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Christmas is when we celebrate the unexpected; it is the festival of surprises.

This is the night when shepherds wake to the song of angels; when the earth has a star for a satellite; when wise men go on a fool’s errand, bringing gifts to a Prince they have not seen, in a country they do not know.

This is the night when one small donkey, bears on its back, the weight of the world’s desire, and an ox plays host to the Lord of heaven. This is the night when we are told to seek our king, not in a palace, but in a stable.

Although we have stood here, year after year, as our fathers before us, the wonder has not faded; nor will it ever fade; the wonder of that moment when we push open that little door, and enter, and entering find, a mother who is virgin, and a baby who is God.

Chesterton has said it for us all: the only way to view Christmas properly is to stand on one’s head. Was there ever a home more topsy-turvy than Christmas, the cave where Christ was born? For here, suddenly, in the very heart of the earth, is heaven; down is up, and up is down; the angels look down on the God who made them, and God looks up to the things he made.

There is no room in an Inn for Him who made room and to spare, for the Milky Way, and where God is homeless, all men are at home.

We were promised a savior, but we never dreamed God Himself would come and save us. We know that He loved us, but we never dared to think that he loved us so much as to become one of us.

But that is the way God gives! His gifts are never quite what we expect, but always something better than we hoped for. We can only dream of things too good to be true; God has a habit of giving things too true to be false. That is why our faith is a faith of the unexpected, a religion of surprise.

Now, more than ever, living in times so troubled, facing a future so uncertain, we need such faith. We need it for ourselves, and we need to give it to others.

We must remind the world that if Christmas comes in the depths of winter, it is that there may be an Easter in the springtime.

by Fr. Dela Costa

Meditation: For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. – John 3:34

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
A Dozen Christmas Roses

Ouchbabe:
This is a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing. I was wondering what all these have to do with Christmas. Permission to copy please?

Please go ahead.

There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me – The Twelve Days of Christmas.

What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and, especially, the partridge who won’t come out of the pear tree have to do with Christmas?

This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.

It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality which the children could remember.

1. The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
2. Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
3. Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
4. The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.
5. The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
6. The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
7. Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit–Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
8. The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
9. Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit–Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

The ten lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.
This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and enlightening. Now I know how that strange song became a Christmas Carol.

Have a Meaningful Yuletide Season!

— Author Unknown

Meditation: But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren. – Luke 22:32

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Every Day is Christmas
Santa, Can You Visit My Granddaughter? (2)

Every day is Christmas when you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness and the sweetness it can find.
When you don’t need an occasion, to spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving, of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas, with a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you’ve learned to see the friendship, in someone else’s eyes.
When you try a little harder, and complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervor of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas, when you’ve found that you can be
More concerned with words like “you” and less with “I” and “me.”
When it’s fun to do a favor, and to lend a helping hand,
When being understood means less, than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas, with a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn’t matter, if you’re first or if you’re last.
When you can face your conscience, and be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas, with a stable and a star.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: One thing I have desired of the Lord, That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple. – Psalm 27:4

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Who Started Christmas?

You Are Cordially Invited to a Birthday Celebration

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally December 25, but He’s always around, so the date is flexible.

Time: Whenever you’re ready, (please don’t be too late, though; or you’ll miss out on all the fun!).

Place: In your heart … He’ll meet you there (you’ll hear Him knock).

Attire: Come as you are … grubbies are okay. He’ll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He’s already paid for everyone (He says you would not have been able to afford it …it cost Him everything He had!).

Refreshments: New wine, bread and a far-out drink He calls “living water, followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your heart. He’s one of those people who already has everything else. (He’s very generous in return though; just wait until you see what He has for you).

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, and much more! (All rated “G” so bring your family and friends).

R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, he’s keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the “Lamb’s Book of Life”).

Party Being Given By His Kids (That’s us)

Hope To See You There!

Author Unknown

Meditation: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.) … ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'” – Revelation 19:7-8

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

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Remember My Birthday?
Drink, Steal, Swear & Lie
How to Celebrate Christ’s Birthday

“May I take your wrap?” he said
As I stepped just past the door.
His words were clear and welcoming,
But his eyes said so much more.

With arms outstretched he beckoned me;
I stepped quickly to his side.
With clasp released and belt unfurled,
My coat began to slide.

Off my shoulders strained from the day,
Away from my hungry heart.
Down my back of history,
Exposing each tender part.

“I’ll set it here,” he said protectively,
“In case you feel a chill.”
Then he led me by the hand
And whispered, “I truly doubt you will.”

Mixing with others, I soon lost sight of him,
And yet I felt his warmth all night.
I wore a cloak of threads unseen,
Woven from love and light.

“Who was that man who took my coat?” I asked,
But no one seemed to care.
“Perhaps it was my Uncle Bill,” Jane said.
“Or maybe our neighbor upstairs.”

He was kind and calm and so accepting.
Such non-judgment is truly rare.
I felt so loved and safe with him,
That I freely shed my cloak of fear.

“I wish that others could feel his presence,”
I thought. “I wish that I could see him again.”
Suddenly I was drawn to a flickering candle
And there at its base, a small card read:

“May you find grace in the face of adversity;
And see the fear behind a critic’s eye.
May you embrace love and joy as they’re offered;
And give generously of your heart and time.

It is then you’ll feel the presence of Christmas.”

By Suzanne Willis Zoglio, Ph.D.

Meditation: For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. – John 3:17

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

10 Lessons from the Hen
We will Never Serve Your God!
How to Change a Kid’s Life in 20 Minutes

Stay away from anger… It hurts only you! If you are right then there is no need to get angry. And if you are wrong, then you don’t have any right to get angry.

Patience with family is love. Patience with others is respect. Patience with self is confidence, and patience with God is faith.

Never think hard about the past, it brings tears… don’t think more about the future, it brings fear… live this moment with a smile, it brings cheer.

Every test in our life makes us bitter or better… Every problem comes to make us or break us! The choice is ours whether we become victims or victorious.

Beautiful things are not always good, but good things are always beautiful. Happiness keeps you sweet, but being sweet brings happiness.

Once you die, you will go offline on Facebook, you will go offline on Whatsapp, you will go offline on Viber, you will go offline on Tango, you will go offline on Twitter and you will also go offline on Instagram. Your phone number will be off. You will no longer comment on posts or even receive messages or information from family and friends.

Your friends, family, and even your enemies will cry because there will be no more you. But you know what will remain when you are gone? The Bible that you read will be online. Your daily prayers will be online. Your giving will be online. Your good deeds will be online. Your fasting will be online. All the things that you did for the sake of God will be online with you inside the grave. Let all of us think about this. Eventually, we are all going to die. Because death is right upon every living thing and every soul shall taste death! Why not prepare for that time?

Because that time it will be only you. Why not stop being afraid of people? Why not stop being afraid of what people will say? Why don’t you make decisions that will benefit you on the day of judgement? Why don’t you make decisions that will help you in the grave? Why not please God and have eternal happiness, fun, and enjoyment? Remember, every soul shall taste death.

Author Unknown

Meditation: Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. – Ecclesiastes 8:11-12

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Stop Comparing
The Bridge is Out!
Who is Truly Blessed

✅ They speak the truth at all times

✅ They are good listeners

✅ They hardly take offense

✅ They are quick to forgive

✅ They are reliable

✅ They are supportive

✅ They have an appetite for prayer and fasting

✅ They rely on the Word of God

✅ The more God lifts them up, the more they become humble

✅ They hardly defend themselves

✅ They are quick to repent

✅ They seek peace and pursue it

✅ They love people and they are compassionate

✅ They know when to talk and when to be quiet

✅ They are full of wisdom in many aspects of life

✅ They respect people and are very sensitive to people’s feelings

✅ They have a lot of patience and they are not short-tempered

✅ They fear God

✅ They give honour where it is due

✅ They are content with what they have

✅ They have good leadership skills

✅ They are hospitable

✅ They are not carried away by all kinds of teachings

✅ They are good followers

✅ They have a sacrificial spirit

✅ They don’t gossip and look down on people

✅ They have faith

✅ They take part in church activities and attend church regularly

✅ They are clean in every aspect of life

✅ Their spirits are sensitive, they hate sin

✅ They don’t act holier than others

✅ They don’t compete with others

Author Unknown

Meditation: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. – Ephesians 2:8

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Friendship
Four Lessons
How to Make Life Easy for Your Children

A preacher was driving home one night with his wife and two daughters in the car. It was raining and dark and because of the intensity of the rain, he could hardly see past his headlights. On the way, he had to drive over a huge bridge. There were signs posted all along the bridge that said “DO NOT PICK UP HITCH-HIKERS.”

There was an institution for the criminally insane near the base of the bridge and sometimes people would escape from it and try to hitch a ride. On this particular night, as he turned his car onto the bridge, he had to drive exceptionally slow because he could hardly see the road. Somewhere near the top of the bridge a man suddenly appeared in the headlights. He was soaked, standing in the middle of the road with his shirt off frantically waving it over his head and screaming.

This preacher’s wife began to say, “Oh please don’t stop, try to drive around him!”

But the man was unavoidable and there was nowhere for the car to go to miss him. So he had to stop the car and, as soon as he did, the man slapped his hand down on the hood of the car and was screaming at the top of his lungs. The preacher looked over at his wife and said to lock the door after him and not to unlock it until he returned.

His family was now crying and pleading with him not to get out of the car. He opened the door and stepped outside. He was immediately soaked from the rain. As he approached the front of the car to grab the man, all of a sudden he could make out what the man was screaming, “The bridge is out! The bridge is out! A busload of kids just went over!”

As these words registered in the pastor’s mind, he looked back in the car at his wife and two daughters. He wrapped his arm around the man and wept in gratitude. The preacher stood there with the man for the next half-hour in the middle of the road, waving his jacket above his head screaming.”THE BRIDGE IS OUT! THE BRIDGE IS OUT!”

For a lost and dying world, “THE BRIDGE IS OUT!”

For a people heading to a Christless eternity, “THE BRIDGE IS OUT!”

Where are the men and women who will stand in the middle of the road and prevent people from perishing? Hell has opened its mouth wide and many are rushing into it. Where are those who will stand in the gap, on the streets, the highways and the byways to restrain the multitudes from going to such a horrible place with the gospel of Jesus Christ?

Author Unknown

Meditation: But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’ – Ezekiel 33:6

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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The Lost Wallet
Heaven and Hell
Purpose: Sent to Seek and Save the Lost

Long time ago, there lived a great king and two beggars who always stood at the gate of the king’s palace every day.

As the king rode by, the first beggar would say, “Blessed is he whom the king helps”; while the second beggar would say, “Blessed is he whom God helps”.

The king always felt pleased to hear the praise of the first beggar. One evening the king decided to reward the first beggar for all the praise; he ordered his baker to bake a cake and wrapped gold inside the cake. The next day as he rode by, he gave the cake to the first beggar as he hailed him as usual.

The first beggar who was in dire need of cash sold the cake to the second beggar at a cheap price. When the second beggar cut open the cake he saw the gold, sold them and became a wealthy man. He did not return back to the king’s gate the next day.

As the king rode out of his palace the next day, he saw the first beggar still begging for money and stopped to ask him if he ate the cake he gave him.

The first beggar replied, “No sir. I sold it to my friend who was here with me yesterday; I have not seen him today.”

The king shook his head, highly disappointed, and muttered silently to himself, “Indeed, blessed is he whom God helps."

God is all-knowing. He has not forgotten you. He always does His work just in time. So trust Him even when you don't understand His will.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! – Psalm 34:8

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Unhealthy Competition
10 Rules for a Blessed Day
Too Blessed to be Stressed

An army barracks had four soldiers guarding a concrete slab in front of the barracks at all times. Different commanders came and went, but the tradition remained; the soldiers changed shifts guarding the slab.

​After 80 years, a new commander was assigned to the barracks.​ One of the things he did was to ask why things were done the way they were. When he asked why soldiers were guarding the slab, he was told, “We've always done it this way. It's our tradition.​ Our former commanders instructed us to do that.”

The commander was bent on finding out the reason for this practice. He went to the archives to look for answers and came across a document that had the explanation. The document was very old. It had instructions written by one of the retired commanders who had even passed away.

The new commander learnt that over 80 years ago, the barracks wanted to build a platform where events could be performed. When the concrete slab was laid, wild animals walked over it at night before the slab could dry.​ The soldiers would fix it the next morning but when evening came the same thing would happen. So the commander ordered that four soldiers should guard the concrete slab for three weeks to allow it to dry.

​The following week, the commander was transferred to handle another assignment elsewhere, and a new commander was brought in.​ The new commander found the routine and continued to enforce it without asking any questions. And since then, every other commander that came did the same.

Thus, 80 years later; soldiers continued guarding the concrete slab. ​An assignment that was ordinarily designed to last just three weeks took 80 years of ignorance​ with hard labour.

​Are you carrying on obsolete beliefs, attitudes and traditions that were relevant to certain people or a certain time?​ What is your opinion about yourself, people of a different race, politics, certain business opportunities, new products, etc?

​You might just be guarding a concrete slab!

​Ignorance can make you work hard without progress. Think about it.

Author Unknown

Meditation: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. – Romans 12:2

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Purpose: Sent to Proclaim the Acceptable Year

In Armenia, in 1988, Samuel and Danielle sent their young son, Armand, off to school. Samuel squatted before his son and looked him in the eye, "Have a good day at school, and remember, no matter what, I’ll always be there for you."

They hugged and the boy ran off to school.

Hours later, a powerful earthquake rocked the area. In the midst of the pandemonium, Samuel and Danielle tried to discover what happened to their son, but they couldn’t get any information. The radio announced that there were thousands of casualties. Samuel then grabbed his coat and headed for the schoolyard. When he reached the area, what he saw brought tears to his eyes. Armand’s school was a pile of debris. Other parents were standing around crying.

Samuel found the place where Armand’s classroom used to be and began pulling a broken beam off the pile of rubble. He then grabbed a rock and put it to the side, and then grabbed another one.

One of the parents looking on asked, "What are you doing?"

"Digging for my son," Samuel answered. The man then said, "You’re just going to make things worse! The building is unstable." He tried to pull Samuel away from his work.

Samuel just kept working. As time wore on, one by one, the other parents left. Then a worker tried to pull Samuel away from the rubble. Samuel looked at him and said, "Won’t you help me?" The worker left and Samuel kept digging.

All through the night and into the next day, Samuel continued digging. Parents placed flowers and pictures of their children on the ruins. But, Samuel just kept working. He picked up a beam and pushed it out of the way when he heard a faint cry. "Help! Help!" Samuel listened but didn’t hear anything again. Then he heard a muffled voice, "Papa?"

Samuel began to dig furiously. Finally, he could see his son. "Come on out, son!" he said with relief.

"No," Armand said. "Let the other kids come out first because I know you’ll get me."

Child after child emerged until, finally, little Armand appeared. Samuel took him in his arms and Armand said, "I told the other kids not to worry because you told me that you’d always be there for me!"

Fourteen children were saved that day because one father was faithful.

How much more faithful is our heavenly Father! Whether trapped by fallen debris or ensnared by life’s hardships and struggles, we are never cut off from God’s faithfulness. He is true to His character. He is reliable and trustworthy and can always be counted on.

-- Author Unknown

Deuteronomy 7:9: "Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations…"

1 Corinthians 1:9 - God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Psalm 37:28, "For the Lord loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever.”

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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The Faithful Cat
Be Faithful to Me
Recall Notification

At the point of death, a man, Tom Smith, called his children and he advised them to follow his footsteps so they could have peace of mind in all they do..

His daughter, Sara, said, "Daddy, it’s unfortunate you are dying without a penny in your bank account. Other fathers that you tagged as corrupt, thieves of public funds, left houses and properties for their children; even this house we live in is a rented apartment. Sorry, I can't emulate you; just go, let's chart our own course.”

Few moments later, their father gave up the spirit.

Three years later, Sara went for an interview in a multinational company. At the interview, the Chairman of the committee asked, "Which Smith are you?"

Sara replied, "I am Sara Smith. My Dad Tom Smith is now late."

Chairman cuts in, "O my God! You are Tom Smith's daughter?!"

He turned to the other members and said, "This Smith man was the one that signed my membership form into the Institute of Administrators and his recommendation earned me where I am today. He did all these free. I didn't even know his address, he never knew me. He just did it for me."

He turned to Sara, "I have no questions for you. Consider yourself as having gotten this job. Come tomorrow, your letter will be waiting for you."

Sara Smith became the Corporate Affairs Manager of the company with two cars, official accommodation and a hefty salary, excluding allowances and other costs.

After two years of working in the company, the MD of the company came from America to announce his intention to resign and needed a replacement. A person with high integrity was sought after, again the company's consultant nominated Sara Smith.

During the interview, she was asked the secret of her success. With tears, she replied, "My Daddy paved these ways for me. It was after he died that I knew that he was financially poor, but very rich in integrity, discipline and honesty."

When asked why she was weeping since she was no longer a kid as to miss her dad still after a long time. She replied, "At the point of death, I insulted my dad for being a man of integrity. I hope he will forgive me in his grave now. I didn't work for all these, he did it for me to just walk in."

Finally, she was asked, "Will you follow your father's footsteps as he requested?"

And her simple answer was, "I now adore the man; I have a big picture of him in my living room and at the entrance of my house. After God, he deserves credit for whatever I have."

Are you like Tom Smith? It pays to build a name. The reward doesn't come quickly, but it will come, however long it may take and it lasts longer.

Integrity, discipline, self-control and the fear of God will make a man wealthy, not a fat bank account.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches and honor and life. – Proverbs 22:4

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Rich or Poor?
An Everyday Survival Kit
Purpose: Sent to Make the Poor Rich

Learn to ignore and overlook many things if you truly want happiness in life, because the easiest way to a miserable life is to think that everybody is talking about you.

Never allow anyone to steal your joy from you.

What people say at your back is none of your business, as long as you are true to yourself. Never worry about that.

Sometimes minding your own business does not keep people out of your business.

No matter your situation in life people will always talk. You can never stop people from talking about you, what you can do is to stop giving them what to talk about.

There is a time limit for every rumor in life. Never allow freelance broadcasters put your life on hold. Do what makes you happy. Anyone who cannot feel your pain, has no right to judge you in life. Seventy percent of those who talk bad about you behind your back, wish to be like you.

When people can’t be like you they try to bring you down and condemn what you have. Those without money will sarcastically say money is not everything in life. Is poverty anything?

Never allow anyone to put you in a position of depression and self-pity in life. Those whose lives have no joy will always find every means to remove happiness from other people’s lives.

If there is the grace of God in your life, then enemies are inevitable. If no one ever gossiped or talked bad about you, it probably means nothing much has ever happened to you.

Never feel bad when old friends become new enemies. They are just tired of pretending to be friends.

Never allow the opinions of people who didn’t see your tears stop your laughter in life. You don’t owe anybody an explanation to be happy.

Never see yourself through the eyes of those who don’t value you.

To be beautiful means to be yourself. To stand out is to be outstanding. You do not need to be accepted by others. You just need to accept yourself.

Never beg anyone to accept you for who you are. Anything you acquire through begging will require begging to maintain or retain.

Be humble but selective. Being selective doesn’t mean you are arrogant or proud. It simply means you know your worth. If you are conscious of your personality, avoid too much familiarity.

Sometimes when you treat people too much like celebrities, they end up treating you like an ordinary person. You are equally important.

Never downgrade yourself while trying to upgrade anybody in life. Anyone who sees you like an option doesn’t deserve to be a priority in your life.

The dream of a fool is for everybody to become a fool like himself. Avoid negative people if you have a dream. Those without a mission will say your vision is just an illusion.

Negative minds will never give you a positive life. Anyone who is always reminding you about what is wrong with you has a personal problem which he/she wants to take out on you.

Most people spend half of their entire life analysing the faults in other people’s lives, when their own lives need urgent repairs.

Never worry yourself about enemies and friends, because everybody in your life will eventually fall into one of the two categories.

Some will hate you and some will love you. Loving you or hating you are both in your favour. When people love you, you live peacefully and happily in their hearts, and when people hate you, you become the landlord in their heads living painfully in their brain every day and giving them sleepless nights.

The best awaits you in 2022!

Author Unknown

Meditation: You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance. – Psalm 65:11

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

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Prayer of a Six-Year-Old
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Purpose: Sent to Proclaim the Acceptable Year

Many years ago, a newlywed young man was sitting on a couch on a hot, humid day, sipping frozen juice during a visit to his father.

As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son.

“Never forget your friends,” he advised, “they will become more important as you get older.”

“Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally, do activities with them, call them.”

“What strange advice!” Thought the young man. “I just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life.”

Yet he obeyed his father; kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number. Over the years, he realised that his father knew what he was talking about. Inasmuch as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a man, friends were the bulwarks of his life.

True friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles they are. A friend is never more distant than the reach of a need, barring you, intervening in your favour, waiting for you with open arms or blessing your life. When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead. We did not know how much we would need from each other.

Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends. Dialogue with them, but do not impose your criteria.

Author Unknown

Meditation: To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. – Job 6:14

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Friendship
A Deadly Frozen Night (A True Story)
The Dance of A Lifetime – A True Story

This narration is credited to Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi.

When I was sixteen years old, we lived in South Africa about eighteen miles outside the city.

One Saturday, my father had to go to town to attend a conference and he didn’t feel like driving so he asked me if I would drive him into town and bring him back in the evening. My parents also gave me many small chores to do in town, like getting the car serviced and the oil changed.

When I left my father at the conference venue, he said, “At five o’clock in the evening, come here and pick me up, and we’ll go home together.”

I said, “Fine.”

I rushed off, did all my chores as quickly as possible, left the car in the garage and went straight to the nearest movie theatre. I got so engrossed in a double feature that I didn’t realize the passage of time. The movie ended at 5:30, I came out and ran to the garage and rushed to where my dad was waiting for me. It was almost six o’clock when I reached there and he was wondering what had happened to me.

The first question he asked me was, “Why are you late?”

Instead of telling him the truth, I lied to him, and I said, “The car wasn’t ready; I had to wait for the car,” Not realizing that he had already called the garage.

When he caught me in the lie, he said, "There’s something wrong in the way I brought you up that didn’t give you the confidence to tell me the truth, that made you feel you had to lie to me. I’ve got to find out where I went wrong with you, and to do that I’m going to walk home.”

There was absolutely nothing I could do to make him change his mind, and I couldn’t leave him and go away. For five and a half hours I crawled along in the car behind Father, watching him go through all this pain and agony for a stupid lie.

I decided then and there that I was never going to lie again.

It’s almost 50 years since the event, and every time I think about it I still get goosebumps. That is the power of non-violent action. It’s a lasting thing. It’s a change we bring through love, not fear.

Anything that is brought by fear doesn’t last. But anything that is done by love lasts forever. - Arun Gandhi

Meditation: Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds. - Colossians 3:9

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Wise Ideas
Blessings in Disguise
The ABC of Fatherhood

A teacher teaching Maths to a six-year-old asked him, “If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”

Within a few seconds, the boy replied confidently, “Four!”

The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three).

She was disappointed. “Maybe he did not listen properly,” she thought.

She repeated, “Please listen carefully. It is very simple. You will be able to do it right if you listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?”

The boy had seen the disappointment on his teacher’s face. He calculated again on his fingers. But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make his teacher happy.

This time, hesitatingly, he replied, “Four…”

The disappointment stayed on the teacher’s face. She remembered that the boy loves strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn’t like apples and that is making him lose focus.

This time, with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling eyes, she asked, “If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many will you have?”

Seeing the teacher happy, the young boy calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed.

With a hesitating smile, the young boy replied, “Three?”

The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained.

Once again she asked him, “Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?”

Promptly the answer was “Four!”

The teacher was aghast.

“How….tell me, how?” she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice.

In a voice that was low and hesitating, the young boy replied, “Because I already have one apple in my bag.”

Learn point: When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you are expecting, they are not necessarily wrong. There may be an angle that we may not have understood at all. We need to learn to appreciate and understand different perspectives.

Quite often, we try and impose our perspectives on others and then wonder what went wrong. The next time someone gives you a different perspective than yours, sit down and gently ask, “Can you please help me understand?” That is how to live in harmony with other people with no room for rancour.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: “Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the Lord… – Isaiah 1:18

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Crosspollination of Life
Rapture! Where Will You Be?
Two Wrongs That Make A Right

A very poor newly wedded, young couple lived on a small farm. One day the husband made a proposal to his wife: “Honey, I will leave the house; I will travel far away, get a job and work hard in order to come back and give you the comfortable life that you deserve. I do not know how long I will stay away, I only ask one thing, please wait for me, and while I am away, you should be faithful to me, because I will be faithful to you.”

His wife agreed, so the young man left. He walked many days until he found a farmer who was in need of someone to help him. The young man offered his services. He was accepted. Therefore, he discussed the terms with his boss: “Let me work for as long as I want and when I think I should go home, please relieve me of my duties. I do not want to receive my salary. I ask you to save it for me, until the day I leave. The day I decide to go, please give me the money and I will go my way.”

They agreed on that. So, the young man worked for 20 years without holiday and without rest. After 20 years, he came to his boss and said: “Boss, I want my money, because I am returning to my home.”

The boss replied: “All right, after all, I made a deal with you and I will stick to it. However, before you go I want to offer you something new: I will give you all your money and send you away; or I will give you three pieces of advice and send you away. If I give you money, you lose the three pieces of advice. If I give you the three pieces of advice, you lose the money. Now, go to your room and think about your answer.”

He thought for two days. Then he went to the boss and told him: I want the three pieces of advice. The boss stressed again, “If I give you the three pieces of advice, I will not give you the money.”

The man replied: “I want the three pieces of advice.”

The boss then told him, “Advice number one: Never take shortcuts in your life, shorter and unknown paths can cost you your life. Number two: Never be too curious, for curiosity towards evil can be deadly. Number three: Never make decisions in moments of anger or pain, because when you repent, it could be too late.”

After giving this advice, the boss said to him: “Here, you have three loaves of bread, two are for you to eat during the journey and the last is for you to eat with your wife when you get home.”

So, the man went his way after twenty years away from home and from his wife, whom he loved so much. After the first day of travel, he found a man who greeted him and asked: “Where are you going?”

He replied: “To a distant place which is about 20 days away if I continue walking.”

The man said to him: “Ol’ boy, this path is too long! I know a shortcut that is very safe and you will arrive in five days only.”

The man began to follow the path suggested until he remembered the first piece of advice. Then, he returned and followed the long path. Days later, he learned that the shortcut led to an ambush. After a few more days of travel, he found an inn by the roadside, where he could rest. He paid for a room and after taking a bath, he laid down to sleep. In the night he woke up as he heard a terrifying scream. He rose to his feet and went to the door to check what happened. As he was opening the door, he remembered the second piece of advice. Therefore he returned, laid down again and slept.

At dawn, after breakfast, the owner of the lodging asked him if he had not heard the scream at night. He affirmed that he heard. Then, the host said: “Were you not curious to see what happened?” And he replied: “No, I was not.”



Then the host said: “You are the first guest to leave this inn alive. My neighbour is completely crazy. He usually shouts at night to call someone’s attention. When some of the guests come out, he kills them and buries their bodies in the backyard.”

The man continued his long journey, eager to arrive soon. After many days and nights walking, he was very tired, but he finally saw his house far away. It was night. He saw some light coming out of the window of his house and was able to see the silhouette of his wife. But he also saw that she was not alone. He came closer and saw there was a man with her. She softly caressed his hair. When he saw that scene, his heart was filled with hatred and bitterness. He decided to rush at and kill them both. However, he took a deep breath and he remembered the third piece of advice. Then he stopped, reflected and decided to sleep outside that night.

He slept in the midst of the bushes, determined to make a decision the next day. At dawn, he was calmer and thought: “I will not kill my wife and her lover. I am going back to my boss to ask him to take me back. But before I go, I want to tell my wife that I have always been faithful to her.”

He went to the front door and knocked. When his wife opened the door and recognized him, she cried and embraced him warmly. He tried to push her away, but he was not able. Then, with tears in his eyes he told her: “I was faithful to you but you betrayed me!”

She was shocked, so she replied: “How did I betray you? I have never betrayed you. I waited patiently for you for twenty good years.”

Then he asked: “How about the man that you were caressing last night?

“That is your son.” She said. “When you left, I discovered I was pregnant. Today he is twenty years old.”

Hearing that, the man asked her forgiveness. He met and hugged his son. Then he told them all the things he had experienced while away. Meanwhile, his wife prepared some coffee for them to eat together with the last bread given by his boss. After a prayer of thanksgiving, he broke the bread. When he looked at it, he found all his money inside. In fact, there was even more than the right payment for his twenty years of dedication and hard work.

Friends, our God is like this boss. When He asks us to make a sacrifice, He wants to give us more than what we give Him. He wants us to have His unique wisdom as well as the material blessings.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: This is a faithful saying: for if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. – 2 Timothy 2:11-13

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Faithful Father
The Faithful Cat
Recall Notification

Yesterday I was at the ATM to get some cash because I needed money. As I started to transact, the ATM showed me a message; ‘Please insert your card.’

I did.

Then another message popped up, ‘Please enter your pin code.’

I did.

And then another message came, ‘…select the amount.’

I did that too.

After I had done all these, the ATM showed me a message in BOLD letters: YOUR TRANSACTION IS BEING PROCESSED, PLEASE WAIT!

Allow me to say, when you have done all the things you can – you have prayed, you have fasted, you have even asked others to pray with you and for you; but it seems as if nothing is happening in your life, wait patiently don’t give up. Don’t move because your request is being processed.

WAIT!

What made me wait was because my card was already in the ATM; I had already entered my pin code. If I give up now and walk away, the next person would be the one to receive all that I had requested.

It’s not that your messages aren’t heard; it’s not that your prayers are irrelevant; it’s not that your fasting is meaningless, you are having to wait because YOUR TRANSACTION IS BEING PROCESSED.

Wait and murmur not. Do not think you were born to suffer. Your prayers are being processed, so wait upon the Lord.

I Know it’s not easy, but I encourage you… WAIT!

Author Unknown

As the Bible says in Isaiah 40vs31: But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

YOUR TRANSACTION IS BEING PROCESSED. PLEASE WAIT.

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read::

Don’t Wait
Waiting for the Wind
The Much Awaited Person

I was waiting in line for a ride at the airport in Dubai. When a cab pulled up, the first thing I noticed was that the taxi was polished to a bright shine. Smartly dressed in a white shirt, black tie, and freshly pressed black slacks, the cab driver jumped out and rounded the car to open the back passenger door for me.

He handed me a laminated card and said: 'I'm Abdul, your driver. While I'm loading your bags in the trunk I'd like you to read my mission statement.'

Taken aback, I read the card. It said: Abdul's Mission Statement: To get my customers to their destination in the quickest, safest and cheapest way possible in a friendly environment.

This blew me away. Especially when I noticed that the inside of the cab matched the outside. Spotlessly clean!

As he slid behind the wheel, Abdul said, 'Would you like a cup of coffee? I have a thermos of regular and one of decaf.'

I said jokingly, 'No, I'd prefer a soft drink.'

Abdul smiled and said, 'No problem. I have a cooler up front with regular and Diet Coke, Lassi, water and orange juice.'

Almost stuttering, I said, 'I'll take a Lassi.'

Handing me my drink, Abdul said, 'If you'd like something to read, I have The NST, Star and Sun Today.'

As they were pulling away, Abdul handed me another laminated card, 'These are the stations I get and the music they play, if you'd like to listen to the radio.'

And as if that weren't enough, Abdul told me that he had the air conditioning on and asked if the temperature was comfortable for me.

Then he advised me of the best route to my destination for that time of day. He also let me know that he'd be happy to chat and tell me about some of the sights or, if I preferred, to leave me with my own thoughts.

'Tell me, Abdul,' I was amazed and asked him, 'have you always served customers like this?'

Abdul smiled into the rear view mirror. "No, not always. In fact, it's only been in the last two years. My first five years driving, I spent most of my time complaining like all the rest of the cabbies do. Then I heard about the Power of Choice one day. Power of choice is that you can be a duck or an eagle. If you get up in the morning expecting to have a bad day, you'll rarely disappoint yourself. Stop complaining! Don't be a duck. Be an eagle. Ducks quack and complain. Eagles soar above the crowd.'

'That hit me really hard', said Abdul. 'It is about me. I was always quacking and complaining, so I decided to change my attitude and become an eagle. I looked around at the other cabs and their drivers. The cabs were dirty, the drivers were unfriendly, and the customers were unhappy. So I decided to make some changes, slowly... a few at a time. When my customers responded well, I did more.'

'I take it that it has paid off for you,' I said.

'It sure has,' Abdul replied. 'My first year as an eagle, I doubled my income from the previous year. This year I'll probably quadruple it. My customers call me for appointments on my cell phone or leave a message on it.'

Abdul made a different choice. He decided to stop quacking like a duck and start soaring like an eagle.

Start becoming an eagle today, one small step every week..next week... and next...

You don't die if you fall in the water, you only die if you don't swim. Improve yourself and your skills in a different way. Be an eagle, not a duck.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. – Philippians 4:8

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Tomato Game
A Surrendered Wife
Realities in Alphabet

1. She first laid enough eggs before sitting on them – Good Planning.

2. When she starts sitting on the eggs, she minimizes her movements – Discipline

3. She loses weight while sitting on the eggs by feeding less – Sacrifice and Self-Denial.

4. She can even sit on the eggs for another hen – Indiscimination and Generosity.

5. She sits on her eggs for 21 days, patiently waiting’ even if they do not hatch, she lays eggs again – Faith, Hope and Non-Discouragement.

6. Whenever she detects unfertilized eggs, she rolls them out – Sensitive and Discernment.

7. She abandons the rotten and unfertilized eggs and starts caring for the hatched, even if it is just one – Wisdom, Consciousness and Being Realistic.

8. No one touches her chicks. Otherwise, there will be a fight – Protection and love.

9. She usually gathers her chicks together – Sense of Unity and Purpose.

10. She never abandons her chicks before maturity – Mentorship.

Great lessons to learn in life. Never give up, keep pushing, then always come with a smile.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. – Acts 14:17

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

When to be Silent
When You Reach the Top
Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?

Below are some 20 questions believers should always ask to self-examine themselves and their walk with Christ:

1. Do I hold unforgiveness in my heart towards anyone?
2. Do I love everyone, including my enemies the same?
3. Do I ever gossip or use ungodly words?
4. Am I jealous or envious of anyone?
5. Do I pray or talk to God at least once a day?
6. Can I accept correction without getting offended?
7. Is there any pride in me?
8. Do I treat everyone as I want to be treated?
9. Am I a selfish person?
10. Am I the same person everywhere I go?
11. Am I willing to help those that can’t help or repay me?
12. Are my motives genuine all the time when interacting with people?
13. Am I quick to get angry and hold grudges?
14. Am I honestly happy with myself deep down on the inside?
15. Am I giving God my very best effort?
16. Will God approve of my overall attitude?
17. Do I tend to make a lot of excuses?
18. Am I always blaming everyone but myself?
19. Am I stubborn?
20. Can I admit when I’m wrong?

Will you fail or pass this test if God was grading it according to His standards?

By Tory Hayes

Meditation: Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. – 2 Corinthians 13:5

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

ABC of Happiness
A Lesson in Humility
The ABC of Fatherhood

Here are more interesting thoughts to consider as the year gradually winds down.

Successful people have two things on their lips, smile and silence. A smile can solve problems, while silence can avoid problems.

Sugar and salt may be mixed together, but ants reject the salt and carry away only the sugar. Select the right people in life and make your life better and sweeter.

If you fail to achieve your dreams, change your ways, not your God. Remember, trees change their leaves and not their roots.

You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks. Learn to turn deaf ears to noisemakers.

Haters will see you walking on water and say it’s because you can't swim. Trust your instincts always, never build your confidence on people.

Even if you dance on water, your enemies will accuse you of raising dust. So go ahead and be the best you can be anyway.

Life constantly rolls up change. If you aren't in touch with the changing trends, life will leave you behind. Be ready to embrace positive change in your life.

Make it your ambition to live a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your own hands. Leaning on people for survival drops your dignity.

Never wrestle with a pig. You’ll both get dirty, but the pig will enjoy it. Be Inspired and have a great New Year ahead.

-- Author Unknown

Meditation: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.” – Mark 1:3

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

10 Thoughts to Ponder
Some Thoughts on Prayer
Some Thoughts to Start your Year

Never discuss your problems with everyone, 20% will not care and 80% will be glad that you have them.

Life is similar to a boxing game. Defeat is not declared when you fall down; it is declared when you refuse to get up.

Everything is valuable only on two occasions:

1: before getting it.

2: after losing it.

Two places are most valuable in the world:

1: the nicest place is to be in someone’s thoughts.

And

2: the safest place is to be in someone’s prayers.

Fear has 2 meanings:

1: forget everything and run.

2: face everything and rejoice.

The choice is ours.

‘Ego’ is the only requirement which destroys any relationship. Be a bigger person, skip the ‘e’ and let it ‘go’.

As long as we do not forgive people who have hurt us, they occupy a ‘rent-free space’ in our mind.

I asked God: if everything is already written in destiny, then why should I pray? God smiled and said: I have also written ‘terms & conditions apply’.

Trust is like a sticker. Once it is removed, it may stick again, but not as strong as it holds when you first applied.

Never win people with arguments. Rather defeat them with your smile. Because people who always wish to argue with you cannot near your silence.

‘Memories’ are always special. Sometimes, we laugh by remembering the days we cried. And sometimes, we cry by remembering the days we laughed. That’s life.

“We love ourselves even after making so many mistakes; then how can we hate others for their small mistakes? Make forgiving a habit. Forgiveness is the sweetest revenge”.

Author Unknown

Meditation: But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. – 2 Corinthians 4:7

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Be Wise!
You Shall Not
The Crosspollination of Life

The Titanic was presumed to be the largest, safest, and strongest luxury ship in the world before it embarked on its disastrous maiden voyage in April 1912.

All kinds of people were welcomed on the ship for its first voyage: the rich, the famous, the elite, women, children, families and staff of the ship, were all happy to be on board. It was billed to be the ship that could not sink, but it did sink on its first journey from Southampton to New York. This was one of the greatest tragedies of all time.

After the ship sank, two lists were presented at the offices of The White Star Company (the company which built the Titanic). The list was simple. It had only two sections: ‘LOST’ and ‘SAVED’.

People came to read these lists to find out if their loved ones had survived. Interestingly, before the journey, so many things were important. Whether they worked on the ship or were on vacation? Whether they were rich or poor. Whether they were millionaires or peasants. Whether they were stockbrokers or not. Whether they were in first class or economy class. Whether they were men or women. Whether they had a lot of luggage or not.

But after the sinking of the Titanic, none of these things mattered anymore. Only one thing mattered – whether they were saved or lost.

Dear friend, that is how Eternity will be. A time will come when none of the things we have on this earth will matter. A time will come when it will not matter whether you are a man or a woman. A time will come when it will not matter whether you are rich or poor.

What will matter is whether you are ‘LOST’ or ‘SAVED’ on the day you die and meet your creator. Give your life to Jesus today! And if you already have, live for Him! Please share this with all your contacts. It could just be someone’s chance to make it to heaven.

Credited to Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

Meditation: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men. – 2 Corinthians 5:10-11

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

I was jogging this morning and I noticed a person about 1/2 a kilometre ahead. I could tell he was running a little slower than me and I thought, good, I shall try to catch him.

I had about a kilometre before I needed to turn off. So I started running faster and faster. Every block, I was gaining on him just a little bit. After just a few minutes, I was only about 100 metres behind him, so I really picked up the pace and pushed myself. You would have thought I was running in the last leg of an Olympic competition. I was determined to catch him.

Finally, I did it! I caught and passed him. On the inside I felt so good. “I beat him”. Of course, he didn’t even know we were racing. After I passed him, I realised I had been so focused on competing against him that I had missed my turn. I had gone nearly six blocks past my turn and I had to turn and go back.

Isn’t that what happens in life when we focus on competing with co-workers, neighbours, friends, family, trying to outdo them or trying to prove that we are more successful or more important? We spend our time and energy running after them and we miss out on our own paths to our God-given destinies.

The problem with unhealthy competition is that it’s a never-ending cycle. There will always be somebody ahead of you, someone with a better job, nicer car, more money in the bank, more education, a prettier wife, a more handsome husband, better-behaved children, etc.

But realize that you can be the best that you can be, you are not competing with anyone. Some people are insecure because they pay too much attention to what others are, where others are going, wearing, and driving.

Take what God has given you, the height, the weight, and the personality. Dress well and wear it proudly, you’ll be blessed by it. Stay focused and live a healthy life. There is no competition in Destiny.

Run your own race this year and wish others well.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. – 1 Corinthians 9:24

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:
No Regrets
Gifts from Children
You Are Amazing! (And I Can Prove It)

A – Always trust them to God’s care

B – Bring them to church

C – Challenge them to high goals

D – Delight in their achievements

E – Exalt the LORD in their presence

F – Frown on evil

G – Give them love

H – Hear their problems

I – Ignore not their childish fears

J – Joyfully accept their apologies

K – Keep their confidence

L – Live a good example before them

M – Make them your friends

N – Never ignore their endless questions

O – Open your home to their visits

P – Pray for them by name

Q – Quicken your interest in their spirituality

R – Remember their needs

S – Show them the way of salvation

T – Teach them to work

U – Understand they are still young

V – Verify your statements

W – Wean them from bad company

X – eXpect them to obey

Y – Yearn for God’s best for them

Z – Zealously guide them in biblical truth

— Author Unknown

Meditation: May the Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers. May He not leave us nor forsake us. – 1 Kings 8:57

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Father’s Hand
A Father’s Influence
Fatherhood: How to Make Life Easy for Your Children

As the adage goes, ‘silence is golden’, the following is a list of 20 situations where it is better to be silent:

Be silent – in the heat of anger.
Be silent – when you don’t have all the facts.
Be silent – when you haven’t verified the story.
Be silent – if your words will offend a weaker person.
Be silent – when it is time to listen.
Be silent – when you are tempted to make light of holy things.
Be silent – when you are tempted to joke about sin.
Be silent – if you would be ashamed of your words later.
Be silent – if your words would convey the wrong impression.
Be silent – if the issue is none of your business.
Be silent – when you are tempted to tell an outright lie.
Be silent – if your words will damage someone else’s reputation.
Be silent – if your words will damage a friendship.
Be silent – when you are feeling critical.
Be silent – if you can’t say it without screaming.
Be silent – if your words will be a poor reflection of the Lord or your friends and family.
Be silent – if you may have to eat your words later.
Be silent – if you have already said it more than one time.
Be silent – when you are tempted to flatter a wicked person.
Be silent – when you are supposed to be working instead.
— Author Unknown

Meditation: Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. – Proverbs 21:23

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Innocent Blood
The Story of the Climber
A Deadly Frozen Night (A True Story)

A poem sent to Dear Abby from a couple who have too much stuff.

So many of you asked us (since Yuletide’s drawing near)
“What do you want for Christmas? What can we give you this year?
If we say, “We want nothing!” you buy something anyway,
So here’s a list of what we’d like; believe now what we say:

Pajamas for a little child, food to feed the poor.
Blankets for a shelter, and we ask a little bit more–
Perform good deeds and let us know, or volunteer your time.
These last are worth a fortune, and they needn’t cost a dime.

We have too many things now, vases, candles, tapes and clocks.
We have our fill of garments, ties, underwear and socks.
Candy is too fattening, crossword books we’ve more than 20.
We don’t need trays or plates or cups, and knickknacks we have plenty.

We’ve no walls to hang more pictures; we have books we’ve not yet read;
So please take what you’d spend on us and help the poor instead!
Just send a Christmas card to us and tell us what you’ve done;
We’ll open them on Christmas Eve, and read them one by one.

It won’t cost as much for postage as a package sent would do,
You’ll need no wrapping paper, ribbons, ink or glue.
And we’ll thank God you listened to what we had to say,
So we could be the instruments to help someone this way.

– Author Unknown

Meditation: The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. – Isaiah 41:17

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

The Prodigal Couple
Love in A Paper Bag
What Are You Holding On to?

A teacher asked her students to bring some tomatoes in a plastic bag to school. Each tomato was to be given the name of a person whom that child hates. So, the number of tomatoes would be equal to the number of persons they hate.

On a pre-determined day, all the children brought their tomatoes well addressed. Some had two, some had three and some had five, some even had 20 tomatoes in accordance with the number of people they hated. The teacher then told them they had to carry the tomatoes with them everywhere they go for two weeks. As the days passed the children started to complain about the decay and smell of the tomatoes. The students who had many tomatoes complained it was very heavy to carry and the smell was too much.

After a week, the teacher asked the students “How did you feel this week?” The children complained of the awful smell and heavy weight of the tomatoes, especially those who carried several tomatoes.

The teacher said, “This is very similar to what you carry in your heart when you don’t like some people. Hatred makes the heart unhealthy and you carry that hatred everywhere. If you can’t bear the smell of spoilt tomatoes for a week, imagine the impact of bitterness on your heart as you carry it daily.”

The heart is a beautiful garden that needs regular cleaning of unwanted weeds. Forgive those who have angered you. This makes room for storing good things. Endeavour to get better, not bitter.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. – Mark 11:25

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

I sat with my friend in a well-known coffee shop in a neighbouring town of Venice (Italy), the city of lights and water. As we enjoyed our coffee, a man entered and sat at an empty table beside us. He called the waiter and placed his order saying, ‘Two cups of coffee, one here, one on the wall.’

We heard this strange order with interest and observed that he was served with one cup of coffee but he paid for two. As soon as he left, the waiter pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying, ‘A Cup of Coffee’.

While we were still there, two other men entered and ordered three cups of coffee, two on the table and one on the wall. They had the two cups of coffee, but paid for three and left. This time also, the waiter did the same; he pasted a piece of paper on the wall saying, ‘A Cup of Coffee’.

It was something unique and perplexing for us. We finished our coffee, paid the bill and left. After a few days, we had a chance to go to this coffee shop again. While we were enjoying our coffee, a poorly dressed man entered. As he seated himself, he looked at the wall and said, ‘One cup of coffee from the wall’.

The waiter served coffee to this man with customary respect and dignity. The man had his coffee and left without paying.

We were amazed to watch all this, as the waiter took off a piece of paper from the wall and threw it in the dustbin.

Now it was no surprise for us – the matter was very clear. The great respect for the needy shown by the inhabitants of this town made our eyes well up in tears.

Ponder upon the need of what this man wanted. He enters the coffee shop without having to lower his self-esteem. He has no need to ask for a free cup of coffee without asking or knowing about the one who is giving this cup of coffee to him. He only looked at the wall, placed an order for himself, enjoyed his coffee and left.

Probably the most beautiful wall you may ever see will be our wall of good deeds on the Day of Judgement. This is what is Charity when you give from one hand and the other hand does not know about it. May God help us to spend for the poor and the needy.

— Author Unknown

Meditation: Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. – Matthew 6:2-4

You will succeed in Jesus Name!

Also read:

Last Respects
The Value of Life
A Surrendered Wife

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease.

During this Thanksgiving week, she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren’t enough, her husband’s company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come. What’s worse, Sandra’s friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer.

“She has no idea what I’m feeling,” thought Sandra with a shudder. Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?

“Good afternoon, can I help you?” The shop clerk’s approach startled her.

“I…I need an arrangement,” stammered Sandra.

“For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving Special?” asked the shop clerk. “I’m convinced that flowers tell stories,” she continued. “Are you looking for something that conveys ‘gratitude’ this Thanksgiving?”

“Not exactly!” Sandra blurted out. “In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong.” Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk said, “I have the perfect arrangement for you.”

Then the door’s small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, “Hi, Barbara…let me get your order.” She politely excused herself and walked toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except for the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.

“Want this in a box?” asked the clerk.

Sandra watched for the customer’s response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed.

“Yes, please,” Barbara replied with an appreciative smile. “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn’t be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again.” She said as she gently tapped her chest.

“Uh,” stammered Sandra, “that lady just left with, uh….she just left with no flowers!”

“Right, said the clerk, “I cut off the flowers. That’s the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.”

“Oh, come on, you can’t tell me someone is willing to pay for that!” exclaimed Sandra.

“Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel today,” explained the clerk. “She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery.”

“That same year I had lost my husband,” continued the clerk, “and for the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel.”

“So what did you do?” asked Sandra.

“I learned to be thankful for thorns,” answered the clerk quietly. “I’ve always thanked God for good things in life and never to ask Him why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I have always enjoyed the ‘flowers of life, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort.

You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”

Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her friend had tried to tell her. “I guess the truth is I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God.”

Just then someone else walked into the shop. “Hey, Phil!” shouted the clerk to the balding, rotund man.

“My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving arrangement…twelve thorny, long-stemmed stems!” laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

“Those are for your wife?” asked Sandra incredulously. “Do you mind me asking why she wants something that looks like that?”

“No…I’m glad you asked,” Phil replied. “Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord’s grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she learned from “thorny” times, and that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific “problem” and give thanks for what that problem taught us.”

As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special!”

“I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life.” Sandra said to the clerk. “It’s all too…fresh.”

“Well,” the clerk replied carefully, “my experience has shown me that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don’t resent the thorns.”

Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. “I’ll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please,” she managed to choke out.

“I hoped you would,” said the clerk gently. “I’ll have them ready in a minute.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?”

“Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year’s arrangement is always on me.” The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. “I’ll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first.”

It read: “My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow.” – George Matheson

Praise Him for your roses, thank him for your thorns.

By Lynn Sheer

Meditation: Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity? – Job 2:10

You will succeed because Jesus loves You!

Also read:

Roses and Thorns
The Blessings of Thorns
Why Crucify Him Again?