lesson from the frogs

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead.

The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out.

When he got out, the other frogs said, "Did you not hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

This story teaches two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.
2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.
Be careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path. The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

This was posted by a friend Christi on PLM. Although that website is for MS, sometimes some other things of interest are posted. I thought this was very insightful.

Blessings,

Linda

Are You A Kept Woman

This is a copy of e-mail sent to me by my niece. It arrived at just right the time. I was having myself a little pity party. This little e-mail helped to put things back in perspective.


A Kept Woman..........................

I Am a 'Kept ' Woman?
You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept '
Do you know a 'kept ' woman?
If so pass it on to her to let her know she is 'Kept '
I'm "Kept" by the Love and Grace of God.

common sense has died

I borrowed this from a friend on PLM a MS website. I thought I would share with you.

Common Sense

'Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.

He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: Knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn't always fair; and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

Common Sense declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an Aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust, his wife, Discretion, his daughter, Responsibility and his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;

I Know My Rights

I Want It Now

Someone Else Is To Blame

I'm A Victim

answered prayer

God has answered prayer that has been prayed for several years. My cousin and his wife have been married 20 years this past Dec. They have tried everything to have a baby including invtro. It seemed that it was God's will for them not have a child.

We often wondered why? Since they both loved children so much. His wife kept children and kept some just like they were their own. They have such a heart for children.

Well this past week they have been privileged to adopt a newborn baby. We just found out minutes ago through an email. We are so happy for them. Thankful that God has sent them this extra special blessing. Pray for them and this little bundle of joy. I am not revealing names or going in too much detail just to protect their privacy.

Needless to say this child will be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Pray that this child comes to know Jesus as his/her personal Savior at an early age. Praise God from who all blessings flow.

50 years of Wedded Bliss

My parents celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary last week. We surprised them on Sunday with a family dinner. They were supposed to have went on a trip. However my mother's back started hurting her again so they stayed home. She has suffered with chronic back pain for over 20 years.

It was just family. We gave them a big party on their 25th anniversary. Since they had plans, we were not going to do anything. So at the last minute we decided to celebrate as a family and surprise them. I was asked to make mother her favorite cake(strawberry). My sister-in-law made my Dad's favorite pie (pecan).

Well I decided to dress the cake up just a little bit as you can see. Mom was so tickled. She took the topper off and said she would save it for their 75th anniversary.

I thank God for my parents and their love for each other. I also thank Him for giving me parents who raised me in a Christian home and taught me about the Love of Christ. I thank Him for their faithfulness in following Him. I pray that my sons can say the same about their Dad & me.

Blessings,

Linda

memory verse

The memory verse that I am working on for the first 2 weeks of Feb. is

Joel 2:13. " So rend your hearts and not your garments, Return to the Lord your God. For He is gracious and of great kindness and He relents from doing harm."

God is wanting our grief and repentance to be true sorrow and repentance. He doesn't want it to merely that is seen by the world or that is put on for show. As it we are told in the book of Samuel God looks upon the heart.

Then we are turn back to Him. Sometimes we have wondered from Him even it is just in some small way. Oh, but the difference it makes in our lives! Can't you tell the difference when you are really close to Him and when you let just the everyday mundane things of life get in between? Return back to the sweet time of fellowship that you have shared with Him.

You know that there is nothing else like it.

He is waiting for you because is so gracious. Have you ever known Him to be anything but gracious. He has such a heart for you. He is full of great loving kindness. This is our great God. He also relents from doing harm when we truly repent and return to him. When it is not just a ritual.

How about you? Is the time you spend with God really heartfelt or it is just a ritual? Let us go heartily before our King today!

blessings,

Linda

Love

The focus word this week from Marsha's Legacy Moments is Love. The verse that I have chosen this week is rather short but says a great deal.

"We love Him because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

We humans love God because He loved us first. Do you think we would love Him if He had not been the One to initiate it? I don't believe we would.
1. We would have no idea what love is.
1John 4:8b tell us that "God is love." That is not saying that is all God is but that is it one characteristic of God. I don't believe we would know what true love was without God first showing love to us. We might would know what jealousy, and lust were but not true genuine love.

2. We are too selfish in nature to care about any one but ourselves and how it would benefit us. If we didn't get love first we sure wouldn't return it. Mankind's nature has always been what I am I going to get out of the deal.

What did we get out of the deal.

"For God so Loved the world( that includes you and me) that He gave His only begotten Son (His One & Only) that whosoever(insert your name) believeth on Him should not perish but hath everlasting life. " John 3:16

His Son Jesus Christ takes the punishment for our sins. He did not deserve the punishment, but you and I do. He shed his precious blood for you and me and gave his life. Then on the third day He rose from the grave. Praise His name. So that we might not have to endure the punishment and eternal damnation for our sins. But instead may stand before God righteous and pure and live forever with Him.

As the saying goes all this and heaven too. Now that is what I call LOVE!
I ask you today if you have not already done so, would accept this gift of Love that God has so freely offered to you. I pray that you will.


Blessings ,
Linda