While walking into a toy store the day before today
I overheard a crayon box with many things to say
"I don't like Red!" said Yellow and Green said "Nor do I"
"And no one here likes Orange but no one knows just why"
"We are a box of crayons that doesn't get along
Said Blue to all the others "Something here is wrong"
Well, I bought that box of crayons and took it home with me
And laid out all the colors so the crayons all could see
They watched me as I colored with Red and Blue and Green
And Black and White and Orange and every color in between
They watched as Green became the grass and Blue became the sky
The Yellow sun was shining bright on White clouds drifting by
Colors changing as they touched becoming something new
They watched me as I colored - they watched me till I was through
And when I finally finished I began to walk away
And as I did the crayon box had something more to say
"I do like Red!" said Yellow and Green said, "so do I"
And Blue you were terrific! So high up in the sky
"We are a box of crayons each one of us unique
But when we get together the picture is more complete."
John 13:34-35 (NKJ) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
[ By Shane DeRolf -- from 'TPS' ]
Apr 30, 2009
The Crayon Box That Talked
Apr 28, 2009
My Turning Point
A friend of mine came by one day
And shared an old, old story.
He spoke to me of God's great love.
He spoke of heaven's glory.
He spoke to me of man's great need -
Forgiveness for our sin.
But if we'd open wide our heart,
Then Jesus would come in.
I thought about what this friend said;
Won'dring - could this be true?
Then, on my knees, I prayed, "Dear God,
I want this life brand new."
And in that instant Jesus came,
Right straight into my heart.
There, in His presence oh so real,
I knew He'd not depart.
My sins, completely washed away,
My step, a whole lot lighter,
A wave of love washed over me,
And ev'rything seemed brighter.
In that one eternal instant,
My life forever changed;
Priorities turned upside down;
Desires were rearranged.
Now ev'ry day I realize,
When life seems out of joint,
I can concentrate on Jesus -
He is my Turning Point!
[ by Neil G. Thompson, copyright 2/15/94 -- from 'Themestream' ]
Apr 26, 2009
How Many Friends Do You Have?
The old man turned to me and asked
"How many friends have you?"
Why 10 or 20 Friends have I,
And named off just a few--
He rose quite slow with effort
And sadly shook his head
"A lucky child you are
To have so many friends," he said,
But think of what you're saying
There is so much you do not know
A friend is just not someone
to whom you say "Hello"
A friends a tender shoulder
on which to softly cry
A well to poor your troubles down
and raise your spirits high
A friend is a hand to pull you up
From darkness and despair...
when all your other "so called" friends
Have helped to put you there
A true friend is an ally
who can't be moved or bought
a voice to keep your name alive
when others have forgot
But most of all a friend is a heart
a strong and sturdy wall
for from the hearts of friends
There comes the greatest love of all
So think of what I've spoken
for every word is true
And answer once again my child
How many friends have you??
And then he stood and faced me
Awaiting my reply
Softly I answered
If Lucky......
One Have "I"
"YOU!!!!!"
[ Author Unknown -- from 'Love Quotes' ]
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
(Proverbs 17:17)
Apr 24, 2009
Judge Gently
Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.
There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.
Dont sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.
You may be strong but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.
Dont be too harsh with the man that sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure -
That you have no sins of your own.
For you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.
[Author Unknown -- from 'Aiken Drum' (Aiken@AikensLaughs.com)]
Apr 22, 2009
Job 38-39
Till I reach that pearly gate
Then wait I must.
Though my heart says I should hurry,
Still my Lord says not to worry,
I must trust...
"O, My child ~ thou art Mine,
You must seek My will, not thine,
Do not fret thyself about what is to be...
For thy future have no dread,
Leave it in My hands instead,
For I alone know what is best for thee.
"Dwell on what My hands have made,
Count the stars My hands have stayed
To spin in motion...
Guess the secrets that I keep
In the mysteries of My deep
Uncharted ocean.
"Can you make the grass to sprout,
Paint the colors in a trout,
Or make the brook sing?
When do mountain goats give birth,
Who brings flowers out of earth,
Or gives the bird wing?
"Do you give the horse his might,
Can you change the day to night,
Or make a rainbow?
At My wish the eagle soars,
I command the rain that pours,
And make the wind blow.
"This and far more I can do...
Am I big enough for you
To trust your life to?
Is My universe too small
To be trusted with your all?
Child, taste of Me and see
How much I love you!"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"O, taste and see that the Lord is good..."(Psalm 34:8, KJV)
Apr 20, 2009
Apr 10, 2009
The Auction
The upstate NY man was rich in almost every way. His estate was worth millions. He owned houses, land, antiques and cattle. But though on the outside he had it all, he was very unhappy on the inside. His wife was growing old, and the couple was childless. He had always wanted a little boy to carry on the family legacy.
Miraculously, his wife became pregnant in her later years, and she gave birth to a little boy. The boy was severely handicapped, but the man loved him with his whole heart. When the boy was five, his mom died. The dad drew closer to his special son. At age 13, the boys's birth defects cost him his life and the father died soon after from a broken heart. 
The estate was auctioned before hundreds of bidders. The first item offered was a painting of the the boy. No one bid. They waited like vultures for the riches. Finally, the poor housemaid, who helped raise the boy, offered $5 for the picture and easily took the bid. To every-one's shock, the auctioneer ripped a hand written will from the back of the picture. This is what it said: "To the person who thinks enough of my son to buy this painting, to this person I give my entire estate."
The auction was over. The greedy crowd walked away in shock and dismay.
How many of us have sought after what we thought were true riches only to find out later that our Father was prepared to give us His entire estate if we had only sought after His Son alone?
Matthew 6:19-21 (CEV) Don't store up treasures on earth! Moths and rust can destroy them, and thieves can break in and steal them. Instead, store up your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy them, and thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will always be where your treasure is.
Proverbs 11:28 (NIV) Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.
1 Timothy 6:17 (CEV) Warn the rich people of this world not to be proud or to trust in wealth that is easily lost. Tell them to have faith in God, who is rich and blesses us with everything we need to enjoy life.
Apr 7, 2009
Satan's Garage Sale
Once upon a time, Satan was having a garage sale. There, standing in little groups were all of his bright, shiny trinkets.
Here were tools that make it easy to tear others down for use as stepping stones. And over there were some lenses for magnifying ones own importance, which, if you looked through them the other way, you could also use to belittle others, or even one's self. Against the wall was the usual assortment of gardening implements guaranteed to help your pride grow by leaps and bounds: the rake of scorn, the shovel of jealousy for digging a pit for your neighbor, the tools of gossip and backstabbing, of selfishness and apathy.
All of these were pleasing to the eye and came complete with fabulous promises and guarantees of prosperity. Prices, of course, were steep; but not to worry! Free credit was extended to one and all.
"Take it home, use it, and you won't have to pay until later!" old Satan cried, as he hawked his wares.
The visitor, as he browsed, noticed two well worn, non-descript tools standing in one corner. Not being nearly as tempting as the other items, he found it curious that these two tools had price tags higher than any other.
When he asked why, Satan just laughed and said, "Well, that's because I use them so much. If they weren't so plain looking, people might see them for what they were." Satan pointed to the two tools, saying, "You see, that one's Doubt and that one's Discouragement -- and those will work when nothing else will."
The devil tries to equip us with so many tools; tools that encourage descruction or separation from God.
Just because we can buy it does not mean we should try it!
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14: 23
The Lord tells us not to be discouraged...
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40: 29 -31
Apr 1, 2009
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'
Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child.
Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
