Aren't You Glad Your Worse Day Doesn't Define You?

I heard that statement the other day. Ever have a bad day? A day where nothing seems to go right? You get up in the morning. . . the coffee maker isn’t working and so you don’t get your morning brew before you head out the door to begin your day. You get in the car and rip your jacket on the door handle. As you travel along the road to the interstate you hit every red light. Of course, you were late starting out that morning to begin with! Now you are really going to be late. You finally make it to your job and find out that your Head Nurse is out sick today and no one was able to replace her. So, you become the Head Nurse. Your day goes on and on and on and on. Never seeming to end. When 3:00 finally rolls around you are so anxious to get out of there. You give your report to the next shift and go to your office and begin going through the pile of work that had accumulated all day while you were working as Head Nurse. Could the day get any worse? You drive home after stopping to fill up the gas tank. You walk in the door and there are the breakfast dishes staring at you – still on the kitchen table. Eggs crusted on the plates. The garbage is overflowing. The kids arrive home from the school bus and you find out from your 2nd grader that he is to take 24 cupcakes to school TOMORROW. As you check your pantry you realize that you do not have all the ingredients to make the treat. Heard enough? I know many people go through life with the above scenario or a similar one. You sometimes feel that you are just unlucky or that things just don’t go right for you – EVER. You have tried and tried to plan better! You make lists and hope to accomplish even one on that list so you can mark it off completed. But things (your life) never seem to get better. No matter how hard you try. It goes from worse to worst without even a blink. Or so it seems to you as you are in the midst of the struggle. But there is someone who has been there all along. God knows!!!! He has been there through the work day. He has been there through the traffic and the messy house. He is with you now wanting to encourage you to look to Him. Scripture says, “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed, perplexed but not in despair, sometimes persecuted, but not forsaken, cast down, but not destroyed” 11 Corinthians 4:8-9 You see, as a Child of God, you are going to have rough times. You are going to have times where it seems like the enemy is getting the best of you. But rest assured, you have the promises of God that say, “you will not be defeated”. Jesus has already won the battle for you. So take heart. Pick up your armor. Strengthen yourself in His mighty Word and press on. Don’t give up in the midst of the struggle and difficulties but look to God. Allow Him to direct your steps and you will be the overcomer He has created you to be. God Bless you, Leola Stotts

The Parable of the Spoon

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, “Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.”  The Lord led the holy man to two doors.  He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.  In the middle of the room was a large round table.  In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man’s mouth water. 

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly.  They appeared to be famished.  They were holding spoons with very long handles and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.  The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.  The Lord said, “You have seen Hell.”

They went to the next room and opened the door.  It was exactly the same as the one before. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water.  The people were equipped with the same long handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.  The holy man said, “I don’t understand.”  “It is simple”, said the Lord.  “It requires but one skill.  You see, they have learned to feed each other while the greedy think only of themselves.”  (Author Unknown)

Which room would others say we were in?  Are you one that is seeking only for yourself without thought of your neighbor?  Are you one who walks by when you see someone in need and say “someone else will meet that need?”  God calls us each one to work within our world to help those who are hurting, hungry, homeless and the list goes on and on. May you be one that is in the room where all are helping each other.

Prayer

Dear God,

please untie the knots

that are in my mind,

my heart and my life.

Remove the have nots,

the can nots and the do nots

that I have in my mind.



Erase the will nots,

may nots, and

might nots that find

a home in my heart.



Release me from the could nots,

would nots and

should nots that obstruct my life.



And most of all, dear God,

I ask that you remove from my mind

my heart and my life all of the am nots

that I have allowed to hold me back,

especially the thought

that I am not good enough.

Amen.

Make today count

I am in the midst of reading a great book.  One you might enjoy reading also.  "The Prodigal God, Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith."  Interesting title but as I began reading the book I realized it is surely for this time in my life.  The book talks about the ways we "righteous  people" try to do good things to please God.  We work hard doing what we feel He wants of us.  We help the poor.  We clothe those without.  We often say pious remarks to those around us that need to hear from God.  Yet, we really do not reach God.  We do not feel the heart of God in all that we do.  Those that are way out in the world, so to speak, find it easier to find God because they know they are out in the world and dealing with sin.  They can touch the heart of the matter easier then those of us who pretend to carry on daily as great Christians but never give Him our heart.  That is just a glimpse into the book written by Timothy Keller.  I would encourage you; if you are apathetic about your walk;  if you are discouraged with your walk with God; if you just want to learn, then get the book and read.  Allow the Holy Spirit to encourage you, up lift you and, yes, even correct you as you listen to His tender voice.

Life gives us lessons so take notice

I have been on a journey to visit family.  Along the way many memories arose.  When you get together with extended family there are always a lot of issues, conflict, trials, good times and much, much, more.  We can choose to respond either positively, as God would wish us to, or negatively, which is not our best.  For the first time, on these trips, I chose to let if fall off, like teflon, and not stick to me.  I purposely chose to respond and not react when conflicts arose.  I saw myself as a Peace Maker, not just a Peace Keeper.  What a joy!!!  That is indeed growth, on my part.  The Scriptures tell us that. . . "as much as possible keep peace with one another."  I  believe that to be words to live by.  I would encourage you to see all life lessons as one to "take note".  To learn and grow and expand and surprise one another.  Wouldn't it be great if we could just let things fall off of us and only exude sweet perfume on others?  This world would be a much better place to visit.  Enough of my thoughts for the night.  Tomorrow, when you awake, make a purposeful choice to give each other a break, to look the other way, to turn the other cheek.

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 
  
You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life.

I respect you, and truly cherish you.

Good Morning

                                    JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT IT IS CHRISTIAN PERSON WEEK AND YOU SHOULD SEND THIS TO ALL BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE.
'A person's heart should be so hidden in Christ that a man should have to seek Him first to find them.'

When I say that 'I am a Christian', I am not shouting that 'I am clean living. I'm whispering 'I was lost, but now I'm found and forgiven.'

When I say 'I am a Christian' I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but God believes I am worth it.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.

When I say 'I am a Christian' I'm not holier than thou, I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

Today is Beautiful Christian Person's Day.
Pretty is as Pretty does but, Beautiful is just plain Beautiful..