Good Stories to Read
The Song Playing is " Change my Heart"
Praise God! You made it here! This is a page where
I can gonna put poems or stories on here. I have received them in email
or by a friend, and would love to share them with you. The stories
reflect Jesus in them, or brougth me closer to him, or just touch my
heart. I hope they do the same for you. Enjoy!
Good stories or poems that are my favorite ones
"A Child's Ten Commandments to Parents"
1. My hands are small; please, don't expect perfection
whenever I make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball.
My legs are short; please, slow down so that I can keep
up with you.
2. My eyes have not seen the world as your's have; please
let me explore safely. Don't restrict me unnecessarily.
3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for a
short time, please, take time to explain things to me about
this wonderful world and do so willingly.
4. My feelings are tender; please, be sensitive to my
needs. Don't nag me all day long. ( You wouldn't want
to be nagged for your inquisitiveness). Treat me as you
would like to be treated.
5. I am a special gift from God; please, treasure me as
God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my
actions, giving me guidelines to live by and disciplining
me in a loving manner.
6. I need your encouragement to grow. Please, go easy
on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I
do without criticizing me.
7. Please, give me the freedom to make decisions
concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn
from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to
make the kinds of decisions that life requires of me.
8. Please, don't do things over for me. Somehow that
makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up
to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please, don't
try to compare me to my brother or sister.
9. Please, don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together.
Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need
vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us
kids that your marriage is very special.
10. Please, take me to Sunday School and church or
synagogue regularly, setting a good example for me to
follow. I enjoy learning more about God.
HOPE
I've got a God who understands;
Who holds me daily in His hands.
My God controls the sun and rain,
Yet He knows my private pain.
He cares when I ask "why?"
He comforts when I cry.
He answers,
"My child, peace, be still.
Learn to rest in my will.
Bring your need to Me in prayer,
I will comfort and heal you there.
Learn to see with eyes like mine,
That look beyond both space and time,
Where you will rest on heaven's shore,
And live with Me forevermore."
"Growing Up"
We all know that if children are to grow up healthy and mature
there are some essential things that must be done. Growth is not
automatic. They need proper nourishment. They need be kept
away from everything that is poisonous. They need to develop
healthy appetites, not only with regard to food, but in every
aspect of life. They need wise godly council. If a child shows
signs of not growing we take immediate action for we know that
not growing means the child is dying.
This is one of Peter's concerns for Christians in 1 Peter 2:1-3. He
greatly desires that Christians "grow up in their salvation," for if
they are not growing they are in great danger. (2:2) As in the
physical so it is in the spiritual, growth is not automatic. There
are essentials necessary for us to grow. Two of the essentials for
Christian growth are revealed to us in this passage.
We are first told to remove the poisons to Christian growth; "rid
yourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of
every kind." The word "rid" can also be translated "strip off," as
one strips off soiled clothing. It denotes a conscious and
concerted effort to be done with these poisons. Note that this is
our responsibility. We cannot rid ourselves of these sins in the
heart. Only God in Christ can do this. Only He can make a clean
heart. But once He has made it clean we are responsible to keep
it clean. In Christ we must not allow these poisons in our life and
we must keep ourselves away from areas of temptation. By the
power of His abiding Spirit we can and must fulfill our
responsibility to rid ourselves of all that is unhealthy to our
growth and development in Christ Jesus.
We can not grow by only removing the poisons. Doing so would
leave us malnourished and empty. We must take in proper
nourishment. Indeed, we need to "crave the pure spiritual milk."
Milk is used several times in the New Testament to refer to
Scripture and to sound biblical doctrine, the nourishment for
growing Christians. We need to develop an appetite for the God's
Word and the things of God. Appetites are as much, if not more,
a matter of learned behavior as they are natural likes and dislikes.
I have had many people tell me that there was a particular food
or drink that when first tried they didn't like it. But they
developed a taste for it. We never have an appetite for what we
have never tasted. God gives us the desire for His Word but we
must develop the appetite for it.
It is more than having an appetite, we are to "crave" it. When our
oldest child was an infant my wife needed some time alone, away
from house and child . I therefore came home early from my
study to watch our daughter so my wife could go out shopping
for a while. She wife promised she would be home for the next
feeding time. Enjoying her time out my wife lost track of time. I
on the other hand was fully aware she was late for my daughter
was crying, very loudly, for mom. She was nursing and was not
bottle trained, so there wasn't a thing I could do. Only mom's
pure milk would satisfy. No substitutes or attempts to soothe
would do. I learned a lesson about craving pure milk that day.
My daughter taught me very loudly what is means! Its no wonder
Peter says, "like newborn babies crave the pure spiritual milk! "
Note also the emphasis on "pure." Not skim, but the whole
unadulterated milk. We cannot grow on skimming through the
Word and on bit and pieces of godly instruction. We need the
whole council of God and to feast upon His Word. We need to
come to the table; places where God's Word is being rightly
proclaimed and taught. Sadly the Church today is filled with
anorexic Christians, malnourished from lack of eating.
If we are not growing we are decaying. There is not middle road
here. Therefore beloved let us rid ourselves of all malice and all
deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn
babies, let us crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it we may grow
up in your salvation, now that we have tasted that the Lord is
good. (paraphrase of 1 Peter 2:1-3)
Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry
"A Pause To Ponder God's Word" is written and distributed by
Pastor Gerald Whetstone, Pastor and teacher.
Dear Friend,
As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would
talk to
me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion, or thanking me
for
something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you
were
too busy trying to find the right outfit to put on and wear to school.
I
waited again. When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there
would
be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello. But you were too busy.
At
one point, you had to wait fifteen minutes without nothing to do except
sit in
a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to
talk to
me but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest
gossip. I
watched as you went to school and I waited patiently all day long. With
all
your activities, I guess you were too busy to say anything to me. I
noticed
that before lunch you looked around. Maybe you felt embarrassed to talk
to
me, that is why you didn't bow your head. You glanced three or four
tables
over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before
they
ate. But you didn't. That's okay. There is still more time left and I
have
hope that you will talk to me. Even yet, you went home and it seemed as
if
you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done you turned
on the
TV. I don't know if I like TV or
not. Just about anything goes there & you spend a lot of time each day
in
front of it, not thinking about anything; just enjoying the show. I
waited
patiently again as you watched TV and ate your meal. But again you
didn't
talk to me. As you did your homework, I waited again. You did what you
had
to do. At bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said
goodnight to
your family you plopped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That's
okay
because you may not
realize that I am always there for you. I've got patience. More than
you
will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others
as
well. Because I love you so much. A long time ago, I left a wonderful
place
called Heaven and came to Earth. I gave it up so that I could be
ridiculed
and made fun of. And I even died so you wouldn't have to take my
place. I
love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer, thought, or a
thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided
conversation.
Well you are getting up again and once again I will wait with nothing
but love
for you; hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!
Your friend,
Jesus
ATTITUDE
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude to me is more important than
facts. It is more important than the past, than education,
than money, than circumstances, than failures, than
successes, than what other people think or say or do. It
is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.
It will make or break a company...a church...a home. The
remarkable thing is you have a choice every day regarding
the attitude you will embrace for that day. We cannot
change our past...we cannot change the fact that people
will act in a certain way. We cannot change the
inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one
string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced
that life is ten percent what happens to me and ninety
percent how I react to it. And so it is with you. You are
in charge of your attitude.
- Charles R. Swindoll
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER
(Erma Bombeck)
I would have talked less and listened more...
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was
stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the "good" living room and worried
much
less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the
fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about
his youth
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on
a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it
melted in
storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about
grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more
while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the
earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical,
wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy,
I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment
growing
inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said,
"Later, now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous"...more "I'm sorrys" but
mostly....
GIVEN ANOTHER SHOT AT LIFE,
I WOULD SEIZE EVERY MINUTE...
LOOK AT IT AND REALLY SEE IT..
LIVE IT..
AND NEVER GIVE IT BACK.
Lord, throughout this day,
As I try to follow You,
Let this be my rule to live by:
What would Jesus Do?
When a friend or loved one
Asks me for a moment or two,
May I think of one thing only:
What Would Jesus Do?
In all my dealings, help me
To be honest, fair and true,
To measure each decision by:
What Would Jesus Do?
When I'm feeling troubled
And I turn in prayer to You,
Give me wisdom to decide:
What Would Jesus Do?
And let me promise each new day
To live my whole life through,
In love and peace, remembering"
What Would Jesus Do?
Then when the day is ended,
May I resolve anew
To guide tomorrow by the motto:
What Would Jesus Do?
A Parable For Mothers
The young mother set her foot on the path of Life. "Is the way long?"
she
asked. And her Guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be
old
before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the
beginning."
But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything
could
be better than these years. So she played with her children, and
gathered
flowers for them along the way, and bathed with them in the streams, and
the
sun shone on them, and life was good, and the young mother cried:
"Nothing
will ever be lovelier than this".
Then night came, and storm, and the path was dark, and the children
shook with
fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her
mantle
and the children said: "Oh, Mother, we are not afraid for you are near,
and no
harm can come." And the mother said: "This is better than the brightest
of
days, for I have taught my children courage."
And the morning came and there was a hill ahead, and the children
climbed and
grew weary, and the mother was weary, but at all times she said to the
children: "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed,
and
when they reached the top, they said: "We could not have done it without
you,
Mother." And the mother, when she lay down that night, looked up at the
stars
and said: "This is a better day than the last, for my children have
learned fortitude in the face of difficulty. Yesterday I gave them
courage,
Today I have given them strength."
And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth - clouds
of war
and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother
said:
"Look up! Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw
above
the clouds an Everlasting Glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness.
And
that night the mother said: "This is the best day of all, for I have
shown my
children God."
And the days went on, and the months and the years, and the mother grew
old,
and she was small and bent. But her children were strong and tall and
walked
with courage. And when the way was hard, they helped their mother; and
when
the way was rough they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather;
and at
last they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining
road
and golden gates flung wide. And the mother said: "I have reached the
end of my journey. And now I know that the end is better than the
beginning,
for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."
And the children said: "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when
you
have gone through the gates."
And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates
closed
after her. And they said: "We cannot see her, but she is with us. A
mother
like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."
How To Plant A Special Garden
FIRST plant five rows of PEAS: Preparedness, Promptness, Perserverance,
Politeness, and Prayer.
NEXT to them plant three rows of SQUASH: Squash gossip, Squash
criticism,
Squash indifference.
THEN plant five rows of LETTUCE: Let us be faithful, let us be
unselfish, let
us be loyal, let us be truthful, let us love one another.
FINALLY no garden is complete without three rows of TURNIPS: Turn up
for
church, turn up with a smile, turn up with determination.
Second Chances
If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
MY ANGEL
Whenever I am full of fear
My angel whispers in my ear
" Don't be frightened, I am here,
And God is always, always near."
When Loneliness invades my day,
And I feel sad and blue and gray,
My angel calls me out to play,
And helps me chase the grays away.
My angel's always by my side,
To love and comfort, love and guide,
To be there when I slip and slide,
With arms that open extra wide.
There is an angel with you too,
A guardian angel just for you,
To love and guide and help you through,
For that is what they love to do.
B. Vanburen
Teaching Children to Pray-
Many children learn to count on their fingers, but a nurse once taught a
child to pray "on his fingers." This was her method:
Your thumb is the digit nearest to your heart, so pray first for
those who
are closet to you. Your own needs, of course, should be included, as
well
as those of your beloved family and friends.
The second finger is the one used for pointing. Pray for those who
point
you toward the truth, whether at church or school. Pray for your
teachers,
mentors, pastors, and those who inspire your faith.
The third finger is the tallest. Let it stand for the leaders in
every
sphere of life. Pray for those in authority-both within the body of
Christ
and those who hold office in various areas of government.
The fourth finger is the weakest, as every pianist knows. Let it
stand
for those who are in trouble and pain- the sick, injured, abused,
wounded or
hurt.
The little finger is the smallest. Let it stand for those who often
go
unnoticed, including those who suffer abuse and deprivation.
What a simple and wonderful reminder as we pray! What a great tool to
use
in teaching children how to pray for themselves and others.
EVENING, MORNING, AND AT NOON, WILL I PRAY, AND CRY ALOUD: AND HE SHALL
HEAR
MY VOICE. Psalm 55:17
THE ONION
I was an onion before Christ set me free.
Layers upon layers of iniquity.
An ugly old onion whose fragrance was strong;
That my Jesus bought and loved all along.
Unknown to me what He was going to do.
Of what He was planning, I had not a clue.
Pulling each layer off one by one.
In order to make me more like Jesus the Son.
The first layer wasn't so bad.
I saw all the sins that I knew I had.
They were easy to fix, just change the way I talk.
And learn more of how He wanted me to walk.
Reading His Word, and learning again;
How to put aside my life of sin.
But the next layer was pulled which hurt more.
He was getting closer to the core.
Unknown what He would find there.
I simply gave it to Him in prayer.
As another layer was removed, He started to cry;
Pulling this layer brought pain to my Father on High.
And I was crying over the sadness I felt;
The brokenness and all of the guilt.
Past memories that I thought were gone;
But they were buried under layers disguised in a fragrance so strong.
As onions peel more and more;
And they put tears in our eyes as we get close to the core;
So my father wept over my pain;
Giving me a balm of comfort and strength to sustain.
"NO MORE LAYERS…" I would scream.
As he continued to peel them off of me.
"I’ll have nothing left my Lord, what will I do?
I’ll be nothing but a worthless core to you. "
But He just said "Trust me," and continued to peel
I was sure He was blinded to my pain that was so real.
Year after year I shrunk more and more;
Until all that was left of this onion was a core.
It was then that I began to understand;
As the Lord embraced me in His loving hand.
He said, now and only now can you be;
The creation that will minister before me.
Clothed with the righteousness only from above;
Gone are your layers of self so you can be filled with my love.
He took my layers of sin, hurt and pain;
And clothed me with love, truth and mercy in His name.
Yes, we are all onions, learning with each day;
How to overcome as each layer is taken away.
Some layers tear and pull at our heart;
While others grieve us to our innermost part.
But we are nothing but an ugly onion without Christ.
Layers upon layers of pride, sin and strife.
Only God can take those layers away.
And clothe us with His righteousness in that final day.
Sandra C. Johnson
Copyright (c) 1998
The Flower
For some time I have had a person provide me with a rose
boutonniere to pin on the lapel of my suit every Sunday. Because
I always got a flower on Sunday morning, I really did not think
much of it. It was a nice gesture that I appreciated but it
became routine. One Sunday, however, what I considered ordinary
became very special.
As I was leaving the Sunday service a young man approached
me. He walked right up to me and said, "Sir, what are you going
to do with your flower?" At first I did not know what he was
talking about, but then I understood.
I said, "Do you mean this?" as I pointed to the rose pinned
to my coat.
He said, "Yes sir. I would like it if you are just going to
throw it away." At this point I smiled and gladly told him that
he could have my flower, casually asking him what he was going to
do with it. The little boy, who was probably less than 10 years
old, looked up at me and said, "Sir, I'm going to give it to my
granny. My mother and father got divorced last year. I was living
with my mother, but when she married again, she wanted me to live
with my father. I lived with him for a while, but he said I could
not stay, so he sent me to live with my grandmother. She is so
good to me. She cooks for me and takes care of me. She has been
so good to me that I want to give that pretty flower to her for
loving me."
When the little boy finished I could hardly speak. My eyes
filled with tears and I knew I had been touched in the depths of
my soul. I reached up and unpinned my flower. With the flower in
my hand, I looked at the boy and said, "Son, that is the nicest
thing I have ever heard, but you can't have this flower because
it's not enough. If you'll look in front of the pulpit, you'll
see a big bouquet of flowers. Different families buy them for the
church each week. Please take those flowers to your granny
because she deserves the very best."
If I hadn't been touched enough already, he made one last
statement and I will always cherish it. He said, "What a
wonderful day! I asked for one flower but got a beautiful
bouquet."
By Pastor John R. Ramsey
from A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1995 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
THANKFUL
Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire. If you
did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful, when you don't know something, for it gives you the
opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities
for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge because it will build your strength
and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a
difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment
comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful
for your troubles, and they can become your blessings
HEARTPRINTS
Whatever our hands touch---
We leave fingerprints!!!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books,
As we touch we leave our identity.
Oh please where ever I go today,
Help me leave heartprints!!!
Heartprints of compassion
Of understanding and love.
Heartprints of kindness
and genuine concern.
May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter,
Or an anxious mother,
Or, perhaps, a dear friend!!!
I shall go out today
To leave heartprints,
And if somone should say
"I felt your touch,"
May that one sense be...YOUR LOVE
Touching through ME
Pass this rose on
and let them know
that you care about them!!!
don't let the rose die!!!
A Friend Is Always Special
Because Friends Love you because You are You!!!
A CREED TO LIVE BY
Do not undermine your worth
by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different
that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals
by what other people deem important.
Only you know
what is best for you.
Do not take for granted
the things closest to your heart.
Cling to them as you would your life,
for without them,
life is meaningless.
Do not let your life
slip through your fingers
by living in the past
nor for the future.
By living your life one day at a time,
you live all the days of your life.
Do not give up
when you still have something to give.
Nothing is really over
until the moment you stop trying.
It is a fragile thread
that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks.
It is by taking chances
that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life
by saying it is impossible to find.
The quickest way to receive love
is to give love;
The fastest way to lose love
is too hold it too tightly;
In addition,
the best way to keep love
is to give it wings.
Do not dismiss your dreams.
To be without dreams
is to be without hope;
To be without hope
is to be without purpose.
Do not run through life
so fast that you forget
not only where you have been,
but also where you are going.
Life is not a race,
but a journey
to be savored each step of the way.
Author Unknown
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Email: ahortiz@wcc.net
