Life's Challenges - Stories - God's Plan for You

Three Trees

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods.  They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "someday I hope to be a treasure chest.  I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty."  Then the second tree said, "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world.  Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."  Finally the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest.  People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am.  I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees.  When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter"... And he began cutting it down.  The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.

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Tapestry

A missionary was traveling in the Far East when he came across a booth in a market place. It was a tapestry makers booth. As he walked by he saw a strange sight. A man was standing in the booth shouting at his loom on the other side of the booth. As he shouted threads appeared
in the tapestry almost by magic. The missionary asked his guide for an explanation.

"The man you see," said the guide, "Is a master weaver. He is speaking to his apprentice behind the loom telling him what color thread to use and where to put it. Only the weaver knows the entire design, so it is vital that the apprentice do exactly as the master commands."

"Does the apprentice ever make a mistake?" asked the missionary.

"Of course. But the weaver is a very kind man in this case and he will rarely have the boy take out the thread. Instead, being a great artist, he simply works the mistake into the design."

How much that is like God. We cannot see the pattern of the tapestry God is weaving. We are on the other side of the loom looking at knotted threads placed seemingly without purpose. Occasionally we can catch a glimpse of the design, but then as soon as we think we have it pegged the master calls for a thread which changes every thing. So, we have to trust the master weaver that he knows what he is doing.

And like the apprentice, we, too make our mistakes. We put in a red thread instead of a violet one. We knot it in the wrong place or place it crookedly. And God in his mercy doesn't upbraid us but takes our own mistakes and make them part of the design.

Author Unknown

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Parable of the Rose

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?"

Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.

So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God like qualities planted in us at birth growing amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns and find the rose within others.

This is the characteristic of love--to look at a person and know their true faults. Accepting that person into your life, while recognizing the nobility in their soul. Help them to realize that they can overcome their faults. If we show them the rose, they will conquer their thorns.

Only then will they blossom many times over.

As I always say some people grumble that roses have thorns I am thankful that thorns have roses..

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Discover, A Plan for Your Life

Ray wasn't always so sure He wanted to submit to God's plan. He nursed fears in the back of his mind: "If God is really in control of my life maybe I will end up in 'darkest Africa."'

But when Ray faced a big decision about where to go to college, he decided for the first time in his life to seek divine guidance on the subject. He prayed for several days and tried to listen for some answer. After a while he seemed to get very clear reasons on why he should choose Option B: a less expensive, but huge and impersonal university in Western Illinois. So Ray reluctantly registered. Soon after starting classes he got acquainted with some wonderful Christians who belonged to Campus Crusade for Christ. His experience with them during the next two years radically changed his life.

A few years later Ray faced another big decision: whether to remain in Japan a second year on a teaching assignment or return to the States. He decided to ask for specific guidance again and God impressed Him with some clear reasons why he should stay. At the beginning of this second year Ray received a totally unexpected opportunity to produce evangelistic films. This had always been his big dream, his long-term goal, but now, it seemed, God was making it happen - in the place he'd least expected.

Author Unknown

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The Test

More than twenty years ago, I was working the night shift as a registered nurse. It had been a hard night and I was exhausted. It seemed as if I had just fallen into a deep sleep, when the doorbell rang. I stumbled out of bed to the door, I was tired and resented being disturbed. I opened the door to a thin young black child about 12 years old. He had been dropped off with a group of other young people to sell magazines. I snapped, "I am not interested!"

He asked " Could I please have a drink of water?"

I sharply replied "I don't have time."

I slammed the door and went back to bed. When I awakened, I couldn't believe my behavior to that child. I have never been so ashamed of myself. I remember my parents referring to how "we are tested throughout life." I had been given a test and failed miserably. For years I have had a heavy heart and a scar on my soul for the way I treated that little boy. Praying for forgiveness did not ease my burden.

In 1998, more than 20 years after I failed one of life's tests, I was living in Florida, working in a position as Director of Nursing of the Emergency Department. However, for the second time in my career, it was becoming apparent that I was being "downsized" out of my job and was expecting to be laid off. Being in my 50's, I was angry and grief stricken over the loss of my job. I decided I would do direct patient care during my last days on the job.

One afternoon the medical alert radio sounded and we were informed they were bringing in a man found lying unconscious on the street. I told everyone, "I'll take this one."

Shortly, the ambulance arrived. The young man on the stretcher was the filthiest human being I had ever seen. His long brown hair and beard were matted and tangled. His clothes were wet from a recent downpour and appeared to have been worn for months. The paramedics reported he was epileptic and had a seizure, causing him to fall and strike his head. As he came around he said his name was Rick.

This wild looking young man had the most incredible blue eyes I have ever seen. In a calm and soothing voice Rick stated he did not have the money to buy his seizure medication.

The physician checked him and treatment was started. I asked if he was hungry and he replied he had not eaten in four days. A double portion lunch was ordered. I watched as he ate slowly, chewing his food, savoring every flavor and bite. He displayed impeccable manners, the way he handled his silverware and wiped his mouth with the rough paper napkin. Rick ate every morsel of the food, quietly thanking me.

It was time to clean him up. I began peeling the hideous smelly clothes off to give Rick a bath. The staff begged me not to take Rick's shoes off.

It's an unwritten rule in the emergency room -- if you don't really need to remove someone's shoes-- DON'T! As I pulled his shoes and socks off I gasped. The thick mud on his feet looked as if he had brown casts on both feet. I thought "Oh this is going to be a terrible mess."

As I soaked the layers of dirt from Rick's feet and started washing them, I was nearly knocked over by an overwhelming thought which surprised me. In my mind I heard a voice say, "there is story about the Lord washing a poor person's feet." I thought to myself "how weird, wonder what made me think of that?"

Later, Rick was clean, in fresh clothing and shoes, medications given to take with him and ready for discharge... but, to where?

Rick told me his mother lived 60 miles away. I decided the hospital could pay for his cab fare. (The hospital was probably going to lay me off, so I figured if they didn't like it, that was too bad. My hostility was rearing its ugly head again!)

I made arrangements for a taxi to take Rick home to his mother. Finally, the clerk announced Rick's ride was waiting so I gathered Rick's belongings, linked arms with him and we walked to the waiting room.

I almost fainted when I saw a man in a tuxedo standing there and parked outside was a limousine! I had called a cab! I asked the driver if he was at the right place and he replied, "Oh, yes, ma'am, you must have somebody really special here."

I replied, "Yes, I think he is pretty special."

Rick turned, softly smiled a beautiful smile with his perfect white teeth and those magnificent blue eyes and in a whisper, he said, "Bless you. I shall never forget what you have done today."

As he drove off in the huge limousine, I was both stunned and confused. I went back to my colleagues and explained how Rick had driven away in luxury. They were staring at me as if I had been struck by lightening. Was the limo sent by mistake, or was it by design. And who was Rick?

I guess I will never know.

Meantime, my consulting job turned into a full time position as an Emergency Room Director in Maine. It is the most wonderful job I have ever had and I work with people I truly adore. Maine is beautiful and I feel a peace and a joy here like never before.

Looking back, I firmly believe Rick was an important part of my destiny.

Maybe Rick was sent to me to allow me the opportunity to start fresh and renew my journey. Since none of us know when our tests will be given, I am grateful to have had a second chance.

Author unknown

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The Road Of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong; so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was there sort of like a picture of a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

Later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was like a bike ride, on a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't recall when he suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, it was rather boring, and predictable . . . It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew the exciting paths to take, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds -- it was all I could do to just hang on! At times it seemed like madness. He said: "Pedal!"

And by faith I did, although I worried and was anxious. "Where are you taking me?" He laughed, but no answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure.

When I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. He took me to people that had gifts that I needed. Gifts of healing, acceptance, love, and joy. So many priceless gifts to take on my journey -- my Lord's and mine. Then we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away -- they're extra baggage now -- there'll be more gifts to come." So I did, I gave them to people we met, and found that in giving I also received, and my burden was lighter.

I didn't trust him at first to be in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it -- but I discovered he knows how to handle even the roughest roads in my life. Now I'm learning to be quiet and pedal in the strangest places. I'm beginning to enjoy the view, the challenge of the ride, as well as the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion -- Jesus Christ.

When it seems I just can't take anymore, I keep my eyes and faith on Him. He looks at me, with a big smile, and says: ". . . Keep on Pedaling."

Addendum -- Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am Your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious hand."

Anonymous

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The Church The Bible Built

Many years ago the Rev. Robert Burris, now 92 years of age, worked for four and one-half years as a missionary in South China. As part of his ministry he journeyed into the mountains carrying copies of the Scriptures in Chinese for distribution. In this way, although he could not speak fluent Chinese, the people were given God's word.

Toward the end of his term Mr. Burris and three companions began a 180- mile journey with 4,000 copies of the Chinese New Testament. In the first ten days about half of these New Testaments had been distributed. Then, in the remote countryside, they were stopped by five armed bandits who took everything--money, clothing, shoes--- and the remaining 2,000 copies of the New Testament. Mr. Burris and friends limped home barefooted in their shirts and trousers, glad to be alive.

Approximately 25 years later when Mr. Burris was the pastor of a church in Ohio, he and his wife attended a lecture with slides presented by a missionary to South China. Among the slides shown was a picture of the very place in which he had been robbed by the bandits.  "Now," the missionary said," we come to the most important slide in my collection.

I call it The Miracle Church." The picture on the screen showed a large rough empty building.  "This is The Miracle Church," the missionary continued, "Because no one knows who started it, or how, every Sunday, 400 people attend, each with a copy of The New Testament in Chinese.

No one knows were they got these New Testaments. So far as is known, no missionary or distributor ever went into these mountains which are infested with bandits and robbers. Yet today, the church is there and the people have God's Word".

Mr. Burris smiled in gratitude. God's Word, taken from him that day by bandits had been building it's own church in China for 25 years.

Author Unknown

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Are You Listening?

Back when the telegraph was the was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator.  Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.
Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!"

The employer said, "I'm sorry, but all the time you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."

We live in a world that is full of busyness and clatter, like that office.
People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, or in the life and work of Jesus Christ. Are you tuned in to God's voice? Do you hear Him when He speaks to you? Are you listening? "This is my Son, whom I love . . . Listen to Him!"

Author Unknown

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Cake and Challenges

A little boy is telling his Grandma how ''everything'' is going wrong...school, family problems, severe health problems. etc. Meanwhile, Grandma is baking a cake. She asks the child if he would like a snack, which of course he does.

''Here. Have some cooking oil.''

''Yuck'', says the boy.

''How about a couple of raw eggs?''

''Gross, Grandma.''

''Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?''

''Grandma, those are all yucky!''

To which the Grandma replies: ''Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way. Many times we wonder why he would let us go through such bad and difficult times, But, God knows that, when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually they will all make something wonderful!''

Author Unknown

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Focus on God

Once there were three boys playing on the snow-covered ground. Along came a man who suggested that the boys race, with the winner receiving a prize. The boys readily agreed.

The man explained the rules for the race. He would stand at the end of the field. When he gave the signal, the boys were to start to run. The boy who had the straightest footprints in the snow would be the winner.

The race started and the first boy kept looking at his feet to make sure his steps were straight. The second boy kept looking at his contestants to see what they were doing; but the third boy just ran on with his eyes firmly fixed on the man at the end of the field.

The third boy was the winner, because his footsteps were straight in the snow. He had kept his eyes on the goal ahead of him.

Life is like that race. If we take our focus off Christ and begin looking down at our circumstances, we will fail. It is easy to get bogged down with the day-to-day struggles that we encounter, but we must realize that God will take care of us. We can never be the man and woman that Christ wants us to be if we lose our focus.

A focused life is a life built on faith. When we trust God to take care of the circumstances, we will be free of the worry and doubt that will throw us off track.

Quote: A man focused on God always knows the direction he is headed.

Author Unknown

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Not Home Yet

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and were returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their
health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy
Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.

No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch
a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong."
"Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us?
Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us."

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way", his wife said. He replied "I can't help it; it doesn't seem right."

When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there. The papers were
full of the President's arrival. No one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East
Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.

That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this; God is not treating us fairly". His wife replied, "Why
don't you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?"
"The Lord settled it with me", he said. "I told him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous home-coming,
when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said,

"But you're not home yet."

Author Unknown

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Build Your House

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and to live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder had inspected the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said. "My gift to you."

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up with less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today. - make today count.

Author Unknown

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God's Purpose In Things

One day a woodcutter took his grandson into the forest for his first experience in selecting and cutting oak trees. These they would later sell to the boat builders. As they walked along, the woodcutter explained that the purpose of each tree is contained in its natural shape: some are straight for planks, some have the proper curves for the ribs of a boat, and some are tall for masts. The woodcutter told his grandson that by paying attention to the details of each tree, and with experience in recognizing these characteristics, someday he too might become the woodcutter of the forest.

A little way into the forest, the grandson saw an old oak tree that had never been cut. The boy asked his grandfather if he could cut it down because it was useless for boat building - there were no straight limbs, the trunk was, short and gnarled, and the curves were going the wrong way. "We could cut it down for firewood," the grandson said. "At least then it will be of some use to us." The woodcutter replied that for now they should be about their work cutting the proper trees for the boat builders; maybe later they could return to the old oak tree.

After a few hours of cutting the huge trees, the grandson grew tired and asked if they could stop for a rest in some cool shade. The woodcutter took his grandson over to the old oak tree, where they rested against its trunk in the cool shade beneath its twisted limbs. After they had rested a while, the woodcutter explained to his grandson the necessity of attentive awareness and recognition of everything in the forest and in the world. Some things are readily apparent, like the tall, straight trees; other things are less apparent, requiring closer attention, like recognition of the proper curves in the limbs. And some things might initially appear to have no purpose at all, like the gnarled old oak tree. The woodcutter stated, "You must learn to pay careful attention every day so you can recognize and discover the purpose God has for everything in creation. For it is this old oak tree, which you so quickly deemed useless except for firewood, that now allows us to rest against its trunk amidst the coolness of its shade.

"Remember, grandson, not everything is as it first appears. Be patient, pay attention, recognize, and discover."

Author Unknown

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Just Keep Planting

When Paul was a boy growing up in Utah, he happened to live near an old copper smelter, and the sulfur dioxide that poured out of the refinery had made a desolate wasteland out of what used to be a beautiful forest. Paul vowed that some day he would bring back the life to this land.

Many years later Paul was in the area, and he went to the smelter office. He asked if they had any plans to bring the trees back. The answer was "No." He asked them if they would let him try to bring the trees back. Again, the answer was "No." They didn't want him on their land. After praying about the matter, Paul realized he needed to become more knowledgeable before anyone would listen to him, so he went to college to study botany.

At the college he met a professor who was an expert in Utah's ecology. Unfortunately, Paul was told that the wasteland he wanted to bring back was beyond hope. He was told that his goal was foolish because even if he planted trees, and even if they grew, the wind would only blow the seeds forty feet per year, and that's all you'd get because there weren't any birds or squirrels to spread the seeds, and the seeds from those trees would need another thirty years before they started producing seeds of their own. Therefore, it would take approximately twenty thousand years to regenerate that six-square-mile piece of earth. His teachers told him it would be a waste of his life to try to do it. It just could not be done.

So he tried to go on with his life. He got a job operating heavy equipment, got married, and had some kids. However, as a good Christian, he knew that "faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead" (James 2:17). So, he kept studying about the subject, and prayed for guidance on the matter. Then one night he felt led to take action by faith alone. He would do what he could, and trust God to do the rest. This was an important turning point.

Samuel Johnson wrote, "It is common to overlook what is near by keeping the eye fixed on something remote. In the same manner, present opportunities are neglected and attainable good is slighted by minds busied in extensive ranges." Paul stopped busying his mind in extensive ranges and looked at what opportunities for attainable good were right in front of him. Who among us hasn't wondered what God wants us to do in our life here on earth? Under the cover of darkness, Paul sneaked out into the wasteland with a backpack of seedlings and started planting. For seven hours he planted seedlings.

He did it again a week later. And every week, he made his secret journey into the wasteland and planted trees and shrubs and grass. But most of it died. Like so many of our hopes and dreams. However, Paul had faith, and kept planting.

For fifteen years he did this. When a whole valley of his fir seedlings burned to the ground because of a careless sheep-herder, Paul broke down and wept. Have any of you had this kind of set-back in your life? I sure have! But Paul got up, and kept planting.

Freezing winds and blistering heat, landslides and floods and fires destroyed his work time and time again. But he kept planting. One night he found a highway crew had come and taken tons of dirt for a road grade, and all the plants he painstakingly planted in that area were gone. I don't know about you, but this sounds like the way things have gone in my life. Time for some major prayers. Then Paul kept planting.

Week after week, year after year he kept at it, against the opinion of the authorities, against the trespassing laws, against the devastation of road crews, against the wind and rain and heat... even against plain common sense. He just kept planting.

Slowly, very slowly, things began to take root. Then gophers appeared. Then rabbits. Then porcupines. The copper smelter eventually gave him permission, and later, as times were changing and there was political pressure to clean up the environment, the company actually hired Paul to do what he was already doing. They even provided him with machinery and crews to work with. Progress accelerated.

Now the place is fourteen thousand acres of trees, grass, bushes, as well as all kinds of wildlife. Paul has now received almost every environmental award Utah has. He says, "I thought that if I got this started, when I was dead and gone people would come and see it. I never thought I'd live to see it myself!"

It took him until his hair turned white, but he managed to keep that impossible vow he made to himself as a child.

What was/is it you want to do, that you think is impossible? Paul's story sure gives a perspective on things, doesn't it?

The way you get something accomplished in this world is to trust God for guidance, and just keep planting. He will show you the way if you have faith, and keep working. Just keep plugging away at it one day at a time for a long time, no matter who criticizes or laughs at you, no matter how long it takes, no matter how many times you fall. Get back up again, keep trusting God, and just keep planting.

Author Unknown

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In The Hand Of God

There is a beautiful story about a child playing with a vase his mother had left on the table for a few moments. When the mother
turned at the sound of her son crying she saw that his hand was in the vase and was apparently stuck. She tried to help him and
pulled and pulled until the child cried out in pain. But the hand was stuck fast. How would they get it out? The father suggested
breaking the vase but it was quite valuable and the child's hand might be cut in the process. Yet he knew that if all else failed
there would be no other alternative.

So he said to the boy, "Now, let's make one more try. Open your hand and stretch your fingers out straight, like I'm doing, and
then pull!" "But Dad," said the boy, "if I do that I'll lose my penny!"

The boy had had a coin in his hand all the time and was holding it securely in his tight little fist. And he wasn't prepared to
open his hand and lose the penny. But once he opened his hand it came out of the vase easily.

What are you holding onto so tightly as to hinder your walk with Jesus?

That vase can be likened to the entrance to the Kingdom of God. It is narrow but quite easy to pass in, but first you must "open" your
hand to God and allow earthly things to fall. If we keep our fists closed and hold fast to what we have and keep it for ourselves, we
will be unable to take hold of the "Hand of God"!

We arrived with nothing and will depart the same way.

Jesus told the parable of the rich man who wanted to build bigger barns to store his grain and goods. But God said to him, 'You fool!
This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' We need to be on guard,
or the things we own will begin to own us. It is our own clenched fist that makes us a prisoner.

Open your hand to the hand of God.

Author Unknown

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Soap

A minister and a soap maker went for a walk together.

The soap maker said, "What good is religion? Look at all the trouble and misery of the world! Still there, even after years -- thousands of years -- of teaching about goodness and truth and peace. Still there, after all the prayers and sermons and teachings. If religion is good and true, why should this be?"

The minister said nothing.

They continued walking until he noticed a child playing in the gutter.

Then the minister said, "Look at that child. You say that soap makes people clean, but see the dirt on that youngster. Of what good is soap? With all the soap in the world, over all these years, the child is still filthy. I wonder how effective soap is, after all!"

The soap maker protested. "But, soap cannot do any good unless it is applied!"

"Exactly!" replied the minister.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does.  James 1:22-25

Author Unknown

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This Is Good

An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake.

As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way. As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!"

"What do you mean,'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you." "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love Him and live our lives according to His precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit.

Hold on, God is faithful! May God bless you this week as you seek His will in every situation.

Addendum -- Genius 50:20 (NIV) "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

Author Unknown

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The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, one hung on each end of a pole which, he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, but 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 master's house, while the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was very ashamed of its imperfection, and was miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do -- or so it thought.

The cracked pot, after two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am very ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the water bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"For the past two years, I have only been able to deliver half of my real capacity, because this crack in my side allows water to leak out all the way back to the master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the cracked pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and compassionately said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

As they went up the hill, the old cracked pot did notice the sun shining on the beautiful wild flowers growing along his side of the path, and this cheered it some. However, at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had again leaked out half its load, and so it apologized to the water bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and put it to good use. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path (for the return trip), and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For over two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. If you weren't the way you are, he wouldn't have the flowers for his house."

Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow Him, the Lord will use us, in spite of our flaws, to grace His Father's table in some way. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste.

So as we seek ways to minister, and as God calls you to the job He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to use them, so you too can help add beauty along the pathways He has chosen for you.

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A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the Adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind: ''You have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it.'' Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Why kill myself over this?'' he thought. ''I'll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough.'' And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. ''Lord'' he said, ''I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?''

The Lord responded compassionately, ''My friend, when I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all, your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me, with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock.''

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him.... By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the mountains.

Author Unknown

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The Arbor

Behind an apartment at the edge of town stands an arbor. Six feet high, it was designed and built to support climbing plants, and it has been put to
good use. The residents have planted climbing roses at the base of the arbor posts, and then added trellises to help the roses climb to the top. Beneath the arbor are shrubs, flowering bushes, and statuary.

Hanging from the rungs at the top are bird feeders. The arbor is beautiful to see, and undoubtedly a source of great pleasure to its owners. Nearby
sits a second arbor. Almost identical to the first, it stands stark, bare, and unused. Its sole adornment is a fading, yellow thermometer, nailed to
one of the posts. With nothing to cover it, the wood appears much older and more weathered. A monument to futility and unrealized purpose, the second arbor stands stark, bare, and wasted.

Your life stands like an arbor, a gift from God, waiting to be used. You can choose to complain that your arbor is too short, or too weathered, or not as nice as somebody else's, or you can start planting. God is not going to judge you on whether your life flowered as beautifully as someone else's.
But God will judge you on whether you used what he gave you or not.

Beethoven could surely have complained that his hearing was worse than others, and excused himself from even trying. He chose to plant instead, and in the process, revolutionized music. The famous physicist Steven Hawking could have complained that few other people have to cope with a debilitating illness like his. Instead, he chose to plant, and revolutionized the science of physics.

For every arbor larger than yours, I can show you one that is smaller or more dilapidated or more limited. The choice is yours: complain, or start
planting.

Your life is God's gift to you. What you make of it is your gift to God.

Author Unknown

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Moses or Jonah?

Whenever God calls upon you, is your reaction more like that of Moses or of Jonah?

We all know the story of Moses! When God called him through a burning bush to go and free his people, his reply was swift and bold: "Here I am Lord". He was readily available and although obviously afraid, he did what he was called to do.

Jonah, on the other hand, did what most of us probably would do. God asked him to do a job for him but Jonah's reply was a big 'No way!' as he ran in the opposite direction on a boat and God had to send a storm and a whale to get his attention until he eventually did what he was called to do.

Are you a Moses or a Jonah?

One man was travelling along the motorway in his car praying to God. As he approached a service station he heard a voice order him to pull over, find a coke machine, and to do a handstand against it. The man, utterly confused, fought with himself about whether to bother doing such a strange thing, and he began to do a Jonah as he drove straight past the station.

However, as he carried on the voice came again and the man slammed on his brakes, turned around, and drove back to the station. In he went and in the corner he saw a coke machine. He nervously looked around but everything was quiet and there were no witnesses to embarrass him. As he got on his hands, ready to flip himself up, a young man burst into tears.

The driver gets up, looks around, and sees a young man crying under some chairs. "What's wrong?" he asks the man.

"Well, you see that bridge over there?" the man replies, "I was just about to jump off it, but I gave God one last chance to prove his existence. I told him that if he existed he should send someone to this station and do a handstand against the coke machine. It was so serial I thought it could never happen unless God really did exist, and he sent you!"

The driver then shared his faith with the young man who never did get to jump off that bridge.

Imagine what would have happened to this man if the driver had done a Jonah and refused to follow God's call?

Please, whenever God calls you, be like Moses and listen to his voice. Be brave and trusting as God may well call upon you to do a handstand for Him!

Author Unknown

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Boyhood Dreams

A boy once said to God, "I know what I want when I grow up." He proceeded to give God his list: to live in a big house with two Saint Bernard's; to marry a tall, blue-eyed woman; to have three sons-one who will be a senator, one a scientist, and the other a quarterback.

He also wanted to be a mountain climber and drive a red Ferrari.  As it turned out, the boy hurt his knee one-day while playing football. He could no longer climb trees, much less mountains. He married a beautiful and kind woman who was short with brown eyes.  Because of his business, he lived in an apartment in the city and usually rode the subway. He had three loving daughters, and they adopted a fluffy cat.

One daughter became a nurse, one an artist and the third a music teacher. One morning the man awoke and remembered his boyhood dream. He became extremely depressed.

Heartbroken, he called out to God, "Remember when I was a boy and told You all the things I wanted? Why didn't You give me those things?"

"I could have," said God, "but I wanted to make you happy."

Author Unknown

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The Fern and The Bamboo

One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality.... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me.

"Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four.

"Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.

But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive. I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots? I would not quit on the bamboo.. I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said. "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful.

"Your time will come", God said to me. "You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me. And He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

Author Unknown

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Jesus In The House

One day he decided to invite the Lord to come home and stay with him. When the Lord arrived, this young man offered him the very best room in the house. The room was upstairs and at the end of the hall. "This room is yours, Jesus! Stay as long as you like and you can do whatever you want to in this room, remember Jesus, its all yours."

That evening after he had retired for the night there came a loud knocking at the front door. The young man pulled on his robe and made his way downstairs. When he opened the door he found that the devil had sent three of his demons to attack the man. He quickly tried to close the door but one of the demons kept sticking his foot in.

Sometime later, after a great struggle, he managed to slam the door shut and returned to his room totally exhausted.

Can you believe that," the man thought. Jesus is upstairs in my very best room sleeping while I am down here battling demons. Oh, well, maybe he just didn't hear. He slept fitfully that night. The next day thing went along as normal and, being tired as he was, the young man retired early that evening. Along about midnight, there came such a terrible ruckus at the front door that the young man was sure that whatever it was would tear the door down. He stumbled down the stairs once again and opened the door to find that were dozens of demons now trying to get into his beautiful home.

For more than three hours he fought and struggled against the demons from hell, and finally overtook them enough to shut the door against their attack. All energy seemed to fail him. He really didn't understand this at all. Why won't the Lord come to my rescue? Why does he allow me to fight all by myself? I feel so alone. Troubled, he found his way to the sofa and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning he decided to inquire of the Lord about the happenings of the last two evenings. Quietly he made his way to the elegant bedroom where he had left Jesus. "Jesus," he called as he tapped at the door. "Lord, I don't understand what is happening. For the last two nights I have had to fight the demons away from my door while you laid up here sleeping. Don't you care about me? Did I not give you the very best room in the house?"

He could see the tears building in Jesus' eyes but continued on, "I just don't understand, I really thought that once I invited you in to live with me that you would take care of me and I gave you the best room in my house and everything. What more can I do?"

"My precious child," Jesus spoke so softly. "I do love and care for you. I protect all that you have released into my care. But, when you invited me to come here and stay, you brought me to this lovely room and you shut the door to the rest of your house. I am Lord of this room but I am not Master of this house.

I have protected this room and no demon may enter here."

"Oh, Lord, please forgive me. Take all of my house -- it is yours. I am so sorry that I never offered you all to begin with. I want you to have control of everything." With this he flung open the bedroom door and knelt at Jesus' feet. "Please forgive me Lord for being so selfish."

Jesus smiled and told him that He had already forgiven him and that He would take care of things from now on. That night as the young man prepared for bed he thought, I wonder if those demons will return, I am so tired of fighting them each and every night. But, he knew that Jesus said that he would take care of things from now on.

Along about midnight the banging on the door was frightening. The young man slipped out of his room in time to see Jesus going down the stairs. He watched in awe as Jesus swung open the door, no need to be afraid.

Satan stood at the door, this time demanding to be let in. "What do you want, Satan?" the Lord asked. The devil bowed low in the presence of the Lord, "So sorry, I seem to have gotten the wrong address." And with that, he and the demons all ran away.

There is a moral to this tale. Jesus wants all of you, not just a part. He will take all that you give Him, but nothing more. How much of your heart have you given to the Lord? Are you keeping a portion of it away from Him?

Perhaps the attacks are coming more and more each day. Why not let the Lord fight the battles for you? He is always victorious. I have found that God made man simple, all of man's complexities are of his own devising.

Author Unknown

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Pearls

Jenny was a bright-eyed, pretty five-year-old girl. One day when she and her mother were checking out at the grocery store, Jenny saw a plastic pearl necklace priced at $2.50. How she wanted that necklace, and when she asked her mother if she would buy it for her, her mother said, "Well, it is a pretty necklace, but it costs an awful lot of money. I'll tell you what. I'll buy you the necklace, and when we get home we can make up a list of chores that you can do to pay for the necklace. And don't forget that for your birthday Grandma just might give you a whole dollar bill, too. Okay?"

Jenny agreed, and her mother bought the pearl necklace for her. Jenny worked on her chores very hard every day, and sure enough, her grandma gave her a brand new dollar bill for her birthday. Soon Jenny had paid off the pearls.

How Jenny loved those pearls. She wore them everywhere-to kindergarten, bed and when she went out with her mother to run errands. The only time she didn't wear them was in the shower-her mother had told her that they would turn her neck green!

Now Jenny had a very loving daddy. When Jenny went to bed, he would get up from his favorite chair every night and read Jenny her favorite story.

One night when he finished the story, he said, "Jenny, do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you," the little girl said.

"Well, then, give me your pearls."

"Oh! Daddy, not my pearls!" Jenny said. "But you can have Rosie, my favorite doll. Remember her? You gave her to me last year for my birthday. And you can have her tea party outfit, too. Okay?"

"Oh no, darling, that's okay." Her father brushed her cheek with a kiss. "Good night, little one."

A week later, her father once again asked Jenny after her story, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy, you know I love you."

"Well, then, give me your pearls."

"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! But you can have Ribbons, my toy horse. Do you remember her? She's my favorite. Her hair is so soft, and you can play with it and braid it and everything. You can have Ribbons if you want her, Daddy," the little girl said to her father.

"No, that's okay," her father said and brushed her cheek again with a kiss. "God bless you, little one. Sweet dreams."

Several days later, when Jenny's father came in to read her a story, Jenny was sitting on her bed and her lip was trembling. "Here, Daddy," she said, and held out her hand. She opened it and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let it slip into her father's hand.

With one hand her father held the plastic pearls and with the other he pulled out of his pocket a blue velvet box. Inside of the box were real, genuine, beautiful pearls.

He had them all along. He was waiting for Jenny to give up the cheap stuff so he could give her the real thing.

So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasure.

Are you holding onto things which Lord wants you to let go of? Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities which you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go? Sometimes, it is so hard to see what is in the other hand but do believe this one thing....

The Lord will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Author Unknown

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A Late Bloomer

A cactus stood all alone in the desert, wondering why it was stuck in the middle of nowhere.

"I do nothing but stand here all day," it sighed. "What use am I? I'm the ugliest plant in the desert. My spines are thick and prickly, my leaves are rubbery and tough, my skin is thick and bumpy. I can't offer shade or juicy fruit to any passing traveler. I don't see that I'm any use at all."

All it did was stand in the sun day after day, growing taller and fatter. Its spines grew longer and its leaves tougher, and it swelled here and there until it was lumpy and lopsided all over. It truly was strange- looking.

"I wish I could do something useful," it sighed.

By day hawks circled high overhead.

"What can I do with my life?" the cactus called. Whether they heard or not, the hawks sailed away.

At night the moon floated into the sky and cast its pale glow on the desert floor.

"What good can I do with my life?" the cactus called. The moon only stared coldly as it mounted its course.

A lizard crawled by, leaving a little trail in the sand with its tail.

"What worthy deed can I do?" the cactus called.

"You?" the lizard laughed, pausing a moment. "Worthy deed? Why, you can't do anything! The hawks circle way overhead, tracing delicate patterns for us all to admire. The moon hangs high like a lantern at night, so we can see our ways home to our loved ones. Even I, the lowly lizard, have something to do. I decorate the sands with these beautiful brushstrokes as I pull my tail along. Buy you? You do nothing but get uglier every day."

And so it went on, year after year. At last the cactus grew old, and it knew its time was short.

"Oh, Lord," it cried out, "I've wondered so long, and I've tried so hard. Forgive me if I've failed to find something worthy to do. I fear that now it's too late."

But just then the cactus felt a strange stirring and unfolding, and it knew a surge of joy that erased all despair. At its very tip, like a sudden crown, a glorious flower suddenly opened in bloom.

Never had the desert known such a blossom. Its fragrance perfumed the air far and wide and brought happiness to all passing by. The butterflies paused to admire its beauty, and that night even the moon smiled when it rose to find such a treasure.

The cactus heard a voice.

"You have waited long," the Lord said. "The heart that seeks to do good reflects My glory, and will always bring something worthwhile to the world, something in which all can rejoice - even if for only a moment."

Author Unknown

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Author Unknown

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Hearing God

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn.  So he went to see the old preacher.

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood. We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice. . .the gentle whisper.

Perhaps there's a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

Author Unknown

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Made In Heaven

Consumed by my loss, I didn't notice the hardness of the pew where I sat. I was at the funeral of my dearest friend, my mother. She finally had lost her long battle with cancer. The hurt was so intense, I found it hard to breathe at times. Always supportive, mother clapped loudest at my school plays, held a box of tissue while listening to my first heartbreak, comforted me at my father's death, encouraged me in college, and prayed for me my entire life. When mother's illness was diagnosed, my sister had a new baby and my brother had recently married his childhood sweetheart, so it fell on me, the 27 year old middle child with no entanglements to take care of her. I felt it an honor.

"What now, Lord?" I asked sitting in church. My life stretched out before me as an empty abyss. My brother sat stoically with his face toward the cross while clutching his wife's hand. My sister sat slumped against her husband's shoulder, his arms around her as she cradled their child. All so deeply grieving, no one noticed I sat alone. My place had been with our mother, preparing her meals, helping her walk, taking her to the doctor, seeing to her medication, reading the Bible together. Now she was gone. My work was finished, and I was alone.

I heard a door open and slam shut at the back of the church. Quick steps hurried along the carpeted floor. An exasperated young man looked around briefly and then sat next to me. He folded his hands and placed them on his lap. His eyes were brimming with tears. He began to sniffle, "I'm late," he explained, though no explanation was unnecessary.

After several eulogies, he leaned over and commented, "Why do they keep calling Mary by the name of Margaret?"

"Because that was her name, Margaret. Never Mary. No one called her Mary, "I whispered." I wondered why this person couldn't have sat on the other side of the church. He interrupted my grieving with his tears and fidgeting. Who was this stranger anyway?

"No, that isn't correct," he insisted, as several people glanced over at us whispering, "Her name is Mary, Mary Peters. That isn't who this is? Isn't this the Lutheran church?"

"No, the Lutheran church is across the street, I believe you're at the wrong funeral, sir." The solemn ness of the occasion mixed with realization of the man's mistake bubbled up inside me and came out as laughter. I cupped my hands over my face hoping it would be interpreted as sobs. The creaking pew gave me away. Sharp looks from other mourners only made the situation seem more hilarious. I peeked at the bewildered, misguided man seated beside me. He was laughing too, as he glanced around deciding it was too late for an uneventful exit. I imagined my mother laughing. At the final Amen, we darted out a door and into the parking lot. "I do believe we'll be the talk of the town," he smiled.

He said his name was Rick and since he had missed his aunt's funeral, he asked me out for a cup of coffee. That afternoon began a lifelong journey for me with this man who attended the wrong funeral, but was in the right place. A year after our meeting, we were married at a country church where he was the assistant pastor.

This time we both arrived at the same church, right on time. In my time of sorrow, God gave me laughter. In place of loneliness, God gave me love. Thispast June we celebrated our twenty second anniversary. Whenever anyone asks us how we met, Rick tells them "Her mother and my Aunt Mary introduced us," and it's truly a match made in Heaven...

Author Unknown

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The Garden

One day while thinking about my garden: God showed me how I could think about my soul in a different way. As with a flower garden! God gave us this beautiful garden (our soul). It is a beautiful garden with every kind of flower that He envisions for us. He is giving us this garden to tend to and we are free to do whatever we want with our garden. When we die, we present to God our garden that He first gave to us. I thought about everything that it takes to make a beautiful garden and how much deliberate effort it takes to keep the garden free of weeds and the flowers blooming.

A garden needs sunshine, which I see is God and His love for us. A garden needs water, which I see is the life-giving grace that He freely gives to us. In order to have strong and beautiful flowers and plants, fertilizer is needed to feed and nourish the soil and the flowers. In order for a garden to do well, the soil needs to be tilled and broken up. I see this as the struggles and problems we have in our life. God lets things happen in our life in order to soften and nourish the ground (our soul) so that the flowers can have a perfect environment to grow.

By cooperating with the grace that God gives us and being open to His will, we are allowing the seeds that He has sown for us to grow. Of course a garden has weeds that always seem to pop up (human problems). Unless we keep control of these weeds they can overtake our garden and choke out all the flowers that were thriving. I see the weeds as the sin and vice that can be in our lives and that can keep us from being more closely united to God.

We are free to ignore or pay attention to Our personal gift from God. God planted the flowers and it's up to us to nourish and tend our garden. Finally I see that We never planted the flowers and the plants in our garden. Our garden is perfectly suited for us according to Gods eternal plan. God planted the flowers and it's up to us to nourish and tend our garden so that everything God has planned for us can truly be, and that at the end of our life our garden will be most pleasing to our "Father".

Author Unknown

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God's Plan

Was God telling him to stay in London rather than go to China? Thomas Barnardo had come to London for missionary training, only to have a 10 year old child show him a rooftop were 11 homeless boys were sleeping. Barnardo's heart was touched. He set about finding temporary lodging for the boys.

Other midnight tours of the area revealed many more homeless youth---- as many as 73 in one night. China would have to wait. God had given him London.
Barnardo sold some 30,000 copies of the scriptures in the public houses and marketplaces to raise money for his work among the children. He was often
rejected for defending them, even sustaining physical injury.

In one attack, he suffered two broken ribs. When a cholera epidemic hit London in 1866, he and others worked tirelessly, only to see thousands die. He eventually opened a "Home for Destitute Boys " and later a " Village for Girls." Through the next several decades, he built numerous homes and villages that cared for some 60,000 abandoned children.

Barnardo's missionary desire was put to work by his being " The Father of Nobodies Children." And happily, he lived long enough to see seventeen of the youth he rescued take the Gospel to foreign lands.

EXPECT GREAT THINGS FROM GOD.

ATTEMPT GREAT THINGS FOR GOD.

Author Unknown

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The Carpenter's Tools

Brother Hammer served as the chairman. The other members of the tool belt informed him that he must leave, because he was too noisy. But brother Hammer said, "If I have to leave this carpenter's shop, then brother Gimlet must go too. He's insignificant and makes a very small impression." (A gimlet is a small tool with a screw point, grooved shank, and a cross handle for boring holes).

Little brother Gimlet arose and said, "All right, but brother Screwdriver must go also. You have to turn him around and around to get anywhere with him."

Brother Screwdriver turned to the other tools in the belt and said, "If you wish, I will go, but brother Plane must leave too. All of his work is on the surface; there's no depth to what he does."

To this brother Plane leveled his terse reply, "Well, then, brother Saw will have to depart too. The changes he proposes always cut too deep."

Brother Saw complained, saying, "Brother Ruler will have to withdraw if I leave, for he's always measuring other folks as though he were the only one who is right."

Brother Ruler then surveyed the group and said, "Brother Sandpaper doesn't belong here either. He's rougher than he ought to be, and is always rubbing people the wrong way."

In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in. He had come to perform his day's work. He put on His tool belt and went to the workbench to make a pulpit. He employed the ruler, the saw, the plane, the hammer, the gimlet, the screwdriver, the sandpaper, and all the other tools. When the day's work was over, the pulpit was finished, and the carpenter went home. All the accusations against each of these tools were absolutely true, yet the carpenter used every one of them. No matter which tool He use, no other tool could have done the work better.

THOUGHT: We are all "tools"" in Jesus' tool box. Each of us has a purpose, ability, and a task to perform.

"For we are God's fellow workers..." (1 Corinthians 3:9a; cf. 12:12ff).

Author Unknown

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A Bigger Frying Pan

Two men went fishing. One man was an experienced fisherman, the other wasn't. Every time the experienced fisherman caught a big fish, he put it in his ice chest to keep it fresh. Whenever the inexperienced fisherman caught a big fish, he threw it back. The experienced fisherman watched this go on all day and finally got tired of seeing this man waste good fish. " Why do you keep throwing back all the big fish you catch?" he asked.

The inexperienced fisherman replied, "I only have a small frying pan." Sometimes, like that fisherman, we throw back the big plans, big dreams, big jobs, big opportunities that God gives us. Our faith is too small. We laugh at that fisherman who didn't figure out that all he needed was a bigger frying pan; yet how ready are we to increase the size of our faith?

Whether it's a problem or a possibility, God will never give you anything bigger than you can handle. That means we can confidently walk into anything God brings our way.

Nothing is too big for God. Stop telling God you've got big problems, but instead tell your problems to a big God!

You can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13).

Author Unknown

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Making Bread

The ingredients used in bread baking all play an important part in the quality of bread produced.

1. Start with an empty bread pan, ready to be filled with ingredients.
(Just as God takes us - ready ... and needing to be filled.)

2. YEAST - a form of plant life - it will grow and multiply when the conditions are favorable.
(Yeast represents the WORD of GOD - a necessary ingredient. When we make the conditions favorable in our lives then the Word of God can grow and multiply.)

3. FLOUR - the main ingredient. Use white, whole meal, gluten or any other type of flour.
(This is us - our personalities - what makes us unique.)

4. SUGAR - provides food for the yeast and helps the yeast to ferment and promotes continued yeast action. It also provides "sweetness".
(We all need sweetness - God's favor and blessings in our life to promote continued action of the Word of God in us.)

5. SALT - gives the bread a more even texture. It controls the action of the yeast by inhibiting enzyme activity. Reducing the salt will mean the bread will have a weak gluten structure.
(The salt here represents the attacks from the enemy - under the controlled supervision of our heavenly father - these will keep us on the alert. If we try and minimize these by running away we will be weak in character.)

6. FATS - this is to soften the bread and enhance the flavor and richness. Although the addition of fat is not essential, bread made without fat will have less flavor and will not keep as well.
(This is God's anointing. Some Christians try and leave it out but they will have less flavor and not keep as well. With it we will be enhancing the flavor and richness in our lives).

7. LIQUID - this is important to bread making - a small change in quantity may cause the bread not to rise and may affect the texture.
(Refreshing water - we must have it and if we don't take time out to be refreshed it will affect us spiritually, physically and emotionally.)

8. Once all the ingredients are in the pan, it is then placed in the bread maker and the lid is closed. Switch it on, the process now begins.
(Isn't that so like God. He wants us to draw deep into Him out of the sight of others so He can begin the process of making us Christ-like - "Hidden in Christ".)

9. The blade starts into action - mixing and kneading. All the ingredients are being tossed and blended. They are beginning to react and respond.
(Just as it is with us in our everyday life - mixing our personalities with the Word of God, the anointing, refreshing times, the attacks of the enemy and God's favor and blessings.)

10. The process seems to take forever but eventually the blade stops ... but only for a few moments .... then starts again with its relentless turning and twisting and when all the ingredients are well blended together into one mass, the temperature begins to rise ... and so does the bread.
(When we face challenges that gets us hot and stirred up, we begin to rise - if we have the right ingredients, we will rise to face them God's way - resting in between.)

11. It seems like an eternity, then all of a sudden there is a gas release and the bread falls back to its original size again.
(God assist us when we get too puffed up - we need to be humbled.)

12. The temperature begins to rise again, even hotter than before and the bread rises to its fullest height. The molecular structure of the initial ingredients have changed. The buzzer goes off and the bread is ready to come out.
(When we are ready - changes have taken place.)

13. With padded gloves, we handle with care, and gently remove the bread from the bread maker, shake vigorously so the bread will come away from the pan and then place it on a wire rack to cool off. The aroma entices people to come and marvel at this wonderful creation.
Once cooled completely, it then takes the prominent place at the table. Some will love it, some will not - but still it takes the centre place. Then slowly and deliberately, hands reach out and tenderly breaks the bread to give out to those who are hungry.
(So it is with us - when we have allowed God to change us, mould and make us, mix and blend us and we have reached our fullest potential - we are ready to be used. We will be handled gently, shaken vigorously, put aside to cool off, people will be draw to us, some may even marvel. We will take a prominent place and some will love us, some will not, but in the centre we will stay. When we think our purpose has been fulfilled, God will slowly and deliberately reach out with tender loving hands and break us ... and then, maybe, we are ready to feed those about us who hunger...)

Author Unknown

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Show Me...Don't Tell Me

"If you love me keep my commandments." ­ Jesus (John 14:15)

"A ruthless businessman once said to author Mark Twain, "Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud from the top."

"I have a better idea," Twain remarked, "You could stay home here and keep them."

Talk is cheap. It's what we do that counts not what we say and when our words don't match our actions, we are, as the Apostle Paul put it, as empty vessels and clanging symbols.

One of the best lessons I learned from one of my many teachers was the written comment he seemed to relish writing in bold red letters in the column of several of my written assignments. It read, "Show me. Don't tell me!"

I've never forgotten that lesson. It really applies to all of life's lessons we want to impart to others­especially to our children! Whatever we want to teach others we need to model ourselves before we can make any lasting impact on anybody else, otherwise what we say is unbelievable and the only person we deceive in the long run will be ourselves.

As a general rule, we teach best that which we ourselves most need to learn. And the place to begin modeling what we want to teach? At home!

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, help me to model the kind of person you want me to be. . .a better father/mother/child . . .friend. . . partner. . .business person. . .Christian so people seeing what you have done in my life will want the same for themselves. Gratefully in Jesus' name."

Author Unknown

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The Missionary's Leg

...all things work together for good to them that love God. Romans 8:28.

A Missionary was captured by cannibals. "I suppose you intend to eat me?" said the Missionary, and the chief grunted his affirmation. "Try a sample first, and see if you like me." said the Missionary as he took his knife and cut a slab from the calf of his leg and handed it to him. "Try this and see!"

The chief took one bite and choked. The Missionary had a cork leg. The chief wanted no more of it and the Missionary was spared.

Years before, he had thought it a "great misfortune" to lose his left leg and to wear an artificial leg, but afterwards it saved his life. It also preserved a great ministry that would have other wise been terminated immediately by the cannibals. Yes, it worked out "for good!"

Are you going through a "tragedy" at this moment dear friend? Then remember ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, TO THOSE WHO LOVE THE LORD JESUS! ALL THINGS!

"Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything!"

Author Unknown

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