Some Things to Think About

I am so blessed to have friends who care for me enough to send me very interesting stories that lift me up when I am down, encourage me when I am discouraged, cheer me up when I am unhappy, soothe me when I am upset, and comfort me when I am sad. The following are some examples sent to me by Bob, Dr. Holmes, Sue, and others. I deeply appreciate their friendship of many years. And I have posted these stories to share my blessings with those who visit my home page.
Oh, by the way, if you would like to share stories with me, I will be more than happy to read and post them here.

  • $20 Bill
  • Dear Pastor
  • DNA
  • Gilbert's Prayer
  • Is Your Hut Burning?
  • The Lord's Baseball Game
  • Love, Success, and Wealth
  • PARADOXOLOGY
  • Revelation 3:20 and Genesis 3:10
  • Three Wise Women?
  • Time in a Jar
  • World Population
  • More...


    • $20 Bill
    A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives,we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him.
    Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us, "as the apple of His eye."
    THOUGHT: The worth of our lives come not in what we do or who we are but By WHOSE WE ARE!

    DEAR PASTOR
    Arnold. Age 8, Nashville.
    Dear Pastor, I know God loves everybody but He never met my sister.

    Pete. Age 9, Phoenix
    Dear Pastor, Please say in your sermon that Peter Peterson has been a good boy all week. I am Peter Peterson.

    Robert, Page 11, Anderson
    Dear Pastor, My father should be a minister. Every day he gives us a sermon about something.

    Patty. Age 10, New Haven
    Dear Pastor, I'm sorry I can't leave more money in the plate, but my father didn't give me a raise in my allowance. Could you have a sermon about a raise in my allowance?

    Annette. Age 9, Albany
    Dear Pastor, My mother is very religious. She goes to play bingo at church every week even if she has a cold.

    Stephen. Age 8, Chicago
    Dear Pastor, I would like to go to heaven someday because I know my brother won't be there.

    Loreen. Age 9. Tacoma
    Dear Pastor, I think a lot more people would come to your church if you moved it to Disneyland.

    Eleanor. Age 12, Sarasota
    Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon where you said that good health is more important than money but I still want a raise in my allowance.

    Laurie. Age 10, New York City
    Dear Pastor, Please pray for all the airline pilots. I am flying to California tomorrow.

    Ellen, age 9. Athens
    Dear Pastor, I hope to go to heaven some day but later than sooner.

    Alexander. Age 10, Raleigh
    Dear Pastor, Please say a prayer for our Little League team. We need God's help or a new pitcher. Thank you.

    Joshua. Age 10, South Pasadena
    Dear Pastor, My father says I should learn the Ten Commandments. But I don't think I want to because we have enough rules already in my house.

    Christopher. Age 9, Titusville
    Dear Pastor, Who does God pray to? Is there a God for God?

    Carla. Age 10, Salina
    Dear Pastor, Are there any devils on earth? I think there may be one in my class.

    Ralph, Age 11, Akron
    Dear Pastor, I liked your sermon on Sunday. Especially when it was finished.

    Marie, Age 9, Lewiston
    Dear Pastor, How does God know the good people from the bad people? Do you tell Him or does He read about it in the newspapers?

    DNA
    There are three billion base pairs of DNA in each cell of the human body, which if uncoiled and stretched out in a straight line would measure about two meters.
    This is the proportional equivalent of stuffing thirty miles of fine fishing line into a plump blueberry wo precisely that the line could be unwound, copied, and restuffed at will.
    (THEREFORE..., Vol. 8, Num. 3, p. 8; Periodical of the Christian Life Commission of the Baptist General Convention of Texas
    Reference - Genetic Ethics: Do the Ends Justify the Genes?, ed. John F. Kilner, Rebecca D. Pentz, and Frank E. Young, 1997)

    Gilbert's Prayer
    My son Gilbert was eight years old and had been in Cub Scouts only a short time. During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of wood and four tires and told to return home and give all to "dad."
    That was not an easy task for Gilbert to do. Dad was not receptive to doing things with his son. But Gilbert tried. Dad read the paper and scoffed at the idea of making a pine-wood derby car with his young, eager son. The block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.
    Finally, mom stepped in to see if I could figure this all out. The project began. Having no carpentry skills, I decided it would be best if I simply read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did. I read aloud the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn't do.
    Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car. A little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom). Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids cars and was feeling pretty proud of his "Blue Lightning," the pride that comes with knowing you did something on your own.
    Then the big night came. With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride in his heart we headed to the big race. Once there my little one's pride turned to humility. Gilbert's car was obviously the only car made entirely on his own. All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed. An unattractive vehicle. To add to the humility Gilbert was the only boy without a man at his side. A couple of the boys who were from single parent homes at least had an uncle or grandfather by their side, Gilbert had "Mom."
    As the race began it was done in elimination fashion. You kept racing as long as you were the winner. One by one the cars raced down the finely-sanded ramp. Finally it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest looking car there. As the last race was about to begin, my wide eyed shy eight year old asked if they could stop the race for a minute, because he wanted to pray. The race stopped.
    Gilbert hit his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between his hands. With a wrinkled brow he set to converse with his Father. He prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half. Then he stood, a smile on his face and announced, 'Okay, I am ready."
    As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car sped down the ramp. Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy's car.
    Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud "Thank you" as the crowd roared in approval. The Scout Master came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and asked the obvious question, "So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?"
    To which my young son answered, "Oh, no sir. That wouldn't be fair to ask God to help you beat someone else. I just asked Him to make it so I don't cry when I lose." (Written by Dr. Bernard Holmes)

    Is Your Hut Burning?
    The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him, and every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.
    Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions.
    But then one day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, the smoke rolling up to the sky. The worst had happened; everything was lost. He was stunned with grief and anger. "God, how could you do this to me!" he cried.
    Early the next day, however, he was awakened by the sound of a ship that was approaching the island. It had come to rescue him. "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.
    It is easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of pain and suffering. Remember, next time your little hut is burning to the ground ----it just may be a smoke signal that summons the grace of God.
    For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it:
  • You say: "It's impossible"
  • God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
  • You say: "Nobody really loves me"
  • God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
  • You say: "I can't go on"
  • God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)
  • You say: "I can't figure things out"
  • God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
  • You say: "I can't do it"
  • God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
  • You say: "I'm not able"
  • God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
  • You say: "It's not worth it"
  • God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
  • You say: "I can't forgive myself"
  • God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
  • You say: "I can't manage"
  • God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
  • You say: "I'm afraid"
  • God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy1:7)
  • You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
  • God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
  • You say: "I don't have enough faith"
  • God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
  • You say: "I'm not smart enough"
  • God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
  • You say: "I feel all alone"
  • God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews13:5)

    The LORD's Baseball Game
    Bob was caught up in the spirit where he and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.
    They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.
    The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.
    The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch; Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass, because Godly Wisdom does not swing at Satan's pitches. Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at Satan's throws.
    The bases were loaded.
    The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said he sure did not look like much! Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace.
    Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder, the Prince of the air, let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run! The Lord's team won.
    The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why.
    The Lord explained, "If your Love, Faith and Wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base, but only My GRACE can get you home."

    Love, Success, and Wealth
    A man came out of his house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in his front yard. He did not recognize them.
    He said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
    "We do not go into a House together," they replied.
    "Why is that?" he wanted to know.
    One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now which one of us do you want in your home?"
    The man went was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he thought. "Since that is the case, I'm going to invite Wealth. I'll let him come and fill my home with wealth!"
    A part of him disagreed. "Why don't I invite Success?"
    Still, a small voice in his heart suggested, "Would it not be better to invite Love? My home will then be filled with love!"
    "I'm going to heed the advice of the small voice in my heart," thought the man.
    He asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be my guest."
    Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the man asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
    The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

    PARADOXOLOGY
    The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints; we spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
    We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
    We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; We've added years to life, not life to years.
    We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space. We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul.
    We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We have higher incomes, but lower morals. We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.
    These are the times of tall men and short character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
    These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when we've traded away the enduring "internals" for the shallow "externals;" a time when technology can deliver a letter such as this, and few people have concern about the consequences.

    Revelation 3:20 and Genesis 3:10
    A new pastor moved into town and went out one Saturday to visit his parishioners. All went well until he came to one house. It was obvious that someone was home, but no one came to the door even after he had knocked several times. Finally, he took out his card, wrote on the back "Revelation 3:20" and stuck it in the door. The next day, as he was counting the offering he found his card in the collection plate. Below his message was notation "Genesis 3:10."
    Revelation 3:20 reads: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me."
    Genesis 3:10 reads: "And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked."

    Three Wise Women?
    Do know what would have happened if it had been three wise WOMEN instead of three wise men?
    They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helped deliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole and brought practical gifts.

    Time in a Jar
    By Mike Schmit, President and CEO, Nike Inc.
    One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point used an illustration those students will never forget.
    As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?"
    He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was onto him. "Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied.
    He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!"
    Then he grabbed pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
    Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration? "One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!" "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all." What are the 'big rocks' in your life? Time with your loved ones? Your faith, your education, your dreams? A worthy cause? Teaching or mentoring others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight or in the morning when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life or business? Then, put those in your jar first.

    World Population
    If we could, at this time, shrink the Earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look like this:

    The village would be made up of: