asthmatic. It was not unusual for him to wheeze, cough, and hack while preaching. He read his sermons from a prepared manuscript. He read them at a very low volume because his voice was so weak. People often had to strain to hear him.

He had horrible eyesight. His eyesight was so poor, that not only did he have to wear thick glasses, but to read them, he had to hold his message about an inch from his nose. Yet, in spite of his disabilities, when he preached, the power of God fell in such a manner, that people often writhed in conviction. He, as much as any other, was the instrument that God used to bring revival to America in the mid-1700’s.

Source: Unknown

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I’ve learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.
I’ve learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don’t care back.
I’ve learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.
I’ve learned that it’s not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.
I’ve learned that you can get by on charm for about 15 minutes. After that, you’d better know something.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t compare yourself to the best others can do, but to the best you can do.
I’ve learned that it’s not what happens to people that’s important. It’s what they do about it.
I’ve learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you a heartache for life.
I’ve learned that no matter how thin you slice it, there are always two sides.
I’ve learned that it’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
I’ve learned that it’s a lot easier to react than it is to think.
I’ve learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.
I’ve learned that you can keep going long after you think you can’t.
I’ve learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
I’ve learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.
I’ve learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.
I’ve learned that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I’ve learned that learning to forgive takes practice.
I’ve learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don’t know how to show it.
I’ve learned that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I’ve learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.
I’ve learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down may be the ones to help you get back up.
I’ve learned that I’m getting more and more like my grandma, and I’m kinda happy about it.
I’ve learned that sometimes when I’m angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
I’ve learned that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I’ve learned that just because someone doesn’t love you the way you want them to doesn’t mean they don’t love you with all they have.
I’ve learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
I’ve learned that you should never tell a child her dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a tragedy it would be if she believed it.
I’ve learned that your family won’t always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren’t related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren’t biological.
I’ve learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I’ve learned that it isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I’ve learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
I’ve learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I’ve learned that sometimes when my friends fight, I’m forced to choose sides even when I don’t want to.
I’ve learned that just because two people argue, it doesn’t mean they don’t love each other. And just because they don’t argue, it doesn’t mean they do.
I’ve learned that sometimes you have to put the individual ahead of their actions.
I’ve learned that we don’t have to change friends if we understand that friends change.
I’ve learned that if you don’t want to forget something, stick it in your underwear drawer.
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.
I’ve learned that the clothes I like best are the ones with the most holes in them.
I’ve learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.
Mediocrity knows nothing higher than itself, but talent instantly recognizes genius.

Attributed to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Source: Unknown

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A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice at his father and said, “with all your money, you give me a Bible?” and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realised his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago.

With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt.7:11; “And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?”

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation,and the words “PAID IN FULL.”

How many times did we miss God’s blessings because we can’t see past our own desires?

Author: Unknown

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A flock of wild ducks were flying in formation, heading south for the winter. They formed a beautiful V in the sky, and were admired by everyone who saw them from below.

One day, Wally, one of the wild ducks in the formation, spotted something on the ground that caught his eye. It was a barnyard with a flock of tame ducks who lived on the farm. They were waddling around on the ground, quacking merrily and eating corn that was thrown on the ground for them every day.

Wally liked what he saw. “It sure would be nice to have some of that corn,” he thought to himself. “And all this flying is very tiring. I’d like to just waddle around for a while.” So after thinking it over a while, Wally left the formation of wild ducks, made a sharp dive to the left, and headed for the barnyard. He landed among the tame ducks, and began to waddle around and quack merrily. He also started eating corn.

The formation of wild ducks continued their journey south, but Wally didn’t care. “I’ll rejoin them when they come back north in a few months, he said to himself.

Several months went by and sure enough, Wally looked up and spotted the flock of wild ducks in formation, heading north. They looked beautiful up there. And Wally was tired of the barnyard. It was muddy and everywhere he waddled, nothing but duck doo. “It’s time to leave,” said Wally.

So Wally flapped his wings furiously and tried to get airborne. But he had gained some weight from all his corn-eating, and he hadn’t exercised his wings much either. He finally got off the ground, but he was flying too low and slammed into the side of the barn. He fell to the ground with a thud and said to himself, “Oh, well, I’ll just wait until they fly south in a few months. Then I’ll rejoin them and become a wild duck again.”

But when the flock flew overhead once more, Wally again tried to lift himself out of the barnyard. He simply didn’t have the strength. Every winter and every spring, he saw his wild duck friends flying overhead, and they would call out to him. But his attempts to leave were all in vain.

Eventually Wally no longer paid any attention to the wild ducks flying overhead. He hardly even noticed them. He had, after all, become a barnyard duck.

Sometimes we get tired of being wild ducks-followers of Jesus Christ. It’s not always easy to be obedient to God and to discipline ourselves to hang in there for the long haul. When we are feeling that way, that’s when Satan tempts us to “fall out of formation” and to join the barnyard ducks – the world.

But look what happened to Wally. He thought he would just “check it out” for awhile and then leave when he wanted to. But he couldn’t do it. Sin is like that. Sin is a trap, and it has a way of changing us into people we don’t even want to become. Eventually we lose touch with who we really are – the sons and daughters of the Most High. We become barnyard ducks.

Author: Wayne Rice
Source: Unknown

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A farmer one day came to the stables to see to his beasts of burden: among them was his favourite donkey, that was always well fed and often carried his master. With the Farmer came his Lapdog, who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about as happy as could be. The Farmer felt in his pocket, gave the Lapdog some food, and sat down while he gave his orders to his servants. The Lapdog jumped into his master’s lap, and lay there blinking while the Farmer stroked his ears.

The donkey, seeing this, broke loose from his halter and commenced prancing about in imitation of the Lapdog. The Farmer could not hold his sides with laughter, so the donkey went up to him, and putting his feet upon the Farmer’s shoulder attempted to climb into his lap. The Farmer’s servants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and soon taught the donkey he was no lap dog.

Happiness is found in being who you are and not in being someone else!

Source: Aesop’s Fables

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I asked God to take away my pride,
And God said, “No.” He said it was not
for Him to take away. But for me to give up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole,
And God said, “No.” He said her spirit is whole,
Her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience,
And God said,”No.” He said that patience
is a by product of tribulation.
It isn’t granted, it’s earned.

I asked God to give me happiness,
And God said, “No.” He said He gives
blessings, Happiness is up to me.

I asked God to spare me pain,
And God said, “No.” He said, “Suffering
draws you apart from worldly
Cares and brings you close to Me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow,
And God said, “No.” He said I must grow on my
own. But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God to help me love others,
As much as He loves me, And God said,
“Ah, finally, you have the idea.”

Author: Claudia Minden Weisz

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“This is a reminder of the legacy we have been given and the responsibility we have to pass it on to our children and those that we mentor by our example and words.

He was 11 years old and went fishing every chance he got from a dock at his family’s cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake.

On the day before the bass season opened, he and his father were fishing early in the evening, catching some fish and perch with worms. Then he tied on a small silver lure and practiced casting. The lure struck the water and caused colored ripples in the sunset, thin silver ripples as the moon rose over the lake.

When his pole doubled over, he knew something huge was on the other end. His father watched with admiration as the boy skillfully worked the fish along side the dock. Finally, he very gingerly lifted the exhausted fish from the water. It was the largest one he had ever seen, but it was a bass. The boy and his father looked at the handsome fish, gills playing back and forth in the moonlight. The father lit a match and looked at his watch. It was 10 pm — two hours before the season opened. He looked at the fish, then at the boy. ‘You’ll have to put it back, son,’ he said. ‘Dad!’ cried the boy. ‘There will be another fish,’ said his father. ‘Not as big as this one,’ cried the boy. He looked around the lake. No other fishermen or boats were around in the moonlight. He looked again at his father. Even though no one had seen them, nor could anyone ever know what time he caught the fish, the boy could tell by the clarity of his father’s voice that the decision was not negotiable. He slowly worked the hook out of the lip of the huge bass and lowered it into the blackwater. The creature swished its powerful body and disappeared. The boy suspected that never again would he see such a great fish.

That was 34 years ago. Today, the boy is a successful architect in New York City. His father’s cabin is still there on the island in the middle of the lake. He takes his own son and daughters fishing from the same dock. He was right. He has never again caught such a magnificent fish as the one he landed that night long ago. But he does see that same fish–again and again–every time he comes up against a question of ethics. For, as his father taught him, ethics are simple matters of right and wrong. It is only the practice of ethics that is difficult. Do we do right when no one is looking? Do we refuse to cut corners to get the design in on time? Or refuse to trade stocks based on information that we aren’t supposed to have? We would if we were taught to put the fish back when we were young. For we would have learned the truth.

The decision to do right lives fresh and fragrant in our memory. It is a story we will proudly tell our friends and our grandchildren. Not about how we had a chance to beat the system and took it, but about how we did the right thing and were forever strengthened.”

Author: Unknown

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The Master called my name one day because he needed someone to go.

I said “Lord, in my spare time, between school, spending time with my husband, working from 8 to 6, and trying to coordinate a program for my community to help our children do better, I will help you look”.

“See, I know I can’t go right now cause I have so much to do”.

He said, “Well where shall I find such a person? I thought I saw your name on my list of available people”.

“Well Lord, that was the prayer that I prayed last year, but since then, things have changed”.

He said “Like what?”

“Well I’m working on my Ph.D. and I’m needed by so many people and my husband is always wanting something done, and on top of that my community EXPECTS me to help and give to them so…”.

“Well, seeing that you’re busy, I’ll let you go. But we will talk again if YOU have some time”.

I went on through the days, and the weeks, and the months completing my tasks as always. One evening, while studying for my comp exams, I received a call from the hospital concerning my husband. He had been in a terrible accident and was in critical condition. I dropped everything and ran to the hospital where I found my husband hanging on for dear life. I immediately began to pray “Lord, don’t take him now, I can’t bare it” but my prayer echoed off the wall and returned into my ear.

That next morning I left the hospital tired and weary, and walked in the door of my classroom just in time to begin my comps. As the professors begin asking me questions I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

In my mind, I began praying, praying hard, but my prayer echoed again and I found myself upset at the Lord because he was nowhere to be found. I could not explain to them what was happening.

After leaving from my exams, I called in to work because I was so distraught at all that was going on. I explained to my supervisor what had happened and she demanded that I take some time off.

After visiting my husband in the hospital that evening, I went home and fell into a sunken state, crying and despairing. Just then I heard someone calling my name.

“Lord, is that YOU?”

“Well yes it is. Do YOU have some time? I wanted to see if I could just talk….”

Instead of waiting to hear his questions, I lashed out in anger and resentment. “How is it that when I needed you today, YOU couldn’t be found and last night I cried and cried but all I heard were echoes from the walls.

My husband is dying, I’m flunking out of school, I may not have a job and you can just sit and say YOU want to talk”?

The Lord interrupted me in my foolish speaking. “My child, I was busy, out looking for someone to go and tell others about me when you cried. By the time I came to answer, you had moved on to something else. So I decided to let your husband rest, and keep you home for a few days. That way MAYBE you would get in touch with me, if YOU had some time. For you see, before your husband, the community or your job needs you, I NEED YOU. And if all these thing take you away from me, I have to almost take them away from YOU, in order to get a moment”.

I calmed down and began to cry. For I remembered my prayer of wanting to go and do for the Lord. He said “I just wanted to recheck with you to see if you knew of ANYONE that I could send to be a witness for me and tell others about me…anyone at all…”?

With tears in my eyes and feeling so unworthy I said “Lord, send me, I’ll go”.

The Lord should never have to ask us if we have some time. When he died on the cross he put aside everything to insure us eternal life. We should be more than GRATEFUL to do service for the Lord, to witness, and to tell ANYONE we can about Jesus. Don’t let your “things”, WHATEVER they may be, get you so tied up that the Lord has to become a meeting time in your yearly planner.

He has more than enough time for us. The least we could do is have time for him.

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When I was a boy my dad got a new beagle pup from a neighbor of ours. The pup had been born and raised in a barn with cows. So when we got him he immediately moved in at our barn with our fatting calves. During the day you could look out the window of the house and see that crazy pup playing in the barnlot with the calves. And at night you could always find him sleeping in the manger near the calves. We concluded that he must think he was a calf. But as the pup got older a strange thing began to happen. He spent more and more time at the house with the dogs and less and less time at the barn with the calves. You see as he grew up he realized what he was and began to act like it. In many ways this aptly describes the process of Christian growth. As we grow in Christ we realize who we are and begin to act like it.

Author: Dan Upchurch, Pastor, 1st Baptist Church Bismarck, MO

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Heard: “Pastor, I want you to know why I do not come to your church–There are hypocrites in it.”
Reply: “There’s room for one more!”

Even the church that Jesus pastored on earth had imperfections:
1. The Church Council went to sleep rather than pray with the pastor
2. James & John wanted to call down fire on another denomination
3. Peter denied ever knowing the pastor
4. His financial administrator betrayed the pastor (Judas)
5. Thomas refused to accept the word of the church council and other members
6. “They all forsook Him” at the judgement hall (Mt. 26:56)

Author: Mavis Williams

If you should find the perfect church, Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don’t join that Church, you’d spoil the atmosphere.
If you should find the perfect church, Where all anxieties cease,
Then pass it by, lest joining it You mar the masterpiece.
If you should find the perfect church, then don’t you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground, You’d be a misfit there.
But since no perfect church exists, made of imperfect men,
Then let’s cease looking for that church & love the church we’re in.
Of course, it’s not a perfect church, That’s simple to discern,
But you and I and all of us could cause the tide to turn.
What fools we are to flee our post in that unfruitful search.
To find at last where problems loom, God proudly builds His church.
So let’s keep working in our church, until the resurrection,
And then we each will join that church Without an imperfection.

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I wasted an hour one morning beside a mountain stream,
I seized a cloud from the sky above and fashioned myself a dream,
In the hush of the early twilight, far from the haunts of men,
I wasted a summer evening, and fashioned my dream again.
Wasted? Perhaps. Folk say so who never have walked with God,
When lanes are purple with lilacs and yellow with goldenrod.
But I have found strength for my labors in that one short evening hour.
I have found joy and contentment; I have found peace and power.
My dreaming has left me a treasure, a hope that is strong and true.
From wasted hours I have built my life and found my faith anew.

Source: Unknown

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A Ft. Lauderdale advertising agency launched a billboard campaign (including the inside and outside of buses) that included 17 different messages from God. This non-denominational campaign was sponsored by an anonymous client.

1. “Let’s Meet At My House Sunday Before the Game” – God
2. “C’mon Over And Bring The Kids” – God
3. “What Part of “Thou Shalt Not…” Didn’t You Understand?” – God
4. “We Need To Talk” – God
5. “Keep Using My Name in Vain And I’ll Make Rush Hour Longer” – God
6. “Loved The Wedding, Invite Me To The Marriage” – God
7. “That “Love Thy Neighbor” Thing, I Meant It.” – God
8. “I Love You…I Love You…I Love You…” – God
9. “Will The Road You’re On Get You To My Place?” – God
10. “Follow Me.” – God
11. “Big Bang Theory, You’ve Got To Be Kidding.” – God
12. “My Way Is The Highway.” – God
13. “Need Directions?” – God
14. “You Think It’s Hot Here?” – God
15. “Tell The Kids I Love Them.” – God
16. “Need a Marriage Counselor? I’m Available.” – God
17. “Have You Read My #1 Best Seller? There Will Be A Test.” – God

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Bertoldo de Giovanni is a name even the most enthusiastic lover of art is unlikely to recognize. He was the pupil of Donatello, the greatest sculptor of his time, and he was the teacher of Michelangelo, the greatest sculptor of all time.

Michelangelo was only 14 years old when he came to Bertoldo, but it was already obvious that he was enormously gifted. Bertoldo was wise enough to realize that gifted people are often tempted to coast rather than to grow, and therefore he kept trying to pressure his young prodigy to work seriously at his art. One day he came into the studio to find Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities.

Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting this unforgettable message, “Michelangelo, talent is cheap; dedication is costly!”

We have nothing to do with how much ability we’ve got, or how little, but with what we do with what we have.

Author: Gary Inrig
Source: A Call to Excellence

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As you plant, may I suggest the following rules for your Church garden:

PLANT three rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash criticism
3. Squash indifference

PLANT seven rows of peas:
1. Prayer
2. Promptness
3. Perseverance
4. Politeness
5. Preparedness
6. Purity and
7. Patience

Of LETTUCE:
1. Let us be unselfish and loyal
2. Let us be faithful to duty
3. Let us search the scriptures
4. Let us not be weary in well-doing
5. Let us be obedient in all things
6. Let us be truthful
7. Let us love one

NO GARDEN is complete without turnips:
1. Turn up for church
2. Turn up for meetings, in prayer, and Bible study
3. Turn up with a smile, even when things are difficult
4. Turn up with determination to do your best in God’s service.

AFTER PLANTING, may you “Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (II Peter 3:18) and may you reap rich results.

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…one of the most popular aquarium fish is the shark. …if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay a size proportionate to the aquarium. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet. That also happens to some Christians. I’ve seen some of the cutest little six-inch Christians who swim around in a little puddle. But if you put them into a larger arena–into the whole creation–only then can they become great.

Author: Charles Simpson

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A man was on the side of the road with a large birdcage. A boy noticed that the cage was full of birds of many kinds.

“Where did you get those birds?” he asked.

“Oh, all over the place,” the man replied. “I lure them with crumbs, pretend I’m their friend then when they are close, I net them and shove them into my cage.”

“And what are you going to do with them now?”

The man grinned, “I’m going to prod them with sticks, and get them really mad so they fight and kill each other. Those that survive, I will kill. None will escape.”

The boy looked steadily at the man.

What made him do such things? He looked into the cruel, hard eyes.

Then he looked at the birds, defenseless, without hope.

“Can I buy those birds?” the boy asked.

The man hid a smile, aware that he could be on to a good thing if he played his cards right. “Well,” he said hesitantly, “The cage is pretty expensive, and I spent a lot of time collecting these birds, I’ll tell you what I’ll do, I’ll let you have the lot, birds, cage and all for ten pounds and that jacket you’re wearing.”

The boy paused, ten pounds was all he had, and the jacket was new & very special, in fact it was his prized possession. Slowly, he took out the ten pounds and handed it over, then even more slowly he took off his jacket, gave it one last look then handed that over too.

And then (well, you’ve guessed it) he opened the door and let the birds go free.

In the meantime……..

The Enemy of the world, Satan, was on the side of life’s road with a very large cage. The man coming towards him noticed that it was crammed full of people of every kind, young, old, from every race and nation.

“Where did you get these people?” the man asked.

“Oh, from all over the world,” Satan replied. “I lure them with drink, drugs, lust, lies, anger, hate, love of money and all manner of things. I pretend I’m their friend, out to give them a good time, then when I’ve hooked them, into the cage they go.”

“And what are you going to do with them now?” asked the man.

Satan grinned. “I’m going to prod them, provoke them, get them to hate and destroy each other; I’ll stir up racial hatred, defiance of law and order; I’ll make people bored, lonely, dissatisfied, confused and restless. It’s easy. People will always listen to what I offer them and (what’s better) blame God for the outcome!”

“And then what?” the man asked. “Those who do not destroy themselves, I will destroy. None will escape me.”

The man stepped forward. “Can I buy these people from you?” he asked. Satan snarled, “Yes, but it will cost you your life.”

So Jesus Christ, the Son of God, paid for your release, your freedom from Satan’s trap, with His own life, on the cross at Calvary. The door is open, and anyone, whom Satan has deceived and caged, can be SET FREE.

WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD BUT LOSES HIS OWN SOUL?

Author: Unknown

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‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
(or A Visit from St. Nicholas)
by Clement Clarke Moore

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

“Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes–how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,

“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

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Praise Him for the incarnation,
for the word made flesh.
I will not sing of shepherds
watching flocks on frosty nights,
or angel choristers.
I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem,
or lowing oxen,
wise men trailing star with gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
Tonight I will sing praise to the Father
who stood on heaven’s threshold
and said farewell to his Son
as he stepped across the stars
to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son,
who became most finite, a baby
who would one day be executed for my crime.
Praise him in the heavens,
Praise him in the stable,
Praise him in my heart.

Author: Joseph Bayly

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What’s all this hectic rush and worry?
Where go these crowds who run and curry?
Why all the lights — the Christmas trees?
The jolly “fat man,” tell me please!
Why, don’t you know? This is the day
For parties and for fun and play;
Why this is Christmas! So this is Christmas, do you say?
But where is Christ this Christmas day?
Has He been lost among the throng?
His voice drowned out by empty song?
No. He’s not here — you’ll find Him where
Some humble soul now kneels in prayer,
Who knows the Christ of Christmas.
But see the many aimless thousands
Who gather on this Christmas Day,
Whose hearts have never yet been opened,
Or said to Him, “Come in to stay.”
In countless homes the candles burning,
In countless hearts expectant yearning
For gifts and presents, food and fun,
And laughter till the day is done.
But not a tear of grief or sorrow
For Him so poor He had to borrow
A crib, a colt, a boat, a bed
Where He could lay His weary head.
I’m tired of all this empty celebration,
Of feasting, drinking, recreation;
I’ll go instead to Calvary.
And there I’ll kneel with those who know
The meaning of that manger low,
And find the Christ — this Christmas.
I leap by faith across the years
To that great day when He appears
The second time, to rule and reign,
To end all sorrow, death, and pain.
In endless bliss we then shall dwell
With Him who saved our souls from hell,
And worship Christ — not Christmas!

Author: M. R. DeHaan, M.D. Founder, Radio Bible Class.

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“The minute I saw the book I started dreaming. When Dr. Billy Graham’s autogiography, ‘Just as I am’ was published, I longed to give a leather-bound copy to my friend Ney Bailey. Ney had trusted the Lord with Dr. Graham during the 1951 Shreveport, Louisiana, Crusade. Not just her spiritual father, Dr. Graham is also one of her heroes in the faith. I could think of nothing more delightful than for her to receive a copy of his book, personally inscribed by him to her.

So my quest began. I wanted it for a Christmas present, and I went after it like Indiana Jones pursued the lost ark. First I wrote Zondervan Publishing to obtain a leather-bound edition. Then I called Dr. Graham’s office. The book came quickly, but I received no response to my call for an autograph. I wrote a letter explaining how desperate I felt and how important this was. Four months passed. Nothing! I wrote again. Finally, a very sweet letter of apology came, advising me there would be no autograph due to Billy Graham’s ill health and his busy schedule. The unsigned book was enclosed. I was crushed. Tempted to give up, I kept thinking, it’s not over till it’s over. And, Lord, it ain’t over!

Less than a week later, I was having lunch with friends. We were engaged in enjoyable conversation about nothing in particular when Sheila Walsh casually mentioned her friend Ruth Graham. Ruth Graham? I thought. As in…Billy Graham? I was quiet, but my heart raced. Maybe my friend Sheila could lead me to the Holy Grail. Ahem,
Sheila,” I said casually, “not to change the subject, but how well do you know Ruth Graham?” Sheila popped back in her Scottish brogue, “She’s one of my best friends. I’m nuts about ‘er.”

I took a deep breath, trying to contain my excitement. Then I explained the whole thing to Sheila. “Give me the book,” she said, “I’ll see wha’ I cun do.” She went right to work on it, sending the book with a personal note to
Billy Graham. I prayed.

Three weeks passed. Nothing! Then…just before I was to be with Ney for Christmas, Sheila called, yelling into the phone, “Luci, the book came. It’s wonderful. Listen to what he said…” It was incredible. Sheila cried. I cried. And everybody who had been praying cried. But nobody cried like Ney. When Christmas morning came and she unwrapped that book, the tears began. They continued as she read aloud:

“To Ney Bailey,
God bless you always.
Billy Graham.
Philippians 1:6”

Ney exclaimed, “He knows my name! He knows my name!” It was an enormously gratifying moment worth all the waiting. Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.” That was such a reality to us that day. God had begun his work in Ney’s young heart in the Shreveport stadium years ago. Through the years, he had been faithful to continue. Ney had grown. And been used by him to lead thousands to Christ.

I was reminded through the whole scenario with the book that God is interested in the tiniest things in the world. He cares about us and what we consider important. He gives us the desires of our hearts. He completes what he begins. He knows us by name.”

Author: Luci Swindoll “OverJoyed” (Zondervan, 1999)

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I. Thou shalt not leave “Christ” out of Christmas, making it “Xmas.” To some, “X” is unknown.
II. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.
III. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.
IV. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.
V. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.
VI. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.
VII. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.
VIII. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.
IX. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
X. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list.

Source: Unknown

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My mother, a teacher, was having a hard time settling on a suitable role for one of her students in the Grade 3 Christmas pageant. Finally, she decided he should be the innkeeper, a role she felt he could handle. All he had to do was tell Joseph, “There is no room at the inn.”

Everything went fine at rehearsals, but when Joseph begged for a room for his pregnant wife during the first performance, the lad didn’t have the heart to turn him down. To everyone’s surprise, he said, “If it’s so urgent, please come in.”

That is exactly right on the money. Christmas is God saying to us, His heart is opened to all of us, He will NOT turn us down, or turn us away. There is room at heaven’s inn.

SOURCE: Alex Domokos of Winnipeg told in Readers Digest, Dec. 2004

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Sleep now, little one.
I’ll watch while you and your mother sleep.
I wish I could do more.
This straw is not good enough for you.
Back in Nazareth I’ll make a proper bed for you
of seasoned wood, smooth, strong, well-pegged.
A bed fit for a carpenter’s son.

Just waith till we get back to Nazareth.
I’ll teach you everything I know.
You’ll learn to choose the cedar wood, eucaylyptus and fir.
You’ll learn to use the drawshave, ax and saw.
Your arms will grow strong, your hands rough – like these.
You will bear the pungent smell of new wood
and wear shavings and sawdust in your hair.

You’ll be a man whose life centers
on hammer and nails and wood.
But for now,
Sleep, little Jesus, sleep.

Author: Ronald Allan Klug

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It’s just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas—oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it -overspending…the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma—the gifts given in desperation because you couldn’t think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way.

Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, mostly black. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.

As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light
helmet designed to protect a wrestler’s ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn’t acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, “I wish just one of them could have won,” he said. “They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them.”

Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That’s when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.

On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition—one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before
Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn’t end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more.

Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike’s spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.

Source: Unknown

Christmas Collection

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A CHRISTMAS PARTY

GUEST OF HONOR: Jesus Christ

DATE: Every day. Traditionally, December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible.

TIME: Whenever you’re ready. Please don’t be too late though, or you’ll miss out on all the fun.

PLACE: In your heart. He’ll meet you there–you’ll hear Him knock.

ATTIRE: Come as you are. Grubbies are okay as He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

TICKETS: Admission is free. He’s already paid for everyone. He says you wouldn’t have been able to afford it-it’s cost Him everything He had!

REFRESHMENTS: New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls “living water.” This will be followed by a supper, that promises to be out of this world!!

GIFT SUGGESTIONS: Your heart. He’s one of those people who already has everything else. (He’s very generous in return though-just wait until you see what He has for you ! )

ENTERTAINMENT: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise…and much more!
(All ‘G’ rated so bring your family and friends)

RSVP: Very Important! He must know ahead, so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, he’s keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life.”

PARTY GIVEN BY: His Kids. That’s us! Hope To See You There! Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear (linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints) Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb! Revelation 19:7-9

ALL OF YOU WHO WILL BE THERE-PLEASE SHARE
THIS INVITATION WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

Author Unknown

Christmas Collection

Santa lives at the North Pole.
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh.
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year.
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies.
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited.
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart.

You have to wait in line to see Santa.
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap.
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn’t know your name, all he can say is “Hi little boy or girl,what’s your name?”.
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly.
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO.
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

While Santa says “You better not cry”.
JESUS says “Cast all your cares on me for I care for you.”

Santa’s little helpers make toys.
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree.
JESUS became our gift and died on the tree.

Its obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.

Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Author Unknown

Christmas Collection

I had the nicest Christmas list,
The longest one in town,
Till Daddy looked at it and said,
“You’ll have to cut it down.”

I knew that what he said was true
Beyond the faintest doubt,
But was amazed to hear him say,
“You’ve left your best Friend out.”

And so I scanned my list again,
And said, “Oh, that’s not true!”
But Daddy said, “His name’s not there,
That Friend that died for you.”

And then I clearly understood,
‘Twas Jesus that he meant;
For Him who should come first of all
I hadn’t planned a cent!

I’d made a Christmas birthday list,
And left the Saviour out!
But, oh, it didn’t take me long
To change the list about.

And tho’ I’ve had to drop some names of folks I like a lot,
My Lord must have the most-because HIS NAME IS AT THE TOP!

-Author Unknown

Christmas Collection

A father and daughter were out shopping for a Christmas tree. The father wanted just the right tree, and pulled out 2-3 for his daughter to consider. After several false starts, the little girl ran up to her daddy all excited, saying, “Daddy, I found the perfect tree!” She led him over to it, and to his disappointment, he saw a small, wilted, almost lifeless tree. He said to her, ‘Honey, this tree is pathetic! It’s not anywhere near as pretty as the other trees.” To which his daughter replied, “I know, Daddy, but we can take it home and make it beautiful.
”

Christmas Collection

In days of old, when men were bold, and kings were commonplace,
A land was torn, until was born, a child of chosen race.

God as man, a special plan would rest within this child,
To save the land, and by his hand, redeem what men defiled.

A quiet night, in stable light, He came into the world,
Was born to die, be crucified, the prophesies foretold.

Men from afar, sought yonder star, to welcome God to earth,
And shepherd men, the message given, would celebrate his birth.

The word rings out, and angels shout, echoes of the joy,
“Peace on earth”, a Savior’s birth, new life from a new born boy.

A quiet night, in stable light, He came into the world,
Was born to die, be crucified, the prophesies foretold.”

Author: Ken Sapp – Christmas ’92

Christmas Collection

“When He saw the crowds, He felt sorry for them. They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is large, but the workers are few. So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest His crops.”
-Matthew 9:36,37

“I think Christ is awesome and wants us to be ‘awesomites.’ Humble awesomites representing His awesomeness nonetheless. More than conquerors! Christ and His Christians, changing things on the earth.

There are many wounded and hurting individuals ‘tied to trees’ around the world. You work with some, others live across the street. One of them probably just served you in a check-out line, seated you in a restaurant or served you food. Their chains are alcohol, drugs, abuse, broken dreams, rejection, money, lust…Well, you get the point.

Plan A is for supernatural, but ordinary, people like you and me to: (1) wholeheartedly believe in the victory of Calvary–to be convinced that it was complete and final and (2) to rise up in our role as sent ones, ambassadors, authorized representatives of the Victor. Our challenge is not so much to liberate as to believe in the Liberator; to heal as to believe in the Healer.

Plan B is to waste the Cross; to leave the tormented in their torment; to scream with our silence, ‘There is no hope!’; to hear the Father say again, ‘I looked but found no one”; to hear the Son cry once more, ‘The laborers! Where are the laborers?’

Come on, Church! Let’s untie some folks. Let’s tell them there is a God who cares. Let’s represent–let’s mediate–let’s intercede!”

Source: Dutch Sheets “Intercessory Prayer”
“How God Can Use Your Prayers to Move Heaven and Earth”

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One of God’s faithful missionaries, Allen Gardiner, experienced many physical difficulties and hardships throughout his service to the Savior. Despite his troubles, he said, “While God gives me strength, failure will not daunt me.” In 1851, at the age of 57, he died of disease and starvation while serving on Picton Island at the southern tip of South America. When his body was found, his diary lay nearby. It bore the record of hunger, thirst, wounds, and loneliness. The last entry in his little book showed the struggle of his shaking hand as he tried to write legibly. It read, “I am overwhelmed with a sense of the goodness of God.”

Source: Unknown

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During his years as premier of the Soviet Union, Nikita Khrushchev denounced many of the policies and atrocities of Joseph Stalin. Once, as he censured Stalin in a public meeting, Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. “You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t you stop him?” “Who said that?” roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, “Now you know why.”

Source: Today in the Word, July 13, 1993

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Would you consider abortion in the following 4 situations ?

1. There’s a preacher and wife who are very, very, poor. They already have 14 kids. Now she finds out she’s pregnant with 15th. They’re living in tremendous poverty. Considering their poverty the excessive world population, would you consider recommending she get an abortion?

2. The father is sick with sniffles, the mother has TB. They have 4 children. 1st is blind, 2nd is deaf, 3rd is deaf, 4th has TB. She finds she’s pregnant again. Given the extreme situation, would you consider recommending abortion?

3. A white man raped a 13 year old black girl and she got pregnant. If you were her parents, would you consider recommending abortion?

4. A teenage girl is pregnant. She’s not married. Her fiance is not the father of the baby, and he’s very upset. Would you consider recommending abortion?

In the first case, you have just killed John Wesley. One of the great evangelists in the 19th century.
In the second case, you have killed Beethoven.
In the third case, you have killed Ethel Waters, the great black gospel singer.
If you said yes to the fourth case, you have just committed the murder of Jesus Christ !!!!

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As I write this I’m at 35,000 feet. It’s 5:45 pm, Saturday. It should be 4:15. The airliner was an hour and half late. People are grumpy. Some are downright mad. Stewardesses are apologizing, promising extra booze to take off the edge. To complicate matters, a Japanese man across the aisle from me has a rather severe nosebleed and they’re trying to instruct the poor chap…but he doesn’t speak a work of English!

So now the meal is late. The lady on my left has a cold and makes an enormous sound when she sneezes (about every ninety seconds–I’ve timed her!) It’s something like a dying calf in a hail storm or a bull moose with one leg in a trap. Oh, one more thing. The sports film on golf just broke down and so did the nervous system of half the men on board. It’s a zoo!

It all started with the delay. ‘Mechanical trouble,’ they said. ‘Inexcusable,’ responded a couple of passengers. Frankly, I’d rather they fix it before we leave than decide to do something about it en route. But we Americans don’t like to wait. Delays are irritating. Aggravating. Nerve-jangling. With impatient predictability we are consistently–and I might add obnoxiously–demanding. We want what we want when we want it. Not one of us finds a delay easy to accept…

The ability to accept delay. Or disappointment. To smile back at setbacks and respond with a pleasant, understanding spirit. To cool it while others around you curse it. For a change, I refused to be hassled by today’s delay. I asked God to keep me calm and cheerful, relaxed and refreshed. Know what? He did. He *really* did! No pills. No booze. No hocus-pocus. Just relaxing in the power of Jesus.

I can’t promise you that others will understand. You see, I’ve got another problem now. Ever since takeoff I’ve been smiling at the stewardesses, hoping to encourage them. Just now I overheard one of them say to the other, ‘Watch that guy wearing glasses. I think he’s had too much to drink.”

Author: Charles R. Swindoll
Source: “Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life”

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To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: THE BOSS
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help.

If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic; don’t despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

– Author Unknown

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“Some years ago at the opening of a disarmament conference, in the midst of a speech of King George of England, someone tripped over the wires of the Columbia Broadcasting Company, tearing them loose and interrupting service. The chief operator quickly grasped the loose wires in his bare hands, holding them in contact, and for 20 minutes the current passed through him while repairs were being made. His hands were slightly burned, but through them the words of the king passed on to millions of listeners, and were heard distinctly. Without his courage and endurance, the king’s message would have failed to reach its destination.

“Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, has chosen to send His message of salvation to a lost and dying world through human means. Whatever the cost, the message must reach those who have never heard. Every faithful Christian who is willing is a human instrument through whom the King’s voice is reaching the lost with a message of deliverance, freedom and peace (vastly more important than the message from London.)

Source: Bill Bright – “A Handbook for Christian Maturity”
(A Campus Crusade for Christ book)

Scripture: Daniel 12:3

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One day a carpenter stopped by the house of an elderly couple he worked for. The husband joyfully insisted that he join them for some ice cream and cake because it was their 50th anniversary.

“Fifty years!” He exclaimed. “That’s a long time with one person!”

“It would have been a lot longer without her,” the husband replied.

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For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.

You say:”It’s impossible”
God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)

You say: “I’m too tired”
God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: “Nobody really loves me”
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

You say: “I can’t go on”
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 &> Psalm 1:15)

You say: “I can’t figure things out”
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: “I can’t do it”
God says: “You can do all things (Philippians 4:3)

You say: “I’m not able”
God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: “It’s not worth it”
God says: “It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)

You say: “I can’t forgive myself”
God says: I FORGIVE YOU (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: “I can’t manage”
God says: “I will supply your needs” (Philippians 4:19)

You say: “I’m afraid”
God says: “I have not given you a spirit of fear” (II> Timothy 1:7)

You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated”
God says: “Cast all your cares on ME (1 Peter 5:7)

You say: “I don’t have enough faith”
God says: “I’ve given everyone a measure of faith (Romans> 12:3)

You say: “I’m not smart enough”
God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: “I feel alone”
God says: “I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)

Source Unknown

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Last Week I threw out Worrying, it was getting old and in the way. It kept me from being me; I couldn’t do things God’s way.

I threw out those Inhibitions; they were just crowding me out. Made room for my New Growth, got rid of my old dreams and doubts.

I threw out a book on MY PAST (didn’t have time to read it anyway). Replaced it with New Goals, started reading it today.

I threw out hate and bad memories, (remember how I treasured them so)? Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too, threw out the one from long ago.

Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST. Threw out I might, I think and I ought. WOW, You should’ve seen the dust.

I ran across an OLD FRIEND, haven’t seen him in a while. I believe his name is GOD, Yes, I really like His style.

He helped me to do some cleaning and added some things Himself. Like PRAYER, HOPE and FAITH, Yes I placed them right on the shelf.

I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door. I FOUND IT – its called PEACE. Nothing gets me down anymore.

Yes, I’ve got my house looking nice. Looks good around the place. For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn’t any place.

Its good to do a little house cleaning, get rid of the old things on the shelf. It sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF. This is a start of my “NEW BEGINNING”

– Author Unknown

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A wealthy man had a friend who was a builder. The builder was down on his luck and hadn’t done much work lately. The wealthy man felt sorry for him and decided he would help him out. He offered him a set of plans and a check for $300,000. The philanthropic gentleman said, “I want you to build me a new home. I’m turning the entire project over to you. You make all the decisions. If you do a good job, I promise to pay you well.”

The builder was very excited. He could finally start earning some good money. But he started thinking, “If I cut a few corners here and there maybe I could pocket some of that $300,000.” So he went out and bought the cheapest concrete he could find. He had the cement mixer water it down so it would stretch further. He saved four or five thousand dollars right there.

Then contractor went out and found the least expensive lumber he could fine. Some of the wood was bent and warped. He didn’t care since it would be hidden behind the walls. He did the same thing with the plumbing, the electrical work, cutting corners and saving money. When the job was completed, he had saved nearly $40,000, which he discreetly buried in his own bank account.

He called his wealthy friend to take a look at the finished house. The purchaser was quite impressed. On the surface, the home appeared to be beautiful. The prosperous gentleman never guessed the builder had cut corners, compromising the integrity of the whole house.

The builder was ecstatic as he recognized how pleased the owner was. He could not wait to see how much he was going to be paid.

As the wealthy man walked to the front door, he turned slowly with a grin on his face and said to the builder, “You know, I don’t really need this home. I already have a beautiful home.” Then he handed the builder the keys, and said, “Here, my friend. This is for you. You’ve just built yourself a brand new home.”

You and I are always building our own homes. Whether it is on the job or in your church, you are building a reputation or character of integrity. When you cut corners by being dishonest on your job or failing to give your best, you are hurting yourself. If you never have time to build God’s house with our time and talents, you are hurting yourself.

Your poor foundational decisions will affect your future. You may look good on the outside, but inside you know the walls are starting to crumble.

Are you watering down your foundation because of a lack of integrity? What kind of materials are you placing in your life? Be you using the best materials to build your marriage and your service to the Lord or are you skimping?

From Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen.

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If each note of music were to say,
“One note does not make a symphony”
There would be no symphony

If each word were to say,
“One word does not make a book”
There would be no book

If each brick were to say,
“One brick does not make a wall”
There would be no wall

If each drop of water were to say,
“One drop does not make an ocean”
There would be no ocean

If each seed were to say,
“One seed does not make a field of corn”
There would be no harvest

If each one of us were to say,
“One act of love cannot save mankind”
There would never be justice and peace on earth

Begin now, why are you waiting?

– Michael Quoist

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A story is told about a man who was on a luxury liner and suddenly he falls overboard. He can’t swim and in desperation he begins calling for help. Now it just so happens that there were several would be rescuers on deck who witnessed the incident.

The first man was a MORALIST. When he saw the man fall overboard he immediately reached into his briefcase and pulled out a book on how to swim. He now tossed it to him and he yelled: Now brother, you
read that and just follow the instructions and you will be alright.

The man next to him happened to be a IDEALIST. When he saw the man fall overboard he immediately jumped into the water and began swimming all around the drowning man saying: Now just watch me swim. Do as I do and you will be alright.

The person next to him happened to be a member of the INSTITUTIONAL
CHURCH. He looked upon the drowning man’s plight with deep concern. He yelled out: Now, just hold on friend. Help is on the way. We are going to establish a committee and dialogue your problem. And then, if we have come up with the proper financing, we will resolve your dilemma.

The next man on deck happened to be a representative of the school of
POSITIVE THINKING. He yelled out to the drowning man: “Friend, this
situation is not nearly as bad as you think. Think dry!”

The next man on board happened to be a REVIVALIST. By this time the drowning man was going down for the third time and desperately began waving his arm. Seeing that, the revivalist yelled out: Yes brother, I see that hand, is there another? Is there another?

And finally, the last man on deck, was a REALIST. He immediately plunged into the water, at the risk of his own life, and pulled the victim to safety.

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We may not all understand it, yet…

In the city of Chicago, one cold, dark night, a blizzard was setting in. A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, the people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn’t trying to sell many papers. He walked up to a policeman and said, “Mister, you wouldn’t happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight, would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley and it’s awful cold in there, of a night. Sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay.”

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, “You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they come out the door you just say ‘John 3:16’ and they will let you in.” So he did, he walked up the steps to the door, and knocked on the door and a lady answered. He looked up and said, “John 3:16.”

The lady said “Come on in, Son.” She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace and she went off. He sat there for a while, and thought to himself, “John 3:16…. I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy warm.”

Later she came back and asked him “Are you hungry?” He said, “Well, just a little. I haven’t eaten in a couple of days and I guess I could stand a little bit of food.” The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn’t eat any more. Then he thought to himself, “John 3:16… Boy, I sure don’t understand it, but it sure makes a hungry boy full.

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself, “John 3:16… I sure don’t understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy clean. You know, I’ve not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out.”

The lady came in and got him, and took him to a room and tucked him into a big old feather bed and pulled the covers up around his neck and kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he laid in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night he thought to himself, “John 3:16… I don’t understand it, but it sure makes a tired boy rested.”

The next morning she came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and she took a big old Bible and sat down in front of him and she looked up at and she asked, “Do you understand John 3:16?”

He said, “No, Ma’am, I don’t. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to use it.”

She opened the Bible to John 3:16 , and she began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there in front of that big old fireplace he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought, “John 3:16. I don’t understand it, but it but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe.”

You know, I have to confess I don’t understand it either, how God would be willing to send His Son to die for me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don’t understand it either, but it sure does make life worth living. John 3:16

– Author Unknown

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Imagine you and the Lord Jesus walking down the road together. For much of the way, the Lord’s footprints go along steadily, consistently, rarely varying the pace. But your footprints are a disorganized stream of zigzags, starts, stops, turnarounds, circles, departures and returns. For much of the way, it seems to go like this, but gradually your footprints come more in line with the Lord’s soon paralleling His consistently. You and Jesus are walking as true
friends!

This seems perfect, but then an interesting thing happens: your
footprints, that once etched the sand next to Jesus’, are now walking
precisely in His steps. Inside His larger footprints are your smaller ones, safely you and Jesus are becoming one.

This goes on for many miles but gradually you notice another
change. The footprints inside the larger footprints seem to grow
larger. Eventually they disappear altogether. There is only one set of footprints; they have become one.

This goes on for a long time, but suddenly the second set of footprints is back. This time it seems even worse! Zigzags all over the place. Stops. Starts. Deep gashes in the sand. A veritable mess of prints. You are amazed and shocked. Your dream ends. Now you pray:

“Lord, I understand the first scene with the zigzags and fits. I was a new Christian; I was just learning. But you walked
on through the storm and helped me learn to walk with you.”

“That is correct.”

“… and when the smaller footprints were inside of Yours, I was
actually learning to walk in Your steps; I followed you very closely.”

“Very good. You have understood everything so far.”

“…when the smaller footprints grew and filled in Yours, I
suppose that I was becoming like you in every way.”

“Precisely.”

“So, Lord, was there a regression or something? The footprints
separated, and this time it was worse than at first.”

There is a pause as the Lord answers with a smile in His voice.

“You didn’t know? That was when we danced.”

–Author Unknown

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Jack, a 9-year-old elementary student, is sitting at his school desk. All of a sudden there is a puddle between his feet, and the front of his pants are wet.

He thinks his heart is about to stop, because he knows when the boys find out, he’ll never hear the end of it. And when the girls find out, they’ll never speak to him again.

The boy puts his head down and prays this prayer: “Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I’m dead meat.” He looks up from his prayer, and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he’s been discovered.

As the teacher is coming to snatch him up, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl filled with water. She stumbles and dumps the goldfish bowl in his lap. He pretends to be angry but prays, “Thank you, Jesus!”

Now, rather than being the object of ridicule, Jack is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. When he comes back to class, all the kids are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The turn of events and the unexpected sympathy are wonderful!

But as life would have it, the ridicule that belongs to Jack has been transferred to Susie. She tries to help, but they tell her to get out: “You’ve done enough, you klutz!”

Finally, at the end of the day, Jack and Susie are waiting at the bus stop. The boy walks over to Susie and whispers, “Susie, you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”

Susie whispers back, “I wet my pants once too.”

In the moments of another person’s discomfort, the Lord calls us to “dump the water out of our fishbowl” and do a kind act for someone else.

– Author Unknown

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One SONG can spark a moment
One FLOWER can wake the dream
One TREE can start a forest
One BIRD can herald spring
One SMILE begins a friendship
One HANDCLASP lifts a soul
One STAR can guide a ship at sea
One WORD can frame the goal
One VOTE can change a nation
One SUNBEAM lights a room
One CANDLE wipes out darkness
One LAUGH will conquer gloom
One STEP must start each journey
One WORD must start a prayer
One HOPE will raise our spirits
One TOUCH can show you care
One VOICE can speak with wisdom
One HEART can know what is true
One LIFE can make a difference
you see it’s up to YOU!

-Author Unknown

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A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.” The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

1. to touch
2. to taste
3. to see
4. to hear

She hesitated a little, and then added

5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love

The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop. Those things we overlook as simple and “ordinary” are truly wondrous. A gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought.

– Author Unknown

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John D. Rockefeller, the man who built the great Standard Oil Empire, was a person who demanded high performance from his company executives. Then, one day, one of those highly paid supervisors made a two million dollar mistake.

The report of the man’s enormous error quickly spread throughout the executive offices, and his colleagues began to make themselves scarce. Afraid of Rockefeller’s reaction, they didn’t even want to cross his path.

One individual didn’t have any choice, however, since he had an appointment with the boss. The guilty culprit worked for this man making him accountable to Rockefeller for his subordinate’s costly blunder. So he straightened his tie, threw back his shoulders, tightened his belt and walked into Rockefeller’s office struggling to hold his head up high.

As he approached the oil monarch’s desk, Rockefeller looked up from the piece of paper upon which he was writing.

“I guess you’ve heard about the two million dollar mistake our friend made,” he said abruptly.

“Yes,” the executive said, expecting Rockefeller to explode.

“Well, I’ve been sitting here listing all of our friend’s good qualities on this sheet of paper, and I’ve discovered in the past he has made us many more times the amount he lost for us by his one mistake. His good points far outweigh this one human error. So I think we ought to forgive him, don’t you?”

When Rockefeller thought about this executive who cost him millions, he chose to dwell on how this person had been a blessing to his company. He made a decision to affirm him instead of tearing him down.

When someone offends you, is your tendency to tabulate how he or she wronged you on other occasions, or do you concentrate on their value to your life?

From You Can Win with Love by Dale Galloway.

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One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.

As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter.

So they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor’s son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife-to-be. He began to speak and his statement was this:

“My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?” The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble.

What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!

– Author Unknown

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A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.”

Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?”

The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.

Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing, I know my Master is there and that is enough.”

– Author Unknown

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The Parable of the Pencil – Part 1

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. “There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”

1. You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.
2. You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.
3. You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.
4. The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.
5. On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition you must continue to write.”

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in his heart.

The Parable of the Pencil – Part 2

But now the pencil lay on the dark wood table, feeling insignificant and rather sad. Beside him on the desk was a colourful tin can, filled with every kind of beautiful pen to be had. There were silver fountain pens and a neon felt tip marker. There was also a classy ballpoint whom everyone called Parker.

“What a loser,” they said of the pencil, as they observed his wooden frame.

“Don’t bother with him, he’s a nobody,” said Parker, “He doesn’t even have a name.”

Now the world was at war and their owner was a Soldier who was tasked to bring peace to the land. “What we need is a map,” the Soldier had said, at the desk across from his Officer the other night. “If someone can fly me over the city unseen, I can draw a map from the sky. The map will tell you where to go and how to win, and soon we’ll put an end to this fight.” The Officer had agreed and now the Soldier would fly, but first he discussed with his wife. “I’ll need something to draw with, something dependable… something that won’t fail me mid-flight.”

The Soldier looked at his dark wood desk, and observed all the pens in the can. He studied each one, their bodies all shimmering, and he weighed them all in his hand. “This one won’t work,” he said of a pen, “the ink might blot on the map. This one needs to be refilled every few hours, and this one will dry out without a cap.” He looked at each one and always found something wrong, or anticipated problems if he used it in the sky. “I need something that would work whatever the conditions, and I need it soon my dear wife.”

“Then take this pencil.” his wife finally said, handing him the frail and battered yellow thing. “It will write no matter what, it will write on a plane – it’s the best writing tool you can bring.”

The Soldier smiled, kept the pencil in his pocket, and took it with him on the plane. He finished the map and the map helped bring them peace… and the pencil has never been the same.

The Parable of the Pencil – Part 3

The pencil was now nothing more than a stub; what was left of his lead was now broken. His eraser was gone, his wood frame had split, and some time ago his metal ring had been stolen.

Now he stood before the Pencil Maker, and waited for him to say those 5 words.

“Well done, my faithful pencil,” the Pencil Maker said, “You have written what you were meant to write in the world.”

– Author Unknown

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1. Don’t miss the boat.
2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.
3. Plan ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.
4. Stay fit. When you’re 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
5. Don’t listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
6. Build your future on high ground.
7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.
8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
9. When you’re stressed, float a while.
10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

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Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room. Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused. The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die. “Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied. “When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.” “Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.

Things aren’t always what they seem.”

– Author Unknown

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A young medical student studied at the London Hospital. Robert Morrison and William Milne had gained a foothold in China for missionary work. Should he go and join them? He wrote in his journal “I knew God was speaking. I knew evangelists would be given and their support secured, but there unbelief came in. Suppose the workers are given and go to China: trials will come; their faith may fail; would they not reproach you for bringing them into such a plight?”

“I did not see that the Power that would give the men and the means would be sufficient to keep them also, even in the interior of China.

“A million a month were dying in China without God. This was burned into my very soul.”

Sunday, June 25th, 1865, he left the church meeting and went to a near by beach and walked most of the afternoon. Then he went back to his room that night and wrote these words:

“I was unable to bear the sight of a congregation of a thousand or more Christian people rejoicing in their own security while millions were perishing for the lack of knowledge. I wondered out on the sands alone and in great spiritual agony there the Lord finally conquered my unbelief. I surrendered myself to God for His service. I told Him that all the responsibilities as to the issues as to the consequences must rest with Him. That as His servant it was mine to obey and to follow Him. It was His to direct, to care for, to guide me, in all those who would labor with me. Needless to say, peace then flooded my soul. ”

He then prayed that God would give him 24 people to join him. Two for each of the eleven provinces of China that had no Gospel witness and two extras for Mongolia.

The young medical doctor was J. Hudson Taylor. From that church meeting J. Hudson Taylor claimed China for God.

J Hudson Taylor became the most widely used missionary in China’s history. During his 51 years of service there, his China Inland Mission established 20 mission stations, brought 849 missionaries to the field (968 by 1911), trained some 700 Chinese workers, raised four million dollars by faith, and developed a witnessing Chinese church of 125,000. It has been said at least 35,000 were his own converts and that he baptized some 50,000.

All this because he surrendered his will to God, to follow Him in obedience, to be used by Him.

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A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.”

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: “TODAY MY BEST FRIEND SAVED MY LIFE.”

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone, why?” The other friend replied: “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Author Unknown

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An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the
ends of a pole which she carried across her neck. One of the
pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always
delivered a full portion of water.

At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the
cracked pot arrived only half full. For a full two years this went on
daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of
water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.
But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection,
and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been
made to do.

After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to
the woman one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes
water to leak out all the way back to your house.”

The old woman smiled, “Did you notice that there are flowers on
your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s
because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower
seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk
back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick
these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being
just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the
house.”

Each of us has our own unique flaw.

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We’re all cracked pots. But it’s the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You’ve just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them. Don’t be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and you too can be the cause of beauty. Know that in our weakness we find our strength.

Plant seeds and smell the flowers!

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During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, “Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen.”

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one.” Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

“Hah, he thought. “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humour.”

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while. “Lord, forgive me,” prayed the young man. “I had forgotten that in you a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget the victories that God would work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. As the great leader, Nehemiah, reminded the people of Israel when they faced the task of rebuilding Jerusalem, “In God we will have success!” [Nehemiah 2:20]

And remember: Whatever is happening in your life, in God, a mere spider’s web becomes a brick wall of protection.

SOURCE UNKNOWN

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There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said “May we see that? We’ve never seen one quite so beautiful.”

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke. “You don’t understand,” it said. “I haven’t always been a teacup. There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, ‘let me alone,’ but he only smiled, ‘Not yet’.

“Then I was placed on a spinning wheel,” the teacup said, “and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. ‘Stop it! I’m getting dizzy!’ I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, ‘Not yet.’

Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled, and I knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips as he shook his head, ‘Not yet.’ “Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool.

‘There, that’s better,’ I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible. I thought I would gag. ‘Stop it, stop it!’ I cried. He only nodded, ‘Not yet.’

“Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded. I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head, saying, ‘Not yet.’ “Then I knew there wasn’t any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up.

But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, ‘Look at yourself.’ And I did. I said, ‘That’s not me; that couldn’t be me. It’s beautiful. I’m beautiful.’

‘I want you to remember, then,’ he said, ‘I know it hurt to be rolled and patted, but if I just left you, you’d have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn’t put you there, you would have cracked.

I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn’t done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life, and if I hadn’t put you back in that second oven, you wouldn’t survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.

Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began with you.’

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

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“This life.. is not righteousness, but growth in righteousness, not health but healing, not being but becoming, not rest, but exercise. We are not yet what we chall be, but we are growing toward it; the process is not finished but it is going on. This is not the end but it is the road; all does not yet gleam in glory but all is being glorified.”

-Martin Luther

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When I was:
Four years old: My daddy can do anything.
Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.
Six years old: My dad is smarter than your dad.
Eight years old: My dad doesn’t know exactly everything.
Ten years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different.
Twelve years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn’t know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
Fourteen years old: Don’t pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned.
Twenty-one years old: Him? My Lord, he’s hopelessly out of date.
Twenty-five years old: Dad knows about it, but then he should, because he has been around so long.
Thirty years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he’s had a lot of experience.
Thirty-five years old: I’m not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
Forty years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise.
Fifty years old: I’d give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn’t appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him.

Writer Unknown

Food for thought for Father’s Day

Holiday Collection

Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re going to do for all these holidays and how you’re going to do it, this resource is for you.

=> Tell me more about the Holiday Collection

After William Carey, the Father of Modern Missions was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could produce the scriptures in the local dialect. He had also prepared dictionaries and grammars for the use of his successors. One day while Carey was away, a fire broke out and completely destroyed the building, the presses, many Bibles, and the precious manuscripts, dictionaries, and grammars. When he returned and was told of the tragic loss, he showed no sign of despair or impatience. Instead, he knelt and thanked God that he still had the strength to do the work over again. He started immediately, not wasting a moment in self-pity. Before his death, he had duplicated and even improved on his earlier achievements.

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The cross
Not just a symbol of Easter, the cross is probably the most common symbol of Christianity. It symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus made to die for the sins of mankind. An empty cross—without the figure of Christ crucified—reminds Christians of Jesus’ victory over death and the new life and hope this victory brings to those who choose to follow him.

The lamb
Jesus is associated with the lamb. Jews celebrate the festival of Passover to commemorate the blood of the Passover lamb, which caused the angel of death to “pass over” the Israelites. John the Baptist called Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

The Easter lily
This flower has long been a symbol of the new life of Jesus, trumpeting his resurrection.

Easter eggs
Ever since the chicken or the egg came first, people have decorated eggs to celebrate continuing and renewed life. Christians began using eggs to symbolize the rebirth of mankind, and they liken the egg symbol to the tomb from which Christ arose.

The donkey
Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey in fulfillment of the prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. While many believe that Christ rode on a donkey as an example of humility and meekness, others observe that it was a perfectly respectable ride. While horses were animals of war—the mounts of conquerors—donkeys were ridden by non-military people of rank. So Christ came, not as conqueror, but as the message-bearer of peace.

The name “Easter”
This word has an uncertain origin. Some believe it’s derived from Eastre, the name of a Teutonic goddess of spring. Others claim it comes from the old German word for “dawn.” Whatever its origin, it has clearly come to be Christianity’s greatest event, an annual celebration of Christ’s resurrection.

Easter Collection

Get more than 80 creative ideas for planning a Youth Easter celebration or Easter Party. You can immediately download my best Easter Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Easter activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

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This Easter egg was presented by Czar Nicholas II to his wife, Alexandra, on Easter Sunday, April 23rd, 1911. It was made to commemorate the fifteenth anniversary of Czar Nicholas II’s accession to the throne.

The opalescent and opaque white enamel egg is encased within a grid-shaped cage work of gold and green enamel oval-shaped garlands bordered by diamonds, which frame eighteen scenes painted by court miniaturist Vassily Zuiev, depicting miniature portraits of the Imperial family, the czarina, her husband and their five children, and highlights of significant occasions from their lives together, and major events of the reign. The dates of Nicholas and Alexandra’s wedding, 1894, and the fifteenth anniversary of the Coronation, 1911, are set beneath the portraits of the Czarina and the Czar respectively. Beneath a table diamond at the top of the egg is the crowned monogram of Tsarina Alexandra; the base is set with a rose-cut diamond – signed Fabergé.

Easter Collection

Get more than 80 creative ideas for planning a Youth Easter celebration or Easter Party. You can immediately download my best Easter Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Easter activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

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A man was blissfully driving along the highway, when he saw the Easter Bunny hopping across the middle of the road. He swerved to avoid hitting the bunny, but unfortunately the rabbit jumped in front of his car and was hit. The basket of eggs went flying all over the place. Candy, too.

The driver, being a sensitive man as well as an animal lover, pulled over to the side of the road, and got out to see what had become of the bunny carrying the basket. Much to his dismay, the colorful bunny was dead. The driver felt guilty and began to cry.

A woman driving down the same highway saw the man crying on the side of the road and pulled over. She stepped out of her car and asked the man what was wrong.

“I feel terrible,” he explained. “I accidentally hit the Easter Bunny and killed him. There may not be an Easter because of me. What should I do?”

The woman told the man not to worry. She know exactly what to do. She went to her car trunk, and pulled out a spray can. She walked over to the limp dead bunny, and sprayed the entire contents of the can onto the little furry animal. Miraculously the Easter Bunny came back to life, jumped up, picked up the spilled eggs and candy, waved its paw at the two humans and hopped on down the road. 50 yards away the Easter Bunny stopped, turned around, waved and hoped on down the road another 50 yards, turned waved, hopped another 50 yards and waved again!

The man was astonished. He said to the woman, “What in heaven’s name is in your spray can?”

The woman turned the can around so that the man could read the label. It said: “Hair Spray. Restores life to dead hair. Adds permanent wave.”

Easter is really not about the Easter Bunny or restoring a hare to life… Its about a Saviour whose life was restored and the promise that we will also share in a restored life. The Miracle of the Resurrection is the good news that adds a permanent wave to life!

Easter Collection

Get more than 80 creative ideas for planning a Youth Easter celebration or Easter Party. You can immediately download my best Easter Icebreakers, games, illustrations, Easter activity ideas AND MUCH MORE in a useful ebook!

=> Tell me more about the Easter Collection