|
Moving Stories
Love
We had just finished our dinner and I'd gone in the den and turned on the TV. She walked in and kissed me on the cheek like a million times before and she said, "Honey, I know it's late, but if you don't mind, my shopping's got a little behind so I think I'll drive downtown to the grocery store."
Well, I didn't look up. I just nodded OK and asked her to hand me an ashtray. When she did, I reached over, squeezed her hand and then she left. I shuddered for a minute at the thought of my world without her in it and I reassuringly sought the touch of my wedding band.
Well, I must have been dozing 'cause I didn't hear the door. I thought, now that's strange, I'd never done that before. But I looked up and she was standing by my chair. "Kind a snuck up on me," I said. She smiled and nodded her head. I told her that she looked just like an Angel standing there.
For a long moment she didn't say a thing,then she caressed her golden wedding ring. I thought I saw a teardrop in her eye. "Honey, you'll never know how much I Love You," she said. I thought of the many years we'd been wed as I told her that no one can be as happy as I.
Then, the strangest feeling filled the room, not one of happiness but of gloom. For the first time in my life I saw sadness in her face. I reached out to touch her and she drew away and she told me again that ours was a Love that time could never erase.
Then I thought I heard a thousand voices singing, but I realized it was just the telephone ringing. That's when I saw the halo surround her pretty golden hair.
I turned trembling to the receiver and heard a cold voice say that there had been a wreck out on the highway and I knew that when I looked back she wouldn't be there.
Because it was an Angel's way of saying our LAST GOODBYE.
Cracked Pots
A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung from the end of a pole
which he carried across his 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 two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a
half pots of water to his house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of
its accomplishments -- performing perfectly what it was designed to do.
The poor cracked pot was ashamed of its imperfection, and miserable that it
accomplished only half of what it had been designed to do.
Perceiving itself to be a bitter failure, the cracked pot spoke to the water
bearer one day on the way back from the stream. "I am ashamed of myself.
I want to apologize to you for delivering only half of my load. Because the
crack in my side causes water to leak out on the way back to your house,
you don't get full value for your efforts," the pot said.
The bearer replied to the pot, "Did you notice that there are flowers only
on your side of the path, not on the other pot's side? That's because when
I learned of your flaw, I planted flower seeds on your side of the path.
And, every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.
For two years, I have picked these beautiful flowers to decorate my table.
Without you being just the way you are, there would be no beauty to grace my
house."
MORAL: 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 simply have to accept each person for what
he or she is, and look for the good in everyone. Blessed are the flexible,
for they shall not be bent out of shape. Remember to appreciate all the
different people in your life.
The Legacy
She could not give her children gold,
So she gave them faith to have and hold.
She could not give them royal birth...
A name renowned throughout the earth.
But she gave them seeds and a garden spot,
And shade trees when the sun was hot.
She could not give a silver spoon,
Or servants waiting night and noon.
She gave them love and a listening ear,
And told them God was always near.
She could not give them ocean trips
Aboard majestic sailing ships.
But she gave them books and quiet time,
Adventures found in prose and rhyme.
She could not give them worldly things
But what she gave was fit for kings.
For with her faith and books and sod,
She made each child aware of God.
Gods Boxes
I have in my hands two boxes
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes
Both my joys and sorrows I stored,
But though the gold became heavier each day
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why,
And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
I showed the hole to God, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
My child, they're all here with me."
I asked, "God why He gave me the boxes! ,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go."
Old Ladies Soul
When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a
small hospital near Dundee,
Scotland, it was felt that she had nothing left of
any value. Later, when the
nurses were going through her meager possessions,
they found this poem.
Its quality and content so impressed the staff that
copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital. One
nurse took her copy to Ireland.
The old lady's sole bequest to posterity has since
appeared in the Christmas
edition of the News Magazine of the North Ireland
Association for
Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made
based on her simple,
but eloquent, poem. ...
And this little old Scottish lady, with nothing left
to give to the
world, is now the authoress of this "anonymous" poem winging
across the Internet.
Goes to show that we all leave "SOME footprints in
time".....
An Old Lady's Poem
What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you're looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with faraway eyes?
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
When you say in a loud voice, "I do wish you'd try!"
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe.....
Who, resisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill....
Is that what you're thinking? Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse; you're not looking at
me.
I'll tell you who I am as I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, as I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of ten ... with a father and
mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another.
A young girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bride soon at twenty-my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep.
At twenty-five now, I have young of my own,
Who need me to guide a secure happy home.
A woman of thirty, my young now grown fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last.
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At fifty once more, babies play round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead;
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I've
known.
I'm now an old woman ... and nature is cruel;
'Tis jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass a young girl still
dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years ... all too few, gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
not a crabby old woman; look closer .. see ME!!
....Remember this poem when you next meet an old
person who you might
brush aside without looking at the young soul
within.
......
We will one day be there, too!
Charges
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look
of defeat on her face,
walked into a grocery store. She approached the
owner of the store in a
most humble manner and asked if he would let her
charge a few groceries.
She softly explained that her husband was very ill
and unable to work,
they had seven children and they needed food.
John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and
requested that she leave his
store. Visualizing the family needs, she said:
"Please, sir! I will bring
you the money just as soon as I can." John told
her he could not give her
credit, as she did not have a charge account at
his store. Standing
beside the counter was a customer who overheard
the conversation between the two. The customer walked
forward and told the
grocer that he would stand good for whatever she
needed for her family.
The grocer said in a very
reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?
Louise replied, "Yes sir"
"O.K." he said, "put your grocery list on the
scales and whatever your
grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount
in groceries." Louise,
hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she
reached into her purse and
took out a piece of paper and scribbled something
on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale
carefully with her head
still bowed. The eyes of the grocer and the
customer showed amazement
when the scales went down and stayed down. The
grocer, staring at the
scales, turned slowly to the customer and said
begrudgingly, "I can't
believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer
started
putting the groceries on the other side of the
scales. The scale did not
balance so he continued to put more and more
groceries on them until the
scales would hold no more. The grocer stood there
in utter disgust.
Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the
scales and looked at it
with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list,
it was a prayer which
said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am
leaving this in your hands."
The grocer gave her the groceries that he had
gathered and stood in
stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store.
The customer handed a
fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was
worth every penny of
it." It was sometime later that the grocer
discovered the scales were
broken; therefore, only God knows how much a
prayer weighs.
YOUR HUT IS BURNING
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a
small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to
rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but
none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build
a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to
store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he
arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up
to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with
grief and anger.
"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship
that was approaching the
island.
It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?"
asked the weary man of his rescuers.
"We saw your smoke signal," they replied. It is easy to get
discouraged when things are going
bad. But we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our
lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your
little hut is burning to the ground
- it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
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 thing are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest ( Matt
11:28-20)
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
Cor.12:9
& Psalm 91:15)
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 (Phil
4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Cor.9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it
(Romans 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I forgive you (I
John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage. God says: I will supply all your
needs (Phil 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of
fear (II Tim. 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all
your cares on ME (I 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
Cor 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you
or forsake you (Heb. 13:5)
The Father's Eyes
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 puts
his heart and soul into 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 the game. It was the end
of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field
shortly before the big play off 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 and put on his football gear. 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've never heard!
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and
left the locker room, the coach noticed that the 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!"
SO - REMEMBER RIGHT NOW:
Somebody is very proud of you.
Somebody is thinking of you.
Somebody is caring about you.
Somebody misses you.
Somebody wants to talk to you.
Somebody wants to be with you.
Somebody hopes you are not in trouble.
Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
Somebody wants to hold your hand.
Somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
Somebody wants you to be happy.
Somebody wants you to find him/her.
Somebody wants to give you a gift.
Somebody wants to hug you.
Somebody thinks you ARE a gift.
Somebody admires your strength.
Somebody wants to protect you.
Somebody can't wait to see you.
Somebody loves you for who you are.
Somebody treasures your spirit.
Somebody is glad that you are their friend.
Somebody wants to get to know you better.
Somebody wants to be near you.
Somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
Somebody would do anything for you.
Somebody want to share their dreams with somebody is alive because of
you.
Somebody needs your support.
Somebody needs you to have faith in them.
Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.
DRINKING FROM MY SAUCER
I've never made a fortune
and it's probably too late now.
But I don't worry about that much,
I'm happy anyhow.
And as I go along life's way,
I'm reaping better than I sowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
Cause my cup has overflowed.
Haven't got a lot of riches,
and sometimes the going's tough.
But I've got loving ones around me,
and that makes me rich enough.
I thank God for his blessings,
and the mercies He's bestowed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'cause my cup has overflowed.
O, Remember times when things went wrong,
My faith wore somewhat thin.
But all at once the dark clouds broke,
and sun peeped through again.
So Lord, help me not to gripe about
the tough rows that I've hoed.
I'm drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
If God gives me strength and courage,
when the way grows steep and rough.
I'll not ask for other blessings,
I'm already blessed enough.
And may I never be too busy,
to help others bear their loads.
Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
'Cause my cup has overflowed.
THE BLESSING OF THORNS
Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed
against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had
been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her
second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease.
During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son.
She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her
husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose
annual holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not
come. What's worse, Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting
her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to
empathize with others who suffer. "She has no idea what I'm
feeling," thought Sandra with a shudder. "Thanksgiving? Thankful
for what?" she wondered aloud. For a careless driver whose
truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an
airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?
"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach
startled her. "I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.
"For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would
you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the
Thanksgiving Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that
flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for
something that conveys 'gratitude' this Thanksgiving?"
"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months,
everything that could go wrong has gone wrong." Sandra
regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk
said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you." Then the door's
small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "Hi,Barbara...let me get
your order." She politely excused herself and walked toward a
small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement
of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the
ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped...there were no
flowers. "Want this in a box?" asked the clerk.
Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke?
Who would want rose stems with no flowers!?! She waited for
laughter, but neither woman laughed. "Yes, please," Barbara
replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three
years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its
significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again." she
said as she gently tapped her chest.
"Uhh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uhh... she
just left with no flowers!" "Right... I cut off the flowers.
That's the Special... I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."
"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for
that?" exclaimed Sandra. "Barbara came into the shop three years
ago feeling very much like you feel today," explained the clerk.
"She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her
father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was
into drugs, and she was facing major surgery." "That same year I
had lost my husband," continued the clerk," and for the first time
in my life, I had to spend the holidays alone. I had no children,
no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel."
"So what did you do?" asked Sandra. "I learned to be thankful for
thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for
good things in life and never thought to ask Him why those good
things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It
took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I always
enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me the
beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God
comforts us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we
learn to comfort others."
Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing
her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't
want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God." Just then
someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the clerk
to the balding, rotund man. "My wife sent me in to get our usual
Thanksgiving arrangement...twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!"
laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped
arrangement from the refrigerator. "Those are for your wife?"
asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me asking why she
wants something that looks like that?"
"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife
and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess,
but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through
problem after problem. He rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the
clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what
she learned from "thorny" times, and that was good enough for
me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to
label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks to Him for
what that problem taught us." As Phil paid the clerk, he said to
Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"
"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life."
Sandra said to the clerk. "It's all too...fresh." "Well," the clerk
replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that thorns make roses
more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during
trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of
thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent
the thorns." Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first
time since the accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll
take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke
out. "I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them
ready in a minute." "Thank you. What do I owe you?" asked Sandra.
"Nothing." said the clerk. "Nothing but a promise to allow God
to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me."
The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this
card to your arrangement, but maybe you'd like to read it first."
It read: "Dear God, I have never thanked you for my thorns. I
have thanked you a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my
thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my
thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to you along the path of pain.
Show me that, through my tears, the colors of your rainbow look much more
brilliant."
26 Guards
Here's a message that will bring you chills. Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, "I'll pray for them later."? Or has anyone ever called you and said, "I need you to pray for me, I have this need."? Read the following story that was sent to me and may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray. You will be blessed by this.
A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan....."While serving at a small field hospital in Africa, every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point. On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital. Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord. I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident. Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, 'Some friends and I followed you into the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight.
We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. But just as we were about to move into your camp, we saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards. At this I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite. The young man pressed the point, however, and said, 'No sir, I was not the only person to see the guards. My five friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone.'"
At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the
missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened. The missionary told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted told him this story: "On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men
in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you. Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?" The men who had met together to pray that day stood up. The missionary wasn't concerned with who they were, he was too busy counting how many men he saw. There were 26.
This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in mysterious ways. If you ever hear such prodding, go along with it.
Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell. I encourage you to forward this to as many people as you know. If we all take it to heart, we can turn this world toward God once again. As the above true story clearly illustrates, "with God all things are possible" and more importantly, how God hears and answers the prayers of the faithful.
After you read this, please pass it on and give God thanks for the beautiful gift of your faith, for the powerful gift of prayer, and for the many miracles He works in your own daily life...
He is the First and Last, the Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and
The Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be...
Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!
He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life!
He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!
The world can't understand him,
The armies can't defeat Him,
The schools can't explain Him, and
The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him,
The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and
The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and
Donahue can't explain Him away!
He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right,
His word is eternal,
His will is unchanging, and
His mind is on me.
He is my Redeemer,
He is my Savior,
He is my guide, and
He is my peace!
He is my Joy,
He is my comfort,
He is my Lord, and
He rules my life!
I serve Him because His bond is love,
His burden is light, and
His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
The power of the powerful,
The ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
The leader of leaders, the overseer of the overcomers, and
The sovereign Lord of all that was and is and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this for size.
His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me,
Never forsake me,
Never mislead me,
Never forget me,
Never overlook me, and
Ever cancel my appointment in His appointment book!
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody, everywhere,
Every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and
That means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!
*The Lift*
Courageous Response!
(Author Unknown)
On a summer morning as he was fixing his breakfast, Ray Blankenship looked out his window to see a young girl being swept along in the rain-flooded drainage ditch beside his Ohio home. Blankenship knew that farther downstream, the ditch disappeared with a roar underneath the road and then emptied into the main culvert.
Ray dashed from his home and raced along the ditch, trying to get ahead of the flailing child. Finally, he hurled himself into the deep, churning water. When he surfaced, he was able to grab the girl's arm. The two tumbled end over end and then, within about three feet of the yawning culvert, Ray's free hand felt something protrude from the bank. He clung to it desperately, the tremendous force of the water trying to tear him and the child away.
By the time fire-department rescuers arrived, Blankenship amazingly had pulled the girl to safety. Both were treated for shock. In that heroic moment, Ray Blankenship was at even greater risk than most people knew . . . since . . . Ray couldn't swim.
Today, let your courage respond to needs that you see, not to the fear you may feel.
"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)
Jenny
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 two dollars and fifty cents. How she wanted that necklace!
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 aweful 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!" "Okay?" Jenny agreed, and her mother bought the pearl
necklace for her. Jenny worked on her chores very hard every day, and sure
enough 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, to bed, and when she went out
with her mother to run errands. The only time she didn't wear them was in
the shower. 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,
give me your pearls." Jenny said, "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls! 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?"
Daddy said, "Oh, no, darling, that's okay". He 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." "Oh, no, that's
okay", her father said, brushing 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. She
reached out her little hand to her father and said, "Here, Daddy," and she
pened her little hand and her beloved pearl necklace was inside. She let
it slip into her father's hand. With one hand her father held her
plastic pearls, 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 that he could
give her the real thing. So is it with God. He is waiting for us to give
up the cheap things in our lives so He can give us beautiful treasures.
You can do one of two things with this story. You can pass it on
and let others be touched by its message, or you can throw it away and
not let it touch your heart. This made me stop and think about the things I
hold on to and wonder what God wants to give me in its place. What are
you holding on to that God wants to replace? What do you value most
in your life? What is most cherished by you? Is it something that you
hold in your hand? Or in your heart?
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking, by a Child . . .
A message every parent should read, because your children are watching
you and doing as you do, not as you say...
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on
the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I
learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for
me and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew
there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to
a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care
of each other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and
money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something
should give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I
felt loved and safe.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and
everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your
responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I
would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and
I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to
be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons
that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say,
Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'"
Each of us, parent or friend, influence the life of a child.
Took my place
One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his
car,and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told
him,"I always park there. You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and
sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated,"That's my
seat!
You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude
welcome, but said nothing
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and
sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always
sit.
You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this
treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them,
the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became
visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the
congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor
replied,"I took your place."
ONCE THERE WERE 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 reaching. 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.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I
should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened
because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true.
One of the Woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll
take this one", and he cut it down.
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed
box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was
not at all what he had prayed for.
The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams
of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end.
The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one
day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed
the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree.
The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this
manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this
event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second
tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on
the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong
enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood
and said "Peace" and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that
it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the
streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came
to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die
at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize
that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as
close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way,
always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him,
He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just
not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are
for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always
best.
Keep it moving...pass it on, so it could inspire more people on His way.
Sometimes the heart sees what the eyes can't."
*All content copyrighted by its original creators. If your copyrighted work appears on this site, please email me at once and I will remove it or add your copyright to it as soon as possible.*
|
