Food for Thought, Stories and Poetry

Poetry:

Food for Thought:

God Said…

I said, “God I hurt.”

And God said, “I know.”

I said, “God, I cry a lot.”

And God said, “That is why I gave you tears.”

I said, “God, I am so depressed.”

And God said, “That is why I gave you sunshine.”

I said, “God, life is so hard.”

And God said, “That is why I gave you loved ones.”

I said, “God, my loved one died.”

And God said, “So did mine.”

I said, “God, it is such a loss.”

And God said, “I saw mine nailed to a cross.”

I said, “God, but your loved one lives.”

And God said, “So does yours.”

I said, “God, where are they now?”

And God said, “Mine is on My right and yours is in the Light.”

I said, “God, it hurts.”

And God said, “I know.”

~ Anonymous

Does Evil Exist?

Does evil exist? The university professor challenged his students with this question.  Did God create everything that exists?

A student bravely replied,  “yes, he did!”

“God created everything?” The professor asked.

“Yes sir,” the student replied.

The professor answered, “If God created everything, then God created evil since evil exists, and according to the principal that our works define who we are then God is evil.”

The student became quiet before such an answer. The professor was quite pleased with himself and boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth. Another student raised his hand and said, “May I ask you a question professor?”

“Of course,” replied the professor. The student stood up and asked, “Professor, does cold exist?”

“What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?”  The students snickered at the young man’s question.

The young man replied, “In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat.  Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy.  Absolute zero (- 460 degrees F) is the total absence of heat; all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature.  Cold does not exist.  We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat. The student continued. “Professor, does darkness exist?”

The professor responded, “Of course it does.”

The student replied, “Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either.  Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness.  In fact we can use Newton’s prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color.  You cannot measure darkness.  A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn’t this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present.

Finally the young man asked the professor. “Sir, does evil exist?”

Now uncertain, the professor responded, “Of course as I have already said. We see it every day. It is in the daily example of man’s inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.”

To this the student replied, “Evil does not exist sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself.  Evil is simply the absence of God.  It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God.  God did not create evil.  Evil is not like faith, or love that exists, just as does light and heat. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God’s love present in his heart.  It’s like the cold that comes when there is no heat or the darkness that comes when there is no light.”

The professor sat down.

The young man’s name — Albert Einstein

What If?

What if, GOD couldn’t take the time to bless us today

because we couldn’t take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if GOD decided to stop leading us tomorrow

because we didn’t follow Him today?

What if, we never saw another flower bloom

because we grumbled when GOD sent the Rain?

What if GOD didn’t walk with us today

because we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if, GOD took away the Bible tomorrow

because we would not read it today?

What if, GOD took away His message

because we failed to listen to the messenger?

What if, GOD didn’t send His only begotten Son

because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin.

What if, the door of the church was closed

because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if, GOD stopped loving and caring for us

because we failed to love and care for others?

What if, GOD would not hear us today

because we would not listen to Him ?

What if, GOD answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if, GOD met our needs the way we give Him our lives???

– Unknown Author

Do You Have Time for Me?

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 wear. 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 to busy.

At one point you had to wait, fifteen minutes with 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 instead. I watched 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, May be 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 hope that you will talk to me yet. You went home and it seems 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 you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and 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 the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn’t talk to me.

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. I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart.

It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once 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,

GOD

Good Things To Remember:

1. If you feel far away from God, guess who moved?

2. Fear knocked. Faith answered. No one was there.

3. What you are is God’s gift to you. What you become is your gift to God.

4. I am God’s melody of life and He sings His song through me.

5. We can never really go where God is not, and where He is, all is well.

6. No matter what is happening in your life, know that God is waiting for you with open arms.

7. God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

8. Do your best and then sleep in peace. God is awake.

9. God has a purpose and plan for me that no one else can fulfill.

10. The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you.

11. We are responsible for the effort, not the outcome.

12. We set the sail; God makes the wind.

13. Begin to weave and God will give you the thread.

14. Sometimes when God says “no”, it’s because He has something better in store for you.

15. The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.

16. Prayer: don’t bother to give God instructions, just report for duty.

17. It’s my business to do God’s business and it’s His business to take care of my business.

18. Serenity is not freedom from the storm, but peace amid the storm.

19. How come you’re always running around looking for God? He’s not lost.

20. God put me on earth to accomplish a number of things; right now I’m so far behind I will live forever.

— Unknown Author

A Strong Woman:

A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape…but a Woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her Soul in shape….

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything …but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear….

A strong woman won’t let anyone get the best of her…but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone.

A strong woman walks sure footedly …but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls….

A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face, but a woman of strength wears grace….

A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey, but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong.

….The shortest distance between a problem and a solution can be the distance between your knees and the floor……. in both praise and worship to the Lord God.

~Author Unknown

Side By Side:

They lie on the table side by side.
The Holy Bible and the T.V. Guide.
One is well worn and cherished with pride.
Not the Bible, but the T.V. Guide.
One is used daily to help folks decide.
No, not the Bible, but the T.V. Guide.
As the pages are turned, what shall they see?
Oh, what does it matter, turn on the T.V.
So they open the book in which they confide.
No, not the Bible, but the T.V. Guide.
The Word of God is seldom read.
Maybe a verse before they fall into bed.
Exhausted and sleepy and tired as can be.
Not from reading the Bible, from watching T.V.
So then back to the table side by side,
Lie the Holy Bible and the T.V.Guide.
No time for prayer, no time for the Word,
The plan of Salvation is seldom heard.
But forgiveness of sin, so full and free,
Is found in the Bible, not on T.V.

A Daily Survival Kit:

Toothpick–to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others (Matthew 7:1).

Rubber band–to remind you to be flexible; things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out (Romans 8:28).

Band Aid–to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else’s (Colossians 3:12-14).

Pencil–to remind you to list your blessings everyday (Ephesians 1:3).

Eraser–to remind you that everyone makes mistakes and we can forgive them (Genesis 50:15-21).

Chewing gum–to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything (Philippians 4:13).

Mint–to remind you that you are worth a mint (John 3:16-17).

Candy kiss–to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug every day (1 John 4:7).

Tea bag–to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of blessings (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

~Author unknown.

What If God Had An Answering Machine?

Imagine praying and hearing this:

“Thank you for calling My Father’s House. Please select one
of the following four options:”

* Press 1 for requests.

* Press 2 for thanksgiving.

* Press 3 for complaints.

* For all other inquiries, Press 4.

What if God used the familiar excuse:

“All of the angels are helping other customers right now.
Please stay on the line. Your call will be answered in the
order it was received.”

Can you imagine getting these kinds of responses as you call
on God in prayer?

* If you’d like to speak with Gabriel, press 1.

* For Michael, press 2.

* For any other angel, press 3.

* If you want King David to sing you a psalm, press 6.

* To find out if your relative is here, enter his/her date
of death and listen for the list that follows.

* For reservations at My Father’s House, simply press the
letters J-O-H-N on the keypad, followed by the number 3-1-6.

* For answers to nagging questions about dinosaurs, the age
of the earth and where Noah’s ark is, wait until you get
here!

* Our computers show that you have called once today
already. Please hang up immediately.

* This office is closed for the weekend. Please call again

Monday. End of message.

Thank God, you can’t call Him too often !!! You only need to
ring once and God hears you. Because of Jesus, you never get
a busy signal. God takes each call and knows each caller
personally. When you call and the Lord will answer; you will
cry for help and He will say: “Here am I!”

— Unknown author

Memo From God:

Today I will be handling all of your problems.
Please remember that I do not need your help.
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you
cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it.

Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do)
box. It will be addressed in My time, not yours.
Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on
to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay
the resolution of your problem.

If it is a situation that you think you are capable of
handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that
it is the proper resolution.

Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber,
there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my
child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer
away.

— Author Unknown

His Will, Will:

The will of God will never take you,
Where the grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the Spirit of God cannot work through you,
Where the wisdom of God cannot teach you,
Where the army of God cannot protect you,
Where the hands of God cannot mold you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the love of God cannot enfold you,
Where the mercies of God cannot sustain you,
Where the peace of God cannot calm your fears,
Where the authority of God cannot overrule for you.

The will of God will never take you,
Where the comfort of God cannot dry your tears,
Where the Word of God cannot feed you,
Where the miracles of God cannot be done for you,
Where the omnipresence of God cannot find you.

—unknown

I Love You Daddy, Hold Me:

When a young child wants to be held, they simply reach up with outstretched arms and say: “Hold me Daddy!” As he looks down, no loving father evaluates the child to determine if they deserve to be held – no loving father sends the child away to earn affection. A loving father picks up the child and holds them with no words even being required. When asked, a loving father will say moments like this are his greatest joy!

Matthew 18:3

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Our Heavenly Father loves us so very much – He wants us to come to Him with outstretched arms – He wants to pick us up and hold us tight. Moments like this are His greatest joy! And yet, we spend our days trying to make ourselves acceptable – trying to earn our Father’s affection. What can we really bring Him but our love?

We are all as little children in God’s eyes – we have the understanding of a child and the abilities of a child. We pour our hearts into projects thinking they are vitally important to God’s work and say, “Daddy, look what I made you!” However, our best efforts are as grade school pencil holders, candy dishes, and disfigured flower pots.

Our Father takes these gifts, places them on the shelf, smiles, and shakes His head wishing we would understand. There’s much work that needs to be accomplished for the Kingdom of God, but none more important than spending time just loving and being loved by Daddy.

Yes, we must clean our room, take out the trash, and treat others nice on the playground – but at the end of the day, we must all come before Him with empty arms and say: I love You Daddy – hold me!

~ By Steve Troxel – God’s Daily Word Ministries www.godsdailyword.org

A Garden:

Plant three rows of peas:

Peace of mind

Peace of heart

Peace of soul.

Plant four rows of squash:

Squash gossip

Squash indifference

Squash grumbling

Squash selfishness.

Plant four rows of lettuce:

Lettuce be faithful

Lettuce be kind

Lettuce be happy

Lettuce really love one another.

No garden should be without turnips:

Turnip for service when needed

Turnip to help one another

Water freely with patience and Cultivate with love.

There is much fruit in your garden.

Because you reap what you sow.

To conclude our garden

We must have thyme:

Thyme for God

Thyme for fun

Thyme for rest

Thyme for ourselves.

Pretty nice garden, don’t you think?

Plant one yourself!!!

– Unknown Author

Is God Real?

The little child whispered, “God, speak to me.” And a meadowlark sang. But the child did not hear.

So the child yelled, “God, speak to me!” And the thunder rolled across the sky. But the child did not listen.

The child looked around and said, “God let me see you.” And a star shone brightly. But the child did not notice.

And the child shouted, “God show me a miracle!” And a life was born. But the child did not know.

So the child cried out in despair, “Touch me God and let me know you are here!” Whereupon God reached down and touched the child. But the child brushed the butterfly away. And walked away unknowingly.

– Unknown Author

“Often times, the things we seek are right underneath our noses. Don’t miss out on your blessing because it isn’t packaged the way that you expect.”

– Charles, Kingdom Online Ministries

You Are Valuable

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the  room of 200, he asked, “Who would like  this $20 bill?” Hands started going  up. He said, “I am going to give this  $20 to one of you but first, let me do  this. He proceeded to crumple up the  $20 dollar bill. He then asked, “Who  still wants it?” Still the hands were  up in the air.

Well, he replied, “What  if I do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the  floor with his shoe. He picked it up,  now crumpled and dirty.”Now, who still  wants it?” Still the hands went into  the air.

My friends, we have all  learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our  way. We feel as though we are  worthless.

But no matter what has  happened or what will happen, you will  never lose your value.

Dirty or clean,  crumpled or finely creased, you are  still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE  ARE.

You are special- Don’t EVER forget  it.”

Count your  blessings, not your problems. And  remember: amateurs built the ark .. professionals built the Titanic. If  God brings you to it – He will bring you through it.

Unknown Author

Boxes

I have in my hands two boxes Which God gave me to hold. He said, “Put all your sorrows in the black, And all your joys in the gold.”

I heeded His words, and in the two boxes Both my joys and sorrows I stored. But though the gold became heavier each day The black was as light as before.

With curiosity, I opened the black I wanted to find out why. And I saw, in the base of the box, a hole Which my sorrows had fallen out by.

I showed the hole to God, and mused aloud, “I wonder where my sorrows could be.” He smiled a gentle smile at me.” “My child, they’re all here with me.”

I asked, “God, why give me the boxes, Why the gold, and the black with the hole?” “My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings, The black is for you to let go.”

– Unknown Author

“Things Aren’t Always What They May Seem.”

Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the
home of a wealthy family.  The family was rude and
refused to let the angels stay in the mansion’s guest room.
Instead the angels were given a space in the cold basement.

As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel
saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.  When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied… “Things aren’t always what they seem”.

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel “how could you have let this happen!?  The first man had everything, yet you helped him,”  she accused. “The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let their cow die.” “Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angel replied.

“When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there
was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so
obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune,
I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.

Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave her the cow instead. “Things aren’t always what they seem.”

Sometimes this is exactly what happens when things don’t turn out the way they should.  If you have faith in God, just trust that every outcome is always to your advantage. You might not realize it until much later.

— Unknown author

Is Jesus Your Defender?

After living a “decent” life my time on earth came to an end. The
first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed
to come in and have a seat by the defense table. As I looked around I
saw the “prosecutor,” he was a villainous looking gent who  snarled as
he stared at me, he definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat my lawyer, a kind and
gentle looking man whose appearance seemed very familiar to me.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room and I couldn’t take my eyes off of Him.   As He took His seat behind the bench He  said “Let us begin.”

The prosecutor rose and said “My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in Hell.” He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole and in the past when I cheated others.
Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke the further down in my seat I sank.  I was so
embarrassed that I couldn’t look at anyone, even my own lawyer, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset that my representative who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life -couldn’t that at least equal out part of the harm I’ve done. Satan finished with a fury and said “This man belongs in Hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise. Justice will finally be served this day.”

When it was my turn, my lawyer first asked if He might approach the bench. The judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.  As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him now in His full splendor and majesty.  Now I realized why He seemed so familiar, this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior. He stopped at the bench and softly said to the judge “Hi Dad” and then He turned to address the court.

“Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won’t deny any of these allegations. And yes the wages of sins is death and this man deserves to be punished”.  Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with out-stretched arms and proclaimed, “However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is mine.”  My Lord continued with “His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me.  Satan still does not understand yet, this man is not to be given justice but rather mercy.”

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and replied “There is nothing else that needs to be done, I’ve done it all”. The Judge lifted his mighty hand and slammed the gavel down and the following words bellowed from his lips-“This man is free – the penalty for him has already been paid in full, case dismissed.”

As my Lord led me away I could hear Satan ranting and raving “I won’t give up, I’ll win the next one.”

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next “Have you ever lost a case?” Christ lovingly smiled and said “Everyone who has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, Paid in Full.” Christ also said “I stand at the door of each heart, knocking that they may invite Me in and receive eternal life, goodness and mercy. It is My will that no one should perish” Friend, by choosing Jesus, you have chosen life instead of death!

— Unknown author

Is your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?  If not, talk to Jesus
today!  Tomorrow may be too late.

— Kat Tilley

Kisses!

The story goes that some time ago, a man punished his 3-year-old
daughter for wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper. Money was
tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate a
box to put under the Christmas tree.

Nevertheless, the little girl brought the gift to her father the next morning and said, “This is for you Daddy,” He was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared again when he found the box was empty. He yelled at her, “Don’t you know that when you give someone a present, there’s supposed to be something inside it?”

The little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said,
“Oh, Daddy, it is not empty. I blew kisses into the box! All for
you, Daddy!” The father was crushed. He put his arms around
his little girl and he begged for her forgiveness.

It is told that the man kept that gold box by his bed for years and whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss and remember the love of the child who had put it there.

— Unknown author

Heart Surgery

Tomorrow morning,” the surgeon began, “I’ll open up your heart…”

“You’ll find Jesus there,” the boy interrupted.

The surgeon looked up, annoyed. “I’ll cut your heart open,” he
continued, “to see how much damage has been done…”

“But when you open up my heart, you’ll find Jesus in there.”

The surgeon looked to the parents, who sat quietly. “When I see how much damage has been done, I’ll sew your heart and chest back up and I’ll plan what to do next.”

“But you’ll find Jesus in my heart. The Bible says He lives there.
The hymns all say He lives there. You’ll find Him in my heart.”

The surgeon had had enough. “I’ll tell you what I’ll find in your heart. I’ll find damaged muscle, low blood supply, and weakened vessels. And I’ll find out if I can make you well.”

“You’ll find Jesus there too. He lives there.”

The surgeon left.
The surgeon sat in his office, recording his notes from the surgery, “…damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: pain killers and bed rest.
Prognosis:, ” here he paused, “death within one year.”
He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said.
“Why?” he asked aloud. “Why did You do this?
You’ve put him here; You’ve put him in this pain; and You’ve cursed him to an early death.
Why?”

The Lord answered and said, “The boy, My lamb, was not meant for your flock for long, for he is a part of My flock, and will forever be. Here, in My flock, he will feel no pain, and will be comforted as you cannot imagine. His parents will one day join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow.”

The surgeon’s tears were hot, but his anger was hotter. “You created that boy, and You created that heart. He’ll be dead in months. Why?”

The Lord answered, “The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve another lost lamb.”

The surgeon wept.
The surgeon sat beside the boy’s bed; the boy’s parents sat across from him.

The boy awoke and whispered, “Did you cut open my heart?”

“Yes,” said the surgeon.

“What did you find?” asked the boy.

“I found Jesus there,” said the surgeon.

~ Author Unknown

The Most Caring Child

Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

Winner:

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap and just sat there.  When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”

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What It Means to Be Adopted:

Teacher Debbie Moon’s first graders were discussing a picture of a family. One little boy in the picture had a different color hair than the other family members. One child suggested that he was adopted and a little girl said, “I know all about adoptions because I was adopted.”
“What does it mean to be adopted?” asked another child. “It means,” said the girl, “that you grew in your mommy’s heart instead of her tummy.”

************
Barney:

A four year old was at the pediatrician for a check up.  As the doctor looked down her ears with an otoscope, he asked, “Do you think I’ll find Big Bird in here?” The little girl stayed silent. Next, the doctor took a tongue depressor and looked down her throat.  He asked, “Do you think I’ll find the Cookie Monster down there?”  Again, the little girl was silent. Then the doctor put a stethoscope to her chest.  As he listened to her heart beat, he asked, “Do you think I’ll hear Barney in there?”

“Oh, no!” the little girl replied.  “Jesus is in my heart.   Barney’s on my
underpants.”

***********
Discouraged?

As I was driving home from work one day, I stopped to watch a local Little League  baseball game that was being played in a park near my home. As I sat down behind the bench on the first-base line, I asked one of the boys what the score was. “We’re behind 14 to nothing,” he answered with a smile. “Really,” I said. “I have to say you don’t look very discouraged.” “Discouraged?” the boy asked with a puzzled look on his face. “Why should we be discouraged?   We haven’t been up to bat yet.”

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Roles And How We Play Them:

Whenever I’m disappointed with my spot in my life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott.  Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother told me that he’d set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement. “Guess what, Mom,” he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me: “I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer.”

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A Lesson In Heart:

A lesson in “heart” is my little, 10 year old daughter, Sarah, who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time.  She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in “field day” – that’s where they have lots of races and other competitive events. Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down – but before I could get a word out, she said “Daddy, I won two of the races!”  I couldn’t believe it!  And then Sarah said, “I had an advantage.”  Ah. I knew it.  I thought she   must have been given a head start…some kind of physical advantage.  But again, before I could say anything, she said, “Daddy, I didn’t get a head start. My advantage was I had to try harder!”

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An Eye Witness Account from New York City:

On a cold day in December… (wishfully, this is the kind of thing that would happen frequently, everywhere…). A little boy about 10 years old was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window and shivering with cold. A lady approached the boy and said, “My little fellow, why are you looking so earnestly in that window?” “I was asking God to give me a pair of shoes,” was the boys reply. The lady took him by the hand and went into the store and asked the clerk to get half a dozen pairs of socks for the boy. She then asked if he could give her a basin of water and a towel. He quickly brought them to her. She took the little fellow to the back part of the store and, removing her gloves, knelt down, washed his little feet and dried them with a towel. By this time the clerk had returned with the socks. Placing a pair upon the boy’s feet, she purchased him a pair of shoes. She tied up the remaining pairs of socks and gave them to him. She patted him on the head and said, “No doubt, my little fellow, you feel more comfortable now?” As she turned to go, the astonished lad caught her by the hand, and looking up in her face, with tears his eyes, answered the question with these words: “Are you God’s Wife?”

— Unknown contributor

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