Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Sweet and Successful Error
This is a daily devotion that I received that just seems appropiate for me today, I thought that I would share it with you as well. Since we only see things our way, we do not always see the big picture, Gods desired results. Sometimes our mistakes are not mistakes at all but rather needed steps to success. So the next time you make a mistake, rather than get mad at yourself, look to God and ask him what the next step is.
A Sweet and Successful Error
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder
"Taste and see that the LORD is good;"—Psalm 34:8
I have a new hero. Okay, maybe "hero" is a little overstated, but Ruth Graves Wakefield is credited with inventing my favorite comfort food of all time, the chocolate chip cookie. The story goes that she and her husband purchased a toll house that had been built in 1709 for the purpose of housing weary travelers. In the 1930’s, they built on to the house and began serving travelers at the Toll House Inn, where Ruth’s incredible desserts were well-known. One day, while making Butter Drop Dough cookies she realized she was out of one critical ingredient, baker’s chocolate. Whether she made the next decision out of necessity or ingenuity we may never know, but she made the now-famous decision to chop up a bar of semisweet chocolate and drop it into the batter thinking the chocolate would melt into the rest of the cookie. Lucky for us the chocolate didn’t melt. Instead, it held its shape but with a wonderful creamy texture. Voila! The chocolate chip cookie was created.
The truth is, many of the world’s best inventions started out as a mistake. What turned these mistakes into successes? Much can be attributed to the attitude, perseverance, and creativity of the person behind it all. Playwright and Nobel Prize Winner, George Bernard Shaw, says of making mistakes, "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." And Dale Carnegie said, "The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way," which is exactly what Ruth Graves Wakefield did. She later began a professional partnership with Andrew Nestle, the candy maker who agreed to place her recipe for Toll House Cookies on the back of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Following Christ is often a series of sweet and successful errors. Some of these errors will seem more bitter than sweet, but if we can understand that we are on a journey with Jesus, following closely to Him and reaching for the dream He has placed in our hearts, then we are right where we belong. Yes, we might make a mistake or two along the way, but I believe the old adage is true, "It’s better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all."
GOING DEEPER:
1. I am suggesting that far too many of us never step out beyond what is "safe" in order to taste what is "sweet." Psalm 34: 8 says, "Taste and see that the LORD is good;" Maybe today it’s time to take a risk and try something new; begin to seek the dream God has placed in your heart.
FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:21
Leslie Snyder is a youth and family ministry veteran currently serving in the Kansas City area with her husband and three kids.
A Sweet and Successful Error
This devotional was written by Leslie Snyder
"Taste and see that the LORD is good;"—Psalm 34:8
I have a new hero. Okay, maybe "hero" is a little overstated, but Ruth Graves Wakefield is credited with inventing my favorite comfort food of all time, the chocolate chip cookie. The story goes that she and her husband purchased a toll house that had been built in 1709 for the purpose of housing weary travelers. In the 1930’s, they built on to the house and began serving travelers at the Toll House Inn, where Ruth’s incredible desserts were well-known. One day, while making Butter Drop Dough cookies she realized she was out of one critical ingredient, baker’s chocolate. Whether she made the next decision out of necessity or ingenuity we may never know, but she made the now-famous decision to chop up a bar of semisweet chocolate and drop it into the batter thinking the chocolate would melt into the rest of the cookie. Lucky for us the chocolate didn’t melt. Instead, it held its shape but with a wonderful creamy texture. Voila! The chocolate chip cookie was created.
The truth is, many of the world’s best inventions started out as a mistake. What turned these mistakes into successes? Much can be attributed to the attitude, perseverance, and creativity of the person behind it all. Playwright and Nobel Prize Winner, George Bernard Shaw, says of making mistakes, "A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing." And Dale Carnegie said, "The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way," which is exactly what Ruth Graves Wakefield did. She later began a professional partnership with Andrew Nestle, the candy maker who agreed to place her recipe for Toll House Cookies on the back of Nestle semi-sweet chocolate. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Following Christ is often a series of sweet and successful errors. Some of these errors will seem more bitter than sweet, but if we can understand that we are on a journey with Jesus, following closely to Him and reaching for the dream He has placed in our hearts, then we are right where we belong. Yes, we might make a mistake or two along the way, but I believe the old adage is true, "It’s better to have tried and failed than to never have tried at all."
GOING DEEPER:
1. I am suggesting that far too many of us never step out beyond what is "safe" in order to taste what is "sweet." Psalm 34: 8 says, "Taste and see that the LORD is good;" Maybe today it’s time to take a risk and try something new; begin to seek the dream God has placed in your heart.
FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 3:5-6, Isaiah 30:21
Leslie Snyder is a youth and family ministry veteran currently serving in the Kansas City area with her husband and three kids.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Monday Madness
Good morning my friends, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I know if you live here in CA, you were probably a little hot but it was beautiful outside. Did you each get everything done that you needed to? As for me, the answer is no, I did not get everything done that I had on my list, but I did get some things done that I wanted to.
The weekend started really nice, I got up early and went to the mens breakfast, I have to admit it feels so awesome to see so many men step up and be the spiritual leader of their family, the godly man that he is created to be. When I look around and see this many men, I know that everything can be accomplished for God when we surrender our manly attitudes, our egos and our schedule and serve God...It is so encouraging!!!
Later I drove the motorcycle to get worked on, I think that it is just a simple clean the carbs, an oil change and should be good to go. Although the bike is not ready to really be rode, it did feel great riding it, I will miss it. ( I sold it already, just wanted to sale it working). While at my parents, we bought their treadmill, I am excited about this, because momma and I have not been very good about our walks, so we are hoping that we can shed a few pounds on the treadmill.
On Sunday, we had a wonderful message at church titled, "Attitude and Altitude', Pastor Ken does such a great job of putting the word in everyday situations that each person can relate to. I know that I have said it before but I really love this church, I love the leadership, the kids program and the direction that it is going, it is amazing to see a body that is submissive to God. Leaving the service, we were challenged to have a better attitude for an entire week, just look at the positive in every situation, rebuke the negative and to turn to God, when our attitude is not where it needs to be. If our attitude is correct, then our altitude will be higher and then instead of crashing into the mountains we can soar over over them.
Sunday night, I had a baseball game, it was a good game, defensively I had a great game, I caught the whole game, and made some great plays. Offensively I was so-so, I think I was 1 for 4 or 1 for 5, I lost count, but I was mad at myself because I struck out with the bases-loaded, ( I just could not be patient with the curve ball, i was too eager and chased 2 bad ones). I tried to have a positive attitude, but the competitive side came out in me.....well as I sit here I am a bit tired and sore....but I have to admit...I miss playing..
See you tomorrow.
The weekend started really nice, I got up early and went to the mens breakfast, I have to admit it feels so awesome to see so many men step up and be the spiritual leader of their family, the godly man that he is created to be. When I look around and see this many men, I know that everything can be accomplished for God when we surrender our manly attitudes, our egos and our schedule and serve God...It is so encouraging!!!
Later I drove the motorcycle to get worked on, I think that it is just a simple clean the carbs, an oil change and should be good to go. Although the bike is not ready to really be rode, it did feel great riding it, I will miss it. ( I sold it already, just wanted to sale it working). While at my parents, we bought their treadmill, I am excited about this, because momma and I have not been very good about our walks, so we are hoping that we can shed a few pounds on the treadmill.
On Sunday, we had a wonderful message at church titled, "Attitude and Altitude', Pastor Ken does such a great job of putting the word in everyday situations that each person can relate to. I know that I have said it before but I really love this church, I love the leadership, the kids program and the direction that it is going, it is amazing to see a body that is submissive to God. Leaving the service, we were challenged to have a better attitude for an entire week, just look at the positive in every situation, rebuke the negative and to turn to God, when our attitude is not where it needs to be. If our attitude is correct, then our altitude will be higher and then instead of crashing into the mountains we can soar over over them.
Sunday night, I had a baseball game, it was a good game, defensively I had a great game, I caught the whole game, and made some great plays. Offensively I was so-so, I think I was 1 for 4 or 1 for 5, I lost count, but I was mad at myself because I struck out with the bases-loaded, ( I just could not be patient with the curve ball, i was too eager and chased 2 bad ones). I tried to have a positive attitude, but the competitive side came out in me.....well as I sit here I am a bit tired and sore....but I have to admit...I miss playing..
See you tomorrow.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Word-less Wednesday
In today's world of technology, I cannot understand how anyone can ever get lost. It seems that almost every car has a GPS, 'Tom-Tom' is our new best friend. With this new technology, we can get to any location in any city with street by street directions. It has become so advanced, that now we can type in 'Starbucks' and it will give us the closest 20 to our exact location, while this technology is great, it does take away from the fun that we used to have in just stopping somewhere and eating, just because it was there. Or what happened to just going for a drive (besides $5 gas prices) and stopping where we stopped. So I guess we can all agree, we should never be lost again.....although I am not sure everyone is using the right GPS....
People may not be lost when it comes to finding that restaurant, but in today's busy unethical world, more people are lost than any other time in history. People are always looking for something, trying to get somewhere without knowing where they are going. More people are going their own directions rather than using the directions that God has provided for us.
Where is it that you are trying to go? If you are lost or need directions, use the only real GPS,
Gods Personal Script....aka the Bible
See you on the road....Mick
Monday, July 7, 2008
Monday Madness
Wow...I am so thankful for this long 3 day weekend, although when I look back on it, all I did was rest, spent time with family, friends and the TV......in that order. But that is what I needed, after weird sleep patterns last week, I needed to rest up, and I needed to spend QT with momma and the kids. And for those of you that missed it, there was a great UFC fight on Saturday night....
Over the weekend, I ended up having a movie marathon, or at least I watched a few movies. On Friday night as I was flipping channels, (all 500 on Verizon Fios), I came across, 'The Pursuit of Happiness' with Will Smith. Although I have seen the movie a few times, it is a pretty good movie, so I spent the next hour and half watching it. As with most movies the more you see it, the different things you pick up on. This time, my thoughts after it, was why is the title what it is? Other than the part where the daycare is misspelling happiness, or when his wife says she is not happy and is going to look for happiness....I did not see happiness, I saw many other qualities, but not happiness.
This leads me to my question.....what do you define as happiness. Is it money, is it health, is it family, is it silence, what is it for you?
If I told you that here is a million dollar check, (you know it isn't from me, otherwise don't cash it!!!!!!) would you be happy. Me...yeah for a few minutes, ok hours. I would say that I am less stressed, but not happy.
If I went to the doctor and he told me that I was 100% healthy and would live for 50 more years, would I be happy. No I think that I would be excited about the things I could still do in my life, the things that I could see the kids and grand kids do, but not happy.
If I knew that my family was all ok and were successful would I be happy. No I think that I would be proud and would be hopeful in their future, but not happy.
I can think of many times that I am just happy, but each of these times, it is only for a brief time period. Sometimes this is for seconds, sometimes it is for hours, but I cannot think of one thing that gives me long term happiness.
Now as I re-read what I wrote....I am thinking to myself...maybe I need to see a doctor...but that is not needed either. The reason that I am not happy for just one thing is that if I settle on getting that one thing, wither it is a possession, a position, a state of being or any other thing. Then I no longer have anything to strive for. And that is sad...not happy.
I remember a story of a man that had an ultimate goal of owning a Lamborghini, he wanted to pay cash for it and be able to drive it off the lot. Now at the time of his goal, he was in no way financially capable of making this type of purchase. However after a time, he was able to make this purchase, as he got in the car and drove it off the lot, he felt like this was the happiest day of his life. After a few miles he pulled up to a stop sign or a red light, and the realization hit him, he had just achieved his highest goal, his dream was fulfilled.....now hearing this we think that this is a climatic point of happiness, but it is actually the complete opposite, he no longer had something to work for, something to look forward to, something to dream about.
I know that I have heard it many time, the though is always better than the real thing. I think that we have all experienced this, we have dreamed about something, got it and then realized that the real thing was of no comparison.
Let me tell you of one thing that is better than we can ever dream of, that is a relationship with Jesus. I am not going to tell you that you will feel happy, I can tell you that you will feel new, you will fill encouraged, you will feel less stressed, you will feel excited, you will feel proud but most of all you will feel filled, filled with the holy spirit, now this is not a I ate too much feeling, this is a feeling of holding your baby for the 1st time feeling, this is the feeling that you just won the lottery and you did not even play feeling, this is a feeling of your kid just graduated from HS and got a full ride to college feeling. This is a feeling of pulling up to the gas station and gas is only 5 cents feeling....THIS IS AN INDESCRIBABLE FEELING!!!!!
How do you get to have this feeling.....very simple....just ask Jesus into your life. How you may ask, just say these few words:
Jesus, I need you, I have tried to live my life my way and I am not happy. I have an empty feeling that only you can fill. Jesus, my life does not mean anything without you in it, as I go thru each day without, I feel empty. Jesus, please forgive me for my sins, today I want to be your child, today I want to serve you, today I want to start my life for you. Jesus, I love you.
If you said this with an open heart, please let me know, i want to pray for you and with you. You have just taken the 1st step to true happiness, a happiness that can never be taken away from you.
Love ya
Mick
Over the weekend, I ended up having a movie marathon, or at least I watched a few movies. On Friday night as I was flipping channels, (all 500 on Verizon Fios), I came across, 'The Pursuit of Happiness' with Will Smith. Although I have seen the movie a few times, it is a pretty good movie, so I spent the next hour and half watching it. As with most movies the more you see it, the different things you pick up on. This time, my thoughts after it, was why is the title what it is? Other than the part where the daycare is misspelling happiness, or when his wife says she is not happy and is going to look for happiness....I did not see happiness, I saw many other qualities, but not happiness.
This leads me to my question.....what do you define as happiness. Is it money, is it health, is it family, is it silence, what is it for you?
If I told you that here is a million dollar check, (you know it isn't from me, otherwise don't cash it!!!!!!) would you be happy. Me...yeah for a few minutes, ok hours. I would say that I am less stressed, but not happy.
If I went to the doctor and he told me that I was 100% healthy and would live for 50 more years, would I be happy. No I think that I would be excited about the things I could still do in my life, the things that I could see the kids and grand kids do, but not happy.
If I knew that my family was all ok and were successful would I be happy. No I think that I would be proud and would be hopeful in their future, but not happy.
I can think of many times that I am just happy, but each of these times, it is only for a brief time period. Sometimes this is for seconds, sometimes it is for hours, but I cannot think of one thing that gives me long term happiness.
Now as I re-read what I wrote....I am thinking to myself...maybe I need to see a doctor...but that is not needed either. The reason that I am not happy for just one thing is that if I settle on getting that one thing, wither it is a possession, a position, a state of being or any other thing. Then I no longer have anything to strive for. And that is sad...not happy.
I remember a story of a man that had an ultimate goal of owning a Lamborghini, he wanted to pay cash for it and be able to drive it off the lot. Now at the time of his goal, he was in no way financially capable of making this type of purchase. However after a time, he was able to make this purchase, as he got in the car and drove it off the lot, he felt like this was the happiest day of his life. After a few miles he pulled up to a stop sign or a red light, and the realization hit him, he had just achieved his highest goal, his dream was fulfilled.....now hearing this we think that this is a climatic point of happiness, but it is actually the complete opposite, he no longer had something to work for, something to look forward to, something to dream about.
I know that I have heard it many time, the though is always better than the real thing. I think that we have all experienced this, we have dreamed about something, got it and then realized that the real thing was of no comparison.
Let me tell you of one thing that is better than we can ever dream of, that is a relationship with Jesus. I am not going to tell you that you will feel happy, I can tell you that you will feel new, you will fill encouraged, you will feel less stressed, you will feel excited, you will feel proud but most of all you will feel filled, filled with the holy spirit, now this is not a I ate too much feeling, this is a feeling of holding your baby for the 1st time feeling, this is the feeling that you just won the lottery and you did not even play feeling, this is a feeling of your kid just graduated from HS and got a full ride to college feeling. This is a feeling of pulling up to the gas station and gas is only 5 cents feeling....THIS IS AN INDESCRIBABLE FEELING!!!!!
How do you get to have this feeling.....very simple....just ask Jesus into your life. How you may ask, just say these few words:
Jesus, I need you, I have tried to live my life my way and I am not happy. I have an empty feeling that only you can fill. Jesus, my life does not mean anything without you in it, as I go thru each day without, I feel empty. Jesus, please forgive me for my sins, today I want to be your child, today I want to serve you, today I want to start my life for you. Jesus, I love you.
If you said this with an open heart, please let me know, i want to pray for you and with you. You have just taken the 1st step to true happiness, a happiness that can never be taken away from you.
Love ya
Mick
Friday, July 4, 2008
Free for all Friday
What I have learned
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how badit seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/shehandles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a'life..'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt onboth hands. You need to be able to throw something back
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you but, if youfocus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, Iusually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just afriendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how badit seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/shehandles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life
I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a'life..'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt onboth hands. You need to be able to throw something back
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you but, if youfocus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you
I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, Iusually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just afriendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Thankful Thursday
TGIT....thank God its Thursday....I will admit I am not young anymore...or should i say I need my sleep...this whole week momma and I have been coming in @ 4am...to be honest this is not so bad, the problem is I am to stuburn to go to bed early, so it is 10 or 11 and I am going to bed, so when 230 comes around....I am just falling asleep.....so I need Friday off....the ironic part is I will probably wake up @ 7am on my own!!!!!
I just want to remind all of you...that God is Great. I have been struglling with a personal issue, that gets me frustrated each time I think about it. I know that I can go to the Lord and he will give me peace, but again I am struggling becuase I beat myself up over it, but I know better and I stil do it. Well to make a long story longer...(I always wanted to say that) today I got a devotion on the each matter that I am struggling with, I told you God is good. I know that probably 1000s got the same email that I did, and the greatest thing is that it will affect each of them as well. It may not be as direct as it was for me, but God knows our hearts, he knows our weaknessess and he knows how to teach us, how to encourage us and most importantly how to love us.
As the long 3-day weekend approaches, I just want to wish you all a safe and happy 4th of July. As you are celebrating yours/our freedom, take a second and take advantage that we have in worshiping our God openly, and give him a thanks for all the freedoms that we each take for granted. On that same note, say a prayer for the 1000s of soilders that are fighting for our freedom....even if you do not belive in the war....support our men/woman....
Mick
I just want to remind all of you...that God is Great. I have been struglling with a personal issue, that gets me frustrated each time I think about it. I know that I can go to the Lord and he will give me peace, but again I am struggling becuase I beat myself up over it, but I know better and I stil do it. Well to make a long story longer...(I always wanted to say that) today I got a devotion on the each matter that I am struggling with, I told you God is good. I know that probably 1000s got the same email that I did, and the greatest thing is that it will affect each of them as well. It may not be as direct as it was for me, but God knows our hearts, he knows our weaknessess and he knows how to teach us, how to encourage us and most importantly how to love us.
As the long 3-day weekend approaches, I just want to wish you all a safe and happy 4th of July. As you are celebrating yours/our freedom, take a second and take advantage that we have in worshiping our God openly, and give him a thanks for all the freedoms that we each take for granted. On that same note, say a prayer for the 1000s of soilders that are fighting for our freedom....even if you do not belive in the war....support our men/woman....
Mick
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Word-less Wednesday
This photo is almost a year old now, it is my babies overlooking the Grand Canyon. I know this may sound really weird but I think I can cry just looking at this picture. I may cry because I am tired. Or I may cry because as we all know as each day passes they keep growing up and at some point I won't have them all just sitting there together.
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There is a love that a parent can never express, you can tell the world how much you love your kids, most people would respond with, 'you should love your kids, I love my kids' but we each know that your love for your kids is greater than anything you will ever feel, greater than any words you can ever say, greater than anything you can ever do.
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Funny thing is:
We try to give our kids the world, all they want is our time.
We try to let our kids touch the world, all they want is a hug.
We try to let our kids hear the world, all they want to hear is 'I love you'.
We try to let our kids feel the world, all they want to feel is Love
We try to let our kids have the world, all they want is you!
(A Mickey original)
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My 1st thought that came to my mind when I saw this photo is they are looking at their future, it is never ending. There are hills, mountains, plains and valleys. But when you look from above the mountains don't seem that high, the plains don't seem that flat and the valleys are not that low.
This is our life in no other words, we see some many mountains, God sees 'ant hills' we don't think we can come out of the valley, God sees a small dent in the ground, if we see the world from Gods view, we can do anything thru him.
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The next thought I feel when I see this is; as long as we are together we can accomplish anything, you may get to one of us, but the others will carry me to safety.
Each day we are challenged, some days more than others, but as long as we trust in God, keep our eyes focused on him, we can accomplish anything.
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My last thought on this picture is that all the problems of the world are behind us, as long as our eyes are focused on Jesus and not the water (peter trying to walk on water, he took his eyes off of Jesus and sinks) we can do it. yet even when we take out eyes off of Jesus, he reaches out and takes our hand.
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I am so excited to see what each of my babies will do with the beautiful canvas of life that Jesus has given them...Although I know it will be a masterpiece..
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Love ya
Mick
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Thankful Tuesday
These past few days have been a struggle for me, not anything major, just trying to stay focused. It seems that I have allowed myself to have free time, and I have not used any of it to spend with my Lord. I have used it to spend time with the TV, Internet and other waste of time. The part that bothers me is that I realize what I am doing, yet I don't stop....that is my struggle right now. I was looking for a folder on my PC and I ran across this doc. and it just hit me, it encouraged me and reminded me that the master is working in my life, he wants me to keep playing!!!!! I just need to get off the couch and go to the piano...
DON’T QUIT
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing . Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. "
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.
Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
" Perhaps that's the way it is with God.
What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.
The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.
May God bless you and be with you always!
DON’T QUIT
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing . Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. "
At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato.
Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
" Perhaps that's the way it is with God.
What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.
The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing."
May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.
May God bless you and be with you always!
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