A woman was asked by a co-worker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"
The co-worker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin. God picks you
from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then he cuts off the
top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc.,
and then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for
all the world to see."
This was passed on to me from another pumpkin. Now, it is your turn
to pass it to a pumpkin. I liked this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.
INSPIRATION: 25 secrets of endless love
Date: Tue, 3 Sep 2002
1. We remember the moments in life, not the days.
2. Face-to-face conversations don't work by phone.
3. Gifts are not a substitute for caring.
4. People are not yo-yos. Drop them, and they may not return.
5. When kids are ready to talk, be ready to listen.
6. An ounce of love outweighs a pound of promises.
7. You can prepare your children for life, but you can't live it for them.
8. Uncles and aunts are the parents who didn't give birth to you.
9. A strong marriage is the union of two staunch individualists.
10. Turning your back and walking away ends more than just a conversation.
11. Marrying for money is a high price to pay.
12. Yell at your children and get the same in return.
13. If you take things for granted, you won't have them for very long.
14. Caring should be demonstrated 365 days a year---not just on holidays.
15. A well-fed child can still be starved for affection.
16. The most important things a child can inherit are fond memories.
7. Sharing an hour of memories with an elder is often better than a week's worth of
medicine.
18. The two greatest timesavers are saying, "I don't know" and "I was
wrong."
19. Watch your children grow, and they will teach you what you've taught them.
20. Never go to bed before settling an argument.
21. There's a difference between nurturing your children and smothering them.
22. Relationships are built on the little things.
23. If we give our children everything, we deprive them of aspirations.
24. Celebrate holidays as a family.
25. Never stop courting your spouse.
Author: Unknown
I Have a little story that I learned in Sunday School.
TO THE FAITHFUL YOU SHOW YOURSELF FAITHFUL. LET LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS NEVER LEAVE YOU
A story is told of a village in a part of the world that is rainy
for a small part of the year and dry throughout the rest of the year.
One year, the village elders announced a plan; Everyone in the village
was to bring a single cup of water in a tank in the center of town during the rainy season
then, when the dry season came, and water was scarce, the village would still have water
in the tank.
The villagers all cheered the elders' plan,and agreed. the rainy season
came and went; dust began to settle on the village,the ground began to crack from the
dryness, and water became scarce.
Then the day arrived when the elders agreed that the tank should be
opened and the precious water should be shared among the villagers. Everyone gathered
around the tank with cups and bowls, and a spirit of celebration was in the tank and
discovered that not a drop of water was found in side!
Only then was it learned that not one of the villagers who had agreed
to the elders'plan had given a single cup of water. Each had assumed that his or her cup
of water would not be missed, and so the water tank had sat empty throughout the rainy
season. the village was without water.
It's easy to think that no one will notice our unfaithfulness. It's
easy to skip church or not attend a club meeting at school or decide not to fulfill a
promise we've made to a friend, thinking "no one will notice" or :its no big
deal, but faithfulness doesn't hurt only those who are depending on us, it hurts us too.
If each of the villagers had brought his or her cup of water, that water would have been
returned to them all. if you are faithful, you'll receive faithfulness back-from God and
from others.
REFLECT
What do you think would have happened if the villagers in the story had
kept their agreement? do you ever act like those villagers,thinking no one will notice
your irresponsiblity or unfaithfulness? have you ever been hurt or disappointed by your
own unfaithfulness? Read the words of psalms 18:25-28 out loud, this time making them your
prayer to God.
The man whispered, "God, speak to me"
and a meadowlark sang. But, the man did not hear.
.
So the man yelled, "God, speak to me"
and the thunder rolled across the sky. But, the man did not listen.
.
The man looked around and said, "God let me see you." And a star shined
brightly. But the man did not see.
.
And, the man shouted, "God show me a miracle."
And, a life was born. But, the man did not notice.
.
So, the man cried out in despair,
"Touch me God, and let me know you are here." Whereupon, God reached down
and touched the man.
But, the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
.
I found this to be a great reminder that God
is always around us in the little and simple things
that we take for granted ... even in our electronic age ...
so I would like to add one more:
The man cried, "God, I need your help!"
And an e-mail arrived reaching out
with good news and encouragement. But, the man deleted it and continued crying ...
.
Don't miss out on a blessing
because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
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A1Cajun
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