Acts of Caring..

Caring is letting things matter to us, including other people,
by valuing their well-being and being attentive to their needs.
When we care about someone, we are conscious of
what can harm them or what will make them flourish.

Acts of kindness let others know that we care.

No BRAINers!

“Many complain of their looks,
but none of their brains”
- Yiddish Proverb

The Shepherd & His Sheep

"I am the good Shepherd; and I know My sheep,
and am known by My own."
John 10:14

"To Him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear His voice;
and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.
And when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them;
and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice."
John 10:3-4

I AM SO THANKFUL THAT
WE KNOW HIS VOICE!

 

A Tale of the Talebearers

I love fairy tales. Yes, I know they aren't true but there is something about the stories that make one connect them to real life. (Probably being an only child prompted my thinking this way). Well, I got to thinking (again) of what it would be like to read a modern-day tale, so thought I'd try my hand at writing one. Remember it won't be magical like the oldies (unfortunately we don't have much "magic" going on nowadays).

The Five Stepsisters

A Tale of the Talebearers

according to Karen Hopper

Once upon a time, there were five horribly insensitive stepsisters who regularly attended a church where the Spirit of God desired to freely move in the midst of its people. These sisters didn't seem to relish being in His presence and focused more on their own agenda, being carried away by jealousy and merciless tale bearing; therefore they found fault in the people whose only desire was to serve the King as best they could.

Due to the idleness of these sisters’ days, and the time spent on the telephone (yes, in this story there is a phone; remember this is a modern-day tale), the sisters and their “birds of a feather” friends’ imaginations would conjure up fabricated stories on the unsuspecting. It is said that they did it in order to blind themselves of their shortcomings. Unfortunately, these treacherous ones would visit with one another on a regular, almost daily, basis – looking to find the slightest thing that would allow the thought of something bad or unseemly. Even the littlest thing would turn into a tidbit that would allow them to go about their tattle-bearing and backbiting ways. In many circles, it was called gossip.

Fortunately, the Lord’s people were able to distinguish the marks of these tale bearing sisters, and distanced themselves. Just in case you aren't aware: What were the distinctive marks labeling these five?

One sister had Big Eyes, which allowed her to search around looking for possible flaws in others, and then magnify each into a major offense against an unsuspecting soul. (It was usually her flaw but she couldn't see it, and would pass it on hoping that it would be moved from her so not to have to deal with it.)

Another sister was known for her Big Ears - ears to hear vile words that acted as a destroyer of a soul; never considering that what she heard may not be true but relishing it as a truth anyway. (And what if it was truth, should judgment be made by mortals under any circumstances? Isn't there only one designated to judge?)

Sister #3 had a Big Mouth to spread untruths, spewing out hateful words while pretending to be genuinely concerned about someone’s salvation and well being. (Wouldn't you think genuine concern would get Big Mouth on her knees to ask God to help that person who's struggling?)

Then there was Big Feet who always ran around spreading malicious tones as quickly as possible. Time reporting was always of the essence. God forbid that she would allow juicy gossip to get cold (Talebearer's motto: Be the first to report the fragility of another whether it be true or false.)

And never could the four other sisters have survived without their elder sister, Cold Heart. She was the kindred spirit that held them together through it all, and she was the one that they needed most. CH served as their leader well, and a reflection of the condition of her soul and that of her sisters.

Life continued on. Each day, the five went about their business, never desiring anything more than affix themselves on others impurities, or thought-to-be impurities. Never once did they feel what they were saying was wrong, always feeling justified in proclaiming the inadequacies in others. Poor stepsisters! They continued to toil at tattling, tale bearing, deceiving, backbiting and lying until it was their time to have presence with the King. Excitedly, they received invitation to go to the Kingdom, where they expected to be rewarded for the labors they had amassed. Why, they had cleaned up the messes that the pastors hadn't taken care of. My, how could a Man of God be so blinded not to know the shortcomings of so many, the sisters thought. It was their duty to take care of the business at hand and do what they did best. The King would be proud of them, giving them honor.

The day came when the sisters entered into the presence of the King - and each was rewarded according to their deeds - living UNHAPPILY ever after in a place reserved for their kind.

THE END!

pictures: Disney copyrights

Be What You Are!

Time to take off the disguise you wear. Be true to yourself.
You are unique, and there is no one in the world quite
like you. You are special, and have so much to offer
by just being you. Don't cover your head with another's
personality. Be alive, be individual, be you!

Plant to Reap

Remember, the harvest you gather is
produced by the seed you plant.

Firmly Planted

When God is the center of our universe,
we are as a tall strong tree.
Our leaves are free to travel with the wind,
yet we know our roots will remain firmly planted.

Seek the Light

During our darkest hours,
we must set our hearts toward the light.

The Only Place of Safety

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say to the LORD,
‘My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!’
Psalm 91:1-2

No fortress is as secure as the arms of God. Safety is found in Him.

  The name of the LORD is a strong tower;
The righteous runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10-11

Why Do We Worry in Vain?

"Not even a sparrow, worth only half a
penny, can fall to the ground without your
Father knowing it. And the very hairs on
your head are all numbered. So don’t be
afraid; you are more valuable to Him than
a whole flock of sparrows."
Matthew 10:29-31

Seek Peace for Your Soul

One day we must come to see that
peace is not merely a distant goal we seek,
but that it is a means by which we arrive
at that goal. We must pursue
peaceful ends through peaceful means.
- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.
- Matthew 6:34 (NIV)

 

Peace, Peace, Such Wonderful Peace

As the river flowing through the land provides water for life,
so His life-giving peace flows through us, and renews our spirit.
Indeed, we are trees planted by the rivers of living water,
and by staying close to the peaceful waters of God,
we shall be filled with the abundant life of Christ,
and truly live in an everlasting peace.

What Ganhi and Me Thinks

When I admire...the beauty of the moon,
my soul expands in the worship of the Creator.
- Mahatma Ganhi

How beautiful it is when we can look above the cares and activities
of this life to see the beauty that God has given us.
We do Him a great injustice by not concentrating on the good.
For no matter our circumstances, He is there.
Yes, life is good if we will but look for it in God's nature.
He made its beauty for us to enjoy and to reflect upon Him.
- a "me" quote

 

 

 

Getting In Line with Nature

Nature will bear the closest inspection.
She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf,
and take an insect view of its plain.
- Henry David Thoreau

A Lesson from the Flowers

Flowers neither have emotions or conflicts.
What a lesson for humankind.

Be You!

You were born an original. Don’t become a copy.

Just Shine...

We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won't need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don't fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine. - Dwight L. Moody

The Catch

“There are many things in life that will catch your eye, but only a few will catch your heart...pursue those.”
- Michael Nolan

A Friend is Always There

"When it hurts to look back,

 and you're scared to look ahead,

 you can look beside you and
your best friend will be there. "

- Anonymous

Love, Love, Love God's Seasons

I LOVE THE FALL!

I Believe in Miracles

I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES...Why? Because our miracles are fragments of God's love and nothing less, for without faith, we will never a miracle possess. We must live in a way that every minute is a miracle, and as Jean de la Bruyere once said, "Out of difficulties grow miracles."