by Marie | Jun 18, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
John Harper was born to a pair of solid Christian parents on May 29th, 1872. It was on the last Sunday of March 1886 when he was thirteen years old that he received Jesus as the Lord of his life. He never knew what it was to “sow his wild oats.” He began to preach about four years later at the ripe old age of 17 years by going down to the streets of his village and pouring out his soul in earnest entreaty for men to be reconciled to God. As John Harper’s life unfolded, one thing was apparent…he was consumed by the word of God. When asked by various ministers what his doctrine consisted of, he was known to reply, “The Word of God!” After five or six years of toiling on street corners preaching the gospel and working in the mill during the day, Harper was taken in by Rev. E. A. Carter of Baptist Pioneer Mission in London, England. This set Harper free to devote his whole time of energy to the work so dear to his heart. Soon, John Harper started his church in September of 1896. (Now known as the Harper Memorial Church). This church, which John Harper had started with just 25 members, had grown to over 500 members when he left 13
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by Marie | Jun 17, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
1. My hands are small; please don’t expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you. 2. My eyes have not seen the world as your have; please let me explore safely: don’t restrict me unnecessarily. 3. Housework will always be there. I’m only little for a short time – please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly. 4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don’t nag me all day long. (You wouldn’t want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would want to be treated. 5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner. 6. I need your encouragement, but not your praise, to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me. 7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I’ll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life
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by Marie | Jun 16, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
You say: “It’s impossible.” God says: All things are possible. (Luke 18:27) You say: “I’m too tired.” God says: I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30) You say: “Nobody really loves me.” God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 3:34) You say: “I can’t go on.” God says: My grace is sufficient. (2 Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15) You say: “I can’t figure things out.” God says: I will direct your steps. (Proverbs 3:5-6) You say: “I can’t do it.” God says: You can do all things. (Philippians 4:13) You say: “I’m not able.” God says: I am able. (2 Corinthians 9:8) You say: “It’s not worth it.” God says: It will be worth it. (Romans 8:28) You say: “I can’t forgive myself.” God says: I Forgive you. (1 John 1:9 & Romans 8:1) You say: “I can’t manage.” God says: I will supply all your needs. (Philippians 4:19) You say: “I’m afraid.” God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear. (2 Timothy 1:7) You say: “I’m always worried and frustrated.” God says: Cast all your cares on ME. (1 Peter 5:7) You say: “I’m not smart enough.” God says: I give you wisdom. (1 Corinthians 1:30) You say: “I feel all alone.” God says: I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5)
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by Marie | Jun 14, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
A father’s example. World War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O’Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day, his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gauge and realised that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet. As he was returning to the mother ship, he saw something that turned his blood cold. A squadron of Japanese bombers was speeding its way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenceless. He couldn’t reach his squadron and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger. There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 guns blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch weaved in
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by Marie | Jun 13, 2025 | Archives, Inspiration
Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you’ve had a baby …somebody doesn’t know that once you’re a mother, “normal” is history. Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct…somebody never took a three-year-old shopping. Somebody said being a mother is boring…somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver’s permit. Somebody said if you’re a “good” mother, your child will “turn out good”…somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee. Somebody said “good” mothers never raise their voices…somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor’s kitchen window. Somebody said you don’t need an education to be a mother…somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math. Somebody said you can’t love the fifth child as much as you love the first…somebody doesn’t have five children. Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books…somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears. Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labour and delivery…somebody never watched her “baby” get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten or on a plane headed for military “boot camp.” Somebody
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