What kind of pencil are we?

I was able to tackle this short inspirational story one Sunday afternoon at Divino's Family when we had our Soulwinning and Follow up (with Sis. Lea and Camille), and I was really impressed by its turn out. It's very timely to share it with you now since the opening of classes has just began. The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. "There are 5 things you need to know," he told the pencil, "Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be." "One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand." "Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil." "Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make." "Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside." "And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write." The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart. Now replacing the place of the pencil with you. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be. One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess. Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person. Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make. Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside. And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties. Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot make a change. Let's evaluate ourselves: What kind of pencil are we? Have we been doing our purpose? Am I faithful to my commitment to serve God above all? Or am I making God the last priority and focus on material things in life?

With all your money, you give me a Bible?

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted. As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible. Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things. When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL. How many times do we miss Spirit's blessings and answers to our prayers because they do not arrive exactly as we have expected? Jshua 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Romans 8:25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. TODAY'S affirmation: "Today I look beyond the obvious and allow miracles to be created in my life."

WHICH KIND OF FROG ARE YOU?

I received the following short inspirational story from a friend in a neighboring country through email. Simple as it may seen but it's impact is really touching and heart warming...I could relate to it. Nature gave us two ears and one tongue so that we could hear twice as much as we speak. The characters in the story show the different kinds of frogs: the pessimistic and ill - mannered frogs, the disappointed and discouraged frog and the persistent and optimistic frog. The story goes something like this:

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. Author Unknown

Now, can you determine which kind of frog are you?

• Are you a fault - finder? Are you happy seeing someone in despair and failure? Do you usually think that others can't? Are your words destructive?
• Do you easily give up and surrender in times of hardships and difficulties? Are your faith good enough to triumph over problems?
• Do you faint not...clinging on God's promise that He will never leave you nor forsake you no matter what kind of situation you are in?

Whether it be true or real, the lesson it teaches is very practical and worth sharing. GOD BLESS!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO RIDE IN NOAH'S ARK?

I came across with the lessons of Noah's Ark story only after the heavy downpour, severe flooding and massive effects of the Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in the Philippines last year. Though I already knew what have transpired in the Old Testament, I also realized that everything I need to know about life, I learned it from Noah's Ark.

1. Don't miss the boat.

2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3. Plan ahead! It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.

5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs. Two heads are better than one. If you have to start over, have a friend by your side.

8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

9.When you're stressed, float a while. If you can't fight or flee - float.

10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.

11. No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. No matter how bleak it looks, there's always a rainbow on the other side.

13. Take care of your animals as if they were the last ones on earth.

14. When the doo-doo gets really deep, don't sit there and complain--shovel!

15. Stay below deck during the storm.

17. Remember that the woodpeckers INSIDE are often a bigger threat than the storm outside.

Author Unknown. If you know who wrote this, please let me know so I can give proper credit. Thank you and GOD BLESS!

IS YOUR HUT BURNING?

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming. Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect himself from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky. He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, 'God! How could you do this to me? 'Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island! It had come to rescue him! 'How did you know I was here?' asked the weary man of his rescuers.'We saw your smoke signal,' they replied. (Author Unknown) What can we learn from the story? It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering. Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God. God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27) I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)Those who hope in the Lord will renew their Strength. (Isaiah 40:31 I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34) My grace is sufficient (II Cor. 12:9 &Psalms 91:15) I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6) You can do all things (Philippians 4:13) I am able (II Corinthians 9:8) It will be worth it (Roman 8:28) I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1) I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19) I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7) Cast all your cares on Me (1Peter 5:7) I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3) I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30) I will never leave you or forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) So, next time your little hut is burning to the ground, fear not, the substance that appears to be vaporizing before your eyes could be the very rescue action that is delivering you from your secluded island.