The Seed

A successful business man was growing old and
knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business.

Instead of choosing one of his Directors or his children,
he decided to do something different. He called all the young
executives in his company together.

He said, 'It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO.
I have decided to choose one of you.' The young executives were
Shocked, but the boss continued. 'I am going to give each one
of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant
the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with
what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then
judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be
the next CEO.'

One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others,
received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the
story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted
the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.
After about three weeks, some of the other executives began
to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow.

Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew.

Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have
a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by -- still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he
had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but
he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however.
He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the
seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company
brought their plants to the CEO for inspection.

Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot.
But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick
to his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment
of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot
to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety
of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful --
in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and
many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him!

When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young
executives.

Jim just tried to hide in the back. 'My, what great plants, trees,
and flowers you have grown,' said the CEO. 'Today one of you will
be appointed the next CEO!'

All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with
his empty pot. He ordered the Financial Director to bring him to
the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, 'The CEO knows I'm a failure!
Maybe he will have me fired!'

When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened
to his seed - Jim told him the story.

The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim,
and then announced to the young executives, 'Behold your next
Chief Executive Officer!

His name is Jim!' Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow
his seed.

'How could he be the new CEO?' the others said.

Then the CEO said, 'One year ago today, I gave everyone in this
room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it,
and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds;
they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow.

All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and
flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you
substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the
only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with
my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new
Chief Executive Officer!'

* If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

* If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

* If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

* If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

* If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

* If you plant hard work, you will reap success

* If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

* If you plant faith in god , you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now;
it will determine what you will reap later.

Thank you Duane Nanz for sending me this e-mail!

The Big picture

The left picture is beautiful! It is a compilation of the three views on the right; taken from Chandra (in x-ray), Hubble (in optical) and Spitzer in infrared. Individually, they are very nice, but when seen together as a composite photo, they are stunning! Human beings are like that too, if we consider the composite effect of a person's intellect, personality and physical makeup we get the "big picture". Funny, I wonder why most people don't think of understanding the Godhead like that. If we view The father as the directing force (intellect), The Holy Spirit as the empowering force (or perhaps personality) and Jesus as the physical manifestation of God it makes a lot of sense to me. My grandmother knew me as Gary, my wife as "hon" and my children as dad. I wonder what the effect of this concept would have on our Bible study? Intellectually analyzing it, emotionally understanding it and practically applying it. Humm? Consider the following scripture, perhaps it will change the way you think about what God has said to you?

Joh 6:5 When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come to him, he saith to Philip, Whence shall we buy bread that these may eat?
Joh 6:6 (And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.)
Joh 6:7 Philip answered him, Two hundred penny-worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them make take a little:
Joh 6:8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith to him,
Joh 6:9 There is a lad here, who hath five barley-loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?
Joh 6:10 And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. (Now there was much grass in the place.) So the men sat down in number about five thousand.
Joh 6:11 And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes, as much as they would.
Joh 6:12 When they were satisfied, he said to his disciples, Gather the fragments that remain, that nothing may be lost.
Joh 6:13 Therefore they gathered them, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves, which remained over and above to them that had eaten.
Joh 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus performed, said, This is truly that prophet that should come into the world.
Joh 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again to a mountain himself alone.
Joh 6:16 And when evening had now come, his disciples went down to the sea,
Joh 6:17 And entered into a boat, and went over the sea towards Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not come to them.
Joh 6:18 And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
Joh 6:19 So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh to the boat: and they were afraid.
Joh 6:20 But he saith to them, It is I; be not afraid.
Joh 6:21 Then they willingly received him into the boat: and immediately the boat was at the land whither they were going.
Joh 6:22 The day following, when the people who stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, save that one into which his disciples had entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples had gone away alone;
Joh 6:23 (Yet there came other boats from Tiberias nigh to the place where they ate bread, after the Lord had given thanks:)
Joh 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
Joh 6:25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?
Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say to you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye ate of the loaves, and were satisfied.
Joh 6:27 Labor not for the food which perisheth, but for that food which endureth to everlasting life, which the Son of man will give to you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Joh 6:28 Then said they to him, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Joh 6:30 They said therefore to him, What sign showest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
Joh 6:31 Our fathers ate manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from heaven.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is he who cometh down from heaven, and giveth life to the world.
Joh 6:34 Then said they to him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35 And Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me, shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me, shall never thirst.
Joh 6:36 But I said to you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37 All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise reject.
Joh 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him that sent me.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father's will who hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one who seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.
Joh 6:42 And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven?
Joh 6:43 Jesus therefore answered and said to them, Murmur not among yourselves.
Joh 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father who hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught from God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned from the Father, cometh to me.
Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he who is from God, he hath seen the Father.
Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say to you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.
Joh 6:49 Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
Joh 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat of it, and not die.
Joh 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man shall eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Joh 6:52 The Jews therefore contended among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
Joh 6:53 Then Jesus said to them, Verily, verily, I say to you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.
Joh 6:54 Whoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Joh 6:55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
Joh 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
Joh 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
Joh 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers ate manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

The Webster Bible

If only the Jews could have applied all their senses then perhaps they would have understood!

Good news, Bad news

The picture is sort of gruesome, but it makes a point; life can be good or bad, depending on the circumstances. Here, it is good to be a bat and not so good to be a frog. I am hoping the frog escapes, but it sure does not look like it. I remember a quote from the movie braveheart, which goes something like this: “All men die, but not all really live”. True life is more than just existence, its coexistence with God.

The Bible says:

1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the word of life;
1Jn 1:2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and testify, and show to you that eternal life which was with the Father, and was manifested to us;)
1Jn 1:3 That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
1Jn 1:4 And these things we write to you, that your joy may be full.
1Jn 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard from him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1Jn 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
1Jn 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Jn 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1Jn 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

The Webster Bible


Christianity is different from other religions in that God becomes man and then a best friend. How, because this man, this Jesus, did what I couldn't do; namely, solve my sin problem and restore fellowship with my maker. This is REAL LIFE and not just existence until I cease to be. If I am one with God, death does not really matter, so death just becomes a transition into a new form of spiritual life. As far as the frog is concerned, there is only one thing left to say; JUMP, NOW!!!!!

You better laugh...

I don't know if cats can really laugh; but people do! Over the past ten years I have discovered that I seem to laugh more. Why, because I'm funnier? I don't think I am any different than I was 15 or more years ago. I think its attitude, really! I can see it in myself when I go to work; I decide that no matter what happens, I AM GOING TO BE IN A GOOD MOOD! Well, I don't always succeed, because, well.... things happen! But I guess the Axum is true: A person is what they think about all day long. Consider the following Bible passage and THEN DECIDE WHAT YOU WILL DO TOMORROW!

Php 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Php 4:5 Let your moderation be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Php 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

The Webster Bible

My thinking WILL CHANGE MY LIFE! "What the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve" is a long-time Amway motto worth quoting. Besides all this, I have to laugh... why? because I have mirrors in my house, that why.... and I do remember what I looked like at 20.

Roy Moore

Alabama Judge

Some of you may be wondering what Judge Roy Moore has been doing since he was removed from the bench for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from his courtroom wall. Please read the poem he wrote. The following is a poem written by Judge Roy Moore from Alabama .

Judge Moore was sued by the ACLU for displaying the Ten Commandments in his courtroom foyer. He has been stripped of his judgeship and now they are trying to strip his right to practice law in Alabama ! The judge's poem sums it up quite well.

America the beautiful,Or so you used to be..

Land of the Pilgrims' pride; I'm glad they'll never see.

Babies piled in dumpsters, Abortion on demand,

Oh, sweet land of liberty; Your house is on the sand.

Our children wander aimlessly Poisoned by cocaine

Choosing to indulge their lusts, When God has said abstain

From sea to shining sea, Our Nation turns away

From the teaching of God's love And a need to always pray

We've kept God in our Temples , how callous we have grown.

When earth is but His footstool, And Heaven is His throne.

We've voted in a government that's rotting at the core,

Appointing Godless Judges; Who throw reason out the door,

Too soft to place a killer In a well deserved tomb,

But brave enough to kill a baby Before he leaves the womb.

You think that God's not Angry, that our land's a moral slum?

How much longer will He wait Before His judgment comes?

How are we to face our God, From Whom we cannot hide?

What then is left for us to do, But stem this evil tide?

If we who are His children, Will humbly turn and pray;

Seek His holy face And mend our evil way:

Then God will hear from Heaven; And forgive us of our sins,

He'll heal our sickly land And those who live within.

But, America the Beautiful, If you don't - then you will see,

A sad but Holy God Withdraw His hand from Thee.

~~Judge Roy Moore~~

My thanks to Nancy Womack for sending this e-mail to me.

USA

The Bible says:

Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the higher powers. For there is no power but from God: the powers that are, are ordained by God.
Rom 13:2 Whoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power; do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise from the same:
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou doest that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, an avenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For, for this cause ye pay tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. The Webster Bible

I think this is very straightforward; we are to obedient to the government! Yet, consider how our country has changed; banks are bailed out with billions and billions of our dollars, soon the auto industry will follow. Its human nature to want something for nothing and before you know it there will be a long line of businesses and local governments all wanting bailouts. Where does it end? When are people going to be REQUIRED TO WORK, REQUIRED TO BE ACCOUNTABLE, REQUIRED TO BE LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS? BUSINESSES AND GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS SHOULD BE MADE ANSWERABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND THOSE WHO COMMIT WRONG ACTUALLY PUNISHED!!

Remember this...

2Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. The Webster Bible

If all of America is owned by the government, perhaps USA might come to stand for United Socialist America? Hard to imagine; yet who would have thought prayer would have been taken out of school or "in God we trust" taken off our coins? I have a little confession to make here.... I voted for McCain because I thought the Libertarian party had no chance of winning. I will NEVER GO AGAINST MY CONVICTIONS AGAIN! Its time we all stood up and became really involved in our government before a new meaning for USA becomes reality !!!

A Real Superman

I remember watching the 50's TV series superman and wondering what it would be like to actually have superpowers! Imagine, being able to fly, to have xray vision and be impervious to projectiles! Most of us would probably get a swelled head quickly. I only know of one real superman and his name is Jesus. What has he done with his powers?

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Webster Bible

The truth is: Those who desire to be superior to their fellow human beings have it all wrong; true greatness lies in being the servant of all, in enriching the life of everyone. The picture above only seems impressive, true greatness lies within those who have God as their king.

A second glance

"Beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes straight to the bone". In this case, it may just be the other way round. I see something here that goes beyond unattractiveness. Something about the eyes of this dog say a warm heart is just waiting for a little love and affection. When we are young we don't think like this though. We are attracted to those who are "good looking". As I have aged I remember this: In 50 years we will all look like shrivelled prunes. Perhaps this is what made me look a little closer, or perhaps its because when I look in the mirror now, I think about what I looked like at age 20.

Consider this:

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
Rom 5:11 And not only so, but we also joy in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

The Webster Bible

I am glad someone cared enough about me to bless me even though I didn't deserve it; how about you? Now, take a second glance at the dog and think.....

Friends

This picture is precious to me, not only because my younger brother David is there, but also because of my dog “Pal”. It’s the only one I have ever seen of him and when I was young he was the best friend I had. Times were very hard in those days and it was very, very good to have a “best friend”. He was always there when I needed him and his friendship reminds me of the following Bible passage:

1Sa 19:1 Saul spoke to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David. But Jonathan, Saul's son, delighted much in David.
1Sa 19:2 Jonathan told David, saying, Saul my father seeks to kill you: now therefore, please take care of yourself in the morning, and live in a secret place, and hide yourself:
1Sa 19:3 and I will go out and stand beside my father in the field where you are, and I will talk with my father about you; and if I see anything, I will tell you.
1Sa 19:4 Jonathan spoke good of David to Saul his father, and said to him, Don't let the king sin against his servant, against David; because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you:
1Sa 19:5 for he put his life in his hand, and struck the Philistine, and Yahweh worked a great victory for all Israel: you saw it, and rejoiced; why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?
1Sa 19:6 Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan: and Saul swore, As Yahweh lives, he shall not be put to death.
1Sa 19:7 Jonathan called David, and Jonathan showed him all those things. Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as before. WEB

Everything in the picture has changed, but the memory of Pal remains. Jesus became my best friend over the years and unlike Jonathan he is still interceding for me with the Greatest KING. Now, that is a friend!

A different pont of view

Its been almost a decade since I received my first senior discount at the Florida aquarium, but what I remember most was thinking..."So that's what its like to be a fish". Just looking at things from their point of view changed everything. I can understand a little better now the reason for the following Bible passage:

Mat 5:38 `Ye heard that it was said: Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth;
Mat 5:39 but I--I say to you, not to resist the evil, but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;
Mat 5:40 and whoever is willing to take thee to law, and thy coat to take--suffer to him also the cloak.
Mat 5:41 `And whoever shall impress thee one mile, go with him two,
Mat 5:42 to him who is asking of thee be giving, and him who is willing to borrow from thee thou mayest not turn away.
Mat 5:43 `Ye heard that it was said: Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and shalt hate thine enemy;
Mat 5:44 but I--I say to you, Love your enemies, bless those cursing you, do good to those hating you, and pray for those accusing you falsely, and persecuting you,
Mat 5:45 that ye may be sons of your Father in the heavens, because His sun He doth cause to rise on evil and good, and He doth send rain on righteous and unrighteous.
Mat 5:46 `For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?
Mat 5:47 and if ye may salute your brethren only, what do ye abundant? do not also the tax-gatherers so?
Mat 5:48 ye shall therefore be perfect, as your Father who is in the heavens is perfect.

Young's Literal Translation

Perfection is not be absolutely perfect in everything we do; I don't think anyone can be completely free of wrong, but it does mean being the best we can be. That begins with trying to see things from another point of view. When we do this, we are ON OUR WAY. Now, who out there wants to be a fish?