My facebook status today was sent to me by a friend who sends me verses every morning. There they are, waiting for me when I get to work, and I steal them to share on Facebook. Today's verse was - Serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1Peter 4:10. I had to chuckle, because taped to my computer is another saying "Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift to God". If you come into my office, you will find sayings random places all over. On my desk, on my book shelf, on my walls. Even if you come into my home, you will find sayings all over! Some are funny and some are ones I have had for a very long time, but all of them have a special meaning or memory. But the "talent" saying is taped on my computer monitor so I see it every day. I probably spend 95% of my day looking at my computer tracking applications, e-mailing (and e-mailing and e-mailing) so I think it is an appropriate place for this particular saying. I need reminders. I learned at a very early age that when the day of judgement comes, I will have to answer for my life. I WILL be ashamed of things, as we all will, so as I learn more in my Christian life I learn there is a lot of responsibility with being a Christian. My Pastor said one time, "When we get to Heaven, we want to be greeted by our Savior saying 'Welcome Home, good and faithful servant'". WOW! So what am I doing with the gifts God has given me? Am I doing enough? Am I using these gifts in the way God wants me to? Am I being a good example to those around me? Coach Stoops has been given a talent. What is he doing with that talent? I can tell you! He is using his talent to be a coach. As a coach he is able touch the lives of thousands of people all across the state. As this celebrity, he is able to help raise money for children's cancer research. But most of all, he uses his talent to visit children and families and TO PRAY FOR THEM. I have NEVER been afraid to speak in front of people. Speaking to a crowd of 5 or 500 makes me no difference. So during my life I have had jobs where I speak in front of large groups of people. I have had the chance to speak to groups of people about Cash's life and give my testimony. If through telling Cash's story and how the power of prayer works, and how blessed I am, can help one person know Christ, then I hope God is pleased with how I am using the talent He blessed me with.
So my challenge to you - Use your talent! It is a gift to you, from God. What are you going to do with your talent?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
For my friends - The mom's who have fought, who are fighting and who I admire.
The Chosen Mothers
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit.
Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard.”
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, “Give her a child with cancer.” The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”
“Exactly” smiles God, “Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.” "But, does she have patience?” asks the angel.
“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it.”
“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has its own world. She has to make it live in her world and that’s not going to be easy.”
“But, Lord, I don’t think she believes in you.” "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.” The angel gasps – “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”
God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see…ignorance, cruelty, prejudice…and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side.”
“And what about her patron Saint?” asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, “A mirror will suffice.”
.
Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures, and a couple by habit.
Did you ever wonder how mothers of children with life threatening illnesses are chosen?
Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth selecting His instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As He observes, He instructs His angels to make notes in a giant ledger.
“Armstrong, Beth, son, patron saint Matthew. Forrest, Marjorie, daughter, patron saint Cecilia. Rutledge, Carrie, twins, patron saint Gerard.”
Finally, He passes a name to an angel and says, “Give her a child with cancer.” The angel is curious. “Why this one, God? She’s so happy.”
“Exactly” smiles God, “Could I give a child with cancer a mother who does not know laughter? That would be cruel.” "But, does she have patience?” asks the angel.
“I don’t want her to have too much patience or she will drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wears off, she will handle it.”
“I watched her today. She has that feeling of self and independence that is so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has its own world. She has to make it live in her world and that’s not going to be easy.”
“But, Lord, I don’t think she believes in you.” "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness.” The angel gasps – “Selfishness? Is that a virtue?”
God nods. “If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied. She will never take anything her child does for granted. She will never consider a single step ordinary. I will permit her to see clearly the things I see…ignorance, cruelty, prejudice…and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing My work as surely as if she is here by My side.”
“And what about her patron Saint?” asks the angel, his pen poised in mid-air. God smiles, “A mirror will suffice.”
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