Saturday 28 February 2015

DON’T BE INTIMIDATED BY OBSTACLES

Once you set your goal and start on your way to achieve it, you will surely encounter difficulty. There will be some obstacles, but you can’t allow them to intimidate you. When Moses brought the Hebrew children out of Egypt, he sent twelve spies to check out the land. Ten came back saying the Land flowed with milk and honey but also had giants. Those ten spies wanted to give up because they felt they were grasshoppers next to the giant. Only two put their faith in God. They were not intimidated by the giants because they had greater faith in God. They were willing to trust God and say that they could possess the land. Don’t be intimidated by the obstacles. When God is for you, He’s greater than the whole world against you.

One of my favorite Bible scriptures is taken from Deuteronomy, Chapter 30, where it is written, “ I call heaven and earth to witness against you that today I have set before you life and death, blessings or curses. Oh that you would choose life, that you and your children might live! We must choose to be happy, choose to be wealthy. Why do I say choose? Because success is a choice, not a chance.

The Voyaging Sheep That Was Wrecked

THE VOYAGING SHIP THAT WAS WRECKED
The voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the men on it were able to swim to a small, desert island.
The two survivors not knowing what else to do agreed that they had no other recourse but to pray to GOD. However to find whose prayer was more powerful, they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite side of the island since their voyaging ship was wrecked and they can’t go back home
The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to eat its fruit. The other man’s parcel of land remained barren.
After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the island there was nothing.
Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next day, like magic all these were given to him. The second man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship so that he and his wife could leave the island. In the morning he found a ship docked at his side of the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to leave the second man on the island.
He considered the other man unworthy to receive GOD’S blessings, since none of his prayers had been answered.

THE DEPARTURE
As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven booming,
“Why are you leaving your companion on the island?”
“My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,” the first man answered, “His prayers were all unanswered and so he does not deserve anything.”
“You are mistaken!” the voice rebuked him. “He had only one prayer, which I answered. If not for that, you will not have received any of the blessings.”
“Tell me,” the first man asked the voice, “What did he pray for that I should owe him anything?”
“He prayed that all your prayers be answered.”
As believers, we should and must know that our blessings are not the result of our prayers and hard-work alone, but there are some other people who are secretly praying for our success. There let us do away with pride, and self righteousness of being all in all, because we are nothing if those who secretly pray for us do not and we will become a voyaging sheep that was wrecked.

We All Constitute One Brotherhood

WE ALL CONSTITUTE ONE BROTHERHOOD

The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the air Hostess.
“Madam what is the matter?” the Hostess asked
“You obviously do not see it then.” She responded “You placed me next to a black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat.”
“Be calm please,” the hostess replied
Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available. The air Hostess went away and came back a few minutes later. Madam, just as I thought there are other available seats in the economy class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class.

Before the woman could say anything, the Hostess continued. “It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting. She turned to the black guy, and said. Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, take your hand luggage because a seat awaits you in the first class. At the moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

WE ALL CONSTITUTE ONE BROTHERHOOD
This is a true story against racism, which is not usually told. All mankind are from Adam and Eve. White has no superiority over black or a black over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every person is the brother of another. Learn that every believer in GOD is the brother of another believer and we all constitute one brotherhood.

TRY LOVE

If you’ve tried everything and everything has failed

There is a message in these words that I tell

You don’t need those guns or need wars

There’s a solution that will build not destroy

Try love, love is the answer to it all

You been everywhere, all around this old world

Putting your faith in people who don’t really even care

Well, don’t give up and don’t give in

Put your faith in Jesus and your broken heart He’ll mend

Try love, love is the answer to it all

To effectively love you must first learn to love yourself. Before all else, it is critical to make a commitment to love yourself, because if you don’t love yourself you will start to misuse and abuse yourself. Studies have proven that self-esteem is a critical ingredient to long term success. If you do not love you, then you will not wait for anyone else to abuse you. You will do it yourself. Or you will consistently seek out those who are abusive or do not hold you in the esteemed position that you deserved. You will belittle yourself and devalue yourself and you will task yourself out of being all that you truly can be. Before all else, you must learn to love yourself and learn to appreciate and feel good about yourself. Some call this process developing a positive self-image or developing self-esteem, but in reality it is learning to love and treasure you.

FEAR IS A TOOL IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY TO OPPRESS YOU

FEAR IS A TOOL IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY TO OPPRESS YOU
There was a lady called Rose who had a son while in her late teens out of wedlock. In her late thirties, she still had no husband because she told every would-be spouse that came her way that she had a son. Their response to her telling them that she had a son was that they cannot carry another person’s responsibility. She would cry after the breakup and later composed herself. One thing she kept saying was that it is better to face her fear near and overcome it instead of trying to pretend as if it never existed. It was better to tell the truth than to rot in hell.

From the part of the country where she comes from, female who had children out of wedlock were frown upon by the society and male generally do not want to marry them. One day, she met Sam and both fell deeply in love. She kept the info about her having a son from Sam because she became afraid of losing him like he lost those before him. She allowed the fear of losing Sam enveloped her. The relationship went on smoothly on the outside both inwardly, Rose burned. Whenever she was alone, she would pour out her heart unto the LORD, because the lie she kept to herself had become a burden weighing her down. The day for the marriage of the two love-birds was fixed.

On the day of the marriage, when the clergy asked Sam if he had anything to say because the final conjugation, he said “no”. Then the clergy asked Rose and she kept mute. He asked her several times and she kept mute looking facedown. Finally she broke down crying uncontrollably. Then the clergy had to call off the wedding ceremony.
“Why are you crying?…today is a memorable for us, it is your day, why are you making it unmemorable?” Sam asked Rose
Rose knelt down and said amidst tears, “Am sorry Sam….. I can’t carry this burden in my heart anymore. I have lied to you all these days and ……..right here on this sacred altar, on this blessed day…I cannot lie.”

“Lie about what…can’t you wait after the wedding ceremony to tell me?” asked Sam
“No I can’t…Sam… Sam, Henry is not my younger…he is my son….Please forgive me….He is my son…I can’t lie anymore…please forgive me.” Rose busted out amidst tears”
Sam bent down, held his fiancée’s both hands and lifted her up, “Is that why you’ve spoilt our day?”
Sometimes when God is trying to do something in our life, we mess up but, His grace is always there to lift us back up. Another marriage date was fixed and people came in multitudes even though no invitation cards were sent out this time around. Friends, overcome your fears now, because fear is a tool in the hands of the enemy to oppress you and limit your dream.

The Mayonnaise and The Jar

THE MAYONNAISE AND THE COFFEE
When things in life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise Jar…and the coffee…..

THE PROFESSOR AND THE MAYONNAISE JAR
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise Jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls..

He then asked the students if the Jar was full. They agreed that it was. So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the Jar. He shook the Jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the Jar was full. The students responded unanimous “yes.”.

The professor then produced two cups of Coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the Jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

“Now,” said the professor, as the laughter subsided, “I want yu to recognize that this Jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things, your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life could still be full.” The pebbles are the other things that matters like your job, your house, and your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.

SET YOUR PRIORITIES
“If you put the sand into the Jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.” The same goes for life. If you spend your time and energy on small stuff, you will never have room for things that are important. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Coffee represented. The professor smiled.”I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a cup of coffee with a friend.”

I CAN SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS

I CAN SLEEP WHEN THE WIND BLOWS?
Many years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storm that raged across the ocean, wrecking havoc on the buildings and crops.. As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals.

Finally, a short thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer.
“Are you a good farmhand?” the farmer ask him
“Well I can sleep when the wind blows,” answered the short man.
Though puzzled by this question, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him. The little man worked all round the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man’s work.

Then one night, the wind howled loudly in from onshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired man’s sleeping quarters. He shook the little man and yelled;
“Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!”
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly,
“No sir. I told you I can sleep when the wind blows.”

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away.
The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

When you’re prepared; spiritually, mentally, and physically, you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the wind blows through your life? The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he had secured the farm against the storm. As believers in the WORD, we have to be prepared for the storms that rage through our lives. There will always be a storm, do not be deceived when someone tells you that once you accept Christ everything else is easy. It is the time when you are face with all type of temptations, all types of hindrances come your way and like the Apostles, you will be persecuted by those who were once close to you. Not because you have done someone wrong but because you are a Believer of the WORD. In all that you do be prepared as the motto of the Boy Scouts says, so that you can sleep when the wind blows.

OUTSTANDING PEOPLE HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON

OUTSTANDING PEOPLE HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON: AN ABSOLUTE SENSE OF MISSION

James Usher, an African American lad who was born and spent his early years in Pontotoc, Mississippi, didn’t know he had no chance in life. A twelve, he was earning $160 a week cutting yards working with his best friend, Steve, who was Caucasian and lived across the street. Steve’s mother, Mrs. Colleen White, befriended James and was his benefactor in untold ways.

Despite the fact he was voted by his classmates the “least likely to succeed,” today this bright, highly-motivated, articulate young man owns several businesses and is a motivational speaker and certified trainer. He provides scholarships for students and assists those who have financial needs. James is active in his church and is modest about his accomplishments. Years ago his objective was to become wealthy by age thirty-five so that he could devote the rest of his life to help other people realize and accelerate their dreams.

One of James concern is the negativism permeating much of his race. Too many have lost hope, and that’s the reason his committed to providing the training and encouragement that will make a difference in their lives. James Usher is an example for all of us. Remember for you to be an outstanding person, you have to have a sense of mission.

For whatever is born of GOD overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4)

If you like this post, then Like it on Facebook, Share it on Facebook, tweet it

“Don’t forget to subscribe for my feed RSS”

The Gentlest Need

At least once a day our old black cat comes to one of us in a way that we've all come to see as a special request. It does not mean he wants to be fed or to be let out or anything of that sort. His need

is for something very different.

If you have a lap handy, he'll jump into it; if you don't, he's likely to stand there looking wistful until you make him one. Once in it, he begins to vibrate almost before you stroke his back, scratch his chin and tell him over and over what a good kitty he is. Then his motor really revs up; he squirms to get comfortable; he "makes big hands." Every once in a while one of his purrs gets out of control and turns into a snort. He looks at you with wide open eyes of adoration, and he gives you the cat's long slow blink of ultimate trust.

After a while, little by little, he quiets down. If he senses that it's all right, he may stay in your lap for a cozy nap. But he is just as likely to hop down and stroll away about his business. Either way, he's all right.

Our daughter puts it simply: "Blackie needs to be purred."
In our household he isn't the only one who has that need: I share it and so does my wife. We know the need isn't exclusive to any one age group. Still, because I am a schoolman as well as a parent, I associate it especially with youngsters, with their quick, impulsive need for a hug, a warm lap, a hand held out, a coverlet tucked in, not because anything's wrong, not because anything needs doing, just because that's the way they are.

There are a lot of things I'd like to do for all children. If I could do just one, it would be this: to guarantee every child, everywhere, at least one good purring every day.
Kids, like cats, need time to purr. It’s the gentlest need.
Fred T. Wilhelms

Start With Yourself

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the Crypts of Westminister

Abbey:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But it, too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
Start with yourself.

Monday 16 February 2015

THE OPTIMIST’S CREED
Promise yourself:
To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that they are valuable individuals.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your opinion come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the successes of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improving of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger,, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

THE OPTIMIST’S CREED
Promise yourself:
To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that they are valuable individuals.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your opinion come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the successes of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improving of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger,, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

“If you like this post then please Digg it, Pin it, Stumble it, Tweet it, Reddit, Share it to your friends on Facebook, Linked it, and consider signing up for my full feed RSS”

WE DEPLETE NATURE’S NATURAL RESOURCES BY USING THEM UP. WE DEPLETE MAN’S NATURAL RESOURCES BY FAILING TO USE THEM

When we look down deep within us, then we will see that each and every one of us has a desire, a

goal within us that wants to burst out. It’s like a fire that needs to be re-kindle by our determination and persistence to use the natural resource that GOD has endowed us. Deep down in our heart we feel it and our mind wants to lead us; but it is our intention to be lead or to ignore that determines GOD’S direction to achieve our goal.

LITTLE JOHNNY WAS A PISTOL

Little Johnny was a “pistol”. One Friday afternoon his teacher said to the class, “Students, if any of you have an unusual event take place this week-end, please remember it and tell us about it on Monday morning.”

On Monday morning, Little Johnny sat at his desk, quivering with excitement. The teacher said, “Johnny, it looks like something exciting happened for you over the weekend.”

With enthusiasm, Johnny said, “Me and my daddy went fishing and caught seventy-five catfish, and they all weighed seventy-five pounds.”

“Now, Johnny, you know that simply did not happen.” Said the teacher

“Yes, Ma’am, it did!” Johnny answered with certainty

“Now, Johnny, if I were to tell you that on the way to school this morning, all of a sudden a big, grizzly bear appeared in front of me and was about to grab me when suddenly a little yellow dog appeared out of nowhere, jumped up, grabbed the grizzly bear by the nose, broke his neck and killed him dead, now Johnny, would you believe that?” asked the teacher

Johnny cheerfully replied, “Yes Ma’am, I sure would! As a matter of fact, that’s my dog!”

Our imaginations bring creative solutions to many problems. Therefore, using your imagination will certainly proffer a solution to a problem lurking somewhere. We deplete nature’s natural resources by using them up. We deplete man’s natural resources by failing to use them. God Has given us this great gift called “Imagination”, use it well.

WHAT YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a life time. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. “I’ve been thinking,” he said “ I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious: Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.

WHAT YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU

A wise woman who was travelling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day

she met another traveller who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.

The traveller left, rejoicing his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a life time. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

“I’ve been thinking,” he said “ I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious: Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone.

DON’T WE ALL

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash waiting for

my wife to get out of work. Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money.

There are times when you feel generous but there are other times that you just want to be bothered. This was one of those “don’t want to be bothered times.”

“I hope he doesn’t ask me for any money,” I thought. He didn’t

He came and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn’t look like he could have enough money to ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke. “That’s a very pretty car,” he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. His scraggly blond beard keeps more than his face warm.

I said, “Thanks,” and continued wiping off my car.

DON’T WE ALL? HE ANSWERED

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came.

As the silence between us widened something inside said, “Ask him if he need any help.”

I was sure that he would say “yes” but I held true to the inner voice.

“Do you need any help?” I asked

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me;

“Don’t we all?” he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge shotgun. Don’t we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problem, even without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.

THAT MAN NEEDS HELP.” DON’T WE ALL?

Even if it’s just a compliment, you can give that. You never know when you may see someone that appears to have it all. They are waiting on you to give them what they don’t have. A different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a respite from daily chaos that only you through a thorn would see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that, maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to messenger to a soul too comfortable in themselves. Maybe GOD looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, and then said, “Go messenger to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help.” Don’t we all?

BIBLE PASSAGE TO BE READ

2 Corinthians Chapter 8 verse 1 to15

HOW MANY TIMES DO WE MISS GOD’S BLESSINGS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PACKAGED AS WE EXPECTED

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father has purchased the car. On the morning of the graduation, his father called him into his private study.

THE BLESSING THAT WAS OVERLOOKED

His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather bound-Holy Bible. Angrily, he raised his voice at his father and said;

“With all your money, you give me a Holy Book?” and stormed out of the house leaving the Holy Book.

He never contacted his father again for a very long time. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation.

GODS BLESSINGS OFTEN COME THE WAY WE LEAST EXPECTED

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away,

and willed all his possessions to his son.. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

He began to search his father’s important papers and saw the still new Holy Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Holy Bible and began to turn its pages. As he read those words, a car key dropped from an envelope taped behind the Holy Bible. It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sport’s car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL. How many times do we miss GOD’s blessings because they are not packaged as we expected.

LIFE WILL GIVE YOU BACK EVERYTHING YOU HAVE GIVEN TO IT.

A son and his father were walking on the mountains

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhh!”

To his surprise he hears the voice repeating somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhh!”

Curious, he yells: “Who are you?”

He receives the answer: “Who are you?”

And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!”

The voice answers: “I admire you!”

Angered at the response, he screamed: “Coward!”

He receives the answer: “Coward!”

He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?”

The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.”

The father screams: “You are a champion!”

The voice answers: “You are a champion!”

The boy is surprised but does not understand.

Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO, but really, this is life.”

It gives you back everything you say or do.

Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world, create more love in your heart.

If you want more competence in your team,

Improve your competence.

This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;

Your life is not a coincidence; it is a reflection of you.

Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”

PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS

WHEN EVERYTHING SEEMS TO GO WRONG; PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and the Lord told

the man He had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord told him to push against the rock with all his might. So, this man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down; his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might. Each night, the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since this man was showing discouragement, the adversary (Satan) decided to place though into the man’s weary mind.

“You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn’t move.”

Thus giving the man the impression that the task was an impossible one, and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said

“Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort, and that will be good enough”

The man decided to do what the adversary had advised, but later decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the LORD. He prayed saying;

“I have labored long and hard in your service. Putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all these time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

And out of the deep silence that ensued, the LORD responded compassionately;

“My son, when I asked you to serve me, and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself, your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinew and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to PUSH and to exercise your faith and trust in MY wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my servant, will move the rock.

WHAT BELIEVERS SHOULD KNOW AND AVOID

At times, when we hear a word from GOD, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what HE wants, when actually what GOD wants is just a simple obedience and faith in HIM. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still GOD who moves mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong, just PUSH

When the job gets you down, just PUSH

When people don’t react the way you think they should, just PUSH

When the money is gone and the bills are due, just PUSH

When creditors keep knocking at your door, just PUSH

When all doors are locked and none seems to want to open, just PUSH

P + U + S + H = Pray + Until + Something + Happens

IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE, WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER

Next autumn, when you see geese heading south for the winter, flying in a “V” formation, you might

consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71 percent greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own.

People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.

When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stay in formation with those people who are heading the same way we are.

IT IS SENSIBLE TO TAKE TURNS DOING DEMANDING JOBS

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs, whether with people with geese flying south.

Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What message do we give when we honk from behind?

Finally-and this is important-when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out of the formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies; and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their own group.

AS BELIEVERS WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER IF WE HAVE THE SENSE OF A GOOSE

This lifestyle of a goose teaches us to share a common direction and have a sense of community. Helping those who require our help, giving to those in need and sympathizing with those who are going through any difficulty. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other like that

DOES GOD EXIST?

A man went to a barbers shop to have his hair and beard cut as always. He started to have a good

conversation with the barber who attended to him. They talked about so many things on various subjects. Suddenly they touched the subject of GOD. The barber said;

“Look man, I don’t believe that GOD exists as you say.”

“Why do you say that?” asked the client

“Well,” answered the barber “It’s so easy; you just have to go out in the street to realize that GOD does exist. Oh! Tell me, if GOD does exist, would there be so much sick people? Would there be abandoned children, would there be suffering and pain, pestilence, sudden and premature death, kidnapping and killings of the innocent. I can’t think of a God who permits all of these things.”

The client stopped for a moment, thinking, but he didn’t want to respond so as to prevent an argument.

The barber finished his job and the client went out of the shop. Just after he left the barbers shop, he saw a man in the street with long hair and beard (It seemed that it’s been long the man had a cut. He looked so untidy). Then, the client once again entered the barbers shop and said to the barber;

“Do know what? Barbers do not exist.”

“How come they don’t exist?” asked the barber “ I am here, and I am a barber. Moreover I just cut your hair.”

“No!” the client exclaimed “They don’t exist, because if they did, there would be no people with long hair and beard like that man who walks on the street” he said pointing to the untidy man with long beard and bushy hair.

“Ah, barbers do exist, what happens is that people do not come to us” the barber tried to answer

“Exactly!” affirmed the client “That’s the point. God does exist, what happens is that people don’t go to HIM and do not look for HIM. That’s why there is so much pain and suffering in the world.

A Christian Blog That Focuses on The Veracity Of The Gospel Of Christ: A HOLE IN THE FENCE; TEMPER! TEMPER!!

A Christian Blog That Focuses on The Veracity Of The Gospel Of Christ: A HOLE IN THE FENCE; TEMPER! TEMPER!!: A HOLE IN THE FENCE; TEMPER! TEMPER!! There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him...

A HOLE IN THE FENCE; TEMPER! TEMPER!!

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him

that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

A DAY WHEN HE DID’T LOSE HIS TEMPER

Finally, the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He told his father about it, and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day he was able to hold his temper. The day passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, “You have done well my son, but look at the holes in the fence.”

The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won’t matter how many times you say I’m sorry, the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

Friends and loved ones are very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Water your relationship with kindness and they will grow. So be care little lips what you say and you won’t chase friendships away. Temper! Temper!!

THE ILLUSION OF REFLECTION

There was a king who had presented his daughter, the princess, with a beautiful diamond necklace

. The necklace was stolen and his people in the kingdom searched everywhere but could not find it. Some said a bird might have stolen it. The king then asked them all to search for it and put a reward for $50,000 for anyone who found it.

THE CLERK WHO SAW AN ILLUSION

One day, a clerk was walking home along a river next to an industrial area. This river was completely polluted, filthy and smelly. As he was walking, the clerk saw a shimmering in the river, and when he looked, he saw the diamond necklace. He decided to try and catch it so that he could get the $50,000 reward. He put his hand into the filthy, dirty river and grabbed at the necklace, but somehow missed it and didn’t catch it. He took his hand out and looked again and the necklace was still there. He tried again, this time he walked into the river and dirtied his pants in the filthy river and put his whole arm in to catch the necklace. But, strangely, he still missed the necklace! He came out and started walking away feeling depressed.

THE CLERK WHO DIDN’T KNOW IT WAS AN ILLUSION OF REFLECTION

Then again, he saw the necklace right there. This time he was determined to get it, no matter what. He decided to plunge into the river, although it was a disgusting thing to do as the river was polluted, and his whole body would become filthy. He plunged in and searched everywhere for the necklace and yet he failed. This time he was really bewildered and came feeling that he could not get the necklace that would get him $50,000

THE SAINT WHO KNEW THAT IT WAS AN ILLUSION OF RELECTION

Just then a saint who was walking by, saw him, and asked him what the matter was. The clerk didn’t want to share the secret with the saint, thinking the saint might take the necklace for himself, so he refused to tell the saint anything. But the saint could see this man was troubled and being compassionate, again asked the clerk to tell him the problem and promised that he would not tell anyone about it. The clerk mustered some courage and decided to put some faith in the saint. He told the saint about the necklace and how he tried and tried to catch it, but kept failing. The saint then told him that perhaps he should try looking upward, towards the branches of the tree instead of in the filthy river. The clerk looked up and truly enough, the necklace was dangling on the branch of the tree. He had been trying to capture a mere reflection of the necklace all the time.

MATERIAL THINGS ARE ILLUSIONS OF REFLECTION

Material happiness is just like the filthy, polluted river; because it is a mere reflection of the TRUE happiness in the spiritual world. We cannot achieve the happiness we are looking for no matter how hard we endeavor in this material life. Instead we should look upward toward GOD, who is the source of real happiness, and stop chasing after reflection of this happiness in the material world. This spiritual happiness is the only thing that can satisfy us completely and not the illusion of a mere reflection.

Happy is the man who always kept afterlife in his view, who remembers the Day of Reckoning through his deeds, who led a contented life and who was happy with the lot the GOD has destined for him.

A TEACHER’S PROTEST

A TEACHER’S PROTEST: WITHOUT PRAYER AND HELP FROM GOD NO WORK IS A SUCCESS

There was no timetable nor a room designated for PRAYERS in the school. The school was

“secular”; hence they were not supposed to be allowed.

After being interviewed and accepted by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said in protest: “Let me see if I got this right.” You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. I’m suppose to instill a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse and even sensor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

ALL THESE WITHOUT PRAYER

You want me to wage a war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their back pack for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self esteem.

You want me to teach them firm belief in GOD, patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and fair play, how and where to register for vote, how to balance a checkbook, and how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of anti-social behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, and encourage respect for their elders and future employers.

And I am to communicate regularly with parents by letter, telephone, newsletter,, and report card. All of this I am to do with just a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a few books, a bulletin board, and a big smile AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps! You want me to do all this, and you expect me NOT TO PRAY.

Dear sir,, since I am sure that I will not be able to fulfill your expectations, nor I will be successful in my career WITHOUT prayers, “ I resign willingly from the post.”

The administrator looked down for a while then suddenly declared: “Young man, go ahead with your job. You have taught me a very important lesson today: Without prayers and help from GOD, no work is a success. We shall make special arrangements for prayers as from today.”

PUT THE GLASS DOWN; BY WORRYING SO MUCH DO NOT TURN YOUR LIFE TO HELL

A professor began his class by holding up a glass of water in it. He held it up for all to see and asked the students, “How much do you think this glass weighs?”

“50 gms1”….. “100 gms!”….. “125 gms”…… the students answered.

“ I really don’t know unless I weigh it.”” Said the professor, “but, my question is: What would

happen if I held it up for a few minutes?”

“Nothing” the students said.

“Ok! What would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?” the professor asked.

“Your arm would begin to ache.” Said one of the students

“You’re right. Now what would happen if I held it up for a day?”

“Your arm would go numb, you might have severe muscle stress and paralysis and have to go to hospital for sure!” ventured another students and all the students laughed.

“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?” asked the professor

“No” the students said.

“Then what caused the arm ache and the muscle stress?” The students were puzzled.

PUT THE GLASS DOWN

“Put the glass down!” said one of the students.

“Exactly!” said the professor “Life’s problems are something like this. Hold it for a few minutes in your head and they seem okay. Think of them for a long time and they begin to ache. Hold it for even longer and they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.

It’s important to think of the challenges (problems) in your life, but even more important is to have trust in GOD and put them down at the end of every day before you go to sleep. That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh and strong and can handle any issue, any challenges that comes your way!” So, as it becomes time for you to leave office today, remember friend to “PUT THE GLASS DOWN” and have tranquility by putting trust in the ALMIGHTY GOD.