Poem I love and wanted to share. Thanks Louis Gander who wrote it!!! Enjoy!
In His Sandals
I cannot serve two masters. I serve, but only one,
for if I love some sinfulness, I hate God's only Son.
Could I walk in His sandals? Do I really understand?
Of what would it encompass? Of what would it demand?
Could I put up with some abuse, and could I humbly be,
a whipping board of insults, for all to scoff at me?
Could I withstand a whipping? Tell me, would I know,
the pain down in my open wounds, torn flesh from every blow?
Could I, but bear the privilege - to be a king renowned,
my face stained in bloody streaks from such a thorny crown?
Would I know the cost of love, and God's most precious grace,
or would I simply think of me, and hate the human race?
Could I endure the anguish, as ropes bind hands and feet,
knotted up so tightly that - I'd give in to defeat?
There on my back, could I stare at - a spike set on my skin,
then watch them take a heavy stone, and slam it deep within?
Oh, I'd know what's coming next - I'd clench my other fist.
Could I endure another nail - or would I just resist?
When tortured even further, could pain be so complete,
when to the cross I'm nailed with - another through my feet?
Slowly ropes raise cross and I. The base slides in the hole.
Then in ghastly, horrid pain, would that jerk shake my soul?
And there I'd hang, alone up high - for all to mock and hate.
Could I endure the anguish then? Can I, to that relate?
Could I survive for hours, in pain and endless shame?
Would I ask Gods forgiveness - for those that I could blame?
Could I die for ALL the world - their sinful sacrifice -
and know that few would love me? Would that, for me, suffice?
Would my final miracle call for a heavenly host?
Or would I yield to Father's will and then give up the ghost?
Hate and anger would not end - the sword would pierce my side....
Oh, would I slip away and hide? Which way would I decide?
His sandals are too large to fill. His time, so long ago,
and Heaven - much too far away, while I'm down here below.
But could I wear His sandals - if I was called upon,
and are my trials greater that - I'd gladly put His on?
He demands my little faith. He holds no speck of wrath,
when He's a lamp unto my feet - a light unto my path.
Yes, I wear His sandals - for I've been called upon,
and faithful every morning I - slip them boldly on.
This poem may explain it - but who truly understands?
For every sin that we commit puts nails through Jesus' hands....
We cannot serve two masters. We serve, but only one.
We have to hate all sinfulness, to love God's only Son.
~Louis Gander
Sincerely,
This story is dear to me. It was emailed to me and I found it very helpful especially since the big rocks in my life has not fit in my jar. Worrying about the small stuff is unnecessary, and not called for. So, I will do better in my thinking to keep it from stinking. Enjoy and be blessed from the story!!!
The Big Rocks
One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of
business students. To drive home a point, he used an illustration those
students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high
powered overachievers he said, "Okay, it is time for a quiz." Then he
pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on the 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." The management
expert asked, "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 space between
the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?"
By this time the class was on to 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 the jar and it
went into all of 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 a pitcher of
water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim.
At this point he looked 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 in 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? GOD.
Your children; Your loved ones; Your education; Your dreams; A worthy
cause; Teaching or mentoring others; Doing things that you love; Time
or yourself; Your health; Your significant other. Remember to put these
BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. If you sweat
the little stuff (the gravel, the sand) then you'll fill your life with
little things you worry about that don't really matter, and you'll never
have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important
stuff (the big rocks).
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?
Start with God... and put that rock in the jar first.
Sincerely,
Are We Too Busy?
I would like think that I always time for God but that would be a lie. I am always doing something and I don't always stop and give God my time, the time he deserves. Even when I am in this church all week I walk into sanctuary and pray all the way to the other end. I don't stop and reflect on His goodness like I use to. Nothing is more important than paying dues where they are owed. I owe God! It's just that simple. So......I vow to begin my devoted behavior in prayer right now. So until we meet again, here is poem written by Leona Miller. Enjoy! P.S. Go pray and give your time to God! I'm Just Saying!
Are We Too Busy?
Another beautiful sunrise is shining,
And casts sparkles among the trees,
The sun rises higher each moment,
Have we taken time, upon our knees?
Do we hurry through, with God, in Prayer....
So we can rush about, this day?
Do we take time....for others, to care?
Or, are we "too busy"....to even Pray?
The way of Life goes so much better,
If we spend time with our Father,
Remember Jesus...and ask for Guidance,
And always Praying, daily, for one another.
How quickly the day comes to an end,
And the sun sinks...in the Western sky,
God Loves us...and walks with us,
And He will be with us...when we die.
~Leona I. Miller
Sincerely,
Life has a way of kicking us down. It's up to us to allow it or we can do refuse to give up. I was looking over my email when I say this poem "I refuse." It was right on time for me. Today has been such a trying morning, after all my weekend was filled with aches and pain. I want to share this and I pray that your spirit is touched and filled with the promises of God. I did not write it and I am not sure who did. Feel free to leave me a message, I check daily. :-)
I Refuse!
I refuse to be discouraged, To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted, and here's the reason why:
I have a God who's mighty, Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me, and I am on His team.
He is all-wise and powerful. Jesus is His name;
Though everything is changeable, My God remains the same.
My God knows all that's happening; Beginning to the end;
His presence is my comfort; He is my dearest Friend.
When sickness comes to weaken me, To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God; Into His arms I go.
When circumstances threaten to rob me of my peace;
He draws me close unto His breast, Where all my strivings cease.
When my heart melts within me, and weakness takes control;
He gathers me into His arms, He soothes my heart and soul.
The great "I AM" is with me. My life is in His hand.
The "Son of the Lord" is my hope. It's in His strength I stand.
I refuse to be defeated. My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me, As through this life I trod.
I'm looking past all my circumstances, To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God I'm resting in His love.
I give God thanks in everything. My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the victory mine; He'll help me win the race.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!!!!
Sincerely,
