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DAILY FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Need an inspirational thought...a chuckle or two... something to inspire you and get you through the day?  Well, you've come to the right place.  Check here regularly for new bits of inspiration.  (posted daily...<well, almost>)

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(Saturday, January 31, 2004)

SKUNKS I'VE RUN WITH

Ever run with a skunk?

A newspaper story once related that a mother of eight from Darlington, Maryland, had been visiting next door. When she returned home she went into the living room where she saw her five youngest children huddled in the center of the floor - on her new carpet - very much involved with something wiggly and squirmy. The perplexed mother looked closer. To her total dismay, she discovered that the children were gathered around
a family of skunks.

In her horror she screamed, "Run, children, run!"

They did. Each child grabbed a skunk and ran.

I know I've sometimes made the same mistake. Instead of leaving a potentially smelly situation alone, I decided to "run" with it. Many of my problems have been the result of my own poor choices and bad judgment, though I may be tempted to blame someone else. A skunk I'll sometimes run with is "the easy way" when there may be a clear "better way" which seems just too difficult at the time. Another skunk is "instant gratification" -- the I-want-it-now decision that often turns out to reek in the long run. Or I allow fear or guilt to influence my decisions, which almost always guarantees an
outcome that stinks.

You see, many of my troubles are just the result of "stinking thinking." I really can't blame anyone or anything else. I get seduced by a furry, little skunk and run with it. But smelly decisions make for smelly problems. Better to run from those skunks than with them!

Like me, have you ever run with skunks? Or the more important question is...if you're running with one now, will you put it down? Our lives can smell pretty wonderful when we begin to make better decisions, and we'll have no one to blame for the improvement but ourselves!
__________

This reading is found in Steve Goodier's popular book
     PRESCRIPTION FOR PEACE
     60-second readings to help you build a better life.

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(Friday, January 30, 2004)

(Thursday, January 29, 2004)

MORE LIKE A WHISPER
(words and music by Scott Krippayne & Steve Siler)
(sung by The Martins)

Sometimes the mountain moves
And is thrown into the sea
Sometimes the lightning strikes
And a vision comes to me

Sometimes the waters part
And the path ahead is clear
Sometimes the angels sing
And it's music to my ears

Chorus
Sometimes it's more like a whisper
Quiet and gentle, peaceful and still
When questions rain down like thunder
Sometimes the answer is more like a whisper

Sometimes one candle burns
And a light glows in the dark
Sometimes, sometimes a flower blooms
Bringing hope into my heart

Chorus
Sometimes it's more like a whisper
Quiet and gentle, peaceful and still
When questions rain down like thunder
Sometimes the answer is more like a whisper

Lord help me listen whenever you speak
If the river runs wild or is silent and deep

 Repeat Chorus

Sometimes the answer is more like a whisper.

(will add a low quality mp3 of this as soon as possible)

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(Saturday, January 24, 2004)

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(Thursday, January 22, 2004)

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of the two days is YESTERDAY, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.  Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.  All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday.  We cannot undo a single act we performed.  We cannot erase a single word we said.  Yesterday is gone.

The other day we should not worry about is TOMORROW, with its possible adversities, its burden, its large promise and poor performance.  Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.  Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds--but it will rise.  Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

That leaves only one day--TODAY--anyone can fight the battles of just one day.  It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities--yesterday and tomorrow-- that we break down.

It is not the experience of today that drives us mad--it is remorse or bitterness for something which happened yesterday and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, live but one day at a time.

--author unknown
printed in Splashes of Joy in the Cesspools of Life by Barbara Johnson

(Sunday, January 18, 2004)
When people around us are rejoicing and praising God while we are struggling through deep mire and floodwaters, we begin to wonder if something is wrong with us.  We begin to feel like second-class Christians.  And then the final straw comes if these people who are being blessed and who don't face the problems we do are quick to give us the glib answers:  "Just praise the Lord . . . You are just not praising the Lord enough . . . What you need to do is take your stand . . . Just praise the Lord!"

When the floodwaters of the cesspool have come up to your very soul, you don't need challenges; you need COMFORT.  You need a friend to come alongside and say, "I am hurting with you ... I am standing with you ... I am weeping with you.  I am undergirding you as best I can.  Link your shield of faith with mine and somehow we will make it together."

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." --Isaiah 4031

from Daily Splashes of Joy by Barbara Johnson

(Friday, January 16, 2004)
Every so often a storm will come, and I'll look up into the blackening sky and say, "God, a little light please?"

The light came for the disciples.  A figure came to them walking on the water.  It wasn't what they expected.  Perhaps they were looking for angels to descend or heaven to open. . . .  We don't know what they were looking for.  But one thing is for sure, they weren't looking for Jesus to come walking on the water. . . .

And since Jesus came in a way they didn't expect, they almost missed seeing the answer to their prayers.

And unless we look and listen closely, we risk making the same mistake.  God's lights in our dark nights are as numerous as the stars, if only we'll look for them.

from In the Eye of the Storm by Max Lucado

(Tuesday, January 13, 2004)
(Many of the chuckles I post are from Mikey's Funnies <www.MikeysFunnies.com>, an e-subscription sent out by Youth Specialties, a group that specializes in curriculum for church youth workers.  I have been to one of their workshops...they are a great bunch.  At the close of each email is something called "Mikey's Thot For The Day."  Mikey adds a reminder..."I don't write 'em; I only pick 'em."  Here are some of my favorites.)

--A seminar on Time Travel will be held two weeks ago.
--A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor.
--A snooze button is a poor substitute for no alarm clock at all.
--A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a unicorn.
--Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
--Do people in Australia call the rest of the world "up over"?
--Does killing time damage eternity?
--Don't assume malice for what stupidity can explain.
--Don't question authority.  It hasn't got a clue!
--Employment applications always ask who is to be notified in case of an emergency.  I think you should write "A good doctor!"
--Experience is the one thing you have plenty of when you're too old to get a job.
--How come when I call information they can't tell me where my keys are?

to be continued

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(Sunday, January 11, 2004)

Our God is the God who follows.  Have you sensed him following you?  He is the one who came to seek and save the lost.  Have you sensed him seeking you?

Have you felt his presence through the kindness of a stranger?  Through the majesty of a sunset or the mystery of romance?  Through the question of a child or the commitment of a spouse?  Through a word well spoken or a touch well timed, have you sensed him? . . .

God gives us himself.  Even when we choose our hovel over his house and our trash over his grace, still he follows.  Never forcing us.  Never leaving us.  Patiently persistent.  Faithfully present.  He uses all his power to convince us that he is who he is and he can be trusted to lead us home.

from The Gift for All People by Max Lucado

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(Saturday, January 10, 2004)
TOMORROW

Finish each day and be done with it.
You have done what you could. 
Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;
forget them as soon as you can.
Tomorrow is a new day;
begin it well and serenely
and with too high a spirit
to be encumbered with your old nonsense. 
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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(Thursday, January 8, 2004)

THE WOLVES WITHIN

An old Grandfather, whose grandson came to him with anger at a schoolmate who had done him an injustice, said, "Let me tell you a story.  I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.  But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy.  It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.  I have struggled with these feelings many times."

He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm.  He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended.  He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way."

But the other wolf, ah!  He is full of anger.  The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper.  He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason.  He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great.  It is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather solemnly said, "The one I feed." 

--author unknown

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(Tuesday, January 6, 2004)

She in turn said, "Daddy, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Daddy." They kissed and she left.

He walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say goodbye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

  "Yes, I have," I replied.

Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Dad had done for me.  Recognizing that his days were limited, I took the time to tell him face to face how much he meant to me. So I knew what this man was experiencing.

"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever goodbye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away.  I have challenges ahead and the reality is, the next trip back will be for my funeral," he said.

"When you were saying goodbye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I asked what that means?"

He began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone." He paused for a moment, and looking as if trying to remember it in detail, he smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them," he continued...and then turning toward me he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory: 

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough 'Hello's' to get you through the final 'Goodbye.' "

He then began to sob and walked away.

My friend, I wish you enough!

received through email...source unknown

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(Monday, January 5, 2004)

God loves to decorate.  God has to decorate.  Let him live long enough in a heart, and that heart will begin to change.  Portraits of hurt will be replaced by landscapes of grace.  Walls of anger will be demolished and shaky foundations restored.  God can no more leave a life unchanged than a mother can leave her child's tear untouched. . . .

This might explain some of the discomfort in your life.  Remodeling of the heart is not always pleasant.  We don't object when the Carpenter adds a few shelves, but He's been known to gut the entire west wing.  He has such high aspirations for you.  God envisions a complete restoration.   He won't stop until he is finished. . . .  He want you to be just like Jesus.

from Just Like Jesus by Max Lucado

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(Saturday, January 3, 2004)
Laughter is good for the soul!!!!!!!

ATTAINABLE RESOLUTIONS
 This year, I resolve to...

 1. Gain weight. At least 15 pounds.
 2. Stop exercising. Waste of time.
 3. Read less. Makes you think.
 4. Watch more TV. I've been missing some good stuff.
 5. Procrastinate more. Starting tomorrow.
 6. Not date any of the Baywatch cast.
 7. Stay up later.  Sleep is highly over-rated.
 8. Take a vacation to someplace important: 
like, to see the largest ball of twine.
 9. Not jump off a cliff just because everyone else did.
 10. Stop eating nutritious meals; junk food restaurants need my support.
 11. Let my clothes air out on the floor 
before putting them in the laundry hamper.
 12. Get in a whole NEW rut!
 13. Start being superstitious.
 14. Personal goal: do laundry at least once a semester.
 15. Not wrestle with any alligators.
 16. Buy an '83 Eldorado and invest in a really loud stereo system.
 Get the windows tinted. Buy some fur for the dash.
 17. Only wear jeans that have holes in the knees. 
Only wear white T-shirts with those fashionable 
yellow stains under the arms.
 18. Spend my summer vacation in Cyberspace.
 19. Not eat cloned meat.
 20. Create loose ends.
 21. Get more toys.
 22. Burn the candle at both ends.
23. Break at least one traffic law.
 24. Not drive a motorized vehicle across thin ice.
 25. Avoid transmission of inter-species diseases.
 26. Avoid airplanes that spontaneously drop 1000 feet.
 27. Stay off the MIR space station.
 28. Not swim with piranhas or sharks.
 29. Study less; too much study wears out the brain.
 30. Spread out priorities beyond my ability to keep track of them.
 31. Not take spaceship rides behind comets.
 32. Not try to escape from a maximum security prison.
 33. Wait around for opportunity.
 34. If opportunity doesn't knock on my door, ask my parents for money.
 35. Mope about the fact that the world doesn't owe me a living.
 36. Never make New Year's resolutions again.

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(Friday, January 2, 2004)

(Thursday, January 1, 2004)

A brand new year!!!  May yours be filled to overflowing with God's blessings!!!

     The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company . . . a church . . . a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past . . . we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. . . 

from Strengthening Your Grip by Charles R. Swindoll

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