Soil Preparation

Spiritual growth occurs

when faith is cultivated.

A family moved from the fertile farmlands of nirthwestern Ohio to Arizona. Th ewoman wanted the kind of lush, green lawn they had back home, so they went to work on the rocky ground typical of the area.

 Using a pickax, the husband pried the largest rocks from the sun-baked earth. Then, on hands and knees, they sifted out the smaller stones until a layer of topsoil emerged. After planting seeds and watering the ground for several weeks, they had a green lawn.

If we went to plant a lawn or a garden, the soil must first be broken up. Even the most productive land must be turned over and tilled. Otherwise, growth is difficult, if not impossible.

God sometimes prepares the soil of human hearts to receive His Word by a breaking-up process. It may be through a disaster like a hurricane, flood,or fire. Other times it comes through sickness, disappointment, or deep sorrow.

If you have been experiencing trouble or heartache, God may be softening the soil of your life so that the ssed of His Word can grow in you. Don't fight it. Let HIm have His way. Allow Him to produce patience and maturity in your heart. One day you'll thank Him for His soil preparation. -DCE

Be Glad

Be glad that your life has been full and complete,
Be glad that you've tasted the bitter and sweet,
Be glad that you've walked in sunshine and rain,
Be glad that you've felt both pleasure and pain,
Be glad that you've had such a full, happy life,
Be glad for your joy as well as your strife,
Be glad that you've walked with courage each day,
Be glad you've had a strength for each step of the way,
Be glad for the comfort that you've found inprayer,
Be glad for God's blessings, his love, and His care.

A Gift For God

If you paus eto think,

You'll have cause to thank.

Imagine what a heavy schedule of appointments Presidnet Abraham Lincoln had to keep day after day. Yet when an elderly woman with no official business in mind asked to see him, he graciously consented.

As she entered Lincoln's office, he rose to greet her and asked how he might be of service. She replied that she had not come to a sk a favor. She had heard that the President liked a certain kind of cookie, so she had baked some for him and brought them to his office.

With tears in his eyes, Lincoln responded, "You are the very first person who has ever come into my office asking not, expecting not, but rather bringing me a gift. I thank you form the bottom of my heart."

When coming into God's presence, once in a while let's refrain form giving Him a list of requests. Instead, let's simply bring Him the gift of our gratitude and love. We may be sure that nothing pleases our Father more than our sincere thanksgiving.

Why not spend time offering up the sacrifice of praise, meditating on the Lord's mercies, recalling the riches of His grace, and blessing His holy name? Today, give that gift to the Giver of all good gifts. -VCG

Take Time

Take time to think -

It is the source of power.

Take time to read -

It is the foundation

of wisdom.

Take time to play -

It is the secret

of staying young.

Take time to be quiet -

It is the opportunity

to help others.

Take time to love

and be loved -

It is God's greatest gift.

Take time to laugh -

It is the music of the soul.

Take time to be friendly -

It is the road

to happiness.

Take time to dream -

It is what the future

is made of.

Take time to pray -

It is the greatest power

on earth.

There is time

for everything......

Ecclesiastes 3:1

What Time Is It?

Counting time is not as important

as making time count.

There are many ways of keeping time. Let's look at three of them. The first is called "world time." For many years this was how the world set its clock. world time was determined by the relationship of the earth to the sun, and it enabled man to measure time by the movements of the heavens.

A second way of keeping time was adopted in 1972 when the switch was made to "atomic time". this method mesures hours, minutes, and seconds not merely by the big picture of the heavens but by the highly accurate vibrations of the atom.

Then there's a third method. It's based on our relationship to God, and His timekeeping is perfect. Let me explain. When we recognize our accountability to God, we see that now is the time to surround ourselves with the values, thoughts, and attitudes of the Lord Jesus Christ. We become aware that our eternal rescue is closer than ever before. Because of our relationship to the Lord, we should heed the warning that time is running out for this world. If we are going to live by honestly and lovingly, we must do so now!

As you look at the clock today, remember that you should also figure time by your relationship to the Lord. -MRD II