How Poor Can You Really Be?

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, “How was the trip?”
“It was great, Dad.” “Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked.
“Oh yeah,” said the son. “So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?” asked the father.

The son answered: “I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.

We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.

We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.”

The boy’s father was speechless. Then his son added, “Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.”

Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don’t have. Appreciate every single thing you have.

How to Increase Your Faith

Some practical steps you can take to increase your level of faith today!

1. Read the Bible.

Romans 10:17 explains, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” That is, you must feed your faith a steady diet of God’s Word.

2. Exercise your Faith.

Any aspiring bodybuilder doesn't begin by lifting 500 pounds the first day. Instead, he exercises daily, gradually increasing his strength. Regularly exercising faith can bring about similar growth spiritually.

3. Embrace trials.

1Peter 1:3-9 reveals a shocking truth that adversity, addressed in God’s power, creates greater faith. Just as a fire purifies metals, hardship strips away all but the pure core of faith.

4. Examine the testimonies of others.

An individual’s testimony is his own account of God’s activity in his life. No one can ever deny, refute or downplay another’s testimony. When you hear of God’s mighty deeds in someone else’s life, your own faith in Him grows.

5. Pray.

You get to know someone by talking to that person. That’s exactly what prayer is; your personal communication with God. And don’t just talk; be sure to spend time listening. God wants to speak to you as well.

6. Practice obedience.

You will never grow in your faith if you consistently disobey what God tells you to do. Perfect faith is a byproduct of obedience. Try to put yourself in a position to see God’s best for your life and your faith will soar.

Remember faith does not increase by accident. Growth takes time, dedication and intentionality. So ask the Lord to help you exercise your faith today.

As I Faced My Maker At The Last Judgment

As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls.
Before each of us, our life was laid out like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that was our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all.

I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.

My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, fortune, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had had to start over many times. I had often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again.

I had spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I had endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who had unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was.

I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others, who were staring at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!

God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.

When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.

"A BLOG WITH A SUBSTANCE AWARD"

I am honoured to receive "A Blog With Substance Award" from 'Puzzled' atTHE DASH (a blog with poems, stories and everything Catholic!) I am grateful to 'puzzled' for being a follower and finding this blog interesting and worthy for the award. And now... it's time for me to live up to this award.. and spread the Good News. 'Puzzled' Thank you once again.

Lord, I Come To You

Take with you words, and return to the Lord (Hosea 14:3) ~ O LORD, my sacrifice is a broken spirit; a contrite heart you will not despise. (Psalm 51:19)

Father, what kind of offering can I make as I come to You? I'll bring You the secrets of my heart; the things I dare not admit to anyone else. I'll bring You the anger that has overflowed from me and stained the people I love. I'll bring You the lies that have steamed out of me and the lust that has boiled inside me. I'll bring You the bitterness, the judgments, and the grudges that cloud my vision and harden my heart.

Forgive me, LORD, for trying to be independent from You. It hasn't freed me at all. But, instead, it has made me dependent on other people and things: my own strength and wits, flatterers and slanderers, alcohol and food.

Forgive me, LORD for taking the gifts You have blessed me with and using them for my own glory. I'm sorry for all the hours, days and months that I have spent serving myself more than I serve You. I'm sorry for bowing to the things I have acquired while overlooking the needs of Your people around me.

LORD, You have called me and so I come. Forgive my guilt and release me from shame. I am sorry that I exchanged the garments of salvation and the robes of righteousness for the rags of self-righteousness and self-centeredness. Clothe me once again in your mercy! Forgive my disobedience! Heal my defection from You and restore me to the position of a beloved child in Your house.

Thank You, LORD, for overlooking my transgressions so that I may repent. I believe that You will have mercy on me, because You are a merciful God. Thank You, Father, for hearing me and accepting my offering. Thank You for consuming it in the blazing fire of Your love. Thank You that, in exchange for the dark secrets of my heart, You give me the brightness of Your love.

Soften my heart, LORD, so that I can receive what you want to plant in me today: gentleness, purity, faithfulness and love. Father, as I return to you, I take with me these words of repentance and surrender. I know You will hear and answer me!

AMEN