Listening

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator.

Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed. When he arrived, he entered a large busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background.

A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area.

After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.

Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet. They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!"

The employer said, "I'm sorry, but all the time you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."

We live in a world that is full of busyness and clatter, like that office. People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, or in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

Are you tuned in to God's voice? Do you hear Him when He speaks to you? Are you listening? Listen to Him!

Author Unknown

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Staci, You are blessing and a beautiful young lady who has always been full of life, very independent and determined to accomplish whatever you set your mind to do. Dad and I are proud to have you as our daughter. I believe in you. Love ya!

Merry Christmas

I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas, and enjoy making memories with family and friends. May God bless each and everyone.

A Very Smart Judge

I received this email, and I agree 100 percent. This actually happened. We need more people that will stand up for God.

A VERY SMART JUDGE


FLORIDA COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY: In Florida, an atheist created a case against the Easter & Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews & observances of their holy days. The argument was it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day.

The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, "Case dismissed."

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, "Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case? The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah. Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays."

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, "But you do. Counsel, your client is woefully ignorant." The lawyer said, "Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists."

The judge said, "The calendar says April 1st is 'April Fools Day.' Psalm 14:1 states 'The fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool. Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned."

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Storms of Life

Storm-Any disturbed state of an astronomical body's atmosphere, affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. It may be strong winds, thunder, lightening, ice storms, dust storms, or snowstorms. Storms are not unique to planet earth, neither are they to the soul of a human body.

How can you dress for the storm in your life? Can you sleep through the storm? When you go through the storm you can still serve the Lord. When you are in the midst of the storm, how are you dressed? Are you able to lay the storms at the feet of Jesus and leave them there, or do you pick up the backpack of your storm when you walk out the door? Storms are a fact of life. Serious illness, diseases, accidents, catastrophes, unemployment, death, hardships, and personal problems are only a few to mention. Sometimes in the midst of our storm God seems to silent, waiting on us to turn it over to Him.

Mat 8:23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him,
Mat 8:24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
Mat 8:25 And his disciples came to him and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
Mat 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Mat 8:27 But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!


We need to do what the Disciples did--turn to Jesus. Pray: "Lord, save me from drowning. I am about to perish!" Just as Jesus was present with his disciples in their storms of life, He is with us in our storms of life. He does not forsake us, or leave us to struggle alone and drown. He is with us to hear our plea for help. He is our answer in the midst of all our troubles.

There is an old saying, "You never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Which mean that you can't understand a person until you attempt to see things from his/her perspective. Some peoples storm may seem like a petty thing to you, but to them it is hugh, No one is exempt from the storms of life, but God is faithful, and will get you through the storms.

Psa 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Mar 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

He is a short story of someone sleeping in the storm and knowing that all is well.

Sleeping Through the Storm
By: Author Unknown
A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows."
This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.
A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace.
The young man slept soundly.
The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements.
The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.
The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man's words, "I can sleep when the wind blows."
Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.

No Admittance
==============

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano,
a mother took the small boy to a Paderewski concert. After they
were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and
walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert
hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way
through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin,
the mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was
missing.

Suddenly, the curtains parted and the spotlights focused on the
impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the piano,
innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that
moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved
to the piano and whispered in the boy's ear,

"Don't quit. Keep playing."

Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand
and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right hand reached
around the other side of the child and he added a running
obbligato.

Together, the old master and the young novice transferred a
frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience.
The audience was mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God.

What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try
our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music.

With the hand of God, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
So the next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen
carefully and you can hear the voice of God whispering in your
ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are
playing the concerto of your life.

Remember, God doesn't call the equipped; he equips the called.

Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach
of God's grace.

And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the
reach of God's grace.

Don't Quit – Keep Playing


~Author Unknown