Are you sharing your corn????

Good Saturday evening to you...I am trying to get my blood pressure back in order...the Saints, 49ers game was to much for me....what a game, the Saints did not play well but they battled to the very end!!!! Congrats to the 49ers on a great game!!!!

In prayer this evening I asked God to bless each of you with safety this weekend night, if you are out on the roads be safe and use common sense. I asked God to continue blessing you with his love, his patience and his knowledge. Father bless my family and friends with peace, calm, comfort and strength. There is a young woman who was involved in a diving accident and is gradually getting worse in health please pray with me that she rally and begin to gain strength and momentum in healing. Father I ask each of these blessings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I love this story and wanted to share with you this evening, it is a great lesson that each of us could benefit from. Enjoy the read and join me in implementing this lesson into your daily life, when we want the best for our neighbor the best seems to come to us as well. God bless each of you....

Share Your Corn

On a certain occasion a reporter asked a farmer if he could reveal the secret of his corn, which won the contest of the best product, year after year. The farmer confessed that it was due to the fact that he shared his seed with his neighbors.

"Why do you share your best corn seed with your neighbors, if you also enter to the same contest year after year?” asked the reporter.

"You will see, Sir," said the farmer. "The wind carries the pollen of the ripe maize, from one crop to the other. If my neighbors cultivate an inferior quality corn, the crossed pollination would constantly degrade the quality of mine. If I am going to sow good corn I should help my neighbor to do it so too."

The same is with other situations in our lives. 

Those who want to be successful should help their neighbors to be successful too. Those who decide to live well, should help others to live well, because the value of life is measured by the lives it touches. And those who opt to be happy should help others to find happiness, because the welfare of each one is found tied to the welfare of all.

May God bestow upon you the grace of success in your lives sharing what God gives you.

Paying it forward is the best payment one can make!!!

Good morning, well in just a few moments it will be afternoon...what a long night, spent at the ER once again, the gall bladder has decided it will not wait the 2 weeks like the doctor's thought that it would. My friend has just now been taken back for removal and hopefully after a  very long night in the ER with no sleep and lots of pain, she will be feeling like a new person in a few hours. I am running on about 3 hours sleep but would not do anything differently. My Wayde is tending the G~babes on about the same 3 hours of sleep, I pray they are being good little cherubs for him. 

In prayer this morning, in the vehicle in transit from the house back to the hospital, I gave thanks to God for being my life force, for giving me the strength to tend my friend and for the wonderful blessing of each of you.  I asked God to continue to bless you with his love, with his peace, with his calm and with his comfort, I asked him to hold you in his arms, to keep you shielded from accident and to keep you aware of positive and to let negative go. I asked him to bless my sweet friend through the surgery and to bless her with a skilled surgeon and no incident while under. I asked God to bless my friends son who is in need of knee surgery, that the funds might line out and the right surgeon for the job to be on task so that he can begin to heal. I asked God to bless my daughter and my unborn grandson with health and with strength. I asked all of these mercies and blessings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I came across this story and don't know it to be verified truth but found it very interesting in any case, paying it forward is a must in our lives...what goes around comes around...

WHAT GOES AROUND...COMES AROUND

Someone once said:

"What goes around comes around."

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt.

Dance like nobody's watching.

Sing like nobody's listening.

Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer.

One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog. There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

"I want to repay you," said the nobleman. "You saved my son's life."

"No, I can't accept payment for what I did," the Scottish farmer replied, waving off the offer.

At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel. "Is that your son?" the nobleman asked.

"Yes," the farmer replied proudly.

"I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of."

And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, he graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia. What saved his life this time?

Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill.

His son's name? Sir Winston Churchill.

HE left all and gathered you and me in Calvary!!!!

Good morning and happy Wednesday, boy it is hard to believe it is already mid week, this year is zoom, zoom, zooming right on by! I pray your morning has gotten off to a good start and that the entire day is filled with only good things for you and yours!

In prayer this morning as I laid my head back and sat in my quiet place. I sat and thanked him for the gift of another day, for the beauty of blue skies and for the friendship of you. I asked him to bless each of you this day with your needs being met, I prayed that he might answer a prayer with special favor for you and that he would allow you to feel his love. I had a beautiful prayer request last night that I would like to share with you and ask that you pray it with me...

"Would you please add my cousin's friend who is in high school. He is searching for God and has a agreed to participate in a prayer challenge. I just want to pray that God touches his heart and that he is led to Christ."

I so appreciate prayer request such as this, it opens my eyes each and every time to the fact that there are "seekers" there are young people who are crying out for knowledge and who are trying so hard to find their spiritual way. Father God bless this young man today, as he participates in this prayer quest, bless him with the answers he is seeking and touch his heart so that he knows you really are there, allow him to feel the sheer love you have for him and forever change his life. One of my favorite prayers is for truth, when I am unsure about something I always ask God to reveal truth for me and never has he neglected to allow me to see what it is I am searching for. Father I ask that you provide each of us with truth of your love this day, with peace in our hearts, with calm in our minds and with comfort in our bodies. I ask these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.  

In searching for a story this morning I came across this one and love it, I have read it before and have used it many times in giving examples of being Christ-like. I pray that today you are afforded an opportunity to make a difference. God bless you and yours with his unconditional love. Stop and pick up the apples, you never know who's heart you will be touching. 

Are you Jesus?

A group of salesmen went to a sales convention. All had promised their wives they would arrive at time for dinner Friday night. However, the convention ended a little late, and they came tardy to the airport. They all came in with their tickets and portfolios, running through the ails. Suddenly, and unintentionally, one of the salesmen stumbled on a table that had an apple basket. 

The apples went flying everywhere. Without stopping, nor turning back, the salesmen continued running, and barely were able to get on the plane. All but one. This one stopped, took a deep breath, and experienced a feeling of compassion for the owner of the apple booth. He said to his friends that continue without him and asked one of them that when he arrived call his wife and explain to her that he was coming in a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal and found all the apples thrown on the floor. 

His surprise was great, when realizing that the owner of the booth was a blind girl. He found her crying, with big tears running down her cheeks. She groped on the floor, trying, in vain, to collect the apples, while the multitude passed by, vertiginous, non stopping, without caring for her misfortune. The man knelt down with her, he gathered the apples, put them in the basket and helped her to setup her booth again. While he did it, he realized that many apples had been beaten and they were bruised. He took them out of the basket and put them in another basket. 

When he finished, he pulled out his purse and told the girl,"Please, take these one hundred pesos for the damaged we did to you. Are you OK?". She, crying, nodded positively. He continued telling her: "I hope I have not ruined your day." As the salesman was going away, the girl cried loud at him, "Sir..." He stopped and turned around to see those blind eyes. She continued: "Are you Jesus...?" 

He stopped abruptly and swirled several times, before heading to board another flight, with that question burning and vibrating in his soul, "Are you Jesus?" 

And to you, have people mistaken you for Jesus? Because that is our destiny, isn't it? To resemble ourselves so much to Jesus that people cannot see the difference. To look so much like Jesus, as we live in a world that is blind to His Love, His Life and His Grace. If we say we know Jesus, we should live and act as he would. To know him is much more than to cite the Gospels and to go to church. It is, really, to live His word each day. You are the apple of His eyes, even though you have been bruised by the falls. He left all and gathered you and me in Calvary; He paid for our spoilt fruit. Let's start to live as though we were worthy of the price He paid!

He who wish to be a leader should first be a servant....

Good Tuesday evening, what a sweet day it has been getting to play with and tend for my two youngest G~babes, the satisfaction has been amazing. Their mom did not gain anything this day only waiting at the VA for the entire day to be told by the radiologist her gall bladder is the worst they have ever seen and because she is not running a fever they are now sending her home to wait for two weeks for a surgical date, her pain is horrible and they just do not seem to be concerned. This lady served her time in Iraq and was shot during deployment, she literally held the guts of a fellow soldier in her hands keeping him alive until the medics could get there to take over. REALLY, now her pain is not relative??? I am so very bugged by this, you cannot even begin to imagine! 

In prayer this evening I had to ask God to calm this anger inside my heart, to take it from me and replace it with something useful, I then asked God to bless my friend with perseverance and with no pain until she can get in and get this taken care of , please bless all of my friends with peace in their hearts, calm in their minds and comfort in their bodies, Father we thank you for the miracle you have allowed us to see in bringing my friends daddy through the horrific heart problem that we were told he would not make it through, your love and will is amazing and being allowed to see your hand at work is such a blessing we thank you. Father I ask mercy, grace, peace and blessings for all in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

I came across this story this evening and just loved it, well I did not love the outcome of it, but I did understand that so many of us are in the same situation as the dog...we must always be mindful of how we treat people...in my life I always tend to turn to the age old question...WWJD, what would Jesus do?

A Clever Dog

A butcher watching over his shop is really surprised when he saw a dog coming inside the shop. He shoos him away. But later, the dog is back again.

So, he goes over to the dog and notices he has a note in his mouth. He takes the note and it reads "Can I have 12 sausages and a leg of lamb, please. The dog has money in his mouth, as well."

The butcher looks inside and there is a ten dollar Note there. So he takes the money and puts the sausages and lamb in a bag, placing it in the dog's mouth. The butcher is so impressed, and since it's about closing time, he decides to shut up shop and follow the dog.

So off he goes. The dog is walking down the street when he comes To a level crossing.

The dog puts down the bag, jumps up and presses the button. Then he waits patiently, bag in mouth, for the lights to turn. They do, and he walks across the road, with the butcher following him all the way.

The dog then comes to a bus stop, and starts looking at the timetable.

The butcher is in awe at this stage. The dog checks out the times, and then sits on one of the seats provided. Along comes a bus. The dog walks around to the front, looks at the number, and goes back to his seat.

Another bus comes. Again the dog goes and looks at the number, notices it's the right bus, and climbs on. The butcher, by now, open-mouthed, follows him onto the bus.

The bus travels through the town and out into the suburbs, the dog Looking at the scenery. Eventually he gets up, and moves to the front of the bus. He stands on 2 back paws and pushes the button to stop the bus. Then he gets off, his groceries still in his mouth.

Well, dog and butcher are walking along the road, and then the dog turns into a house. He walks up the path, and drops the groceries on the step.

Then he walks back down the path, takes a big run, and throws himself against the door. He goes back down the path, runs up to the door and again, it throws himself against it. There's no answer at the house, so the dog goes back down the path, jumps up on a narrow wall, and walks along the perimeter of the garden. He gets to the window, and beats his head against it several times, walks back, jumps off, and waits at the door.

The butcher watches as a big guy opens the door, and starts abusing the dog, kicking him and punching him, and swearing at him.

The butcher runs up, and stops the guy. "What in heaven's name are You doing? The dog is a genius. He could be on TV, for the life of me!" to which the guy responds, "You call this clever? This is the second time this week that this stupid dog's forgotten his key."

Reflection:

People will never be satisfied with what they've got.

When it comes to the work place, Employers do not know how to appreciate their people who have served them loyally through the years. I've seen companies lose good people for the simple fact their leaders failed to show appreciation. Employers with big egos enjoy the fact that they have more power and authority than others. They show, in the way they give orders and directions, that they think they are superior. They get a kick out of displaying this superiority. People who do this are fools, and everyone but them knows it. They are never satisfied because they could not be satisfied even if their people perform well.

Happy and productive people are always those who are "others-centered" rather than "self- centered." The greatest idea of leadership is not someone who throws his weight around. Rather, he is a servant. As Bible would say, "He who wish to be a leader should first be a servant."

His joy is derived from delivering a job that others benefit from his contribution. Aim for service and success will follow.

Why are you in my life??????

Good evening my friends, I pray your day has been a great one and that each of you have had occasion to be a blessing in another's life today!

In prayer this evening I humbly prayed for each of you asking as always for there to be peace in your heart, calm in your mind and comfort in your body, I asked God to bless each of you with your needs and to allow you tonight to know that He is with you in all that you do and that he will never leave or forsake you as long as you cling to Him. Father I ask mercy, grace, love and an abundance of blessings for all. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

The Story of Life

Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there, to serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be, your neighbor, your coworker, a long lost friend, or a complete stranger. When you lock eyes with them, you know at that very moment they will affect your life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible, painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you find that without overcoming those obstacles you would have never realized your potential, strength, willpower, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved,straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become.

Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart. If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take from those moments everything that you possibly can for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk to people that you have never talked to before, and actually listen.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your sights high. Hold your head up because you have every right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself, for if you don't believe in yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in you.

You can make of your life anything you wish. Create your own life and then go out and live it with absolutely no regrets.

Most importantly if you Love someone tell him or her, for you never know what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live. 

How heavy is your cross?????

Good Sunday evening, I pray your day has been a "tank filling" one and that you and yours are now ready to settle in to a nice evening in preparation for the new week. 

In prayer this evening I wanted to say that I am so thankful for answered prayers, I see them on a daily basis and although sometimes the answers are not what we would have them be, they are still answered. The baby we prayed for last week has now crossed over into the loving arms of our Father in heaven, he is no longer swollen, no longer suffering and is aware of touch and comfort. I know it will be so very difficult for his family, please continue to pray with me for them, asking God to bless them with comfort and understanding above all else. I ask that you continue to pray with me for all who are in need of special blessings and for all who are in need of compassion and love. I ask you to pray with me for peace, calm, comfort, love and understanding. I ask mercy and grace in the name of our savior, our brother, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

I assume many of you have seen the following grouping of pictures but I feel that we can never see it to often and think of it even more! 

We complain about the cross we bear but don’t realize

it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can

see and we cannot.

Here’s a poem about the cross to help inspire you:

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,

there will always be sunshine, after the rain….

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;

But God’s always ready, to answer your call….

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,

a word from His lips, can calm every fear…

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, by dawn’s early light…

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

Be kinder than necessary,

for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!

Share the cross walk email with your friends and family today.

Your my best friend!!!

Good morning and happy Sunday, I pray that this day is filled with only good things and that you have opportunity to "fill your tank" I love Sunday!!!!

In prayer this morning I bowed my head humbly and asked God to continue blessing you with his peace, his love, his calm and his comfort!!! I asked God to bless you and yours with health and happiness, and with grins and giggles. I asked him to continue to hold each of you in his arms and to shield you with his protection. To fill your heart with joy and to allow you YOU and HIM time today! 

I ask these mercies and graces in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

My Best Friend

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead.

He remembered dying, and that the dog walking beside him had been dead for years. He wondered where the road was leading them.

After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. At the top of a long hill, it was broken by a tall arch that glowed in the sunlight.

When he was standing before it he saw a magnificent gate in the arch that looked like mother-of-pearl, and the street that led to the gate looked like pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk off to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, “Excuse me. Where are we?”

“This is Heaven, sir,” the man answered.

“Wow! Would you happen to have some water?” the man asked.

“Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought right up.” The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

“Can my best friend,” gesturing toward his dog, “come in, too?” the traveler asked.

“I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets.”

The man thought a moment and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going with his dog.

After another long walk, and at the top of another long hill, he came to a dirt road leading through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence.

As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

“Excuse me!” he called to the man. “Do you have any water?”

“Yeah, sure, there’s a pump over there, come on in.”

“How about my best friend here?” the traveler gestured to the dog.

“There should be a bowl by the pump.”

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned hand pump with a bowl beside it.

The traveler filled the water bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog.

When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree.

“What do you call this place?” the traveler asked.

“This is Heaven,” he answered.

“Well, that’s confusing,” the traveler said. “The man down the road said that was Heaven, too.”

“Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates. Nope. That’s hell.”

“Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?”

“No, we’re just happy that they screen out the folks who would leave their best friends behind.”

A quarter changed his life!!!

Good morning and Happy Saturday! We are covered in snow this morning, it has been a long time coming and now that it is here...I am happy to see it but hope it does not want to visit for very long!

In prayer this morning I asked God to bless each of you with answers to your prayers, I asked him to provide for you peace, calm and comfort, to fill you with knowledge and understanding and to afford you an occasion to day to be a light for someone's darkness. I asked him to continue to bless my friends who are under the weather, who are battling disease and who are clinging to life, I prayed that he supplied each of them with their needs and his will. I asked him to continue to bless those who feel defeated, who are depressed and who struggle daily to put one foot in front of the other, that they might feel his love and strive to move forward onto His path. I asked all of these mercies and blessings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

I came across this little story this morning and thought it a great message to share today, I am always talking about being a light, being a good example....well this one really touches close to home! Enjoy!!!

A Christian

1 Timothy 4:11-16

Command and teach these things. 4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. 4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you. 4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress. 4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Several years ago, a christian preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in  Houston , Texas.  Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, ‘You’d better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.’ Then he thought, ‘Oh, forget it, it’s only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a ‘gift from God’ and keep quiet.’

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said, ‘Here, you gave me too much change ‘

The driver, with a smile, replied, ‘Aren’t you the new preacher in town?’

‘Yes’ he replied.

‘Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change I’ll see you at church on Sunday.’

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, ‘Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.’

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard — and remember — You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself

‘Christian.’

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

How to manifest money, or anything else you have need of......

Good morning and happy Friday, yea the beginning of the weekend for many! I pray your day has gotten off to a great start and that the day just keeps on getting better and better!

In prayer this morning I asked God to bless each of you with your needs, I asked him to please hear our prayers and make a way for us. I asked him for peace, calm, comfort and understanding in all situations. I asked him to keep you safe in your dealings and happy in in your heart, to bless those who live in darkness with your light today allowing them to see truth and have hope that a better day is coming. I asked all of these mercies and blessings in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Manifesting Money

I had never been a religious person. My favorite reading were books about manifesting money. I believed in the power of my own mind. I believed that eventually we all forge our own luck.

Somehow I ended up looking after my grandmother´s best fiend after my grandmother died. Elsa was one of those iron ladies who lived at home even though she was well over 90 years of age. I once asked her age and she laughed heartily.

- Young man, you never ask a lady her age!

Well I wasn´t exactly a young man, but I suppose where you are nearing hundred years of age, everyone is young.

I enjoyed her company, because she had a wonderful sense of humor. And she was ready to talk about anything under the sun. Except her age, that is.

And so one day we talked about the power of your own mind. I was talking about my favorite subject - manifesting money. Elsa was listening politely. Of course manifesting money was not interesting to her anymore.

- So you believe you alone are the creator of your own life? Elsa asked, - And no one helps you?

- I believe we are all big magnets in a way. We draw things we concentrate on into our lives. I mean if you concentrate on something you like, you draw it into your life. And if you concentrate on something you don´t like - you draw that into your life as well. Even if you say "no" to it. Especially if you concentrate on it with strong feelings. Manifesting money is just one aspect of this subject of course.

Elsa sat there, holding her ancient Bible and pondered this.

- Well, personally I have been one to search for answers here, she stroked her old, worn out book, - But then again 

no one ever talked of things like that 

when I was young. Or old, for that matter. Interesting subject, indeed. I am sure 

there are plenty of things in this beautiful universe we have only started to research. So I won´t say you are wrong just 

because I have been used to find my answers with more traditional ways.

Elsa was a keen church goer. I often escorted her there. No wheelchairs, this old girl walked on her own two feet. Slowly, but without a cane. Her congregation seemed to love her and thought of me as a believer too. Well, I wasn´t. To me the Bible was outdated information. Elsa never commented on this, even though she thought otherwise.

- We all have our own paths, she said, - And eventually they all lead home.

She had a very broad mind.

And then the day came when I found Elsa on her bed. She had peacefully slipped to the beyond in her sleep.

After the funeral her things were sorted out. She had made a will where she gave away all her worldly possessions. She had some pretty good things, but nothing to my liking. I had already collected so many things during my life I wasn´t all that interested in furniture any more. Still I wasn´t all that surprised when her lawyer informed me Elsa had left her old Bible to me.

Like I said, I am not very interested in the Bible and so I just opened it briefly before putting it to my shelf. A postcard fell out. A photo of what looked like a tiny Greek shrine. The sun was rising right behind the cross on the roof and "Faith" was written over the little doorway. It was one of those tiny shrines people could put things into, maybe a meter high. I had seen them in Greece on my travels. I still didn´t understand what was the point in putting pebbles in a shrine on the beach, but probably there was some deeper spiritual meaning to it.

Elsa had written something on the back of the card. Matthew 7:7-8. I knew her handwriting well. And "Good luck in manifesting money" - that one was written with a different pen.

I put the card back and then places the Bible on my book shelf - behind glass doors so it would not get dusty or fall on the floor. It was my only memento of a very special old lady and even though the Bible was not "my thing" I was going 

to take care of it.

And then the depression started. I had been 

a day trader and you can guess what happened. The stock markets crashed and I lost all my income. I had some savings on my bank account, but not enough to keep me going for more than a few months. Manifesting money was certainly the only thing in my mind. I tried to approach it positively, did not want to pour negative energies into the issue. But that was virtually impossible and I spent many sleepless nights, worrying.

But the day came when I knew I had nothing left. I sat there, wondering how to sell my house - I couldn´t expect to get much. The car would also have to go.

I was at my wits end. I had done anything and everything to postpone this moment, but here I was, all helpless and had no idea what to do to save myself. I had no idea how I would start manifesting money again.

- Ok, I give up! I said aloud, - If there is anyone listening, I´m done. Only a miracle can save me now.

At that I went to bed and much to my surprise I fell asleep almost immediately. I was exhausted from all my efforts on manifesting money.

I don´t know if you have ever seen dead people in your dreams. I hadn´t. But this time I had a vivid glimpse of Elsa, right when I was about to wake up the next morning. She looked a lot younger but I recognized her. And she was holding her ancient Bible, smiling broadly, standing at the foot of my bed. The postcard fell to her feet and then she was gone.

I woke up with a start. There was no postcard on the floor, of course. But I knew this had not been a normal dream. I got up and made some coffee. Then I went to my book shelf and took Elsa´s Bible. Almost a year had passed since I last touched it.

- Matthew 7:7-8... I mumbled and sat down to turn the fragile pages. I found the spot. - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek; and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

But that was not all. Elsa had written something on her precious Bible. A phone number.

- Well, what the hey... I said to myself, took my cell phone and dialed the number.

It was the number of Elsa´s lawyer, the same man who had given her Bible to me.

- So you finally called, he said much to my surprise.

- What do you mean?

- I was a bit surprised when Elsa only wanted to leave you only her Bible. I was expecting you of all people to get all her earthly belongings, because you were the one who really took care of her. But she explained it to me. Would you come on over for a cup of coffee so we can talk?

Of course I did. I figured I´d have enough gasoline to reach his office, and thankfully it did. He came to meet me and led me to his office.

- Now, I understand you had many spiritual discussions with Elsa...

- Yes, we did. She was such a wonderful old lady. Didn´t push her religion down my throat and was always interested in hearing different opinions.

- We also talked a lot with Elsa, he smiled, - And she was very interested in your theory of manifesting through your own thoughts. Manifesting money seemed to be especially important to you, I remember her saying. So, one day she came to my office to make her last will and testament. You know she only gave you her old Bible. But you do not know why.

- I suppose she wanted me to turn to a devout believer, I said, - But in a way that would not be in line with the Elsa I learned to know.

- Well, I think Elsa had good sense of humor when it came to religion, the lawyer smiled, - But actually she said she wanted to test you and how profoundly you believed in your manifestation theories. Manifesting money especially. She said you once talked how sometimes all it takes for a miracle to happen is to surrender. To give up. Remember that?

- Oh yes I do.

- Tell me... How did you find my phone number?

I told about the dream, the postcard and the phone number written on the Bible.

- Ask and it is given... he smiled, - Well that was Elsa´s favorite Bible quote. And that you actually just gave up, surrendered, and the next thing she appeared on your dream and reminded you of the Bible?

- Yes.

- Amazing... he shook his head, - Well, now it is time to explain to you the whole thing. Here you are. Please read it aloud. I know what it says, but I´d like to hear it still. Especially the closing words.

He handed over a letter in a sealed envelope. Old fashioned wax seal, I had never seen one before. I cracked it open and started to read out loud what Elsa had written by hand.

"Dear Tim,

First I want to say I truly enjoyed our discussions and your company. It isn´t often that people take really old folks seriously. They talk down to us, like we were babies who don´t even know how to put on our own clothes. Well, I had the blessing of keeping my sharp mind even in old age, and our conversations were such a joy you have no idea.

I listened to you talking about how we create our own reality. You seemed to be especially interested in manifesting money, but considering what you do for a living that makes sense. When you said that we draw into our lives those things we concentrate on, I started thinking about my own father. I realized he had lived his whole life according to your manifestation principles. He did very well in his life and his own motto was that you should never cry over spilled milk. Concentrate on the opportunities waiting for you and do your best to reach your dreams. And reach them he did.

Still our conversations sometimes made me worry about you. If you only believe it is you who creates all, it may be that you become too obsessed with yourself. And trust me - we are here for each other. It is the other people who give a meaning to your existence. Even if you had all the money in the world and you were alone, I doubt you would be happy.

So here´s a little test I did. You have passed it if you are reading this letter.

I left you my old Bible - I know you are not very interested in reading it, so it was the perfect place to hide the phone number to my lawyer. I gave you one year. During that time, if your manifesting money -theory is real, you would find the phone number and prove your theory right. I actually made it pretty easy for you - remember the post card? I hope you read the card and searched for Matthew 7:7-8 immediately. But of course it may be it took you the better part of the year.

Whatever the case, you have come to the manifesting money part. I also wanted to show to you that not all your theories are so new - to me Matthew 7:7-8 talks of the same thing as you do.

To put it shortly: I am leaving you half the money on my account. Obviously there are inheritance taxes to pay an all that, but I am sure you will be happy with what is left.

And here is what you shall do with your money: you shall be given a credit card to this account. Buy what ever you like. Once a month my lawyer shall calculate how much you used - and give the exact same amount to charity. I have chosen the charities so you don´t need to worry about that. But no one shall know it is my money - the benefactor will officially be you. So be prepared to meet many new people in the future!

I wish you a fun life from now on. Remember me every once in a while. I´ll be smiling and waving at you from here - where ever it is I am. Perhaps, if possible, I shall come and greet you. They say we see our loved ones in dreams. So keep an eye on your dreams - I just might come to say hi.

Big hugs,

Elsa."

I put down the letter. The lawyer handed me another paper.

- Before you look at it, remember what Elsa said about his father reaching his dreams. Lets say that is an understatement. Manifesting money was what he was born to do. And Elsa was the only daughter who never married.

I looked at the paper. Columns of numbers. A circle was drawn around one number.

- What´s this? I asked.

- That is the amount of money Elsa left. Half is yours, according to her will.

That was the only time in my life I thought I would faint. I felt totally numb.

- What would have happened if I had not called you within one year? I managed to ask.

- All the money would have gone to charities. But you had two whole days left! the lawyer chuckled.

Elsa´s favorite Bible quote sure came true in my life. Manifesting money in a way that felt like a miracle. I guess the moral of the story was that when I asked for help, it was already there - I just needed to see the hints Elsa had left for me. If I had realized them earlier, the manifesting money -part would have happened a lot sooner. But on hindsight I think everything happened at the best time. Because of the difficulties I met in my own life I could look at those in need with a more sympathetic eye. Elsa was right - I had already started to turn too much inwards, perhaps even looking at other people in a less than compassionate way. I am ashamed to admit the old me was often blaming the people in trouble for causing their problems themselves.

Because my name was given out as the great benefactor, my life changed totally. I am now the chairman of many charities and have learned that the greatest joy is not in manifesting money for myself - but rather manifesting money to those who really need it.

And what of Elsa´s Bible? Well, I do read it once in a while. And when I do, I remember my old friend Elsa with gratitude - her plan of manifesting money brought such blessings to so many people.

So thank you, Elsa. I asked and I was given. 

A Touching Story of a Mother's Love!!

Good evening and happy end of Tuesday, I pray your day has been filled with only good things and if there was negative that you snapped it up and found something positive in it! I had a nice visit from a sweet friend this evening and was given such a beautiful cross, one that I will treasure for my lifetime. Thank you so much friend!

In prayer this night I as you to join me with special requests for babies, Father as we read about child abuse more and more in the news I am sickened that someone could hurt a child, Father bless these babies, if this is happening take any pain that might be inflicted on them and inflict it on the ones dolling out the hurt. Father we have got to take a stand when we see things like this happening, open our eyes and give us strength to see and to know what needs to be done. Father bless us with peace of heart, calm in mind and comfort in body. In the name of Jesus Christ I ask these blessings. Amen. 

A Mother's Love

This is one of the most beautiful stories about mothers love. It was written for Good Housekeeping Magazine in 1933 by Temple Bailey. This is a story we should all read once in a while so we remember to respect our mothers for their love and guidance.

"Is this the long way?" asked the young mother as she set her foot on the path of life. And the Guide said:

"Yes, and the way is hard, and you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning."

The young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, she fed them and bathed them, taught them how to tie their shoes and ride a bike, and reminded them to feed the dog and do their homework and brush their teeth. The sun shone on them and the young mother cried,

"Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."

Then the nights came, and the storms, and the path was sometimes dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her arms. The children said,

"Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."

And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children,

"A little patience and we are there."

So the children climbed and as they climbed they learned to weather the storms. And with this, she gave them strength to face the world. Year after year she showed them compassion, understanding, hope, but most of all unconditional love. And when they reached the top they said,

"Mother, we could not have done it without you."

The days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years. The mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And the mother, when she lay down at night, looked up at the stars and said:

"This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned so much and are now passing these traits on to their children."

And when the way became rough for her, they lifted her, and gave her strength, just as she had given them hers. One day they came to a hill, and beyond the hill they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And Mother said,

"I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk with dignity and pride, with their heads held high, and so can their children after them." And the children said,

"You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates."

And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said,

"We cannot see her, but she is with us still." A mother is more than a memory. She is a living presence. Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick and perfume that she wore, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well, she's your breath in the air on a cold winters day.

She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, the colors of a rainbow, she is your birthday morning. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop.

A mother shows through in every emotion - happiness, sadness, fear, jealousy, love, hate, anger, helplessness, excitement, joy, sorrow - and all the while hoping and praying you will only know the good feelings in life.

She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you.

Not time, not space - not even death!

Money free "gift" giving...what a great idea!!!

Good morning and happy Monday, aww the beginning of the first week of the new year! I pray it will be a great Monday for you and that you are looking at 2012 with wide eyed wonder and promise of only good things! 

In prayer this morning, I sat out in the sunshine and allowed it to wash gently over me, I leaned my head back and allowed the warmth to radiate through my body and I felt the love of our Father in heaven so strongly. I sat and thought about all the things I plan on achieving this new year and about the changes that I need to make to gain personal strength and spiritual growth. I asked God to bless me with strength and fortitude to get both done. I will begin again the diet that I let go with the holidays, I will begin to think healthy, not allowing the aches and pains get me down any more and I will pray harder and more fervently for "change". I felt that God was much pleased with my resolution and for a few moments felt no pain whatsoever in my body as I sat there in quiet reflection. I prayed for each of you and yours, asking our Father in Heaven to touch you in a way today that will confirm to you that you will never go through anything alone as long as you hold his hand in your hand and his love in your heart. I asked, as always for you to have peace, calm, comfort and understanding. I thanked him for the miracles that he allows me to see each day through answered prayers, I look around and see answers to things I pray about and feel amazed at his strength and abilities! Today I ask you to join with me in asking our Father in Heaven for blessings for those who are in need of faith renewal, that you be a friend, open your eyes and see where there is need if it only be a smile, a hug, or a pat on the back. Let us make 2012 the year when true compassion is at the top of everyones list of things to do. Lord bless us with the gift of friend, bless us with keen eyesight to see where we are needed the most and bless us with the gift of knowing what we can do to make a difference. In the name of our sweet and loving brother in heaven, Jesus Christ. Amen.

I came upon this little list this morning in reading and thought wow...I can do each of those on a daily basis! Can you? 

Eight Friendship Gifts

THE GIFT OF LISTENING...

But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...

Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...

Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...

It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...

A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...

Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...

There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...

The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.

Why do we continue to HOLD ON?

Good morning and happy Thursday, I pray that this day is filled with joy and that each of you is becoming more and more excited for the new year. As I sit and reflect on 2011, I find myself filled with (ear to ear) grins, and at times with great tears. I pray that you take some time to reflect on the good and bad in 2011 and make some goals for your personal life for 2012. 

In prayer this morning as I sat in silence, I asked Father God to bless each of you with what is needed in your life today, not wanted but needed. I thanked him for the many things he has given me this year with your friendship and encouragement being at the top. I thanked him for the honor of allowing me to pray with and for each of you in your times of struggle and for allowing me to have a voice and a heart that is not every weary to pray. I asked him to bless my daughter, her fiance and our unborn baby with all of his light and all of his love. I prayed for peace to be in each of our hearts, for calm to be in each of our minds and comfort to be in each of our bodies. I prayed for those who have suffered loss of loved ones both human and pet, and for those who are battling the effects of disease and illness. I asked God to reveal to each of us his unconditional love, to continue to shine his beautiful guiding light and for him to never take turn from us even in our darkest hour.  I prayed that each of you would continue to reach out to him, to trust and have faith in him and to realize that when times are the hardest he is the closest. I continue to pray for a very special man, one that I have admired since the first time I ever met him some 25 years ago, comfort him Father and let him know that you are holding him. Father, comfort each of his loved ones. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen

Let Go Of Your GRUDGES

Michael Josephson

As we approach the New Year, it's a good time to clean out the clutter in our lives. That means disposing of useless papers and unused stuff but also throwing away old grudges.

The prevalence and durability of grudges proves Maya Angelou's observation that people don't always remember what you said or did, but they do remember how you made them feel.

Grudges are nothing more than toxic memories of how someone made us feel.

But Confucius taught that "To be wronged is nothing unless we continue to remember it." So why do so many of us choose to consciously preserve and revisit toxic feelings that detract from our happiness?

Perhaps we fool ourselves into thinking we can inflict some sort of pain on the person who wronged us. In fact, holding on to a grudge is like holding on to a hot stone. It doesn't hurt the stone or the person who gave it to us; it only hurts the one holding it. Carrying a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee.

It doesn't matter how justified the bitter feelings are or how right we are. Holding on to a grievance turns pain into suffering. In a peculiar way it empowers the wrongdoer to hurt us again and again.

So start out this New Year by giving yourself a great gift. Muster the good sense and strength to root out and release deep-seated and long-held resentments.

If you can, forgive and forget. But all that's really necessary is a firm decision to let go of your grudges so you can move forward and free yourself of the chains of resentment.

A dying girls hopes and dreams!

Good evening and happy Thursday evening, It has been another cold day but we finally did have some nice sunshine. I had a great visit with a friend and enjoyed it very much. I pray your day has been filled with joy and that you are now beginning the pre holiday wind down, taking some YOU time and allowing your mind to quiet and your body to rest.


In prayer this night I prayed for myself, I asked God to help me to overcome this sadness that has taken up residency in my heart. I know that it is the fact that I am not with my child for Christmas and that I will be seeing her next week but I still cannot seem to shake the melancholy. I tend to cry over even television commercials as of late...ugh..you would think I was the one who is pregnant! I asked God to bless us all with peace in our hearts, calm in our minds and comfort in our bodies, to continue to watch over you and yours keeping you safe. I continued to pray for all of those who have suffered illness, strokes, pneumonia, those who are fiercely battling cancer and those who are struggling with addiction and depression. I asked God to reveal to each of you his love and his grace. I thanked him for all that he does do for me, for the good and the bad and for the opportunity to jump hurdles and climb mountains to keep on track and show as proof that I will never turn from him. I asked mercy, grace and favor for each of us in the name of Christ our savoir. Amen.


The story I am posting tonight is a favorite of a dear friend to me Ilona Smetana. Such sadness in the world, and then hopes and dreams gifts from God..

'The Little Match Girl' Christmas story

It was terribly cold and nearly dark on the last evening of the old year, and the snow was falling fast. In the cold and the darkness, a poor little girl, with bare head and naked feet, roamed through the streets. It is true she had on a pair of slippers when she left home, but they were not of much use. They were very large, so large, indeed, that they had belonged to her mother, and the poor little creature had lost them in running across the street to avoid two carriages that were rolling along at a terrible rate. One of the slippers she could not find, and a boy seized upon the other and ran away with it, saying that he could use it as a cradle, when he had children of his own. So the little girl went on with her little naked feet, which were quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron she carried a number of matches, and had a bundle of them in her hands. No one had bought anything of her the whole day, nor had anyone given her even a penny. Shivering with cold and hunger, she crept along; poor little child, she looked the picture of misery. The snowflakes fell on her long, fair hair, which hung in curls on her shoulders, but she regarded them not. 

Lights were shining from every window, and there was a savoury smell of roast goose, for it was New-year's eve—yes, she remembered that. In a corner, between two houses, one of which projected beyond the other, she sank down and huddled herself together. She had drawn her little feet under her, but she could not keep off the cold; and she dared not go home, for she had sold no matches, and could not take home even a penny of money. Her father would certainly beat her; besides, it was almost as cold at home as here, for they had only the roof to cover them, through which the wind howled, although the largest holes had been stopped up with straw and rags. Her little hands were almost frozen with the cold. Ah! perhaps a burning match might be some good, if she could draw it from the bundle and strike it against the wall, just to warm her fingers. She drew one out—“scratch!” how it sputtered as it burnt! It gave a warm, bright light, like a little candle, as she held her hand over it. It was really a wonderful light. It seemed to the little girl that she was sitting by a large iron stove, with polished brass feet and a brass ornament. How the fire burned! and seemed so beautifully warm that the child stretched out her feet as if to warm them, when, lo! the flame of the match went out, the stove vanished, and she had only the remains of the half-burnt match in her hand. 

She rubbed another match on the wall. It burst into a flame, and where its light fell upon the wall it became as transparent as a veil, and she could see into the room. The table was covered with a snowy white table-cloth, on which stood a splendid dinner service, and a steaming roast goose, stuffed with apples and dried plums. And what was still more wonderful, the goose jumped down from the dish and waddled across the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast, to the little girl. Then the match went out, and there remained nothing but the thick, damp, cold wall before her. 

She lighted another match, and then she found herself sitting under a beautiful Christmas-tree. It was larger and more beautifully decorated than the one which she had seen through the glass door at the rich merchant's. Thousands of tapers were burning upon the green branches, and coloured pictures, like those she had seen in the show-windows, looked down upon it all. The little one stretched out her hand towards them, 

and the match went out.

The Christmas lights rose higher and higher, till they looked to her like the stars in the sky. Then she saw a star fall, leaving behind it a bright streak of fire. “Someone is dying,” thought the little girl, for her old grandmother, the only one who had ever loved her, and who was now dead, had told her that when a star falls,

 a soul was going up to God.

She again rubbed a match on the wall, and the light shone round her; in the brightness stood her old grandmother, clear and shining, yet mild and loving in her appearance. “Grandmother,” cried the little one, “O take me with you; I know you will go away when the match burns out; you will vanish like the warm stove, the roast goose, and the large, glorious Christmas-tree.” And she made haste to light the whole bundle of matches, for she wished to keep her grandmother there. And the matches glowed with a light that was brighter than the noon-day, and her grandmother had never appeared so large or so beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and they both flew upwards in brightness and joy far above the earth, where there was neither cold nor hunger nor pain, for they were with God. 

In the dawn of morning there lay the poor little one, with pale cheeks and smiling mouth, leaning against the wall; she had been frozen to death on the last evening of the year; and the New-year's sun rose and shone upon a little corpse! The child still sat, in the stiffness of death, holding the matches in her hand, one bundle of which was burnt. “She tried to warm herself,” said some. No one imagined what beautiful things she had seen, nor into what glory she had entered with her grandmother, on New-year's day.

Come into our circle and pray with us, your love and faith are needed!

Good evening, as this Tuesday comes to a fast close I pray that you are not allowing the "perfection" of the CHRISTmas season to take away from you the true meaning. I have seen pictures of all the yummy treats that are being made, the dash to shopping centers to finish purchases, the wrapping and the planning, please don't wear yourselves out and forget what this celebration is all about! 

In prayer tonight I found myself becoming very weepy, my emotions are running as if a river and the tears spilling over its banks. I feel so much sadness for the many who are suffering broken hearts from losing loved ones, it is never an easy time to lose a loved one. We all know that through God's sacrifice for each of us that we will be together forever and when God calls for us to come home, the ones that have gone before us will greet us with open arms and loving smiles. It seems that memories will not be enough to get us to that point, but they will, our loved ones live inside of our hearts and will forever be there. I pray for comfort to be laid upon each of you who are mourning, allow God to console you. I pray for those who are standing vigil over loved ones who are ill, that you allow God's strength to be yours and to lean in to him when you feel week. I pray for each of you battling disease and illness, may you feel the healing hands of God and allow him to work through your bodies, believe that he will heal you, have faith in his power. I pray that each of you know your value here on earth and feel the love that so many have for you, you are appreciated, you are important. Father I thank you for all that you do for me, I realize and accept the hard times for I know there must be hurdles for me to cross over in my quest for eternal bliss. I ask mercy and favor for all and do this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Take the wonderful blessed gifts that God has given you, polish them and let them be the best that they can be, it is fine to want perfection, but perfection does not come in the form of someone else's gift, it comes form you making yours the best that it can be. 

 "For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

Jeremiah 29:11

The Stone Cutter

There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.

One day he passed a wealthy merchant's house. Through the open gateway, he saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and wished that he could be like the merchant.

To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"

Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his presence. "How powerful the sun is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the sun!"

Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on everything below. "How powerful that storm cloud is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a cloud!"

Then he became the cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some great force, and realized that it was the wind. "How powerful it is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be the wind!"

Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew against it - a huge, towering rock. "How powerful that rock is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a rock!"

Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the hard surface, and felt himself being changed. "What could be more powerful than I, the rock?" he thought.

He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.