Breakthrough

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

2 Thessalonians 3:5May the Lord bring you into a deep understanding of the steadfastness of Christ.
Most of the flight from Atlanta to Ft. Lauderdale was delightful. We sailed high, in clear skies, with nary a bump to bother us. As the pilot announced our initial descent, thing began to change. The colud cover in the area was thick, and we would have to go through it to land. As I peered out the window into murky grey emptiness, I felt frightened. There was nothing I could do except put my trust in the pilot and those in the control tower at Ft. Lauderdale. We bumped, were jarred and seemed to be on a roller coaster ride before we finally broke through the clouds. How relieved I was, being able to see once again, and having the smooth ride resume. Breaking through those clouds was exhilarating for me! I sighed a breath of relief.
Life hands us cloudbanks of dark and dismal times, also. We may have some warning, as the pilot warned the passengers on the plane, or we may just hit the cloudbanks of life with a bang. Either way, the ride through them is usually bumpy and uncomfortable, to say the least. But the old saying that there is light at the end of the tunnel is so true. There is light after we ride through the cloudbanks of life. The question is, how do we weather the storm? Who do we put our trust in, as we face difficult times? Do we turn to a friend or write to Dear Abby for help? I hope we turn our eyes toward heaven, and ask God, who created this universe, for guidance and help during the cloudy times we endure. Then, when we make the transition out of darkness into His wonderful light, we can be reminded that He was with us all the while. That is very reassuring to me, and I hope it is to you, also.

Believing

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.
One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by.
The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall. The shadow of his body was in the shape of a cross.
Instead of diving, he knelt down and asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.

Behind The Scene

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

This is a story about five brothers who live in peace at one village. They are orphans, they live by run rice field inheritance from their parents. They rice field is far from home, so they have to go to field at dawn.
And they agree to let the youngest brother at home to take care their house. The youngest agree and very happy about the decision. So every day when his brother go home they found that house is clean, knit and comfortable. Foods and drinks have prepared on the table, their bed were knitted and all dirty clothes have washed.
But one of his brother had jealous to the youngest, so he said to other brother that the youngest is cheated, because he did not go to the field. And the other agree to about his opinion so now they decide to go to the field together including the youngest. But now when they go home they found that their home is mess, not care well and table is empty. Now they realize that their youngest brother had very important role , and his brother have under estimated his role.
So what we got from this story ? Never under estimated people who work behind the scene, whose work never can be seen. Look ! Who is in your house look "useless" , may be that your old man, grandpa, grandma who sitting everyday, the servant who seems lazy, cleaning service on your church, prayer who never show up on the podium or whoever you always underestimated. Learn to see the good side from their present, and imagine how if they never stay at your house and church ? Unconsciously we said arrogant to this people," Let them go, because they are useless !
Brother and sister if we do that ,one day we will found that we had lost the best people in our home and church. Remember ! We have equipped with different talents, so by that we can work together and help each other. Even though some people have average talent, but we have to learn to respect them and their ability.
Pray: Lord, I glad for people You had placed around me. Make me able to respect them and never under estimated them even they do small things. Teach me to work together with other people. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.

Bee Sting, The

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

A vacationing family drives along in their car, windows rolled down, enjoying the warm summer breeze of the sunny day. All of a sudden a big black bee darts in the window and starts buzzing around inside the car. A little girl, highly allergic to bee stings, cringes in the back seat.
If she is stung, she could die within an hour.
"Oh, Daddy, " she squeals in terror, "it's a bee! It's going to sting me!"
The father pulls the car over to a stop, and reaches back to try to catch the bee. Buzzing towards him, the bee bumps against the front windshield where the father traps it in his fist. Holding it in his closed hand, the father waits for the inevitable sting. The bee stings the father's hand and in pain, the father lets go of the bee.
The bee is loose in the car again. The little girl again panics, "Daddy, it's going to sting me!"
The father gently says, "No honey, he's not going to sting you now. Look at my hand."
The bee's stinger is there in his hand.
1 Cor. 15:55--"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?"
Jesus says to us, "Look at my hands."
He has Satan's sting, the sting of death,the sting of sin,the sting of deceit,the sting of feeling worthless.Jesus has all of those stingers in His hands.
When you see that nail-scarred hand, realize that, on your behalf, Jesus took all the pain that Satan could throw at Him. He reduced Satan to a big black bee that has lost its stinger--all Satan can do is buzz.
That's the victory that Jesus won for you!

Barber of Coupe De Ville, The

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study the bible a little, and get your hair cut; then we'll talk about it."
A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if he could use the car. His father said, "Son, I'm really proud of you. You brought your grade up, studied the bible well, but you didn't get your hair cut!"
The young man waited a moment an then replied, "You know dad, I've been thinking about that. Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair."
His father replied gently, "Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went."

An Old Tree

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Once upon a time there was a leafy tree in a field. Leaves grew densely on the tall branches. The roots were deeply into the ground. The tree was the most remarkable among the rest.
The tree then became the home for some birds. They built their nests and they lived on his branches. The birds made holes on him, and they hatched their eggs within the greatness of the tree. The tree felt so delighted because he was accompanied as he walked through his long lasting days.
People were grateful for the presence of the tree. They often came over and sheltered under him. Under his branches, they sat down and opened their picnic baskets. “This tree is very useful,” that’s what the people said everytime they went home from shelter. The tree was very proud hearing those compliments.
However, time went on. The tree was beginning to be sick. His leaves and twigs were falling, then his body became thin and pale. The greatness he used to have was fading away. Birds felt reluctant to build their nests there. No one would come to sit under the tree to shelter anymore.
The tree wept, “Oh God, why is it so hard for me? I need friends. Now no one would come close to me. Why do you take all the glory I used to have?” The tree cried loudly, so it echoed throughout the forest. “Why wouldn’t you cut me down, so I don’t have to bear this suffering?” The tree kept on crying, and his tears were running down his dry body.
Seasons came and went, but his condition had not changed. The tree was still feeling lonely. His branches became drier and drier. Every night the tree wept and cried, until the morning broke.
“Cheep...chirp....cheep” Ah, what was that noise? Oh, it’s a little baby bird who has just pipped from the egg. The old tree woke up from his daydream.
“Cheep...chirp...cheep”, the noise became louder and louder. There was another baby bird. Not long after that, the tree became noisy because of the birth of new baby birds. One...two...three...and four baby birds have been born to this world. “Ah, He has answered my prayers,” exclaimed the old tree.
The day after, there were many birds flying to the old tree. They were going to build new nests. The dry branches have turned out to attract their attention to nest there. The birds felt warmer to stay inside the dry branches instead of their place before. The number of birds was increasing and there were more kinds of them. “Wow, now my days are brighter with their presence here”, murmured the old tree gladly.
The old tree was back to cheer again. And when he looked down, his heart was flowing with joy. There was a new little tree growing near his roots. The new tree seemed to smile at him. The tears of the old tree has grown a little tree who would continue his devotion to nature.
Dear friends, that’s the way it is. Is there any lesson that we could take from the story? God always has secret plans for us. The Almighty God will always gives answers to our questions. Eventhough it is not always easy to guess what the resolution is, be certain that the Omniscient God knows what’s best for us.
When there are times He sends temptation for us, in other times He gives us His overflowing blessings. The test He gives us isn’t something that can’t be overcome. When God gave the temptation to the old tree, actually He DELAYED in giving His glory. God didn’t choose to cut the old tree down since He kept some secrets. God was testing his patience.
So, dear friends, be sure, whatever temptation we are facing is a part of the chain of glory He is preparing for us. Don’t give up, and don’t be discouraged. God is always there beside patient people.

Almighty God

by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late at Almighty God Tabernackle, his church, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't answer the phone. The pastor let it ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry ways.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night. The pastor couldn't figure out what the guy was talking about. Then the guy said, "It rang and rang, but I didn't answer." The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife. The man said, "That's OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, "God, if you're there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now." At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'. I was afraid to answer."