On Wings Of Eagles

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Monday, January 31, 2011

Ten Little Christians Came to Church.

Ten Little Christians came to church all the time;



One fell out with the preacher, then there were nine.






Nine Little Christians stayed up late;


One overslept on Sunday, then there were eight.






Eight Little Christians on their way to Heaven;


One took the low road, then there were seven.






Seven Little Christians, chirping like chicks;


One didn't like the singing, then there were six.






Six Little Christians seemed very much alive;


One took a vacation, then there were five.






Five Little Christians pulling for Heaven’s shore;


One stopped to take a rest, then there were four.






Four Little Christians each as busy as a bee;


One had his feelings hurt, then there were three.






Three Little Christians couldn't decide what to do;


One couldn't have his way, then there were two.






Two Little Christians each won one more;


Now don't you see, two plus two equals four.






Four Little Christians worked early and late;


Each brought one, now there were eight.






Eight Little Christians if they double as before;


In just seven Sundays, we have one thousand twenty four.






In this jingle there is a lesson true;


You belong either to the building, or to the wrecking crew.






23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.


- Colossians 3:23-24 (New International Version)


Dear Lord we pray that we would do our part in Your church. We pray that we would do all we can to help Your church go forward and be the light that brings others to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Swapping Alligators For Sharks

It was a hot summer day. Jason, a visitor from the city, wanted to take a cool swim in the river. "Are there any alligators in this river?" he asked a local man who was fishing from the river bank. "No, not a single one," assured the fisherman. Jason was still disturbed. There seemed to be some gray forms beneath the water's surface, moving in circles. So he asked the fisherman, "If there are no alligators here, what are those gray forms I see? Are you sure there are no alligators?" "Certainly," replied the fisherman, "There are no alligators down there. Those gray forms you see are sharks that have chased the alligators away."


The fisherman was right. Alligators were not a threat to Jason. But the fisherman didn't warn Jason about the sharks. If Jason had gone swimming, he would have faced a danger that was just as bad, if not worse. Because the sharks were waiting for another meal. We also face danger as we seek better and happier lives. For example, television programs and advertisements depict the "good life" in ways that are carefully designed to gain our attention, our time, and our money. But after watching just a few minutes of news, the long term results of blindly following the world's approach to life can sadden and even depress you. Many of us rely on advice about life from those who know only part of our needs as people. Or we seek relief from pressures and problems by turning to material possessions and ways to have fun. Either route is like swapping alligators for sharks. The real, underlying issues in our lives are neglected, and therefore grow worse, while we end up with disappointment, more possessions and less money. It's really a matter of where to place your trust. Turn to the one dependable Source that has your best interests at heart. That one Source is God Himself, the Creator of all that exists Who loved you enough to sacrifice His son just for you. God also loved you enough to provide His word, the Bible, to guide you and help you through the good times, and through the bad times. So test your actions, your opinions and your decisions by God's Word. Reliable advice about the alligators, the sharks and the water awaits anyone who looks to heaven.






LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.


- Psalm 84:12 (New International Version)


Dear Lord we thank you for caring for us and for giving us your word, the Bible. We pray that we would continually read it and learn from it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Are You Using What God Has Given to You?

Once, a man said, "If I had some extra money, I'd give it to God, but I have just enough to support myself and my family." And the same man said, "If I had some extra time, I'd give it to God, but every minute is taken up with my job, my family, my clubs, and what have you--every single minute." And the same man said, "If I had a talent I'd give it to God, but I have no lovely voice; I have no special skill; I've never been able to lead a group; I can't think cleverly or quickly, the way I would like to."



And God was touched, and although it was unlike him, God gave that man money, time, and a glorious talent. And then He waited, and waited, and waited.....And then after a while, He shrugged His shoulders, and He took all those things right back from the man, the money, the time and the glorious talent. After a while, the man sighed and said, "If I only had some of that money back, I'd give it to God. If I only had some of that time, I'd give it to God. If I could only rediscover that glorious talent, I'd give it to God."


How often are we guilty of that very same thing? Let’s make it our goal to be good stewards of what God gives to us, whether it is money, time or our talents.






Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”


- Hebrews 13:5 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we thank you for all you have given us, we pray that we would be good stewards of what You have entrusted to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Friday, January 28, 2011

Are You Ready to Meet Jesus?

We spend so much time preparing for some things. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, a family reunion or simply an evening dinner with the family, if there’s people involved, there’s always a goodly amount of preparation that precedes the event. 

When faced with a future event, we will usually put our backs into it and give it all the attention that we can. Since our reputation as entertainer, host or simply a good chef is on the line, being prepared is usually on the top of the list. Would it not seem logical then, when faced with what might be called the last, great “event” of our lives, we ought to feel as or even more inclined to put forth our best efforts?

Billy Graham would often tell this story about the need to be prepared for that unexpected “meeting” with our Maker. It was about a little boy named Paul Haley. The little six-year-old Denver boy was dying from cancer. His story had hit the newspapers along with his fondest wish. The little boy wanted to meet the President of the United States, Dwight D. Eisenhower. One day, quite unexpectedly, Eisenhower announced to his aides that he was going to see Paul Haley. Hopping in the presidential limousine, they drove to Denver and pulled up outside of the Haley home, flags flying from the limo’s fenders. Eisenhower simply strode up the little walk leading to the Haley front door and rang the doorbell. Donald Haley, the little boy’s father, answered the door. When faced with the neatly-dressed stranger he simply asked, “Can I help you?” Suddenly, a little boy appeared between his father’s legs, peering up at the stranger’s face. “Yes, I’m Dwight Eisenhower and I’d like to meet your son.” The little boy scampered out to the limo and the president showed him the car and allowed him to sit in it. They parted with a handshake and a hug. All the while Donald Haley stood in the doorway awestruck. His neighbors are still talking about it to this day.

Donald Haley often talked about how unprepared he was to meet the president of the United States.  Are we prepared to meet Jesus.

 12 “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’   13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
- Matthew 25:12-13 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we will be ready at all times. We pray that we would always be looking for ways that we can help others be ready for your great return. In Jesus' name, amen.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Soaring Like an Eagle Even in the Storms

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks? The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, the eagle sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring high above it. The eagle does not escape the storm; it simply uses the storm to lift itself higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm. When the storms of life come upon us ... and all of us will experience them ... we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us; we can allow God's power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment into our lives. We can soar above these storms. Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down; it is how we handle them. 

 30Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
- Isaiah 40:30-31 (King James Version)

Dear Lord we thank you for the eagle and the lessons we can learn from them.  We pray that we will be able to soar through the storms that come our way. In Jesus' name, amen.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The Zebra and the Lesson of Timing

Timing is everything. A few years back there was a show on Discovery Channel. It was about the wild animals in Africa and how they migrate. It focused on wildebeests and zebras as they migrate and how the predators would wait for them. In this one instance they had to cross this river and these huge crocodiles were waiting. They would cross by the hundreds. As these zebras and wildebeests were crossing this one zebra was crossing a bit downstream from the rest and out of nowhere this giant croc grabbed the zebra by the head and dragged it under the water and drowned it.


-This poor zebra was at the wrong place at the wrong time.


15Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
- Ephesians 5:15-16 (Amplified Bible)




Dear Lord we thank You for the time you give us, we pray that we would use it wisely. We pray that we would take every opportunity to do the things you would want us to do. In Jesus' name, amen.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

The Horse and the Value of Teamwork

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch in a desolated area. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse, named Buddy. He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.


Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.


Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!"


Nothing.


Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!" The horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.


The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.


The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind and if he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try."






For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.


- Matthew 18:20 (King James Version)






Dear Lord we thank you for our friends. We pray that we would be the support and encouragement that they each need. We thank You that you are always there with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Monday, January 24, 2011

The House Cat and Doing Our Best.

As we take a look at the house cat we can learn some important lessons.





1. Pounce on opportunity. He who hesitates, misses catching the passing lizard.


2. Patience. Infinite patience...


3. Concentration. A cat studying an opportunity just beyond his grasp is the perfect example of focused attention. He doesn't even blink as he tunes out all distractions. His body is completely still except for his wildly twitching tail releasing his nervous energy.

4. Nothing is worth disturbing your beauty sleep.


5. Catnap. Even a few moments of shut-eye is refreshing.


6. If you're happy, purr. Show your appreciation by letting people know that you like what they do.


7. Do cat stretches - as we age, gentle stretching is one of the best things we can do for our bodies.


8. Wrestle with your best friend. It’s good to be playful.


9. Eat when you're hungry and not by the clock.


10. Ask for what you want. If you are lovable and patient, you will probably get it.


11. You can't have everything you want. If you put your claws where they don't belong, you're going to get spanked.


12. Revel in life's simple pleasures. A ball of string is magic. Catnip is heavenly.





Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.


- Colossians 3:23 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would do our very best in all that we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Shark and Being Saved.

Normally the flight from Nassau to Miami took Walter Wyatt, Jr., only sixty-five minutes. But on December 5, 1986, he attempted it after thieves had looted the navigational equipment in his Beechcraft. With only a compass and a hand-held radio, Walter flew into skies blackened by storm clouds.
When his compass began to gyrate, Walter concluded he was headed in the wrong direction. He flew his plane below the clouds, hoping to spot something, but soon he knew he was lost. He put out a mayday call, which brought a Coast Guard Falcon search plane to lead him to an emergency landing strip only six miles away. Suddenly Wyatt's right engine coughed its last and died. The fuel tank had run dry. Around 8 p.m. Wyatt could do little more than glide the plane into the water.
Wyatt survived the crash, but his plane disappeared quickly, leaving him bobbing on the water in a leaky life vest. With blood on his forehead, Wyatt floated on his back. Suddenly he felt a hard bump against his body. A shark had found him. Wyatt kicked the intruder and wondered if he would survive the night. He managed to stay afloat for the next ten hours. In the morning, Wyatt saw no airplanes, but in the water a dorsal fin was headed for him. Twisting, he felt the hide of a shark brush against him. In a moment, two more bull sharks sliced through the water toward him. Again he kicked the sharks, and they veered away, but he was nearing exhaustion. Then he heard the sound of a distant aircraft. When it was within a half mile, he waved his orange vest. The pilot radioed the Cape York, which was twelve minutes away: "Get moving, cutter! There's a shark targeting this guy!" As the Cape York pulled alongside Wyatt, a Jacob's ladder was dropped over the side. Wyatt climbed wearily out of the water and onto the ship, where he fell to his knees and kissed the deck. He'd been saved. He didn't need encouragement or better techniques. Nothing less than outside intervention could have rescued him from sure death. How much we are like Walter Wyatt.


8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we thank you for saving us. We pray that we would be always mindful of what you did for us and that we would share the free gift with our family and friends. In Jesus' name, amen.

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Lesson learned from a Hamster.

One of my pets was a hamster. As I thought about Hammy our pet hamster I wondered what lesson could we learn from him? Below are a few we could learn from a hamster.



1. Hammy was thrilled when we gave him a small carrot stick or a grape as a treat. It's a reminder to appreciate small gifts and favors.


2. Hammy use to shred ordinary cotton balls, transforming them into a comfortable bed. Get creative with what you already have instead of wishing for more.


3. Hammy would run in his wheel for hours not going anywhere -- but every morning he woke up wiggling his little nose ready for another day. Work, family and friends will occasionally run you ragged. Sometimes all you can do is put up with what is going on around you, get a good night's sleep and make tomorrow better.


4. Hammy lived alone in his cage and kept himself busy most of the time, but he always allowed us to pick him up and take him places. Be open to new people and opportunities.


5. Hammy rarely made a noise not even squeaked, because he was so quite we had to listened carefully when he made a noise. remember to listen more carefully to those around you before opening your mouth. Make an effort to chose your words more carefully.


There you have it a few lesson you can learn from that little ball of fluff we call a hamster.


19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.


-1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would learn these lessons from a hamster. We pray that we would appreciate the small things in life, and that we would watch the things we say. We pray that we would have words of blessing for those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen

Friday, January 21, 2011

The Eagle and God's Design For Us.


One day a boy climbing in the mountains found an eagle's nest with an egg in it. When he got home he put it under a hen along with her other eggs. When the eagle hatched he thought he was a chicken. He learned chicken behavior and scratched in the chicken yard with his 'siblings'. He didn't know any better. Sometimes he felt strange stirrings within himself but he didn't know what to do with them, so he ignored or suppressed them. After all, if he was a chicken he should behave like a chicken. One day an eagle flew over the chicken yard and the eagle looked up and saw him. In that moment he realized he wanted to be like that eagle, to fly high, to go to the mountain peaks he saw in the distance. As he spread his wings he suddenly understood that he was like that eagle. Though he'd never flown before, he possessed the instinct and capabilities. At first he flew unsteadily, then with greater power and control. Finally as he soared he knew he'd discovered his true self - the creature God made him to be.


 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  your works are wonderful,  I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you  when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
- Psalm 139:13-16 (New International Version)

Dear Lord we pray that we would be the people that you have for us to be. Help us to always look to you for guidance. In Jesus' name, amen.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Detroit Tiger and Grace

In continuing with my animal theme I thought I would include Tiger, the Detroit Tigers that is. Last summer, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers was one out from pitching a perfect game. Only 20 other pitchers in the history of baseball have done this. It is that sport’s most difficult feat. And on the last play of the game, as he ran to first base to tag out the runner, the umpire blew the call. He just completely missed it and in doing so created a media storm of failure and ridicule and anger.



One out. One umpire. One pitcher. Frozen in time with one of the worst moments in sports history. It dominated sports conversations for weeks.


Professional athletes sometimes get a bad rap. They get arrested, they do steroids, they inevitably get in trouble . We constantly hear all about the bad stuff. It was refreshing to see In this dramatic event Armando Galarraga showing real grace and forgiveness when he said “Nobody’s perfect, everybody is human.


Then we turn to the umpire, Jim Joyce, one of the most well respected umpires in all of baseball. He’s umped the World Series, playoffs and every other big game you can imagine. He started in 1989 and has a tremendous track record. And in one split second, all of that became overshadowed by a mistake. He entered the history books, alongside Bill Buckner and other goats after this event. How quickly it can all turn on us, and his response, his honesty about blowing the call is a great example for us when we do. He owned the moment, stepped into and didn’t blame anyone else. He fell and we all do.


What a great lesson we can each learn from these two men in the way they handled a very difficult situation. We are all going to fail sooner or later, lets each strive to handle the situation in a way that will bring honor to God.




23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
- Romans 3:23-24 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we thank you for this lesson that we can learn from a baseball game. We pray that when we fall we will handle it with grace and that Your love will be shown through it. In Jesus' name, amen.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

The Sloth and Judging Others.

One day, a man in the forest found a large two-toed sloth on the ground, upon the bank of the Essequibo. “As soon as I got up to him,”; he says, “the sloth threw himself upon his back, and defended himself in gallant style with his fore legs.”“Come, poor fellow,” said he said, “I'll take no advantage of you in your misfortune; the forest is large enough for both you and me to rove in; go your ways up above, and enjoy yourself in these endless wilds; it is more than probable you will never have another interview with man; so fare thee well.”

On saying this, he took a long stick which was lying there, held it for him to hook on, and then conveyed him to a high and stately mora. The sloth ascended with wonderful rapidity, and in about a minute he was almost at the top of the tree. Thus, the world has erred in its judgments concerning the sloth, from descriptions being given of him on the ground, and not in the only position in which he ought to have been describe, namely, clinging to the branch of a tree.

We must be careful not to judge others. People are to be appreciated for those things which they do best. We must remember that people have different abilities, experience and education. God has given each of us unique and special talents.






For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
-Matthew 25:29 (New International Version)


Dear Lord we pray that our eyes would be open and that we would look past the weaknesses in others and look for the positive in each of them. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

The Red Panda and Meeting Together.

The red panda is an omnivorous mammal (though it mostly eats bamboo), between 55-60mm long, noted for their characteristic red and buff fur, long tail, and characteristic 'panda' markings on their face. Despite their name, they are not related to pandas, and belong in their own family - Ailuridae. The red panda is found in the Himalayas at high elevations, in deciduous and coniferous landscapes, where they are excellent climbers. They prefer temperate climates.



The red panda has a mild disposition, likes to be alone, and is known in the wild, and in some zoos, as being a gentle and even-tempered creature. Red panda teaches us the value of gentleness. Sometimes gentleness can be a survival skill too. When we negotiate the world around us with the guidelines set forth in the Bible instead of outright fear or aggression, we often make more intelligent and wise choices.


We can learn from the Red panda that even if we are happiest on our own, or wish for space to ourselves - sometimes we must take the time to spend time with others, what better place than at your church with your brother and sister's in Christ.






24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.


- Hebrews 10:24-25 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we would take the time to join together with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us be an encouragement to them and likewise help them be an encouragement to us. In Jesus' name, Amen

Monday, January 17, 2011

Sanctification and the Dog.

There are many things that a dog does not like. Chief among them for many dogs is the seeming innocuous task of having their nails clipped. Dogs have very sensitive paws. I have often been amazed at the amount of time our Dalmatian spends grooming. The lick,lick and lick is often followed by nibbles and chomps directed at the skin and between the toes. Taught at a very early age to be fastidious groomers by their mothers, what we might regard as almost ritualistic and surely repetitive is really more than it seems. Dogs don’t sweat. For the most part they exchange body heat largely through panting. But there is one place on their bodies that is the exception and that is the bottom of their paws. The only place on a dog’s entire body that sweats is its paws. Stress a dog and make it pace. Then, touch the bottom of their paws. Surprisingly they are quite moist. It is no surprise, therefore, that dogs are so sensitive to the manipulation or grooming of their paws. Their paws are precious to them providing not only their sole means to escape enemies and pursue prey but also the one avenue by which they are able to employ evaporation as a means of cooling down.


The longer you allow a dog to go without grooming, especially a dog that is kept indoors and away from the natural corrosive environment that will normally serve to keep a dog’s claws blunted and short, the harder and harder it becomes for it to walk. As the claws grow the paw is pushed upward causing an abnormal pressure on the spine. Eventually a dog with unmanicured claws may develop back problems, become listless or agitated. Yet, as good as grooming is for a dog, the dog doesn’t seem to recognize the boon. It will pull, bite and writhe in your grasp as if you are trying to inflict great harm on it. And, the fact is, nail clipping is uncomfortable for most dogs since their paws are very sensitive to touch, temperature and pressure. The very thing that benefits them is the one thing they most fear.


Sanctification, the process by which we are made holy, like Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit seems to have the same effect on humans as nail clipping does on dogs. We want to be like Christ. We long to conform to the image of our Savior in every way possible. We long to walk uprightly and in a “holy” manner. But we often stumble and fall. Just as a dog must be sat upon in some instances just to convince it that what we are about to do will ultimately be for its own good, so too sometimes our God must sit upon us with the weight of his grace.


We need to keep working toward the goal of being what God wants us to be no matter how uncomfortable that may be.


13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
-Romans 6:13-14 (New International Version)




Dear Lord we pray that we will allow you to work through us. We pray that no matter how uncomfortable it is we will allow you to do your work through us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Be still Like a Rabbit.

One morning there was a young boy taking a walk. As he was walking before sunrise through the neighborhood, he came upon a rabbit sitting on the sidewalk. He passed within just a few feet of him (her?), but he didn’t move. Tranquil and still, he watched as the boy came and went. As I read the story something occurred to me–if he had food to give him, the rabbit would have to remain still to receive it. If he didn’t trust the boy enough to let me walk up to him and offer the gift of food, he couldn’t give it to him.



This reminds me of todays verse. “Be still and know that I am God”









He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”


- Psalm 46:10 (New International Version)






Dear Lord we pray that we will be still so we can hear what you have for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

Lessons on Forgiveness from a Monkey.

In Southeast Asia, monkeys are trapped in an unusual way. A trap is made by hollowing out a gourd. It has one opening, which is only large enough for the monkey to put his hand in. The gourd is tied or nail near the ground so it cannot move. Then, the hunter puts a piece of fruit inside for bait. When the monkey smells the fruit, he puts his hand inside to grab the bait. When he tries to pull the fruit out, he can’t because his closed fist is too large to pull out of the small hole. The monkey is trapped! It would be very easy to get away - simply let go of the bait. But the monkey will not let go. He is in terrible danger as the hunter approaches, but he will give up his freedom to keep holding onto the bait. If only the monkey knew the terrible price he was going to pay for refusing to let go of that bait!

Sadly, people are often the same way. Refusing to forgive someone is like the monkey refusing to let go of the bait. Unforgiveness brings terrible consequences to the one holding on to it. Unforgiveness is a sin and it often leads to more sin. It causes hatred, envy, bitterness and more. The unforgiveness truly holds that person captive.

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
- Colossians 3:13 (New International Version)


Dear Lord we pray that we would truly forgive those in our live and that we wouldn’t hold that a disagreement against them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Friendship and the Rhino.

Across the grasslands of East Africa, live some of nature's most fascinating animals. The rhinoceros, a two-horned terror of tremendous speed, size and agility, is feared by most of the creatures in the wild. Being one of the most dangerous animals in the world, the rhino is avoided by most animals, that is, except the buffalo bird. Watching the rhinoceros in his natural habitat, you would see these birds perched on his back. From time to time, some would be pecking into his back much as a woodpecker would work away at an old tree. Others would be flying about the head of the rhino and still others lighting on his ears. The most amazing thing is that the rhino does not attack. This is so, for the two have an understanding. From birth, the rhino has poor eyesight. In addition, his body is covered with parasites which he cannot control. The flock of birds on his back do him a great service by eating these parasites, which are the whole of their diet. And, if there is any danger in the area, these birds let out a shrill call warning the rhino of what he cannot see. In return for this service, they are protected from their natural predators by one of Africa's largest mammals. In a real sense, these two totally different animals of the world kingdom are fulfilling the responsibilities of mutual friendship.







For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up.


- Ecclesiastes 4:10 (New American Standard Bible)






Dear Lord we are thankful for our friends. We pray that we will be the encouragement that they need and that we will be there when they need to be lifted up. In Jesus' Name, Amen.