Saying Thank You

“How does one acknowledge God’s blessings?” you might ask. Simple, just say, “Thank you, Lord. ’” Another way is to share with others, especially the church family, how God is… “How does one acknowledge God’s blessings?” you might ask. Simple, just say, “Thank you, Lord. ’” Another way is to share with others, especially the church family, how God is blessing you. That brings hope and encouragement to others who may also need to think of the blessings they have received. What blessings have you received? Do you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead, and a place to sleep? How about money in the bank, in your wallet, or spare change in a dish? Did you wake up this morning with more health than illness? Even waking up is a reason for praise. Maybe you’ve never had to experience the fear of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation (or did and lived to praise the Lord). Do you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death? Can you hold your head up and smile? If you’re reading this you are more blessed than the estimated 16-20% in the world who cannot read. Meditation: in everything give thanks; for this is the will

View Full Post

;

Fence Man

Fence Man There was a large group of people gathered. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side stood another, Satan. Separating them was… Fence Man There was a large group of people gathered. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side stood another, Satan. Separating them was a fence running through the group. In the scene set, both Jesus and Satan began calling to people in the group. One by one, each having made up his or her mind, went to either Jesus or Satan. This kept going for a time. Soon enough, Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowd, as did Satan. One man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and sat on it. Jesus and his people left and disappeared, and so too did Satan and his people. The man on the fence sat alone. As this man sat, Satan came back, looking for something which he appeared to have lost. The man said, “Have you lost something?” Satan looked straight at him and replied, “No, there you are. Come with me.” The man said, “But I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor him.” Satan said, “That’s okay; I own the fence.”

View Full Post

;

The Pastor’s Son

The Pastor’s Son

The Pastor’s Son One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her… The Pastor’s Son One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God’s call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident. As time went on, she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children. It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began. You see, about one-half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So, they decided to have a meeting. As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to

View Full Post

;

Getting it Right with People

Getting it Right with People

Many of us want people around us to change their behaviours and attitudes in dealing with us. Often times, we are frustrated by their worsening mannerisms and their presence steals… Many of us want people around us to change their behaviours and attitudes in dealing with us. Often times, we are frustrated by their worsening mannerisms and their presence steals our own peace away. Well, maybe you can’t change anyone but you can determine how people around you affect your inner peace. The foundation of a beneficial relationship is acceptance, and that goes without you pretending everyone is an angel. People are more likely to stay with you when they realize their personalities are safe with you without you having to crush them at the slightest provocation from them. Most times when we admit others into our circle, we do so in our own terms. The toughest field of discrimination is right in our hearts. We write people off before we give them chance to prove they are worthy of our trust and friendship. Ironically, the way to improve yourself is to improve others. To improve others, you must deal with them in the light of their uniqueness. Not even you want to change before being admitted into other people’s circles; why make such demand on others? Jesus illustrated this

View Full Post

;

Plant Four Rows

Plant Four Rows

Plant four rows of peas: Prayer Penitence Patience Preparation Plant four rows of squash: Squash gossip Squash indifference Squash criticism Squash negative thinking Plant four rows of turnips: Turn up… Plant four rows of peas: Prayer Penitence Patience Preparation Plant four rows of squash: Squash gossip Squash indifference Squash criticism Squash negative thinking Plant four rows of turnips: Turn up for Church Turn up whenever needed Turn up with a friendly smile Turn up with determination to be a better person Plant four rows of lettuce: Let us soar to new heights Let us come together in harmony Let us share God’s love, and Let us practice forgiveness Enjoy the harvest! — Author Unknown Meditation: Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. – Galatians 5:22-23 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. – Ephesians 5:8-10 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness,

View Full Post

;

10 Little Christians

10 Little Christians

Ten little Christians standing in a line, One disliked the pastor, then there were nine. Nine little Christians stayed up very late, One slept in on Sunday, then there were… Ten little Christians standing in a line, One disliked the pastor, then there were nine. Nine little Christians stayed up very late, One slept in on Sunday, then there were eight. Eight little Christians on their way to heaven, One took the low road, then there were seven. Seven little Christians chirping like chicks, One disliked the music, then there were six. Six little Christians seemed very much alive, But one lost his interest, then there were five. Five little Christians pulling for Heaven’s shore, But one stopped to rest, then there were four. Four little Christians, each busy as a bee, One got her feelings hurt, then there were three. Three little Christians knew what to do, One joined the sports crowd, then there were two. Two little Christians, our rhyme is nearly done, Differed with each other, then there was one. One little Christian can’t do much ’tis true; Brought his friend to Bible study, then there were two. Two earnest Christians, each won one more, That doubled their number, then there were four. Four sincere Christians worked early and late, Each won another, then there were eight.

View Full Post

;