Open the Rose

A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher in the garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do. he was inquiring of the older preacher. The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals.

The young preacher looked at the older preacher in disbelief, trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and his ministry. Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact…It wasn’t long before he realized how it was impossible to do so.

Noticing the younger preacher’s inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to tell the following poem…

It is only a tiny rosebud,

A flower of God’s design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

God opens this flower so sweetly,

When in my hands they fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God’s design,

Then how can I think I have wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So I’ll trust in Him for His leading

Each moment of every day.

I will look to Him for His guidance

Each step of the pilgrim way.

The pathway that lies before me,

Only my heavenly Father knows.

I’ll trust Him to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps. – Jeremiah 10:23

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Asking God Why

 Arthur Ashe, the legendary Wimbledon player was dying of AIDS, which he got due to infected blood he received during heart surgery in 1983.

He received sympathetic letters from his fans, one of which conveyed:

“Why did God have to select you for such a bad disease?”

To this, Arthur Ashe replied:

50 Million children started playing tennis…

5 Million learnt to play tennis…

500,000 learnt professional tennis…

50,000 made it to the Circuit…

5,000 reached grand-slam…

50 got to Wimbledon…

4 crossed to the semi-finals…

Only 2 scaled through to the finals…

And when I was holding the Cup in my hand, I never asked God, “Why me?” So now that I’m in pain, how can I ask God “Why me?”

Happiness keeps you sweet.

Trials keep you strong.

Sorrows keep you human.

Failure keeps you humble.

Success keeps you glowing.

But only Faith keeps you going.

Sometimes you are unsatisfied with your life, while many people in the world are dreaming of living your life.

Live simply.

Walk humbly.

Love genuinely and

Trust God fully.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Top Performers Produce More Stuff and Make Less Noise

When you see someone who is on top of his/her game, you will know it, if you know what to look out for. Top performers produce more stuff and make less noise. Unlike the other group of individuals who say all the right things and are seen in all the places things are happening, but with little or nothing to show for it in their own personal corner. I dread their coming around because they encroach into the valuable time I could have spent to tidy up my own corner or study the secrets of proof-producers.

When and If

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts…

God knows how hard you have tried.

When you’ve cried so long and your heart is in anguish…

God has seen your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by…

God is waiting with you.

When you’re lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call…

God is by your side.

When you think you’ve tried everything and don’t know where to turn…

God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated…

God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope…

God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for…

God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe…

God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow…

God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing…

GOD KNOWS!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. – 1 Peter 5:6-7

Why Dreams Fail

 

One of the reasons dreams, businesses and projects fail is because the initiators plan so big, expect so much and get very little response. Many never recover from the resulting disappointment.

The Frog

 

A group of frogs was travelling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit.

When they saw how deep the pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could.

Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

When he got out, the other frogs asked him, “Why did you continue jumping? Didn’t you hear us?” The frog motioned to them that he was deaf. He only thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

———— ——— ——–

This story teaches two lessons:

1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words…it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times.

Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another. May your words be a blessing to someone today.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled. – Proverbs 18:20

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

How to Make Your Dream Work

It takes more than talent, skill and passion to make a dream come true. If those were enough, everyone possessing them would have been high flyers. But talented failures, frustrated experts and passionate poor abound all over the place. You must work to make yoir dream work.