THE AMAZING TRICK!!!

Dear loved one,

  

A student was taking a walk with a professor one day who was commonly called the students' friend because of his kindness and his being a life coach. As they went along, lying in the path was a pair of old shoes which belonged to a poor man who was employed alone in a field close by for a day's wage. The student turned to the professor: "Let us play a trick on the man. We will hide his shoes, hide behind those bushes and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them." My young friend answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor rather let us put a coin in each shoe, let's hide ourselves and watch how the discovery affects him."

They did so and the man soon finished his work, came across the field to the path where he had left his shoes. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes but feeling something hard, he stooped to see what it was and he found a coin. Astonishment and wonder overwhelmed his countenance. He gazed at the coin, turned and looked all around fervently to see if someone had dropped it for him but no one was there. He held the money and proceeded to put on his other shoe but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

The overwhelming feeling was beyond expectation. He fell upon his knees and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless. He mentioned his children who are without bread, but whom this timely intervention from some unknown hand would save from perishing. The student stood there speechless deeply affected, tears filled his eyes. Now said the professor I think you are better pleased than if you had played your intended trick? The youth responded, today you have indeed taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I now understand the truth in those words: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'. We also may not probably realise that a little act of kindness in words, disposition and attitude adjustment can  make life better for our neighbours, colleagues, friends and family members rather than the intended trick of harsh words supposedly to put them in check. Let's apply the reality check 101 this week and stretch ourselves to make life better for others.

  

Have a great week!

Shalom!

See With Your Heart

Author: Neil Eskelin

Some time ago, while on a speaking tour of high schools in the Northeast, I was scheduled to address students at the State School for the Blind in Batavia , New York .

That year I was presenting a program on world affairs based on my experiences traveling in Africa . To illustrate the program I used several artifacts.

What should I do at the school for the blind? What possible benefit would the visual material be? Well, I decided to present the program just as I would to any other audience. At the end of my presentation I invited the students to the front to “feel” some of the articles I was referring to.

A young lady about thirteen years old asked, “May I look at the wood carving you talked about?”

I thought it strange that she would ask to “look” at something she could not see. I was even more surprised when she held it and exclaimed, “Oh, this is really lovely. It’s the most beautiful carving I’ve ever seen.”

I realized that she had a power of sight far greater than my own. She was not seeing with her eyes, but with her fingers, with her mind, with her heart. That’s the quality of vision each of us need.

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:” - Revelation 3:17

The time is now...

Author : Unknown

I had a marvelous mother who loved me, sacrificed for me and helped me in every way possible. In all of my growing up from childhood through college and eventually marriage, my mother was always at my side. And when I needed help with my little ones, she was there for me.

 

Today, we buried this wonderful woman. Can you imagine how I felt when I returned from the services and found poem in her desk drawer written by my mom?

 

The Time Is Now

If you are ever going to love

Love me now while I can know

The sweet and tender feelings

Which from true affection flow

 

Love me now while I am living

Do not wait until I am gone

And then have it chiseled in marble

Sweet words on ice cold stone

 

If you have tender thoughts of me

Please tell me them now

If you wait until I am sleeping

Death will be between us

And I won't hear you then

 

So if you love me, even a little bit

Let me know while I am living

So that I can treasure it

 

........ Now she is gone and I am sick with guilt because I never told her what she meant to me. Worse yet, I did not treat her as she deserved to be treated. I found time for everyone and everything but I never made time for her. It would have been easy to drop in for a cup of tea and a hug but my friends came first. Would any of them have done for me what my mother did? I know the answer.

 

When I called mom on the phone, I was always in a hurry. I feel ashamed when I think of the times I cut her off, the times I was rude or just brushed her off. I remember too, the times I could have included her and didn't.

 

The world is filled with sons and daughters like me. I hope they see themselves in this letter and learn from it.

 

“Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” - Deuteronomy 5:16 

Perception!!!

Dear loved one,

   

 A man sat at Washington DC Metro Station on a cold morning with a violin playing six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. Over this period approximately two thousand people went through that station most of them on their way to work. After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticing a musician playing slowed his pace, stopped for a few seconds and then he went off to meet his schedule. At exactly 4 minutes later the violinist received his first dollar from a woman who threw the money in the hat while walking on. 6 minutes later a young man leaned against the wall to listen but then looked at his watch and walked off. At exactly 10 minutes, a 3-year old boy stopped as his mother tugged him along hurriedly while he looked back at intervals until they were out of sight. This action was repeated by several other children with their parents without exception.  45 minutes after this musician started playing only 6 people had stopped to listen for a short while. 20 gave money but continued walking at their normal pace.  After 1 hour, the man successfully collected a total sum of $32. After he finished, silence filled the station. No one noticed, applauded nor was there any recognition. No one knew that the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians of all times who played one of the most intricate pieces ever written that morning with a violin worth $3.5 million. Two days before this experience, Joshua Bell sold out tickets for a theatre concert in Boston.

Joshua Bell played incognito in the metro station courtesy of the Washington Post as part of a social campaign about human perception, taste and priorities. The question addressed was, in a common place at an inappropriate hour do people still perceive and appreciate beauty? Can we recognize talent in an unexpected setting?  One possible conclusion was that we often all miss out on valuable things in life's journey. This week we must learn how to walk through each day with our hearts open combined with seeing eyes to recognise opportunities. Eyes which look are common but the ones who actually see are rare. The valuables of the earth are not easily recognised by many people but it is the honour of kings to seek understanding.

 

Have a great week!

Shalom!

Being Wrong

Ron Clarke 

Adam Thompson of Cincinnati , Ohio , was the first American to fill a bathtub.   Doctors who heard of it predicted rheumatism and inflammation of the lungs.   Some cities banned the new 'bathtub exercise'. Today a home is not complete without a bathtub or shower. The crowd was wrong.

 

England once had a law forbidding anyone to drive a vehicle faster than four miles an hour without a person going before them with a red flag. Today we have vehicles capable of more than one hundred times that speed. The crowd was wrong.

Musicians and critics groaned and laughed at the music of Richard Wagner. But his compositions transformed the music world. The crowd was wrong.

 

Westinghouse was called a fool for daring to think that he could stop a train with wind. Now Westinghouse air brakes are being used the world over.   Again the crowd was wrong.

"What is radium?" the crowd jeered at Madame Curie. Today it is a valuable asset in fighting disease. The crowd was wrong. 

 

For eleven years Goodyear and his wife worked on vulcanizing rubber.  Everyone laughed at them, but today millions ride on Goodyear tires. The crowd was mistaken.   

 

There have been advances in medical science hailed at the time, but were later proved to be disastrous. The drug Thalidomide comes to mind.  In the early 1950's the world hailed the first jet airliner, the 'Comet', which cut traveling time by half. Several crashed and many were killed.  The designers were wrong about the effect that speed and altitude had on aircraft construction.   They learned from that mistake and today air travel is even safer than driving the car. Publishers told Zane Grey that he had no writing ability.   But his books are still being read.  The crowd was wrong.

Being wrong can be a serious matter, and that applies particularly to our relationship with God.   Too much is at stake.  We can be wrong about many things. The world can be wrong about things - it has been through the ages.   However, we dare not be wrong about Jesus.  God offers us eternal life through Jesus Christ.   He so loved the world that He gave His only Son, and whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

 

“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” - Luke 6:22

Would You Like To See In The Dark?

Author: Bob Perks

"She can see in the darkness," the woman said to me.  I had never heard it put that way before.

I never really wanted to grow up.  Oh, I wanted to be able to do grown up things, but I never wanted to think like one or act like one.  I believe in many ways I have accomplished some of that dream.  I still think like a child and my wife will attest to me acting like one.

I like watching children on their own.  I don't mean when they are with other children playing.  But a child alone creates a little world to be in at that moment.  

We think nothing of seeing a child in the middle of a mall twirling around, dancing and perhaps even talking to herself.  But the site of an adult doing the same may even frighten us.  

Why?  Because it's not "adult-like."

So for a few minutes the other day I lived through a child at play.  My heart spun around a few times and I even caught myself giggling.  I wanted to be in that world of hers.  I needed to remove myself from this "reality" and just be somewhere else for at least a few moments.  

If you know me at all by now you know that would have easily joined in without hesitation.  I've danced with the wind and tip-toed with the squirrels.  But this might have been deemed improper by the other adults nearby.

I discovered the woman seated next to me was her Mom.  

"She is so full of life!" she said to me.

"Oh, to have that spirit and carefree attitude right now would be a blessing," I replied.  "Is she always that happy?"

"She can see in the darkness," the woman said to me.  I had never heard it put that way before.

It was a powerful thought.  Thoughts like that grab me and spin me around.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"Well, even when she was very small she never had a fear of the dark.  Her bright face and spirit always seems to find the best in every situation.  Even on the darkest days she lights up the world," her Mom said.  "She told me once that darkness means there's no light outside, but she had God's light inside."

We sat watching her contently.

"When her grand mom passed away we feared that the impact of the loss would change her, but it didn't.  She said she believed in God.  If Grand was with Him she had nothing to be afraid of."

"So she can see in the darkness.  That's an awesome thought.  But of course that's what faith is," I said.

Yes, I want to be like a child again.  You see, adulthood and all of it's reasoning and realistic view of the world often dulls, darkens or dims the light of the child within each of us.  But a strong, positive active faith is the light that cannot be dimmed.

Faith is to see in the darkness. 

Taken from "I believe in you!" By Bob Perks [copyright]

”Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 18:4 

Take Care Of Your Friend

Author: Unknown

 

This story is directed at those who choose not to believe in God and for those who experience any doubt of His presence and/or existence. I recently came across a true story about a woman in Fort Myers , Florida whose mother was dying. It is my hope that this story may touch you in the same way it touched my heart. The story, some of which is in the exact words of this woman is as follows:

 

I was fortunate to be able to sit at my mother’s bedside and have lots of talks with her during her last weeks on earth. Most of her last month was spent in a hospital until we went to Hospice House. I knew Hospice helped people die but I didn’t know they had a 16 room home in Fort Myers where people could come and die in peace. We had many conversations as she drew closer and closer to death and spoke many times about death and heaven.

In one such conversation about heaven I said: “Mom, well... could we have a secret, something just between us? I know it’s going to sound crazy. But if you die and when you get to heaven, if it’s more than you ever dreamed it would be, if you are all right and see God and Jesus, would you send me one red rose?”

 

This was a very special moment between me and my mother an eternal moment. She said, “Yes, I’ll do that.”

 

A week later I said, “Look mom about our secret, I’ll be on earth and you’ll be in heaven. How are you going to get a rose to me?” She said to me without reservation “Honey, God can do anything!”

 

Shortly after that on September 16,1997 her mother died. As you can imagine this was not a wonderful time. So much to do with funeral arrangements that the woman forgot completely about the secret she and her mother had shared. Then at the funeral home, during the wake a strange thing happened. Let me share this in the woman’s words.

 

All of the sudden in the back of the funeral home I caught a glimpse of an elderly gentleman with a cane. I didn’t know him. I was sure that I had never seen or met him before. I turned and looked at him... as he knelt down at my mother’s coffin and placed in her hands just one beautiful red rose. I walked over to him and inquired what made him bring the rose. He said, “oh honey, for some reason all day today I had a red rose on my mind, all day I have been thinking about it. I just knew I had to get one red rose for your mother.”

 

Now if you’re like me you have tears streaming down your cheeks right now. Let me suggest to you that God is real and sometimes in His graciousness and love, He will, for just a moment pull back the curtain and allow us to see beyond our limited view of life and death. Right now if you believe this story and it has touched your heart, isn’t it about time you got right with God and accepted His Son into your heart. Don’t wait because if you do it may be too late. Accept Christ today as your Lord and Savior and become part of the eternal kingdom of God . After all heaven was more than this woman’s mother.

 

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. -Rev 21:4-5 

A Child's Prayer

Author: Unknown

Dear God, are You still awake?

Have You got a minute or two?

You're pretty good at understanding,

And I really need to talk to You.



You see, Mommy came to tuck me in,

Like she does every night.

I was trying to play a trick on her,

Since she can't see without the light.



I was going to close my eyes

And pretend to be asleep.

But when I heard her crying,

I didn't dare let out a peep.



She started talking to you, God.

Did You hear the things she said?

Could You hear what she was saying

As she stood beside my bed?



Why would Mommy be so sad?

I wondered just what I had done,

And then I began to remember

it all As she named them one by one...



This morning we worked in the garden,

But, honest, I really didn't know

That if I picked all those little yellow blooms

The tomatoes wouldn't grow!



Charlie and I were trying to be helpers,

'Cause I know that's what Mommy needs,

But I don't think she was too happy with us

when we pulled up carrots instead of weeds.



Mommy said we should stop for the day,

she decided we had helped quite enough.

I sure had worked up an appetite...

I didn't know gardening was so tough!



we had peanut-butter and jelly for lunch

and I shared too much, I guess...

But I didn't realize until I was done

that Charlie had made such a mess.



Mommy said she needed a nap,

she had one of her headaches today.

She told me to keep an eye on my sister

and find something quiet to play.



Well, God, do You remember all those curls

you gave my little sister Jenny?

We played barber shop...very quietly...

and now, well, she doesn't have any.



Boy, was Mommy mad at me...

I had to go sit on my bed.

She said never to cut "people hair" again.

I guess I'll practice on Charlie instead.



We sat and watched poor old Albert,

I just knew he must be so bored

Going round and round

in the same place all day,

Wouldn't You think so, Lord?



I didn't think it would hurt

to let him out for a while.

I mean, mice need exercise, too.

By the way, have You seen Albert lately?

He's been sort of missing since two.



Mommy sent us outside for the rest of the day.

She said we needed fresh air.

But when Daddy came home she told him

he was trying to get something out of her hair.



We thought Mommy needed cheering up,

so we decided to brighten her day.

But, God, did You see the look on her face

When we gave her that pretty bouquet?


We had gotten a little bit dirty,

so Mommy said to get in the tub.

"Use soap this time," she reminded,

"and please don't forget to scrub."



Charlie didn't like the water too much,

but I lathered up real good.

I knew Mommy would be so proud of me

For cleaning up like I should.



I went downstairs to the table,

but during dinner it started to rain...

I'd forgotten to turn off the water, it seems,

and I hadn't unplugged the drain!



I decided right then it was just about time

to start getting ready for bed,

When Mommy said, "It's sure been a long day,

" And her face began turning all red.



I lay there listening to Mommy

as she told You about our day.

I thought about all of the things I had done

and I wondered what I should say.



I was just about to tell her

that I'd been awake all along,

And ask her to please forgive me

for all of those thing I'd done wrong.



When suddenly, I heard her whisper,

"God, forgive me for today...

For not being more understanding

when those problems came my way...



For not handling situations in the way

You wanted me to...for getting angry

and losing my temper,

Things I know You don't want me to do.



And, God, please give me more patience,

Help me make it through another day,

I'll do better tomorrow, I promise..

. In Jesus' name I pray."



Wiping her eyes, she kissed me

and knelt here beside my bed.

She stroked my hair for a little while..."

I love you, precious," Mommy said.



She left the room without ever knowing

That I'd been awake all the time.

And God, could we make it our little secret?

You know, just Yours and mine?



I'm sorry I was so much trouble today,

I really didn't mean to be...

Daddy says it's tough being a kid sometimes,

but I think it's harder on Mommy than me.



Well, goodnight, God. Thanks for listening.

It's sure nice to know You're there.

I feel so much better when I talk to You

'cause You always hear my prayer.



And I'll do better tomorrow, I promise...

Just You wait and see!

I'll try not to be so much trouble again,

But, God,

please give more patience to Mommy

......Just in case! Amen.

"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." - Matthew 19:14

The Birth of the Song "Precious Lord"

Author: Tommy Dorsey

Back in 1932, I was 32 years old and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie, and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's Southside.

One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, where I was to be the featured soloist at a large revival meeting.

I didn't want to go. Nettie was in the last month of pregnancy with our first child. But a lot of people were expecting me in St. Louis.

I kissed Nettie good-bye, clattered downstairs to our Model A and, and in a fresh Lake Michigan breeze, chugged out of Chicago on Route 66.

However, outside the city, I discovered that in my anxiety at leaving, I had forgotten my music case. I wheeled around and headed back. I found Nettie sleeping peacefully. I hesitated by her bed; something was strongly telling me to stay.

But eager to get on my way, and not wanting to disturb Nettie, I shrugged off the feeling and quietly slipped out of the room with my music.

The next night, in the steaming St. Louis heat, the crowd called on me to sing again and again. When I finally sat down, a messenger boy ran up with a Western Union telegram. I ripped open the envelope. Pasted on the yellow sheet were the words: YOUR WIFE JUST DIED.

People were happily singing and clapping around me, but I could hardly keep from crying out. I rushed to a phone and called home. All I could hear on the other end was "Nettie is dead. Nettie is dead."

When I got back, I learned that Nettie had given birth to a boy. I swung between grief and joy. Yet that night, the baby died. I buried Nettie and our little boy together, in the same casket. Then I fell apart.

For days I closeted myself. I felt that God had done me an injustice. I didn't want to serve Him any more or write gospel songs. I just wanted to go back to that jazz world I once knew so well. But then, as I hunched alone in that dark apartment those first sad days, I thought back to the afternoon I went to St. Louis. Something kept telling me to stay with Nettie.

Was that something God? Oh, if I had paid more attention to Him that day, I would have stayed and been with Nettie when she died.

From that moment on I vowed to listen more closely to Him. But still I was lost in grief. Everyone was kind to me, especially a friend, Professor Fry, who seemed to know what I needed. On the following Saturday evening he took me up to Malone's Poro College, a neighborhood music school. It was quiet; the late evening sun crept through the curtained windows.

I sat down at the piano, and my hands began to browse over the keys.

Something happened to me then. I felt at peace. I felt as though I could reach out and touch God. I found myself playing a melody, words came into my head--they just seemed to fall into place:

"Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, Through the storm, through the night Lead me on to the light, Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home."

As the Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit. I learned that when we are in our deepest grief, when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest, and when we are most open to His restoring power. And so I go on living for God willingly and joyfully, until that day comes when He will take me and gently lead me home.

"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” -1 John 1:7

The Fire

Author: Unknown

A couple, which we shall call John and Mary, had a nice home and two lovely children, a boy and a girl. John had a good job and had just been asked to go on a business trip to another city and would be gone for several days. It was decided that Mary needed an outing and would go along too. They hired a reliable woman to care for the children and made the trip, returning home a little earlier than they had planned.

 

As they drove into their hometown feeling glad to be back, they noticed smoke, and they went off their usual route to see what it was. They found a home in flames. Mary said, "Oh well it isn't our fire, let's go home."

 

But John drove closer and exclaimed, "That home belongs to Fred Jones who works at the plant. He wouldn't be off work yet, maybe there is something we could do." "It has nothing to do with us." Protested Mary. "You have your good clothes on lets not get any closer."

 

But John drove up and stopped and they were both horror stricken to see the whole house in flames. A woman on the lawn was in hysterics screaming, "The children! Get the children!" John grabbed her by the shoulder saying, "Get a hold of yourself and tell us where the children are!" "In the basement," sobbed the woman, "down the hall and to the left."

 

In spite of Mary's protests John grabbed the water hose and soaked his clothes, put his wet handkerchief on his head and bolted for the basement which was full of smoke and scorching hot. He found the door and grabbed two children, holding one under each arm like the football player he was. As he left he could hear some more whimpering. He delivered the two badly frightened and nearly suffocated children into waiting arms and filled his lungs with fresh air and started back asking how many more children were down there. They told him two more and Mary grabbed his arm and screamed, "John! Don't go back! It's suicide! That house will cave in any second!"

 

But he shook her off and went back by feeling his way down the smoke filled hallway and into the room. It seemed an eternity before he found both children and started back. They were all three coughing and he stooped low to get what available air he could. As he stumbled up the endless steps the thought went through his mind that there was something strangely familiar about the little bodies clinging to him, and at last when they came out into the sunlight and fresh air, he found that he had just rescued his own children.

 

The baby-sitter had left them at this home while she did some shopping.

“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.” - Psalm 103:13

 

Somebody's Proud

Author: Unknown

Somebody is very proud of you

Somebody thinks you are a gift

Somebody wants to give you a gift

Somebody hopes everything turns out all right

Somebody wants to hug you

Somebody wants you to find him/her

Somebody wants you to be happy

Somebody wants to hold your hand

Somebody wants to be with you

Somebody wants to talk with you

Somebody misses you

Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided

Somebody is caring about you

Somebody is thinking of you

Somebody admires your strength

Somebody wants to protect you

Somebody can't wait to see you

Somebody loves you for who you are

Somebody treasures your spirit

Somebody is glad that you are their friend

Somebody wants to get to know you better

Somebody wants to be near you

Somebody wants you to know that they are there for you

Somebody wants to share their dreams with you

Somebody needs your support

Somebody is ALIVE because of you

Somebody will cry when they read this

Somebody needs you to have faith in them

Somebody trusts you

Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you

Somebody needs you to send this to them

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” - James 1:17 

Bigger Than All Our Questions

Author: Stella Toyin Jonah - essteejay@hotmail.com

 

As I write this praise report, I can say boldly that God is bigger than all our questions. There is always an end intended by God for every question we may have (James 5:11). I realize as a Christian I have had the tendency, as we all sometimes have to think we don’t deserve certain kind of problems (as if these problems are meant for others and not for us).

Honestly, I trivialized pregnancy before my marriage, I always assumed it will just follow after one gets married, if any thing, all that bothered me when I got married to my darling husband in 1995, was what method of family planning would be best, I never imagined for one day that I’ll be spending the next seven years asking God why children were not forthcoming. Over these years of waiting, I have not only learnt to trust God more but I have realized that time belongs to Him no matter what our Calendar reads and how we may choose to mark time.

When storms gather, the devil intends that they send us down the valley but God allows storms so that we grow more and more to trust Him for the supernatural, something beyond the ordinary. Today, I can say I have experienced that supernatural power of God. I have learnt that the Anchor holds even when the ship is battered. I am glad He chose to use me to manifest His power.

Please take a few minutes to ponder on our testimony below and let this be an encouragement to everyone that with God, nothing is impossible. (Luke 1: 37)

In the first year of marriage, I wasn’t too bothered about having a child. However, I became anxious in the second year, when nothing happened. As the years went by, we resolved to trust God totally as Medical Science could not offer any answer.

About late 1999, I became pregnant and we were totally overjoyed. I was convinced this was the end of the problem. Out of nowhere, the enemy attacked and I had the baby pre-term in the seventh month of pregnancy. I had always thought the pain of waiting for conception was the worse any one could pass through but now I know that it is a “child’s play” when compared with being pregnant and loosing it. Our first child (a beautiful baby boy) died about two hours after delivery and up till today, I can’t explain why. There was no complication at delivery and well, I had heard of babies surviving at this stage of pregnancy, in fact, I thought it was going to be one of those exceptional testimonies but God knows best! I thought I will not come through it but God gave me a song, the song never left my mouth. Funny enough, it was a song of victory. Many may not see the victory in this circumstance but God made me “see” what was meant for me in this seeming terrible trial.

First of all, I realized that I could no longer be considered “barren” because God had opened my womb with this child. Secondly, I could trust God more since this again proved that medical science was not ultimate. Finally, I could appreciate Habakkuk 3: 17-18) that when the fig tree does not blossom, I will still praise the Lord. My resolution was that no problem or question will quench my thirst and Love for God because I serve Him not for what He chooses to allow me pass through but because I love Him and rest in the assurance that His word and promises NEVER fail, even if they tarry. These lessons carried me through and when we immigrated to Canada in September 2001, we decided that rather than continue to “ask” God for Children, we will begin to “thank” Him for having them by faith. It was with this attitude we received the conception of another child in February as we marked our seventh wedding anniversary. We believe strongly that God’s gift for this anniversary is our Son Nathan (Nathan means the gift of God) born on 20th October 2002. We also call him Joseph because God has greatly increased us in Canada beyond imaginable measures. What the enemy thought evil, God meant unto good (Gen 50:20) Like Rachael of old, I can proclaim that “The Lord remembered me, I have conceived, I have a son, God has taken away my reproach, the Lord has given me another son, and I call him, Joseph. (Gen 30: 22-24). Please feel free to share this testimony with as many as possible. God is still a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Heb11:6)

God bless you all.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” –Hebrews 11:6

Our Fruit We May Not See

Author: Tom Moore

A young woman, who was a great lover of flowers, had set out a rare vine at the base of a stone wall … It grew vigorously, but it did not bloom. Day after day she cultivated it, watered it, and tried in every way to coax it to bloom.

One morning, as she stood disappointingly before it, her invalid neighbor, whose back lot adjoined her own, called over and said, "You can't imagine how much I have been enjoying the blooms of that vine you planted!" The owner looked, and on the other side of the wall was a mass of blooms. The vine had crept through the crevices and flowered luxuriantly on the other side.

THOUGHT: So often we think our efforts are thrown away because we do not see their fruits. We need to learn that in God's service our prayers, our toil, and our crosses are never in vain. Somewhere they bear fruit and hearts will receive blessings and joy.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” -Proverbs 11:30 

The Devil's Vision

Author: Unknown

 

The devil once said to his demons below,
"Our work is progressing entirely too slow.

The holiness people stand in our way
Since they do not believe in the show or the play.

They teach that the carnival, circus and dance,
The tavern and honky-tonk with game of chance,

Drinking and smoking, these things are all wrong;
The Christians don't mess with the ungodly throng.

They are quick to condemn everything that we do
To cause unbelievers to be not a few.

They claim that these things are all of the devil;
That Christian folks live on a much higher level.

Now fellows, their theology, while perfectly true
Is blocking the work we are trying to do.

We will have to get busy and figure a plan
That will change their standards as fast as we can.

Now I have a vision of just what we can do.
Harken, I'll tell this deception to you.

Then find ye a wise, but degenerate man
Whom I can use to help work out this plan.

There's nothing so real as the things that you see;
The eyes and the mind and the heart will agree.

So what can be better than an object to view?
I say, it will work and convince quite a few.

The home is the place for this sinful device;
The people deceived will think it quite nice.

The world will possess it, most Christians can't tell
That it is all of the devil and plotted in hell!

We'll sell them with pictures of the latest news;
While they're still looking, we'll advertise booze.

At first it will shock them; they'll seem in a daze;
But soon they'll be hardened and continue to gaze.

We'll give them some gospel that isn't too strong,

And a few sacred songs to string them along.

They'll take in the ads, with the latest of fashions,

Soon watching the shows that will stir evil passions.

Murder and love-making scenes they'll behold
Until their souls will be utterly cold.

The old family altar which once held such charm
Will soon lose its place without much alarm.

Praying in secret will also be lost
As they look at the screen, not counting the cost.

Compromise preachers, who don't take their stand
Will embrace this new vision and think it is grand.

They'll help fool the people and cause them to sin
By seeking this evil and taking it in.

Influence is great and this you can see;
Just look at my fall and you'll have to agree.

It won't take too long, my demons, to tell
That the vision of Satan will populate Hell!

Divorce will increase, sex crimes will abound;
Much innocent blood will be spilled on the ground.

The home will be damned in short order I say
When this vision of mine comes in to stay.

Get busy, my cohorts, and put this thing out;
We'll see if the church can continue to shout.

The holiness people who stand in our way
Will soon hush their crying against show and play.

We'll cover the earth with this devil vision.
Then we'll camouflage it with the name television.

The people will think they are getting a treat
Till the Antichrist comes and takes over his seat.

He'll rule the world while the viewers behold
The face of the beast, to whom they were sold.

We'll win through deception, this cannot fail;
Though some holiness preachers against it will rail."

”I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?” -Job 31:1 

Think Like a Farmer!

Dear loved one,     One of the challenges of this age is impatience that makes many people lose their sense of seasons. Unlike the farmer whose priorities change with each season, we have all become impervious to the natural rhythm of life. We seem to have our priorities out of place. For a farmer, springtime is the most active time where they work around the clock. They are up before the sun and toil till the stroke of midnight. He keeps his equipment running at full capacity because he has only a window period of time for the planting of his crop. The winter comes when there is less to keep him busy. We must learn to use the seasons of our lives effectively. We must be alive to our environment to know when to pour in and when to ease back, when to take advantage and when to let things just ride. For example it is easy to keep going from nine to five jobs, year in and year out and lose a natural sense of priorities in cycles. Don't let one year blend into another in a seemingly endless parade of tasks and responsibilities. Keep your eye on your own seasons otherwise you may lose sight of value and substance. For everything in life there is a season, a time for every purpose. And so teach us to number our days so we may apply our hearts to your wisdom!   Have a great week! Shalom!

The Lord Is Not Slow About His Promises

By Charles L. Paddock, Signs of the Times, June 14, 1932.

 

When the great explorer Shackleton was on his quest for the South Pole, he was at one time driven back, and was compelled to leave some of his men on Elephant Island , though he promised that he would return for them. But when he endeavored to get back, he found a sea of ice between him and the island.

 

What should he do? He had promised, and he must keep his word. He tried to reach them, but failed. He tried again and again, but without success. Beyond the ice were his trusting companions, who had every confidence in him. They had only a few supplies with them. At that time of the year it seemed folly to hope for any favorable change in the weather, and he was told that there was absolutely no hope of getting his little boat, the "Yalcho," through the great ice barrier to Elephant Island .

 

He could not be inactive. He must reach his men; so at the risk of losing his boat and the lives of his crew, he pushed in nearer to the island; and unexpectedly there came an opening in the ice. He hurried in, rescued his men, and in an hour was back again with all on board. Had they been delayed only a few minutes, their frail vessel would have been destroyed by the crashing of the ice as it closed in.

 

When they were sure they were beyond danger and the nervous tension was over, Shackleton said to one of the rescued companions, "Well, you were packed and ready, weren't you?" "Yes," came back the reply, "we never lost hope. We believed you would come for us, even though circumstances were unfavorable. You had promised, and we expected you; so each morning we rolled up our sleeping bags and packed all our equipment, that we might be ready." And now they were all safe and homeward bound, happy that they had been prepared daily.

 

Before Jesus departed from this world, He left a definite promise in John 14:1-4. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises.

 

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” -2 Peter 3:9

 

I Saw The Face of Jesus

Author: Tina Easton

 

I took a stroll down to the beach, with sand between my toes

And as I looked across the shore an incredible feeling rose

I realized I had someone standing next to me

But as I took a look around there was no one I could see

This feeling felt so strange, it took me by surprise

I just stood still and waited, as I closed and opened my eyes

I wanted to see this person and ask him what this meant

I did not know what was waiting for me around the bend

 

I saw the face of Jesus and heard Him call my name

He said to me ‘Come here my child’ no, this is not a game’

He told me that He came to me to lend a helping hand

For there were dangers waiting that I would not understand

Out of nowhere a storm broke out, it lasted quite a while

But Jesus held my hand so tight; I just stood there and smiled

I could not believe what was happening, as it happened all so fast

If Jesus were not holding me, my whole life would have passed

 

My life has changed almost instantly; it would never be the same

I thanked Jesus for being there, for calling out my name

That day I prayed like never before, as I let Him into my heart

And in return Jesus promised me that we would never part

 

28 February 2003

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” –Proverbs 18:10

My Testimony

Author: Sherry Heard 03/06/2003

 

Today’s message is a little different, as it is coming from the overflow of my spirit. Some may even call it a testimony.

 

Recently I had a situation happen at work that angered some of my co-workers. Some of them thought that a great offense had been done to me. But I found that I had peace through it all. One of my friends got so angry that he was going to speak his mind to the offending person. I looked at my friend with the most peace I think I have ever felt and said, “No, think about it. What will it really matter in eternity? When this place is gone, what will still be present in eternity? The ways we respond - our choices and our attitudes - are the only things that really matter.”

 

I am not saying we should be doormats, but we should look at every situation that comes along as an opportunity to lift up the Name of The LORD Jesus Christ. Every situation I face comes from God. Look at Job. God did not perform the afflictions that happened to Job, but Satan had to ask God for permission in order to perform them. (Job 1:12, 2:6)

 

The reason I am telling you this is because a few years ago I would have reacted completely differently. The Lord has worked in my life to bring me to this point. All I am doing is surrendering to His Purposive Will and Master Plan. He does the rest.

 

Some days I do this better than others. Some days I fall short and allow myself to take charge instead of surrendering to Him. I am not nearly as happy on the days that I take charge. If I just remember to go to Him in prayer and start my day over, surrendering at that moment - ANY moment - then I can, through my surrender, turn a ‘bad’ day into a ‘good’ one.

 

That applies to you too. No matter who you are or how long it has been since you prayed, you have the power to turn it around right now by surrendering to His Purposive Will and Master Plan.

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” -Romans 8:28