Wednesday, November 24, 2010

What you dislike in another, take care to correct in your self

Take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
Matthew 7:5 NRSV

think good thoughts

If there be any truer measure of a man than by what he does, it must be by what he gives.

It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Acts 20:35

Burnt Biscuits

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed!
Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school. I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing
my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a little burnt biscuit never hurt anyone!"
Life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting
relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burnt biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!
"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."
God Bless You..... Now, and Always....

Saturday, November 13, 2010

think good thoughts

The great need is not to do things but to believe things

According to your faith be it unto you
Matthew 9:29

think good thoughts

Wishing will never be a substitute for prayer

You want what you don’t have…and yet the reason you don’t have what you want is that you don’t ask God for it.
James 4:2 TLB

think good thoughts

Faith is the radar that sees through the fog

Now faith is an assurance of things hoped for, a sure persuasion of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

think good thoughts

Every person should have a special cemetery lot in which to bury the faults of friends and loved ones

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:32

think good thoughts

Miracles have never passed away, some people just quit believing

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever,
Isaiah 40:8 NAS

think good thoughts

Promises may get friends, but it is performance that must nurse and keep them

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 AMP

think good thoughts

The first duty of love is to listen


wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear.
James 1:19

think good thoughts

No person was ever honored for what he received - Honor has been the reward for what he gave

The righteous give and spare not.
Proverbs 21:26

think good thoughts

Until you make peace with who you are, you will never be content with what you have

Godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6

think good thoughts

Many receive advice, only the wise profit by it

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advise.
Proverbs 13:10 NIV

Malachi 3: 3

Malachi 3:3 says: “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.



This verse puzzled some members of a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.



One of the ladies offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.



That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.



As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.



The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”



She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time.



The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.



The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”



He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.”



If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.





Be blessed my friend… I know I am!