IF it wasn't for CHRIST there wouldn't be a CHRISTmas ! !
P.S. "Let's KEEP CHRIST in CHRISTMAS ! !"
Showing posts with label Trees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trees. Show all posts
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
** 'STRENGTH through TRIALS' ! ! **
"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold (Job 23:10)".
"I had just listened to my friend Linda's sad story. A young man seemed to like her. They worked in the same office, and he often stopped by to visit, watched for her arrival and spent as much time as he could over lunch break and after hours talking with her.
Then suddenly it all stopped. She could not think of anything she had said to offend him. He did not act as though he disliked her; he just had excuses for leaving early and no longer sought out her company.
Most of us at some time have been on the receiving end of that kind of pain and have felt as Linda. Her pride prevented her from asking him what happened or from causing a scene. She probably wished she could throw herself at him, burst into tears and accusations and beg him to like her again. INSTEAD, she waits in silence.
I doubt that this young man will come back to Linda. She has no claims on him. In a few weeks, she will recover from the hurt and shame and will go on with her life. BUT how sad if she does not grow from this bitter experience.
The other day I saw a poster of a winter scene. A bare, black tree stood alone in a canyon with icy white mountains behind it. The caption: "Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be a strong person."
These wintry blasts can break us, or they can help to make us strong. Pray that God will make you a stronger person".
DEBBIE COWLES
"I had just listened to my friend Linda's sad story. A young man seemed to like her. They worked in the same office, and he often stopped by to visit, watched for her arrival and spent as much time as he could over lunch break and after hours talking with her.
Then suddenly it all stopped. She could not think of anything she had said to offend him. He did not act as though he disliked her; he just had excuses for leaving early and no longer sought out her company.
Most of us at some time have been on the receiving end of that kind of pain and have felt as Linda. Her pride prevented her from asking him what happened or from causing a scene. She probably wished she could throw herself at him, burst into tears and accusations and beg him to like her again. INSTEAD, she waits in silence.
I doubt that this young man will come back to Linda. She has no claims on him. In a few weeks, she will recover from the hurt and shame and will go on with her life. BUT how sad if she does not grow from this bitter experience.
The other day I saw a poster of a winter scene. A bare, black tree stood alone in a canyon with icy white mountains behind it. The caption: "Do not pray for an easy life. Pray to be a strong person."
These wintry blasts can break us, or they can help to make us strong. Pray that God will make you a stronger person".
DEBBIE COWLES
Thursday, September 23, 2010
* THROUGH the Storms !!
"SO, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you (*ISAIAH 41:10)."
"WHAT a beautiful sunny morning! It was one of those rare days in early June. But by early afternoon the clouds began to come up very fast. The sky grew darker and darker, so black that only the streaks of sharp lightning gave any light. IT was the most furious storm I had ever witnessed. The wind and rain beat against the house, and thunder rumbled until the earth shuddered.
A small, tearful voice called, "Mommy, are you afraid?" I held my child tightly in my arms, not wanting to admit that I was afraid. "Can we pray?" asked the small, trembling voice. SHE prayed a few simple words, telling Jesus that we were afraid and asking Him to take care of us. THEN, in a trusting voice, she said, "Now I can take my nap. Jesus will take care of us."
WHEN the storms of life OVERWHELM us, WHEN death robs us of the one we hold dear, WHEN loneliness sweeps in, WHEN we feel friendless, WHEN pain envelops us, WHEN our faith is faltering and we are fearful, how do we react? DO we cry out, "WHY has God permitted THIS affliction and pain? WHY has He taken my loved one? I DO not understand why my plans have been overturned."
HAS the sweetness vanished from life? ARE you troubled AND afraid? God longs to heal OUR hurts AND give Victory over our fears, but He waits for us to cry-out to Him. He responds to our MOST desperate needs as we TRUST Him during the storms of LIFE." MILDRED SCHLEH
"WHAT a beautiful sunny morning! It was one of those rare days in early June. But by early afternoon the clouds began to come up very fast. The sky grew darker and darker, so black that only the streaks of sharp lightning gave any light. IT was the most furious storm I had ever witnessed. The wind and rain beat against the house, and thunder rumbled until the earth shuddered.
A small, tearful voice called, "Mommy, are you afraid?" I held my child tightly in my arms, not wanting to admit that I was afraid. "Can we pray?" asked the small, trembling voice. SHE prayed a few simple words, telling Jesus that we were afraid and asking Him to take care of us. THEN, in a trusting voice, she said, "Now I can take my nap. Jesus will take care of us."
WHEN the storms of life OVERWHELM us, WHEN death robs us of the one we hold dear, WHEN loneliness sweeps in, WHEN we feel friendless, WHEN pain envelops us, WHEN our faith is faltering and we are fearful, how do we react? DO we cry out, "WHY has God permitted THIS affliction and pain? WHY has He taken my loved one? I DO not understand why my plans have been overturned."
HAS the sweetness vanished from life? ARE you troubled AND afraid? God longs to heal OUR hurts AND give Victory over our fears, but He waits for us to cry-out to Him. He responds to our MOST desperate needs as we TRUST Him during the storms of LIFE." MILDRED SCHLEH
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