Chicken Soup

[HisDaughter]

Once Upon A Pew I Sat

Once upon a pew I sat
And heard the preacher ask,
"We need someone to teach a class,
Now who will take this task?"
Then God sat down beside me there
And said, "Son, that's for you."
"But, Lord, to stand before a class
Is one thing I can't do.
Now Bill would be the man to call,
There's nothing he won't do.
I'd rather hear the lesson taught
From here upon my pew."

Once upon a pew I sat
And heard the preacher ask,
"We need someone to lead the songs,
Now who will take this task?"
Then God sat down beside me there
And said, "Son, that's for you."
"But Lord, to sing before a crowd
Is one thing I can't do.
Now Brother King will do the job,
There's nothing he won't do.
I'd rather hear the music played
From here upon my pew."

Once upon a pew I sat
And heard the preacher ask,
"I need someone to keep the door,
Now who will take this task?"
Then God sat down beside me there
And said, "Son, that's for you."
"But saying things to strangers, Lord,
Is one thing I can't do.
Now Tom can talk to people, Lord,
There's nothing he won't do.
I'd rather someone come to me
And greet me on the pew."

As years just seemed to pass me by,
I heard that voice no more
Until one night I closed my eyes
And woke on heaven's shore.
'Twas four of us together there
To face eternity.
God said, "I need just three of you
To do a job for me."
"O Lord, I cried, "I'll do the job,
There's nothing I won't do."
But Jesus said, "I'm sorry, Friend,
In Heaven there's no pew."

~ Author Unknown ~

[HisDaughter]

Who Packed Your Parachute?

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, or thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.

Charles Plumb, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam.

After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, you're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb.

"I packed your parachute," the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!" Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today."

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: A white hat, a bib in the back, and bell bottom trousers. I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know. Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?"

Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.

Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory — he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

His experience reminds us all to prepare ourselves to weather whatever storms lie ahead. As you go through this week, this month, this year ... recognize people who pack your parachute!


~ Source Unknown ~

[HisDaughter]

Secrets to Happiness

Live beneath your means and within your seams
Return everything you borrow
Donate Blood
Stop blaming other people
Admit it when you make a mistake
Give all the clothes you haven't worn in the last three years to charity
Every day do something nice and try not to get caught
Listen more; talk less
Every day take a 30-minute walk in your neighborhood
Skip two meals a week and give the money to the homeless
Strive for excellence, not perfection
Be on time
Don't make excuses
Don't argue
Get organized
Be kind to kind people
Be even kinder to unkind people
Let someone cut ahead of you in line
Take time to be alone
Reread a favorite book
Cultivate good manners
Be humble
Understand and accept that life isn't always fair
Know when to say something
Know when to keep your mouth shut
Don't criticize anyone for 24 hours
Learn from the past, plan for the future, and live in the present
Don't sweat the small stuff

[HisDaughter]

God's Boxes

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
Which my sorrows had fallen out by.
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 He gave 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."

~ Author Unknown ~

[HisDaughter]

The Marbles

During the waning years of the depression in a small southeastern Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller's roadside stand for farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used, extensively.

One particular day Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello, Barry. How are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas . . . sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not 'zackley . . . . . but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you, and next trip this way, let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community. All three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or perhaps an orange one, or a green . . .

I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man.

A short time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one.

Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening, and knowing my friends wanted to go, agreed to accompany them.

Upon our arrival at the mortuary, we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts, very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing smiling and composed, by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty, light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold, pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary, awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. Eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size . . . they came to pay their debt. We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but, right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness, she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three magnificently shiny red marbles.

Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

~ Author Unknown ~

[HisDaughter]

The Most Beautiful Flower


The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read

Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.

Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,

For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,

A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play

He stood right before me with his head tilted down

And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,

With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.

Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,

I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating, he sat next to my side

And placed the flower to his nose

And declared with overacted surprise,

"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.

That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead.

Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.

But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.

So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."

but instead of him placing the flower in my hand,

He held it mid-air without reason or plan.

It was then that I noticed for the very first time

That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun

As I thanked him for picking the very best one.

"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,

Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see

A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.

How did he know of my self-indulged plight?

Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see

The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.

And for all of those times I myself had been blind,

I vowed to see the beauty in life,

And appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose

And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose

And smiled as I watched that young boy, Another weed in his hand,

About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.


~ Cheryl Costello-Forshey ~
Copyright 1998

[HisDaughter]

Life's Tug of War

Life can seem ungrateful ~ and not always kind...
Life can pull at your heartstrings ~ and play with your mind....

Life can be blissful ~ and happy and free...
Life can put beauty ~ in the things that you see...

Life can place challenges ~ right at your feet...
Life can make good ~ of the hardships we meet...

Life can overwhelm you ~ and make your head spin...
Life can reward those ~ determined to win...

Life can be hurtful ~ and not always fair...
Life can surround you ~ with people who care...

Life clearly does offer ~ its Up and its Downs...
Life's days can bring you ~ both smiles and frowns...

Life teaches us to take ~ the good with the bad...
Life is a mixture ~ of happy and sad...

SO...

Take the Life that you have ~ and give it your best...
Think positive, be happy ~ let God do the rest...

Take the challenges that life ~ has layed at your feet...
Take pride and be thankful ~ for each one you meet...

To yourself give forgiveness ~ if you stumble and fall...
Take each day that is dealt you ~ and give it your all...

Take the love that you're given ~ and return it with care...
Have faith that when needed ~ it will always be there...

Take time to find the beauty ~ in the things that you see...
Take life's simple pleasures ~ let them set your heart free...

The idea here is simply ~ to even the score...
As you are met and faced with ~ Life's Tug of War


~ Source Unknown ~

I don't THINK I've done this one before?

[HisDaughter]

The Garage of Fear

There was a hummingbird trying to get out of my garage through a closed window. This bird was going berserk trying to get out. It was so tired, yet this little bird continued doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. I left for awhile and came back. The bird kept trying to get out every way he could. Finally, he collapsed on the side of the garage. I gently picked him up and took him outside where he flew away.

I think this story illustrates exactly what we go through with anxiety and panic attacks. We are trapped in this "garage" of terror and torment. We desperately peck at every ray of hope, trying to escape these fearful thoughts.

So many times, we do the same old thing, over and over, trying in vain to deal with our condition. We push, strive, avoid, cope, adjust, numb, run, scream, plead -- anything to stop the onslaught of fear. But, we labor in vain, it seems.

I think the only way to real peace is in the hands of our Father. You can work hard in your own strength and efforts, much like the bird, where you become totally exhausted. Or, you can surrender all to God and trust His loving hands to carry you to His place of freedom.

I believe with all of my heart that God desires to pick you up in your "garage of fear" and take you to a place where there is no fear -- to a place of total peace and freedom. With the help of God, all things are possible.

"Blessed be the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth." (Psalm 124:6-8)

~ Author Unknown ~

[nChrist]

The Garage of Fear

There was a hummingbird trying to get out of my garage through a closed window. This bird was going berserk trying to get out. It was so tired, yet this little bird continued doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. I left for awhile and came back. The bird kept trying to get out every way he could. Finally, he collapsed on the side of the garage. I gently picked him up and took him outside where he flew away.

I think this story illustrates exactly what we go through with anxiety and panic attacks. We are trapped in this "garage" of terror and torment. We desperately peck at every ray of hope, trying to escape these fearful thoughts.

So many times, we do the same old thing, over and over, trying in vain to deal with our condition. We push, strive, avoid, cope, adjust, numb, run, scream, plead -- anything to stop the onslaught of fear. But, we labor in vain, it seems.

I think the only way to real peace is in the hands of our Father. You can work hard in your own strength and efforts, much like the bird, where you become totally exhausted. Or, you can surrender all to God and trust His loving hands to carry you to His place of freedom.

I believe with all of my heart that God desires to pick you up in your "garage of fear" and take you to a place where there is no fear -- to a place of total peace and freedom. With the help of God, all things are possible.

"Blessed be the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! We escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! Our help is from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth." (Psalm 124:6-8)

~ Author Unknown ~

AMEN! - BEAUTIFUL AND TIMELY!

[HisDaughter]

From Innocent Lips

He was just a little lad,

and on the week's last day.

He was wandering home from Sabbath School,

and dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass;

he found a caterpillar;

He found a fluffy milkweed pod,

and blew out all the "filler."

A bird's nest in a tree o'er head

so wisely placed on high,

Was just another wonder

that caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zigzag course,

and hailed him from the lawn;

Asked him where he'd been that day,

and what was going on.

"I've been to Bible school," he said,

and turned a piece of sod.

He picked up a wiggly worm and said,

"I've learned a lot of God."

"M'm a very fine way," the neighbor said,

"for a boy to spend his time."

If you'll tell me where God is,

I'll give you a brand new dime."

Quick as a flash his answer came!

Nor were his accents faint.

"I'll give you a dollar, Mister,

if you'll tell me where God ain't!"


~ Source Unknown ~

[HisDaughter]

Youth

Youth is not entirely a time of life -- it is a state of mind. It is not wholly a matter of ripe cheeks, red lips or supple knees. It is a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions, a freshness of the deep springs of life. It means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of an appetite for adventure over love of ease.

"Nobody grows old by merely living a number of years. People grow old only by deserting their ideals."

"Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest wrinkles the soul. Worry, doubt, self-distrust, fear and despair -- these are the long, long years that bow the head and turn the growing spirit back to dust."

"Whatever your years, there is in every being's heart the love of wonder, the undaunted challenge of events, the unfailing child-like appetite for what next, and the joy and the game of life. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt, as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear, as young as your hope, as old as your despair. In the central place of every heart there is a recording chamber; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer and courage, so long are you young."

"When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and then only, are you grown old."

~ Author Unknown ~

[HisDaughter]

[HisDaughter]

[HisDaughter]

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

These new graphics are great. They show a lot of imagination and tell a good message - Bible Verse and all. I'm happy that we have artists doing things like this for the LORD'S WORK.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Deuteronomy 20:3-4 NASB  3  "He shall say to them, 'Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them,  4  for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.'