THE MUSTARD SEED AND SORROW

Once there was a woman whose only son had died. In her sorrow she went to ask a wise holy man is there a way to bring her son back to life. “Fetch me a mustard seed from a home that has never known sorrow. We will use it to bring your son back to life.” He said to her instead of sending her away or try reasoning with her.





At once she quickly set off looking for that elusive mustard seed. The first place she came to is a huge mansion. Knocking on the door, she asked “I am looking for a house that has never known suffering. Is this the place? It is very important to me.”



“You have come to the wrong place” they told her. They begin to pour out all the tragic things that have befallen upon them.





“Who is better to be able to help these poor unfortunate souls than I who has experience sadness and can understand them?” she thought. Therefore she stayed behind and consoled and comforted them before going to another house that has never known sorrow before.





However, wherever she goes, from huts to palaces, there is never one without tales of sadness and misfortunes. In time to come, she became so involved in listening to other people’s sad stories that she forgot about her quest for that elusive mustard seed. By listening to other people, she had actually driven the grieving out of her life.

Difficulties exist only that in overcoming them we may grow strong, and they only who have suffered are able to save.



Annie Besant





One of our strangest traits lie in the fact that it takes a tragedy, failure or some form of misfortune to make us realize the power of a positive mental attitude.

Unknown

A GOOD DEED REWARDED

The well-dressed couple looked weary and bedraggled as they entered the front door of that rather middle-class hotel in San Francisco. “Do you have a room available?” they asked the desk clerk. “I am sorry, but we are sold out,” was his apologetic response.

“Do you know of any lodgings that might be available?” they persisted. “We have been looking for hours and all the hotels seem to be full.” “That is because there are several conferences in town this week,” the clerk responded, “and I don’t know of any rooms available.”

Discouraged, they turned to leave. But before they could reach the door, the clerk called them back. Hesitantly, he spoke: “If you don’t mind, I have a possible answer for you. I have a small room here where I sleep. It isn’t much, but you could use it tonight for no charge, and I could sleep on the floor behind the counter when my shift is over.”

Gratefully, the couple accepted the clerk’s offer. In the morning, when they were leaving, the clerk had just risen from his nap on the floor. Seeing him, the couple came over to express their gratitude. “Let me tell you,” the gentleman said, “if we ever open a hotel, you can be sure we will call you to be the manager for us.”

A few years later the clerk received a letter from the couple, asking him to manage the new hotel they had just opened in New York City. The hotel which Mr. and Mrs. John Jakob Astor opened was the world-famous Waldorf-Astoria.

WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND

He almost didn’t see the old lady stranded on the side of the road. But even in the fading light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering as he approached her.

Even though he was smiling, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so - was he going to hurt her? He didn’t look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, “I’m here to help you, ma’am. Why don’t you wait in the car where it’s warm? By the way, my name is Bryan.” Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two.

Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began talking to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn’t thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. She asked him how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.

Bryan never thought twice about the money. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed. Bryan added, “And think of me.”

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road, the lady saw a small café. She went in to grab a bite to eat and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The place clearly got little business. The waitress came over to wipe the table and set out clean silverware. She had a sweet smile — even being on her feet all day couldn’t erase its warmth.

The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. It was obvious that she had to work to support her family. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan.

After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door.

She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be; then she noticed something written on the napkin, under which were five more $100 bills.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady had written: “You don’t owe me anything, I have been there, too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I’m helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you.”

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed the help right now?

With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered, “Everything’s gonna be all right. I love you, Bryan.”

REACHING THE HEART

Some years ago at a drawing-room function, one of England’s leading actors was asked to recite for the pleasure of his fellow guests. He consented and asked if there was anything special that his audience would like to hear.

After a moment’s pause an old clergyman present said ‘Could you sir, recite to us the Twenty-third Psalm?’

A strange look passed over the actor’s face; he paused for a moment, and then said, ‘I can, and I will, upon one condition; and that is that after I have recited it, you, my friend, will do the same.’

‘I?’ said the clergyman, in surprise. ‘But I am not an elocutionist. However, if you wish it, I will do so.

Impressively, the great actor began the Psalm. His voice and his intonation were perfect. He held his audience spellbound; and as he finished, a great burst of applause broke from the guests.

Then, as it died away, the old clergyman arose and began the psalm. His voice was not remarkable; his intonation was not faultless. When he had finished, no sound of applause broke the silence, but there was not a dry eye in the room, and many heads were bowed.

Then the actor rose to his feet again. His voice shook as he laid his hand upon the shoulder of the old clergyman and said: ‘I reached your eyes and ears, my friends; he reached your hearts. The difference is just this - I know the Twenty-third Psalm, but he knows the Shepherd.’

CHOSEN TO CLAP AND CHEER

Whenever I’m disappointed with my role in life, I stop and think about little Jamie Scott. Jamie was trying out for a part in a school play. His mother told me that he’d set his heart on being in it, though she feared he would not be chosen.

On the day the parts were awarded, I went with her to collect him after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.

“Guess what, Mom,” he shouted, and then said those words that will remain a lesson to me:

“I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!”

WRITTEN IN STONE

A story tells that two friends were walking through the desert. During some point of the journey they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face. The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand: Today my best friend slapped me in the face.

They kept on walking until they found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath. The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved

him. After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone: Today my best friend saved my life.

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, “After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand. Now, you write on a stone. Why?” The other friend replied, “When someone hurts us we should write it down in sand where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But when someone does something good for us, we must engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it.”

Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your blessings in stone.

There’s Only One Today!

I’ll never have this day again,
And when today is through
I may not have another chance
For things I ought to do.
The friendship I should offer,
The kindness someone needs,
The thoughtfulness I can express
In loving little deeds.
The helpful words that someone
Might wait to hear me say:

Lord, help me to remember
There’s only one Today!

MAN, BOY & DONKEY

An old man, a boy and a donkey were going to town; the boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked.

As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and the boy thought maybe the critics were

right, so they changed positions.

Later they passed some people that remarked, “What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.” They decided they both would walk.

Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride.

So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying how awful it was to put such a load on the poor donkey. The boy and man said they were probably right, so they decided

to carry the donkey.

As they crossed a bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story: If you try to please everyone, you may eventually lose everything!

SOMEONE ONCE SAID....

Someone once said.....

To have your worry-wrinkles removed, have your faith lifted.

Brood over your troubles and you may get a perfect hatch.

Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair: It will keep you occupied,

but it won't get you anywhere.

Ulcers are caused not so much by what you eat as what's eating you.

We crucify ourselves between two thieves: Regret for yesterday and

Fear for tomorrow.

Worry is the interest paid on trouble before it is due.

You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying

about the future.

Some people have their troubles three times: First in anticipation,

second in the reality, and thirdly living them over in morbid

retrospection.

He who worries about what people think of him would not worry

so much if he only knew how seldom they do.

INFLUENCE OF SMALL THINGS

Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash and it is gone,

But there’s half a hundred ripples, circling on and on and on- Spreading, spreading, from the center, flowing on out to

the sea;

And there’s no way of telling, where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water, in a minute you forget,

But the little waves are flowing, and the ripples circling yet.

All the ripples flowing, flowing to a mighty wave have grown;

And you’ve disturbed a mighty river, just by dropping in a

stone.

Drop a word, unkind or careless, in a minute it is gone,

But there’s half a hundred ripples, circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading, from the

center as they go,

And there’s no way to stop them, once you’ve started

them to flow.

Drop a word, unkind and careless, in a minute you forget,

But the little waves are flowing, and the ripples flowing yet.

And perhaps in some sad heart, a mighty wave of tears

you’ve stirred,

And disturbed a life that’s happy, when you’ve dropped

an unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness, just a flash and it is gone,

But there’s half a hundred ripples, circling on and on and on,

Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing,

dashing wave,

’Til you wouldn’t believe the blessing of the one kind word

you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness, in a minute you forget,
but the gladness still is swelling, and the joy is circling yet.
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort, whose sweet music
can be heard
Over the miles and miles of water, just by dropping
one kind word.

THE CHOSEN VESSEL

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;

On the shelf there were many —

Which one would he choose?

Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright,

I’m of great value and I do things just right.

My beauty and luster will outshine the rest

And for someone like you, Master, gold would be best!

The Master passed on with no word at all;

He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;

I’ll serve you, dear Master, I’ll pour out your wine

And I’ll be at your table whenever you dine,

My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,

And my silver will always compliment you.

Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass.

It was wide-mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.

Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,

Place me on your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,

My transparency shows my contents so dear,

Though fragile am I, I will serve you with pride,

And I’m sure I’ll be happy in your house to abide.

The Master came next to a vessel of wood,

Polished and carved, it solidly stood.

You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,

But I’d rather you used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.

Empty and broken it helplessly lay.

No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,

To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,

I will mend it and use it and make it all mine.

I need not the vessel with pride of itself;

Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;

Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;

Nor one who displays his contents so proud;

Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;

But this plain earthy vessel filled with my power and

might.

Then gently he lifted the vessel of clay.

    Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.

     Spoke to it kindly …

      There’s work you must do,

       Just pour out to others as I pour into you.

FAITH IS A GLASS FLOOR

Suddenly the steering doesn’t work. I try to negotiate the turn, but our car spins off the road, off the edge of a cliff — a cliff so high that there is ample time for sheer terror as we fall. I want to scream, but I can’t. I find myself standing, foolishly, on the brakes. The car noses down nearly vertically, and then begins a mid-air tumble. My family is shouting suggestions. I lurch awake in a cold sweat, the victim of another nightmare of falling.

As long as I can remember, I’ve had a mortal fear of heights. As a consequence, I often find myself in very high places (usually with my kids) as I deliberately challenge this fear: driving a bridge span, walking out on a windswept balcony, careening around in a roller coaster, flying in a small plane. The desensitization has, over the years, worked well enough to change my behavior, but not my feelings. Nothing seems to destroy that small hard kernel of fear.

I recently found myself at the top of the tallest human-made structure in the world, the CN Tower, which is the premier landmark of Toronto.

One section of that tower has a glass floor which allows you to view the world hundreds of meters below you from between your feet. It was fascinating to watch people’s reactions. Some stepped out calmly onto the floor with a look that reflected their puzzlement: Why was this such a big deal? Others stepped more gingerly, but rapidly gained confidence. Still others just watched for several minutes before they even tried to participate. Some, no matter how much they were coaxed, absolutely refused even to try.

I stood at the edge, frozen. I was incapable of taking a step over the void, a step where the bottom dropped out of the world. It didn’t matter what my mind dictated. I knew it was safe. I knew that it would hold me. I knew that it was as sound as the solid floor upon which I stood. I could see others enjoying the experience. It didn’t matter. The fear was so visceral, so physical, so commanding, I couldn’t move my feet.

Finally, I simply closed my eyes, took three steps forward onto the glass, and then and only then, I looked. There between my dusty shoes was as much straight downness as I’ve ever seen. I forced myself again and again to step and look and step and look until the fear was replaced with an excitement

and wonder.

We are taught from birth how to become responsible citizens, capable of meeting our own needs and ordering our lives. We learn how to take control, to plan, to execute our plans. Everything in our life’s training, our education, our socialization is directed toward making us self-sufficient, efficient, effective people. Most of us build strong floors upon which to stand, and we feel comfortable and confident that

they will, in most of life, sustain us.

Faith, on the other hand, is a glass floor. God calls us to become again “as children,” giving up our control and our plans and our effectiveness to do the Divine Will on earth. God calls us out into the places where we are suspended over the very pits of hell, the places where we gain a sickeningly realistic perspective of our vulnerability. God calls us to trust, to step out into what we most fear, to conquer evil in this world.

It’s been said that the most revealing microscope we each have into our own soul is that which provokes our fear or anger. If, with God’s assistance, we meet what we most want to avoid, we are marching forward in faith. If we trust all of our lives to the Architect, we will find that the mansions Jesus prepares for us are all glass — glass to let in the Light, glass to reveal our innermost selves, glass to step out onto in faith.

Pat Grauer

CHRISTIAN INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

These inspirational Christians quotes are meant to strengthen and uplift you, that they will give you courage and give you hope. As we walk each day, the narrow-mindedness and busyness of the world often side-tracked us. In such a time, we need a good shot of inspiration, to fuel our walk, and push us toward our God-given purpose each day as we strive to live for His glory.

May these inspiring quotes empower, strengthen, uplift and motivate you in your daily walk with Jesus Christ!

We cannot ask in behalf of Christ what Christ would not ask Himself if He were praying || A. B. Simpson

Groanings which cannot be uttered are often prayers which cannot be refused || Charles Spurgeon

Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible || Corrie Ten Boom

I do not want merely to possess a faith, I want a faith that possesses me || Charles Kingsley

As the sun can be seen only by its own light, so Christ can be known only by His own Spirit || Robert Leighton

Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe || Saint Augustine

Christ is our temple, in whom by faith all believers meet || Matthew Henry

You never know how much you really believe anything until its truth or falsehood becomes a matter of life and death to you || C.S. Lewis

The wonder of a single snowflake outweighs the wisdom of a million meteorologists || Sir Francis Bacon

The Christian religion, though scattered and abroad will in the end gather itself together at the foot of the cross || Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

The Christian religion, though scattered and abroad, will in the end gather itself together at the foot of the cross || Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

God destines us for an end beyond the grasp of reason || Thomas Aquinas

Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. Gods voice in response to mine is its most essential part || Andrew Murray

In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe and enough shadows to blind those who don't || Blaise Pascal

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe || Voltaire

I cannot imagine how the clockwork of the universe can exist without a clockmaker || Voltaire

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light || Helen Keller

Let us then ascribe the whole work of grace to the pleasure of God's will. God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us He makes us worthy || Thomas Watson

There never was found in any age of the world, either philosopher or sect, or law or discipline which did so highly exalt the public good as the Christian faith || Francis Bacon

Help me to work and pray, help me to live each day, that all I do may say, thy Kingdom come || A. B. Simpson

Though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not || C. S. Lewis

I live so in the close of my final hour, I might be invited toward the Light || Anonymous

How far that little candle throws his beams. So shines a good deed in a weary world || William Shakespeare

I'm not afraid of storms for I'm learning how to sail my ship || Louisa May Alcott

Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature || Saint Augustine

God brings men into deep waters not to drown them, but to cleanse them || John H. Aughey

What we can do for another is the test of powers; what we can suffer is the test of love || Brooke Foss Westcott

Press forward. Do not stop, do not linger in your journey, but strive for the mark set before you || George Whitefield

Religion is nothing else but love to God and man || William Penn

And He departed from our sight that we might return to our heart, and there find Him. For He departed, and behold, He is here || St Augustine

I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them || George Washington

I believe that in the end the truth will conquer || John Wycliffe

It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark || Unknown

INSPIRATIONAL FORGIVENESS QUOTES

The daily bread of grace, without which nothing can be achieved, is given to the extent to which we ourselves give and forgive || Aldous Huxley

Good to forgive-

Best to forget.

|| Robert Browning

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us || Book of Common Prayer: The Lord's Prayer

We forgive to the extent that we love || Francois de La Rochefoucauld

He that cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass if he would reach heaven: for everyone has need to be forgiven || Thomas Fuller

Life to me appears too short to be nursing animosity or registering wrongs || Charlotte Bronte

They who forgive most shall be most forgiven || Josiah Bailey

Life is an adventure in forgiveness || Norman Cousins

We are all full of weakness and errors; let us mutually pardon each other our follies || Voltaire

Forgiveness is man's deepest need and highest achievement || Horace Bushnell

If thou wouldst find much favor and peace with God and man, be very low in thine eyes; forgive thyself little and others much || Robert Leighton