ALWAYS LOOK ON THE INSIDE
I remember reading a story once about a man who was exploring some caves by
the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of
hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled up some clay and left
them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued
the man so he took the bag out of the cave with him.
As he strolled along the beach, to pass the time, he would throw the clay
balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could throw.
He thought little about it until he dropped one of the balls and it cracked
open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone. Excited, the man
started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar
treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay
balls he had left, then it struck him.
He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the
clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of
thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have had tens of thousands, but
he just threw it all away.
You know sometimes, it's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe
even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like
much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we
discount it; we see that person as less important than someone more
beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.
But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that
person. There is a treasure hidden in every one of us. We are wonderfully
made. Not just our physical bodies, our spiritual selves, which are
sometimes hidden from others by the *earthen vessel*
But if you take the time to get to know that person, and if you ask the
Spirit to show you that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to
peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile,
nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to
one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to
trust him with his friendship.
-- Author Unknown
Monday, March 31, 2008
WHERE "U" ARE NEEDED...
WHERE "U" ARE NEEDED...
"U" are needed in Bible ST_DY, but not in IGNORANCE.
"U" are needed in S_PPORT, but not in NEGLECT.
"U" are needed in _NITY, but not in DIVISION.
"U" are needed in D_TY, but not in IRRESPONSIBILITY.
"U" are needed in B_ILDING, but not in TEARING DOWN.
"U" are needed in CH__RCH!!
-- Author Unknown
"U" are needed in Bible ST_DY, but not in IGNORANCE.
"U" are needed in S_PPORT, but not in NEGLECT.
"U" are needed in _NITY, but not in DIVISION.
"U" are needed in D_TY, but not in IRRESPONSIBILITY.
"U" are needed in B_ILDING, but not in TEARING DOWN.
"U" are needed in CH__RCH!!
-- Author Unknown
TWO HORSES IN A FIELD..........
TWO HORSES IN A FIELD
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a
distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is
walking by, one will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to
have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source
of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the
field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know
where she is, so he can follow her.
As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always
checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk
to where she is trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because
we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches
over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in
need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he
places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see
God.
Author Unknown
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a
distance, each looks like every other horse. But if one stops the car, or is
walking by, one will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes
of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to
have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing.
Listening, one will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source
of the sound, one will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the
field. Attached to her bridle is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know
where she is, so he can follow her.
As one stands and watches these two friends, one sees how she is always
checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk
to where she is trusting that she will not lead him astray.
Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because
we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches
over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in
need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by God and those whom he
places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see
God.
Author Unknown
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
THREE BULLETS
THREE BULLETS
There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old
rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and
kill some wild game for dinner.
As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed
it. The rabbit ran away.
Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The
squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.
As he went further, he saw a large wild turkey up in a tree, but he had only
one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high
and stay focused." However, at the same time, he saw a deer which would
provide more meat than the turkey. He brought the gun down and aimed at the
deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so
he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still,
the voice again said to him, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."
So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun
high up in the tree, and shot the wild turkey. The bullet went into the
turkey, deflected off a bone and hit the deer, killing it. When the gun
fired, it knocked the man off balance, he stepped on the rattlesnake' s head
which killed it and fell backwards into a pond. When he stood up to look
around, he had fish in all his pockets, a deer and a turkey with which to
feed his family. The snake was dead simply because the man listened to God.
Moral of the story:
Keep God first and everything else will follow.
Pray first before you do anything. Aim high in your goals, and stay focused
on God. Never let people or things discourage you concerning your past. Do
not look to man for your blessings, but look only to God.
-- Author Unknown
There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old
rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and
kill some wild game for dinner.
As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed
it. The rabbit ran away.
Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it. The
squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.
As he went further, he saw a large wild turkey up in a tree, but he had only
one bullet remaining. A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high
and stay focused." However, at the same time, he saw a deer which would
provide more meat than the turkey. He brought the gun down and aimed at the
deer. But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him, so
he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake. Still,
the voice again said to him, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused."
So, the man decided to listen to God's voice. He prayed, then aimed the gun
high up in the tree, and shot the wild turkey. The bullet went into the
turkey, deflected off a bone and hit the deer, killing it. When the gun
fired, it knocked the man off balance, he stepped on the rattlesnake' s head
which killed it and fell backwards into a pond. When he stood up to look
around, he had fish in all his pockets, a deer and a turkey with which to
feed his family. The snake was dead simply because the man listened to God.
Moral of the story:
Keep God first and everything else will follow.
Pray first before you do anything. Aim high in your goals, and stay focused
on God. Never let people or things discourage you concerning your past. Do
not look to man for your blessings, but look only to God.
-- Author Unknown
Saturday, March 22, 2008
RESURRECTION SUNDAY STORY COOKIES
RESURRECTION SUNDAY STORY COOKIES
You need:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 F. (this in important - don't wait till you are half way
done with the recipe!) Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat
them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after
Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to
drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His
life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush
the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by
Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar. Explain that
the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He
wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are
formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of
those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was
laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give
each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb
was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven
overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the
cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter
Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!!!!!
-- Author Unknown
You need:
1 c. whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 c. sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible
Preheat oven to 300 F. (this in important - don't wait till you are half way
done with the recipe!) Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat
them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces. Explain that after
Jesus was arrested he was beaten by the Roman soldiers.
Read John 19:1-3
Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl.
Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to
drink.
Read John 19:28-30.
Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His
life to give us life.
Read John 10:10-11.
Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush
the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by
Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin.
Read Luke 23:27.
So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 c. sugar. Explain that
the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us He
wants us to know and belong to Him.
Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are
formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God's eyes of
those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus.
Read Isa.1:18 and John 3:1-3
Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet.
Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was
laid.
Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF. Give
each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus' tomb
was sealed.
Read Matt. 27:65-66.
GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven
overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed.
Read John 16:20 and 22.
On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the
cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter
Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty.
Read Matt. 28:1-9.
HE HAS RISEN!!!!!
-- Author Unknown
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