THE PARABLE OF THE FLUTE


The craftsman fingered the flute he had just made. “My child, you’re newly born, but already pregnant. You’re pregnant with wedding songs and funeral dirges and the lyrical tunes of the traveling bards. The music of the world lies in your heart, and the songs of the ages sleep in your soul.”

And the flute was silent in reply to all his words.

“Ah, how could I expect you to answer me?” he laughed. “You’re empty and haven’t yet learned to sing. But now, the waiting is over.” He lifeted the flute to his lips and added, “It’s time to give birth to a song!”

And he began to play.

And as his breath gave life to the song, the flute finally replied to her maker. And her song as sweet and the melody was alive and she brought tears to the eyes of the old man, even though he was the one who played the music and he already knew the song.

Still, she made him cry.

Just as he had designed her to do.

The party has started. I can hear the music floating out the window. The invitation has been offered, and I’m standing on the porch, staring at the open door. I see his hadn outstretched toward me. Will I join the dance?

I moments like these, I feel the craftsman lifting me to his lips again. I want to play the music he designed me for, but I can only do so when his breath finally fills my soul.

Only then, when his lips kiss new music into me, am I truly and most deeply found.


– by Steve James,
Sailing Between the Stars,
Musings on the Mysteries of Faith,
Revell, Grand Rapids, © 2006,
p. 175

FOOD FOR THOUGHT


“To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funnybone.”
– Reba McEntyre
~~~~~~~```

Bubba went to a Texas tent revival and listened to the sermon the Evangelist was preaching. After a while, the preacher asked that anyone with needs come forward to be prayed over.

Bubba got in line and when it was his turn the preacher said, "Bubba, what do you want me to pray about?"

Bubba said, "Preacher, I need you to pray for my hearing."

So the preacher put one finger in Bubba's ear and the other hand on top of Bubba's head and prayed for a while.

After a few minutes, he removed his hands and said, "Bubba, how's your hearing now?"

Bubba replied, "I don't know preacher, it ain't until next Wednesday."

Hmm!

God wants to use YOU!

The next time you feel as though GOD can't use you, just remember:

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt

Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
Mary Magdalene was... (well, you know)
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer

. . . AND

Lazarus was dead!

Now!!! No more excuses!!!

God can use you to your full potential.
Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger! Have a great day!!!
The SON is shining and He can certainly use you!

And one more thing ~ Share this with a friend or two, ok? :0)

THE FOUR BOYFRIENDS

Once upon a time, there was this girl who had four boyfriends. She loved the 4th boyfriend the most and adorned him with rich robes and treated him to the finest of delicacies. She gave him nothing but the best.

She also loved the 3rd boyfriend very much and was always showing him off to neighboring kingdoms. However, she feared that one day he would leave her for another.

She also loved her 2nd boyfriend. He was her confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with her. Whenever this girl faced a problem, she could confide in him, and he would help her get through the difficult times.

The girl’s 1st boyfriend was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining her wealth and kingdom. However, she did not love the first boyfriend. Although he loved her deeply, she hardly took notice of him.

One day, the girl fell ill and she knew her time was short. She thought of her luxurious life and wondered, I now have four boyfriends with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone.'

Thus, she asked the 4th boyfriend, “I loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th boyfriend, and he walked away without another word. His answer cut like a sharp knife right into her heart.

The sad girl then asked the 3rd boyfriend, “I loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd boyfriend. “Life is too good!. When you die, I'm going to marry someone else!” Her heart sank and turned cold.

She then asked the 2nd boyfriend, “I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time,” replied the 2nd boyfriend. “At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.” His answer struck her like a bolt of lightning, and the girl was devastated.

Then a voice called out: “I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go.” The girl looked up, and there was her 1st boyfriend. He was very skinny as he suffered from malnutrition and neglect.

Greatly grieved, the girl said, 'I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!

~ ~ ~ In truth, you have 4 boyfriends in your lives:

Your 4th boyfriend is your body. No matter how much time and effort you lavish in making it look good, it will leave you when you die.

Your 3rd boyfriend is your possessions, status and wealth. When you die, it will all go to others.

Your 2nd boyfriend is your family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for you, the furthest they can stay by you is up to the grave.

And your 1st boyfriend is your Soul which is often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, your Soul is the only thing that will follow you where ever you go. Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of you that will follow you to the throne of God and continue with you throughout Eternity!

FOUND BY LOVE
by Robert E. Preston

Yearning deeply, sighs of despair fill my emptiness within.
Chattel all my life for men who use and abuse,
Words of love spoken, so deeply longed for, cause me again
To hope within for true love to find me.

Silently screaming in the caverns of my soul tear at the edges of sanity.
Hooked by the nose and led by subtle lies,
Promises made of meaning and power,
Words spoken, so earnestly hoped for, cause me again
To dream within that true strength would be mine.

Betrayed by a father who whispered to me in the dark,
Whipped by a husband, abased for his ego to stand upon,
Daring vainly to trust once more words of love spoken with honeyed lips,
Betrayed yet again, this time by his denial, when discovered.

Beaten by a father, named the source of his shame.
Beaten by those whose bully courage grew from my small frame,
Praying vainly to believe the words of promise they whispered in my mind,
Betrayed, yet again, this time by chains and whips within, unable to escape.

So many men, so many beds, and now –so many men with rocks in hand.
It ends here. No more tears remain. Let them bring an end to it all.
Then the Rabbi stoops and writes in the sand.
What? Will no on cast the first stone? Where are they all going?
Head still bowed, despair incarnate, I feel His Touch!
He lifts my chin, and looking into His eyes,
I realize I have been found by Love!

So many lies, so many screams, and now – insane rage consumes me.
It ends here. No more light remains. Let them bring an end to it all.
Then the Rabbi speaks and asks my name.
What? Will they reveal themselves to Him? Where are they all going?
Open wounds still bleeding, insanity incarnate, I hear His Word!
He lifts my chin, and looking into His eyes,
I realize I have been found by Love!

11 September 2010

THE PURPOSE OF A DOG – From a Six Year Old Boy’s Point of View

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? The six-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

Take naps.

Stretch before rising.

Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal. Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Some Thoughts About Love


In Matthew 14:27 Jesus came walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee amidst a storm that buffeted the boat in which His disciples were attempting to traverse the Sea. When the disciples saw Jesus, they were terrified, because they thought they were seeing a ghost! Jesus calmly called out to them, “Be of good cheer . . .” (KJV) . . . or, “Take courage . . . “ (NIV), and then Jesus said, “It is I,” and then encouraged His followers to not be afraid. The “It is I” more correctly should be translated, “I AM.” In the presence of the great I AM, the Almighty Creator who is all we ever need, the One who promises that He will never leave us and will never forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), is the same One who casts all fear from our hearts and lives!

The Apostle John encourages us with these words: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts, or drives, out fear, because fear has to do with torment, or punishment. The man (person) who fears is not made perfect in love.” Jesus, Who is Perfect Love, is He who gave us this New Commandment, “Love one another! As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). Let us renew this commitment to one another, Saints of the Living God! Let us ask Him to fill us so full of His Love for one another that we may experience the reality of fear being driven out of our lives! Have fear, anxiety, stress, concerns about life ~ call a Brother or Sister in Christ, and let us pray for one another and speak the words of the Love of the Master into the ear-gate and into the heart of our brother, our sister, our Love One in Christ Jesus and experience the Joy of God’s Peace and Contentment fill up the space in the heart left vacant by the fear that has fled. Amen!

Some Thoughts About Love

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for sin.” – 1 John 4:10

God demonstrated H is love! Love is demonstrated, not a matter for words alone. Love comes to Life when it shares itself, in faith and faithfully, as a Living Sacrifice. It does not wait until things are “just right.” It does not wait until It is reassured and the way is made “safe” or easy. Love leaps to Life to redeem the Beloved and jumps into the middle of the Beloved’s situation to Rescue and Redeem.

As we strive to be conformed to His image, let us remember that “God is Love,” (1 John 4:8), but also that Love, and God Himself, is defined by what He does and by what He gives, . . . . and so are we!