I asked God for strength that I might achieve,
I was made weak that I might learn to humbly obey.
I asked for health that I might do greater things,
I was given infirmity that I might do better things.
I asked for riches that I might be happy,
I was given poverty that I might be wise.
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men,
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life,
I was given life that I might enjoy all things.
I got nothing I asked for,
But everything I had hoped for.
Almost despite myself,
My unspoken prayers were answered.
I am, among all, most richly blessed.
~ Anonymous
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and 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 him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was 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.
It is 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 pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
Submitted by Sebele Tereda
The man whispered, "God, speak to me"
And a meadowlark sang.
But the man did not hear.
So the man yelled "God, speak to me"
And the thunder & lightning rolled across the sky.
But the man did not listen.
The man looked around and said, "God, let me see you." And a star shined brightly.
But the man did not see.
And, the man shouted, "God, show me a miracle" And a life was born. But the man did not notice.
So, the man cried out in despair, "Touch me, God, and let me know you are here" Whereupon, God reached down and touched the man.
But the man brushed the butterfly away and walked on.
I found this to be a great reminder that God is always around us in the little and simple things that we take for granted.
The good news is that you are loved.
Don't miss out on a blessing because it isn't packaged the way that you expect.
Expect the unexpected....
Have A Happy Day!
Submitted by Tatek GebreYesus
I have in my hands two boxes,
Which God gave me to hold.
He said, "Put all your sorrows in the black box,
And all your joys in the gold."
I heeded His words, and in the two boxes,
both my joys and sorrows I stored.
But though the gold became heavier each day,
The black was as light as before.
With curiosity, I opened the black,
I wanted to find out why, and I saw,
in the base of the box, a hole by which my sorrows had fallen out.
I showed the hole to God, and mused,
"I wonder where my sorrows could be."
He smiled a gentle smile and said,
"My child, they're all here with me."
I asked, "God, why give me the boxes,
Why the gold, and the black with the hole?"
"My child, the gold is for you to count your blessings,
The black is for you to let go."
Growing old is inevitable.
Growing up in optional.
Submitted by Tsege Muluneh
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All thing are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest ( Matt 11:28-20)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient (II Cor.12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things (Phil 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able (II Cor.9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it (Romans 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I forgive you (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage.
God says: I will supply all your needs (Phil 4:19) You say: "I'm
afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Tim. 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom (I Cor 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Heb.13:5)
Submitted by Sebele Tereda
If
your eyes follow the movement of the rotating pink dot, you will only see one
color, pink.
If you stare at the black + in the center, the moving dot turns to green.
Now, concentrate on the black + in the center of the picture. After a short
period of time, all the pink dots will slowly disappear, and you will only see a
green dot rotating.
It's amazing how our brain works. There really is no green dot, and the pink
ones really don't disappear. This should be proof enough, we don't always see
what we think we see.
