by Inspiration | Oct 25, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
The Bible and the Coal Basket The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each… The Bible and the Coal Basket The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible. His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, “Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you, but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?” The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water.” The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, “You will have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again
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by Inspiration | Oct 16, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
The Lonely Ember Story A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It… The Lonely Ember Story A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his pastor’s visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a big chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself comfortable but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the play of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet fascination. As the one lone ember’s flame diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and “dead as a doornail.” Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. Just before the pastor was ready to leave, he picked up the cold, dead ember and
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by Inspiration | Sep 30, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
I asked God to take away my pride. God said, “No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.” I asked God to… I asked God to take away my pride. God said, “No. It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.” I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, “No. Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.” I asked God to grant me patience. God said, “No. Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn’t granted, it is learned.” I asked God to give me happiness. God said, “No. I give you blessings, happiness is up to you.” I asked God to spare me pain. God said, “No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.” I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, “No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.” I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, “No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.” I ask God to help me love others, as much as he loves me. God said, “Ahhhh, finally you have the idea!” _ What if God couldn’t take
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by Inspiration | Sep 28, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Getting to His House Make a Right onto “Believeth Blvd.” Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ. From there, you must turn onto the “Bridge… Getting to His House Make a Right onto “Believeth Blvd.” Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ. From there, you must turn onto the “Bridge of Faith,” which is over troubled water. When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight. You are on the “King’s Highway” – Heaven-bound. Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost. Then exit off onto “Grace Blvd.” From there, make a Right turn on “Gospel Lane.” Keep Straight and then make another Right on “Prayer Blvd.” As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on “Temptation Ave.” Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END. Pass up “Envy Drive,” and “Have Avenue.” Also, avoid “Hypocrisy Street,” “Gossiping Lane” and “Backbiting Blvd.” But you have to go down “Long-suffering Lane”, “Persecution Blvd.” and “Trials and Tribulations Ave.” But that’s all right, because VICTORY Blvd. is straight ahead! — Author Unknown Meditation: “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction,
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by Inspiration | Sep 21, 2024 | Spiritual Growth, Archives
Rapture! Where Will You Be? It was another bright Sunday morning. For Sarah, Sunday mornings were usually eagerly awaited. A smile lit up her face as she remembered the song… Rapture! Where Will You Be? It was another bright Sunday morning. For Sarah, Sunday mornings were usually eagerly awaited. A smile lit up her face as she remembered the song that has been rehearsed the previous day. She had been assigned to do the lead singing – an opportunity many members of the choir craved, especially on Thanksgiving Sundays. The chiming of the grandfather clock in their state-of-the-art living room broke her reverie. It was already 6:45 am. She was almost late for the pre-service prayer meeting for workers. She had a hurried bath and a quick bite. The service would be longer than usual today but far more interesting too. She quickly inspected herself in the mirror and smiled in satisfaction. Leaving instructions for the housekeeper, she left the house. Thank God she didn’t have to walk. Daddy was out of town so she could go to church in his car. The idea of driving straight to the VIP parking lot was very appealing to her. Daddy, as one of the Deacons, had a special reservation in the VIP parking lot. She got to church in time for the
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by Inspiration | Sep 10, 2024 | Archives, Spiritual Growth
Attending the Banquet Once upon a time a man lived in the streets clad only in the dirtiest and worst of rags. One day a person from the Palace noticed… Attending the Banquet Once upon a time a man lived in the streets clad only in the dirtiest and worst of rags. One day a person from the Palace noticed and approached him. There was going to be a banquet at the Palace, and he had instructions to come and invite people from the highways and byways. Would the man like to come? The fellow was indeed interested. However, he could not attend a banquet dressed in his rags. The Palace representative assured him they would exchange his rags for some suitable finery to wear to the banquet. All was in order. The two arrived at the Palace where they went directly to the dressing chambers of the King. Servants took the filthy rags, bundled them in a little package, and proceeded to rub, scrub, and clean the man from top to bottom. He was then allowed to choose his robes from the closets of the King. He was told that whatever he picked he would be able to keep, so he carefully examined all the many garments in the closet. He chose an exquisite inner garment of purest silk
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