A man is encouraging his son to try out for the football team, but the son is hesitant, afraid of failing.

“What if I try out and don’t make it?” the son asks, unsure.

“Well, you’re already not on the team,” the father points out. “You can’t get any more *not* on the team than you are right now. What have you got to lose?”

(A scene from the movie, Facing the Giants.)

God Sometimes Whispers

The young man had lost his job and didn’t know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher’s study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, “I’ve begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn’t God answer?”

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply — something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. “What did you say?” he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher’s chair.

“Sorry,” he said. “I still didn’t hear you.”

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. “God sometimes whispers,” he said, “so we will move closer to hear Him.”

This time the young man heard and he understood.

We all want God’s voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God’s is the still, small voice . . . the gentle whisper. Perhaps there’s a reason. Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God’s whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

(Author Unknown)

A Preacher and an Atheist

A preacher and an atheistic barber were once walking through the city slums. Said the barber to the preacher:

“This is why I cannot believe in a God of love. If God was as kind as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these things.”

The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face. Said the minister:

“You can’t be a very good barber or you wouldn’t permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut and shave.”

Indignantly the barber answered:

“Why blame me for that man’s condition? I can’t help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop; I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!”

Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said:

“Then don’t blame God for allowing the people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved.”

(Author Unknown)

LORD PROP US UP

Every time I am asked to pray, I think of the old deacon who always prayed, “Lord, prop us up on our leanin’ side.” After hearing him pray that prayer many times, someone asked him why he prayed that prayer so fervently.

He answered,

“Well sir, you see, it’s like this… I got an old barn out back. It’s been there a long time; it’s withstood a lot of weather; it’s gone through a lot of storms, and it’s stood for many years.

It’s still standing. But one day I noticed it was leaning to one side a bit. So I went and got some pine poles and propped it up on its leaning side so it wouldn’t fall.

Then I got to thinking about that and how much I was like that old barn. I’ve been around a long time.

I’ve withstood a lot of life’s storms. I’ve withstood a lot of bad weather in life, I’ve withstood a lot of hard times, and I’m still standing too. But I find myself leaning to one side from time to time, so I like to ask the Lord to prop us up on our leaning side, ’cause I figure a lot of us get to leaning at times.

Sometimes we get to

leaning toward anger,

leaning toward bitterness,

leaning toward hatred,

leaning toward cussing

leaning toward self pity,

leaning toward a lot of things that we shouldn’t.

So we need to pray,

‘Lord, prop us up on our leaning side, so we will stand straight and tall again, to glorify the Lord.’”

- Author Unknown

The Voice of Truth
by Casting Crowns

Oh, what I would do to have
the kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I’m in
Onto the crashing waves.
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
Where Jesus is,
And He’s holding out His hand.

But the waves are calling out my name
and they laugh at me,
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed.
The waves they keep on telling me
time and time again
“Boy, you’ll never win,
you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story,
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says “this is for My glory.”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

Oh, what I would do
to have the kind of strength it takes
To stand before a giant
with just a sling and a stone.
Surrounded by the sound
of a thousand warriors
shaking in their armor
Wishing they’d have had the strength to stand.

But the giant’s calling out
my name and he laughs at me,
Reminding me of all the times
I’ve tried before and failed.
The giant keeps on telling me
time and time again
“Boy you’ll never win,
you’ll never win.”

But the voice of truth tells me a different story,
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says “this is for My glory.”
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

But the stone was just the right size
to put the giant on the ground,
and the waves they don’t seem so high
from on top of them looking down.
I will soar with the wings of eagles
when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
singing over me…

The voice of truth tells me a different story,
the voice of truth says “do not be afraid!”
And the voice of truth says “this is for my glory”
I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth.

I will listen and believe,
I will listen and believe the voice of truth.
I will listen and believe
‘Cause Jesus You are the voice of truth
And I will listen to You.. oh you are the voice of truth.

(Hear the song at youtube)

THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD

A group of students was asked to list what they thought were the present Seven Wonders of the World. Though there was some disagreement, the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student hadn’t turned in her paper yet, so she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.” The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:

“1. TO SEE
2. TO TASTE
3. TO TOUCH
4. TO HEAR.”

She hesitated a little, and then added,

“5. TO FEEL
6. TO LAUGH
7. AND TO LOVE.”

The room was so full of silence you could have heard a pin drop.

Those things we overlook as simple and ordinary are truly wondrous. This is a gentle reminder that the most precious things in life cannot be bought…but are gifts from above. (James 1:17)

(Source: Mikey’s Funnies at www.mikeysFunnies.com)

“Why can’t every day be like Christmas?
Why can’t that feeling go on endlessly?
For if everyday could be just like Christmas
What a wonderful world this would be.”

Not long ago, a friend pointed out how waiting until “the Christmas season” to be good to our loved ones is, well, kind of childish. The truth of that struck me, and I’ve resolved to try to keep the so-called Christmas spirit alive all year.

Feel free to check in from time to time and ask me how the effort is going.

(Lyrics found here.)

A Christmas Creed

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.

I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world, in towns both large and small.

I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exclude Christ from my life today.

I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.

I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible:

I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother’s arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God’s love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.

I confess my ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.

I believe in God who gives us the best of himself. I believe in Jesus, the son of the living God, born in Bethlehem this night, for me and for the world.

~Walter Russell Bowie

found here: BlessingsOfChristmas.com

Listen to Christmas music on-line, for free:

Christmas Radio
http://www.radio-directory.com/christmas/

Christmas at AOL music
music.aol.com/radioguide/christmas-music

Christmas at Live365.com
Live365.com

A Classical Guitar Christmas
www.michaelryanmusic.com

Straight No Chaser (a capella group)
sncmusic.com

Creative Ways to Give this Season

Some of you thrive off the crowds and the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, scouring stores for the best finds at the best prices, taking in the cheery sights and sounds that differ from store to store. And some of you cringe at the thought of long lines and circling the parking lot ten times over, just to spend hours stressing over a gift you’re not totally satisfied with. Do either of these sound familiar to you?

I go back and forth, depending on the day, the mood, the weather…the desperation from procrastination! But I do love the chance to find a meaningful gift without having to wander aimlessly throughout the stores in search of it. For those of you who would agree, I have put together a cheat sheet of great gifts at little to no cost that should get you little to lots of gratitude…

• Prepare a recipe book of family favorite recipes from your childhood. You can also compile recipes from neighbors, friends, your church community or other communities of interest.
• If you’re an artist, or just crafty with stamps, glitter and the sort, make stationery and matching envelopes to give as a sentimental gift. Include a quote of love or inspiration or possibly a monogram.
• Create a calendar online with your favorite photo memories or go in store to a print shop and use their services to create something special with your photos.
• Frame a handwritten poem, or your wedding vows.
• Make coupons to babysit for new parents, shovel the sidewalk for a neighbor, or give a good old fashioned foot rub to your sweetheart.
• Offer lessons in knitting, piano, chess or other hobby where you are skilled.
• Write and illustrate a short story for the youngsters in your life.
• Design a menu of delicious dishes, wrap it up and give it to intended recipient with instruction to choose one entrée that will be made especially for them.
• Record your child singing Christmas songs or favorite hymns to give to grandparents so they can hear their grandbaby’s sweet little voice any time they want.
• Paint a picture on canvas, knit a scarf, or paint a piece of pottery at a local paint-your-own-pottery store.
• Visit the bead store and try your hand at designing earrings, necklaces, bracelets and key chains.
• And of course, make cookies, fudge, muffins and other sweet treats to fill a basket wrapped in cellophane and a big, festive bow.

source:
http://www.radiodelilah.com/content/journaltoshare.html