by Inspiration | Sep 1, 2024 | Archives
The Fern and the Bamboo Story One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods… The Fern and the Bamboo Story One day I decided to quit…I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality… I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. “God”, I said. “Can you give me one good reason not to quit?” His answer surprised me. “Look around”, He said. “Do you see the fern and the bamboo?” “Yes”, I replied. “When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. “In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. The same in year four. “Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and
;
by Inspiration | Aug 31, 2024 | Parenting, Archives, Relationship
An avid Gardener saw a small Butterfly laying few eggs in one of the pots in his garden. Since that day he looked at the egg with ever-growing curiosity and… An avid Gardener saw a small Butterfly laying few eggs in one of the pots in his garden. Since that day he looked at the egg with ever-growing curiosity and eagerness. The egg started to move and shake a little. He was excited to see a new life coming up right in front of his eyes. He spent hours watching the egg now. The egg started to expand and develop cracks. A tiny head and antennae started to come out ever so slowly. The man’s excitement knew no bounds. He got his magnifying glasses and sat to watch the life and body of a pupa coming out. He saw the struggle of the tender pupa and couldn’t resist his urge to “HELP”. He went and got a tender forceps to help the egg break, a nip here, a nip there to help the struggling life and the pupa was out. The man was ecstatic! He waited now each day for the pupa to grow and fly like a beautiful butterfly, but alas that never happened. The larvae pupa had an oversized head and kept crawling along in the pot for
;
by Inspiration | Aug 30, 2024 | Relationship, Archives
Your Actions May Change A Life One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name… Your Actions May Change A Life One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, “Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd.” I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on. As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him. He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, “Those guys are
;
by Inspiration | Aug 29, 2024 | Attitude, Archives
The Gift of Self Once there was a wise king who cared for his people so much that he wanted to know how they lived. He dressed in rags and,… The Gift of Self Once there was a wise king who cared for his people so much that he wanted to know how they lived. He dressed in rags and, night after night, sat with a poor man who lived alone under a bridge. There they’d share dinner that they scavenged from a garbage dump nearby. Soon, the poor man looked forward to the evenings because of the stranger’s company. One night, the king decided to finally reveal his true identity. In full regalia, he went with the royal entourage to visit the poor man. “What do you want to ask of me?” inquired the benevolent ruler. He expected the man to ask for wealth or a decent home or a place of privilege in the king’s court. Instead, the poor man replied, “You’ve showered others with your wealth, but to me, you’ve given yourself!” This is the story of our lives. Jesus is Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Rulers of this world can give us wealth but only He gave us His very self. He left His throne in heaven and took on flesh to be one of
;
by Inspiration | Aug 28, 2024 | Inspiration, Archives
As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless Funeral Bagpipesman. He had no family… As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless Funeral Bagpipesman. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper’s cemetery in the Kentucky backcountry. As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn’t stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch. I felt bad and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn’t know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I’ve never played before for this homeless man. And as I played ‘Amazing Grace,’ the workers began to
;
