Stories

The Treasure by Alice Gray

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story.

One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"
"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."
"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."
"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver,she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure. So like our heavenly Father.



Honesty
One Monday morning a minister boarded a city bus and gave the driver a one dollar bill. As he was finding a seat, he counted the change and noticed that the driver had given him too much money. he sat down and contemplated what would have seemed good fortune to some people.
Finally, he went to the bus driver and said, "Sir, you gave me too much change when I boarded the bus a while ago." Without even looking at him, the driver said, "I know. I was at your church last night and heard you preach on "Thou shalt not steal." I just wanted to see if you practice what you preach."




I Didn't Have Time
I got up early one morning
And rushed right into the day.
I had so much to accomplish
I didn't have time to pray.

Problems were tumbling about me
And harder became each task.
I wanted god's help with my duties
He told me, "You didn't ask."

I wanted to find joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on grey and bleak.
"Why doesn't God help me," I wondered,
He answered, "But you didn't seek."

I tried to come into God's presence
I tried all my keys at the lock.
He gently but lovingly chided,
"My child, you didn't knock."

I got up early this morning,
And paused before entering the day,
I had so much to accomplish --
I had to take time to pray.
~ Iove Gitwiller


Once, when a great fire broke out at midnight, and people thought that all the inmates had been taken out, way up there in the fifth story was seen a little child crying for help. Up went a ladder, and soon a fireman was seen ascending to the spot. As he neared the second story the flames burst in fury from the windows, and the multitude almost despaired of the rescue of the child. The brave man faltered, and a comrade at the bottom cried out, "Cheer," and cheer upon cheer arose from the crowd. Up the ladder he went and saved the child because they cheered him. If you cannot go into the heat of the battle yourself, if you cannot go into the harvest field and work day after day, you can cheer those that are working for the Master.


The Art Collection ~ Christmas

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they travelled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news. Fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed, the young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.

On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed, old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art. "I am an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.

During the days and weeks that followed, the man realised that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease his grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamoured. He told his neighbours it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation, that with the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim, "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?," he asked. Minutes passed, and no one spoke. From the back of the room came a voice, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son." "Let's forget about it and move on to the good stuff," more voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a neighbour of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice, gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on the real treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean, it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars worth of art here! I demand that you explain what is going on!" The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all."
Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art collectors discovered on Christmas Day, the message is still the same. The love of a Father, whose greatest joy came from his Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever takes the Son gets it all.

Hold us in quiet through the age long minute
While Thou art silent, and the wind is shrill;
Can the boat sink while Thou, dear Lord art in it?
Can the heart faint that resteth in Thy will?

Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies, awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?
The lesson?
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care

Poems

The Touch of the Master's Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folk?" he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?
A dollar -- a dollar -- then two, only two --
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?"
"Going for three" -- but no --
From the room far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loosened strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said, "Now what am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow,
"A thousand dollars -- and who'll make it two?
Two thousand -- and who'll make it three?
"Three thousand once -- three thousand twice --
And going -- and gone," cried he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not understand.
What changed its worth?"
Quick came the reply
"The touch of the Master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap, to a thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage" -- a glass of wine,
A game -- and he travels on:
He is going once -- and going twice --
He's going -- and almost gone!
But the master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul,
And the change that's wrought.
By the touch of the master's hand.
~Myra Brock
Disappointment -- His appointment,
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing
Tho' it may come in disguise,
For the end from the beginning
Open to His wisdom lies.

Disappointment -- His appointment,
No good will He withhold;
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.

Disappointment -- His appointment,
Lord, I take it then, as such,
Like clay in hands of a potter,
Yielding wholly to Thy touch.
My life's plan is Thy molding;
Not one single choice be mine.
Let me answer, unrepining --
"Father, not my will, but Thine."

I asked God for strength,
That I might achieve
I was made weak,
That I might learn humbly to obey.
I asked for health,
That I might do great things
I was given infirmity,
That I might do better things.
I asked for riches,
That I might be happy;
I was given poverty,
That I might be wise.
I asked for power,
That I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness,
That I might feel the need for God.
I asked for all things,
That I might enjoy life;
I was given life,
That I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing that I asked for;
But everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself.
My unspoken prayers were answered.
I am among all men,
Most richly blessed.

Everything that comes into my life
comes across His desk first.


A block of marble stood
Before the sculptor where He would
He smote with hand well skilled,
And thus with blow on blow fulfilled
The vision of his mind.

At first with chisel coarse and stroke,
Unspared, the corners off He broke,
And soon the form appeared.
And then, with finer tools he wrought
And finer yet, until He brought
The perfect image forth.

So, with unerring skillfulness
With cunning hand and sure;
'Tis as the marble groweth less,
The likeness groweth more.'
So God divinely works with those
He, in eternal ages chose
To show His work of grace;
And thus, with blow on blow to trace
The image of His Son!


The weary ones had rest, the sad had joy
That day, and wondered "how"
A plough-man singing at his work had prayed,
"Lord, bless them now."

Away in foreign lands they wondered "how"
Their simple words had power.
At home, the "Gleaners," two or three, had met
To pray an hour.

Yes, we are always wondering "how?"
Because we do not see
Someone, unknown perhaps, and far away,
On bended knee.

Love: the sustained direction of your heart
toward another's good.

O grant, Lord Jesus, mine may be --
A life surrendered unto Thee.
The vessel need not be of gold,
Need not be strong or wise or bold.
But Lord the vessel Thou shalt choose,
It must be clean for Thee to use;
So fill my heart till all shall see --
A living, reigning Christ in me.


He placed me in a little cage,
Away from gardens fair;
But I must sing the sweetest song
Because he placed me there.
Not beat my wings against the cage,
If it's my Makers will,
But raise my voice to heaven's gate
And sing the louder still!


But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
~I Peter 3:4

Be like the dewdrop that finds a drooping rose and sinks down into its folds and loses itself but revives the weary flower. So be content to do good, and bless the life that needs your benediction, and be content to be only remembered by what you have done.


Jesus Thy Boundless Love
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me
No tho't can reach, no tongue declare;
Oh, knit my thankful heart to Thee,
And reign without a rival there:
Thine wholly Thine alone, I am
Be Thou alone my constant flame.

Oh, grant that nothing in my soul
May dwell but Thy pure love alone.
Oh, may Thy love possess me whole --
My joy my treasure, and my crown.
All coldness from my heart remove;
May every act, word, thought be love.

Oh, Love, how gracious is Thy way!
All fear before Thy presence flies;
Care, anguish, sorrow melt away
Where'er Thy healing beams arise.
Oh, Jesus, nothing may I see,
Nothing desire or seek -- but Thee.
~John Wesley


I Know Not Why
I know not why His hand is laid
In chastening on my life;
Nor why it is my little world
Is filled so full of strife.

I know not why, when faith looks up
And seeks for rest from pain,
That o'er my sky fresh clouds arise
And drench my path with rain.

I know not why my prayers so long
By Him have been denied;
Not why, while others' ships sail on,
Mine should in port abide.

But I do know God is love,
That He my burden shares;
and though I may not understand,
I know, for me, He cares.
~ Grace Troy


Sermons We See
I'd rather see a sermon,
than hear one any day.
I'd rather one should walk with me,
than mearely show the way.
The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear;
Fine counsel is confusing
but example's always clear;
And the best of all the preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see the good in action
is what everybody needs.
I can soon learn how to do it
if you'll let me see it done.
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.
And the lectures you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lesson
by observing what you do.
For I may misunderstand you
and the high advise you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.
~ Edger A. Guest


The God of Comfort
I have been through the valley of weeping,
The valley of sorrow and pain;
But the God of all comfort was with me,
At hand to uphold and sustain.

As the earth needs the clouds and the sunshine,
Our soul needs both sorrow and joy,
So He places us oft in the furnace,
The dross from the gold to destroy.

When He leads through some valley of trouble
His omnipotent hand we can trace;
For the trials and sorrows He sends us
Are part of His lessons of grace.

Oft we shrink from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the husbandman knows
That the deeper the cutting and paring
The richer the cluster that grows.

Well he knows that affliction is needed,
He has a wise purpose in view;
And in the dark valley He whispers,
"Hereafter thou shalt know what I do."

As we travel through life's shadowed valley,
Fresh springs of His love ever rise,
And we learn that our sorrow and losses
Are blessings just sent in disguise.

So we'll follow wherever He leads us,
let the path be dreary or bright,
For we've proved that our God can give comfort,
Our God can give songs in the night.


Shadows
I cannot think that God has meant
For shadows to be fearsome things,
Else He would not have given us
The shadow of His wings;
Nor would His tall trees by the way
Trace out a cool, sweet place
Where weary travelers may pause
To find His soothing grace;
Nor would the shadows of the night
Enfold us in that tranquil rest
That falls upon the sleeping babe
Rocked at its mother's breast.
And though the shadows over life
May seem to creep apace,
Behind the darkest of of them
Is His assuring face.
~ Mrs. Claude Allen McKay

Whom God Chooses
When god wants to drill a man,
and thrill a man, and skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man,
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man,
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch his methods; watch His ways.
How He ruthlessly perfects
When He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay
Which only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying,
And He lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When His good He undertakes.
How He uses whom he chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
But every act induces him
To try His splendor out --
God knows what He's about!

Go then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.
~ Henry F. Lyte

Quotes

"Wise people talk because they have something to say; fools, because they have to say something."
-- Plato

"You don't have to be great to get started but you have to get started to be great."
- Les Brown

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
--Thomas Edison during the light bulb invention process.

The less men think, the more they talk.
--Montesquieu

If you treat a man as he is, he will stay as he is, but if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be, and could be, he will become that bigger and better man.
--Goethe

If you see good in everybody,
Nearly everybody will see good in you.
--Author Unknown

Your friend is the man who knows all about you and still likes you.
--Author Unknown

A friend is one to whom you may pour out all the contents of your heart, chaff and grain together, knowing that the gentlest of hands will take and sift it, keep what is worth keeping and with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.
--Arabian Proverb

The first duty of love is to listen.
--Paul Tillich

Life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it.
--Albert M Wills, Jr.

Character is what you are in the dark.
--D. L. Moody

Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for hours.
--Benjamin Disraeli
Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find the bread.
--D. T. Niles

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
--Dale Carnegie

There is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of one small candle.
--Anonymous

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.


I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything,
But I can do something;
And what I can do, I ought to do
What I ought to do,
By God's grace, I will do.
~ Edward Everett Hale

Poems and Quotes

You know, Lord, how I serve You
With great emotional fervor
In the limelight.
You know how eagerly I speak for You
At the women's club.
You know how I effervesce when I
Promote a fellowship group.
You know my genuine enthusiasm
At the Bible study.

But how would I react, I wonder
If You pointed to a basin of water
And asked me to wash the callused feet
Of a bent and wrinkled old woman
Day after day
Month after month
In a room where nobody saw
And nobody knew.

Don't Tell Me
Don't tell me what your will do
When you have time to spare;
Tell me what you did today
To ease a load of care.
Don't tell me what you will give
When your ship comes in from the sea
Tell me what you gave today
A fettered soul to free.
Don't tell the dreams you have
Of conquest sill afar;
Don't say what you hope to be
But tell me what you are.

I saw no likeness to Him in you today
And since I shall not pass your way again,
It matters not that yesterday
His light shone in you
Or that tomorrow you may
Want to make amends.
I passed your way today. ~ John Deems

Let my heart be broken with the things
that break the heart of God.

How great a God we have!
Our God is so much greater
than our greatest need.

Hast Thou No Scar?
No hidden scar on foot or side or hand?
I hear thee sung as might in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet, I was wounded -- by the archers spent.
Leaned me against the tree to die, and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned.
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yes, as the master shall the servant be.
And pierced are the feed that follow Me
But thine are whole. Can he have followed far
Who has no wound? No scar?
~ Amy Carmichael

"O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
Deliver me, Jesus...
from the desire of being loved,
from the desire of being extolled,
from the desire of being honored,
from the desire of being praised,
from the desire of being preferred to others,
from the desire of being consulted,
from the desire of being approved,
from the fear of being humiliated,
from the fear of being despised,
from the fear of suffering rebuke,
from the fear of being forgotten,
from the fear of being wronged,
from the fear of being suspected.
And Jesus, grant me the grace to desire...
that others might be loved more than I,
that in the opinion of the world others may increase
and I may decrease,
that others may be chosen, and I set aside,
that others may be praised and I unnoticed,
that others may be preferred to me in everything
that others may become holier than I,
provided that I become as holy as I should."
~ from Come! Live! Die!
By George Verwer

Make Me Thy Fuel
From prayer that, asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free.
Thy soldier wise world follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings --
Not thus are spirits fortified;
Not this way went the Crucified.
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way --
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.
~Amy Carmichael

And shall I pray Thee change Thy will my Father,
Until it be according unto mine?
But no, Lord, no that never shall be, rather
I pray Thee bend my human will with Thine.

I pray Thee hush the hurrying, eager longing,
I pray Thee soothe the pangs of keen desire.
See in my quiet places wishes thronging;
Forbid them, Lord, purge, though it be with fire.

And work in me to will and do Thy pleasure,
Let all within me peaceful, reconciled,
Tarry content my Well-beloved's leisure,
At last, at last, even as a weaned child.

Fire Words
"O God, my words are cold:
The frosted frond of fern or feathery palm
Wrought on the whitened pane --
They are as near to fire as these my words,
Oh that they were as flames!" Thus did I cry,
And thus God answered me; "Thou shalt have words,
But at this cost, that thou must first be burnt --
Burnt by red embers from a secret fire,

Scorched by fierce hearts and withering winds that sweep.
Through all thy being, carrying thee afar
From old delights. Doth not the ardent fire,
Consume the mountains heart before the flow
Of fervent lava? Woulds thou easefully,
As from cool, pleasant fountains, flow in fire?
Say, can thy heart endure or can thy hands be strong?
In the day that I shall deal with thee?

"First the iron must enter thine own soul,
And wound and brand it, scarring awful lives
Indelibly upon it, and a hand
Restless in tender terribleness
Must thoroughly purge it, fashioning its pain
To power that leaps in fire.
Not otherwise, and by no lighter touch,
Are fire-words wrought."
~ Amy Carmichael

Dying to Self
When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don't sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ,
That is dying to self.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your wishes are crossed, your advice disregarded, your opinion ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient loving silence,
That is dying to self.

When you are content with any food, any offering, any raiment, any climate, any society, any solitude, and interruption by the will of God,
That is dying to self.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendation, when you can truly love to be unknown,
That is dying to self.

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met, and honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy nor question God, whild your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances,
That is dying to self.

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself, and humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart,
That is dying to self.
~Amy Carmichael

Whose hands?
A basketball in my hands is worth about $19
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million
It depends whose hands it's in

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6
A baseball in Mark McGwire's hands is worth $19 million
It depends whose hands it's in

A tennis racket is useless in my hands
A tennis racket in Pete Sampras' hands is a Wimbledon Championship
It depends whose hands it's in

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea
It depends whose hands it's in

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands
It depends whose hands it's in

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse
Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world
It depends whose hands it's in

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because

It depends whose hands it's in.

If you are where God wants you to be --
Doing what God wants you to do,
Then the problems in your life
Are sent for a specific purpose by God.

Sometimes God calms the storm but
sometimes He lets the storm calm His child.

"The best way to show that a stick is crooked is not to argue about it or to spend time denouncing it, but to lay a straight stick alongside it." ~ D.L. Moody

God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.
~ Jim Elliot
You can't pour out a whole life all at once, but drop by drop, you can give it to God as He asks for it, whenever He wants it.

"Insecurity is the result of placing my confidence or trust in people or things that can be taken away from me."
~Del Fesenfield

I have only just a minute, only sixty seconds in it, forced upon me -- can't refuse it, didn't seek it, didn't choose it, but it's up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it, give account if I abuse it. Just a tiny little minute -- but eternity is in it!

God could have kept Daniel out of the lion's den -- He could have kept Paul and Silas out of jail -- He could have kept the three Hebrew children out of the fiery furnace -- But God has never promised to keep us out of hard places -- What He has promised is to go with us through every hard place, and to bring us through victoriously!

The nearer the soldier is to the Captain
the more he will be attacked by the enemy.
Carmichael

The secret of Christian quietness is not indifference, but the knowledge that God is my Father - He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, and worry becomes an impossibility.
~Chambers

Things to remember quietly when one's little pot of ointment seems to have been broken in vain. Of Thine own have we given Thee, for love is of God. The love, then, was offered to the human dear one -- not first but second. No pot of ointment was ever broken at His feet without giving Him some little quick sense of pleasure; so it was not all in vain. Then if it seemed to miss what we meant it to do for the one we love down here, it may be only for the moment. The remembrance may return and be very sweet, like a fragrance. The more loving the heart is, the keener therefore the pang of disappointment when it fails, and the fiercer the inrush of depression. The heart is grieved and cannot rise to be glad. at such times, it does help to know that love cannot really be as water spilt on the ground; for it is of God. The fragrance of the ointment will yet fill the house. The one to whom we wanted to bring comfort will in the end find that which we brought. But the sweet and immediate comfort is "Of Thine own have we given Thee, Dear Lord; did it comfort Thee" ~ Carmichael


If God has called you, do not spend time looking over your shoulder to see who is following. ~ Corrie ten Boom

"Does your need seem big to you? Then make sure that God knows how big it looks to your eyes and He will treat it as such. He will never belittle it however trivial. He willnot laugh at it, or at us. He never forgets how large our problems look to us."
~ Corrie ten Boom
Keys to Contentment
Allow thyself to complain of nothing, even the weather.
Never picture thyself under any circumstances in which thou are not.
Never compare thine own lot with that of another.
Never allow thyself to dwell on the wish that this or that had been, or were, otherwise than it was or is. God loves you better than you love yourself.
Never dwell on the morrow. Remember that it is God's not thine. The heaviest part of sorrow often is to look forward to it.
~ E.B. Pusey

Ministry
Giving when you feel like keeping.
Praying for others when you need to be prayed for.
Feeding others when your own soul is hungry.
Living truth before people even when you can't see the results.
Hurting with other people even when your own hurt can't be spoken.
Keeping your word even when it is not convenient.
Loving others no matter what it may cost your personally.
Being faithful when your flesh wants to run away.
And being obedient always to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

Keep Giving
"Go break the needy sweet charity's bread;
For giving is living" the angel said.
"And must I keep giving again and again?"
My angry and pitiless answer ran.
"Oh, no," said the Angel -- piercing me through;
"Just give till the master stops giving to you."

You always decide to please
the one you love the most.

The Silversmith
Some time ago a few ladies met to study the Scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upn a remarkable expression in the third verse: "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
One lady decided to visit a silversmith and report to the others what he said about the subject. She went accordingly and, without telling him the reason for her visit, begged the silversmith to tell her about the processof refining silver. After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?
"Oh, yes ma'am," replied the silversmith, "I must sit and watch the furnace constantly, for if the time necessary for refining is exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."
Gpd sees ot necessary to put His children into the furnace; but His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying and His wisdome and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.
Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "How do you know when the process is complete?"
"That's quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is complete."
~ Unknown

Seventy Years
If one lives to be 70 years of age and is the average person he spends:
23 years sleeping
19 years working
9 years playing
6 years eating
4 years sick
2 years dressing himself
1 year in the house of the Lord.