Stories Of Hope & Inspiration

[FineLinen]

Dear friends: there is a lot of despair in many area of our world. It is my intention to put something new on this link every day. I do trust it will be of help and encouragement to all of us.

Let's Start With 40 Things To Start Every Day

Please turn on your sound.

 

[FineLinen]

A Glass Of Milk

Once, there was a poor boy who made a living by selling various objects from door to door. This was the way he earned money to pay for his school.

One day, as he was walking from house to house as usual, he felt very hungry and weak. He felt that he couldn’t walk even a few steps. He decided to ask for food at a house. He knocked on the door and was stunned to see a beautiful young girl open the door. With much hesitation, he asked the girl for a glass of water.

The young girl understood his condition and offered him a huge glass of milk. With an astonished look, the boy drank the milk very slowly.

“How much do I owe you for this milk?” he asked her.

The girl replied, “I do not want any money for this.”

The boy thanked the girl from the bottom of his heart and left the place.

Years passed by. The young girl grew up. In her youth, unfortunately, she fell ill and was diagnosed with the rarest kind of nervous disorder. Many experienced doctors were baffled at her condition, and she was admitted in the city hospital with the most advanced facilities.

Dr. Kevin, a renowned neuro specialist was called in by the hospital to examine her. Even with his extraordinary expertise, Dr. Kevin found the girl’s illness very hard to cure. However, with perseverance and hard work that lasted months, he was finally able to get the disease under control. With careful medication and monitoring, the girl was completely cured in the end.

Everyone praised the doctor, but the girl was quite worried about how much the hospital bill would come to. Her family had just a little money kept away in the bank, which was by no means enough to pay for such a long treatment in that reputed hospital.

The girl was given the hospital bill finally. With trembling hands, she opened it. She was stunned to see that the bill had been crossed out and cancelled, and there was a note underneath signed by Dr. Kevin.

“Bill paid years ago with a glass of milk!”

 

[FineLinen]

The Ragman

Even before the dawn one Friday morning I noticed a young man, handsome and strong, walking the alleys of our City. He was pulling an old cart filled with clothes both bright and new, and he was calling in a clear, tenor voice: "Rags!" Ah, the air was foul and the first light filthy to be crossed by such sweet music.

"Rags! New rags for old! I take your tired rags! Rags!"

Continued below...

The Rag Man

 

[FineLinen]

The Empty Chair

A man's daughter had asked the local pastor to come and pray with her father. When the pastor arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

"I guess you were expecting me," he said.

"No, who are you?"

"I'm the new associate at your local church," the pastor replied.

"When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the pastor shut the door.

"I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.

"But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head.."

"I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day about four years ago my best friend said to me, 'Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because he promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now."

"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The pastor was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, and returned to the church.

Two nights later the daughter called to tell the pastor that her daddy had died that afternoon.

"Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked.

"Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange, in fact, beyond strange-kinda weird.

Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on a chair beside the bed."

-Author Unknown[

 

[Jeshu]

This is the story of Jesus' death on The Cross.

 

[FineLinen]

The Littlest Firefighter

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her son who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination. Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now, that was no longer possible. The leukemia would see to that, but she still wanted her son's dreams to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, "Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?"

Mommy, I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up." Mom smiled back and said, "Let's see if we can make your wish come true."

Later that day, she went to her local fire department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix. She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her six-year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, "Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! "And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat, not a toy one, with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear, and rubber boots. They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast."

Three days later, Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his fire uniform, and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in Heaven.

There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day, and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the paramedic's van, and even the fire chief's car. He was also videotaped for the local news program. Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night, all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then, she remembered the day Billy had spent as a fireman, so she called the fire chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. .
The chief replied, "We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire? It's just the fire department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. Will you also open the window to his room?"

About five minutes later, a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window. 16 firefighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they loved him.

With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, "Chief, am I really a fireman now?" "Billy, you are, and the Head Chief, Jesus, is holding your hand," the chief said. With those words, Billy smiled and said, "I know. He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing." He closed his eyes one last time.

 

[FineLinen]

A group of frogs were traveling through the forest when two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that there was no hope left for them.

However, the two frogs ignored their comrades and proceeded to try to jump out of the pit. However, despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit were still saying that they should just give up as they’d never make it out.

Eventually, one of the frogs took heed of what the others were saying and he gave up, jumping even deeper to his death. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the group of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and to just die.

He ignored them, and jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?”

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

Moral of the story:

People’s words can have a huge effect on the lives of others. Therefore, you should think about what you’re going to say before it comes out of your mouth – it might just be the difference between life and death.

 

[FineLinen]

Covered By The Cloud

This is a true story as told by Spencer January.

It was a morning in early March, 1945, a clear and sunny day. I was 24
years old and a member of the U.S. Army's 35th Infantry Division, 137th
Infantry Company I.

Along with several other companies of American troops, we were making our
way through dense woods, towards the Rhine River in the German Rhineland.
Our objective was to reach and take the town of Ossenberg, where a factory
was producing gunpowder and other products for use in the war.

For hours we had pressed through an unrelenting thicket. Shortly after
midday word was passed that there was a clearing ahead. At last, we
thought, the going would be easier. but then we approached a large stone
house, behind which huddled a handful of wounded, bleeding soldiers who
had tried to cross the clearing and failed.

Before us stretched at least 200 yards of open ground, bordered on the far
side by more thick woods.

As the first of us appeared on the edge of the
clearing there was an angry rat-tat-tat and a ferocious volley of bullets
sent soil spinning as far as we could see. Three nests of German machine
guns, spaced 50 yards apart and protected by the crest of a small hill to
the left, were firing across the field. As we got our bearings it was
determined that the machine guns were so well placed that our weapons
couldn't reach them.

To cross that field meant suicide. Yet, we had no choice. The Germans had
blockaded every other route into the town. In order to move on and secure
a victory, we had to move forward.

I slumped against a tree, appalled at the grim situation. I thought of
home, of my wife and my 5-month old son. I had kissed him good-bye just
after he was born. I thought that I might never see my family again, and
the possibility was overwhelming.

I dropped to my knees. "God," I pleaded desperately, "You've got to do
something. Please do something."

Moments later the order was given to advance. Grasping my M-1 rifle, I go
to my feet and started forward. After reaching the edge of the clearing I
took a deep breath. But just before I stepped out from cover, I glanced to
the left.

I stopped and stared in amazement. A white cloud -- a long fluffy white
cloud -- had appeared out of nowhere. It dropped from over the trees and
covered the area. The Germans' line of fire was obscured by the thick
foggy mist.

All of us bolted into the clearing and raced for our lives. The only
sounds were of combat boots thudding against the soft earth as men dashed
into the clearing, scrambling to reach the safety of the other side before
the mist lifted. With each step the woods opposite came closer and closer.
I was almost across! My pulse pounding in my ears, I lunged into the
thicket and threw myself behind a tree.

I turned and watched as other soldiers following me dove frantically into
the woods, some carrying and dragging the wounded. This has to be God's
doing, I thought. The instant the last man reached safety, the cloud
vanished! The day was again bright and clear.

The enemy, apparently thinking we were still pinned down behind the stone
house on the other side, must have radioed their artillery. Minutes later
the building was blown to bits but our company was safe and we quickly
moved on.

We reached Ossenberg and went on to secure more areas for the Allies. But
the image of that cloud was never far from my mind. I had seen the sort of
smoke screens that were sometimes set off to obscure troop activity in
such situations. That cloud had been different. It had appeared out of
nowhere and saved our lives.

Two weeks later, as we bivouacked in eastern Germany, a letter arrived
from my mother back in Dallas. I tore open the envelope eagerly. The
letter contained words that sent a shiver down my spine. "You remember
Mrs. Tankersly from our church?" my mother wrote.

Who could forget her? I smiled. Everybody called Mrs. Tankersly the prayer
warrior.

"Well," continued Mom, "Mrs. Tankersly telephoned me one morning from the
defense plant where she works. She said the Lord had awakened her the
night before at one o' clock and told her, 'Spencer January is in terrible
trouble. Get up now and pray for him!"

My mother went on to explain that Mrs. Tankersly had interceded for me in
prayer until six o' clock the next morning, when she had to go to her job.
"She told me the last thing she prayed before getting off her knees was
this" -- "Lord, whatever danger Spencer is in, just cover him with a
cloud!"

I sat there for a long time holding the letter in my trembling hand. My
mind raced, quickly calculating. Yes, the hours Mrs. Tankersly was praying
would indeed have corresponded to the time we were approaching the
clearing. With a seven-hour time difference, her prayer for a cloud would
have been uttered at one o'clock, the exact time Company I was getting
ready to cross the clearing.

From that moment on, I intensified my prayer life. For the past 52 years I
have gotten up early every morning to pray for others. I am convinced
there is no substitute for the power of prayer and its ability to comfort
and sustain others, even those facing the valley of the shadow of death.

 

[FineLinen]

The Whole World Stinks!

I love the story about grandpa and the limburger cheese. It seems that a couple of mischievous boys wanted to play a joke on grandpa, so while he napped, they rubbed some limburger cheese in his mustache. When grandpa awoke, he sniffed a little bit and said "It stinks in here!" He arose from his favorite chair in the living room and walked into the kitchen. As he sniffed around he declared: "It stinks in here too!" Leaving the kitchen, he walked into the hallway that led to his front door. Sure enough, as he sniffed, he muttered "it even stinks in here!" Flinging the front door open, he took a breath of what he expected to be fresh air. But once again the limburger cheese filled his nostrils, and grandpa shouted in disgust: "The whole world stinks!" Question: Did the whole world stink? Of course not! In fact, the real problem was right under grandpa's nose!

What do you look for in life, the good or the bad? What do you look for in your children? What kind of feelings do you have toward the church? Do you look for things to praise or things to criticize? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? The writer said in Proverbs 23:7 "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Jesus said "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45). Does the whole world stink? The problem may be right under your nose! -Jim Gillaspie-

 

[FineLinen]

The Whole World Stinks!

I love the story about grandpa and the limburger cheese. It seems that a couple of mischievous boys wanted to play a joke on grandpa, so while he napped, they rubbed some limburger cheese in his mustache. When grandpa awoke, he sniffed a little bit and said "It stinks in here!" He arose from his favorite chair in the living room and walked into the kitchen. As he sniffed around he declared: "It stinks in here too!" Leaving the kitchen, he walked into the hallway that led to his front door. Sure enough, as he sniffed, he muttered "it even stinks in here!" Flinging the front door open, he took a breath of what he expected to be fresh air. But once again the limburger cheese filled his nostrils, and grandpa shouted in disgust: "The whole world stinks!" Question: Did the whole world stink? Of course not! In fact, the real problem was right under grandpa's nose!

What do you look for in life, the good or the bad? What do you look for in your children? What kind of feelings do you have toward the church? Do you look for things to praise or things to criticize? Are you an optimist or a pessimist? The writer said in Proverbs 23:7 "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Jesus said "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh" (Luke 6:45). Does the whole world stink? The problem may be right under your nose! -Jim Gillaspie-

A Child's Prayer
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Dear God, are You still awake?
Have You got a minute or two?

You're pretty good at understanding,
And I really need to talk to You.

You see, Mommy came to tuck me in,
Like she does every night.
I was trying to play a trick on her,
Since she can't see without the light.

I was going to close my eyes
And pretend to be asleep.
But when I heard her crying,
I didn't dare let out a peep.

She started talking to you, God.
Did You hear the things she said?
Could You hear what she was saying
As she stood beside my bed?

Why would Mommy be so sad?
I wondered just what I had done,
And then I began to remember
it all As she named them one by one...

This morning we worked in the garden,
But, honest, I really didn't know
That if I picked all those little yellow blooms
The tomatoes wouldn't grow!

Charlie and I were trying to be helpers,
'Cause I know that's what Mommy needs,
But I don't think she was too happy with us
when we pulled up carrots instead of weeds.

Mommy said we should stop for the day,
she decided we had helped quite enough.
I sure had worked up an appetite...
I didn't know gardening was so tough!

we had peanut-butter and jelly for lunch
and I shared too much, I guess...
But I didn't realize until I was done
that Charlie had made such a mess.

Mommy said she needed a nap,
she had one of her headaches today.
She told me to keep an eye on my sister
and find something quiet to play.

Well, God, do You remember all those curls
you gave my little sister Jenny?
We played barber shop...very quietly...
and now, well, she doesn't have any.

Boy, was Mommy mad at me...
I had to go sit on my bed.
She said never to cut "people hair" again.
I guess I'll practice on Charlie instead.

We sat and watched poor old Albert,
I just knew he must be so bored
Going round and round
in the same place all day,
Wouldn't You think so, Lord?

I didn't think it would hurt
to let him out for a while.
I mean, mice need exercise, too.
By the way, have You seen Albert lately?
He's been sort of missing since two.

Mommy sent us outside for the rest of the day.
She said we needed fresh air.
But when Daddy came home she told him
he was trying to get something out of her hair.

We thought Mommy needed cheering up,
so we decided to brighten her day.
But, God, did You see the look on her face
When we gave her that pretty bouquet?

We had gotten a little bit dirty,
so Mommy said to get in the tub.
"Use soap this time," she reminded,
"and please don't forget to scrub."

Charlie didn't like the water too much,
but I lathered up real good.
I knew Mommy would be so proud of me
For cleaning up like I should.

I went downstairs to the table,
but during dinner it started to rain...
I'd forgotten to turn off the water, it seems,
and I hadn't unplugged the drain!

I decided right then it was just about time
to start getting ready for bed,
When Mommy said, "It's sure been a long day,
" And her face began turning all red.

I lay there listening to Mommy
as she told You about our day.
I thought about all of the things I had done
and I wondered what I should say.

I was just about to tell her
that I'd been awake all along,
And ask her to please forgive me
for all of those thing I'd done wrong.

When suddenly, I heard her whisper,
"God, forgive me for today...
For not being more understanding
when those problems came my way...

For not handling situations in the way
You wanted me to...for getting angry
and losing my temper,
Things I know You don't want me to do.

And, God, please give me more patience,
Help me make it through another day,
I'll do better tomorrow, I promise..
. In Jesus' name I pray."

Wiping her eyes, she kissed me
and knelt here beside my bed.
She stroked my hair for a little while..."
I love you, precious," Mommy said.

She left the room without ever knowing
That I'd been awake all the time.
And God, could we make it our little secret?
You know, just Yours and mine?

I'm sorry I was so much trouble today,
I really didn't mean to be...
Daddy says it's tough being a kid sometimes,
but I think it's harder on Mommy than me.

Well, goodnight, God. Thanks for listening.
It's sure nice to know You're there.
I feel so much better when I talk to You
'cause You always hear my prayer.

And I'll do better tomorrow, I promise...
Just You wait and see!
I'll try not to be so much trouble again,
But, God,
please give more patience to Mommy
......Just in case! Amen.

 

[FineLinen]

A Child's Prayer
by: Author Unknown, Source Unknown

Dear God, are You still awake?
Have You got a minute or two?

You're pretty good at understanding,
And I really need to talk to You.

You see, Mommy came to tuck me in,
Like she does every night.
I was trying to play a trick on her,
Since she can't see without the light.

I was going to close my eyes
And pretend to be asleep.
But when I heard her crying,
I didn't dare let out a peep.

She started talking to you, God.
Did You hear the things she said?
Could You hear what she was saying
As she stood beside my bed?

Why would Mommy be so sad?
I wondered just what I had done,
And then I began to remember
it all As she named them one by one...

This morning we worked in the garden,
But, honest, I really didn't know
That if I picked all those little yellow blooms
The tomatoes wouldn't grow!

Charlie and I were trying to be helpers,
'Cause I know that's what Mommy needs,
But I don't think she was too happy with us
when we pulled up carrots instead of weeds.

Mommy said we should stop for the day,
she decided we had helped quite enough.
I sure had worked up an appetite...
I didn't know gardening was so tough!

we had peanut-butter and jelly for lunch
and I shared too much, I guess...
But I didn't realize until I was done
that Charlie had made such a mess.

Mommy said she needed a nap,
she had one of her headaches today.
She told me to keep an eye on my sister
and find something quiet to play.

Well, God, do You remember all those curls
you gave my little sister Jenny?
We played barber shop...very quietly...
and now, well, she doesn't have any.

Boy, was Mommy mad at me...
I had to go sit on my bed.
She said never to cut "people hair" again.
I guess I'll practice on Charlie instead.

We sat and watched poor old Albert,
I just knew he must be so bored
Going round and round
in the same place all day,
Wouldn't You think so, Lord?

I didn't think it would hurt
to let him out for a while.
I mean, mice need exercise, too.
By the way, have You seen Albert lately?
He's been sort of missing since two.

Mommy sent us outside for the rest of the day.
She said we needed fresh air.
But when Daddy came home she told him
he was trying to get something out of her hair.

We thought Mommy needed cheering up,
so we decided to brighten her day.
But, God, did You see the look on her face
When we gave her that pretty bouquet?

We had gotten a little bit dirty,
so Mommy said to get in the tub.
"Use soap this time," she reminded,
"and please don't forget to scrub."

Charlie didn't like the water too much,
but I lathered up real good.
I knew Mommy would be so proud of me
For cleaning up like I should.

I went downstairs to the table,
but during dinner it started to rain...
I'd forgotten to turn off the water, it seems,
and I hadn't unplugged the drain!

I decided right then it was just about time
to start getting ready for bed,
When Mommy said, "It's sure been a long day,
" And her face began turning all red.

I lay there listening to Mommy
as she told You about our day.
I thought about all of the things I had done
and I wondered what I should say.

I was just about to tell her
that I'd been awake all along,
And ask her to please forgive me
for all of those thing I'd done wrong.

When suddenly, I heard her whisper,
"God, forgive me for today...
For not being more understanding
when those problems came my way...

For not handling situations in the way
You wanted me to...for getting angry
and losing my temper,
Things I know You don't want me to do.

And, God, please give me more patience,
Help me make it through another day,
I'll do better tomorrow, I promise..
. In Jesus' name I pray."

Wiping her eyes, she kissed me
and knelt here beside my bed.
She stroked my hair for a little while..."
I love you, precious," Mommy said.

She left the room without ever knowing
That I'd been awake all the time.
And God, could we make it our little secret?
You know, just Yours and mine?

I'm sorry I was so much trouble today,
I really didn't mean to be...
Daddy says it's tough being a kid sometimes,
but I think it's harder on Mommy than me.

Well, goodnight, God. Thanks for listening.
It's sure nice to know You're there.
I feel so much better when I talk to You
'cause You always hear my prayer.

And I'll do better tomorrow, I promise...
Just You wait and see!
I'll try not to be so much trouble again,
But, God,
please give more patience to Mommy
......Just in case! Amen.

 

[FineLinen]

Butterflies

My husband Don and I had only been married for 2 years when he had 2 major strokes and stage four stomach cancer. He was very ill for 5 years but managed to make a trip with my granddaughter and I to the zoo.

The zoo had a special area where you could go in and be surrounded by hundreds of butterflies. My granddaughter was enthralled and to this day remembers it. A week after Don passed, my daughter, granddaughter (now 18)and myself along with his sister went to spread his ashes in the mountains. We found a beautiful spot, with the foothills ahead, the mountains to the right, the river below and fir and birch trees all around. I was the last to take my turn at spreading his ashes, but just before I did, a pure white butterfly landed on the bush directly in front of me. After I had said my good-byes I walked to catch up with the rest of the girls. My daughter came running back and said Mom, you are not going to believe this but there were 4 butterflies hovering around us - a blue one, a red one, an orange one and a bright yellow one. Don sent one for each of us!

A few more things happened that day. Dons spirit animal was the wolf. On the drive up to the mountains we passed a dog-wolf sanctuary - I never knew there was such a thing! Then we stopped at a drug store where to my astonishment, the clerk had a beautiful wolf tattoo on her forearm and informed me she had over 180 wolf related things at her home.

The last thing of the day was before I went to bed, I went to my car to retrieve my jacket from the back seat and needed to just sit and cry alone. As soon as I turned on the radio, the old Garth Brooks song, If Tomorrow Never Comes came on. It was in one of the first e-mails Don sent me when we fell in love. I have not heard from him since, but I know I will and I look forward to the next communication with the love of my life.

One footnote: I asked Don what my granddaughter said to him when she was spreading his ashes ( as she was a distance away from me) and the words that came to mind were: Thank you granddad for the butterflies. I asked her about a week later what she said, and she said - Thank you granddad for the butterflies - her exact words!

 

[FineLinen]

The Perfect Mistake

My mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to orphanages in China. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his glasses, but they were gone. When he mentally replayed his earlier actions, he realized what had happened; the glasses had slipped out of his pocket unnoticed and fallen into one of the crates, which he had nailed shut. His brand new glasses were heading for China!

The Great Depression was at its height and Grandpa had six children. He had spent $20 for those glasses that very morning. He was really upset by the thought of having to buy another pair. "It's not fair," he told God as he drove home in frustration. "I've been very faithful in giving of my time and money to your work, and now this."

Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather's small church in Chicago.

The missionary began by thanking the people for their faithfulness in supporting the orphanage. "But most of all," he said, "I must thank you for the glasses you sent last year. You see, the Communists had just swept through the orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate. Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses. Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so my coworkers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived. When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses wedged between two blankets.

The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued: "Folks, when I tried on the glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to thank you for being a part of that."

The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary way.

There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking him! Perhaps it is something we ought to try more often, "Thank you, God, for not allowing my car to start this morning." He may have been saving your life from a car accident. "Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me lose my glasses; I'm sure they'll be put to good use or there is a lesson to be learned."

Always look for the "perfect mistakes."

God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. - Phil 4:19

 

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Saint Patrick A True Hero

I don’t seem to have much Irish blood in me, but boy, I sure do love Saint Patrick. Recently I was reading my friend Thomas Cahill’s landmark book How the Irish Saved Civilization, and it reminded me just how much Patrick is worth celebrating. What an example he offers of the power of prayer.

Patrick was born to a Christian family in England in the late 4th century. At 16 he was kidnapped, enslaved and taken to pagan Ireland. He worked as a shepherd in grueling conditions, suffering from hunger and brutal weather. “Tending flocks was my daily work,” he later wrote, “and I would pray constantly during the daylight hours.”

It was those prayers that kept him alive. “In one day I would say as many as a hundred prayers and after dark nearly as many again, even while I remained in the woods or on the mountain.” He didn’t have much faith before he became a slave-shepherd, but he did now.

After six years of misery he heard a voice say, “Your hungers are rewarded; you are going home.”

He walked some 200 miles to the sea, never being caught. He was taken aboard a ship and sailed to the continent. This would have been in the early 400s when the Roman Europe was collapsing. The landscape was a desert. The weary seamen searched for food for days, to no avail.

Patrick urged them to pray. “From the bottom of your heart,” he said, “turn trustingly to the Lord my God, for nothing is impossible to him. And today he will send you food for your journey until you are filled, for he has an abundance everywhere.”

Sure enough, the sailors bowed their heads and when they raised their eyes they were treated to the sight of a herd of pigs. Breakfast, lunch and dinner!

Patrick finally made it back to England, and there he had a dream. He was being called back to Ireland. “We beg you to come and walk among us once more,” a voice said, a voice that he came to identify with Christ’s own call.

He knew he needed to grow in faith before he set out for Ireland, so he entered a monastery, studied intensively, and was eventually ordained both a priest and bishop. As Cahill points out, he became “the first missionary bishop” in history.

His return to Ireland could have been disastrous–after all, he’d been a fugitive slave–but Patrick was able to reach the people through his own apparent goodness, kindness, dedication and prayers. In a matter of years he managed to bring the whole island to a new faith, preaching, baptizing and loving the people to a new God.

In one of the most extraordinary witnesses to faith, he also spoke out against slavery, hundreds of years before anyone ever challenged the institution.

Did he rid the island of snakes or use a shamrock to explain the Trinity? Who knows, although it seems to me if you can explain the Trinity, you really are a saint. It’s his vibrant, visionary faith that speaks down through the years.

Here is the refrain of a prayer attributed to Patrick, often called the Breastplate of Saint Patrick, because of its protective powers. Praying it seems the best way to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

 

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God's Elephants

How Highly Conscious Elephants Became Heroes During the Tsunami in Indonesia

From the unbelievable chaos of the Tsunami disaster comes an incredible tale from Jim France of the Pavilion Hotel Group in Bangkok.

At a resort on Phuket, one of the most popular attractions is (was) elephant rides. As many as eight people on one elephant, first into the surrounding forest, then down to the beach, to lunch at a fresh water lagoon, then back to the hotel. The elephants (nine) were kept chained to in-ground posts, not because they needed to be, but because it made the mothers feel better because their children seemed safe from a tromping when feeding the beasts.

About twenty minutes before the first wave hit, the elephants became extremely agitated and unruly. Four had just returned from a trip and their handler's had not yet chained them. They helped the other five tear free from their chains. They all then climbed a hill and started bellowing. Many people followed them up the hill. Then the waves hit. After the waves subsided, the elephants charged down from the hill and started picking up children with their trunks and running them back up the hill; when all the children were taken care of, they started helping the adults.

They rescued forty-two people. Then they returned to the beach and carried up four dead bodies, one of a child. Not until the task was done would they allow their handler's to mount them. Then with handlers atop, they began moving wreckage.

Many Super-Human and Super-Sentient capacities were being exhibited through these Wonderful Elephant Beings including Divine Love for one another and their fellow humans through the transitions they were going through.

 

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The Tablecloth

At Christmas time men and women everywhere gather in their churches to wonder anew at the greatest miracle the world has ever known. But the story I like best to recall was not a miracle — not exactly. It happened to a pastor who was very young but his church was very old.

Once long ago it had flourished. Famous men had preached from its pulpit and prayed before its altar. Rich and poor alike had worshipped there and built it beautifully. Now the good days had passed from the section of town where it stood. But the pastor and his young wife believed in their run-down church. They felt that with paint, hammer, and faith they could get it in shape. Together they went to work.

However late in December a severe storm whipped through the river valley and the worst blow fell on the little church — a huge chunk of rain-soaked plaster fell out of the inside wall just behind the altar.

Sorrowfully the pastor and his wife swept away the mess but they couldn’t hide the ragged hole. The pastor looked at it and had to remind himself quickly, “Thy will be done!” But his wife wept, “Christmas is only two days away!”

That afternoon the dispirited couple attended an auction held for the benefit of a youth group. The auctioneer opened a box and shook out of its folds a handsome gold and ivory lace tablecloth. It was a magnificent item, nearly 15 feet long; but it, too, dated from a long vanished era. Who, today, had any use for such a thing?

There were a few halfhearted bids. Then the pastor was seized with what he thought was a great idea. He bid it in for $6.50. He carried the cloth back to the church and tacked it up on the wall behind the altar. It completely hid the hole! And the extraordinary beauty of its shimmering handwork cast a fine, holiday glow over the chancel. It was a great triumph. Happily he went back to preparing his Christmas sermon.

Just before noon on the day of Christmas Eve as the pastor was opening the church, he noticed a woman standing in the cold at the bus stop. “The bus won’t be here for 40 minutes!” he called and invited her into the church to get warm. She told him that she had come from the city that morning to be interviewed for a job as governess to the children of one of the wealthy families in town but she had been turned down. A war refugee, her English was imperfect.

The woman sat down in a pew and chafed her hands and rested. After a while she dropped her head and prayed. She looked up as the pastor began to adjust the great gold and ivory cloth across the hole. She rose suddenly and walked up the steps of the chancel. She looked at the tablecloth. The pastor smiled and started to tell her about the storm damage but she didn’t seem to listen. She took up a fold of the cloth and rubbed it between her fingers.

“It is mine!” she said. “It is my banquet cloth!” She lifted up a corner and showed the surprised pastor that there were initials monogrammed on it. “My husband had the cloth made especially for me in Brussels! There could not be another like it.”

For the next few minutes the woman and the pastor talked excitedly together. She explained that she was Viennese and that she and her husband had opposed the Nazis and decided to leave the country. They were advised to go separately. Her husband put her on a train for Switzerland. They planned that he would join her as soon as he could arrange to ship their household goods across the border. She never saw him again. Later she heard that he had died in a concentration camp. “I have always felt that it was my fault — to leave without him,” she said. “Perhaps these years of wandering have been my punishment!” The pastor tried to comfort her and urged her to take the cloth with her. She refused. Then she went away.

As the church began to fill on Christmas Eve, it was clear that the cloth was going to be a great success. It had been skillfully designed to look its best by candlelight. After the service, the pastor stood at the doorway. Many people told him that the church looked beautiful. One gentle-faced middle-aged man — he was the local clock-and-watch repairman — looked rather puzzled. “It is strange,” he said in his soft accent. “Many years ago my wife — God rest her — and I owned such a cloth. In our home in Vienna, my wife put it on the table” — and here he smiled — “only when the bishop came to dinner.”

The pastor suddenly became very excited. He told the jeweler about the woman who had been in church earlier that day. The startled jeweler clutched the pastor’s arm. “Can it be? Does she live?”

Together the two got in touch with the family who had interviewed her. Then in the pastor’s car they started for the city. And as Christmas Day was born, this man and his wife who had been separated through so many saddened Yule tides were reunited.

To all who hear this story, the joyful purpose of the storm that had knocked a hole in the wall of the church was now quite clear. Of course, people said it was a miracle; but I think you will agree it was the season for it!

 

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Information Please

When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighbourhood. I remember well the polished old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the wooden box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but would listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.

I came to realize that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person with the name "Information please," and there was nothing she did not know. I overheard my father saying to my mother that "Information please" could supply anybody's number and even give you the correct time of the day.

My first personal experience with this "genie-in-the-bottle" came one day while dad was at work and my mother was visiting a neighbour. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer. The pain was terrible, but there didn't seem to be any reason for crying because there was no one at home to give me sympathy. I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger. Finally, arriving at the stairway, I saw...the telephone!

Quickly I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver and held it to my ear. "Information please!" I spoke desperately into the mouthpiece just above my head.

A click or two later, a small, clear voice spoke into my ear:

"Information," she answered.

"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone. The tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.

The rest of the story below

Information Please...

 

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Mother Teresa's Wisdom

By Carol J. Mulvihill, Editor of Connections Quarterly

"We can do no great things,only small things with great love."-Mother Teresa

Being in the nursing profession, we are in a unique position which gives us opportunities to do many small things for the comfort and care of those in need of our services. There are so many little things which often go unnoticed by others, but are so important to the patients we serve. When done with love and compassion, those small things are transformed into something wonderful, priceless, and intangible.

Whether on the streets of Calcutta, or in the college health service in which we work, we can make an effort to do the small things with great love. How? ...by warmly greeting each person who comes to the health center... by looking into each person's eyes and listening attentively to his or her complaint...by taking time with each one...by treating discourtesy with kindness...by treating hurriedness with patience...by dispensing loving kindness, gentleness, and compassion to each and every one who comes into our presence, especially those who are the hardest to love.

Looking at pictures of Mother Teresa reminds me that just the love in her eyes is enough to bring comfort and healing. And perhaps love is the very thing that those who are hurting need the most.

"There is a terrible hunger for love. We all experience that in our lives--the pain, the loneliness. We must have the courage to recognize it. The poor you may have right in your own family. Find them. Love them.

-Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart. Speak tenderly to them. Let there be kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in the warmth of your greeting. Always have a cheerful smile. Don't only give your care, but give your heart as well." -Mother Teresa

Another of my favorite quotes from Mother Teresa is this one:

"At the moment of death we will not be judged according to the number of good deeds we have done or by the diplomas we have received in our lifetime. We will be judged according to the love we have put into our work."

I've made it my goal for this year to do "small things with great love." Perhaps it is a worthy goal for all of us.

 

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Dear friends, the following story is about a man of God who suffered more than we can possibly imagine. Yes, it is a story of triumph! Please follow the story to the very end, you will be enhanced. I am every single time.

#48 in Christian persecution, Bahrain

 

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40 pieces of advise for every day