THE ROSE

A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day. Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.

The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off any petals. The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry. But because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact... It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do. 

Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud without tearing it, the older preacher began to recite the following poem...

It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I.
GOD opens this flower so easily, But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design,
Then how can I have the wisdom To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust in God for leading Each moment of my day.
I will look to God for guidance In each step of the way.

The path that lies before me, Only my Lord knows.
I'll trust God to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose.

Rec'd 2/18/03 Thanks Mr. Shaffer

THE FROGS

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a  deep pit. All the other frogs gathered around the pit. When they saw how deep the  pit was, they told the unfortunate frogs they would never get out. The two frogs  ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit.

The other frogs kept telling them to stop, that they were as good as dead. Finally,  one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and simply gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of  frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and suffering and just die. He jumped even  harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs asked him, "Why  did you continue jumping. Didn't you hear us?"

The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging  him the entire time.

This story holds two lessons:
1. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone  who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

2. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them. Be  careful of what you say. Speak life to those who cross your path.

The power of words... it is sometimes hard to understand that an encouraging word  can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the  spirit to continue in difficult times.

Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another.

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

 Rec'd 3/08/03