CAVE SOLICITING

Mr. Jacobson decided to take a week off from the pressures of the office and went skiing. Alas, no sooner did he reach the slopes than he heard an ominous rumbling: moments later a sheet of snow came crashing toward him.

Fortunately, Mr. Jacobson was able to jump into a cave just before the avalanche hit. Just as fortunately, he had matches with him and was able to light a fire.

Hours later, when everyone but Mr. Jacobson had returned, a rescue team was sent to search for him. After several hours they saw smoke curling from the cave and went to investigate. Poking his head into the entrance, one of the rescuers yelled, “Mr. Jacobson, are you there? It’s the Red Cross.”

Bristling, the harried executive called back, “Get lost. I gave at the office!”

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
cybersalt.org/cleanlaugh

 

SUPERNATURAL POSITIONING

Four women are mentioned in the genealogy of Jesus. (Matthew 1:1–16) Interestingly,
they are not Sarah, Rebekah, Leah or Rachel, wives of the patriarchs of the Old
Testament. Instead, they are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba, women who had
morally questionable backgrounds.

Tamar resorted to deception and prostitution to produce children through her father-in-law.
Yet, it was from her line, the tribe of Judah , that the Messiah came. (Genesis 38)

Rahab was a Gentile and a prostitute in Jericho , who became a believer in the God of
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. (Joshua 2:1–21) She also became the mother of Boaz, who
married Ruth. (Ruth 4:13)

Ruth was morally upright. But as a Moabitess, she was a Gentile and therefore considered
unclean. Yet, she became the grandmother of David (Ruth 4:13–17), whom the Jews regard
as their greatest king.

Bathsheba committed adultery with David. (2 Samuel 11:4) Later, she gave birth to King
Solomon (2 Samuel 12:24), from whose royal line Jesus descended.

So what is God saying to us here?

He is saying that He is greater than our sins — where sin abounds, His grace abounds much
more. (Romans 5:20) His grace is greater than our sins, so that even when the world disqualifies
us, He can qualify us to receive His blessings!

God is also saying that He is a God of many chances. These women’s stories show us that
even when our troubles are of our own making, they are neither final nor fatal. When we turn
to Him, He will turn our situations around until we see His glory upon us!

Finally, God is saying that He is a God of supernatural positioning. Even when all our earthly
connections are gone, the moment we turn to Him, He will find ways to turn our captivity into
blessings.

My friend, don’t look at your natural circumstances and be discouraged. Trust the One “who
redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies”.
Trust Him who qualifies the disqualified.

Pastor Joseph Prince – Daily Grace Inspirations
WB Journal

 

NO EXCUSE TO STAY HOME ON SUNDAY

Many believers don’t see the importance of regular church attendance. Members of Northend Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Seattle received a special announcement in the mail, listing the many things that will be done for them at church on the following “no-excuse-to-stay-home-Sunday.”

According to the pastor, cots will be available for those who say Sunday is their only day to sleep in. Eye drops will be supplied for those who have red eyes from watching late Saturday night TV shows. There will be steel helmets for those who say the roof would cave in if they ever went to church, blankets for persons who think the church is too cold, fans for those who say it is too hot, scorecards for those wishing to list all the hypocrites present, TV dinners for those who can’t go to church and also cook dinner.

Finally, the sanctuary would be decorated with Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who have never seen the church without them.

 

JUDGE NOT !

BY : GORDON NICOL

Judge a man, not by the colour of his face
Judge a man, not by the name of his race
Judge a man, not by the nature of his creed
But judge a man, by the measure of his deeds

For there are many good Arabs and many good Muslims
Many a poor Christian and many a poor Jew
But the scale of their righteousness has nothing to do
With the fact, that they might be Russian, Chinese, Buddhist or Hindu

And yet, why does race and religion so separate
When all the holy books quite clearly state
That we should live together in peace and accord
Doing to each other in agreement with his Lord

In Islam too, it might surprise you to hear
That the self-same belief is considered just as dear (and I quote)
“No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. ”

So it seems that everything’s right and yet everything’s wrong.
For we’re at war with one another instead of getting along.
Since time immemorial we’ve proved that fear and military might are not the answer
Because all they cause is an untreatable cancer.

Our lack of understanding, causes great fear
And when someone seems different we tend to sneer.
We treat them with suspicion and dread and derision.
Mocking their customs, their clothes and traditions.

For it is the unknown which causes so much fear
Even this beautiful place, Dallas Nature Center where we are……right here.
This self-same place, when shrouded in darkness, could become a place of fear
To those who are afraid of the unknown

But when a flashlight is used to illuminate the road
We feel much relief and confidence is restored
And so it is with people….. whose strange behaviors and customs at first appear
To be totally at odds with our own ideas

Only through understanding can we hope to succeed
Learning all we can about our brother’s needs.
We must try to respect and honour each other
Celebrate the difference, the uniqueness, the richness of our brother.

The surest of ways to bring about a transformation
Is with the most precious gift we’ve been given …….creation
Our children, carry the hopes of this world with their uncluttered minds.
Through them can we truly change it into one of pure cosmic design.

Children are born pure and without any hate
They have to be taught this most despicable trait
Our children are given to us essentially colour blind
They see each other equal and tolerant in mind

Children are such beautifully simple creatures
Seeing everything in a world of vivid “black & white”
No mask to hide behind, no pretense to fool you with
Just a bright, shining, beacon of light.

Let’s start teaching every one of these precious, shining lights
That diversity in this great land is something to be cherished
and honoured just like the bill of rights.
Like a garden of beautiful flowers, we are all of the same genus
but each unique and beautifully different.
Each adding our individual essence and colour.
Each benefitting the other in a symbiotic relationship.

So, let everyone of us desire first for his brother, that which he desires for himself
And in so doing, we’ll create a world of the greatest riches and unsurpassed wealth.

 

ADDING GOD’S NAME IN OUR DAILY LIVES

One rich man owned 19 horses when he died. In his last will and testament he had written that upon his death, half the horses he owned should go to his only son; one fourth to the village temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The village elders could not stop scratching their heads. How can they give half of the 19 horses to the son? You cannot cut up a horse. They puzzled over this dilemma for more than two weeks and then decided to send for a wise man that was living in a neighbouring village. The wise man came riding on his horse and asked the villagers if he can be of any help to them. The village elders told him about the rich man’s last will and testament which stated that half of the (19) horses must be given to his only son; one fourth must go to the temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The wise man said he will immediately solve their problem without any delay whatsoever. He had the 19 horses placed in a row standing next to one another. Then he added his own horse as the 20th horse. Now he went about giving half of the 20 horses that is ten horses to the son. One fourth of 20-that is 5 horses were given to the temple committee. One fifth of twenty-that is 4 horses were given to the faithful servant. Ten plus five plus four made 19 horses. The remaining 20th horse was his own which he promptly mounted, spoke a few inspiring words, and rode back home.

The villagers were simply dumfounded, full of disbelief and filled with admiration. And the parting words of the wise man were inscribed in their hearts and minds which they greatly cherished and passed on to their succeeding generations till today. The wise man said: In our daily lives, in our daily affairs, simply add God’s name and then go about facing the day’s happenings. Ever come across problems in life that are seemingly insurmountable? (Like the villagers, do we feel that such problems cannot be solved?). The wise man continued: Add the God Principle in our daily lives and the problems will become lighter and eventually will disappear. In the manner of the ice which, with the addition of the heat principle will turn into water and that will eventually evaporate as steam and disappear. And how do we add God’s name in our daily lives? Through prayers, filled with true love and devotion with sincerity of purpose and dedication that only total faith can bring about, Meditation is a powerful means of directing the mind Godward. But without true love and devotion entering into it, it remains like a boat without water. It is not difficult to push a boat that is floating in water, but extremely hard to drag the same boat on dry land.

 

FIND MORE TIME THINGS FOR THE THINGS YOU LOVE

by Jane Powell on August 11, 2011

“Take charge of chaos.”

Do you sometimes feel like you’re living a life of chaos; chasing your tail with no relief in sight?

Are you in a state where everything takes longer and requires more effort than you thought? Do you want to be organized, but haven’t got the time to clear up the mess? Are the words “free time” not in your vocabulary?

Stop for a moment and consider living by the motto, “Don’t put off till tomorrow what can be done today.”

If you start today by organizing your desk, your closet, your garage, anything that’s in chaos, the reward is less time spent finding things, less frustration and less stress.

With just a couple of changes, you’ll feel in control and recoup lost time and energy. Chaos will start to subside and ultimately you’ll have time for the things you enjoy. Try it!

©Jane Powell – Meditations for Women

Today’s Affirmation: I am organized.