MORNING DROPS

Education opens the doors

2011-04-07T01:50:00.000-07:00

Interesting ! Interpretation of Namaste!

2011-04-07T01:42:00.000-07:00

An interesting video. A facinating interpretation of the hindu greeting of Namaste.....

:-)

2011-04-07T01:34:00.001-07:00

One day Sven & Ollie, local pastors, were seen pounding a sign into the ground, that said: "DA END ISS NEAR! TURN YERSELF AROUND NOW BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE"

As a car sped past them, the driver leaned out his window and yelled, "Leave us alone, you religious nuts!"

From the curve they heard screeching tires and a big splash...

Rev.Ole turns to Pastor Sven and asks, "Do ya think maybe da sign should yust say 'Bridge Out'?".

Think Over!

2011-04-07T01:32:00.001-07:00

On his way to church, a scholar was surprised to see a man in tattered clothes and barefoot. Nevertheless, as a good Christian, he greeted the poor man: "May God give you a good morning!"

The poor man replied cheerfully, "I have never yet had a bad morning."

"Then may God give you good luck!"

"I have never yet had bad luck."

"Well, may God give you happiness!"

"I have never yet been unhappy."

The scholar then asked the man, "Could you you please explain yourself to me? I do not understand."

And the poor man replied, "With pleasure! You wish me a good morning, yet I have never had a bad morning. For when I am hungry, I praise God; when I feel cold, or when it is raining or snowing, I praise God; and that is why I have never had a bad morning."

"You wish that God may give me luck. However, I have never had bad luck. This is because I live with God and always feel what he does for me is the best. Whatever God sends me, be it pleasant or unpleasant, I accept with a grateful heart. That is why I have never had bad luck."

"Finally, you wish that God should make me happy. But I have never been unhappy. For all I desire is to follow God's will; I have surrendered my will so totally to God's will that, whatever God wants, that is what I also want. That is why I have never been unhappy."

Faith, Hope, and Love

2011-04-07T01:31:00.001-07:00

When I began this journey, I was presented with the most precious gift, three candles. These were the candles of Faith, Hope, and Love. Everywhere on my path of life I went, they were a light to my path. I enjoyed their warmth and basked in the glow of their light.

As I traveled on this path of life, I faced many obstacles. There were mountains to climb: Sometimes I would run to the top of the mountain and rejoice in the glorious view. Then it was back to the valleys. In the valleys, I met many challenges, but I also had companions who walked with me, step by step, through every obstacle. And all along the way the candles — Faith, Hope, and Love — guided me.

Recently on a cool, clear, summer day, I encountered a raging whirlwind. It was upon me before I could react. It tossed me about with its winds of confusion and pain. I spun about in darkness from the whirlwind.

From within the whirlwind a mocking voice spoke — it laughed at my pain and confusion — it told me that there was no hope — it grabbed for my candle of Hope. I screamed in sorrow as the candle blew out. The evil voice raged once again telling me that all was lost. I reached out for the candle of Faith and held on with all my strength. But the whirlwind spun harder and faster and my weak, broken hands could hold on no longer. The candle of Faith blew out too.

The voice from within the whirlwind laughed heartily and said, "Give me the candle of Love!"

I shook with fear. Hopelessness and confusion swirled around in my mind, but at this darkest moment a mighty voice spoke to the whirlwind, "No. The candle of Love is not for you to take. Go away! This child is MINE!

Then He leaned down to this broken vessel and said, "Be calm, My child. Your journey is not over yet." He lifted up the candle of Love, still burning, and lit the candles of Hope and Faith again for me. This is why I now stand and sing to others caught in hopelessness and despair.

Addendum: "I wrote this story while I was recovering from an awful motorcycle accident. As a pastor it was my greatest faith test. I broke 18 bones and did lots of internal damage. God was faithful."
[Author: Tim Manzer]

A Gift From The Heart

2011-04-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

This is a story about a child that saw the importance of giving and never thought about giving up. Some may think a child isn't old enough to carry enough wisdom to teach us all a lesson in living. But I've learned a heart grows from life's many challenges and sometimes a child's challenges can be far greater than some adults.

We met a little girl seven years ago, during one of my daughter's occasional hospital stays. Her name was Beth and she was my daughter's room mate for a week. Beth was a very happy girl despite her medical problems she was facing. Her long blonde curls always seemed to bounce with her smile. The girls got to know each other well and had become good friends.

On the pediatric floor of the hospital, we saw many seriously ill children. It was so sad, even though my daughter had an uncurable kidney disease and not a very good chance of living to see old age herself. We always saw many children with all kinds of cancer, and sadly enough Beth was one of those children. She was doing two weeks of chemo and radiation. I was amazed at her will and determination to never give up despite how very sick her treatments made her. She was always concerned about my daughter and the other children with cancer she grew to know over her many hospital stays.

My daughter's IV treatments were done after a week and I was happy to finally bring her home. We were awaiting the final discharge orders when Beth appeared from the other side of the curtain that separated their beds. She said, "I want you to have this. I know you need a new kidney, so keep this angel pin with you till you get better. She will watch over you so you smile all over. My friend, John gave this to me to watch over me, but it's time for this angel to watch over you. When you get your new kidney and smile, you can give this angel to someone that needs her too. I'm done reading my book so here's my bookmark that has a poem on it called, Don't Quit!, I know it by heart anyhow."

My daughter thanked her and the girls exchanged hugs and big smiles. I knew, we may never see Beth again, but we never forgot the gift she gave from her heart that day. During that year, we found out Beth has passed away. It was so sad to know such a beautiful little girl was no longer bouncing smiles to everyone she would meet. Her sincere kindness will stay with us forever.

We kept that angel for six more years. My daughter had gone beyond what medical journals had studied and expected from her disease. Was it the angel watching over her or pure luck? My daughter ended up on kidney dialysis for over a year, and one month after almost loosing her, a kidney became available and she received a transplant. My heart tells me, an angel upstairs was watching with a loving smile.

My daughter had kept that angel pin and now she felt it was time to give it to someone who needed watched over till they could smile again. She gave it to an elderly man trying to overcome the damage from heart problems and undergoing extensive therapy. His family has informed us, that when he returns home he wants to give the angel to someone he knows suffering from a brain tumor.

How many families and hearts this angel has touched no one knows for sure. But all it took was one single gift of kindness, that has and will touch an endless amount of hearts forever.

So this Christmas season, look around and see that gift that can't be bought. Create a tradition with your children or maybe someone you love. Make someone's day and do the unexpected, let a friend know you care, or greet a stranger with a warm smile. Give the gift that keeps on giving. It's open twenty-four hours a day, three hundred and sixty-five days a year, it's a gift from your heart. After all, isn't that what Christmas is all about?

[Author: Bonnie]

Christmas is a necessity.
There has to be at least one day of the year to remind us that we're here for
something else besides ourselves.

Christmas Q&A

2011-04-07T01:28:00.001-07:00

December is here, and in a great many heads, this month brings thoughts of giving gifts. Yet, there are many people today who have serious concerns regarding the manner in which we celebrate Christ's birth. Christmas is a celebration of which many Christians are usually divided over. Let's take a few moments to consider some of the more commonly asked questions about Christmas. We have to avoid the attitude that says "Don't bother me with the facts, I have made up my mind already."

Do we have Scriptural warrant to observe Christmas?? There were feasts that Jesus observed that were never commanded by God to be observed by the people of Israel. The feasts divinely commanded by God are outlined in Leviticus 23 and they are known as the "feasts of the LORD."

However, there are two other feasts that the Jews observed that were not commanded by God, namely Hanukkah and Purim. The first feast is found nowhere in the Old Testament because it was instituted long after the Old Testament canon had been completed. The feast of Hanukkah finds it origins in the Apocrypha, a collection of non-canonical books that were never accepted as part of the Old Testament. However, the Orthodox and traditional churches do accept these books but consider as "deutero-canonical", ie. their canonicity has a secondary status.

The Hanukkah story comes from the first and second books of the Maccabees. However, this feast is mentioned in the New Testament in John 10:22 and there it is called the "feast of dedication", another name for Hanukkah. As a Jew, Jesus would most likely have observed this feast, and it would be pointless for John to mention this feast if it had no relevance to Jesus or His ministry.

Scholars have noted for the longest time that the Gospel of John revolves the ministry of Jesus around the Jewish feasts, and that Jesus is the fulfillment of those feasts. Hence, Jesus had no objection to the observance of a feast that had no basis in the Old Testament. Why? As long as God was glorified and acknowledged the people of God were free to do so.

Another example of this is seen in the feast of Purim. This feast is mentioned in the Old Testament, in the book of Esther, but like Hanukkah, Purim was never commanded by God. Rather, the Jewish community in Persia instituted this feast to celebrate their deliverance from annihilation (Esther 9:18-32).

Once again, in this case, this feast glorified God for His providential protection. As stated above, Jesus as a Jew would also have celebrated this feast. Some scholars believe that the "feast of the Jews" mentioned in John 5:1 was the feast of Purim. The intent again was to glorify God.

Christmas is never commanded nor prohibited in the New Testament. It is thus a grey area and Christians should be free to exercise their conscience as to whether they wish to observe this feast or not. One must not however, pass judgment on other believers who wish to observe Christmas. Likewise we must do the same for those who do not observe it.

Paul points out that the observance of days should never be a divisive issue with Christians. As long as the day is regarded to the Lord, it is acceptable to Him (Romans 14:4-6). Christians who celebrate Christmas do so to glorify God for His unspeakable gift, His Son.

When was Jesus born?? It is clear that the New Testament writers who wrote on the Nativity narratives, namely Matthew and Luke, were not concerned about specifying the date of Christ's birth. All we know about that time is that Luke tells us the Caesar Augustus issued a decree for a census (Luke 2:1-2). Scholars can tell us about the year that event took place, but not about the month and day, which is what we are interested in.

We do know the time of Christ's death and resurrection because it was during the Passover, and it is clear that the New Testament writers put much more emphasis and importance on this event, rather than on the birth of Christ. Indeed, it is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ that constitute the core and foundation of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). It is belief in Jesus as Lord and His resurrection that brings salvation (Romans 10:9-13).

Some scholars speculate probably a September/October as a likely date for Jesus' birth because Luke mentions sheep in the fields (Luke 2:8), and November was the latest month in which sheep could be left out in the fields and December would be bitterly cold for pasture and for people to migrate for a census.

The Jewish feast of Tabernacles is celebrated in September or sometimes October. This feast represented God's presence dwelling with His people. In John 1:14 it states that the Word "tabernacled" or "pitched His tent" among us. Some scholars see an allusion here to the feast of Tabernacles. It is possible that Jesus could have been born during this feast.

Notwithstanding these points however, the well known Jewish Christian scholar, Dr. Alfred Edersheim proposed December 25 as Christ's birthday and argued that it had a connection with the Jewish feast of Hanukkah which falls on the 25th day of the Hebrew month Kislev. The Jewish feast of Hanukkah always begins on the 25th day of Kislev, just as Christmas always falls on the 25th day of December.

Due to the differences between the Christian calendar (better known as the 'Gregorian calendar') and the Hebrew calendar, Hanukkah and Christmas sometimes are celebrated together or at times Hanukkah begins before Christmas. Both of these festivals emphasize the importance of light, the menorah with Judaism and Christmas lights with Christianity. The idea of the "Festival of Lights" points to Jesus as the "light of the world" (John 8:12).

What better time for the Messiah to be born? Dr. Edersheim's arguments are compelling, but he stands in the minority on the subject. Most scholars if not all reject December 25 as the actual date of Jesus' birth. The date of Jesus' birth is therefore unknown to us, we simply do not really know.

Likewise, New Year's Day is held by the Western world as January 1, however in the Bible the beginning of the year actually begins in April, and the Hebrew secular year begins in September (Rosh Hashanah).

The Game of Life

2011-04-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

A skinny boy loved playing football with all his heart. In every practice he would give his best but being half the size of other boys, he got nowhere. At all the games this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played. The 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 and 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 or a game but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with the words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as “walk-on.” Everyone was sure he could never make the cut but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the rooster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed.

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

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

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astonished to see their faithful teammate back so soon.

“Coach, please let me play. I‘ve got to play today,” said the young man.

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

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

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked, and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown.

The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard. Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, “Kid, I can’t believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?”

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

Like the athlete’s father, God is always there cheering for us. He’s always reminding us to go on. He’s even offering us His hand for He knows what is best. God has never missed a single game. What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest. Live for HIM for He’s watching us in the game of life.

[Based on a True Incident]

Think Over

2011-04-07T01:26:00.001-07:00

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away. Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild turkey up in a tree, but he had only one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused." However, at the same time, he saw a deer which would provide more meat than the turkey. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still, the voice again said to him, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree, and shot the wild turkey. The bullet went into the turkey, deflected off a bone and hit the deer, killing it. When the gun fired, it knocked the man off balance, he stepped on the rattlesnake's head which killed it and fell backwards into a pond. When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a deer and a turkey with which to feed his family. The snake was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Dear friends, pray first before you do anything. Aim high in your goals, and stay focused on God. Never let people or things discourage you concerning your past. Pray for God's will and not a mere fulfillment of your wishes. Be humble in your spirit and never let the enemy make you proud. Keep God first and everything else will follow. Do not look to man for your blessings, but look only to God.

:-)

2011-04-07T01:25:00.001-07:00

Lately Pastor Mike had grown weary from the demands of his growing church. He was getting very little sleep and a couple of deacons had really been putting him to the test. So, one beautiful Spring Sunday morning he decides that he would feel better with a relaxing round of golf. Pretending to be sick, he calls the deacons and informs them that he is sick and will not be able to make it that day. He scheduled in a guest speaker so everything was under control without him.

As Pastor Mike was preparing to tee off on the first hole, the Archangel Michael looked over at the Father and said, "I'm sorry, sir, but what are you going to do? Pastor Mike called in to his deacons and said he was sick. He lied to them and to the church. And, he is skipping church all together. Shouldn't you punish him somehow for his behavior?"

"Sure," said the Father. "I'm going to make him hit a hole-in-one on every hole."

"A hole-in-one on every hole?!" said Michael. "That's not punishment. That's a blessing. No one has ever done that and you're going to help this lying pastor score a hole-in-one on every hole? How is that punishment?!"

Father replied, "Coz, Who's he gonna tell?"

Think Over!

2011-04-07T01:07:00.000-07:00

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone.

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we turned back to go and get it if we forgot to take it with us?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we used to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it as gifts to kids?

What if we used it as we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?

The great thing is unlike our cell phone, we don’t ever have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because...

Jesus already paid the bill !!

Little Girl in the Park

2011-04-07T01:06:00.001-07:00

There was this little girl sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the girl just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak, she never said a word. Many people passed but no one would stop.

The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the little girl would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot as she was yesterday, and still with the sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move and walk over to the little girl. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for young children to play alone.

As I got closer I could see the back of the little girl's dress was obscenely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to help. Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different. As I got closer, the little girl lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare.

As I approached her, I could see the obscene shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped-over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK, I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her and opened with a simple Hello.

The little girl acted shocked, and stammered a "hi," after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. I asked the girl why she was so sad. The little girl looked at me and with a sad face said, "Because I'm different."

I immediately said, "That you are!" and smiled. The little girl acted even sadder and said, "I know."

"Little girl," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent."

She looked at me and smiled. Slowly she got to her feet and said, "Really?"

"Yes, you're like a little Guardian Angel sent to watch over all those people walking by."

She nodded her head yes, and smiled. With that she spread her wings and said, "I am. I'm your Guardian Angel," with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless, sure I was seeing things. She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself. My job here is done."

I got to my feet and said, "Wait. So why did no one stop to help an angel?" She looked at me and smiled, "You're the only one that could see me," and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically. So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you.

Christmas Q&A

2011-04-07T01:03:00.000-07:00

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year -
and yet, for all that, when it speaks, its voice has strong authority.

Miracle in the Toyshop

2011-04-07T01:01:00.000-07:00

I locked our general store and dragged ourselves home. It was 11:00 p.m., Christmas Eve of 1949. We were dog tired. We had sold almost all of our toys; and all of the layaways, except one package, that had been not picked up.

Usually we kept the store open until everything had been claimed. We wouldn't have been happy on Christmas knowing that some child's gift was still on the layaway shelf. But the person who had put a dollar down on the package never returned.

Early Christmas morning we and our twelve-year-old son, Tom, opened gifts. But I'll tell you, there was something humdrum about this Christmas. Tom was growing up; I missed his childish exuberance of past years. As soon as breakfast was over Tom left to visit his friend next door. Herman mumbled, "I'm going back to sleep. There's nothing left to stay up for." So there I was alone, feeling let down.

And then it began. A strange, persistent urge. It seemed to be telling me to go to the store. I looked at the sleet and icy sidewalk outside. That's crazy, I said to myself. I tried dismissing the urge, but it wouldn't leave me alone. In fact, it was getting stronger.

Finally, I couldn't stand it any longer, and I got dressed. Outside, the wind cut right through me and the sleet stung my cheeks. I groped my way to the store, slipping and sliding.

In front stood two boys, one about nine, and the other six. What in the world? "See, I told you she would come!" the older boy said jubilantly. The younger one's face was wet with tears, but when he saw me, his sobbing stopped.

"What are you two doing out here?" I scolded, hurrying them into the store. "You should be at home on a day like this!" They were poorly dressed. They had no hats or gloves, and their shoes barely held together. I rubbed their icy hands, and got them up close to the heater.

"We've been waiting for you," replied the older boy. "My little brother Jimmy didn't get any Christmas." He touched Jimmy's shoulder. "We want to buy some skates. That's what he wants. We have these three dollars," he said, pulling the bills from his pocket.

I looked at the money. I looked at their expectant faces. And then I looked around the store. "I'm sorry," I said, "but we have no --" Then my eye caught sight of the lay-away shelf with its lone package.

"Wait a minute," I told the boys. I walked over, picked up the package, unwrapped it and, miracle of miracles, there was a pair of skates! Jimmy reached for them. Lord, let them be his size. And miracle added upon miracle, they were his size.

The older boy presented the dollars to me. "No," I told him, "I want you to have these skates, and I want you to use your money to get some gloves." The boys just blinked at first. Then their eyes became like saucers, and their grins stretched wide when they understood I was giving them the skates.

What I saw in Jimmy's eyes was a blessing. It was pure joy, and it was beautiful. My spirits rose.

We walked out together, and as I locked the door, I turned to the older brother and said, "How did you know I would come?" I wasn't prepared for his reply. His gaze was steady, and he answered me softly. "I asked Jesus to send you."

The tingles in my spine weren't from the cold. God had planned this. As we waved good-bye, I turned home for a brighter Christmas. [Author Unknown]

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air

Christmas Q&A

2011-04-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

December is here, and in a great many heads, this month brings thoughts of giving gifts. Yet, there are many people today who have serious concerns regarding the manner in which we celebrate Christ's birth. Christmas is a celebration of which many Christians are usually divided over. Let's take a few moments to consider some of the more commonly asked questions about Christmas. We have to avoid the attitude that says "Don't bother me with the facts, I have made up my mind already."

Another common question revolves around Santa Claus and the practice of giving gifts?? What few people seem to be aware of is that Santa is Christian rather than pagan in origin. As a matter of fact, Santa Claus is an Anglicized form of the Dutch name "Sinter Klaas." Sinter Klaas in turn represents a Christian bishop of the fourth century named "Saint Nicholas."

Nicholas was born to a wealthy Christian family in Patara in around 280 AD. The place is near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was so kind and pious that he helped anyone who came his way and soon many legends about his good deeds became popular. Later, he became the Bishop of Myra. He had inherited a large property, which he used from time to time to help the poor and the sick.

According to tradition, Saint Nick was not only kind and generous towards children but he apparently attended the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, where he supported the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.

While it is likely true that Saint Nick gave toys to tots, it's obviously pure mythology that he presently lives at the North Pole in a toy factory, knows if we've been bad or good, and flies around in a sled pulled by reindeer.

In truth, Santa is not essential to Christmas -- but he does represent an excellent opportunity for sharing Christ with your kids. Why not ask them this Christmas if they know who Santa really was. Perhaps not only Santa can be saved but so will one or more of your loved ones.

Regarding the practice of giving gifts, Jehovah's Witnesses in particular are quick to assert that this practice not only leads to commercialism, but can be tied to the pagan practice of astrology as well. As they put it, the word "Magi" in the original Greek refers to "astrologers."

History reveals, however, that the Magi were not singularly stargazers but were schooled in the arts and sciences of their day as well. Thus, the translation "wise men" makes a great deal more sense than the transliteration, "astrologers."

It is also important to note what Scripture clearly says about the Magi. Namely, the "wise men" were led by God. Both the star that led them to Christ (Matt. 2:9) and the dream through which they outwitted Herod (vs. 12) were used by God to guide and direct them.

The Jehovah's Witnesses are quick to point out that the wise men gave gifts to Christ, not to one another. But that misses the point entirely. Obviously our risen, reigning Redeemer doesn't need a thing. However, when we give to one another, Christ considers that as good as giving unto Him (Matt. 25:37-40).

Perhaps your ability to sensitively and effectively dispel the Watchtower's mythology with regard to gift-giving will open a door for you to discuss the deity of Christ with them as well. And perhaps as a result of your discussion, the Jehovah's Witness may receive the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. Jehovah's Witnesses can be reached, you know, and the Holy Spirit can use you as a part of the process.
Christmas is never commanded nor prohibited in the New Testament. It is thus a grey area and Christians should be free to exercise their conscience as to whether they wish to observe this feast or not. Paul points out that the observance of days should never be a divisive issue with Christians. As long as the day is regarded to the Lord, it is acceptable to Him (Romans 14:4-6). Christians who celebrate Christmas do so to glorify God for His unspeakable gift, His Son.
Now more than ever it is incumbent for believers to be ready to give answers to questions concerning Christmas. For, indeed, the true meaning of Christmas has become lost in our culture. Multitudes tragically reinterpret the meaning of Christmas as merely "good will toward men."

Of course, not to appreciate the human longing for love and happiness would be a dreadful mistake. However, Christians should help nonbelievers recognize that the true meaning of Christmas lies elsewhere. When the angels announcing Christ's birth sang of "good will toward men" (Luke 2:14), they were not singing about men showing good will toward men, but God showing good will toward men. He did this through the singular act of sending His Son to us as the Savior of the world.

By becoming a human being, dying on the cross for our sins, and rising from the dead, Jesus Christ overcame sin, death, and the grave. In short, Jesus was born to overcome the very things that would destroy the human spirit of love, life, and liberty. Jesus was born to give us the greatest gift of all -- the gift of salvation.

This year you can be an instrument of God's grace by sharing with people around you the Good News of the greatest gift of all -- a gift that truly keeps on giving.
Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall,
the genial flame of charity in the heart.

Twelve Red Roses

2011-04-07T00:57:00.000-07:00

Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his backyard in the snow. Bobby didn't wear boots; he didn't like them. And besides he didn't own any. The thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them. They did a poor job of keeping out the cold. Bobby had been in his backyard for about an hour.

Try as he might, he could not come up with an idea for his mother's Christmas gift. He shook his head as he thought, "This is useless, even if I do come up with an idea, I don't have any money to spend." Ever since his father had passed away three years ago, the family of five had struggled. It wasn't because his mother didn't care, or try. There just never seemed to be enough. She worked nights at the hospital, but the small wage that she was earning could only be stretched so far.

What the family lacked in money and material things, they more than made up for in love and family unity. Bobby had two older sisters and one younger one. They ran the household in their mother's absence. All three of his sisters had already made beautiful gifts for their mother.

Somehow it just wasn't fair. Here it was Christmas Eve already, and he had nothing. Wiping a tear from his eye, Bobby kicked the snow and started to walk down to the street where the shops and stores were.

It wasn't easy being six without a father, especially when he needed a man to talk to. Bobby walked from shop to shop, looking into each decorated window. Everything seemed so beautiful and so out of reach. It was starting to get dark, and Bobby reluctantly turned to walk home.

Then suddenly his eyes caught the glimmer of the setting sun's rays reflecting off of something along the curb. He reached down and discovered a shiny dime. Never has anyone felt so wealthy as did Bobby at that moment. As he held his new found treasure, a warmth spread throughout his entire body, and he walked into the first store he saw.

His excitement quickly turned cold when salesperson after salesperson told him that he couldn't buy anything with only a dime. He went inside a flower shop. When the owner asked if he could help him, Bobby presented the dime and asked if he could buy one flower for his mother's Christmas gift.

The shop owner looked at Bobby and his ten cent offering. Then he put his hand on Bobby's shoulder and said to him, "You just wait here and I'll see what I can do for you." As Bobby waited, he looked around the shop. Even though he was a boy, he could see why mothers and girls liked flowers.

The sound of the door closing as the last customer left, jolted Bobby back to reality. All alone in the shop, Bobby began to feel alone and afraid. The shop owner returned holding an arrangement of twelve long-stem red roses all tied together with a big silver bow. Bobby's heart sank as the owner picked them up and placed them gently into a long white box. "That will be ten cents young man," the shop owner said reaching out his hand for the dime.

Slowly, Bobby moved his hand to give the man his dime. Could this be true? No one else would give him a thing for his dime! Sensing the boy's reluctance, the shop owner added, "I just happened to have some roses on sale for ten cents a dozen. Would you like them?" This time Bobby did not hesitate, and when the man placed the long box into his hands, he knew it was true. Walking out the door that the owner was holding for Bobby, he heard the shop keeper say, "Merry Christmas, son."

As he returned inside, the shop keeper' wife walked out. "Who were you talking to back there, and where are the roses you were fixing?" Staring out the window, and blinking the tears from his own eyes, he replied, A strange thing happened to me this morning. While I was getting ready to open the shop, I thought I heard a voice telling me to set aside a dozen of my best roses for a special gift. I wasn't sure at the time whether I had lost my mind or what, but I set them aside anyway.

Then just a few minutes ago a little boy came into the shop and wanted to buy a flower for his mother with one small dime. When I looked at him, I saw myself, many years ago when I didn't have any money with which to buy my mother a Christmas gift. A bearded man, whom I never knew, stopped me on the street and told me that he wanted to give me ten dollars. When I saw that little boy tonight, I knew who that voice was, and I put together a dozen of my very best roses.

The shop owner and his wife hugged each other tightly, and as they stepped out into the bitter cold air, they somehow didn't feel cold at all.

Christmas Q&A

2011-04-07T00:55:00.000-07:00

Baby Erik's Christmas Gift

2011-04-07T00:54:00.000-07:00

This is a first-person account from a mother about her family as they ate dinner on Christmas Day in a small restaurant many miles from their home. Nancy, the mother, relates:

We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, "Hi there." He pounded his fat baby hands on the highchair tray. His eyes were wide with excitement and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin. He wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man with a tattered rag of a coat, dirty, greasy and worn. His pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose, it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. "Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster," the man said to Erik.

My husband and I exchanged looks, "What do we do?" Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, "Do ya know patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a boo."

Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence, all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.

We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The man sat poised between me and the door. "Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik," I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side-step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's pick-me-up position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man's.

Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love relationship. Erik, in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain and hard labor-gently, so gently cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back.

No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms for a moment, and then his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, "You take care of this baby." Somehow I managed, "I will," from a throat that contained a stone. He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, "God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift."

I said nothing more than a muttered "thanks." With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, "My God, my God, forgive me." I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgement, a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes.

I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking . . . "Are you willing to share your son for a moment?", when HE shared His for an eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children."

The Big Brick Church

2011-04-03T00:59:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. People were filling the church to its full capacity! As they entered, each were given a bulletin filled with announcements, topic of today's sermon, what songs they would sing and who to pray for.

At the end of the line stood an older man. His clothes were filthy and you could tell that he had not bathed in days. His face was covered with whiskers, for he had not shaved for a very long time. When he reached the usher, he removed his tattered old brown hat in respect. His hair was long, dirty, and a tangled mess. He had no shoes on his feet, and wore only soiled black socks to cover the sores upon his feet.

The Usher looked at him turning up his nose at the old man and said, "Uh, I'm sorry sir, but I'm afraid we can't let you in. You will distract the congregation and we don't allow anyone to disrupt our service. I'm afraid you'll have to leave."

The old man looked down at himself and with a puzzled look on his face, he placed his old brown hat back upon his head and turned to leave. He was sad as he loved to hear the choir sing praises to the Lord. He loved to watch the little children get up in front of the church to sing their little songs. He carried in his pocket a small worn out Bible and loved to see if the minister preached a passage from the Bible that he had underlined. But he was respectful, and didn't want to cause any commotion, so he hung down his head and walked back down the steps of the big brick church.

He sat down on the brick wall near the edge of the church yard and strained to listen through closed doors and windows to the singing going on in the church. Oh how he wished he could be inside with all the others.

A few minutes had passed by when all of a sudden a younger man came up behind him and sat down near him. He asked the old man what he was doing? He answered, "I was going to go to church today, but they thought I was to filthy, my clothes too old and worn, and they were afraid I would disrupt their service."

"Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is George." The two men shook hands, and George couldn't help but notice that this man had long hair like his. He wore a piece of cloth draped over his body tied with a royal purple sash. He had sandals on his feet, now covered with dust and dirt.

The stranger touched George's shoulder, and said: "George, don't feel bad because they won't let you in. My name is Jesus, and I've been trying to get into this same church for years -- they won't let me in either."

There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians ever imagine that they are guilty themselves....The essential vice, the utmost evil, is Pride. Unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that, are mere fleabites in comparison: it was through Pride that the devil became the devil; Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind...As long as you are proud you cannot know God. A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you.

A Christian should always remember that the value of his good works is not based on their number and excellence, but on the love of God which prompts him to do these things.

The Alphabet Prayer

2011-04-03T00:58:00.000-07:00

A little shepherd boy was watching his sheep one Sunday morning, and he heard the bells of the church ringing. As he watched the people walk along the pasture where he was, he happened to think to himself, I would like to communicate with God! But, what can I say to God? He had never learned a prayer.

So, on bent knees, he began to recite the alphabet. Repeating this prayer several times, a man passing by, heard the boy’s voice and peeked through the bushes. He saw the young boy kneeling with folded hands, eyes closed, repeating the alphabet.

He interrupted the boy. “What are you doing, my little one?” he asked. The boy replied, “I was praying sir.”

The man seemed surprised and said, “But why are you reciting the alphabet?” The boy explained, “I don’t know any prayers, sir. But I want God to take care of me, and to help me care for my sheep. And so I thought, if I said all I knew, He could put the letters together into words, and He would know all that I want and should say!”

The man smiled and said, “Bless your heart, God will” And he went on to church knowing full well that he had heard the finest sermon he could possibly hear that day.

There are many people in this world who do not make prayer a daily part of their lives because they think they have to be super spiritual or theological in their terms for God to hear them. That is a lie from the devil that many people have naively believed.

The Lord is not impressed by theological speaking or intellect that is deemed high by worldly standards. The Lord sees the heart and spirit of a person who is seeking Him earnestly and will hear their prayer regardless of what they say in fellowship with Him.

Victory is Yours

2011-04-03T00:57:00.001-07:00

Victory is Yours

Frederick Smith founded the large multinational company called ‘Federal Express.’ As he was affected by a bone disease, his parents raised him up carefully. He was not allowed to play or do things like any other child would do. His father died when he was 4 years old. Smith had a great fancy for airplanes.

As a student of the Yale University, he did his research in Economics. He drafted a plan for delivering ordered goods in a single night, to all the cities of America. The Professor who evaluated his Research Report gave him low marks, ruling it out as impossible.

Graduating from the Yale University, he entered the commercial world in 1970. He discussed his scheme of over night delivery of goods, which he had prepared in the University with Commerce Experts. They, who believed that everything was possible, encouragingly gave him a ‘Go Ahead’ signal.

In 1972, when he was 28, he boldly launched his venture, with his Head Quarters established at Memphis, located almost in the central region of America. Every night, planes carrying goods from 100 cities in the country would arrive at Memphis and the goods would be assorted there and redistributed to various destinations through trucks.

He had secured quite a good number of investors to meet the expenses regarding the purchase of planes and trucks and the engagement of different types of employees. He had an invincible faith that everything would turn out to be good!

But on the inaugural day, there emerged a suspicion that the University Professor had, perhaps, been right! Smith’s 25 jet planes had brought about 18 parcels only. A piquant situation arose, in which the pilots had to meet the fuel expenses from their own pockets!

In two years, Smith had to incur a loss of 24 million dollars. Commerce Analysis probing various deficiencies of the project concluded that the scheme was a failure. But Fredrick Smith was positive that it would be a success! He mustered more capital for interest and gave an assurance to the commercial empire that goods would be delivered the next day. Thus he turned the tables and his company began to steadily earn a profit.

Today, his company “Federal Express” is delivering 1.5 million packages all over the world and employs 85,000 workers and has assets worth billions of dollars. The secret was Smith’s unflinching faith in the Biblical concept, “Everything is possible” while others said it was impossible.

With the Lord on your side, you will accomplish great and mighty things for Him. Do not be disheartened at failures. The Lord through our failures will guide us and teach us new suggestions toward success. When we follow his guidance and put His counsel into action, success and honour will follow us. We will be exalted to high levels.

The Lord will turn your failures into stepping stones of successes. That is the nature of God’s mind! No failure can be a stumbling block against God’s plan of lifting us up. After defeat, He Himself strengthens our spirit and honours us!

God's will

2011-04-03T00:56:00.001-07:00

Dear friend, do you know it is the heart of God that you should do well and prosper in every area of your life? This is what John the Apostle says in the Bible, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2).

John was a disciple of Jesus Christ who was very close to Him. Among the twelve disciples, John was considered His favourite. It was he who leaned on the bosom of Jesus Christ. Because of the close fellowship he had with Jesus, he knew what was in the Lord’s heart.

Dear friend, the world may despise you or even your parents may forsake you. But Lord Jesus loves you and by no means will He cast you out. He loves you very much and that is why He calls you tenderly, “Dearly beloved.”

Ephesians 1:5 says,“…having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”

“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).

The above cited verses assure us that we are not alone in this world. We have a God, to whom we are the beloved. Every good thing will follow you according to His will.

Your Valuable Life

2011-04-03T00:55:00.003-07:00

Prince was a young teenager. He was very creative and he used to paint very beautiful pictures of people and landscapes. His keen observation skill made him imprint some of the minutest emotions of human behaviour in his paintings. His parents and friends encouraged him in every way possible and gave all assistance for improving his skill. Unfortunately at the age of 15, his kidneys had a major failure and he became a patient living on medicines.

Though Prince was living on medicines, he never showed any kind of regret about his life. Accepting that painful state of life from God’s hands, he treadled the path happily. Always fetching an inspiration from the people and nature around, he continued his beautiful sketches of life. He inspired all those who came to him with his bustling words and humour. He never fell short of confidence and always had this urge to stride through this painful situation with the utmost determination.

But at the age of 17, Prince passed away leaving a great void in the hearts of many a number of persons who loved and prayed for him. But his memories remain vivid in all of their hearts.

Dear friends, this young man had very good reasons to flee from life. Yet he never entertained even a stray thought of anguish to affect his mind. Instead of fretting over the illness, he looked towards the Lord and tried to enjoy and sublimate the goodness and value of his God given life. This is what the Lord expects from each one of us. What really matter is that we have and not what we do not have.

Prince was unhealthy. Yet he used his skills to depict the beauty around to make others happy. Till the last moments of his life he tried to spread love, joy and encouragement to all those who came up to him, ignoring his illness.

“Be joyful always, pray at all times, be thankful in all circumstances.” (1 Thess. 5:16)

Let us take heed to the Word of the Lord and become a source of blessing and joy to all those around us.

Quest for Happiness

2011-04-03T00:55:00.001-07:00

Once a philosopher asked the emperor Alexander, “Your Excellency, what will be your next goal after conquering Rome?”

“Cicily is next to Rome. It will be an easy task. So my next aim is to conquer Cicily,” he replied.

“After that…?” the philosopher continued.

“After that I will turn to Africa and defeat Carthage.”

“After Carthage?”

“Greece will be my next target.”

Again the philosopher asked courteously, “Your Excellency, if you don’t mind, please explain me the advantage of all these victories?”

“After conquering the world I will enjoy my life in peace.”

“Then why don’t you enjoy your life now?”

History reveals that his dreams were not fulfilled. He had to bid farewell to this world long before he could sit and enjoy life in peace. His kingdom got divided. He met with the same fate that doomed the lives of many who wished to become the wealthiest and mightiest in the world.

Life cannot be maintained happily with our achievements and gains. We do not need anything new in order to make our life more joyful. The presumption that more wealth and status would give us more happiness is foolishness. We can maintain happiness in life, here and now. For that, we need a serene heart. We can derive it from our faith and dependence in God.

Ambition to become bigger and greater will gradually destroy our serenity of heart. When we travel in a fast-moving vehicle, we would feel the trees and the crowd outside flashing away quickly. On the other hand, if the vehicle runs in a moderate speed the pictures by the wayside can be seen very clearly.

Similarly, we will be able to experience the beauty of a flower, the warmth of moonlight and the tenderness of relationships only if we make our minds calm. Over speed can always cause danger. So we must find out enough time to pray, to love, to be alone in solitude… If we gain everything in life and miss happiness, that will be a big tragedy.

“The Lord your God will lead you on every side” (Isa. 52: 12).

Thank God

2011-04-03T00:54:00.001-07:00

The story is told about a pastor of a small congregation. He kept a meticulous register of all his parishioners. So convinced was he of life after death, and of the promises of Jesus about eternal life that whenever a parishioner died, he did not delete the name from the register. He simply wrote after the person’s name, "Changed residence. Gone to live elsewhere!”

Dear friends, don’t dread. God loves you. He will take care of you. Many live in dread of what is coming, why should we?

The unknown puts adventure into life. It gives us something to sharpen our souls on. The unexpected around the corner gives a sense of anticipation and surprise.

Thank god for the unknown future. If we saw all good things which are coming to us, we would sit down and degenerate. If we saw all the evil things, we would be paralyzed. How merciful God is to lift the curtain on, today; and as we get strength today to meet tomorrow, then to lift the curtain on the next day. He is a considerate God.

Divine Guidance

2011-04-03T00:53:00.002-07:00

Have you wished there was someone to guide you in life? You do not have to lament anymore. There is a person to guide you and He is Lord Jesus Christ. You can trust Him and He will lead you to success and good health.

The Lord says, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8).

In the marathon race, the athletes follow the pilot car with the words “Follow Me” written on it. By following the pilot car, the athletes finish the race successfully.

Similarly the Lord says, “My son/ My daughter, I will go ahead of you. I will guide you with my eye on you. I will show you the path you should follow. Follow me!"

Sir Isaac Newton lost his father when he was very young and his mother left him in the care of his grandmother. So his grandmother raised him. With no father or mother to guide him in life, his grandmother taught him a secret for success. She told him, “Son, seek the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to give you success in everything.”

He prayed just as his granny had taught. Days rolled by. The Lord soon answered his prayers. He was inspired to know why apples fell down when he was sitting under an apple tree. God opened his eyes of wisdom and through His guidance Newton discovered the law of gravity. The whole world was astonished at his discovery and he became a world renowned scientist.

The Lord Who gave wisdom and success to Newton in life, will also do the same for you. He will go before you and when you follow Him, He will cause every good thing to follow you.

Ant and the Contact Lens

2011-04-03T00:53:00.000-07:00

Brenda was a young woman who was invited to go rock climbing. Although she was scared to death, she went with her group to a tremendous granite cliff. In spite of her fear, she put on the gear, took a hold on the rope, and started up the face of that rock.

Well, she got to a ledge where she could take a breather. As she was hanging on there, the safety rope snapped against Brenda's eye and knocked out her contact lens. Well, here she is on a rock ledge, with hundreds of feet below her and hundreds of feet above her.

Of course, she looked and looked and looked, hoping it had landed on the ledge, but it just wasn't there. Here she was, far from home, her sight now blurry. She was desperate and began to get upset, so she prayed to the Lord to help her to find it.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but there was no contact lens to be found. She sat down, despondent, with the rest of the party, waiting for the rest of them to make it up the face of the cliff.

She looked out across range after range of mountains, thinking of that Bible verse that says, "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth." She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and you know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Finally, they walked down the trail to the bottom. At the bottom there was a new party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out,"Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across the face of the rock, carrying it...!

Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a picture of an ant lugging that contact lens with the words, "Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would probably do some of us good to occasionally say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."

Yes I do love GOD. He is my source of existence and my savior. He keeps me functioning each and every day. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13)

[ True story by Josh and Karen Zarandona ]

Be Diffrent

2011-04-03T00:52:00.001-07:00

It was early morning. On the beach was an elderly man. He walked with a cane, carefully surveying the beach that the receding tide had left exposed.

Every now and then he bent to pick something up and toss it into the ocean. I watch with fascination as he carefully scanned the beach before him.

It was then that I realized he was looking for starfish. Every time he saw one lying helpless in the sand, unable to get back to the ocean on its own, he would lovingly pick it up and toss it gently back into the sea.

Curious as to why he was doing this, I approached him. He told me, “The starfish are left behind after the tide goes out. If they don’t get back into the ocean they will dry up and die beneath the hot summer sun.”

“But there are endless miles of beach and there must be millions of starfish,” I said. “Surely you don’t think you can save them all. What difference can your efforts possibly make?”

Slowly the old man bent over and picked up another starfish. As he tossed it into the ocean he looked at me and said, “It makes a difference to that one.”

Who'll take the Son?

2011-04-03T00:51:00.000-07:00

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."

The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.

He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?" Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting."

Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?"

"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!" A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

"What about the paintings?"

"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets every thing!"

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?" Because you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

Tale of the Kite

2011-04-03T00:50:00.001-07:00

Once there was a kite that loved to fly high. Nothing made it happier than to be caught in a stiff breeze that would send it soaring upward, far above the grassy meadows below. It loved the feel of the wind and the faraway view.

But gradually the kite became dissatisfied. Wouldn't it be wonderful if it could fly even higher than its string allowed? It could think only of sailing so high that the houses became dots far below, and it brushed against the clouds.

So it tugged and tugged on the string, hoping to break free. Then one day the string snapped! For a moment the kite was ecstatic as it leaped skyward. But then it began to tumble and spin out of control, and soon it crashed to the ground below.

Unfortunately, we are sometimes like that kite. We want to go places and do things that are morally out of bounds. We tug against the lordship of Christ and the truth that we are to live for Him (2 Cor. 5:15). We tell ourselves that if only we could get free, we would be happy. But like that kite, we would crash.

Jesus died and rose from the grave to give us true liberty, freedom to soar safely within the bounds of His law and the constraints of His love. Only when we are grounded in God's Word can we rise to new heights.

Those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them. (2 Cor. 5:15)

Lord, help me to value the freedom Of life that is tied to Your love, A life of obedience and service, Kept safe by Your hand from above.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” (John:3:16)

2011-04-03T00:49:00.001-07:00

It happened in the year 1937 in U.S.A. Hensley was in control of a railroad bridge over the Mississippi. Each day at a certain hour this bridge was raised so that barges pass through. Then it was lowered for the trains to pass over.

One day Hensley took his eight-year-old son with him to work. When it was time for him to close the bridge, he saw that the child, while playing, had fallen into the gears that operated it. Hensley knew that if he pushed the lever, his son would be crushed to death. If he saved the boy, the 400 passengers on the approaching train would die.

The father sacrificed his son. The train passed over as usual. It was filled with good and bad men, with saints and the unholy. Hensley had saved their lives by sacrificing his son.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” (John:3:16)

A Thanksgiving Prayer

2011-04-03T00:48:00.002-07:00

Thank You Lord for all that You gave me in past years, Thank You for the sunshiny days and for the sad and cloudy ones, for the calm afternoons and the dark nights. For the love and for all beautiful and sweet things, for the flowers and the stars.
Thank You for health and sickness, for sorrows and joys. Thank You for all that You gave me and all that You asked of me.
Thank You Lord, for Your smiling face and friendly hand that kept me strong. Thank You for the loneliness, for the work, for the worries, for the fears, for the difficulties and the tears. And for everything that brought me closer to You.

I saw Your loving hands and providence even in the negatives!
Thank You for having kept me alive, For having given me shelter, warmth and nourishment.
Thank You, Lord, for having given me friends and dear ones.
Thank You for all that You created, especially man and woman, whom You created in Your own image and likeness.
Thank You for the innocent little children in the families and for good souls, who live according to Your will.

Thank You Lord for this year and all the 365 days of this year. I am ready to do whatever You wish.
Lord, I am ready to follow You always in all circumstances, but I ask You for faith to see You in everything and everybody, for hope that I may not dismay, and charity to love You and others more each day, and to let You be loved among those around me.

Give me patience and humility, detachment and generosity, give me Lord what is good for me which You alone know, for I do not know what is good for me, I do not dare to ask. That my heart may be alert, my ears be attentive, my hands and mind active, and that I always may be ready to do Your Holy Will with Your grace.

Lord! Pour out Your grace and blessings upon all my beloved ones and grant the entire world Your peace. Thank You Lord. Amen.

Wounds of Love

2011-04-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

It happened in the sixteenth century. Oliver Cromwell was reigning in England. A young soldier was condemned for the capital punishment for some serious crime. Thus was the verdict: “Kill him when the evening bell tolls.”

The news reached the household of the young man in a faraway village. Hearing the news, the girl, the would-be of the young man, ran out of the house. Her intention was to meet Cromwell and plead him to withdraw the sentence. But, it was dark when she reached the town, running and sweating.

She doubted if she could present the matter to Cromwell. So she ran towards the church, and climbed on the bell-tower on which was hung the bell. Then the sacristan came there to ring the bell. He pulled the rope of the bell. But, no sound was heard because the girl had clasped the tongue of the bell. Each time the sacristan pulled the rope; her hands dashed against the walls of the bell and got bruised. Without realizing this, the deaf sacristan finished his job and went away.

At the scaffold, the condemned young man was waiting to hear the evening bell. But, no bell was heard even after the sunset. Since the order remained that the execution must be done at the time of evening bell, the execution was kept in abeyance. While Cromwell was enquiring the reason for the delay, a girl with blood-stained hands came in and narrated the happenings: “I climbed up the bell tower due to the fear of the bell being rung before I could meet you. Thus, my clothes were torn; my hands were bruised in my effort to hold the tongue of the bell. I plead you to forgive and bless this man to whom I am betrothed.”

Oliver Cromwell looked at the blood-stained hands of the girl and said; “Your blood-stained body proclaims your living love. In honour of that love I withdraw the condemnation of this young man. Both of you can go now in peace.”

If our love is alive, there will be scars on us. Those scars will give salvation to the life of our beloved. Jesus was wounded because of his love for mankind. That is why Isaiah wrote: “because of our sins he was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment he suffered, made whole by the blows he received.” (Isaiah 53:5)

We too are victims of several wounds. But, have our wounds turned salvific to others? Or, are we wounding others by our woundedness? If our sorrows and sufferings do not bring salvation to our families, to the church and to the world, it just means that living love is not present in us.

A nature that complains unceasingly and exaggerates one’s sufferings is the symptom of those who have not yet attained living love. They will remain ever in the Holy week of trials; they would never reach Easter. A resurrection occurs only when our hearts are filled with love. Because, only love has the power to break open the chambers of grave.

"For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

2011-04-03T00:47:00.001-07:00

Many a times, we are tormented by “darkness” that surrounds our lives. The “darkness” could be in the form of lack, childlessness, financial crises, unemployment or lack of love. Sometimes, we suffer physically due to weakness or sickness. But it is God alone Who can deliver us from these kinds of darknesses.

The Psalmist says, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

Accordingly, when the shadow of death encompasses, we feel dejected. We are told not to fear in such times and always to trust in God for deliverance. If you are going through the same path, cheer up! Let not your heart be troubled. Even amidst the valley of the shadow of death, Lord Jesus will be with us and comfort us. He has paid the price for our “darkness” on the cross and we can be delivered.

The Bible says, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Accordingly, God would certainly grant you deliverance. We should pursue God to grant this grace. We should ask Him "Lord, give me this grace."

As we further read in Luke 13:12, we see that He delivers us from the darkness of physical weakness, and also from the darkness of sin (Colossians 1:13). He will make us shine before others like the children of light (Matthew 5:16) and build up our broken hearts and our family lives, which are engulfed by darkness.

If we thank and praise Him for the goodness in our lives, He would bring us to light from darkness. Remember that the sacrifices that we have made for God and what we give to God would never go in vain.

"For You will light my lamp; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness." (Psalm 18:28)

Carrots, Eggs, and Coffee beans

2011-04-03T00:46:00.001-07:00

A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose. Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil.

In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word. The daughter gnashed her teeth and impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing.

In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners. He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her he asked, “Darling, what do you see”. “Carrots, eggs and coffee” she replied.

He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After removing the shell, she observed the hardness of the boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma.

She humbly asked, “What does it mean daddy?”

He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity -- boiling water, but each reacted differently.

The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water it softened and became weak.

The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.

The ground coffee beans were unique however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

“Which are you”, he asked his daughter. “When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?”

Now think about you?

Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength?

Are you the egg, which starts off with a malleable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a divorce, or a layoff have you become hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but inside are you bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and heart?

Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the thing that is bringing the pain. It reaches its peak flavor at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. When the water gets hotter, it just tastes better.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you got better and make things better around you.

How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

What God Values

2011-04-03T00:45:00.002-07:00

Friends choose to care and value what's important to their friends. Jesus calls us His friends. As we walk closer with Jesus, we learn more about Him and the things that He values. We start looking at people around us through His eyes.

The most valuable thing to God is "SOULS". Every soul on earth is precious to our Heavenly Father, that's why He paid a heavy & valuable price for the salvation of the soul. He sent His one and only begotten son to die & shed His blood for every single individual on earth!

Let's value what He values. It's one life we have and so many years have already gone by.... Let's think how many souls we've cared and prayed for, have we been an example for them to learn from us...?

Are we making disciples by our actions or are we spreading hatred and strife in this world that's already accumulated by strange weapons of all kind.

We are here not just to share our talents, gifts and entertain but also to edify and strengthen those within and lead those outside to the one True light. There are millions out there who need to know and see the truth. Are we praying for each other!

Let's not hide the LIGHT...let it burn bright. God just wants us to be HIS WITNESSES TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH!

HE doesn't need lawyers, He needs witnesses. It's not just for a selected few.. but all in the Body of Christ!!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

God's Care.

2011-04-03T00:45:00.000-07:00

A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. So the man decided to help the butterfly, he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. And we could never fly. So have a nice day and struggle a little. You might find yourself flying high someday.

SMS

2011-04-01T09:48:00.000-07:00

कहीं ना कहीं बातों की अदा है दोस्ती
हर गम की सिर्फ इक दवा है दोस्ती
सिर्फ कमी है महसूस करने वालों की
महसूस करो तो जमीं पे जन्नत है दोस्ती।

गमों को बेचकर खुशी खरीद लेंगे
ख्वाबों को बेचकर जिंदगी खदीद लेंगे
होगा इम्तिहान तो दुनिया देखेगी
हम अपनी बोली लगाकर आपकी दोस्ती ले लेंगे।

फिजा में बहारों के संवरने से पहले
आसमान में सितारों के बिखरने से पहले
हमने खुदा से मांगी थी दोस्ती आपकी
इस जमीन पर उतरने से पहले

एक दिन प्यार और दोस्ती मिले,
प्यार ने दोस्ती से पूछा-
मेरे होते हुए तुम्हारा यहां क्या काम है?
दोस्ती बोली- मैं उन होंठों पे मुस्कान लाती
हूं जिन पें तुम आंसू दे जाते हो।

जो पल-पल चलती रहे- जिन्दगी
जो हर-पल जलती रहे- रोशनी
जो पल-पल खिलती रहे- मोहब्बत
जो किसी पल साथ न छोडे- दोस्ती।

दोस्ती नाम है जिन्दगी का,
शुरू विश्वास से होती है
इससे बढकर कोई नाता नहीं,
खत्म आखिरी सांस पे होती है।

फ्रैडशिप ऐसा नेटवर्क है जिसको
ना रिचार्ज की जरूरत होती है न रोमिंग की
न वेलीडिटी लिमिट की, न एक्टिवेशन की,
न इसे सिग्नल प्रोब्लम होती ह।
और न बैटरी डिस्चार्ज होने की समस्या
फैंडशिप तो लाइफ टाइम इनकमिंग है।

नजर तुम्हारी, नजर हमारी,
नजर ने दिल की नजर उतारी
नजर ने देखा नजर को ऐसे कि
नजर दोस्ती को लगे ना हमारी।

दोस्ती का पहला पैगाम आफ नाम,
जिदंगी की आखरी सांस आप्के नाम
रहे सलामत यह दोस्ती अपनी,
इसे सलामत रखना आपका काम।

लोग मिलते हैं एवरी टाइम,
पसंद आते हैं सम टाइम
दोस्ती है वन टाइम,
जो रहती है लाइफ टाइम।

ख्वाबों में आने वाले तेरा शुकि्रया,
दिल को बहलाने वाले तेरा शुकि्रया
क्यों करता है इस जमाने में किसी से दोस्ती इतनी,
हमें दोस्त कहने वाले तेरा शुकि्रया।

दोस्ती का रिश्ता अनोखा है
ना गुलाब सा है ना कांटो सा
दोस्ती का रिश्ता तो उस डाली की तरह है जो
गुलाब और कांटे दोनो को एक साथ जोडे रखता है आखरी दम तक।

SMS

2011-04-01T09:44:00.001-07:00

आपकी दोस्ती को ईमान मानते हैं,
निभाना अपना ईमान मानते हैं
हम वो नहीं जो दोस्ती में अपनी जान दें
क्योकि दोस्तों को हम अपनी जान मानते हैं।

तुम्हारी इस अदा का क्या जवाब दूं,
अपने दोस्त को क्या दुआ दूं
कोई अच्छा सा गुलाब होता तो किसी से मंगवाता,
जो खुद गुलाब है उसको क्या गुलाब दूं।

हम कितने भी दूर रहे, पर
दोस्ती के सिलसिले कभी कम नहीं होगे
तुम जहां भी हो पलटकर देखना,
तुम्हारे साये की जगह हम ही होगे।

कोई दोस्त ऐसा बनाया जाए
जिसके आसुंओ को पलको में छुपाया जाए
रहे उसका और मेरा रिश्ता ऐसा कि अगर वो रहे उदास तो
हमसे भी ना मुस्कराया जाए।

मजबुर हम नही कि उनको भूल जाएं
खिलौना हम नहीं कि यूं ही टूट जाएं
दुआ से खरीदा है हमने अपनी दोस्ती को
दौलत से नहीं कि कही रखकर भूल जाएं।

जो चीज मांगकर मिले वो मन्नत है
चाहकर मिले वो चाहत है
पास हो तो अमानत है
दिल से मिले वो रहमत है
पर आप जैसा दोस्त मिले वो हमारी किस्मत है।

A Lump of Clay

2011-04-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

A couple who were to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary was shopping at a beautiful antique store. They both liked antiques and pottery, and especially tea-cups, and so spotting an exceptional cup, they asked "May we see that? We've never seen a cup quite so beautiful."

As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the tea-cup spoke... "You don't understand." It said, "I have not always been a tea-cup. There was a time when I was just a lump of red clay. My master took me and rolled me pounded and patted me over and over and I yelled out, Don't do that. I don't like it! Let me alone," but he only smiled, and gently said; "Not yet!!"

Then, WHAM! I was placed on a spinning wheel and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. "Stop it! I'm getting so dizzy! I'm going to be sick!" I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, quietly; "Not yet."

He spun me and poked and prodded and bent me out of shape to suit himself and then...he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I yelled and knocked and pounded at the door "Help! Get me out of here!"

When I thought I couldn't bear it another minute, the door opened. He carefully took me out and put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. Oh, that felt so good!

"Ah, this is much better," I thought. But, after I cooled he picked me up and he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible.. "Oh, please, Stop it! Stop it!" I cried. He only shook his head and said. "Not yet..."

Then suddenly he put me back into the oven. Only it was not like the first time. This time it was twice as hot and I just knew I would suffocate. I begged... I pleaded... I screamed...I cried... I was convinced I would never make it.

I was ready to give up and just then the door opened and he took me out and again placed me on the shelf, where I cooled and waited and waited, wondering "What's he going to do to me next?"

An hour later he handed me a mirror and said "Look at yourself."

And I did... I said, "That's not me, that couldn't be me. It's beautiful. I'm beautiful!"

Quietly he spoke: "I want you to remember, then," he said, "I know it hurt to be rolled and pounded and patted, but had I just left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled."

"I know it hurt and it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked. I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened. You would not have had any color in your life."

"And if I hadn't put you back in that second oven, you wouldn't have survived for long because the hardness would not have held. Now you are a finished product. Now you are what I had in mind when I first began with you."
"Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel" (Jer.18:2-6)
The Scriptures tell us, "Many are called, but few chosen" (Matt. 20:16). I believe it is the Lord's desire for all of us to be chosen vessels. But many believers are not pursuing the high calling and destiny the Lord has purposed for them because they are not willing to pay the price.

As clay vessels, each of us must take a journey. The steps in this journey can be painful but are necessary for us to be transformed from broken bits of clay into anointed vessels that reflect the glory of the Lord.

When the Lord, the Master Potter, first finds you in the potter's field, you are a broken vessel in need of salvation. He gently picks you up and carries you back to the Potter's house. "Even though you are a shattered clay vessel and all your hopes and dreams have been destroyed," He tells you, "I have a vision and a destiny for your life."

Slowly, His gentle hands go down into the very depths of who you are and begin to pull up the walls of your new vessel. While you are on the Potter's wheel, being shaped by the hands of the Master Potter, there is a wonderful mystery taking place within you. You are growing! It is a time of great favour and blessing.

You've learned all the worship songs by heart, read all the books, been to all the seminars -- yet there's a dying in your heart because you feel the Lord has forsaken you. The worst part is that other people don't understand. "Why don't you have more faith?" they ask. They don't understand that God has taken you into the wilderness.

The greater the calling on your life, the greater the misunderstandings and persecutions of other people. This is the price behind the anointing. "My child," the Lord says, "as you seek My face you will find the hidden streams of living water beneath the desert floor. For it is not the reputation and approval of man you need; it is to be so deeply rooted in Me that no matter what storms of life come, you will not be moved."

While God works out His perfect plan your soul is wrestling and dying in the wilderness. Finally, you stop struggling and quietly pray a prayer of resignation: "Lord I'll stay in the wilderness my whole life if have to. I have found You in this desert, and You are all I need."

Now, the Lord moves you from the wilderness to His consuming fire. You can sense the heat. You can feel the relentless blaze. The Lord never fires just one vessel at a time. He takes a church, a family or a group of friends and sets them on fire to expose everyone's hearts.

In the intense heat, all the impurities of the soul come to the surface. Resentment, bitterness, anger and greed are revealed. As the fire gets hotter, the pain increases. "God, if you love me, You'll turn off the heat!" you complain. But the fire continues to blaze even hotter.

It won't be easy, you need to pay an incredible price if you want to become the bride of Lord. Finally, the Lord begins to place His chosen mantles on various clay vessels. He takes coals of fire and places them on stammering lips to ignite prophetic giftings that were declared over these vessels when they were on the Potter's wheel.

Shaking and crying, healing and deliverance, deep repentance and intercession fill the furnace as hungry hearts cry out for more of God. They've been through a time of appointing, a time of testing, a time of separation and a time of death, but in this high fire they'll go through a time of resurrection as they start to move in the anointing with authority.

When the Lord walks through the furnace and sees Himself reflected on each vessel as in a mirror, He turns off the furnace. With great joy He announces, "Now that you reflect My glory, I can send you out to all the world." The Master Potter has perfected His work of art.
Meekness is not weakness. On the contrary, it is the sign and cause of strength. The ox lies still while the geese are hissing. Moses was leader in Israel because of his great meekness among a provoking people. The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at.

A little girl

2011-04-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

A little girl asked her father, "How did the human race come about?"

The father answered, "God made Adam and Eve and they had children and so all mankind was made."

Two days later she asks her mother the same question.

The mother answered, "Many years ago there were monkeys, and we developed from them."

The confused girl returns to her father and says: "Dad, how is it possible that you told me that the human race was created by God and Mom says we developed from monkeys?"

The Father answers, "That's simple, honey. I told you about the origin of my side of the family, and your mother told you about her side."

A Pair of Old Shoes

2011-04-01T09:38:00.000-07:00

A young man, a student in a university, was one day taking a walk with a professor, who was commonly called the student’s friend. As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day’s work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: “Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them.”

“My young friend,” answered the professor, “We should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of this poor man. Put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how this affects him.”

The student did so and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes, but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it around, and looked at it again and again.

He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin. His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom this timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected and his eyes filled with tears. “Now,” said the professor, "Are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?”

The youth replied, “You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of these words, which I never understood before: “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

A minister

2011-04-01T09:36:00.001-07:00

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon. Four worms were placed into four separate jars.

The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the minister reported the following results:

The first worm in alcohol - Dead
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive

So the minister asked the congregation, "What can you learn from this demonstration?"

Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, "As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!"

That pretty much ended the service.

Think Over!

2011-04-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

An oil-lamp, observing how well it was lighting up the area around it, was filled with pride. "Even the sun could not do better!" he boasted. Just then the wind started to blow and the lamp went out.

"Next time you think of comparing yourself to the sun," said its owner, re-lighting it, "remember the sun doesn't have to be re-lit."

Dear friends, God loves a humble spirit. "When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2) "God gives grace to the humble." (Proverbs 3:34) "A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honour." (Proverbs 29:23)

Theory of Thousand Marbles

2011-04-01T09:34:00.001-07:00

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the basement shack with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it.

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know, the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whomever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles".

I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital."

He continued, "Let me tell you something, Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of "a thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years."

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part."

"It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy."

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1,000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away."

"I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again."

You could have heard a pin drop on the radio when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up.

"C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."

"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.

"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

[True Story by Jeffrey Davis]

An artist

2011-04-01T09:33:00.001-07:00

An artist asked the gallery owner if anyone had shown interest in his paintings.

"I've got good news and bad news," she said.

"The good news is that some guy inquired if it would appreciate in value after you died. When I told him it would, he bought all 15 of your paintings."

"And the bad news?"

"The guy was your doctor."

Think About It

2011-04-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

A saint asked his disciples, 'Why do we shout in anger? Why do people shout at each other when they are upset?'

Disciples thought for a while, one of them said, 'Because we lose our calm, we shout for that.'

'But, why to shout when the other person is just next to you?' asked the saint. 'Isn't it possible to speak to him or her with a soft voice? Why do you shout at a person when you're angry?'

Disciples gave some other answers but none satisfied the saint. Finally he explained, 'When two people are angry at each other, their hearts distance a lot. To cover that distance they must shout to be able to hear each other. The angrier they are, the stronger they will have to shout to hear each other through that great distance.'

Then the saint asked, 'What happens when two people fall in love? They don't shout at each other but talk softly, why? Because their hearts are very close. The distance between them is very small...'

The saint continued, 'When they love each other even more, what happens? They do not speak, only whisper and they get even closer to each other in their love. That is how close two people are when they love each other.'

MORAL: When you argue do not let your hearts get distant, do not say words that distance each other more, else there will come a day when the distance is so great that you will not find the path to return.

The Wounds of Love

2011-04-01T09:31:00.000-07:00

It happened in sixteenth century. Oliver Cromwell was reigning in England. A young soldier was condemned for the capital punishment for some serious crime. Thus was the verdict: “Kill him when the evening bell tolls.”

The news reached the household of the young man in a faraway village. Hearing the news, the girl, the would-be of the young man, ran out of the house. Her intention was to meet Cromwell and plead him to withdraw the sentence. But, it was dark when she reached the town, running and sweating. She doubted if she could present the matter to Cromwell. So she ran towards the church, and climbed on the bell-tower on which was hung the bell.

Then the sacristan came there to ring the bell. He pulled the rope of the bell. But, no sound was heard because the girl had clasped the tongue of the bell. Each time the sacristan pulled the rope; her hands dashed against the walls of the bell and got bruised. Without realizing this, the deaf sacristan finished his job and went away.

At the scaffold, the condemned young man was waiting to hear the evening bell. But, no bell was heard even after the sunset. Since the order remained that the execution must be done at the time of evening bell, the execution was kept in abeyance.

While Cromwell was enquiring the reason for the delay, a girl with blood-stained hands came in and narrated the happenings: “I climbed up the bell tower due to the fear of the bell being rung before I could meet you. Thus, my cloths were torn; my hands were bruised in my effort to hold the tongue of the bell. I plead you to forgive and bless this man to whom I am betrothed.”

Oliver Cromwell looked at the blood-stained hands of the girl and said; “Your blood-stained body proclaims your living love. In honour of that love, I withdraw the condemnation of this young man. Both of you can go now in peace.”

We too are victims of several wounds. But, have our wounds turned salvific to others? Or, are we wounding others by our woundedness? If our sorrows and sufferings do not bring salvation to our families, to the church and to the world, it just means that living love is not present in us.

If our love is alive, there will be scars on us. Those scars will give salvation to the life of our beloved. A nature that complains unceasingly and exaggerates one’s sufferings is the symptom of those who have not yet attained living love.

A pirate

2011-04-01T09:29:00.000-07:00

A pirate had a wooden leg, a hook on one arm, and a patch over one eye. Someone asked him how these things happened. He said that a whale bit off his leg, a crocodile had chewed off his hand, and a bird dropping hit him in the eye.

The other guy replied that he understood about the wooden leg having had his original bite off by a whale, and the hook was there to replace the hand the crocodile had chewed off, but a patch over the eye because of a bird dropping... that he didn’t understand.

The pirate said that when the bird dropping hit him in the eye, he had unfortunately rubbed it off using that hand. That was the first day he had his hook installed.

Twenty Dollars

2011-04-01T09:27:00.001-07:00

The incident took place back in 1887 in a small neighborhood grocery store when a middle-aged gentleman, Emanuel Nenger, gave the assistant a $20 note to pay for the turnip greens he was purchasing. When the assistant placed the note in the cash drawer, she noticed that some of the ink from the $20 came off on her hands which were wet from wrapping the turnip greens.

She'd known Mr. Nenger for years and was shocked. She pondered, "Is this man giving me a counterfeit $20 note?" She dismissed the thought immediately and gave him his change. But $20 was a lot of money in those days so she notified the police who, after procuring a search warrant, went to Emanuel Nenger's home where they found in his attic the tools he was using to reproduce the counterfeit $20 notes.
The police found an artist's easel, paint brushes, and paints which Nenger was using to meticulously paint the counterfeit money. He was a master artist. They also found three portraits that Nenger had painted, paintings that sold at public auction for a little over $16,000!

The irony was that it took him almost as much time to paint a $20 note as it did to paint those portraits which sold for more than $5,000 each. The man who robbed Emanuel Nenger was himself. We do the same whenever we cheat or break the law, including God's law for illegitimate gain.

And while most of us wouldn't rob another person of his or her material possessions, it is very easy to rob a person's reputation through idle gossip. We also rob and cheat ourselves when we don't give to God and to others in need; whether it is of our time, talents, resources, or love.

Think Over

2011-04-01T09:26:00.001-07:00

Once an evangelist was talking to a young and famous actress about the importance of accepting Jesus Christ, but the actress said she wanted to gain more popularity and fame in her youth than waste time with God. The evangelist thought for a moment and offered his half drunk cup of coffee to her and said “Here, finish the remaining half!” This angered the actress and she said, “How can I drink the coffee that you had sipped? It’s disgusting!”

He then explained to her that to make her understand he did such a thing, and further explained the importance of giving the prime time of one’s life for Christ. The prime time of one’s life is their youth. When you give your life to the Lord and walk in His ways, He will bless you and exalt you before the world. "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth." (Eccls.12:1)

A teenage boy

2011-04-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

A teenage boy had just gotten his driver's license and inquired of his father as to when they could discuss his use of the car. His father said he'd make a deal with his son: "You bring your grades up from a C to a B average, study your Bible a little, and get your hair cut. Then we'll talk about the car."

The boy thought about that for a moment, decided he'd settle for the offer, and they agreed on it.

After about six weeks his father said, "Son, you've brought your grades up and I've observed that you have been studying your Bible, but I'm disappointed you haven't gotten your hair cut."

The boy said, "You know, Dad, I've been thinking about that, and I've noticed in my studies of the Bible that Samson had long hair, John the Baptist had long hair, Moses had long hair...and there's even strong evidence that Jesus had long hair."

To this his father replied, "Did you also notice they all walked everywhere they went?"

The Carpenter's House

2011-04-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and 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 came to inspect 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 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 that, 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." Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

A Mexican bandit

2011-04-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

A Mexican bandit made a specialty of crossing the Rio Grande from time to time and robbing banks in Texas. Finally, a reward was offered for his capture. An enterprising Texas Ranger decided to track him down.

After a lengthy search, he traced the bandit to his favorite cantina, snuck up behind him, put his trusty gun to the bandit's head and said, "You're under arrest. Tell me where you hid the loot or I'll blow your brains out."

But the bandit didn't speak English and the Ranger didn't speak Spanish! Fortunately, a bilingual lawyer was in the saloon and translated the Ranger's message.

The terrified bandit blurted out, in Spanish, that the loot was buried under the oak tree in back of the cantina.

"What did he say?" asked the Ranger.

The lawyer answered, "He said, 'Get lost, you turkey. You wouldn't dare shoot me.' "

A Brother's Song

2011-04-01T09:20:00.001-07:00

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling. They found out that the new baby was going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sang to his sister in Mommy's tummy. He was building a bond of love with his little sister before he even met her.

The pregnancy progressed normally for Karen. In time, the labor pains came. But serious complications arose during delivery and Karen found herself in hours of labor. Finally, after a long struggle, Michael's little sister was born. But she was in very serious condition. With a siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushed the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary's Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee.

The days inched by. The little girl got worse. The pediatrician had to tell the parents, "There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst." Karen and her husband contacted a local cemetery about a burial plot. They had fixed up a special room in their house for their new baby but now they found themselves having to plan for a funeral. Michael, however, kept begging his parents to let him see his sister. "I want to sing to her," he kept saying.

Week two in intensive care looked as if a funeral would come before the week was over. Michael kept nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. Karen made up her mind, though. She would take Michael whether they liked it or not! If he didn't see his sister right then, he may never see her alive.

She dressed him in an oversized scrub suit and marched him into ICU. He looked like a walking laundry basket. But the head nurse recognized him as child and belowed, "Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed." The mother rose up strong in Karen, and the usually mild mannered lady glared steel-eyed right into the head nurse's face, her lips a firm line. "He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!" Karen towed Michael to his sister's bedside. He gazed at the tiny infant losing the battle to live.

After a moment, he began to sing. In the pure-hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sang: "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are grey---" Instantly the baby girl seemed to respond. The pulse rate began to calm down and become steady.

"Keep on singing, Michael," encouraged Karen with tears in her eyes. "You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don't take my sunshine away-" as Michael sang to his sister, the baby's ragged, strained breathing became as smooth as a kitten's purr.

"Keep on singing, sweetheart!!!" "The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms..." Michael's little sister began to relax as rest, healing rest, seemed to sweep over her. "Keep on singing, Michael." Tears had now conquered the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glowed. "You are my sunshine, my only Sunshine. Please don't, take my sunshine away..."

The next day...the very next day...the little girl was well enough to go home! Woman's Day Magazine called it "The Miracle of a Brother's Song." The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God's love!

Think Over

2011-04-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

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 sometimes God speaks to us in a still, small voice.... the gentle whisper. Perhaps there’s a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God’s whisper means we must stop ranting and move close to him, until our head is bent together with His. And then, as we listen, we will find the answer. Better still, we find ourself closer to God.

A little Boy..

2011-04-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

A little boy wanted $100.00 very badly and prayed for weeks, but nothing happened.

Then he decided to write God a letter requesting the $100.00.

When the postal authorities received the letter to God, they decided to send it to the President.

The president was so amused that he instructed his secretary to send the little boy a $5.00 bill. The president thought this would appear to be a lot of money to a little boy.

The little boy was delighted with the $5.00 bill and sat down to write a thank-you note to God, which read:

Dear God, Thank you very much for sending the money. However, I noticed that for some reason you sent it through Washington, D.C., and the government deducted $95 in taxes.

Story of Bill Havens

2011-04-01T09:15:00.001-07:00

Not many people have heard of Bill Havens, but Bill became an unlikely hero -- at least among those who knew him best. Here is his story...

At the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, the sport of canoe racing was added to the list of international competitions. The favorite team in the four-man canoe race was the United States team. One member of that team was a young man by the name of Bill Havens.

As the time for the Olympics neared, it became clear that Bill’s wife would give birth to their first child about the time that the U.S. team would be competing in the Paris games. In 1924 there were no jet airliners from Paris to the United States, only slow ocean-going ships. And so Bill found himself in a dilemma. Should he go to Paris and risk not being at his wife’s side when their baby was born? Or should he withdraw from the team and remain with his family?

Bill’s wife insisted that he go to Paris. After all, competing in the Olympics was the culmination of a life-long dream. But Bill felt conflicted and, after much soul searching, decided to withdraw from the competition and remain home, where he could support his wife when the child arrived.

He considered being at her side his highest priority — even higher than going to Paris to fulfill his dream. As it turned out, the United States four-man canoe team won the gold medal in Paris. And Bill’s wife was late in giving birth to their child. She was so late, in fact, that Bill could have competed in the event and returned home in time to be with her when she gave birth. People said, “What a shame.” But Bill said he had no regrets. For the rest of his life, he believed he had made the better decision.

Bill Havens knew what was most important to him. Not everybody figures that out. And he acted on what he believed was best. Not everybody has the strength of character to say no to something he or she truly wants in order to say yes to something that truly matters. But for Bill, it was the only way to peace; the only way to no regrets.

There is an interesting sequel to the story of Bill Havens...

The child eventually born to Bill and his wife was a boy, whom they named Frank. Twenty-eight years later, in 1952, Bill received a cablegram from Frank. It was sent from Helsinki, Finland, where the 1952 Olympics were being held.

The cablegram read: “Dad, I won. I’m bringing home the gold medal you lost while waiting for me to be born.”

Frank Havens had just won the gold medal for the United States in the canoe-racing event, a medal his father had dreamed of winning but never did. Like I said — no regrets.

“When we learn to say a deep, passionate yes to the things that really matter...then peace begins to settle onto our lives like golden sunlight sifting to a forest floor.”

The Stuff of Life

2011-04-01T04:29:00.000-07:00

I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there.

With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, “Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important.”

“Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and giveof ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is God’s way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day.”

Her eyes beginning to water, but she went on, “So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn’t have to be something you see — it could be a scent; perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone’s house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches one autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground.

Please look for these things and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the stuff of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away.”

The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester.

Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook.

Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone. For as we get older, it is not just the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn’t do.

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.

2011-04-01T04:28:00.000-07:00

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country side with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?” “It was great, Dad.” “Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked. “Oh yeah,” said the son. “So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.” The boy’s father was speechless.

Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.” Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have. Appreciate every single thing you have and always thank God for His blessings..!!!

The Cleaning Lady

2011-04-01T04:25:00.001-07:00

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: "What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.

Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

"Absolutely," said the professor. "In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'Hello'."

I've never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

Carpenter's House

2011-04-01T04:24:00.001-07:00

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and 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 came to inspect 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 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 that, 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." Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today!

Listen Carefully to God...

2011-04-01T04:23:00.000-07:00

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 sometimes God speaks to us in a still, small voice.... the gentle whisper.

Perhaps there’s a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God’s whisper means we must stop ranting and move close to him, until our head is bent together with His. And then, as we listen, we will find the answer. Better still, we find ourself closer to God.

Train of Life..

2011-03-31T05:40:00.000-07:00

Some folks ride the train of life
Looking out the rear,
Watching miles of life roll by,
And marking every year.

They sit in sad remembrance,
Of wasted days gone by,
And curse their life for what it was,
And hang their head and cry.

But I don't concern myself with that,
I took a different vent,
I look forward to what life holds,
And not what has been spent.

So strap me to the engine,
As securely as I can be,
I want to be out on the front,
To see what I can see.

I want to feel the winds of change,
Blowing in my face,
I want to see what life unfolds,
As I move from place to place.

I want to see what's coming up,
Not looking at the past,
Life's too short for yesterdays,
It moves along too fast.

So if the ride gets bumpy,
While you are looking back,

Go up front, and you may find,
Your life has jumped the track.

It's all right to remember,
That's part of history,
But up front's where it's happening,
There's so much mystery.

The enjoyment of living,
Is not where we have been,
It's looking ever forward,
To another year and ten.

It's searching all the byways,
Never should you refrain,
For if you want to live your life,
You gotta drive the train!

~author unknown~

Life is a Miracle..

2011-03-31T05:34:00.000-07:00

Life is a miracle, don't let it slip away,
Open your heart to others; give of yourself each day.

See the beauty in everyone regardless
of where they've been,
Some have a difficult journey and really need a friend.

Share your gifts and talents; listen with your heart.
Do the things you dream about but don't
have time to start.

Pick a bouquet of flowers; show someone
that you care,
Be gracious and forgiving; life is never fair.

Hold on to your courage, you may need
it down the road,
We all have a cross to bear; it could be a heavy load.

If you practice all these things no matter
where you roam,
You may find both sun and rain, but you'll
never feel alone.

Fathers are Special....

2011-03-31T05:28:00.000-07:00

Fathers are special people,
Who we often take for granted.
We do not give them high praises
Or enough credit.
For all he has done
To provide for his family.
He has done what a man suppose to.
He gives himself unselfishly.
Fathers make many sacrifices,
Just like mothers do,
But do we once tell our fathers,
Father, thank you.
He struggles each day,
To be a hero in his family's eyes.
He is the protector and the provider.
In him is where the strength lies.
Fathers aren't the kind of people,
Who shows their emotions,
But when you look inside his heart,
You know his true notions.
Father's are special people,
In many different ways.
He is what makes a family whole.
We need that now these days.
Fathers are like our heavenly father,
Who sits high above.
We can always depend on him,
To give his undying love.

Mothers

2011-03-31T05:25:00.000-07:00

I remember my mother's prayers

and they have always followed me.

They have clung to me all my life.

~Abraham Lincoln

"GOD made a wonderful mother,

A mother who never grows old;
He made her smile of the sunshine,

And He molded her heart of pure gold;
In her eyes He placed bright shining stars,

In her cheeks, fair roses you see;
God made a wonderful mother,

And He gave that dear mother to me."

A mother is a person who seeing

there are only four pieces of pie for five people,

promptly announces she never did care for pie.

~Tenneva Jordan

Motherhood is priced of God,

at price no man may dare
To lessen or misunderstand.
~Helen Hunt Jackson

Grown don't mean nothing to a mother.

A child is a child. They get bigger, older, but grown?

What's that suppose to mean?

In my heart it don't mean a thing.

~Toni Morrison, Beloved, 1987

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,
Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,
Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,
But only one mother the wide world over.
~George Cooper

A man loves his sweetheart the most,
his wife the best,
but his mother the longest.

~Irish Proverb

Aye Maa Tujhe Salaam!
Tere Bache tujhko pyaare

RAAVAN HO YA RAM!!!

A SALUTE TO ALL MOTHERS!!!

MAY PARMATMAA BLESS U..

GOD MAKE ME A TV !

2011-03-31T04:23:00.000-07:00

A teacher from Primary School asks her students to write a essay about what they would like God to do for them... At the end of the day, while marking the essays,she read one that made her very emotional.

Her husband, who had just walked in, saw her crying and asked her:- 'What happened?'

2010-09-11T00:45:00.000-07:00

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK:
If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind...I will not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY "ENEMY":
If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly ask God to bless that individual. I understand the "enemy" could be a family member, neighbor, co-worker, or a stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY:
I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE:
I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE:
I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE, BUT I WILL NOT DO IT SECRETLY:
I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED:
I will practice the golden rule - "Do unto others as I would have them do unto me" - with everyone I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE I DISCOURAGED:
My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to someone who is wrestling life.

9. TODAY I WILL NUTURE MY BODY:
I will eat less; I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY:
I will spend a little more time in prayer today: I will begin reading something spiritual or inspirational today; I will find a quiet place (at some point during the day)!

Dhoom 3

2010-09-11T00:41:00.000-07:00

   DHOOM 3

   !!!

   !!
   !!
   !!
   !!
   !!
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   !!
   !!

   !!
   !!
   !!

   !!

This is Women brain !!!!

2010-09-11T00:37:00.000-07:00

Do you feel alone and abandoned?

Are you convinced nobody cares for you ?

Do you think nobody cares about your failures in life and or in business?

Are you sure nobody sees your successes and failures and nobody cares if you live or die?

You are wrong.

There is somebody very interested in everything you do when everybody else quits on you.

We never stop thinking of you .

we are -

INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT ..

haha..

ചങ്കുറപ്പുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ മാത്രം ഈ 'കൊല' കാണുക...

2010-09-04T02:01:00.000-07:00

Subject: ചങ്കുറപ്പുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ മാത്രം ഈ 'കൊല' കാണുക....

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ചങ്കുറപ്പുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ മാത്രം ഈ 'കൊല' കാണുക..

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