A man found a cocoon for a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no farther. Then the man decided to help the butterfly.
He took a pair of scissors and snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. Something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the small opening of the cocoon are God`s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.
If God allowed us to go through all our life without any obstacles, that would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Not only that, we could never fly.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Build Wisely
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter.
"This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized that we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter.
"This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized that we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project."
Who could say it more clearly? Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past. Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.
Friday, May 4, 2007
The Blind Horse
Just up the road from my home is a field with two horses in it. From a distance each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is walking by,one will notice something quite amazing.
Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As one stands and watches these two friends,one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is - trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just
because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us
when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the
guide horse, helping others see God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, who watches over even a blind old horse, watch over us. Show us the way to You. Provide us with heavenly guides who will lead us to You through the fields of our lives.
Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As one stands and watches these two friends,one sees how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is - trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just
because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges.
He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us
when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
God and those whom he places in our lives. Other times we are the
guide horse, helping others see God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, who watches over even a blind old horse, watch over us. Show us the way to You. Provide us with heavenly guides who will lead us to You through the fields of our lives.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
The Coffee Beans
A daughter complained to her father about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it, and wanted to give up. She was tired of all the fighting and struggling.
It seemed as though in solving one problem, two more would arise.
Her father, (a chef) took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil.
In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans.
He let them sit and boil without saying a word. The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners.
He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and poured it in a cup.
Turning to her he asked. "Darling, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She humbly asked. "What does it mean Father?"
He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water, but each reacted differently. The carrots went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, they softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, the insides became hardened.
However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you," he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your
door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
How about you?
Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Are you the egg, which starts off with a changeable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after difficult times, have you become hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but are you tough with a stiff spirit and heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the thing that is bringing the pain. When the water reaches it's peak temperature, it just tastes better.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and make things better around you.
Are you a carrot,
an egg,
or a coffee bean?
"Please God, help me to be a coffee bean!
It seemed as though in solving one problem, two more would arise.
Her father, (a chef) took her to the kitchen. He filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to a boil.
In one he placed carrots, in the second he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans.
He let them sit and boil without saying a word. The daughter impatiently waited, wondering what he was doing. In about twenty minutes he turned off the burners.
He fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them a bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and poured it in a cup.
Turning to her he asked. "Darling, what do you see?"
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. She smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. She humbly asked. "What does it mean Father?"
He explained that each of them had faced the same adversity, boiling water, but each reacted differently. The carrots went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after being subjected to the boiling water, they softened and became weak.
The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, the insides became hardened.
However, the ground coffee beans were unique. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
"Which are you," he asked his daughter. "When adversity knocks on your
door, how do you respond?
Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?
How about you?
Are you the carrot that seems hard, but with pain and adversity do you wilt and become soft and lose your strength? Are you the egg, which starts off with a changeable heart? Were you a fluid spirit, but after difficult times, have you become hardened and stiff. Your shell looks the same, but are you tough with a stiff spirit and heart? Or are you like the coffee bean? The bean changes the hot water, the thing that is bringing the pain. When the water reaches it's peak temperature, it just tastes better.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and make things better around you.
Are you a carrot,
an egg,
or a coffee bean?
"Please God, help me to be a coffee bean!
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
The 57 Cents That Made History
A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it 'was too crowded'. "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.
Two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribble in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school,"
For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!
A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent payment.
Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 -- a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century).
Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."
Two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribble in childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school,"
For two years she had saved for this offering of love. When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building. But the story does not end there!
A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cent payment.
Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 -- a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century).
Her unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside at Sunday school time.
In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds."
Three Trees
Sometimes we get what we need and not what we want..........
Once there were 3 trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their
hopes & dreams when the 1st tree said, "Someday, I hope to be a treasure
chest. I could be filled with gold, silver & precious gems & be decorated
with intricate carvings. Everyone would see my beauty."
The 2nd tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship. I'll take kings &
queens across the waters & sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will
feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally, the 3rd tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest & straightest
tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill & look up to my
branches & think of the heavens & God and how close to them I'm reaching. I
will be the greatest tree of all time, and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of
woodsmen came upon the trees. One came to the 1st tree and said, "This looks
like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a
carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he
knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the 2nd tree, one of the other woodsman said, "This looks like a strong
tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The 2nd tree was happy,
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the 3rd tree, the tree was frightened, because
it knew that, if it was cut down, its dreams would not come true. One of the
woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take
this one," and he cut it down.
When the 1st tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed box
for animals, placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what
he had prayed for.
The 2nd tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being
a mighty ship & carrying kings had come to an end. The 3rd tree was cut into
large pieces & left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then a man &
woman came to the barn. She gave birth & they placed the baby in the hay in
the feed box that was made from the 1st tree. The man wished that he could
have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree
could feel the importance of this event & knew that it had held the greatest
treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the 2nd tree.
One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a
great storm arose, and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep
the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood & said "Peace,"
and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the
King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came & got the 3rd tree. It was carried through the
streets, and the crowd mocked the man who was carrying it. Finally, the man
was nailed to the tree & raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When
Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at
the top of the hill & be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had
been crucified on it.
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS THAT, WHEN THINGS DON'T SEEM TO BE GOING YOUR WAY, ALWAYS KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU. IF YOU PLACE YOUR TRUST IN HIM, HE WILL GIVE YOU GREAT GIFTS. EACH OF THE TREES GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, JUST NOT IN THE WAY THEY HAD IMAGINED. WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHAT GOD'S PLANS ARE FOR US. We JUST KNOW THAT HIS WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS.
Once there were 3 trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their
hopes & dreams when the 1st tree said, "Someday, I hope to be a treasure
chest. I could be filled with gold, silver & precious gems & be decorated
with intricate carvings. Everyone would see my beauty."
The 2nd tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship. I'll take kings &
queens across the waters & sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will
feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally, the 3rd tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest & straightest
tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill & look up to my
branches & think of the heavens & God and how close to them I'm reaching. I
will be the greatest tree of all time, and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of
woodsmen came upon the trees. One came to the 1st tree and said, "This looks
like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a
carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he
knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the 2nd tree, one of the other woodsman said, "This looks like a strong
tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The 2nd tree was happy,
because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.
When the woodsmen came upon the 3rd tree, the tree was frightened, because
it knew that, if it was cut down, its dreams would not come true. One of the
woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take
this one," and he cut it down.
When the 1st tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed box
for animals, placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what
he had prayed for.
The 2nd tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being
a mighty ship & carrying kings had come to an end. The 3rd tree was cut into
large pieces & left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then a man &
woman came to the barn. She gave birth & they placed the baby in the hay in
the feed box that was made from the 1st tree. The man wished that he could
have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree
could feel the importance of this event & knew that it had held the greatest
treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the 2nd tree.
One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a
great storm arose, and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep
the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood & said "Peace,"
and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the
King of Kings in its boat.
Finally, someone came & got the 3rd tree. It was carried through the
streets, and the crowd mocked the man who was carrying it. Finally, the man
was nailed to the tree & raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When
Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at
the top of the hill & be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had
been crucified on it.
THE MORAL OF THIS STORY IS THAT, WHEN THINGS DON'T SEEM TO BE GOING YOUR WAY, ALWAYS KNOW THAT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU. IF YOU PLACE YOUR TRUST IN HIM, HE WILL GIVE YOU GREAT GIFTS. EACH OF THE TREES GOT WHAT THEY WANTED, JUST NOT IN THE WAY THEY HAD IMAGINED. WE DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHAT GOD'S PLANS ARE FOR US. We JUST KNOW THAT HIS WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Two Brothers
Once upon a time two brothers, who lived on adjoining farms, fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 40 years of farming side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a conflict. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. I'm looking for a few days' work he said. Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with Could I help you Yes, said the older brother. I do have a job for you.
Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better.
See that pile of lumber by the barn I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore.
The carpenter said, I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you.
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.
The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done. The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.
One morning there was a knock on John's door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter's tool box. I'm looking for a few days' work he said. Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there I could help with Could I help you Yes, said the older brother. I do have a job for you.
Look across the creek at that farm. That's my neighbor; in fact, it's my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I'll do him one better.
See that pile of lumber by the barn I want you to build me a fence --an 8-foot fence -- so I won't need to see his place or his face anymore.
The carpenter said, I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I'll be able to do a job that pleases you.
The older brother had to go to town, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day. The carpenter worked hard all that day measuring, sawing, nailing. About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job.
The farmer's eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge -- a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all -- and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming toward them, his hand outstretched. You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I've said and done. The two brothers stood at each end of the bridge, and then they met in the middle, taking each other's hand.
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