bestofwords10.html

God is the final authority here, and I thank Him for you,
and allowing me to share with you in this way.
Lord, please continue to use me to do Thy Will.
Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others.
Keep me strong that I may help the weak and unsaved.
Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others.
May the Holy Spirit always continue to guide me.
I ask for your continued prayers, and please pray for each other

Bunny's Words © 1999-2004 All rights reserved

Gard61@aol.com

Song Playing is: "Ave Maria" by Celine Dion

Music is for evaluation purposes only.
If you like the music, please support the artists by purchasing the CD.

I absolutely do not receive any monetary gain for anything.
Everything I do is freely given, as it was freely received.

Lessons to Learn Today

I will learn that true happiness is not always to achieve my goals,
but to learn to appreciate what I have achieved.
I will learn that I should control my attitude,
and not let my attitude control me.
I will learn that to be rich is not to have the most,
but to need the least.
I will learn that it is futile to compare myself to others,
because there is always someone better or worse off than I am.
I will learn that it takes years to build trust,
and a few seconds to destroy it.
I will learn that there are people who love me very much,
but simply do not know how to show their feelings.
I will learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness.
I will learn that I cannot make anyone love me,
but learn to let myself be loved.
I will learn that what is most valuable
is not what I have in my life, but who I have in my life.
I will learn that it only takes a few seconds to hurt people I love,
and that it can take years to heal.
I will learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
I will learn that while at times I may be entitled to be upset,
that does not give me the right to upset those around me.
I will learn that true friends are scarce,
and when I have found one I have found a true treasure.
I will learn that it is not always important that I be forgiven by others,
but that I forgive myself.
I will learn that I am the master of what I keep to myself
and the slave of what I say
I will learn that happiness is a decision,
and decide to be happy today with what I am
and what I have, not die from envy and jealousy of what I lack.
I will learn that those who are honest with themselves
without considering the consequences succeed in life.
I will learn that I will reap what I plant;
if I plant gossip I will harvest suspicion,
if I plant love I will harvest happiness.

Just Five More Minutes

While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man
on a bench near a playground.
"That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy
in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide.
"He's a fine looking boy" the man said.
"That's my daughter on the bike in the white dress."
Then, looking at his watch, he called to his daughter.
"What do you say we go, Melissa?"
Melissa pleaded, "Just five more minutes, Dad. Please?
Just five more minutes." The man nodded
and Melissa continued to ride her bike to her heart's content.
Minutes passed and the father stood
and called again to his daughter.
"Time to go now?"
Again Melissa pleaded, "Five more minutes, Dad.
Just five more minutes." The man smiled and said, "O.K."
"My, you certainly are a patient father," the woman responded.
The man smiled and then said,
"Her older brother Tommy was killed by a drunk driver last year
while he was riding his bike near here.
I never spent much time with Tommy
and now I'd give anything for just five more minutes with him.
I've vowed not to make the same mistake with Melissa.
She thinks she has five more minutes to ride her bike.
The truth is, I get five more minutes to watch her play."

Life is all about making priorities, what are your priorities?
Give someone you love five more minutes of your time today

An Indian Prayer

Great Spirit Whose voice I hear in the winds,
and Whose breath gives life to all the world,
hear me! I am small and weak,
I need Your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in beauty,
and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my hands respect the things You have made
and my ears sharp to hear Your voice.
Make me wise so that I may understand the things
You have taught my people,
Let me learn the lessons You have hidden
in every leaf and rock.
I seek strength not to be greater than my brother,
but to fight my greatest enemy, myself.
Make me always ready to come to You with clean hands
and straight eyes, so when life fades, as the fading sunset,
my spirit may come to You without shame.

Humankind has not woven the web of life.
We are but one thread within it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
All things are bound together. All things connect.
Chief Seattle

Uncle Bob and Mother carried the furniture from the house.
So much had happened lately.
His dad had moved out and filed for a divorce.
Now he and his mother were moving to a smaller, cheaper house.
Ricky had cried and begged and raged, but nothing had changed,
except him. He felt hard and bitter.
He didn't even try to pray anymore.

God doesn't care, or He wouldn't have let this happen.
So why bother talking to Him? Ricky told himself.
But he did feel terribly lonely.
Not only did he miss his father,
but he missed his Heavenly Father, too.
Mother patted Ricky's shoulder and smiled as she
and Uncle Bob came up the stairs.
She can't be hurting like I am, or she couldn't smile.
Ricky thought angrily. Maybe it's her fault.
Maybe she asked him to leave.
Please help us with this heavy dresser, Mother called.
Scowling and grumbling, Ricky went to help.
As he stooped over to lift his end,
Uncle Bob exclaimed, No, no!
That's not the way to lift it, Ricky.
You'll hurt your back that way.
Watch me, and do it this way.
Lift your load with your knees, not your back.

Mother sighed deeply.
You know, that's what I've been doing, Bob.
Oh God, said Uncle Bob, smiling.
You don't need a backache on top of your heartache.
I'm not talking about lifting furniture, said Mother.
I'm talking about my heavy heart.
I've been lifting it to God on my knees in prayer.
It's the only way I can keep going.
I've found it's not the load that can hurt you,
it's how you carry it. I don't want to get bitter.
I want to keep smiling and trusting God.

How about you, Ricky? asked Uncle Bob.
How have you been carrying your heartache?
You need to lift that load with your knees, too.
Let your Heavenly Father help you carry it.
Tears blinded Ricky, but he smiled.
I will, Uncle Bob. Then he bent his knees
and lifted his end of the dresser.

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak;
Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

The Furnace (Daniel 3:18)

Sometimes you must face the fire
Alone
And without hope
While the world only wants to watch you die.
Sometimes you must be bound
By all the enemy commands to restrain you
And you must be cast
As loves abandoned sacrifice
Into the core
Of what appears as hottest hell.
But once you submit
To such unimaginable horror
Your form will stand
At peace
In the Holy Presence of Your Lord
Who dwells as a consuming flame
Amid the blaze of Heaven's glory.
That flashes back and forth
With life.
And as you commune
Your spirit embraced alone with His
All that shall be destroyed
Are the bands that hold you
And the forces of doom
That sought your annihilation.
Rest
O weary soul
For, at last
You may walk
With God.

Written by Ray McAllister...April 2002

Lady Twilight felt angry.
It was one of those days when she was doing her best
to be nice to everyone but nobody was being nice to her.
What if people could be friendlier
she thought to herself as she wandered
through the open air market.
It was a warm, sunny day so there was no use
blaming the weather. In that case it must mean
that people just do not like me, she decided.
The chatter of voices was all around while she
sat at a table by the side of the shopping crowd.
She sipped a glass of green juice and felt very alone
despite all the shoppers rushing about the street.
Just then she spotted a young man
and the newspaper headline on his paper...
Lead And They Will Follow.

Twilight finished her drink
and wandered along the street,
feeling heavy, tired, and still a little angry
with this world full of unfriendly people.
She turned to the left and walked right
past the mirror man. He was there every week
selling mirrors of all shapes and sizes.
He was singing away to himself
until he spotted Twilight, then the sparkle left his eyes
and his face froze into a stern harsh expression.
She glared at him and out of the corner of her eye
she caught her reflection in a mirror.
She looked so angry and so bad tempered
that she even surprised herself.
So shocked was she by her look of rage
that she burst out laughing.
The mirror man started laughing too
and the two of them laughed until it hurt.
With a sore belly, Twilight bade farewell
to her friend and skipped along through
the market with an inner happiness
and a smile for everyone she met.
Something weird happened though.
At this end of the market everyone wanted to talk
to her, and most people seemed pleased to see her.
People went out of their way to help her
and it was a pleasure dealing
with these nice people up this end of the street.
She walked past a newsstand
and there was that headline again...
Lead And They Will Follow.

Something clicked - so that is how it works.
Smile and people will smile back, give first,
and then you will receive.
The world is like a mirror and people reflect
back to you what you give out.
Although not everyone will be nice back,
the odds certainly are in your favor
if you take the risk and give first.
Lead and let others follow your example.
People want to be liked,
let them know that you like them and they will
feel safer with you and the quality of
communication will improve dramatically.

Lady Twilight smiled and the world smiled back.

A person's character is like a fence;
it can't be strengthened by whitewash.

************************

I give thanks for the Blessings of the day
Sun and sky
Nature
Abundance of green
Nothing seen should bring dismay
Oh the serenity of it
I love the rapture in my spirit
Thank You heavenly King
I would do most anything
Just to show my love.

We all know what it's like to get that phone call
in the middle of the night. This night was no different.
Jerking up to the ringing summons, I focused on the red,
illuminated numbers of my clock. Midnight.
Panicky thoughts filled my sleep-dazed mind
as I grabbed the receiver. Hello? My heart pounded,
I gripped the phone tighter and eyed my husband,
who was now turning to face my side of the bed.
Mama? The voice answered.
I could hardly hear the whisper over the static.
But my thoughts immediately went to my daughter.
When the desperate sound of a young crying voice
became clear on the line, I grabbed for my husband
and squeezed his wrist.
Mama, I know it's late. But don't... don't say anything until I finish.
And before you ask, yes I've been drinking.
I nearly ran off the road a few miles back and...
I drew in a sharp, shallow breath,
released my husband and pressed my hand against my forehead.
Sleep still fogged my mind,
and I attempted to fight back the panic.
Something wasn't right.

And I got so scared. All I could think of was how
it would hurt you if a policeman came to your door
and said I'd been killed. I want... to come home.
I know running away was wrong.
I know you've been worried sick.
I should have called you days ago but I was afraid... afraid...
Sobs of deep-felt emotion flowed from the receiver
and poured into my heart. Immediately I pictured my daughter's face
in my mind, and my fogged senses seemed to clear,
I think ---
No! Please let me finish! Please!
She pleaded, not so much in anger, but in desperation.
I paused and tried to think what to say.
Before I could go on, she continued.
I'm pregnant, Mama. I know I shouldn't be drinking now...
especially now, but I'm scared, Mama. So scared!
The voice broke again, and I bit into my lip,
feeling my own eyes fill with moisture.
I looked up at my husband, who sat silently mouthing, Who is it?
I shook my head and when I didn't answer,
he jumped up and left the room, returning seconds later
with a portable phone held to his ear.
She must have heard the click in the line because she asked,
Are you still there?
Please don't hang up on me! I need you.
I feel so alone.
I clutched the phone and stared at my husband,
seeking guidance.

I'm here, I wouldn't hang up, I said.
I should have told you, Mama.
I know I should have told you.
But, when we talk, you just keep telling me what I should do.
You read all those pamphlets on how to talk about sex
and all, but all you do is talk.
You don't listen to me.
You never let me tell you how I feel.
It is as if my feelings aren't important.
Because you're my mother you think you have all the answers.
But sometimes I don't need answers.
I just want someone to listen.
I swallowed the lump in my throat and stared at the
how-to-talk-to-your-kids pamphlets scattered on my nightstand.
I'm listening, I whispered.
You know, back there on the road
after I got the car under control, I started thinking
about the baby and taking care of it.
Then I saw this phone booth and it was as if
I could hear you preaching to me about how people
shouldn't drink and drive. So I called a taxi.
I want to come home.
That's good honey, I said, relief filling my chest.
My husband came closer, sat down beside me
and laced his fingers through mine.
But you know, I think I can drive now.
No! I snapped. My muscles stiffened
and I tightened the clasp on my husband's hand.
Please, wait for the taxi.
Don't hang up on me until the taxi gets there.

I just want to come home, Mama.

I know. But do this for your mama.
Wait for the taxi, please.
I listened to the silence fearing.
When I didn't hear her answer,
I bit into my lip and closed my eyes.
Somehow I had to stop her from driving.
There's the taxi, now.
Only when I heard someone in the background
asking about a Yellow Cab did I feel my tension easing.
I'm coming home, Mama.
There was a click, and the phone went silent.
Moving from the bed, tears forming in my eyes,
I walked out into the hall and went to stand
in my 16 year old daughter's room.
My husband came from behind,
wrapped his arms around me
and rested his chin on the top of my head.
I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
We have to learn to listen, I said to him.
He studied me for a second, and then asked,
Do you think she'll ever know she dialed the wrong number?
I looked at our sleeping daughter, then back at him.
Maybe it wasn't such a wrong number.
Mom, Dad, what are you doing?
The muffled voice came from under the covers.
I walked over to my daughter,
who now sat up staring into the darkness.
We're practicing, I answered.
Practicing what? she mumbled
and laid back on the mattress,
but her eyes already closed in slumber.
Listening, I whispered and brushed a hand over her cheek.

What is the best gift you ever received?
Better still, what is the best gift you ever gave?
Perhaps, my friends, you will recall that in each instance,
the best gift was one that was tied with the heartstrings
of the giver ~ one that included a part of self...

Even in the winter, even in the midst of the storm,
the sun is still there.
Somewhere, up above the clouds,
it still shines and warms and pulls at the life
buried deep inside the brown branches
and frozen earth.
The sun is there! Spring will come!
The clouds cannot stay forever.

You can transcend all negativity when you realize
that the only power it has over you is your belief in it.
As you experience this truth about yourself...
you are set free

When we make the decisions or experience conflict
we need to look at the greater whole.
The end result we want to accomplish is peace of mind.
If we keep this goal in mind, we will, overall,
live a happy and fulfilling life.
Everything in the world is constantly changing
so we should not resist this change.
A good question to ask ourselves is,
Would I rather be right or happy?"
If we would rather be happy,
then it is easier to let the little things go.
If we would rather be right,
we tend to look for the WIN/LOSE.
Great Spirit, today, give me the tools to seek peace of mind.

Don Coyhis

Who is wise and understanding among you?
Let him show it by his good life,
by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition
in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
Such Wisdom does not come down from Heaven
but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.
For where you have envy and selfish ambition,
there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from Heaven
is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate,
submissive, full of mercy and
good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Prayer:
LORD, help me to exemplify Your wisdom in my life today.
I choose to turn away from yielding to my own selfishness,
for that is never profitable to me or others,
and only leads to more evil.
Instead, help me to follow Your wisdom
in everything I do and say.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

************************

May you see your future as one filled
with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.
May you find enough inner strength to determine
your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.

************************

Psalm 86:7,

"In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee,
for Thou will answer me."

************************

Lord,
Open my eyes so I may see
and feel Your presence close to me.
Give me strength for my stumbling feet
as I battle the crowd on life's busy street.
And widen the vision of my unseeing eyes
so in passing faces I'll recognize
not just a stranger, unloved, and unknown,
but a friend with a heart that is much like my own.

A treasure to be cherished,
A gift from God above;
Is the beauty of a friendship,
Touched by unconditional love.
A love that asks no questions,
Believes in all the best;
Never doubting, ever trusting,
Withstanding any test.
A love that weathers any storm,
And yet that love still stands;
Through the very darkest hour,
It still reaches out a hand.
There in that hand the sweetest gift,
That you can give a friend;
A heart that cares, a love that shares,
That will be there till the end.
A treasure to be cherished,
A gift from God above;
Is what I share with you my friend,
An unconditional love.

I Know You're Hurting

My friend I know you’re hurting, I know you’re lonely and blue.
But what’s even more important, Our Heavenly Father knows it too.
You see you’re not forgotten, God knows right where you are,
And you are just as important to Him as any planet or star.
God created each planet, and God created each star.
God also created you my friend and it's a wonderful creation you are.
God gave you a brain to think with, He gave you a heart to care,
He also gave His Son for you, who on the cross your sins did bear.
Accept the forgiveness He offers, enjoy His love and His care.
He's preparing a home in Heaven for you, and soon you’ll get to go there.
In Heaven you’ll no longer be hurting, you will not be lonely or blue.
God will lovingly wipe your tears all away, and will spend eternity with you.

Bob Hefner

Have you ever worried whether there would be
enough air for you to breathe?
Do you ever wonder what you would do
if the laws of gravity ceased to operate?
Why is it, we never seem to worry about the very
essential elements we all need to stay alive.
We just all Trust, they will be there, and they are.
We trust our hearts will beat,
our blood will flow, our lungs will expand,
and that we will stay firmly planted on this earth.
We trust every organ within our bodies
that they will do exactly as they should.
We trust our bodies will always support us.
Why not extend that trust to every area of our life.
Trust that the Universe and Creator will provide
everything that you need without any effort on your part.
All you ever need to do is ask and trust.
Always know in your heart that you are far bigger
than anything that can happen to you.
May you always speak the Truth quietly,
listen with an open mind when others speak
and remember the peace that may be found in silence.

************************

If You, Dear God,
could entrust to Jesus, Your Son
the salvation of the world throughout all eternity -
then I can surely entrust to Jesus, My Savior,
the solution to my problem today.

Dear Lord,

Your Word says,
"In Everything give thanks,
because this is the will of Jesus Christ concerning Me.
So, while I'm going through this time,
I choose with my will to thank You.
And Lord, Your Word says,
"All things, including this,
work together for the good of those who love You" -
And I Do
"and are called according to Your purpose"
And I Am.
You have also said that
"Heaven and earth will pass away"
before Your Word passes away.
So Your Word is truer than anything
I am feeling or experiencing right now.
Lord, I choose to rest in the fact that You have a plan,
that You'll bring me through and that
only good will be the outcome.
I love you, Lord and I give You thanks and praise.

************************

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well!

Carl Frances Alexander

(Heb 10:16-17 kjv)

This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, saith the Lord,
I will put My laws into their hearts,
and in their minds will I write them;
and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

Prayer:
LORD, I am grateful that You have forgiven me
and do not remember my sins and past failures,
nor hold them against me.
Help me to forgive myself for those things
and put them where they rightfully belong,
which is in the past and not in the present.
I will no longer look back in regret because
You have forgiven me of all the failures
and bad decisions of the past.
Today is a new day and I will rejoice and be glad in it.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

************************

Spiritual surgery is more painful than physical surgery.
God doesn't use an anesthetic.
He doesn't do His work while we are asleep.
God can take any brokenhearted believer
and make him or her a radiant, loving person.
But when He performs such heart operations,
His children are wide awake.

Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world I feel like
I can't take it, like my heart's going to cave in.

The Loom of Time

Man's life is laid in the loom of time to a pattern he does not see,
While the weavers work and the shuttles fly till the dawn of eternity.
Some shuttles are filled with silver threads and some with threads of gold,
While often but the darker hues are all that they may hold.
But the weaver watches with skillful eye each shuttle fly to and fro,
And sees the pattern so deftly wrought as the loom moves sure and slow.
God surely planned the pattern: each thread, the dark and fair,
Is chosen by His master skill and placed in the web with care.
He only knows its beauty, and guides the shuttles which hold
The threads so unattractive, as well as the threads of gold.
Not till each loom is silent, and the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God reveal the pattern and explain the reason why
The dark threads were as needful in the weaver's skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver for the pattern which He planned.

Life's Mirror

There are loyal hearts, there are spirits brave,
There are souls that are pure and true;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.
Give love, and love to your life will flow,
A strength in your utmost need;
Have faith, and a score of hearts will show
Their faith in your word and deed.
Give truth, and your gift will be paid in kind,
And honor will honor meet;
And a smile that is sweet will surely find
A smile that is just as sweet.
Give sorrow and pity to those who mourn;
You will gather in flowers again
The scattered seeds of your thought out borne,
Though the sowing seemed but vain.
For life is the mirror of king and slave
'Tis just what we are and do;
Then give to the world the best you have,
And the best will come back to you.

I think true mothers everywhere are gently brushed by angel wings
And in some stillness hear God speak, "Your child can do great things!"
And so a mother dreams her dreams, and has the love to see
In every struggling, stumbling child what God knows he can be!
How can I fail to seek His will, and follow in His way
When I have known my mother's prayers lifting me up each day?
Oh Lord, Bless mothers everywhere
as they seek to love and care for their children,
and to teach them about You.

Amen.

Emily Sargent

For the hand that rocks the cradle,
is the hand that rules the world

************************

My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise renews my life.
Even when the body fails us,
our spirits can be renewed by
Our Awesome God, if we let Him.

On the Wings of a Prayer

Just close your eyes and open your heart,
And feel your worries and cares depart.
Just yield yourself to the Father above,
And let Him hold you secure in His love.

For life on earth grows more involved,
With endless problems that can't be solved.
But God only ask us to do our best,
Then He will take over and finish the rest.

So when you are tired, discouraged, and blue,
There is always one door that is open to you.
And that is the door to The House of Prayer,
And you'll find God waiting to meet you there.

And The House of Prayer is no further away,
Than the quiet spot where you kneel and pray.
For the heart is a temple when God is there,
As we place ourselves in His loving care.

And He hears every prayer and answers each one,
When we Pray in His name - Thy will be done.
The burdens that seemed too heavy to bear,
Are lifted away on the wings of a prayer.

According to His Word
The will of God will never take you,
Where the Grace of God cannot keep you,
Where the arms of God cannot support you,
Where the riches of God cannot supply your needs,
Where the power of God cannot endow you.

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

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

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

************************

Give us hearts to understand;

Never to take from creation's beauty more than we give;
Never to destroy wantonly for the furtherance of greed;
Never to deny to give our hands for the building of earth's beauty;
Never to take from her what we cannot use.

Give us hearts to understand;

That to destroy earth's music is to create confusion;
That to wreck her appearance is to blind us to beauty;
That to callously pollute her fragrance is to make a house of stench;
That as we care for her she will care for us.

We have forgotten who we are.
We have sought only our own security.
We have exploited simply for our own ends.
We have distorted our knowledge.
We have abused our power.

Great Spirit, whose dry lands thirst,
Help us to find the way to refresh your lands.

Great Spirit,
whose waters are choked with debris and pollution.
Help us to find the way to cleanse your waters.

Great Spirit,
whose beautiful earth grows ugly with misuse.
Help us to find the way to restore
beauty to your handiwork.

Great Spirit,
whose creatures are being destroyed.
Help us to find a way to replenish them.

Great Spirit,
whose gifts to us are being lost in selfishness
and corruption.
Help us to find the way to restore our humanity.

Oh, Great Spirit,
whose voice I hear in the wind,
whose breath gives life to the world, hear me;
I need your strength and wisdom.

May I walk in Beauty.

My help is in the mountain where I take myself to heal
the earthly wounds that people give to me.
I find a rock with the sun on it
and a stream where the water runs gentle
and the trees which one by one give me company.
So I must stay for a long time until I have grown from the rock
and the stream is running through me and
I can not tell myself from one tall tree.
Then I know that nothing touches me nor makes me run away.
My help is in the mountain that I take away with me.

Earth cure me. Earth receive my woe. Rock strengthen me
Rock receive my weakness. Rain wash my sadness away.
Rain receive my doubt. Sun make sweet my song.
Sun receive the anger from my heart.

Watch

Watch your thoughts, for they become your words.
Watch your words, for they become your actions.
Watch your actions, for they become your habits.
Watch your habits, for they will become your character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

The highest reward for a man's toil is not what he gets for it but what he becomes by it

************************

The Gift of the Gods

It was a warm summer day when the Gods
placed it in her hands. She trembled with emotion
as she saw how fragile it appeared.
This was a very special gift the Gods were entrusting to her.
A gift that would one day belong to the world.
Until then, they instructed her,
she was to be its guardian and protector.
The woman said she understood
and reverently took it home,
determined to live up to the faith
the Gods had placed in her.

At first she barely let it out of her sight,
protecting it from anything she perceived to be harmful
to its well being, watching with fear in her heart
when it was exposed to the environment outside
of the sheltered cocoon she had formed around it.
But the woman began to realize
that she could not shelter it forever.
It needed to learn to survive the harsh elements
in order to grow strong. So with gentle care she gave it more
space to grow, enough to allow it to grow wild and untamed.
One day she became aware of how much the gift had
changed. It no longer had a look of vulnerability about it.
Now it seemed to glow with strength and steadiness,
almost as if it were developing a power within.
Month after month she watched as it became stronger
and more powerful, and the woman remembered her promise.
She knew deep within her heart that her time with the gift
was nearing an end.
The inevitable day arrived when the Gods came to take
the gift and present it to the world.
The woman felt a deep sadness,
for she would miss its constant presence in her life.
With heartfelt gratitude she thanked the Gods
for allowing her the privilege of watching over
the precious gift for so many years.
Straightening her shoulders,
she stood proud, knowing that it was, indeed,
a very special gift. One that would add to the beauty
and essence of the world around it.

And the mother let her child go.

Phil 2:10 (nlt) says,
At the Name of Jesus every knee will bow,
in Heaven and on earth, and under the earth,
and every tongue will confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
You can do that now with positive results
or risk waiting until it is too late with negative results.
If you are smart,
you'll bow to the authority of Jesus Christ right now.

Your eternal destiny hangs on your decision.

Nothing evil will be allowed to enter --
no one who practices shameful idolatry and dishonesty --
but only those whose names are written
in the Lamb's Book of Life.
Have you signed God's guest registry?
Are you ready for the Book of Life to be opened?
Have you committed your life to serving Christ?
If you can't truthfully answer yes to these questions,
you need to do some careful thinking.
Don't wait -- please!

Swim through your temptations and troubles.
Run to the promises.
They are Our Lord's branches
hanging over the water so that His children
may take a grip of them.

Don't We All?

I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car.
I had just come from the car wash
and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot
was what society would consider a bum.
From the looks of him, he had no car, no home,
no clean clothes, and no money.
There are times when you feel generous
but there are other times that you
just don't want to be bothered.
This was one of those don't want to be bothered times.

I hope he doesn't ask me for any money,
I thought. He didn't. He came and sat on the curb
in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like
he could have enough money to even ride the bus.
After a few minutes he spoke.
That's a very pretty car, he said.

He was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him.
His scraggly blond beard kept more than his face warm.
I said, thanks,& and continued wiping off my car.
He sat there quietly as I worked.
The expected plea for money never came.
As the silence between us widened
something inside said,
ask him if he needs any help.
I was sure that he would say yes
but I held true to the inner voice.
Do you need any help? I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words
that I shall never forget.
We often look for wisdom in great men and women.
We expect it from those of higher learning
and accomplishments.
I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand.
He spoke the three words that shook me.

"Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important,
above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me
like a twelve gauge shotgun.

Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep,
but I needed help. I reached in my wallet
and gave him not only enough for bus fare,
but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day.
Those three little words still ring true.
No matter how much you have,
no matter how much you have accomplished,
you need help too.
No matter how little you have,
no matter how loaded you are with problems,
even without money or a place to sleep,
you can give help.
Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.

You never know when you may see someone
that appears to have it all.
They are waiting on you to give them what they don't have.
A different perspective on life,
a glimpse at something beautiful,
a respite from daily chaos,
that only you through a torn world can see.

Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger
wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that.
Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise,
to minister to a soul too comfortable in themselves.
Maybe God looked down, called an Angel,
dressed him like a bum, then said,
go minister to that man cleaning the car,
that man needs help.

Don't we all?

Pathways

With each new sun that rises, pathways start beneath our feet.
We know not how long the journey lasts, or what travelers we'll meet.
And though often times, we may feel frightened, sad, or on our own.
If the path we walk is paved with love, we never walk alone.
The trees will share their secrets, handed down from ages past.
The morning dew, with love, caress the flower and the grass.
The baby fawn will bend to touch her lips to flowing stream.
These treasures all await you on the path, in day or dream.
Show kindness to each living thing you meet along the way.
And take to heart their stories as you walk from day to day.
And though you may fall and stumble many times before the end.
You can lean upon the shoulder of the stranger you call friend.
Yes, the path unfolds before you every minute, everyday.
And your walk will last a lifetime, going off in everyway.
Have no fear of gathering storm clouds, or the darkness of the night.
You can rest from all your travels when you reach eternal light.
Let your heart sing with gladness to the mountains up above.
May your path be filled with happiness and love!

Many Blessings......Mesarose

Prayer to the Six Directions

To the Great Spirit -
First in all things, Creator of all Life,
Who was, and is, and will always be;
Who, within the immensity of all creation,
Is uniquely present here and now, in this moment.

To the East -
The quiet coming of the new dawn,
The joyous breaking forth of Spring,
The place of birth and rebirth and the beginning of life;

To the South -
The high heat of noon day,
The flowering warmth of Summer
The place of fertility and the fullness of life;

To the West -
The quiet peace of evening,
The changing colors of Fall,
The place of harvest and the gathering of life;

To the North -
The clear darkness of night,
The deep cold of Winter,
The place of death and purification
and the transformation of life;

To the Mother Earth -
The ever constant Giver of Life,
From whom all things draw sustenance;
Who, in the greatness of her family,
Offers blessing and freedom to each of her children;

To the Six Directions -
Together making the oneness of God and Creation,
We offer praise and thanksgiving,
We ask these things:
A heart open and made strong with love,
A mind clear and made wise with understanding,
A life lived with courage and compassion
in the fulfillment of Divine Purpose.
© Rev. Ken Turley, 1992

Our humanity is defined by how hard we strive
to overcome our fear of those
who are different than ourselves

************************

Wisdom For The Road

Cherish things while you still have them,
before they're gone,
and you will realize how precious they really are.

Life can only be understood backwards,
but it must be lived forwards.

Everything in life is temporary.
So if things are going good,
enjoy it because it won't last forever.

And if things are going bad,
don't worry because it won't last forever either.

Destiny is not a matter of chance,
it is a matter of choice;
it is not a thing to be waited for,
it is a thing to be achieved.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Never cross a bridge without knowing how to swim the tides.

If you could not add years to your life.

Add Life To Your Years

Although God created man without his help,
He will not save man without his consent.

With God,
life is eternal both in quality and length.
There is no joy comparable to the joy
of discovering something new from God, about God.

Eugenia Price

Colossians 3:16
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you
teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and
as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with
gratitude in your hearts to God.

************************

Acts 17:31
For He has set a day when He will judge the world with
justice by the Man He has appointed. He has given
proof of this to all men by raising Him from the dead.

Oh, for the wings of a bird we cry,
To carry us off to an untroubled sky
Where we can dwell untouched by care
And always be free as a bird in the air.
But there is a legend that's very old,
Not often heard and seldom told,
That once all birds were wingless, too,
Unable to soar through skies of blue,
They too were powerless to fly--
Until one day the Lord came by
And laid at the feet of the singing birds
Gossamer wings as He spoke these words,
"Come take these burdens so heavy now,
But if you bear them you'll learn somehow
That as you wear them they'll grow light
And soon you can lift yourselves into flight."
So, folding the wings beneath their hearts
And after endless failures and starts,
They lifted themselves and found with delight
The wings that were heavy had grown so light.
So whenever you cry for the wings of a bird,
Remember this little legend you've heard
And let God give you a heart that sings
As He turns your burdens to silver wings.

Jude V: 1-2
To those who have been called,
who are loved by God the Father
and kept by Jesus Christ:
Mercy, peace and love
be yours in abundance."

I feel your love, Dear God, all around me now,
And Your love takes away all my fear somehow.
It amazes me to watch Your plan,
And see You work things out as only You can.
I don't know the events that tomorrow may bring,
But I know You're in charge, so my heart can sing.
There's joy and peace within my soul,
And pleasing and glorifying You is my goal.
I thank You sincerely for being in charge,
And for teaching me, as my faith You enlarge.
I love You, I praise You and I trust You, too.
I know it's OK whatever You do.

Lord, Luke 12:48 says
"To whom much is given much is required."
God, thank you for my busy life.
It is a constant reminder of just how much
You have blessed me.
I can do all things through
You who strengthens me.
I am forever grateful.

Index	Ten	Twenty	Thirty
One	Eleven	Twenty-One	Remembering One
Two	Twelve	Twenty-Two	Remembering Two
Three	Thirteen	Twenty-Three	Remembering Three
Four	Fourteen	Twenty-Four	Animals One
Five	Fifteen	Twenty-Five	Animals Two
Six	Sixteen	Twenty-Six	Animals Three
Seven	Seventeen	Twenty-Seven	Heroes
Eight	Eighteen	Twenty-Eight	Holidays
Nine	Nineteen	Twenty-Nine

I send out a daily mailing called "Bunny's Words."
These mailings mainly consist of Christian stories, and other items
of interest, with a bit of humor once in awhile.
This is material that I receive from others, or find along the way,
and feel I want to pass on.
Sometimes I will include graphics & lovely links,
but basically, what you get is the Word!
If you are interested in a spiritual uplift, please join us.
I also include daily music upon request.

Click here to join or cancel Bunny's Words
Please specify if you are joining or canceling.

To send this page to a friend

The Christians with Chronic
Illness/Pain Site Ring

This site is owned and maintained by
Bunny

Disclaimers

Subscribe to Bunnys_Words

Powered by groups.yahoo.com

	The Christians with Chronic Illness/Pain Site Ring
	This site is owned and maintained by Bunny