A REMINDER-GOD IS IN CONTROL

1-9-10 TODAY I AWOKE TO SNOW IN HERNANDO,FLORIDA. ALL MY YEARS OF LIVING HERE I NEVER SAW THIS BEFORE.

A BLESSED REMINDER - GOD IS IN CONTROL.

AN UN-BLOOMED ROSE

We had a rose bush that was so healthy and green and had just begun producing buds. We were so excited. We just knew we were really going to be able to enjoy the beauty of these roses. Within a matter of days, the weather conditions turned to one of those summer Florida torrential rains. The rain pours out of the sky and with such force and winds that it causes damage. Our new little rosebuds, being young and tender did not stand a chance of survival. The rains beat them off of the bush and knocked them to the ground. After the weather cleared up, the sun came out and the rose bush was fine and healthy as ever. But the rosebuds were not replaceable. When they fell to the ground they were knocked off from their source of nutrients. Their purpose was over.They had to be thrown away as un-bloomed roses.

When I received salvation, but did not know how to have faith and put my trust solely in God, I was like an un-bloomed rose. I failed to have purpose. I was still in existence, but I was not fulfilling God's purpose for my life.I would try to please family, friends, co-workers, church goers, and everyone else. But, God was who I needed to be pleasing. I was not letting His purpose for my life be the drive behind my deeds. I set myself up for failure as a Christian in every facet of my life. Without me having faith and trust, the powerful driving source of purpose I needed for my life, was not coming from God. My will was being done, not God's. As time went on, I was beaten off the bush, meaning God's unchanging hand. I was lying on the ground without my source of nutrients. All because I would not let God feed me the wisdom and guidance to be able to fulfill his purpose for my life. I was like an un-bloomed rose that never flourished to full potential. Never extracting the beautiful fragrance. Never being able to benefit myself or any one else because I lacked God's purpose.

Unlike, the un-bloomed roses that had to be thrown away because of their inability to survive, we have a choice. We can opt to let God show us his purpose for our lives. We can let Him be the driving force behind His purpose for us. We can let Him give us nutrients of wisdom and guidance. Thus giving us the opportunity in our walk through life on this earth, to bloom in God's beauty and be sweet fragrance to others. I am glad I am no longer an un-bloomed rose. I chose to bloom.

KINDNESS COSTS NOTHING AND IS WORTH EVERYTHING

I did not write this, but it is such a WOMDERFUL REMINDER to be kind ever day. Monday WashDay Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility Through the week ahead. Tuesday Ironing Day Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles Of prejudice I have collected through the years So that I may see the beauty in others. Wednesday Mending Day O God, help me mend my ways so I will not Set a bad example for others. Thursday Cleaning Day Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart. Friday Shopping Day O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal happiness for myself and all others In need of love. Saturday Cooking Day Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness. Sunday The Lord's Day O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please Come into my heart so I may spend the day and the Rest of my life in your presence. ****************************************************** Be kind all the time. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle. You might be the person God uses to help them win the war. Kindness costs nothing and is worth everything.

JUST A CRUMBLED PIECE OF PAPER by: Deb Fausnight

My brother wrote this story. It is such an inspiration. I feel the need to share it.

One of the managers of the store came to the meat department where I work. As I turned to go to the back I noticed a crumbled piece of paper on the floor. It was laying in eye view where the manager had just walked by. I reached down and picked it up to throw it away when something told me to un-crumble it. When I did I found a receipt from another store, a twenty, ten and a one dollar bill. I approached the manager with my discovery.

Thinking on this event it occured to me how often people look at other people the same way. Never noticing one another. Or seeing just a sorry crumbled piece of something that looks like it has no value. But, when God looks at us He looks past the crumbled, messed up outside and he sees the value inside. I am so thankful for my Lord who sees whats inside of me and doesn't look at the clothes I wear or if I'm rich or poor. He sees value in me when no one else does.

PRAISE GOD I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW

When I was a teenager, my eye doctor informed me I was so severely near sighted I would be blind by the time I was 40 years old. That news was a little tough to take. I obtained employment at a bank, and began making preparations for the day I would be blind. I learned where all of the buttons are on the telephone and calculator. I closed my eyes and practiced operating the equipment. At the time it seemed imperative I learn this because those were the main tasks of my job. I do not know how I thought I would be able to write the phone messages or read the sum on the calculator tape. I HAD ONLY GIVEN THOUGHT TO PART OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES as a Banker. My forties have come and gone. And with modern technology I still have my physical sight. But all those years I was spiritiually blind. It was then God gave me Christian sight. Previously it seemed salvation was the main task of my Christian job. I do not know how I thought I would be able to stay on the Christian path. I was not applying faith and trust. Just like the adding machine and calculator, I HAD ONLY GIVEN THOUGHT TO PART OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES as a Christian. PRAISE GOD I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW.