How to Handle Your Burdens (Key Verse: Psalm 55:22 "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.")371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cWhen our burdens become unbearable, we can seek to dump them in several places.  Perhaps we have a friend who will listen to our problems.  Perhaps we can find relief in a brief getaway where we can be refreshed and strenghtened.  We might even have access to a Christian counselor who can give us solid advice. ~~ But nothing or no one can provide the rest and relief that Jesus can when we come to Him with our burdens.  Our Savior has broad shoulders, sturdy hands, and a compassionate heart.  He bids us to give Him every grievous or weighty matter. ~~ If you are carrying a burden that has you at the breaking point, come to Jesus in prayer.  Don't worry about the right words; just cry out to God.  Tell Him how you feel.  Prayer is simply talking with God, and that is what you do to shift your burden to Christ. ~~ Come in childlike faith.  Jesus said that He would give His light and easy load in return for your heaviness.  Does He lie?  Is He being too simplistic?  No.  God can sustain you as you trust Him.  Focus on His power, and receive His all-sufficient help.  He will not let you down.  He will not let you fall.  Jesus hears you plea.  He will lighten your load so that you may persevere.  "Master, sometimes it seems as if my burdens are unbearable.  Thank You for Your broad shoulders, sturdy hands, and compassionate heart.  You exchange my heavy load for Your light and easy burden.  Lord, I cherish the ways You've answered me in the past.  Thank You for loving me and working in my life. Amen!"   [Again the Key Verse: Psalm 55:22  "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved."]                

Clay Balls (Seeing others the way GOD sees them).371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cA man was exploring caves by the seashore.  In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls.  It was like someone had rolled the clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.  They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him.  As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could. ~~ He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock.  Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!  ~~ Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls.  Each contained a similar treasure.  He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.  ~~ Then it struck him.  He had been on the beach a long time.  He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves.  Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away! ~~  It's like that with people.  We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel.  It doesn't look like much from the outside.  It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.  ~~  We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.  But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.  ~~  There is a treasure in each and every one of us.  If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask GOD to show us that person the way HE sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.  ~~  May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay.  ~~  I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.  Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.  ~~  Appreciate every single thing you have, especially your friends!  Life is too short and friends are too few!  As the Bible says "We see the flesh & God sees the heart".  May we all see others the way GOD does.  Blessings to you all,  Linda

Thy Sins Are Forgiven Thee:  I am a Christian, when I say... "I am a Christian"  I'm not shouting "I am saved"  I'm whispering "I get lost!"  That is why I chose this way. 371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cWhen I say... "I am a Christian"  I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide. ~~  When I say... "I am a Christian"  I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on. ~~  When I say... "I am a Christian"  I'm not bragging of success, I'm admitting I have failed and cannot even pay the debt. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian"  I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are too visible but God believes I'm worth it. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian"  I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartaches which is why I seek His name. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian"  I do not judge, I have no authority... I only know I'm loved.    [Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  ~ Just as I am, waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O lamb of God I come!  I come!  ~ Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  ~ Just as I am, Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down; now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!]

Thy Sins Are Forgiven Thee:371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cI am a Christian, when I say... "I am a Christian"  I'm not shouting "I am saved"  I'm whispering "I get lost!"  That is why I chose this way. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide. ~~  When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success,I'm admitting I have failed and cannot even pay the debt. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are too visible but God believes I'm worth it. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartaches which is why I seek His name. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I do not judge, I have no authority... I only know I'm loved.      [Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  Just as I am, Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down; now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!]

Thy Sins Are Forgiven Thee:371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cI am a Christian, when I say... "I am a Christian"  I'm not shouting "I am saved" I'm whispering "I get lost!"  That is why I chose this way. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I don't speak of this with pride, I'm confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not trying to be strong, I'm professing that I'm weak and pray for strength to carry on. ~~  When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not bragging of success, I'm admitting I have failed and cannot even pay the debt. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I'm not claiming to be perfect, my flaws are too visible but God believes I'm worth it. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I still feel the sting of pain, I have my share of heartaches which is why I seek His name. ~~ When I say... "I am a Christian" I do not judge, I have no authority... I only know I'm loved.    [Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to Thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!  Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!  Just as I am, Thy love unknown hath broken every barrier down; now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come!  I come!!]    Blessings to you all, Linda 

You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc.  This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story.  Gives you something to think about.371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cSeveral years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. ~~ My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend.  The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the water-way, and cars costing more than her house. ~~ The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live.  The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants.  Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely. ~~ As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.  He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.  ~~ Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him.  There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts.  Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny... He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure.  How absurd!  What need did this man have for a single penny?  Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? ~~ Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her.  Finally, she could stand it no longer.  She causally mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some valve...  A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see.  She had seen many pennies before!  What was the point of this? ~~ "Look at it." he said.  "Read what it says."  She read the words "United States of America."  "No, not that; read further."  "One Cent?"  "No, keep reading."  "In God we Trust?"  "Yes!"  "And?"  "And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.  Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription.  It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it!  God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him?  Who am I to pass it by?  When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment.  I pick the coin up in response to God; that I do trust in Him.  For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold.  I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me.  Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!" ~~ When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk.  I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mindabout things I can not change.  I read the words, "In God we Trust," and had to laugh.  Yes, God, I got the message.  It seems that I have been finding an anordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful!  And, God is patient...  Have a blessed day!!! ~~Author Unknown~~   Proverbs 3:6 "In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." 

You ask why I follow this Jesus?  Why I love Him the way I do?371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cWhen the world's turned away from His teachings and the people who serve Him are few.  ~~ It's not the rewards I'm after or the gifts that I hope to receive.  It's the Presence that calls for commitment.  It's the Spirit I trust and believe.  ~~  The Lord doesn't shelter His faithful or spare them all suffering and pain, like everyone else I have burdens, and walk through my share of rain.  ~~  Yet He gives me a plan and a purpose, and that joy only Christians have known, I never know what comes tomorrow, but I know I'm never alone... ~~  It's the love always there when you need it; it's the words that redeem and inspire, it's the longing to ever be with Him that burns in my heart like a fire... ~~  So you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?  Well, friend, that's so easy to see, but the one thing that fills me with wonder is Why Jesus loves someone like me.

Word of warning, as I wrote up the draft before posting this story it brought tears to my eyes... It may do the same to you.  Please make sure you have tissues on hand as you read the story.  And now the "STORY OF A STRAYING LAMB"371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cThe Shepherd loved His little lamb, and gave it His tender care...  And followed it with His loving eyes as it wandered here and there. ~~~ And as He sat by His grazing flock who so meekly His voice obeyed, He pondered sadly His little lamb as again and again it strayed. ~~~ The little lamb had a loving heart, and adored His Shepherd, true, but would turn aside and seek his own way as lambs will often do. ~~~ With His gentle voice the Shepherd called, to His loved and straying lamb, "Come back, little one, for you are not safe unless you are where I am." ~~~ But still the little lamb would soon forget and unthinkingly wander away, and not really noticing what he did, from the Shepherd's side would stray. ~~~ Until one day, the Shepherd kind took His rod in His gentle hand, and what He then did seemed so cruel that the lamb could not understand. ~~~ For with one sharp and well-aimed blow down the rod so swiftly came that it broke the leg of the little lamb and left it crippled, and lame. ~~~ Then the little lamb, with a cry of pain, fell down upon his knees... and looked up at his Shepherd, as though to say, "Won't you explain this, please?" ~~~ Then he saw the love in the Shepherd's eyes as the tears ran down His face, as He tenderly set the broken bone, and bound it back in it's place. ~~~ Now he was utterly helpless, he could not even stand!  He must trust himself completely to his Shepherd's loving hand. ~~~ Then day by day, 'till the lamb was healed from the flock he was kept apart... and carried about in the Shepherd's arms, and cradled near to His heart.  ~~~ And the Shepherd would whisper gentle words into his now listening ear... Thus he heard sweet words of love that the other sheep could not hear. ~~~ He felt the warmth of the Shepherd's arms and the beat of His faithful heart... Until it came a blessing to seem, by his weakness to be set apart. ~~~ Every need of the little lamb by his Shepherd so fully was met that through his brokeness he learned what he never again would forget. ~~~ And as the broken bone was healed, and once more became whole and strong... Wherever the Shepherd's path would lead, the lamb would follow along. ~~~ Thus at the Shepherd's side he walked so closely, day by day, for once a lamb has a broken leg it will never go astray.  For the cords of love had bound it so in its hour of weakness and need... That it had no desire to wander away, when once again it was freed. ~~~ Could it be you are broken today, and you cannot understand the painful blow of the Shepherd's rod now believe it came from His hand? ~~~ He only seeks, by this painful thing, for a time to call you apart... To cradle you close in His loving arms, and draw you near to His heart. ~~~ So look up into your Shepherd's eyes, and earnestly seek His face... And prove in the hour of your weakness and need the sufficiency of His grace.  For as you are borne in His loving arms, and carried there, day by day... He will bind you so close with the cords of His love that never again will you stray!

I believe in Miracles and Dreams that will come true...371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cAnd I believe in happiness and friendship, through and through.  I believe that when you cry your tears are not in vain, and when you're sad and lonely someone knows that you're in pain. ~~~ I believe that when we laugh a sparkle starts to shine, and before you know these sparks will spread from more hearts than just mine.  I believe the gifts you have are there for you to share and when you give them from the heart, the whole world knows you care. ~~~ I believe that if you give, even just to one, that gift will grow in magnitude before the day is done.  I believe that comfort comes from giving part of me, and if I share with others, there's more for all to see.  I believe that Love is still the greatest gift of all, and when it's given from the heart, Love will conquer all.   Author: BJ. Morbitzer

My Precious Friend,  I am sending you this letter by way of one of my Disciples.  I just wanted to let you know how much I Love and Care about you and how I Greatly Desire to become a meaningful part of your life.371d36d75e05eda735858f8e467be99cThis Morning when you awoke, I was already there with you in the Light of My Beautiful Sunshine that filled your room.  I was hoping that you would say Good Morning to Me; you didn't.  So I thought maybe it was just a little too early in the day for you to notice Me. ~~~ Again, I tried to get your attention when you stepped out of your door.  I kissed your face with a Soft Gentle Breeze.  I Breathed upon you My Fragrant Sweet Breath Scented with Flowers.  Then I Sang you a Love Song through the Birds in the Trees.  You just walked right past Me. ~~~ Later on in the day, I watched over you as you were talking with some friends.  Oh!  How I wished that you would talk to Me also.  I waited and waited, but you just went along your way. ~~~ This Afternoon I sent you a Refreshing Shower and Glistened to you from each Rain Drop.  I even Shouted to you a time or two with Thunder trying to get your attention.  Then I painted you a Lovely Rainbow in the midst of My Fluffly White Clouds.  I just knew you would see Me then, but you were unaware of My Presence. ~~~ This Evening to close your day, I sent you a Beautiful Sunset.  After that, I Winked at you a thousand times through My Stars hoping that you would see Me and wink back.  You never did. ~~~ Tonight, when you went to bed, I Spilled Moonlight upon your face to let you know that I was there with you.  I was hoping that you would talk to Me a little while before you went to sleep.  You never said a word.  It Hurt Me Deeply, however I continued to watch over you all through the night thinking that maybe, just maybe, you would say hello to Me in the Morning. ~~~ Each and Every Day, I have Revealed Myself to you in many Strange and Wondrous Ways hoping that you would accept Me as your Shepherd.  For I Am the Only One that can Supply you with all your needs.  My Love for you is Deeper than the Deepest Ocean and Bigger than the Great Blue Sky.  I have so very much to give you also share with you.  Please let Me hear from you soon.  YOUR LOVING FRIEND FOREVER, Jesus