Chicken Soup

[David_james]

P.S. - And if you really love me, you won't share this letter with anyone.
   

Don't appreciate being forced to share something with someone. I know that you know it bugs me and others. I also know that you love it when people send Godly messages and at end say, "if you really love God, send this."

[HisDaughter]

Don't appreciate being forced to share something with someone. I know that you know it bugs me and others. I also know that you love it when people send Godly messages and at end say, "if you really love God, send this."

I'm with ya on that one.  I don't like it either.  If I decide to send those on, I will usually try to delete that part at the end.

[HisDaughter]

The 'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

 I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself,but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

 
When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame.

Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes,pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

 
Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.

 
She holds up a snapshot of an infant.. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

 
'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my  Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

 
She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

 
'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)

 
' My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my  Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)

 
'And then, pop!  My  Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)

 
'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe.
They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from  Mom's play-center, (placenta) so there must be a lot of toys inside there.. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up in there.'

 
Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.
I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another ' Middle Wife' comes along!
 
 

[nChrist]

The 'Middle Wife' by an Anonymous 2nd grade teacher

 I've been teaching now for about fifteen years. I have two kids myself,but the best birth story I know is the one I saw in my own second grade classroom a few years back.

 
When I was a kid, I loved show-and-tell. So I always have a few sessions with my students. It helps them get over shyness and usually, show-and-tell is pretty tame.

Kids bring in pet turtles, model airplanes,pictures of fish they catch, stuff like that. And I never, ever place any boundaries or limitations on them. If they want to lug it in to school and talk about it, they're welcome.

 
Well, one day this little girl, Erica, a very bright, very outgoing kid, takes her turn and waddles up to the front of the class with a pillow stuffed under her sweater.

 
She holds up a snapshot of an infant.. 'This is Luke, my baby brother, and I'm going to tell you about his birthday.'

 
'First, Mom and Dad made him as a symbol of their love, and then Dad put a seed in my  Mom's stomach, and Luke grew in there. He ate for nine months through an umbrella cord.'

 
She's standing there with her hands on the pillow, and I'm trying not to laugh and wishing I had my camcorder with me. The kids are watching her in amazement.

 
'Then, about two Saturdays ago, my Mom starts saying and going, 'Oh, Oh, Oh, Oh!' Erica puts a hand behind her back and groans. 'She walked around the house for, like an hour, 'Oh, oh, oh!' (Now this kid is doing a hysterical duck walk and groaning.)

 
' My Dad called the middle wife. She delivers babies, but she doesn't have a sign on the car like the Domino's man. They got my  Mom to lie down in bed like this.' (Then Erica lies down with her back against the wall.)

 
'And then, pop!  My  Mom had this bag of water she kept in there in case he got thirsty, and it just blew up and spilled all over the bed, like psshhheew!' (This kid has her legs spread with her little hands miming water flowing away. It was too much!)

 
'Then the middle wife starts saying 'push, push,' and 'breathe, breathe.
They started counting, but never even got past ten. Then, all of a sudden, out comes my brother. He was covered in yucky stuff that they all said it was from  Mom's play-center, (placenta) so there must be a lot of toys inside there.. When he got out, the middle wife spanked him for crawling up in there.'

 
Then Erica stood up, took a big theatrical bow and returned to her seat.
I'm sure I applauded the loudest. Ever since then, when it's show-and-tell day, I bring my camcorder, just in case another ' Middle Wife' comes along!
 
 

          WOW! - What a HOOT! I have to share this with my schoolteacher wife right now!

[HisDaughter]

FATHER'S DAY

The idea of Father’s Day was conceived by Sonora Dodd of Spokane, Wash., while she listened to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Dodd wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart, a widowed Civil War veteran who was left to raise his six children on a farm. A day in June was chosen for the first Father’s Day celebration — June 19, 1910, proclaimed by Spokane’s mayor because it was the month of Smart’s birth.

The first presidential proclamation honoring fathers was issued in 1966 when President Lyndon Johnson designated the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day.
Father’s Day has been celebrated annually since 1972 when President Richard Nixon signed the public law that made it permanent.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!                   HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!                   HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

[nChrist]

Hello Grammyluv,

Thanks for the information about Father's Day. I just got off the phone with my son, and he did wish me a Happy Father's Day. I have nothing but THANKS to our HEAVENLY FATHER who works all things out for good for those who love HIM. I especially give THANKS that HE is also guiding my children and grandchildren.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Revelation 1:17-18 ASV   17  And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as one dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying, Fear not; I am the first and the last,  18  and the Living one; and I was dead, and behold, I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.

[HisDaughter]

Does Heaven Have a Phone Number?

Mommy went to Heaven, but I need her here today,
My tummy hurts and I fell down, I need her right away,
Operator can you tell me how to find her in this book?
Is heaven in the yellow part, I don't know where to look.

I think my daddy needs her too, at night I hear him cry.
I hear him call her name sometimes, but I really don't know why.
Maybe if I call her, she will hurry home to me.
Is Heaven very far away, is it across the sea?

She's been gone a long, long time she needs to come home now!
I really need to reach her, but I simply don't know how.
Help me find the number please, is it listed under "Heaven"?
I can't read these big big words, I am only seven.

I'm sorry operator, I didn't mean to make you cry,
Is your tummy hurting too, or is there something in your eye?
If I call my church maybe they will know.
Mommy said when we need help that's where we should go.
I found the number to my church tacked up on the wall.
Thank you operator, I'll give them a call.

[HisDaughter]

A Light For God's House

In a mountain village in Europe a long time ago, a nobleman wondered what gift he could present to his townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church. No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marvelled at it's beauty.

Then someone asked,"But where are the lamps? How will it be lighted?" The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. then he gave them each family a lamp, asking them to bring these with them each time they came to worship.

"Each time you are in church, the area where you are seated will be lighted," the nobleman said. "Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. this is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God's house will be dark."

[HisDaughter]

On Getting Old

 I  would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to  myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am  entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.
                                 
   I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.
                                 
   Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60's &70's, and if I,
at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love . I will.
 
   I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.
They, too, will get old.
                                 
   I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.
                                 
  Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion.
A heart never broken is  pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.
                                 
   I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. 
                                 
   As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.
                               
  So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I  like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time
lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I
shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like it). 

[HisDaughter]

Deathrow

A letter written to a man on death row by the Father of the man whom the man on death row had killed:

You are probably surprised that I, of all people, am writing a letter to you, but I ask you to read it in its entirety and consider its request seriously. As the Father of the man whom you took part in murdering, I have something very important to say to you. I forgive you. With all my heart, I forgive you. I realize it may be hard for you to believe, but I really do. At your trial, when you confessed to your part in the events that cost my Son his life and asked for my forgiveness, I immediately granted you that forgiving love from my heart.

I can only hope you believe me and will accept my forgiveness. But this is not all I have to say to you. I want to make you an offer: I want you to become my adopted child. You see, my Son who died was my only child, and I now want to share my life with you and leave my riches to you.

This may not make sense to you or anyone else, but I believe you are worth the offer.

I have arranged matters so that if you will receive my offer of forgiveness, not only will you be pardoned for your crime, but you also will be set free from your imprisonment, and your sentence of death will be dismissed. At that point, you will become my adopted child and heir to all my riches.

I realize this is a risky offer for me to make to you -- you might be tempted to reject my offer completely -- but I make it to you without reservation. Also, I realize it may seem foolish to make such an offer to one who cost my Son his life, but I now have a great love and an unchangeable forgiveness in my heart for you.

Finally, you may be concerned that once you accept my offer you may do something to cause you to be denied your rights as an heir to my wealth. Nothing could be further from the truth. If I can forgive you for your part in my Son's death, I can forgive you for anything. I know you never will be perfect, but you do not have to be perfect to receive my offer.

Besides, I believe that once you have accepted my offer and begin to experience the riches that will come to you from me, that your primary (though not always) response will be gratitude and loyalty. Some would call me foolish for my offer to you, but I wish for you to call me your Father.

Love,

The Father of Jesus

[HisDaughter]

Let God Move In

Let me tell you the story of how I let Jesus into my heart.

You see, before I met Jesus, my heart was a horrible place to be. The stench of hate was everywhere, and you just couldn't get rid of the smell of bitterness. Envy was strewn all over the floor, and there were spots of jealousy all over the walls. Worse, it was cluttered with anxiety and you couldn't walk very far before tripping on some form of burden or other. It was really such a mess. There were stains of sin on everything, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wash those stains away. You can imagine the state I was in. Everyday, coming home to a heart like this. Sure, some days you could actually tolerate living in such an environment. In fact, if you tried really hard, you could ignore almost every ailment...except the sin. That was something which, no matter how hard I tried, I could never completely get over. Well, you know how it goes. I tried to entertain myself, tried to fill up my heart with things which could ease the situation. A bit of lust here, a little selfishness there. I even invited my friends over a couple times. It never seemed to help though. I would always end up alone ... me and my sin-stained heart. I almost gave up hope actually.

Then one day, Jesus came knocking on the door of my heart. You can imagine my surprise. Jesus ... the Son of God, visiting my heart! Of course, I was a little skeptical that it was Him at first, but as I cracked open the door, there He was, blazing in light and with the Holy Spirit standing behind Him no less! He asked me if He could come in, and boy, did my face turn pale. I took a quick glance around and saw the state my heart was in. This was no place for the Son of God to visit! I looked ashamedly at the ground and explained to Jesus that maybe He should come back in a while, after I had a chance to clean up. He just smiled and assured me that He wanted to come in anyway, that is, if I would let Him. Reluctantly, I opened the door. I expected a gasp or some sign of shock from Jesus...but He just strolled in. He took a quick look around and silently shook His head. At this point, I knew what He was thinking... He was disappointed with me...and all I could do was look at the ground. As I stood there, He walked over to me and placed His arm on my shoulder. As I looked into His face, I saw, for the first time, that He was crying. He opened His arms, and He hugged me.

Even though I was filthy, dirty beyond belief from all those years in the darkness of this broken heart...He hugged me. The tears were flowing freely from my face. I couldn't believe that Jesus loved me. "Why didn't you let me in sooner?" He asked through the tears. "Lord, you never came!" I cried. "No my child...you never listened" was His gentle reply.

Well, today my heart's a much better place. I spent a lot of time redecorating with Jesus' help. Man, you should have seen Him - throwing out all the trash I had lying around, fixing up the all the broken dreams and even soothing my painful memories. Of course, He didn't do all the work ... I had to do a whole bunch of stuff too, like listening, obeying, and actually trying to do all the stuff that Jesus did. It was really cool. He would come hang-out, and we would spend time in prayer, and worship and we would even read the Bible together.

After a while, I even let Him move in, and of course, you know how the Son of God has to have his choice in decor. I didn't object of course...He has such good taste. The carpet and walls are all now crimson (it was the logical choice, since it was the only thing that would wash away the stains of sin), and you should see what he's done with the lighting! It's so bright, it's unbelievable.

[HisDaughter]

All I Would Ever Need

I had always felt like a misfit in school. My friends, although good and true friends, were not in the crowd of popular kids in school. Besides, I was sure I was funny looking. I just didn't fit the mold.

Parading constantly before my eyes was "the fun group" - the popular kids - always laughing and whispering, never sad or depressed, skipping their way through school, the best of friends. Teachers loved them, boys loved them, the whole school loved them. I worshipped them and wanted to be just like them. I dreamed of the day that they would accept me.

My dream came true when I turned fourteen and I tried out for the cheerleading squad. To my surprise, I was chosen. Almost instantly, I was thrust into the "in crowd."

I felt like a butterfly coming out of a cocoon. I changed my hair and the way I dressed. Everyone thought the change in me was fantastic - new clothes, a new group of friends and a new outlook on life.

Almost overnight, the whole school knew who I was, or at least they knew my name. There were parties and sleepovers, and of course, cheering at the games. I was finally one of the popular kids. Everyone I had hoped to know, I knew. Everything I had wanted to be, I was.

Something strange was happening to me, however. The more I was included with the "in crowd," the more confused I became. In reality, these people were far from perfect.

They talked behind each other's backs while they pretended to be best friends. They rarely had a truly good time but smiled and faked it. They cared about what I was wearing and who I was seen with. But they didn't care about who I was, what I believed in, what my dreams were or what made me who I was. It was a shock to see them as they really were, instead of as I had "thought" they were.

I began to feel a huge sense of loss and disappointment. But worst of all, I realized that I was becoming just like them, and I didn't like what was happening at all. I had to get my life back in order. I concentrated first on finding out who my real friends were - the ones who listened and who really cared about me.

They were the only ones who really mattered. I stayed with cheerleading because I really enjoyed it. But I stopped hanging around with only the popular kids, and I widened my circle of friends. I found out that my real friends had never left me. They were simply waiting for me to come to my senses. I finally realized that my original friends were all I would ever need.

by Kerri Warren
from Chicken Soup for the Kid's Soul

[HisDaughter]

How to mess up your life
Greg Laurie

You could describe him as the hedonist extraordinaire. He was highly educated, yet he went on unbelievable drinking binges. He chased after women like there was no tomorrow. He was an architectural genius. He was known around the world for his great wisdom. In today's economy, he would be worth billions. Yet he was miserable and empty, and he almost completely destroyed his life. This was a man who had tried it all. He sought pleasure at all costs.

His name was Solomon, and he wrote down his experiences in the Book of Ecclesiastes. In effect, it is a document that shows us how to mess up your life. If you want to do the wrong thing, then follow the path Solomon describes in a great deal of this book. Ecclesiastes is the autobiography of Solomon who, for much of his life, squandered God's blessing on his own personal pleasure rather than using it for the glory of God.

But Solomon didn't want his mistakes to be wasted, so he wrote them down. He was very honest and forthcoming about them. The typical autobiography glosses over the author's mistakes or, at the least, rationalizes them. But Solomon put his on display and shows us what he learned as a result. And what he learned he learned the hard way. He basically concludes that all earthly goals and ambitions, when pursued as ends in themselves, will produce only emptiness.

Solomon was writing to younger men and women and saying, "Don't make the mistakes I have made." And if we read just the first three verses of Ecclesiastes, we will have the theme of the entire book:

The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher; "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity." What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 3:1–11 NKJV)
Solomon's father was King David. And although David had his shortcomings, the Bible described him as a man after God's own heart (see 1 Samuel 13:14). For the most part, David was a very godly man. Many of the psalms were written by David. Yet Solomon didn't listen to his father, despite the fact that his father was King David. He wanted to find out for himself. He wanted to go out and experiment in the world.

So Solomon went on a search for the meaning of life, and he gives us his conclusion in verse 2: "Vanity of vanities." The word "vanity" is used 38 times in Ecclesiastes and could be translated a number of ways: emptiness, futility, meaninglessness, nothingness, a wisp of a vapor, a hollow, empty ring, or a bubble that bursts. Essentially, Solomon is saying, "Life without God is like a bubble that bursts. Life without God in his proper place is emptiness. It is a hollow, empty ring." The searcher is telling us there is nothing on this earth that will satisfy us completely, apart from God. No thing, no relationship and no pleasure will give us enduring value.

It is sort of like riding a stationary bicycle. You ride and ride, but you are not going anywhere. Now these cycles have screens that make you feel as though you're experiencing an actual bike ride. When you are going up the hill on the screen, the pedaling gets a little harder. You feel like you have had a good workout, but you have never left the gym.

That is how life can be. You are pedaling and pedaling and moving and moving, but you don't feel like you are really going anywhere. You are moving at a frantic pace, but you're always coming up empty.

We always think we have found the new thing when really there is nothing new under the sun. The one thing we learn from history is that we learn nothing from history. We just keep repeating the same old mistakes and doing the same old things over and over again.

That is exactly where Solomon was. He went on this binge of going after anything he wanted. He had the luxury, if you will, of an unlimited checking account. In other words, no one could say no to him. No one could restrain him. He was the king. He had unlimited resources at his disposal and unlimited time to waste. And he took full advantage of it. He was able to chase after what some people could only dream of. And it became a real nightmare.

But Solomon turned it into a research project of sorts. He determined that he would not simply believe what other people say about these things, but he would find out for himself. And he finally got to a point where he saw God for who he is. And then he saw the world for what it is: shallow, empty, temporary and unfulfilling.

Sometimes we have to learn the hard way. For a lot of us, it is process of elimination. Before I came to Christ, to some degree, I had to either observe or try certain things myself. But even before I was a Christian, I knew the world didn't have the answer. I just didn't know where the answers were. I knew it wasn't in the affluent, alcoholic, freewheeling lifestyle of my mother. I knew it wasn't in the things I had engaged in and had been exposed to. But where was it? Then, when I heard the gospel, I realized where it was. And I realized who it was I was searching for all along.

After all of the searching, after all of the mistakes, Solomon concluded, "Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man" (Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV). Solomon was saying, "Take it from a seasoned pro. I know what I'm talking about. If you leave God out of the picture, then your life will be empty, meaningless and futile. But if you want a full life, if you want to live your life as a whole person, then here is the answer: Fear God and keep his commandments."

Personal happiness is built on two things happening simultaneously. Not doing some things and doing other things. So here is your choice. You can do the wrong things or you can do the right things. But if you want to take the advice of a seasoned pro, then listen to what Solomon had to say. Don't try to live in two worlds.

[HisDaughter]

A Saviour's Plea

Upon this hillside my flesh cries out in pain. Yet, it is my heart that searches for mercy. I scan the crowd and see my accusers. I see those who knew me as their friends.

Yet, I choose to travel in time to a place where I sit here with you. I look upon your face which is so dear to me. I remember the day you were created. I remember how my heart leaped for joy when I was forming you in the womb. I remember how my hands delicately were placed around your heart. I remember the God-shaped hole I placed there. I smiled when I thought of all the accomplishments you would make.

But, all of those pale in comparison to the reality that is set before you. And what is that reality? Beloved, look upon my hands and feet. Look upon my thorn covered brow. Look upon the wound in my side and the marks upon my back. That is how much I love you.

This blood I shed was paid at my expense and if it had taken one drop at time, surely I would have paid such a high price for you. Do you realize how much I love you? Do you know that when you cry that I cry too? Do you know that when you feel defeated, alone and rejected that I long to tear open the heavens and show you my face? Do you know that I want so badly to hold you when you cry? Do you know that when man speaks words that wound and tear at your very soul that I long to kiss your brow and tell you how much I love you?

Why do you look to man to give you what only I can? Why do you give man the first fruits of your time, affections and talents only to be left disappointed and rejected? While we sit here my child I ask you these questions. I do not ask to hurt you or make you feel condemned. I ask that you may seek the truth and find it. For when you seek truth, you find me.

For I AM the way, the truth and the life. Beloved, will you choose the path I have laid before you? Will you choose to never be lonely again? Will you choose me so that I may come in and heal you of all that man has done? Will the word "yes" fall from your lips? Oh, how I have longed for the day when you will say "yes".

Just one word would send all of heaven rejoicing and place hell in vast turmoil! Just that one word would fill my heart with adulation, beloved. There is no one so horrible that my blood cannot cleanse, neither is there anyone so good that doesn't need me.

Whisper my name beloved, whisper and I will come running. I will run to you. You do not even have to meet me halfway. I will meet you right where you are. Say my name- "Jesus." Say it now from your heart and I will show up. Seek me with the eyes of your heart and you will find me there. You will see that I have been with you all along.

I travel back in time to this hillside. It is here where I think of you. All that you need, desire and ever longed for is in this blood. Will you choose my way? Surely, I cannot hide my opinion, for how could a creator deny the affection of his creation?

But, the choice is yours, beloved. I cannot make you choose, for that would not be love. But, know this dear one, know that I will not turn you away! Come- I will be waiting.

Love,
Jesus       

[HisDaughter]

Born Again Monster

There once lived a vampire the legends say,
who couldn't stand blood in any way.
While others hunted and killed for delight,
this monster would hide, for fear of the night.

And when others drank from throats and fled,
this strange one kissed their necks instead.
And when the victims screamed their fears,
he'd talk to them, and dry their tears.

When monsters roam the streets at night,
this beastly thing would sit and write.
Stories and poems of love and pain,
written to those who have been slain.

Now no one knows why he did such things,
but legends say God gave him wings.
And to this day the legends state,
he stands outside, of Heaven's Gate.

So when you die and see him there,
go talk to him if you dare.
He'll kiss your cheek, and dry your tears
and wipe away, all your fears

Even a monster who is born to fright,
can turn to God, and do what's right.
Even a man who is born to sin,
can turn to God, and be BORN AGAIN.