What Kind of Potatoe Are You?

Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are content to watch others do. They are called "Speck Tators."

Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault with the way others do things. They're called "Comment Tators."

Some are always looking to cause problems and really get under your skin. They are called "Aggie Tators."

There are those who are always saying they will, but somehow, they never get around to doing. We call them "Hezza Tators."

Some people put on a front and act like someone else. They're called "Emma Tators."

Some people never grow up. We call them “Tattor Tots.”

Then, there are those who walk what they talk. They're always prepared to stop what they're doing to lend a hand to others and bring real sunshine into the lives of others. You can call them "Sweet Tators."

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

-1 John 4:7-8 (English Standard Version)

Dear Lord we thank you for those you put in our life. We pray that we will be known as “Sweet Tators” In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Are You the Light of the World.

Truth is seen in what it does and whom it seeks. Let's live our life as one that lives in the light and seeks after the Father who dwells in us. Let His glorious light shine though you, so you can be the light of the world.

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.

- John 3:20-21 (NIV)



Dear Lord, we ask you to correct us gently as we place ourselves in your presence. Forgive and cleanse us by the blood of Jesus so that we might be spotless and holy and blameless in your sight. Help us be useful to You and Your church. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God's Word

Generation follows generation

– yet it lives.

Nations rise and fall

– yet it lives.

Kings, dictators, rulers come and go


– yet it lives.



Torn, condemned, burned


– yet it lives.



Hated, despised, cursed


– yet it lives.



Doubted, suspected, criticized


– yet it lives.



Damned by atheists


– yet it lives.



Scoffed at by scorners


– yet it lives.



Exaggerated by fanatics


– yet it lives.



Misconstrued and misstated


– yet it lives.



Ranted and raved about


– yet it lives.



Its inspiration denied


– yet it lives.



Yet it lives


– as a lamp to our feet.



Yet it lives


– as a light to our paths.



Yet it lives


– as the gate to Heaven.



Yet it lives


– as a standard for childhood.


Yet it lives


– as a guide for youth.



Yet it lives


– as an inspiration for the matured.



Yet it lives


– as a comfort for the aged.



Yet it lives


– as food for the hungry.



Yet it lives


– as water for the thirsty.



Yet it lives


– as rest for the weary.



Yet it lives


– as light for the heathen.



Yet it lives

– as salvation for the sinner.

Yet it lives

– as grace for the believer.

To know it is to love it.

To love it is to accept it.

To accept it means life eternal.

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.


-2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we thank you for Your word the Bible. Help us to always treat it with the respect it deserves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Are You willing to Do What You are Called to do?

I spent a lot of today praying for friends that need special grace from God. One of which is a friend from church who is in need of a kidney. As I prayed for him I remembered a story I had read a little while back.

Jeff Leeland had just accepted a teaching position at Kamiakin Junior High in Seattle, Washington. The family had endured months of Dad's driving to and from work before the family could relocate from their previous home.

As winter struggled toward spring in 1992, Jeff and Kristi heard the
devastating news: "Your baby boy has cancer. Michael needs a bone marrow transplant." The good news was that Michael's six-year-old sister, Amy, was a perfect match for the transplant. But Jeff's insurance company wouldn't pay for it. A tiny clause in the contract coldly stated that Jeff had to be on the job for at least a year before they would cover a transplant. He had only been teaching in the new job for six months.

By March, Michael's need for a transplant became urgent. If he couldn't receive the new marrow soon, his illness would progress quickly, and he would die. The Leelands needed to raise an impossible sum of $200,000 by May.

Fellow teacher Joe Kennedy told his class about Mr. Leeland's situation.  Dameon, a seventh grade boy who walked with a limp and struggled in special education classes, heard about Mr. Leeland's son, Michael, and made a visit to Jeff's house.

"Mr. Leeland, don't make a big deal out of this ? If your baby's in trouble, I want to help out." Dameon, the kid others teased, reached out his hand and stuffed 12 five-dollar bills into the hand of a teacher who had made a difference in his life. It was the boy's life savings.

Word got out about "Dameon's gift." Some kids organized a
walk-a-thon. Others contacted a local newspaper. Others held a car wash. "Teenagers," Jeff says, "are pre-adults in limbo-land, waiting
around for something important to do." Michael became important.

The Kamiakin kids' wave of compassion poured out across Seattle. On Friday, May 22nd, a man walked into the bank with a check for ten thousand dollars. One week after Dameon's gift, Michael's fund grew to $16,000. By late May, area TV stations picked up the story. The response from the news stories was overwhelming. By May 29th, Michael's fund grew to $62,000. The Leelands were boosted with hope when the hospital moved Michael's transplant back by two
weeks.

On Friday, June 5th, the fund had grown to $143,000. Monday, June 8th:  $160,000. Tuesday, June 9th: $185,000. When a TV news broadcast pronounced  victory for Michael, the Kamiakin Junior High kids went crazy with happiness. Only four weeks after Dameon's gift of $60, the Michael Leeland Fund totaled over $220,000.

Michael got the marrow transplant. He lived. Dameon, the boy who gave sacrificially so another could live, accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior after becoming close with Michael's family. Having struggled for years with physical problems of his own, Dameon died from complications after he got an infection in one of his legs.

Michael Leeland lives on to tell Dameon's story. Dameon, the unlikely hero, gave his all to save the life of another. And in the process, he received life everlasting .

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
- Matthew 7:12 (King James Version) 

Dear Lord, we pray that we will be willing to do for others in a loving and unselfish way.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Butterfly, Botanist, or Bee?

Contemplating life, a wise teacher gazed at a beautiful garden. As he breathed in the wonderful fragrances and beheld the beauty of the garden, he saw a butterfly flitting from flower to flower. It spent a few seconds on the edge of a rose, then a daisy, and then a sunflower. The garden was a rainbow of fragrance and color, but the butterfly gained no particular benefit from any of the flowers there.

Next the teacher saw a botanist with a large notebook and an equally large magnifying glass in his hand. As the botanist carefully observed each flower, he filled a great number of pages with his notes. But after hours of meticulous study, most of what he learned was shut up in his notebook and forgotten.

Then the wise teacher observed a small bee. The bee enthusiastically entered a flower, was gone from view for a brief moment, and then emerged laden with pollen. It had left the hive that morning empty, but would return full, and in doing so would share his abundance. With that pollen, sweet honey would be made to sustain, not only himself, but the entire hive for the future.

The wise teacher pondered.

Some people are like butterflies, going from teacher to teacher, seminar to seminar, book to book. They are so very busy, and expend so much energy, but have little to show for their efforts. They remain unchanged in any significant way because they never really delve into things wholeheartedly. They're content to simply flutter around the edges.

Others, like the botanist, may study in great depth but never apply what is learnt to their lives. Content to study, they know much, but receive little benefit. Striving for knowledge alone, they are unaffected by the knowledge they gain.

Our lives would be very different if we could only learn from the bee -- visiting each flower with purpose and passion. To whole-heartedly dive in -- to lose ourselves, to go into every opportunity with an open mind, determined to emerge fuller than when we began, to do more than simply flutter, to do more that simply take notes, but to take action. To joyfully give of our abundance so that others can make something sweeter, something that will sustain not only ourselves, but bless others as well.



Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.


- James 1:22-25 (New International Version)



Dear Lord, we pray that we would face life with a purpose and a passion. We pray that our life would bring honor to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Is Your Name More Desirable the Riches?

In his book, I Almost Missed The Sunset, Bill Gaither writes:



Gloria and I had been married a couple of years. We were teaching school in Alexandria, Indiana, where I had grown up, and we wanted a piece of land where we could build a house. I noticed the parcel south of town where cattle grazed, and I learned it belonged to a 92-year-old retired banked named Mr. Yule. He owned a lot of land in the area, and word was he would sell none of it. He gave the same speech to everyone who inquired: "I promised the farmers they could use it for their cattle."


Gloria and I visited him at the bank. Although he was retired, he spent a couple of hours each morning in his office. He looked at us over the top of his bifocals.


I introduced myself and told him we were interested in a piece of his land. "Not selling," he said pleasantly. "Promised it to a farmer for grazing."


"I know, but we teach school here and thought maybe you'd be interested in selling it to someone planning to settle in the area."


He pursed his lips and stared at me. "What'd you say your name was?"


"Gaither. Bill Gaither."


"Hmmm. Any relation to Grover Gaither?"


"Yes, sir. He was my granddad."


Mr. Yule put down his paper and removed his glasses. "Interesting. Grover Gaither was the best worker I ever had on my farm. Full day's work for a day's pay. So honest. What'd you say you wanted?"


I told him again.


"Let me do some thinking on it, then come back and see me."


I came back within the week, and Mr. Yule told me he had had the property appraised. I held my breath. "How does $3,800 sound? Would that be okay?"


If that was per acre, I would have to come up with nearly $60,000! "$3,800?" I repeated.


"Yup. Fifteen acres for $3,800."


I knew it had to be worth at least three times that. I readily accepted.


Nearly three decades later, my son and I strolled that beautiful, lush property that had once been pasture land. "Benjy" I said, "you've had this wonderful place to grow up through nothing that you've done, but because of the good name of a great-granddad you never met."




A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

- Proverbs 22:1 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we would have a name more desirable then gold. Help us live a life that would be worthy of praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Are You a Blessing?

Once there was a young boy who lived with his father in a cottage deep in the forest. His father worked him hard from sunrise to sunset and still almost every evening he would hear his father say the same thing: "Poor me! Poor me! I will die a sad old man because you are a fool and will never amount to anything."

But the boy was not a fool, in fact, he showed a lot of wisdom for his age, and he had a generous heart besides. One day, after helping an old widow stack some wood, he was about to go home when she stopped him and placing her hand on his head spoke these words: "You are a reflection of the face of God. The world is brighter for the joy you have given me this day. I bless you my child!"

The boy stepped back, amazed: "What was that?"

"Why, it was a blessing my child! Haven't you ever received a blessing before?"

Back at home he asked his father: "Papa? Why do you curse me? Why do you not bless me?"

"What a ridiculous question! Because it is against my nature to bless and I will not do what feels so unnatural to me. What a ridiculous question. Poor me! Poor me! I will die a sad old man because you are a fool and will never amount to anything."

"Oh." said the boy, and he felt sorry for his father, but that night he decided that no matter how uncomfortable it felt, he would become the kind of person who blessed others. And so he did.

The boy grew to be a man, left the forest and built a home for himself out in the meadowlands. In time had a family of his own. He was still haunted by the curses of his father, and it would make him sad for days at a time, but he had decided to bless, so even though he felt sad, almost every evening, he would call one of his children to himself, lay his hand upon their head and speak these words: "You are a reflection of the face of God. The world is brighter for the joy you give me this day. I bless you my child."

One night he had a dream in which he saw his father and heard him saying over and over: "Poor me! Poor me! I will die a sad old man because you are a fool and will never amount to anything."

And it upset him so much he woke up, got out of bed, and went out into the backyard. He stood there by the trees in the moonlight and was so angry his hands became fists as he spoke out loud to the wind: "What's the point in being someone who blesses? I'm still so haunted by these curses of my father! Well, maybe I should curse as well!"

And he kicked the ground as hard as he could which shook loose a stone. He picked it up to throw and just then the wind became very strong and he thought he heard a voice: "Do not discard your father's heart!"

He looked at the trees and then at the rock in his hands. The voice called again: "Do not discard your father's heart!"

"Who are you?"

"I am the Father of every son and daughter and I tell you, the stone you hold in your hand is like the condition of your father's heart!"

He looked at the rock. He could tell it was badly misshapen, that it had broken off from a larger rock and had many cracks and flaws within.

And then again the voice: "You can try to change this rock. You can press it until your fingers bleed, but you will not succeed in changing the rock! Neither will you succeed in changing the heart of your father by force or manipulation. Hold your father's heart gently within your own and pray for him. You have no idea what forces shaped this rock. Neither do you know the forces that shaped the heart of your father. Hold your father's heart gently within your own and pray for him."

"When did his heart become like this?"

"When he chose to curse instead of bless. But do not become proud...Your heart would look just like this, if I had not blessed you as a child."

"I only remember the old woman."

"The voice was hers, but the words were mine."

"Then why didn't you bless my father when he was a child?"

"I bless every one of my children. But I never force them to bless in return. In eternity you will have no questions. For now, it is enough that you decide to bless and not curse. Hold your father's heart gently within your own, and pray for him"

"Father of every son and daughter, bless my father."

And as soon as he spoke these words, the wind died down and everything became peaceful in the countryside and in the heart of the young man. He went back inside, put the rock in a safe place, laid down and went right to sleep. He had the best night sleep he'd had for a long time. And from then on whenever he recalled one of the curses of his father, he genuinely prayed a blessing on his father, and in time began to experience true healing and a strong peace within.

One evening there was a knock on the front door and as he had raised his children to do, they welcomed in a blind beggar, sat him down at the kitchen table, and gave him some food to eat. The young man walked in and immediately recognized it was his own father. But he didn't reveal his own identity. He listened to the old man speak. And the old man talked about how his son had abandoned him, how he had lost his eyesight, and how he'd been forced to beg in a world where life was hard. Just then his son spoke up: "Grandfather! You're welcome to stay here with us!"

"But I have no money to pay you."

"Oh, we don't need any money; all we ask is that as long as you stay with us, you speak only blessings. -- What's the matter?"

"It...it's against my nature to bless!"

"Grandfather, I can tell by your hands that you have worked your whole life. So, begging must be against your nature as well, but see, it has brought you here to us!"

The old man couldn't argue this point, so he agreed to stay, but it was weeks before he spoke a word - it was so against his nature to bless. When he finally did, you could hardly hear him: "What's that Grandfather?"

"I said, bless you for taking an old man in from the cold. I wish my son had turned out like you, but he was a fool and..."

"Ah! Grandfather, only blessings!"

"Well, I wish my son had turned out like you! Bless you!"

Wasn't bad for a first blessing! And a week later he spoke another one and it was a little smoother. And the next day he spoke two - and they were a lot smoother. Then he began to bless every day -- many times in a day. He really got into it! You could say that blessing became... second nature to him.

And the more he blessed, the more he smiled. And the more he smiled the more his face softened. And the more his face softened, the more his heart softened and the more his heart softened, the more joy he began to experience; a different kind of joy than he had known before.

They lived happily for years until one winter the old man fell ill and was near death. As his breathing grew labored, his son sat on the bedside and asked: "Grandfather, is there anything I can get for you?"

"No one can bring me what I most need at this hour."

"Please Grandfather, anything! What would you like?"

"I should like to see my own son once more to give him my blessing. As he was growing I gave only curses. I told him it was against my nature to bless. And, as you can see, I have learned to bless too late..."

Then his son leaned closer and whispered: "Papa! Papa it's me, your own son... I am here! It is not too late! God has seen fit to bring us together these last years...It's not too late! I'm here... I'm here!"

And they embraced. A moment later the old man straightened up, stretched out a trembling hand, laid it upon his son's head, and spoke these words: "You are a reflection of the face of God. Though I cannot see you with my eyes, I see you with my heart and the mercy you have shown me these past years is like a brilliant light, dispelling all shadow as I pass from time into eternity. I will die a happy, happy old man, because I have learned to bless and so...my son... I... bless you."

And with these words, his hand fell back down to his chest and he died with this beautiful smile on his face. Later that night the young man took the stone out of the place he had put it years before and he sat at the kitchen table by candlelight. Turning it over and over in his hands, a single tear fell onto the rock and it split in two. Inside was a priceless stone; smooth to the touch and sparkling in beauty. Just then the wind became very strong outside and he got up to close the shutter, but then again he heard the ancient voice: "Eternity shines brighter for the joy you bring me this day. And I bless you my child."

Then the wind died down and everything became peaceful in the countryside and in the heart of the young man.

Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.

- Luke 6:28-29 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we will speak blessing to those around us and not speak in a way that would tear them down. Thanks for all you do for us In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Seen by an Elephants Eye.

On the fifteenth of May, in the jungle of Nool, In the heat of the day, in the cool of the pool,He was splashing…enjoying the jungle’s great joys… When Horton the elephant heard a small noise.

So Horton stopped splashing. He looked towards the sound.“That’s funny,” thought Horton. “There’s no one around. ”Then he heard it again! Just a very faint yelp As if some tiny person were calling for help.

“I’ll help you,” said Horton. “But who are you? Where?” He looked and he looked. He could see nothing there But a small speck of dust blowing past though the air.

“I say!” murmured Horton. “I’ve never heard tell Of a small speck of dust that is able to yell.

So you know what I think?…Why, I think that there must Be someone on top of that small speck of dust!

Some sort of a creature of very small size, too small to be seen by an elephant’s eyes…

“…some poor little person who’s shaking with fear That he’ll blow in the pool! He has no way to steer!

I’ll just have to save him. Because, after all, A person’s a person, no matter how small.”

Dr Seuss “Horton Hears a Who” is great fun! Just think what we can learn from the story. It actually teaches many lessons such as standing up for those that don't have a voice and can't be heard and making our own voices heard.

Horton, the lovable elephant, tries to protect tiny creatures on a speck of dust.

No matter how small or young we are, God can use us .

"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."

-1 Timothy 4:12

Dear Lord, we pray that we will never look down on somebody because of there size or age. We pray that we will see the potential that you see in them or in our selves. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

57 Cents.

A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which
she had been turned away because it 'was too crowded'.
"I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor
guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the
poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the
kind-hearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter,
to handle the final arrangements. As her poor little body
was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found
which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash
dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribbled in
childish handwriting which read, "This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school."
For two years she had saved for this offering of love.
When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly
what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked,
red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish
love and devotion. He challenged his deacons to get busy
and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there! A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a Realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands. When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered it for a 57 cents.

Church members made large subscriptions. Checks came
from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00 - a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up
Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300,
and Temple University, where hundreds of students are
trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital
and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of
Sunday scholars, so that no child in the area will ever need to
be left outside during Sunday school time. In one of the rooms
of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face
of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made
such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her
kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book,
"Acres of Diamonds." - a true story.

Goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

- Philippians 4:19 (King James Version)

Dear Lord, we thank you for always supplying for our needs. We pray that we will be willing to do our part no matter how small or big that is. Help us be willing. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

GoD and my DoG

What Do You Hear?

A Native American and his friend were in downtown New York City, walking near Times Square in Manhattan. It was during the noon lunch hour and the streets were filled with people. Cars were honking their horns, taxicabs were squealing around corners, sirens were wailing, and the sounds of the city were almost deafening. Suddenly, the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend said, "What? You must be crazy. You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all of this noise!"

"No, I'm sure of it," the Native American said, "I heard a cricket."

"That's crazy," said the friend.

The Native American listened carefully for a moment, and then walked across the street to a big cement planter where some shrubs were growing. He looked into the bushes, beneath the branches, and sure enough, he located a small cricket. His friend was utterly amazed.

"That's incredible," said his friend. "You must have super-human ears!"

"No," said the Native American. "My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you're listening for."

"But that can't be!" said the friend. "I could never hear a cricket in this noise."

"Yes, it's true," came the reply. "It depends on what is really important to you. Here, let me show you."

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. And then, with the noise of the crowded street still blaring in their ears, they noticed every head within twenty feet turn and look to see if the money that tinkled on the pavement was theirs.

"See what I mean?" asked the Native American. "It all depends on what's important to you."

What is important to you? Lets take the time to listen to what God has for each of us.

And he [the Lord] said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind and earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

-- I Kings 19: 11-12 (KJV)

Dear Lord, we thank You for speaking to us, we pray that we will take the time to listen to the still small voice. In Jesus’ Name, amen

Do You Show Compassion?

The dean was speaking at a faculty meeting. One of the professors stood up and asked, "What must I do to get tenure?" The dean replied, "What does the faculty manual say?" The professor answered, "Do good research, teach well, and mentor students." "You have answered correctly," the dean replied. "Do this and you will get tenure."

But the professor wanted to justify himself, so he asked the dean, "What does it mean to mentor students?" In reply the dean said: "One term there was a student who was struggling in his courses. He went to talk about it to the professor of one of his classes, but the professor brushed him off with, "If you can't handle the work, you should drop the course." The student then went to his academic advisor, but she was on her way out the door to the airport and didn't have time to talk. A custodian overheard the conversation, and, seeing the discouragement of the student, invited him out for a cup of coffee. It turned out the student was dealing with the death of a family member, and the stress was affecting his personal life as much as his studies. The custodian walked him to the counseling center and arranged an appointment for him. He called the student several times in the next few weeks to see how things were going, and helped him think through whether to drop the courses or not. Now, which one of these was the true mentor to the student?" The professor replied, "The one who had mercy on him." The dean told him, "Go and do likewise."

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

- Luke 10:30-37 (New International Version)

Dear Lord, we pray that we will have the same compassion that You have. Help us to show love to those around us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God Created The Teacher.

On the 6th day, God created men and women.
On the 7th day, he rested.

Not so much to recuperate, but rather
to prepare himself for the work he was
going to do on the next day.
For it was on that day-the 8th
day-that God created the FIRST TEACHER.

This TEACHER, though taken from among men and women,
had several significant modifications.
In general, God made the TEACHER more
durable than other men and women.

The TEACHER was made to arise at a very early
hour and to go to bed no earlier than 11:30 p.m.-
with no rest in between. The TEACHER had to be
able to withstand being locked up in an air-tight
classroom for six hours with thirty-five "monsters"
on a rainy Monday. And the TEACHER had to be fit
to correct 103 term papers over Easter vacation.

Yes, God made the TEACHER tough...but gentle too.
The TEACHER was equipped with soft hands to wipe away
the tears of the neglected and lonely student...of those
of the sixteen year old girl who was not asked to the prom.

And into the TEACHER God poured a generous amount of patience
Patience when a student asks to repeat the directions the
TEACHER has just repeated for someone else.
Patience when the kids forget their lunch money for the
fourth day in a row.
Patience when one-third of the class fails the test.
Patience when the text books haven't arrived yet,
and the semester starts tomorrow.

And God gave the TEACHER a heart
slightly bigger than the average human heart.
For the TEACHER's heart had to be big enough
to love the kid who screams, "I hate this
class-it's boring!" and to love the kid who runs
out of the classroom at the end of the period without
so much as a "goodbye", let alone a "thank you".

And lastly, God gave the TEACHER an abundant supply of HOPE.
For God knew that the TEACHER would always be hoping.
Hoping that the kids would someday learn how to spell...
hoping not to have lunchroom duty...
hoping that Friday would come...
hoping for a free day....
hoping for deliverance.

When God finished creating the TEACHER, he stepped back and admired the
work of his hands. And God saw that the TEACHER was good.
Very Good!
And God smiled, for when he looked at the TEACHER,
He saw into the future.
He knew that the future is in the hands of the TEACHERS.

And because God loves Teachers so much, on the 9th day
God created "Hurricane Days or Snow Days."

Take the time to thank your teachers, whether they be school teachers, Sunday school teachers or your parents. Each one is a gift from God.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

-2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)

Dear Lord, Thank you for the teachers that you have put in our live. We pray that we would show each of them how thankful we are for all they do for us. In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Are You Forgiving Others?

When Richard Weaver was a pit worker, he inadvertently angered a fellow-miner. "I have a good mind to smack you on the face," the man exclaimed.

"Very well," Weaver replied, "if that will do any good, you may do it."

The man struck him. Weaver turned to him the other cheek. The man struck again. This was repeated five times; and when Weaver presented his cheek for the sixth time, the man turned away, cursing.

Weaver cried after him: "The Lord forgive thee, for I do; and the Lord save thee!"

His assailant was the first man Weaver met next morning in the pit; and, as Weaver approached, he burst into tears. "Oh, Richard." he cried, "Do you really forgive me?"

Together they knelt and he rose a saved man.

Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. - Colossians 3:13 ESV

Dear Lord, We pray that we will have the heart of forgiveness. We pray that we will forgive those that do things against us and not harbor hate because of it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

He Will Give You Rest.

As I lay here in the hospital it reminded me off this song and more importantly these great verses.

(Sing to the tune of "Home on the Range")

Oh, give me a bed, just a hospital bed and let me sleep all

through the night.

Whatever you do, please don't wake me at two, let me sleep till

the dawn's early light.

First Chorus:

Sleep, glorious sleep, don't wake me at three for a shot.

Can't you see, my dear nurse, that I'm just getting worse

when you wake me at three on the dot?

How often at night do you turn on my light for a temp'rature

check or a test,

Then I lie here and toss, getting angry and cross, will I ever

get some rest?

Second Chorus:

Sleep, glorious sleep, don't wake me to wa-ash my face,

Let me lie here asleep in a slumber so deep, or I'll

get out of this place.

You woke me at two, now I'm pleading with you, go away and

just leave me alone,

I don't want to count sheep; I just want to sleep, if I need

you I'll call on the phone.

Third Chorus:

Sleep, glorious sleep, don't wake me at three or at four,

Let me sleep through the night til the dawn's early light,

and I'll never come here any more!

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

- Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

Dear Lord, we thank You that You are our true rest. We pray that we will rest in You in all things. In Jesus’s Name, amen.

We are Free From the Bondage of Sin

The son of a Presbyterian preacher was arrested, charged with treason because he belonged to an organization which had been outlawed by the Government. He was tried, convicted, and sent to the penitentiary. His aged father, eminent for his learning and Christian character, circulated a petition and secured hundreds of signatures, urging President Grant to pardon the boy for the sake of his parents. The father took the petition to Washington, presented it to President Grant, who gave the pardon. The old man received it and hastened to the train. On his arrival at the prison, he was shown the cell where his boy was imprisoned. Standing with his hand upon the grated door he said, "John, I have good news. I have a pardon from President Grant, and you may now go home with me, and see your mother before she dies!" But the son made no response. "Do you understand me, John?" the father continued. "Here's a pardon for you." "I am sorry, Father," said the ungrateful son, "to give you pain, but I cannot accept it. I have decided not to be brought under obligation to this political administration, and I will serve out my time!" The old man's father-heart was almost broken. He fell against the grating, and would have sunk upon the floor if he had not been caught by the friendly hand of the warden. A pardon is offered you from the High Court of Heaven, a pardon written in the blood of Jesus. Will you accept it and go free, or will you reject it and continue under sin's bondage?

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

- Galatians 5:1 (King James Version)

Dear Lord, we thank You that we are no longer in bondage to the sin. We thank You for what you did for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

490, Then What?

The story has been told of two children, Dan and Dorothy, with a big brother who teased them unmercifully. One Sunday they heard the story of Peter's question: "Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" Then they heard the Lord's reply, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Dan had been working out the sum, and he exclaimed: "Look, it's four hundred and ninety times!" The children were silent for a moment, then Dorothy said: "We'll keep a book, and put in it every time we forgive him." "Yes," Dan exclaimed eagerly, "and when it's 490, let him look out!"

Dan and Dorothy didn’t really get the idea of what Jesus was telling us about forgiveness. Jesus isn't telling us to forgive our brothers 490 times, or 70 times, or 77 times. He's telling us we should always forgive our brothers when they have sinned against us. God in heaven has forgiven us all of humanity's sins. How wrong it would be for us to deny our brothers and sisters a similar forgiveness for much lesser matters.

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

- Matthew 18:21-22 (New International Version)

Dear Lord, we thank you for forgiving us and we pray that we will always forgive those in our life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.