I love dessert! I believe that it is the best part of any meal. I really do not understand individuals who pass up on desserts. Oh, I appreciate their commitments to control calorie intake, but come on … really is it really that important that you are willing to pass on some of the greatest creations that can come out of a kitchen? I’ve even said that we never know when the rapture is coming so we should eat our dessert first because it would be a crime to leave this good earth with our dessert still on the table!
Every now and again I get a little depressed. I’m not really sure why, it just happens. I’m glad that these periods in my life have been few and they don’t stay around for very long. When I do get down I simply remind myself of an old story that has made the Internet rounds many times – The Woman and a Fork. It reminds us all that the best is yet to come … be it in life or in death. God has a tremendous blessing waiting around the next bend. No matter what is happening today life is going to get better … keep the fork! There is always dessert waiting to sweeten the equation ... keep the fork because something better is coming!
Woman and a Fork ~Source Unknown
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.
She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.
Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.
'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly.
'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply.
'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'
The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say.
That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked.
'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.
The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!'
So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork ... the best is yet to come.'
The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come. Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share ... Being friends with someone is not an opportunity, but a sweet responsibility.
And just remember...keep your fork!
Quote for today … also making the rounds on the Internet: When you carry the Bible, Satan gets a headache ... When you open it, he collapses ... When he sees you reading it, he faints ... When he sees that you are living what you read, he flees ... ~Source unknown
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
On winning and losing - reflections on the Super Bowl
Super Bowl 2011 is now history. One team won and one team lost. In one city people danced in the streets and in one city the people turned off the lights and went to bed. In one city there will be a parade and in another city life will simply have to go on. One quarterback will be heading to Disney World and one quarterback will hope for another day.
And then there were those who said, “I don’t care about the Super Bowl since my (fill in the blank) lost.” Also, like one of my neighbors, the Super Bowl, like all football games from college on up is just an excuse to gather with his friends and consume large amounts of beer.
For winners and losers life continues. There will be those who will fly the flag of their winning team, as will some of those who support the losing team. Some will complain about some questionable referee calls while others will debate continuously during the off season the strategy of the plays called, the effectiveness of the preparation, and who were the better athletes.
The one thing that did strike me this year was the genuine appreciation that both teams and coaches had for each other. There were no trash talking and in one situation caught by the cameras the opposing coach congratulated a defensive player from the other team for an excellent play.
BUT … come the fall everyone will go back to square one and start all over again … trying to become winners instead of losers. Oh, the World Champions will glory in this their moment of fame, they will receive the Super Bowl ring and wear it with pride, they will walk a little taller and a little more swagger, but the bottom line is still there … in 2012 another team will be standing in the limelight to receive the cheers of the people.
Late in life, Paul declared in 2 Thessalonians 4:7, 8), "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness ..." His reward and ours in more precious than a Super Bowl win and will out last this diamond encrusted championship ring.
We are summoned to run the race of life as those who are champions; as those who know the outcome of the race before the race is over; with a confidence of a heart filled with joy; and a knowledge that we belong to a Kingdom team that has the largest fan basis in the universe … the full company of heaven!
Quote for today: A winner makes commitments; a loser makes promises. ~Source Unknown
And then there were those who said, “I don’t care about the Super Bowl since my (fill in the blank) lost.” Also, like one of my neighbors, the Super Bowl, like all football games from college on up is just an excuse to gather with his friends and consume large amounts of beer.
For winners and losers life continues. There will be those who will fly the flag of their winning team, as will some of those who support the losing team. Some will complain about some questionable referee calls while others will debate continuously during the off season the strategy of the plays called, the effectiveness of the preparation, and who were the better athletes.
The one thing that did strike me this year was the genuine appreciation that both teams and coaches had for each other. There were no trash talking and in one situation caught by the cameras the opposing coach congratulated a defensive player from the other team for an excellent play.
BUT … come the fall everyone will go back to square one and start all over again … trying to become winners instead of losers. Oh, the World Champions will glory in this their moment of fame, they will receive the Super Bowl ring and wear it with pride, they will walk a little taller and a little more swagger, but the bottom line is still there … in 2012 another team will be standing in the limelight to receive the cheers of the people.
Late in life, Paul declared in 2 Thessalonians 4:7, 8), "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness ..." His reward and ours in more precious than a Super Bowl win and will out last this diamond encrusted championship ring.
We are summoned to run the race of life as those who are champions; as those who know the outcome of the race before the race is over; with a confidence of a heart filled with joy; and a knowledge that we belong to a Kingdom team that has the largest fan basis in the universe … the full company of heaven!
Quote for today: A winner makes commitments; a loser makes promises. ~Source Unknown
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wisdom from "Three Cups of Tea" - part 2
Here is a little more of the ancient wisdom as well other insights for living from Greg Mortenson’s book, Three Cups of Tea.
“The seeming opposition between life and death is now cut through. Do not trash or lunge or flee. There is no longer a container or anything to be contained. All is resolved in dazzling measureless freedom.” ~from the Warrior Song of King Gezar
“Not hammer-strokes, but dance of the water, sings the pebbles into perfection.” ~Rabindranath Tagore
“No human, nor any living thing, survives long under the eternal sky. The most beautiful women, the most learned men, even Mohammed, who heard Allah’s own voice, all did wither and die. All is temporary. The sky outlives everything. Even suffering.” ~Bowa Johar, Balti poet, and grandfather of Mousafer Ali
“Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.” ~Mother Teresa
“As the U.S. confronts Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, Greg Mortenson, 45, is quietly waging his own campaign against Islamic fundamentalists, who often recruit members through religious schools called madrassas. Mortenson’s approach hinges on a simple idea: that by building secular schools and helping to promote education – particularly for girls – in the worlds mot volatile war zone, support fofr the Taliban and other extremist sects eventually will dry up.” ~Kevin Fedarko, Parade cover story, April 6, 2003
“Our earth is wounded. Her oceans and lakes are sick; her rivers are like running sores; The air is filled with subtle poisons. And the oily smoke of countless hellish fires blackens the sun. Men and women, scattered from homeland, family, friends, wander desolate and uncertain, scorched by a toxic sun…. In this desert of frightened, blind uncertainty, some take refuge in the pursuit of power. Some become manipulators of illusion and deceit. If wisdom and harmony still dwell in this world, as other than a dream lost in an unopened book, they are hidden in our heartbeat. And it is from our hearts that we cry out. We cry out and our voices are the single voice of this wonderful earth. Our cries are a great wind across the earth.” ~From The Warrior Song of King Gezar
“When your heart speaks, take good notes.” ~Judith Campbell
If you care to know more about the work of the non-profit organization that supports the work of Greg Mortenson who can write them at Central Asia Institute, PO Box 7209, Bozeman, MT 59771 – 406-585-7841 – www.ikat.org
The power of one person, strengthened by a dream, under girded by hope, driven by a vision and a willingness to walk into the face of danger can change the world one person at a time.
“The seeming opposition between life and death is now cut through. Do not trash or lunge or flee. There is no longer a container or anything to be contained. All is resolved in dazzling measureless freedom.” ~from the Warrior Song of King Gezar
“Not hammer-strokes, but dance of the water, sings the pebbles into perfection.” ~Rabindranath Tagore
“No human, nor any living thing, survives long under the eternal sky. The most beautiful women, the most learned men, even Mohammed, who heard Allah’s own voice, all did wither and die. All is temporary. The sky outlives everything. Even suffering.” ~Bowa Johar, Balti poet, and grandfather of Mousafer Ali
“Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.” ~Mother Teresa
“As the U.S. confronts Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, Greg Mortenson, 45, is quietly waging his own campaign against Islamic fundamentalists, who often recruit members through religious schools called madrassas. Mortenson’s approach hinges on a simple idea: that by building secular schools and helping to promote education – particularly for girls – in the worlds mot volatile war zone, support fofr the Taliban and other extremist sects eventually will dry up.” ~Kevin Fedarko, Parade cover story, April 6, 2003
“Our earth is wounded. Her oceans and lakes are sick; her rivers are like running sores; The air is filled with subtle poisons. And the oily smoke of countless hellish fires blackens the sun. Men and women, scattered from homeland, family, friends, wander desolate and uncertain, scorched by a toxic sun…. In this desert of frightened, blind uncertainty, some take refuge in the pursuit of power. Some become manipulators of illusion and deceit. If wisdom and harmony still dwell in this world, as other than a dream lost in an unopened book, they are hidden in our heartbeat. And it is from our hearts that we cry out. We cry out and our voices are the single voice of this wonderful earth. Our cries are a great wind across the earth.” ~From The Warrior Song of King Gezar
“When your heart speaks, take good notes.” ~Judith Campbell
If you care to know more about the work of the non-profit organization that supports the work of Greg Mortenson who can write them at Central Asia Institute, PO Box 7209, Bozeman, MT 59771 – 406-585-7841 – www.ikat.org
The power of one person, strengthened by a dream, under girded by hope, driven by a vision and a willingness to walk into the face of danger can change the world one person at a time.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Wisdom from "Three Cups of Tea"
I’ve been reading the book, Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. It tells the story of Mr. Mortenson’s mission of promoting peace by building schools in the country villages throughout Pakistan. Here is an American, non-Muslim building schools for boys and girls with the blessings of the people including the Taliban … truly a remarkable feat in and of itself. Greg’s second book, Stones into Schools, continues the story.
What I have been taken by is the insightful wisdom of the various elders quoted throughout the book. Today I share some of those quotes:
“Here we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything – even die.” ~Haji Ali, Korphy Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan
“Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in the cities. But the girls stay home, become leaders in the community, and pass on what they’ve learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls.” ~Greg Mortenson
“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” ~Persian proverb
“Why ponder thus the future to foresee,
and jade thy brain to vain perplexity?
Cast off thy care, leave Allah’s plans to him-
He formed them all without consulting thee.” ~Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat
“Tell us, if there were one thing we could do for your village, what would it be?” “With all respect, Sahib, you have little to teach us in strength and toughness. And we don’t envy your restless spirits. Perhaps we are happier than you? But we would like our children to go to school. Of all the things you have, learning is the one we most desire for our children.” ~Conversation between Sir Edmund Hillary and Urkien Sherpa, from Schoolhouse in the Clouds
“Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man.” ~Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz
“Let sorrowful longing dwell in your heart. Never give up, never lose hope. Allah says, ‘The broken ones are my beloved.’ Crush your heart. Be broken.” ~Shaikh Abu Saeed Abil Keheir, aka Nobody, Son of Nobody
“Prayer is better than sleep.” ~from the hazzan, or call to worship
“This harsh and splendid land… With snow-covered rock mountains, cold-crystal streams,… Deep forests of cypress, juniper and ash… Is as much my body as what you see before you here…. I cannot be separated from this or from you… Our many hearts have only a single beat.” ~from The Warrior Song of King Gezar
“Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel.” ~hand-lettered sign at the entrance to the Fifth Squadron airbase, Shardu
“There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don’t you?” ~Rumi
“It may seem absurd to believe that a ‘primitive’ culture in the Himalaya has anything to teach our industrialized society. But our search for a future that works keeps spiraling back to an ancient connection between ourselves and the earth, an interconnectedness that ancient cultures have never abandoned.” ~Helena Norberg-Hodge
Tomorrow I will share more quotes from the book.
What I have been taken by is the insightful wisdom of the various elders quoted throughout the book. Today I share some of those quotes:
“Here we drink three cups of tea to do business; the first you are a stranger, the second you become a friend, and the third, you join our family, and for our family we are prepared to do anything – even die.” ~Haji Ali, Korphy Village Chief, Karakoram Mountains, Pakistan
“Once you educate the boys, they tend to leave the villages and go search for work in the cities. But the girls stay home, become leaders in the community, and pass on what they’ve learned. If you really want to change a culture, to empower women, improve basic hygiene and health care, and fight high rates of infant mortality, the answer is to educate girls.” ~Greg Mortenson
“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” ~Persian proverb
“Why ponder thus the future to foresee,
and jade thy brain to vain perplexity?
Cast off thy care, leave Allah’s plans to him-
He formed them all without consulting thee.” ~Omar Khayyam, The Rubaiyat
“Tell us, if there were one thing we could do for your village, what would it be?” “With all respect, Sahib, you have little to teach us in strength and toughness. And we don’t envy your restless spirits. Perhaps we are happier than you? But we would like our children to go to school. Of all the things you have, learning is the one we most desire for our children.” ~Conversation between Sir Edmund Hillary and Urkien Sherpa, from Schoolhouse in the Clouds
“Greatness is always built on this foundation: the ability to appear, speak and act, as the most common man.” ~Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz
“Let sorrowful longing dwell in your heart. Never give up, never lose hope. Allah says, ‘The broken ones are my beloved.’ Crush your heart. Be broken.” ~Shaikh Abu Saeed Abil Keheir, aka Nobody, Son of Nobody
“Prayer is better than sleep.” ~from the hazzan, or call to worship
“This harsh and splendid land… With snow-covered rock mountains, cold-crystal streams,… Deep forests of cypress, juniper and ash… Is as much my body as what you see before you here…. I cannot be separated from this or from you… Our many hearts have only a single beat.” ~from The Warrior Song of King Gezar
“Trust in Allah, but tie up your camel.” ~hand-lettered sign at the entrance to the Fifth Squadron airbase, Shardu
“There is a candle in your heart, ready to be kindled. There is a void in your soul, ready to be filled. You feel it, don’t you?” ~Rumi
“It may seem absurd to believe that a ‘primitive’ culture in the Himalaya has anything to teach our industrialized society. But our search for a future that works keeps spiraling back to an ancient connection between ourselves and the earth, an interconnectedness that ancient cultures have never abandoned.” ~Helena Norberg-Hodge
Tomorrow I will share more quotes from the book.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
In the world but not of the world
There is a phrase that is often quoted as coming from scripture: “Be ye in the world, but not of the world.” While it is a great idea, it cannot be found in scripture. Nevertheless the admonition is worthy of our attention especially as we witness the changes taking place in the Middle Eastern countries.
Growing up in Miami we were dependent on two newspapers for our news. One was delivered in the morning and the other in the afternoon. If you were fortunate enough to have 15 cents on a Saturday afternoon you got to go to the movies. Prior to the main feature they ran Movietone’s International Newsreels with an update of current events. Then came the advent of the television and the 15 minutes of news at 6 O’clock.
Today newspapers are starting to die away, the Movietone stopped in 1979 and the 15 minutes of news once a day has expanded into 24/7-mega coverage of every little event … and large events. It is the coverage of the larger events that grabs my attention … and my Christian desire to be in or engaged by the world.
I believe that we should be following closely the developing situation in Egypt and surrounding countries. These Islamic states can go in either direction – they could become democratic countries or join Iran as radical Islamic countries. We should care not because of the effect it will have on the price of oil or the negative effect it could have on the stock market. We should care because people are being hurt and killed in the process. We should care because Christ called us to love everybody … and to care for them.
As Christians IN the world it is my belief that we should be 1) knowledgeable of what is going on; 2) understand the dynamics of the consequences of the situation; 3) be in prayer for those bringing us the news, as well as the countries, their leaders and their citizens; 4) encourage others to become informed and engaged in prayer for the situation; and 5) show our support in whatever way possible for those innocent individuals who happen to be caught in the middle of the conflict.
Quote for today: Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders, George Gallup said, "We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkable similar in both groups. Eight out of ten Americans consider themselves Christians, Gallup said, yet only about half of them could identify the person who gave the Sermon on the Mount, and fewer still could recall five of the Ten Commandments. Only two in ten said they would be willing to suffer for their faith. ~Erwin Lutzer
Growing up in Miami we were dependent on two newspapers for our news. One was delivered in the morning and the other in the afternoon. If you were fortunate enough to have 15 cents on a Saturday afternoon you got to go to the movies. Prior to the main feature they ran Movietone’s International Newsreels with an update of current events. Then came the advent of the television and the 15 minutes of news at 6 O’clock.
Today newspapers are starting to die away, the Movietone stopped in 1979 and the 15 minutes of news once a day has expanded into 24/7-mega coverage of every little event … and large events. It is the coverage of the larger events that grabs my attention … and my Christian desire to be in or engaged by the world.
I believe that we should be following closely the developing situation in Egypt and surrounding countries. These Islamic states can go in either direction – they could become democratic countries or join Iran as radical Islamic countries. We should care not because of the effect it will have on the price of oil or the negative effect it could have on the stock market. We should care because people are being hurt and killed in the process. We should care because Christ called us to love everybody … and to care for them.
As Christians IN the world it is my belief that we should be 1) knowledgeable of what is going on; 2) understand the dynamics of the consequences of the situation; 3) be in prayer for those bringing us the news, as well as the countries, their leaders and their citizens; 4) encourage others to become informed and engaged in prayer for the situation; and 5) show our support in whatever way possible for those innocent individuals who happen to be caught in the middle of the conflict.
Quote for today: Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders, George Gallup said, "We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between churchgoers and those who are not active religiously...The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkable similar in both groups. Eight out of ten Americans consider themselves Christians, Gallup said, yet only about half of them could identify the person who gave the Sermon on the Mount, and fewer still could recall five of the Ten Commandments. Only two in ten said they would be willing to suffer for their faith. ~Erwin Lutzer
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
A life-span with meaning
The Bible speaks of a life-span as “three score and ten” (Psalm 90) or 70-years. While that is a nice idea most of us probably know some individual or family where that biblical promise didn’t become a reality. Just two weeks prior to his ninth birthday a little blonde boy who was full of life winged his way to heaven. Two of my brothers fought a gallant fight against cancer, but lost the battle in their sixties. Three students at King Senior High school one Christmas holiday all had their lives cut tragically short in three separate auto accidents.
Our papers and memory banks are filled with other stories, tales of lives filled with promise and possibilities, ending long before the biblical “three score and ten.” And, then we read about those who set records with their life-spans of 114 years or more. Who was it that said, “It is not the days in your life, but the life in your days that matter?” Or, one of my favorite quotes, “I’ve known people who died when they were 45, but hung around until they were 70 before leaving.”
None of us are immortal. There isn’t a person living today who will live on plant Earth forever. That is a reality and a reality that most of us do not wish to think about for very long. I always had to laugh during my pre-marital counseling sessions when I mentioned the need to write a will. The young couple would say something like, “Yeah, we know we should do that, but we are so young and have our entire life ahead of us.” I wondered out loud if there was a guarantee on their birth certificate which only got me some rather strange looks. Their statement was true for most of them, but unfortunately not all of them. Nor is it true for us.
It was a sobering assignment given during a seminar one year. We were to write our own obituary. Who we were survived by, who preceded us in death, how old were we when we passed away, what were our accomplishments and how would we be remembered. I cannot remember what I wrote, it was too long ago, but I do remember that is was a very formidable task that required long periods of thought and meditation. I highly recommend this assignment if you have an hour or two to put your life in perspective.
The other task given to those of us participating in this seminar was to interact with everyone we come in contact with as if they were the person who would deliver our eulogy. This does change our behavior and the dialogue somewhat that transpires between others and us. Or, as another individual admonishes his listeners to treat every encounter as if it was the last one we will have with that individual and if it is how do we desire them to remember us.
Granted that doing any of these things can be exhausting if taken too seriously, but what is important is to back away and take a long distance look at our life, how we are living it and who is being left in our wake. We only come through this life once might as well make sure that it is worth the journey.
Quote for today: A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything. ~Laurence Sterne
Our papers and memory banks are filled with other stories, tales of lives filled with promise and possibilities, ending long before the biblical “three score and ten.” And, then we read about those who set records with their life-spans of 114 years or more. Who was it that said, “It is not the days in your life, but the life in your days that matter?” Or, one of my favorite quotes, “I’ve known people who died when they were 45, but hung around until they were 70 before leaving.”
None of us are immortal. There isn’t a person living today who will live on plant Earth forever. That is a reality and a reality that most of us do not wish to think about for very long. I always had to laugh during my pre-marital counseling sessions when I mentioned the need to write a will. The young couple would say something like, “Yeah, we know we should do that, but we are so young and have our entire life ahead of us.” I wondered out loud if there was a guarantee on their birth certificate which only got me some rather strange looks. Their statement was true for most of them, but unfortunately not all of them. Nor is it true for us.
It was a sobering assignment given during a seminar one year. We were to write our own obituary. Who we were survived by, who preceded us in death, how old were we when we passed away, what were our accomplishments and how would we be remembered. I cannot remember what I wrote, it was too long ago, but I do remember that is was a very formidable task that required long periods of thought and meditation. I highly recommend this assignment if you have an hour or two to put your life in perspective.
The other task given to those of us participating in this seminar was to interact with everyone we come in contact with as if they were the person who would deliver our eulogy. This does change our behavior and the dialogue somewhat that transpires between others and us. Or, as another individual admonishes his listeners to treat every encounter as if it was the last one we will have with that individual and if it is how do we desire them to remember us.
Granted that doing any of these things can be exhausting if taken too seriously, but what is important is to back away and take a long distance look at our life, how we are living it and who is being left in our wake. We only come through this life once might as well make sure that it is worth the journey.
Quote for today: A large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life, by him who interests his heart in everything. ~Laurence Sterne
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Don't take things for granted - a modern parable
We all take things for granted. Remember the old song, “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, count your many blessings, see what God has done…” Our lives have been incredibly blessed, but the every-day-type of blessings we simply take for granted and move through our day without giving them much thought. Each and every day is a blessing. Each and every second of the day is a blessing. Each and every person that touches our lives is a blessing. Each and every experience is a blessing. Embrace the blessings and share the joy! Live in the moment and we need to stop looking over our shoulder for something bigger or better or more meaningful or more expensive because if we are expecting something better or more unusual we can miss the blessing that God has placed before us today. Live in the moment and take nothing for granted!
Here is a story that kind of illustrates this reality …
The Bible or a Diamond Ring?
A married lady was expecting a birthday gift from her husband. For any months she had admired a beautiful diamond ring in a showroom, and knowing her husband could afford it, she told him that was all she wanted. As her birthday approached, this lady awaited signs that her husband had purchased the diamond ring.
Finally, on the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his study. Her husband told her how proud he was to have such a good wife, and told her how much he loved her. He handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the wife's name embossed in gold. Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, 'With all your money you give me a Bible?'
She stormed out of the house, permanently leaving her husband. Many years passed and the lady was very successful in business. She managed to settle for a more beautiful house and a wonderful family, but realized her ex-husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to visit him. She had not seen him for many years.
But before she could make arrangements, she received a telegram telling her that her ex-husband had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things.
When she arrived at her ex-husband's house, sudden sadness and regret filled her heart. She began to search through her ex-husband’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as she had left it years before.
With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her ex-husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, 'And if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father, who is in heaven, give what is good to those who ask Him?'
As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a diamond ring, with her name engraved on it -- the same diamond ring that she saw at the showroom.
On the tag was the date of her birth, and the words. 'LUV U ALWAYS'.
How many times do we miss God's blessings, because they are not packaged as we expected?
Do not spoil what you have, by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
We should ALL grow in the Word to improve and to better OURSELVES so that we can be used by God and be a blessing to others.
If your gift is not packaged the way you want it, it’s because it may be better packaged the way it is.
Always appreciate little things; they usually lead you to bigger and better things.
Quote for today: “The best and most beautiful things in the world sometimes cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ~Source unknown
Here is a story that kind of illustrates this reality …
The Bible or a Diamond Ring?
A married lady was expecting a birthday gift from her husband. For any months she had admired a beautiful diamond ring in a showroom, and knowing her husband could afford it, she told him that was all she wanted. As her birthday approached, this lady awaited signs that her husband had purchased the diamond ring.
Finally, on the morning of her birthday, her husband called her into his study. Her husband told her how proud he was to have such a good wife, and told her how much he loved her. He handed her a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, the wife opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the wife's name embossed in gold. Angrily, she raised her voice to her husband and said, 'With all your money you give me a Bible?'
She stormed out of the house, permanently leaving her husband. Many years passed and the lady was very successful in business. She managed to settle for a more beautiful house and a wonderful family, but realized her ex-husband was very old, and thought perhaps she should go to visit him. She had not seen him for many years.
But before she could make arrangements, she received a telegram telling her that her ex-husband had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to her. She needed to come back immediately and take care of things.
When she arrived at her ex-husband's house, sudden sadness and regret filled her heart. She began to search through her ex-husband’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as she had left it years before.
With tears, she opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. Her ex-husband had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, 'And if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father, who is in heaven, give what is good to those who ask Him?'
As she read those words, a tiny package dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a diamond ring, with her name engraved on it -- the same diamond ring that she saw at the showroom.
On the tag was the date of her birth, and the words. 'LUV U ALWAYS'.
How many times do we miss God's blessings, because they are not packaged as we expected?
Do not spoil what you have, by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
We should ALL grow in the Word to improve and to better OURSELVES so that we can be used by God and be a blessing to others.
If your gift is not packaged the way you want it, it’s because it may be better packaged the way it is.
Always appreciate little things; they usually lead you to bigger and better things.
Quote for today: “The best and most beautiful things in the world sometimes cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ~Source unknown
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
