“U” are needed in Bible ST_DY, but not in IGNORANCE.
“U” are needed in S_PPORT, but not in NEGLECT.
“U” are needed in _NITY, but not in DIVISION.
“U” are needed in D_TY, but not in IRRESPONSIBILITY.
“U” are needed in B_ILDING, but not in TEARING DOWN.
“U” are needed in CH__RCH!!
— Author Unknown
Meditation: Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it. – Hebrews 4:1
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind. She also hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.
She often told him, ‘If I could only see the world, I will marry you.’
One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.
He asked her, ’Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?’
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn’t expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life made her refuse to marry him.
Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: ‘Take good care of your eyes, my dear. For, before they were yours, they were mine.’
This is how the human brain often works when our status changes. Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.
Life Is a Gift. This week before you say an unkind word, think of someone who can’t speak.
Before you complain about the taste of your food, think of someone who has nothing to eat.
Before you complain about your husband or wife, think of someone who’s crying out to God for a companion.
Before you complain about life, think of someone who died too young.
Before you complain about your children, think of someone who desires children but hasn’t any yet.
Before you argue about your dirty house that someone messed up, think of the people who are living on the streets.
Before whining about the distance you drive, think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.
And when you are tired and complain about your job, think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they were in your shoes.
But before you think of pointing a finger at or condemning another person, remember that not one of us is without sin and we’ll all answer to our Maker.
Meditation: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
Shoes in church
I showered and
shaved…………. I adjusted my tie.
I got there and
sat…………. In a pew just in time.
Bowing my head in
prayer……… As I closed my eyes.
I saw the shoe of the man
next to me….. Touching my own. I sighed.
With plenty of room
on either side…… I thought, ‘Why must our soles touch?’
It bothered me, his shoe touching mine… But it didn’t bother him much.
A prayer
began: ‘Our Father’…………. I thought,
‘This man with the shoes has no pride.
They’re dusty, worn, and
scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the
side!’
‘Thank You
for blessings,’ the prayer went on.
The shoe man
said…………… A quiet ‘Amen.’
I tried to focus on the
prayer……. But my thoughts were on his shoes
again.
Aren’t we
supposed to look our best. When walking through
that door?
‘Well, this certainly isn’t it,’ I thought,
Glancing toward the floor.
Then the prayer was ended……….. And the songs of
praise began.
The shoe man was certainly loud…… Sounding
proud as he sang.
His voice lifted the rafters……… His
hands were raised high.
The Lord could surely hear. The shoe
man’s voice from the sky.
It was time for the offering…….
And what I threw in was steep.
I watched as the shoe man
reached… Into his pockets so deep.
I saw what was pulled
out………. What the shoe man put in.
Then I heard a soft
‘clink’ . As when silver hits tin.
The sermon really bored
me……… To tears, and that’s no lie.
It was the same for the
shoe man… For tears fell from his eyes.
At the end of the
service……. As is the custom here.
We must greet new
visitors, And show them all good cheer.
But I felt moved
somehow…………. And wanted to meet the shoe man.
So after the closing prayer…….. I reached over and
shook his hand.
He was old and his skin was dark… And his hair was truly
a mess.
But I thanked him for coming………. For being our
guest.
He said, ‘My names’ Charlie……….. I’m glad
to meet you, my friend.’
There were tears in his eyes…….. But he had
a large, wide grin.
‘Let me explain,’ he said………. Wiping
tears from his eyes.
‘I’ve been coming here for months….. And
you’re the first to say ‘Hi.”
‘I know that my
appearance……….’Is not like all the rest.
‘But I really do
try………………’To always look my best.’
‘I always clean
and polish my shoes..’Before my very long walk.
‘But by the
time I get here………’They’re dirty and dusty, like chalk.’
My heart filled with pain………… And I swallowed to
hide my tears.
As he continued to apologize……… For daring to sit
so near
He said, ‘When I get here…………’I know I must
look a sight.
‘But I thought if I could touch you…’Then maybe
our souls might unite.’
I was silent for a moment……….. Knowing
whatever was said
Would pale in comparison… I spoke from my
heart, not my head.
‘Oh, you’ve touched me,’ I said…….’And
taught me, in part;
‘That the best of any man………….’Is
what is found in his heart.’
The rest, I
thought,…………….. This shoe man will never know.
Like
just how thankful I really am… That his dirty old shoe touched my soul
Making a difference in my life.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads us to peace and to mutual edification. – Romans 14:19
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
The story is told of a king who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life, positive or negative, and remarking, “This is good!”
One day the king and his friend were on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. In preparing one of the guns, the friend had apparently done something wrong, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off.
Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, “This is good!” To which the king replied, “No, this is NOT good!” and proceeded to send his friend to jail.
About a year later, the king was hunting in a dangerous area. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to it. As they approached to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So after untying the king, they sent him on his way.
As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. You were right,” he said, “it was good that my thumb was blown off.” And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. “And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this.”
“No,” his friend replied, “This is good!”
“What do you mean, ‘This is good’? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?”
“If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you.”
Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love him and live our lives according to his precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit. Hold on…God is faithful! Maintain a positive outlook always and never ever give up hoping for the best.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with cancer and had been given three months to live. Her doctor told her to start making preparations to die (something we all should be doing all of the time.) So she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what she wanted to be wearing.
The woman also told her pastor that she wanted to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. “There’s one more thing.” She said excitedly.
“What’s that?” came the pastor’s reply.
“This is very important.” The woman continued. “I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.” The pastor stood looking at the woman not knowing quite what to say.
“That shocks you doesn’t it?” The woman asked.
“Well to be honest, I’m puzzled by the request,” said the pastor.
The woman explained. “In all my years of attending church socials and functions where food was involved and let’s be honest, food is an important part of any church event; spiritual or otherwise; my favorite part was when whoever was clearing away the dishes of the main course would lean over and say ‘you can keep your fork.’ It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming. When they told me to keep my fork, I knew that something great was about to be given to me. It wasn’t Jell-O or pudding. It was cake or pie. Something with substance. So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ‘What’s with the fork?’ Then I want you to tell them: ‘Something better is coming so keep your fork too.'”
The pastor’s eyes were welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that that woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral, people were walking by the woman’s casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over the pastor heard the question, “What’s with the fork?” And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently that there is something better coming.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. – 1 Corinthians 15:19
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
Think about these thought-provokers:
Just because two people argue doesn’t mean they don’t love each other, and just because they don’t argue doesn’t mean they love each other.
We don’t have to change friends if we understand friends change.
True friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance; same goes for true love.
No matter how good a friend is, they’re going to hurt you every once in a while; and you must forgive them for that.
You can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.
It’s taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.
You should always leave loved ones with loving words; It may be the last time you see them.
You can keep going long after you think you can’t.
We are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.
Either you control your attitude or it controls you.
Sometimes when I’m angry, I have the right the right to be angry; but that doesn’t give me the right to be cruel.
Your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don’t even know you.
Two people can look at the same thing and see something totally different.
Our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for whom we become.
No matter how bad your heart is broken, the world doesn’t stop for your grief.
Credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.
Even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
It isn’t always enough to be forgiven by others; sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.
Maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you’ve had and what you’ve learned from them; and less to do with how many birthdays you’ve celebrated.
Sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you’re down will be the ones to help you get back up.
Heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of circumstances.
— Author Unknown
Meditation: Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. – Hosea 14:9
You will succeed in Jesus Name!
If this doesn’t light your fire … your wood is wet!
I try not to be biased, but I had my doubts about hiring Stevie. His placement counselor assured me that he would be a good, reliable busboy.
But I had never had a mentally handicapped employee and wasn’t sure I wanted one. I wasn’t sure how my customers would react to Stevie.
He was short, a little dumpy with the smooth facial features and thick-tongued speech of Downs Syndrome. I wasn’t worried about most of my trucker customers because truckers don’t generally care who buses tables as long as the meatloaf platter is good and the pies are homemade.
The four-wheeler drivers were the ones who concerned me; the mouthy college kids traveling to school; the yuppie snobs who secretly polish their silverware with their napkins for fear of catching some dreaded “truck stop germ,” the pairs of white-shirted business men on expense accounts who think every truck stop waitress wants to be flirted with. I knew those people would be uncomfortable around Stevie, so I closely watched him for the first few weeks.
I shouldn’t have worried. After the first week, Stevie had my staff wrapped around his stubby little finger, and within a month, my truck regulars had adopted him as their official truck stop mascot.
After that, I really didn’t care what the rest of the customers thought of him. He was like a 21-year-old kid in blue jeans and Nikes, eager to laugh and eager to please, but fierce in his attention to his duties. Every salt and pepper shaker was exactly in its place, not a bread crumb or coffee spill was visible when Stevie got done with the table. Our only problem was persuading him to wait to clean a table until after the customers were finished.
He would hover in the background, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, scanning the dining room until a table was empty. Then he would scurry to the empty table and carefully bus dishes and glasses onto his cart and meticulously wipe the table up with a practiced flourish of his rag. If he thought a customer was watching, his brow would pucker with added concentration. He took pride in doing his job exactly right, and you had to love how hard he tried to please each and every person he met.
Over time, we learned that he lived with his mother, a widow who was disabled after repeated surgeries for cancer. They lived on their Social Security benefits in public housing two miles from the truck stop. Their social worker, who stopped to check on him every so often, admitted they had fallen between the cracks. Money was tight, and what I paid him was probably the difference between them being able to live together and Stevie being sent to a group home.
That’s why the restaurant was a gloomy place that morning last August, the first morning in three years that Stevie missed work. He was at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester getting a new valve or something put in his heart. His social worker said that people with Downs Syndrome often have heart problems at an early age so this wasn’t unexpected, and there was a good chance he would come through the surgery in good shape and be back at work in a few months.
To continue…
— Author Unknown
Meditation: But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. – Hebrews 13:16
You will succeed in Jesus' Name!
