Never give up

[Lotus]

This was emailed to me by a friend this....and I wanted to share it with you all.

One day I decided to quit... quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life. I went to the woods to have one last talk with God. I asked "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?" His answer surprised me...
"Look around. Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes" I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water. The fern quickly grew from the earth. Its brilliant green covered the floor. Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful. And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo He said. In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit. Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant. But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall. It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle. Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare yourself to others. The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern. Yet they both make the forest beautiful. Your time will come…you will rise high".
"How high should I rise?", I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" God asked in return.
"As high as it can" I answered
To which God replied "Give me glory by rising as high as you can".

Never Give up - just keep the faith!!!!!

[southernbelle47]

Love it!
Nancy

[southernbelle47]

Here's another good one..... There's POWER in His words! "Get up ...pick up your mat and BE HEALED".
The first step is to "get up and pick uo our own mat"....He takes care of the rest.
Love you! Nancy

Blasphemy? I Think Not!


Jesus knew that these teachers of the law were thinking those
things about him. So Jesus said to them, "Why do you have
these questions in your minds? The Son of Man has power on
earth to forgive sins. But how can I prove this to you? Maybe
you are thinking it was easy for me to say to the crippled
man, 'Your sins are forgiven.' {No one could see if it really
happened.} But what if I say to the man, 'Stand up. Take your
bed and walk'? Then you will be able to see if I really have
this power or not." So Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "I
tell you, stand up. Take your mat and go home."

-- Mark 2:8-11 (ERV)


KEY THOUGHT:
Jesus heals people for many different reasons and under many different
circumstances. The bottom line is this: Jesus heals folks because he
loves them and wants to bring them to God. In this instance, however,
Jesus is moved by two additional things. First, he sees the faith of
this man's friends and he is touched by their concern. Second, he is
frustrated with the cynicism and opposition from those who are present
only to criticize him. They doubt his authority, so he demonstrates it:
he heals the man! Then he emphasizes that the miracle he has done shows
he has the authority to forgive sins. The real challenge for you and me
is to recognize that Jesus' authority doesn't just extend to his power
to teach and command, but also to heal, mend, help, forgive, and bless.


TODAY'S PRAYER:
Holy and Almighty LORD of the ages, thank you that your authority has
been powerfully demonstrated in Jesus. Help me open my heart to him
fully and to not only respond with obedience to Jesus' commands, but to
also let him in to nurture and bless. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

[tlrgs]

hi there .. that was beautiful. thanks i needed that good reminder