Here are a few great inspirational stories that we would like to share with you.  If you have
any stories you would like to share.  E-mail them to : qrbcwmnsmins@yahoo.com

  [Today] [Cope] [I'm Free] [The little Hut] [God's Mastercard] [Just checking In] [Dash]

  [The Cross Room] [Two Brothers] [I Asked God] [Cards] [Old Man] [Thankful]

[Saying Grace] [All Roads Lead Us Back] ] [If I Knew] [Faith] [The Church] [Heaven's Messenger]

[The 7-ups Of Life] [The Three Little Birds] [Paid In Full] [A Grandfather's Legacy]

[ Missionary Couple ] [Interview With God ] [His name was Fleming] [The Old Man And The Sea]

[Church Member] [Free] [God Is Like] [The Treasure] [I Am Third] [Emergency Phone Numbers]

[A Prayer For Today] [Love Story] [A Perfect Mistake] [A Puzzle] [The Ant And The Contact Lens]

[Jesus In The  House] [Grocery Shopping] [The Tablecloth] [Tangled Hair] [A.S.A.P]

[Christian Bumper Stickers] [Two Boxes]  [The Mirror] [Matter Of Grace] [He Is God]

   [The Cracked Pot]

Today
Outside my window
a new day I see
And only I can determine
what kind of day it will be.

It can be busy and sunny,
laughing and gay;
Or boring and cold,
unhappy and grey.

My own state of mind
is the determining key;
For I am only the person
I let myself be.

I can be thoughtful and do
all that I can to help;
Or be selfish and think
just of myself.

I can enjoy what I do
and make it seem fun;
Or gripe and complain
and make it hard on someone.

I can be patient with
those who may not understand;
Or belittle and hurt them
as much as I can.

But I have faith in myself
and I believe what I say,
And I personally intend to
make the best of each day.

-- Author Unknown

Death How Do We Cope

It is hard to deal with death.
I don't understand death.
I don't even understand life.
I am just doing the best I
can to follow Jesus and his teachings.
In Jesus teachings he taught
us about life, death, love,
hate, fear, greed, lust,
and many other things.
I think the main thing
I don't understand is death.
Why do good people die?
I don't know the answer
to that question.
But, lets see what God
has to say about death.
And God will wipe away every
tear from their eyes:
and there will be no more death,
no sorrow, nor crying and
there shall be no more pain,
for the former things have
passed away.
Revelation 21:4

For I am persuaded that
neither death, nor life,
nor angles nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things
present nor things to come,
nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8: 38, 39
To Everything there is a season.
A time for every purpose under Heaven.
A time to be born,
and a time to die.
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted.
A time to kill,
And a time to heal.
A time to break down,
And a time to build up.
A time to weep,
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance.
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing.
A time to gain,
And a time to lose.
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away.
A time to tear,
And a time to sew.
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak.
A time to love,
And a time to hate.
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
Ecclesiastics 3:1-8
I think God is trying to tell us there
is a time for everything.
I still don't understand why people die.
I do know that God has
everything under his control.
All we can do is trust.
Just look what he promised us.
No more tears, no more pain,
nor more sorrow, no more.
We will never understand his
thoughts for his thoughts
are so much higher than ours.
I believe that is where trust comes in.

I'm Free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free.
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard him call.
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day.
To laugh, to love ,to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way.
I found that place at the close of day.
If my parting has left a void.
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.
Be not burdened with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times.
A loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seems all to brief.
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me.
God wanted me now,He set me free.
Author unknown

The Little Hut
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small,
uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue
him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none
seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of
driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his
few possessions.

But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to
find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky.
The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was
stunned with grief and anger.

"God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.

Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound
of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to
rescue him.

"How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his
rescuers.

"We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, it
just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.

God's Mastercard

"There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there's Mastercard." I'm sure you've all seen those commercials on TV... ..

Friends, I'm not unlike those agencies promoting their favorite credit card. I'm here to advertise. You see, my life is a commercial for others to see. I'm a card carrying representative for the Master's Card.

That's right, the MASTER'S CARD. Let me tell you about it.

There are no finance charges, no payments due. My bill Has already been covered...it's a prepaid deal. I couldn't afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me.

My Name is written on the card for all to see. It is accessible twenty-four hours a day from anywhere in the world. The MASTER'S CARD has so many benefits it's hard to list them all. Let me share some of them with you...you might want to apply for a personal card yourself.

Just for starters there is UNLIMITED GRACE.

That's right, there is no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from the MASTER'S CARD.

Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Then, look no farther than the MASTER'S CARD.

It offers the greatest rate on love that has ever been offered.

The MASTER'S CARD gives you access to many "members only" benefits. Want real joy despite the difficulties of life? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD. Want a lasting peace? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD. Looking for something you can always rely on in a jam?

The MASTER'S CARD is perfect for you.

Another great thing about the MASTER'S CARD is that it never expires.

Once you're a member, you're a member for life...eternal life, that is.

Membership has its privileges, you know.

How do you receive the MASTER'S CARD. Dial

1-800-ROMANS10:9 "if thou shalt> confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Jesus is standing by right now to take your call.

Don't delay. This great offer won't last forever. Peace, joy and hope:

Invaluable.

Faith, contentment and assurance:

Inestimable. Salvation: Priceless.

There are some things money can't buy. For those, there's the Master's Card. Christian, why not be an advertisement for the MASTER'S CARD.

Let your life be a commercial today for Jesus Christ.

Just Checking In

A minister passing through his
church in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw the man
hadn't shaved in quite a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby and
his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
a lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was just a half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
for finding strength and power.

"I stay only moments, you see,
because the factory is so far away;
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
this is kinda what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM...and I'M JUST CHECKING IN."

The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome to come
and pray just anytime.

Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME AND I AM CHECKING IN."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
learning that he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
but he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

  The head nurse couldn't understand
  why Jim was so glad,
  When no flowers, calls or cards came,
  not a visitor had he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
he voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up
and with a winsome smile;
"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while

  Everyday at noon He's here,
  a dear friend of mine, you see,
  He sits right down, takes my hand,
  leans over and says to me:

  "I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
  HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
  SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
  AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.

  ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
  AND I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY,
  AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS, AND "I" AM CHECKING IN."

 

The Cross Room

The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he
dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I
have too heavy a cross to bear."
The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place
your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any
cross you wish."
The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he
did as he was told.
Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the
tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a
far wall.
"I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered.
And the Lord replied," My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see
what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more
fortunate than you imagined.

Two Brothers

There were two young brothers, 8 and 10 years old, who were
exceedingly mischievous. Whatever went wrong in the
neighborhood, it turned out they had a hand in it. Their
parents were at their wits' end trying to control them.

Hearing about a rabbi nearby who worked with delinquent
boys, the mother suggested to her husband that she would
ask the rabbi to talk with the boys and he agreed.

The mother went to the rabbi and made her request. He agreed,
but said he wanted to see the younger boy first and alone. So
the mother sent the younger to the rabbi.

The rabbi sat the boy down across his HUGE, impressive desk.
For about five minutes they just sat and stared at each other.
Finally, the rabbi pointed his forefinger at the boy and
asked, "Young man, where is God?"

The boy looked under the desk, in the corners of the room,
all around, then said nothing. Again, louder, the rabbi
pointed at the boy and asked, "Where is God?"

Again, the boy looked all around but said nothing. A
third time, in a louder, firmer voice, the rabbi leaned far
across the desk and put his forefinger almost to the boy's
nose, and asked, "Young man, I ask you, where is God?"

The boy panicked and ran all the way home. Finding his older
brother, he dragged him upstairs to their room and into
the closet, where they usually plotted their mischief.
He finally said, "We're in Bi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-g trouble."

The older boy asked, "What do you mean, 'BIG trouble?'"

His brother replied, "I'm telling' ya', we're in BIG trouble.
God is missing and they think we did it !!!"



-HOW DO YOU LIVE YOUR DASH-


I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend. He
referred
to the dates on her tombstone. He noted that first came her date of

birth
and spoke the following date with tears, but he said what mattered
most
of
all was the dash between those years.
(1934 -1998)

For that dash represents all the time that she spent alive on
earth...
and
now only those who loved her, know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars...the house...the
cash,
what
matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard... are there things you'd like to
change?
For you never know how much time is left, that can still be
rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,
and
always try to understand the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more and love the
people
in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect, and more often wear a smile...
remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

so, when your eulogy is being read with your life's actions to
rehash...
would you be proud of the things they say . . . about how you spent
your
dash?



I Asked God

   I asked God to take away my pain.  God said, "NO".
   It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

   I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
   God said, "NO".
   Her spirit  is whole, her body is only temporary.

   I asked God to grant me patience.  God said, "NO",    patience is a
   by-product  of tribulations, it isn't granted, it is earned.

   I asked God to give me happiness.  God said, "NO".    I give you
   blessings.  Happiness is up to you.

   I asked God to spare me pain.  God said, "NO".
   Suffering draws you apart  from worldly cares and brings
   you closer to me.

   I asked God to make my spirit grow.  God said, "NO".
   You must grow on your  own, but I will prune you to
   make you fruitful.

   I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.  God said, "NO".
   I will give  you life so that you may enjoy all things.

   I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
   God said...
   Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.



Cards

This was forwarded to me recently and it brought back many memories. My father served in World War II and at some point after that he began telling me this same story. It may not have been verbatim, but it was extremely close. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do! Kathy You'll never look at cards the same again!

This is a story about a soldier in the North Africa Campaign inWorld War II. After heavy fighting, the man returned to camp. The next day being Sunday, the Chaplain had set up church service. The men were asked to take out their Bibles or Prayer Books. The Chaplain noticed one soldier looking at a deck of cards. After service, he was taken by the Chaplain to see the Major.

The Chaplain explained to the Major what he had seen. The Major told the young soldier he would have to be punished if he could not explain himself. The young soldier told the Major that during the battle, he had neither a Bible nor a Prayer Book so he would use his deck of cards and explained: "You see, Sir when I look at the "ACE", it tells me that there is one God and no other. When I see the "2", it reminds me that there are two parts of the Bible, the OLD TESTAMENT and the NEW TESTAMENT.

The "3" tells me of the TRINITY OF GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON and GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. The "4" reminds me of the FOUR GOSPELS, MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, and JOHN. When I see the "5", it tells me of the FIVE UNWISE VIRGINS who were lost and five were saved. The "6" makes me mindful that GOD CREATED THE EARTH IN JUST SIX DAYS, and GOD said that it was good. When I see the "7", it reminds me that GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY.

As I look at the "8", it reminds me that GOD DESTROYED ALL HUMAN LIFE BY WATER EXCEPT FOR EIGHT PEOPLE, Noah, his wife, their three sons, and their three son's wives. When I see the "9", I think of the NINE LEPERS that GOD healed. There were ten lepers in all, but only one stopped to thank him. The "10" reminds me of the TEN COMMANDMENTS carved in stone by the hand of GOD.

The "JACK" makes me remember the Prince of Darkness. Like a roaring lion, he devours those that he can. When I look at the "QUEEN", I see the BLESSED VIRGIN MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS. As I look at the last card, "THE KING", it reminds me that JESUS IS LORD OF LORDS and KING OF KINGS! There are 365 spots on a deck of cards, and that is the number of days in each year. There are 52 cards to a deck and that is the number of weeks in a year. There are 12 pictures cards and that is the number of months in ayear.

There are 4 difference suits in a deck and that is the number ofmonths in a quarter of a year. Also the number of seasons in a year. And so the young soldier then said to the Major, "You see, Sir, my intentions were honorable. My deck of cards serves as my BIBLE, my PRAYER BOOK and my ALMANAC." A deck of cards should most importantly remind us that we need JESUS 365 day, 52 week, and 12 months a year and that we should always PRAY "4" others. May you never look at a deck of cards the same way AGAIN.

Baby Erik and the Old Man

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?" Erik continued to laugh and answer,
"Hi, hi there."

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 old 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 sidestep 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 judgment; 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 all eternity.
The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, "To enter the Kingdom of
God, we must become as little children."

"Saying Grace"

Last week I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice-cream! Why, I never!". Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at my son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer." "Really?" my son asked. "Cross my heart."

Then in a theatrical whisper he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and without a word walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes, and my soul is good already."

All Roads Lead Us Back

All roads lead us back to one another, mother, 
daughter, sister, woman, friend.

When we finally strip the world from all our faces,
we will see the mirror image once again.

Give thanks for who we are to one another.  
Rejoice in all the glory we have found.

Look high above to find your own beginnings and 
from your knees count your blessings when you are done.

For when the world has met its final hour, in the end 
it will be as it began.

We will all be cast into one lasting sonnet and sing 
in voice perfected once again.

So find peace within yourself and for your sisters.

Give comfort, love and hope to all in need.

Teach well the knowledge you have learned here, 
sow a bounty with every tiny seed.

C.A. Taylor
1999

Thankful

I AM THANKFUL FOR THE TEENAGER WHO IS NOT DOING DISHES BUT IS WATCHING T.V., BECAUSE THAT MEANS HE IS AT HOME AND NOT ON THE STREETS.
FOR THE TAXES THAT I PAY, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AM EMPLOYED.
FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I HAVE BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.
FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.
FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.
FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME.
FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND THAT I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION.
FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL, BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM WARM.
FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH THAT SINGS OFF KEY, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I CAN HEAR.
FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.
FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.
FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OF IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS, BECAUSE IT MEANS THAT I AM ALIVE.
AND FINALLY.......but NOT LEAST....

FOR TOO MUCH E-MAIL, BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

Nena Cooke

The boy stood with back arched, head cocked back and hands clenched defiantly. "Go ahead, give it to me." The principal looked down at the young rebel. "How many times have you been here?"

The child sneered rebelliously, "Apparently not enough." The principal gave the boy a strange look. "And you have been punished each time have you not?" "Yeah, I been punished, if that's what you want to call it."

He threw out his small chest, "Go ahead I can take whatever you dish out. I always have." "And no thought of your punishment enters your head the next time you decide to break the rules does it?" "Nope, I do whatever I want to do. Ain't nothin' you people gonna do to stop me either."

The principal looked over at the teacher who stood nearby. "What did he do this time?" "Fighting. He took little Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox." The principal turned to look at the boy, "Why? What did little Tommy do to you?" "Nothin, I didn't like the way he was lookin' at me, just like I don't like the way your lookin' at me! And if I thought I could do it, I'd shove your face into something."

The teacher stiffened and started to rise but a quick look from the principal stopped him. He contemplated the child for a moment and then quietly said, "Today my young student, is the day you learn about grace."

"Grace? Isn't that what you old people do before you sit down to eat? I don't need none of your stinkin' grace." "Oh but you do." The principal studied the young mans face and whispered. "Oh yes, you truly do..." The boy continued to glare as the principal continued, "Grace, in its short definition is unmerited favor. You can not earn it, it is a gift and is always freely given. It means that you will not be getting what you so richly deserve."

The boy looked puzzled. "Your not gonna whup me? You just gonna let me walk?" The principal looked down at the unyielding child. "Yes, I am going to let you walk."

The boy studied the face of the principal, "No punishment at all? Even though I socked Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox?"

"Oh, there has to be punishment. What you did was wrong and there are always consequences to our actions. There will be punishment. Grace is not an excuse for doing wrong."

"I knew it," Sneered the boy as he held out his hands. "Lets get on with it." The principal nodded toward the teacher. "Bring me the belt." The teacher presented the belt to the principal. He carefully folded it in two and then handed it back to the teacher. He looked at the child and said. "I want you to count the blows." He slid out from behind his desk and walked over to stand directly in front of the young man. He gently reached out and folded the child's outstretched, expectant hands together and then turned to face the teacher with his own hands outstretched. One quiet word came forth from his mouth. "Begin."

The belt whipped down on the outstretched hands of the principal. Crack! The young man jumped ten feet in the air. Shock registered across his face, "One" he whispered. Crack! "Two." His voice raised an octave. Crack! "Three..." He couldn't believe this. Crack! "Four." Big tears welled up in the eyes of the rebel. "OK stop! That's enough. Stop!" Crack! Came the belt down on the callused hands of the principal. Crack! The child flinched with each blow, tears beginning to stream down his face. Crack! Crack! "No please", the former rebel begged, "Stop, I did it, I'm the one who deserves it. Stop! Please. Stop..." Still the blows came, Crack! Crack! One after another. Finally it was over. The principal stood with sweat glistening across his forehead and beads trickling down his face. Slowly he knelt down. He studied the young man for a second and then his swollen hands reached out to cradle the face of the weeping child. Then the words were softly uttered from......(may the reader discern)... "Grace...

Patti

If I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep, I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door, I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute or two to stop and say "I love you, instead of assuming, you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always get a second chance to make everything right. There will always be another day to say our "I love you's", and certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything I can do's?"

But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, and today may be the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day, that you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss and you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today, whisper in their ear. Tell them how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.

Take time to say "I'm sorry," "please forgive me," "thank you" or "it's okay". And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

Leisha Horton

top

The prophet Jeremiah acknowledged Father's sovereignty over all of heaven and earth. God's will is going to happen eventually. His will is in control. All actions, all thoughts, all deeds, all circumstances, He either causes to happen or He allows to happen.

That's a pretty scary thought. At times it can be comforting, it's nice knowing our heavenly Father is the ultimate authority; He knows what's best so submitting our will to Him is in our best interests. But what about the times in our lives when we are living with pain and hurt, either physical or spiritually? Father is allowing this into our lives also, but it's pretty tough to be grateful during those times.

Sometimes, when you've been struggling with a bad time, well meaning, God loving people will ask you how you're doing and you'll be ready to tell them. And then, these same dear people might give you a sweet smile and say, "Remember Romans 8:28." Whenever that happens, just smile back and assure them that you know all things will eventually work to the good, because that seems to make them feel so much better.

A better verse for bad times is Romans 8:26, "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." A friend shared that verse with me recently during a time of great sorrow, when the pain was so sharp that I couldn't bear to reach out and risk rejection. It's a comforting concept, when I am groaning; when I am in my pit of despair, I do not groan alone. Even when I don't know what will help, or how to ask, I am not deserted.

Sooner or later everyone has a time like that, when you hurt in so many ways that you can’t describe the sensation. Anger, pain, grief, no mere words can portray the monster that bubbles up from your heart and soul. It strips us of our illusion of control and tears down the fortress we've built on our own. Our defenses lay crumbled at our feet, and yet "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

When I was in the midst of the struggle, several people tried to give comfort by reminding me how lucky I was to have God in my life during this time. Oddly, that didn't help one bit. Actually, I thought it would be easier to believe this was just a bit of bad luck, sort of a cosmic misdial that would confirm some scientific actuary table. But, because I know God, and I know He made the heaven and the earth by His great power and nothing is to hard for Him, I know He either causes all things or He allows them to happen. Roman's 8:28 is definitely true, but it really doesn't erase the pain. And still, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

I like John 6:20. Jesus had just fed 5000 men plus women and children when He had to flee to the hills alone to escape the crowds who wanted to make Him king. As time went by and it was getting later the disciples, who had gathered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, decided to go across the lake toward Capernaum. I can relate, I'm guilty of the "why wait on the Lord, we need action" syndrome myself.

A gale swept down upon them as they rowed and the sea grew very rough; another parallel for our lives, a sudden gale and rough seas. The disciples were out there, four or five miles, adrift in a storm, when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on water toward the boat. They were terrified, even after seeing all the previous miracles, they were terrified of their Lord.

"But He saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid." John 6:20. What wonderful words! These are words I've used myself as I've rushed to comfort my children, "I'm here! Don't be afraid." And the disciples, to their credit, responded to His words just as frightened children do. They were eager to let Him in, and they immediately arrived at their destination. We are like the disciples; all we have to do is eagerly let Him in and we will immediately arrive at our destination, the life of Jesus Christ.

This is the picture I keep in my head during my storms, Jesus walking on the rough water asking me not to be afraid. Sometimes I'm terrified, even after I've seen all of the previous miracles in my life, and I cling to my rickety boat unable to let Him in. But even then, "the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express."

But, more and more often now, I fall headlong into His open arms and curl up in His lap like a frightened child and let Him hold me. And it is His peace and His strength that fills me and remains in me as I return to the world to face another day.

And then, finally, when that moment comes, I do remember Romans 8:28, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose." And I can finally believe the promise.

Annette Kinchen

It was a beautiful Sunday morning. People were filling the church to its fullest capacity! As they entered, each were given a bulletin filled with 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 in Grime. When he reached the usher, he removed his tattered old brown hat in respect. His hair was a long, dirty, tangled mess. He had no shoes on his feet, and wore only soiled, black socks. The usher put his fingers to his nose and glared 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 the old man had underlined. He was respectful enough 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 filthy and my clothes are old and worn, and they were afraid I would disrupt their service. Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is George." The two gentlemen 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 upon his feet, now covered with dust and dirt. The stranger reached out to touch George's shoulder and said, "Hello, 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, and they won't let me in either." Jan Sporri

Heaven's Messenger

Barbara was driving her six-year-old son, Benjamin, to his piano lesson. They were late, and Barbara was beginning to think she should have canceled it. There was always so much to do, and Barbara, a night-duty nurse at the local hospital, had recently worked extra shifts. She was tired. The sleet storm and icy roads added to her tension. Maybe she should turn the car around. Mom!" Ben cried.

"Look!"

Just ahead a car had lost control on a patch of ice. As Barbara tapped the brakes, the other car spun wildly, rolled over, then crashed sideways into a telephone pole.

Barbara pulled over, skidded to a stop and threw open her door.

Thank goodness she was a nurse-she might be able to help these unfortunate passengers. Then she paused. What about Ben? She couldn't take him with her-little boys shouldn't see scenes like the one she anticipated.

But was it safe to leave him alone? What if their car were hit from behind? For a brief moment Barbara considered going on her way.

Someone else was sure to come along. No! "Ben, honey, promise me you'll stay in the car!" "I will, Mommy," he said as she ran, slipping and sliding, toward the crash site. It was worse than she'd feared. Two girls of high school age were in the car. One, the blonde on the passenger side, was dead, killed on impact. The driver, however was still breathing.

She was unconscious and pinned in the wreckage. Barbara quickly applied pressure to the wound in the teenager's head while her practiced eye catalogued the other injuries. A broken leg, maybe two, along with probable internal bleeding. But if help came soon, the girl would live.

A trucker had pulled up and was calling for help on his cellular phone.

Soon Barbara heard the ambulance sirens. A few moments later she surrendered her lonely post to rescue workers. "Good job," one said as he examined the driver's wounds. "You probably saved her life, ma'am." Perhaps.

But as Barbara walked back to her car a feeling of sadness overwhelmed her, especially for the family of the girl who had died. Their lives would never be the same. Oh God, why do such things have to happen? Slowly Barbara opened her car door. What should she tell Benjamin? He was staring at the crash site, his blue eyes huge. "Mom," he whispered, "did you see it?" "See what, Honey?" she asked. "The angel, Mom! He came down from the sky while you were running to the car. And he opened the door, and he took that girl out." Barbara's eyes filled with tears. "Which door, Ben?" "The passenger side. He took the girl's hand, and they floated up to Heaven together." "What about the driver?".

Ben shrugged. "I didn't see anyone else."

Later Barbara was able to meet the families of the victims. They expressed their gratitude for the help she had provided. Barbara was able to give them something more; Ben's vision. There was no way he could have known-by ordinary means-who was in the car or what had happened to either of the passengers. Nor could the passenger door have been opened; Barbara had seen it's tangle of immovable steel herself. Yet Ben's account brought consolation to a grieving family. Their daughter was safe in Heaven.

And they would see her again.

A Prayer For Angels:

I prayed for Angels to guard you night and day.

I prayed they would hover and keep harm away.

If you hear the swish of wings or feel a gentle touch.

I know God heard my prayer today and loves you very much.

 


The 7-Ups of Life

Wake Up - Decide to have a good day. "Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice & be glad in it" Psalms 118:24


Dress Up - The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance but the
Lord looks at the heart" I Sam 16:7


Shut Up - Say nice things & learn to listen. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. "He who guards his lips guards his soul" Proverbs 13:3
"Gossip betrays confidence avoid men who talk too much" Proverbs 20:19 "Listen to advice, accept instruction and in the end, you will be wise" Proverbs 19:20


Stand Up - For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10


Look Up - To the Lord. "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength" Philippians 4:13


Reach Up - For something higher. As Jiminy Cricket sings "High Hopes" Always try to better yourself.


Lift Up - Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING"
Philippians 4:6

These bits of wisdom were shared with me

today and I thought I would share them with everyone I love and who loves

God. So have a great day and remember the 7-ups of life.

Jonetta


The Three Little Birds . . .

There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Several eyebrows were raised and, as if in response, Pastor Thomas began to speak. "I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright. I stopped the lad and asked, "What you got there son?"

"Just some old birds," came the reply.

"What are you gonna do with them?" I asked.

"Take 'em home and have fun with 'em, he answered. I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time."

"But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do then?"

"Oh, I got some cats, said the little boy.

They like birds. I'll take 'em to them."

The pastor was silent for a moment. "How much do you want for those birds, son?"

"Huh??!!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing - they ain't even pretty!"

"How much?" the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, "$10?"

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot. Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free. Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.

One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation. Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. "Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!"

"What are you going to do with them?" Jesus asked.

Satan replied, "Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!"

"And what will you do when you get done with them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, I'll kill 'em, Satan glared proudly.

"How much do you want for them?" Jesus asked.

"Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you!! You don't want those people!!"

How much?" He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, "All your tears, and all your blood."

Jesus said, "DONE". Then He paid the price.

The pastor picked up the cage he opened the door and he walked from the pulpit.

Notes:

Isn't it funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell.

Isn't it funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Isn't it funny how everyone wants to go to heaven provided they do not have to believe, think, say, or do anything the Bible says.

Or is it scary?

Isn't it funny how someone can say "I believe in God" but still follow Satan (who, by the way, also "believes" in God).

Isn't it funny how you can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire, but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing.

Isn't it funny how the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but the public discussion of Jesus is suppressed in the school and workplace.

FUNNY, ISN'T IT?

Isn't it funny how someone can be so fired up for Christ on Sunday, but be an invisible Christian the rest of the week.

Are you laughing?

Isn't it funny how when you go to forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they will think of you for sending it to them.

Isn't it funny how I can be more worried about what other people think of me than what God thinks of me.

Isn't it halarious???



Paid In Full

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

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

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

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, a sudden feeling of sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt.7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

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

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


Introduction To Story Below

My grandfather was a unique individual in that he was
able to see some good in everyone that he met, no
matter what skeletons may be in their closets. He also
believed that it is better to listen than to speak.
His best advice is work hard to achieve your education
and goals because you will appreciate it more than if
it is just given to you. In the last few years of his
life PaPa was diagnosed with Stomach Cancer. He put up
a long hard battle but it ended in his death on March
7, 1981.  Before he died my aunt asked him, "How to
live a successful life?"  My PaPa left us the
following words as simple but useful guidelines that
mean a great deal to me and to many members of my
family. We now refer to them as his Philosophy of
Life. Whenever I need some inspiration or
encouragement I look at these words that were dictated
on February 10, 1981 and they make me smile. I hope
they make you smile too.

Caryl Danielle Boyet

A Grandfather's Legacy...

Thank God Daily, for all good things for you have taught us that all good

things come from Thee.

Love other people - family members, relatives and others.

Make use of the talents He has given you and serving Him are the most important things I can do.

Prayers need not be long but should be often - while I am eating, waiting for a signal light; but some regular time should be set aside for praising Thee.

Have confidence and faith in you and my fellow man. That all things are possible and can be achieved if I only believe.

Since all good things come from You I will share my achievements with my less fortunate brothers and sisters and give to You to help carry out programs on this earth.

Keep my head high and my chin up even though I may fail some of my ambitions. For I know You know what is best for me.

Be kind to my mother, father and other members of my family and strive to make them proud of me.

Spend a great deal of my time working toward my goals but allow some time to improve and develop friends. A friend is the most important thing you can have in this life.

In summary, be a complete person.

February 10, 1981

Thomas Everett Patrick

Missionary Couple

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

No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong."

"Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us."

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way," his wife said. "I can't help it; it doesn't seem right." When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were there.

The papers were full of the President's arrival.

No one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.

That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this; God is not treating us fairly."

His wife replied, "Why don't you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?"

"The Lord settled it with me," he said. "I told Him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as though the Lord put His hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet!'"

Interview With God

I dreamed I had an interview with God.

"Come in," God said. "So, you would like to interview Me?" "If you have the time," I said.

God smiled and said:

"My time is eternity and is enough to do everything; what questions do you have in mind to ask me?"

"What surprises you most about mankind?"

God answered:

"That they get bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again.

That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health.

That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future.

That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived..."

God's hands took mine and we were silent for while and then I asked...

"As a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children to learn?"

God replied with a smile:

"To learn that they cannot make anyone love them.

What they can do is to let themselves be loved.

To learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their lives, but who they have in their lives.

To learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others.

All will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group on a comparison basis!

To learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but is one who needs the least.

To learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.

To learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.

To learn that there are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how to express or show their feelings.

To learn that money can buy everything but happiness.

To learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally different.

To learn that a true friend in someone who knows everything about them...and likes them anyway.

To learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others, but that they have to forgive themselves."

I sat there for awhile enjoying the moment.

I thanked Him for his time and for all that He has done for me and my family, and He replied, "Anytime. I'm here 24 hours a day.

All you have to do is ask for me, and I'll answer."

People will forget what you said.

People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

His name was Fleming

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which boy he would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the decision.

=20 The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the black of night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me."

"You see....I was the son's friend."

Author Unknown

Church Member

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited.

The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember's flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and "dead as a doornail."

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the pastor reached the door to leave, his host said,

"Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."



Free

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."

Meister Eckhart



God Is Like...

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results:

God is like BAYER ASPIRIN -- He works miracles. God is like a FORD -- He's got a better idea.
God is like COKE -- He's the real thing.
God is like HALLMARK CARDS -- He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like TIDE -- He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
God is like GENERAL ELECTRIC -- He brings good things to life.
God is like SEARS -- He has everything.
God is like ALKA-SELTZER -- Try him, you'll like Him.
God is like SCOTCH TAPE -- You can't see him, but you know He's there.
God is like DELTA -- He's ready when you are.
God is like ALLSTATE -- You're in good hands with Him.
God is like VO-5 Hair Spray -- He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like DIAL SOAP -- Aren't you glad you have Him. Don't you wish everybody did.
God is like the U.S. POST OFFICE -- Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
Author Unknown

which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and

always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from

the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily,with the bearer delivering only one

and a half pots full of water in his master's house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments,

perfect to the end for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and

miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made

to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to

the

water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

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

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load

because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way

back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of

this

work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot,and in his compassion

he

said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the

beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill,the old cracked pot took notice of the

sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this

cheered it some.

But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out

half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only

on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?

That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of

it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path,

and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them."

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate

my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not

have this beauty to grace his house."

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws.

We're all cracked pots. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have

that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding.

You've just got to take each person for what they are,and look for the good