Saturday, August 23, 2003

LEARN HOW TO STOOP

Is it possible to be both humble and emotionally healthy?

One young man acquired a job in a grocery store. On the first day of work, the manager handed him a broom and said, "I want you to sweep the floor."

Stunned, the new employee said, "But I'm a college graduate!"

"Oh, I'm sorry," replied the boss, "I didn't know. Here then, give me the broom and I'll show you how."

He wouldn't stoop that low! He had risen above sweeping. But one of life's peculiar lessons is that in occasionally lowering ourselves we find true contentment. We sometimes believe that if we can only rise to a particular standard of living, or if we can rise above a certain income level, or ascend to a certain educational level that we will be happy. But we are never all that happy until we learn the values of simplicity and service. It's a matter also of lowering ourselves -- learning how to stoop!

It is as if life's gifts are all on shelves, one above the other. But the greatest gifts are on the lowest shelves, one beneath the other. So it is by stooping lower, always going down, that we get the best gifts!

Thursday, August 21, 2003

Dear Lord,

I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me this day for I have sinned. I ask now for Your forgiveness.

Keep me safe from all danger and harm. Let me start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day and give my best in all that is put before me.

Clear my mind that I can hear from You. Broaden my mind that I can accept all things that are of You. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over.

Let me continue to see sin through Your eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrongdoing, and receive the forgiveness of God.

And when this world closes in on me, let me remember Jesus' example to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray out loud, You listen to my heart.

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. I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You. I pray for those who don't know You intimately.

I pray for those that who will read this and not speak this aloud in their own lives. I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others. I pray for those that don't believe... But I thank you that I believe.

I believe that You change people, and I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met.

I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than You, Lord. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly.

This is my prayer.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Wednesday, August 13, 2003

Saturday, August 09, 2003