? mine

It was the usual muddy day in the country. The first grade teacher, Miss Brown, had just finished putting the 36th boot on the 18th pair of little feet and was anxious to finish the last pair so she could go to lunch.

The last pair of boots was for little Johnny Smith, a quiet boy. Miss Brown had a very difficult time getting his boots on as they were a bit too small for his growing feet, but she finally won the battle.

To her dismay, little Johnny looked blandly up into her face and announced, "Teacher, these boots aren't mine." In a hurry, but 

wanting to be kind, Miss Brown groaned, but with grim gentleness removed the boots and straightened her aching back.

Whereupon Johnny continued, "They're my little brother's, but Mommy said I could wear them to school today."

I feel like little Johnny because I, too, can say, "These aren't my boots. These aren't my clothes. This isn't my house. This isn't my car." As a child of God, I recognize that everything in my possession belongs to Him, and He has merely allowed me to use them for a while.

"For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills." (Psa. 50:10)

The word the Bible often uses to describe this relationship is the word "steward." In the first century, a steward was a servant who was left in charge of the household. Everything in the house was his to use, but he was also held responsible and had to give an account for what had been done with it.

It makes a tremendous difference in my perspective to realize that all I have belongs to God. He has merely given me these things to use for a while (and then I have to give an account). Listen to these words by William How which we often sing:

"We give Thee but Thine own,

Whate'er the gift may be:

All that we have is Thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from Thee."

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You." (I Chron. 29:14-15)

mind

In an effort to comply with the Humor Fairness Board, the joke used in today's TFTD has been "adjusted." We hope that this adjustment will prevent complaints from those of you who may have a certain hair color. :-)

A preacher is driving down the road. He notices that he's low on gas so he stops at the gas station. While he's pumping his gas, he notices that he has locked his keys in the car. So when he goes inside to pay, he asks the attendant for a coat hanger so he can attempt to open the door himself.

He goes outside and begins to jimmy the lock. Ten minutes later, the attendant goes outside to see how the preacher is faring.

The preacher outside the car is moving the hanger around and around, while the preacher inside the car is saying, "A little more to the left... a little more to the right!!"

I've seen the same thing happen, and I suspect you have as well -- in the workplace or in the church. There always seems to be someone who sits back and says to everyone, "Do it this way" or "Do it that way". And you wonder, "Why doesn't he get up and lend a hand? The work would get done a lot faster if he would help out instead of just giving instructions!"

Encouraging others can be valuable, but there comes a time when we need to stop encouraging with words and start encouraging by rolling up our sleeves and joining in.

Nehemiah had an awesome task of trying to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. He faced many obstacles, but one of the keys to his success is found in Nehemiah 4:6: "So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work."

The people had a mind to work! What a great spirit! Half of them stood guard while the other half worked in construction, but everyone pitched in.

May you be seen by those around you as one who truly has "a mind to work"!

?tongue

It was a particularly tough football game, and nerves were on edge. The home team had been the victim of three or four close calls, and they were now trailing the visitors by a touchdown and a field goal. When the official called yet another close one in the visitors' favor, the home quarterback blew his top.

"How many times can you do this to us in a single game?" he screamed. "You were wrong on the out-of-bounds call, you were wrong on that last holding call, and you failed to say anything about a late hit in the first quarter."

The official just stared. The quarterback seethed, but he tried to suppress language that might get him tossed out of the game. "What it comes down to," he bellowed, "is that YOU STINK!"

The official stared a few more seconds. Then he bent down, picked up the ball, paced off 15 yards, and put the ball down. He turned to face the steaming quarterback. "And how do I smell from here?" he asked.

There are so many times when it is hard to "bite the tongue" and say nothing. The urge to say "something" seems so overpowering that the words sometimes erupt before we have a chance to think them through. Unfortunately, those words have consequences. The minor offenses result in 15-yard penalties. The more serious offenses result in years of regret and heartache, or perhaps broken relationships that take years to rebuild. No wonder James had such strong words of praise concerning the person who is always able to control what he says (James 3:2).

"He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive." (Prov. 17:27-28)

May your words today be few, calm, and carefully thought out.

hear

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super-human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What's important to you? What do you listen for? Are there times that you fail to listen to God or see what God is doing in your life because you are focused on other things that are more important to you?

Jesus said, "For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, so that I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear." (Matt. 13:15-16)

trade

Another of those “stupid criminals”:

A man walked into a convenience store, put a $20 bill on the counter and asked for change. When the clerk opened the drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register.

The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving his $20 bill on the counter.

So how much did he get from the drawer? Fifteen bucks.

How often have we done the same thing, given up something of value in an attempt to get something else of even more value, only to be disappointed in what we ended up with?

Remember Esau? He left his birthright on the counter as he grabbed a bowl of stew and ran! Not a smart trade!

Any time we trade God's favor for the popularity of men, we do the same thing. Any time we trade an eternity with God to "live for the moment", we do the same thing. Any time we trade our character and reputation for a few minutes of passion or pleasure, we do the same thing.

"Be careful that no one fails to receive God's grace....Be careful that no one takes part in sexual sin or is like Esau and never thinks about God. As the oldest son, Esau would have received everything from his father, but he sold all that for a single meal." (Hebrews 12:15a,16, NCV)

Don't make any foolish trades today. Hold on to that which is most important.

trees

The following article is entitled "All I Need To Know About Life I Learned From Trees" (author unknown)

It's important to have roots.

In today's complex world, it pays to branch out.

Don't pine away over old flames.

If you really believe in something, don't be afraid to go out on a limb.

Be flexible so you don't break when a harsh wind blows.

Sometimes you have to shed your old bark in order to grow.

If you want to maintain accurate records, keep a log.

To be politically correct, don't wear firs.

Grow where you're planted.

It's perfectly okay to be a late bloomer.

Avoid people who would like to cut you down.

Get all spruced up when you have a hot date.

If the party gets boring, just leaf.

You can't hide your true colors as you approach the autumn of your life.

It's more important to be honest than poplar.

Those are some good lessons. They reminded me of some other lessons taught in Psalm 1:

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper." (Psalm 1:1-3)

The godly man, like a tree, is planted -- he's got his roots put down deep, he's fortified, stable. Second, he bears fruit -- he develops godlike qualities in his character and life. Third, he doesn't wither -- he is able to survive under all circumstances, even days of difficulty.

May your spiritual life take on the qualities on a tree

value

The story is told of a man who was sued by a woman for defamation of character. She charged that he had called her a pig. The man was found guilty and fined.

After the trial he asked the judge, "Does this mean that I cannot call Mrs. Johnson a pig?" The judge said that was true.

"Does this mean I cannot call a pig Mrs. Johnson?" the man asked. The judge replied that he could indeed call a pig Mrs. Johnson with no fear of legal action.

The man looked directly at Mrs. Johnson and said, "Good afternoon, Mrs. Johnson."

Such name-calling is obviously wrong, but Jesus told us there are some people who are "pigs" (and not in the sense of eating too much). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces." (Matthew 7:6)

There are some people who are "dogs" and "pigs" in the sense that they have no appreciation for things of a spiritual nature. Just as a pig has no appreciation for precious jewelry, so it is that some people have no appreciation for the precious truths of God's Word.

Father, I pray that my heart may always be tender and open to the valuable lessons you want to teach me. May I never "trample underfoot" those things which are truly important. In Jesus' name

success

The story is told of a man named Yussif, the Terrible Turk. Yussif was a 350-pound wrestling champion in Europe a couple of generations ago. After he won the European championship, he sailed to America to wrestle our champ, whose name was Strangler Lewis -- a little guy by comparison who weighed just a shade over 200 pounds.

Although he wasn't very big, Strangler had a simple plan for defeating his opponents and it had never failed to work. He's put his massive arm around the neck of his opponent and cut off the oxygen. Many an opponent had passed out in the ring with Strangler Lewis.

The problem when he fought Yussif the Turk was that Yussif didn't have a neck. His body went from his head to his massive shoulders. Lewis could never get his hold and it wasn't long that the Turk flipped Lewis to the mat and pinned him. After winning the championship, the Turk demanded all five thousand dollars in gold. After he wrapped the championship belt around his vast waist, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe. He was a success! He had captured America's glory and her gold!

He set sail on the SS Bourgogne. Halfway across the Atlantic, a storm struck and the ship began to sink. Yussif went over the side with his gold still strapped around his body. The added weight was too much for the Turk and he sank like an anvil before they could get him into a lifeboat. He was never seen again.

Maybe you think, "What a fool! He should have had a lot more sense than that!" But, the truth of the matter is, we all tend to grasp the things of this world and hold onto them even while we're sinking.

Solomon made this observation: "Then I returned and saw vanity under the sun: There is one alone, without companion: He has neither son nor brother. Yet there is no end to all his labors, nor is his eye satisfied with riches. But he never asks, 'For whom do I toil and deprive myself of good?' This also is vanity and a grave misfortune." (Ecclesiastes 4:8)

Solomon describes a man, like so many today, who doesn't know how to quit. He can't slow down. He's driven to succeed, to achieve, to accumulate. He works harder and harder to become that successful person he so wants to be. And never once does he pause long enough to ask the question, "Who am I doing this for? Why do I feel compelled to run faster and faster in the rat race?"

Success promises a view from the top. But, without God in the picture, success will drag you down just as it did for Yussif, the Terrible Turk.

"Better is a handful of quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind." (Ecclesiastes 4:6)

renames

Someone has come up with the following list of "politically correct" terms for teenagers:

* No one fails a class anymore, he's merely "passing impaired."

* You don't have detention, you're just one of the "exit delayed."

* Your bedroom isn't cluttered, it's just "passage restrictive."

* These days, a student isn't lazy. He's "energetically declined."

* Your locker isn't overflowing with junk, it's just "closure

prohibitive."

* Kids don't get grounded anymore. They merely hit "social speed bumps."

* Your homework isn't missing, it's just having an "out-of-notebook

experience."

* You're not sleeping in class, you're "rationing consciousness."

* You're not late, you just have a "rescheduled arrival time."

* You're not having a bad hair day, you're suffering from "rebellious

follicle syndrome."

* You don't have smelly gym socks, you have "odor-retentive athletic

footwear."

* You're not shy. You're "conversationally selective."

* You weren't passing notes in class. You were "participating in the

discreet exchange of penned meditations."

* You're not being sent to the principal's office. You're "going on a

mandatory field trip to the administrative building."

* It's not called gossip anymore. It's "the speedy transmission of

near-factual information."

* The food at the school cafeteria isn't awful. It's "digestively

challenged."

We have become experts at using language to hide the reality of our situation. We don't hear much about homosexuals, instead we talk of those with an "alternative lifestyle." Fornication is now referred to as "cohabiting with a significant other." We rarely sin; we merely "fail to live up to our full potential." It's not a new game -- the Pharisees neglected the welfare of their parents, but called it "Corban" (dedication to God).

Changing the wording doesn't change the sin. "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20).

............older

The author of the following prayer is unknown to me:

Lord, keep me from the fatal habit of thinking that I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs.

Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all - but Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end.

Keep my mind from the recital of endless details - give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by.

I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others but help me to listen to them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory but a growing humility and lessening cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet. I do not want to be a "saint" - some of them are hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil.

Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places and talents in unexpected people. Give me the grace to tell them so.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Growing old can be a frightening thing. We worry about what we will be like in the years ahead. We hope to be wise and gentle and kind and loving. The only way to be that way as an old person, though, is to strive to live that way every day as a young person.

"Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, 'I have no pleasure in them.' " (Eccl. 12:1)

-author unknown

There is a humorous incident that Patsy Clairmont tells about in her book, 

"God Uses Cracked Pots." It happened with her son, Jason:

She writes, "When he was 7, I sent him off to school one day and a little while later there was a knock at the door and I opened the door and it was Jason. I said, 'Jason, what are you doing here?'"

He said, "I've quit school!"

She said, "Why have you quit school?"

He said, "Well, it was too long, it was too hard, and it was too boring."

She said, "Jason, you have just described life, get back on the bus!"

There are times when that describes our lives to a tee -- it's long, it's hard and it's boring! The result can be that we get tired of doing what is good. After all, no one appreciates it anyway, sometimes it seems that we aren't really accomplishing anything, and it requires so much effort. It's so easy to "lose heart," grow weary and just want to quit.

In moments like that, remember these words of Paul:

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." (Galatians 6:9-10)

If you have grown weary, may you find the strength this day to renew your determination to continue to serve God!

....wrong

Here is a list of "Murphy's Laws for Churches" (author unknown):

Video projectors always work before the class meeting begins.

The probability of the preacher tripping over the mike cord is greater on "Bring A Friend" Sunday than any other week.

The largest Bible Class will show up when the teacher feels his/her worst.

No matter how many bulletins you print, you'll always need one more.

A member living 15 miles away will be 15 minutes early; members living two blocks will be 15 minutes late.

The shorter the agenda, the longer the business meeting.

Saying "Let us pray" or singing "Just As I Am" causes babies to cry.

When you answer the Bible teacher's question right, nobody remembers; when you are wrong, nobody forgets.

The furnace only fails when the outside temperature is more than 20 degrees below zero. The air conditioner only fails when the outside temperature is 90 degrees or above.

When the preacher misspeaks in a sermon, at least half of those taking notes will write the remark down as an important thought from the sermon.

Murphy's Law ("Whatever can go wrong will go wrong") manifests itself in a multitude of ways in our lives. In fact, there are times when it seems that EVERYTHING is going wrong. How we react to those situations says a lot about our character.

Do we react by saying, "Everything will turn out all right eventually"? We may be living in a dream world.

Do we react by saying, "How could God do this to me"? Our bitterness may cause us to turn away from God.

Or do we react by turning to God, praying for strength, trusting Him to see us through?

In Acts 4, the apostles were threatened by government officials and forbidden to preach in the name of Jesus. They prayed, "Now, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word...." (Acts 4:29)

Father, there may be those reading this message whose world has come crashing down around them. May you bless them with strength; make them mindful of just how much they need your help. May you use the times when things go wrong as opportunities to manifest your glory in a special way. In Jesus name, amen.

mud

Albert walks in to his doctor's office for his yearly physical exam as he has done the same time every year that he can remember. The doctor takes him through all of the motions, does the normal tests and then leaves to get the results. After about 30 minutes, the doctor returns with a very sad look on his face.

"Well Doc, what kind of shape am I in this time?" Albert asks.

"Albert, I don't know what to say. The news is bad. Really bad."

"What is it Doc?"

"I hate to have to give you such bad news. I can't find the words to tell you. I really don't know what to say."

Albert, being a strong man who appreciates straight talk, tells the doctor, "Ok, don't beat around the bush. Tell me what you know. I can take it".

"Well", says the doctor, "Let me put it this way. I think that you should go to Arkansas and visit the hot springs there for a nice relaxing mud bath. Spend some time soaking in the mud."

"Oh, so I need to relax a little bit, eh? Will that cure me, Doc?"

"No, Albert, it won't cure you. And it won't help you relax. But it will help you get used to being covered in dirt."

From time to time, we all need to be reminded of our mortality. "As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." (Psa. 103:15)

It is only when we are convinced of the limited time we have on this earth that we feel motivated to plan for where we will spend eternity. That's why Solomon said,

"Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; And the living will take it to heart." (Eccl.7:2)

The house of feasting is certainly more fun. But while we are in the house of mourning, we are reminded that death will come to us all. As someone has put it, we are all "terminal." May we "take it to heart" and live accordingly.

Oh, and if you happen to be in Arkansas anytime soon, I highly recommend the mud bath.

existence

The story is told of a Russian named Ivanovich who visited the Moscow zoo for the first time. To his amazement, he found a little lamb sharing the cage with a big fierce bear.

Ivanovich expressed surprise to his guide. The guide smiled and said, "That is peaceful coexistence."

When Ivanovich shook his head in a doubtful way, the guide explained, "Of course, we have to put in a fresh lamb every morning."

As much as we should strive for peace, there are some things which simply cannot coexist peacefully -- truth and error, righteousness and ungodliness, morality and immorality.

If we try to combine two such things in our lives, they will only coexist "peacefully" only if one gobbles up the other. That's why James was so forceful in his warning:

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." (James 4:4, NASB)

? single

Sophie and Shirley, two elderly widows in a Florida adult community, are curious about the latest arrival in their building -- a quiet, nice looking gentleman who keeps to himself.

Shirley says," Sophie, you know I'm shy. Why don't you go over to him at the pool and find out a little about him. He looks so lonely."

Sophie agrees, and later that day at the pool, she walks up to him and says, "Excuse me, mister. I hope I'm not prying, but my friend and I were wondering why you looked so lonely."

"Of course I'm lonely, he says, "I've spent the past 20 years in prison."

"You're kidding! What for?"

"For killing my third wife. I strangled her."

"What happened to your second wife?"

"I shot her."

"And, if I may ask, your first wife?"

"We had a fight and she fell off a building."

"Oh my," says Sophie. Then turning to her friend on the other side of the pool, she yells, "Yoo hoo, Shirley. He's single."

It worries me when I see single people overly anxious to find a mate. Perhaps, though, we have contributed to the situation by treating singleness like it's some sort of disease. Singles often comment that they feel out of place at church (activities tend to be family-oriented) and feel they are sometimes regarded as less important than married people. While marriage is a God-ordained institution, I think we do a disservice by suggesting that singles are somehow "incomplete" until they find that "certain someone."

The truth is, while Paul held marriage in high regard (Eph. 5), he preferred being single and recommended it to Christians at Corinth in the difficult situation they were facing (I Cor. 7). Single Christians have the opportunity to serve God in ways that married Christians would have difficulty doing. Of course, the converse is also true.

So what is the lesson to be learned? In whatever situation you are in, seek to serve God with all your heart. If you are single, use your singleness to serve God as best as you can. And if you're married, use your married status to do the same.

"But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk.....keeping the commandments of God is what matters." (I Cor. 7:17,19b)

? own

George Washington Truett was a preacher in Dallas for 47 years. He once visited a wealthy West Texas rancher and had dinner in his huge ranch home. After dinner, the rancher took Dr. Truett up to a veranda on top of his house, and lit up a big cigar. The sun was setting, and if you've ever been to West Texas, you know you can see a long way out there. The man pointed to the south toward some oil rigs and said, "I own everything in that direction as far as you can see." He pointed east toward some cotton fields and said, "And I own everything in that direction, too." He pointed north toward a huge herd of cattle and bragged, "And, preacher, I own everything as far as you can see in that direction." He turned to the west, and said, "And I own everything you can see in that direction, except the sun, of course." 

Dr. Truett turned to the man and pointed straight up the sky and said, "And how much do you own in that direction?" 

It's a sobering question for all of us. We are surrounded constantly by the "things" of this world, and it is so easy to think that these "things" are the things that matter most -- a nice car, a nice home, nice clothes (and don't forget all the necessary electronic gadgets!). And so, if we're not careful, we may seek to accumulate more and more, without regard to our relationship with God. As the rich fool discovered in Luke 12, we will all one day be forced to recognize that the material things we have accumulated have no eternal value.

Jesus said, "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21).

How much do you own in that direction?

next

In my next life, I want to be a bear...

If you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for six months. I could deal with that. 

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that, too. 

If you're a bear, you birth your children while you're sleeping (who are the size of walnuts) and wake to partially grown, cute cuddly cubs. I could deal with that in a big way. 

If you're a mama bear, everyone knows you mean business. You swat anyone who bothers your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that. 

If you're a bear, your mate EXPECTS you to wake up growling. He EXPECTS that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat. 

Yup...gonna be a bear!

I admit it sounds tempting -- especially the part about being able to eat and sleep (and growl!). But for those of us who are Christians,

there's something even BETTER than lies ahead. What could possibly be

better than that? 

How about a life where there's no more pain and no more heartache? A family reunion where you're surrounded by people who all have a heart

for God. A place where you don't have to live in fear and suspicion.

A place where all your needs are met. An eternity in the arms of your heavenly Father.  

"And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.' Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." (Rev. 21:3-5a)

In my next life, I don't want to be a bear......I want to be with God!

catch

Two Alabama State Troopers were chasing a Camaro east on I-20 toward Georgia. When the suspect crossed the Georgia line, the first Trooper pulled over quickly.

The rookie Trooper pulled in behind him and said, "Hey Sarge, why did you stop?"

The Sergeant replied, "Stupid rookie, he's in Georgia now. They're an hour ahead of us, so we'll never catch him."

I know the feeling. Not of being in a car chase, but of feeling that there's no way I can ever catch up. I experience it weekly, if not daily. There never seem to be enough hours in a day. I always feel one step behind where I ought to be. Do you know the feeling as well? Allow me to remind you of a Bible verse:

"Be still, and know that I am God." (Psa. 46:10)

But I can't take time to be still! I have places to go, things to do, phone calls to make, deadlines to meet!

"Be still, and know that I am God."

But if I do that, I'll never get caught up!

"Be still, and know that I am God."

Father, forgive me of the times that I am in such a hurry that I have no time for you. Please quiet my spirit and remind me of who you are and how much I need you. In Jesus' name, amen.

sing

Joe's wife likes to sing so she decided to join the church choir. From time to time she would practice while she was in the kitchen preparing dinner. 

Whenever she would start in on a song, Joe would head outside to the porch. His wife, with hurt feelings, said, "What's the matter, Joe? Don't you like my singing?" 

Joe replied, "Honey, I love your singing, but I just want to make sure the neighbors know I'm not beating you."

Let's be honest -- not everyone has the voice of an angel (you'll certainly know that if you've been watching WB's recent show, "Superstar USA"). And I wish I had a nickel for every time that someone has told me that they don't like to sing out at church because they can't sing well.  

There's only one measure that God uses to determine who sings well, though, and it's not pitch, tone, or rhythm. It's what's in the heart. The truth is, many of those with perfect pitch are not singing "well" and many of those who "can't carry a tune in a bucket" have an audience in heaven hanging on their every note.

"...Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Eph. 5:18-20)

Offer God the very best that you have to offer, but remember that it is what is in the heart that matters the most.

.....even

The following is reported to be a true story (from Australian Aviation magazine):

After a particularly lousy landing by the co-pilot of an Australian commercial airline, that co-pilot heard the Captain say into his microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, XXX airlines wishes to apologize for that rough landing provided today by our first officer".

Some months later the same crew were together and, you guessed it, the Captain had an even worse landing. The First Officer immediately jumped on the intercom announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, XXX airlines wishes to apologize for that rough landing provided today by our Captain".

The Captain immediately responded angrily, "What did you say that for?"

The First Officer replied, "Remember a couple of months back? I owed it to you!"

"But I never keyed the mike!" responded the Captain.

How many times have we tried to "get even" with someone only to suffer embarrassment or hurt as a result? We think that paying someone back will make us feel better, but it doesn't, even when we truly have been done wrong.

Solomon gave this wise piece of advice: "Do not say, 'I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did.'" (Proverbs 24:29, NIV)

Suffering wrong without retaliation is one of the toughest things Jesus asks us to do, but it's the right thing.

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

up

I had a day off last week and spent part of it doing some yardwork. After I finished, I went through the garage to get back into the house. But, as I was climbing the stairs, I heard a loud fluttering of wings above me. My first thought was that a large moth or small bat had gotten itself trapped, but then I realized it was a tiny bird — a hummingbird! Its wings were flapping with great intensity as the bird slammed itself repeatedly into the ceiling. It was clearly intent on flying upward, but there was no way out in that direction No doubt the poor bird had to be exhausted, and it was evident that it wasn’t going to find its way out by itself.

Using my hand, I carefully guided the hummingbird out into the middle of the garage, thinking it would have no trouble finding an exit with the garage door wide open. The bird quickly found a resting spot, but when it tried to leave, it once again headed upward, banging itself into the ceiling over and over. Could it not see the wide open door with freedom just a few feet away? Why was it intent on searching for an escape route straight up? Finally, with a little assistance from Joshua, the bird made its way outside.

I couldn’t help but think how much like that hummingbird we all are. The difference is that our search is for happiness and the “meaning of life.” We search in all the wrong places over and over again, looking to material goods or immorality or addictive substances, all without success. And instead of seeing the wide open door that God has provided, we continue to painfully beat our heads in frustration. We try again and again without finding the happiness we crave, so we try even harder. We work longer hours to collect more “stuff”, we sample something a little bit stronger. Why are we so blind that we cannot see what God has made available? He wants us to find the freedom of living for Him. Time and again, He gently nudges us in the right direction. But we’re so blind (or stubborn?).

“In the Lord I take refuge…Flee like a bird to your mountain.” (Psalm 11:1)

Lord, please open our eyes. Help us to see the frustration of our attempts to seek happiness apart from you. Help us to see the need to yield ourselves to your nudges as you seek to move us in the right direction. Thank you for the blessings that you have made so richly available and that you desire for us to enjoy. In Jesus’ name

prayer

he following prayer was penned by Ray Comfort:

Father, I have a problem,

It's weighing heavy on me.

It's all I can think about,

night and day.

Before I bring it to you in prayer.

I suppose I should pray for those

who are less fortunate than me--

Those in this world who have

hardly enough food for this day,

and for those who don't have

a roof over their heads at night.

I also pray for families

who have lost loved ones

in sudden death,

for parents whose children

have leukemia,

for the many people who are

dying of brain tumors,

for the hundreds of thousands

who are laid waste with

other terrible cancers,

for people whose bodies

have been suddenly

shattered in car wrecks,

for those who are lying

in the hospital with agonizing

burns over their bodies,

whose faces have been

burned beyond recognition.

I pray for people with emphysema,

whose eyes fill with terror

as they struggle for every

breath merely to live,

for those who are tormented

beyond words by irrational fears,

for the elderly who are wracked

with the pains of aging,

whose only "escape" is death.

I pray for people who are watching

their loved ones fade before their eyes

through the grief of Alzheimer's disease,

for the many thousands

who are suffering

the agony of AIDS,

for those who are in such despair

they are about to commit suicide,

for people who are tormented

by the demons of

alcoholism and drug addiction.

I pray for children

who have been abandoned

by their parents,

for those who are sexually abused,

for wives held in quiet despair,

beaten and abused by

cruel and drunken husbands,

for people whose minds

have been destroyed

by mental disorders,

for those who have lost everything

in floods, tornadoes,

hurricanes, and earthquakes.

I pray for the blind,

who never see the faces

of the ones they love,

or the beauty of a sunrise,

for those whose bodies are

horribly deformed by painful arthritis,

for the many whose lives

will be taken from them today

by murderers,

for those wasting away

on their death beds.

Most of all,

I cry out for the millions

who don't know the forgiveness

that is in Jesus Christ...

for those who in a moment of time

will be swept into Hell

by the cold hand of death,

and find to their utter

horror the unspeakable

vengeance of eternal fire.

They will be eternally damned

to everlasting punishment.

Oh God, I pray for them.

Strange ...

I can't seem to remember

what my problem was ...

In Jesus' name I pray, Amen!

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men." (I Timothy 2:1)

Intercession means to go to God in prayer on behalf of someone else. What a blessing to know that not only do Jesus Christ (Heb. 7:25) and the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:26-27) intercede on our behalf, but we also have the privilege of being able to intercede for one another.

Why not take a moment to pray for others you know who are in need this day.