Celebrate the wonder that is YOU!

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present “Seven Wonders of the World.” 

Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt’s Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter’s Basilica
7. China’s Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list. The girl replied, “Yes, a little. I couldn’t quite make up my mind because there were so many.”

The teacher said, “Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.” The girl hesitated, then read, “I think the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ are:

1. to see
2. to hear
3. to touch
4. to taste
5. to feel
6. to laugh
7. and to love.”

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop. The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder — that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

. Celebrate all that you are.

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“There’s lots of people in this world who spend so much time watching their health that they haven’t the time to enjoy it.”  ~Josh Billings

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The Lord Refines You

  “He will sit like a refiner of silver, burning away the dross. He will purify the Levites, refining them like gold and silver, so that they may once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the LORD.” Malachi 3:3(N.L.T)

 While studying this verse, a woman wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. She decided to research the silver refining process.  She made an appointment with a silversmith to watch him at work. As she watched the silver smith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot purifying our sins. She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire; for if the silver was left even a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silver smith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s the easy part–when I see my image reflected in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you. He will keep His hand on you and watch over you as He purifies you so that His image is reflected in you.

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“Fine metals and human words have in common that they are tested and their value demonstrated as the final result of the refining process. Just as metals are exposed for what they are at the end of the smelting process, so also are evil hearts made known by evil words.” – Jim West

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The Small Tree

"This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil," Hebrews 6:19

A small young tree was growing all alone in a vast open land.It faced many powerful winds. The tree said to the Lord, “If I go through one more powerful gust I will surely be uprooted and moved away.”  His maker whispered, “Stand strong, spread your roots and anchor them deep in the soil. You will understand one day.”

It faced many severe winters. The tree said to the Lord, “If I go through one more spell like this the snow and ice will surely break me and all my branches”. His maker said, “Go with the flow. Shed your leaves and become supple. You will understand one day”

It faced many severe droughts. The tree said to the Lord, “If I go through one more period like this I will surely die of thirst”. His maker said, “Dig your tap root deep down into the soil. You will understand one day”

One day it dawned on the tree that it had managed to withstand the storms and mature into a tough giant tree, no longer afraid of the elements.

Anchor yourself in Jesus, shed all unnecessary luggage, cede to his control, and tap deep into the living waters. Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass… It’s about learning how to dance in the rain”. Vivian Green“

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil,” Hebrews 6:19