Inspirational Thread

[bukojuz]

Inspirational stories, encouragements, thoughts and devotions. Post it here ;D

[bukojuz]

simulan ko na po:


CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND STAY ALIVE

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish. If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh. To solve this problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish. And they did not like the taste of frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So, fishing companies installed fish tanks.
They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste. The fishing industry faced an impending crisis! But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan .
How did they manage? To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark. The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move. The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!


Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired and dull? Basically in our lives, sharks are new challenges to keep us active. If you are steadily conquering challenges, you are happy. Your challenges keep you energized. Don't create success and revel in it in a state of inertia. You have the resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!


"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character" - Albert Einstein

[bukojuz]

GOD KNOWS
Author Unknown

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.


When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.

If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.

When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.

When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.

When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated.. .
God has the answer.

If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.

When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.

When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.

When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.

Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
GOD KNOWS!!!

[chippoy]

Jul 11, 2009 9:35:34 GMT 8 bukojuz said:

simulan ko na po:


CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND STAY ALIVE

The Japanese have always loved fresh fish. But the water close to Japan has not held many fish for decades. So to feed the Japanese population, fishing boats got bigger and went farther than ever. The farther the fishermen went, the longer it took to bring the fish. If the return trip took more time, the fish were not fresh. To solve this problem, fish companies installed freezers on their boats. They would catch the fish and freeze them at sea. Freezers allowed the boats to go farther and stay longer. However, the Japanese could taste the difference between fresh and frozen fish. And they did not like the taste of frozen fish. The frozen fish brought a lower price. So, fishing companies installed fish tanks.
They would catch the fish and stuff them in the tanks, fin to fin. After a little thrashing around, they were tired, dull, and lost their fresh-fish taste. The fishing industry faced an impending crisis! But today, they get fresh-tasting fish to Japan .
How did they manage? To keep the fish tasting fresh, the Japanese fishing companies still put the fish in the tanks but with a small shark. The fish are challenged and hence are constantly on the move. The challenge they face keeps them alive and fresh!


Have you realized that some of us are also living in a pond but most of the time tired and dull? Basically in our lives, sharks are new challenges to keep us active. If you are steadily conquering challenges, you are happy. Your challenges keep you energized. Don't create success and revel in it in a state of inertia. You have the resources, skills and abilities to make a difference. Put a shark in your tank and see how far you can really go!


"Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character" - Albert Einstein

This is nice! I like!

[bukojuz]

thanks boss chip!
____________________

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD

* Posted by Joel Osteen on July 13, 2009

One of the battles that everyone faces at some time or another is the battle of discouragement. Our dreams don't always happen on our timetable. We go through disappointments and adversities. With so much coming against us, it can be easy to loose enthusiasm and zeal for life. It's good to have family and friends who encourage you. It's good to have a coach, a teacher, or a pastor to cheer you on. But one thing I've learned is that other people cannot keep us encouraged. They may give us a boost. They may help us from time to time. But if you're really going to live in victory, that encouragement has to come from the inside. You've got to learn to encourage yourself.

When times get tough and things aren't going your way and you feel like giving up on your dreams, deep down in your spirit there has to be a resolve, strength on the inside that says, "I refuse to settle where I am. I know God has a great plan for my life, and I'm going to keep pressing forward to become everything that He's created me to be."

In the Bible, that's what David had to do. At one point, he had suffered a major setback. It was one of the most difficult times of his life. His city had been destroyed, his family was kidnapped, and finally his own men turned against him. It looked like an impossible situation. David could have easily just given up and faded off into the sunset, defeated and depressed. But the scripture says in I Samuel 3:6, "David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." See, David wasn't depending on his family, his friends, or his colleagues to get him through. He knew how to draw strength and encouragement from within. How did he do it? He began to replay the victories that God gave him in the past. He remembered how God chose him from His other brothers when he was just a shepherd boy. He remembered how he killed a lion and a bear with his bare hands. He remembered how God helped him defeat Goliath and how He protected him when King Saul was trying to kill him. As David rehearsed the goodness and faithfulness of God, strength began to fill his heart. He got a new vision of victory. As he thanked God for all that He had done, David went from being depressed and defeated to rising up with that warrior mentality!

Friend, sometimes when you need it the most, the people you're counting on to cheer you up, unfortunately, won't be there for you. That friend that normally calls is out of town. Your spouse is having a tough month. Your co–workers, your parents, they're preoccupied with their own challenges. But when you learn to dig down deep and encourage yourself in the Lord, there is real freedom.

[bukojuz]

HEAVEN'S ART GALLERY



One night I dreamed I was standing with Jesus in front of a beautiful museum in heaven.



“Let’s go inside,” said Jesus. “I want to show you something.”



Adorning the walls were paintings, all masterpieces. Jesus explained that each one represents one human life. Every painting in the museum was abounding with love, grace, peace and passion. I was overwhelmed with joy as I gazed at each one. They all moved me deeply and I was aware of everything lacking in my life.



I asked Jesus, “Who could paint such things of beauty? Did you or the angels make these? Surely, no



human could create such perfection.”



Jesus smiled, “These were all created by God’s children.”



“But how?” I asked. “It just isn’t possible.”



“With God’s help, anything is possible,” said Jesus. “Ordinary people who submitted their will to me created them. Whenever a heart is truly given to me in every way, that person’s life will become a masterpiece. Pride, selfishness, fear, greed, doubt, and unbelief will corrupt their painting. But someone who loves me with all of his or her spirit, mind and body will live a life worthy of display.”



We walked around the gallery admiring all the lives portrayed. After a while, Jesus said that was all there was to see here.



But I protested, “Surely there is more to see Lord. For you’ve shown me only a few.”



Jesus said, “Yes, there is more.”



He led me to the back of the museum and out into a massive warehouse. Stacked on pallets and laying in heaps on the floor were millions of paintings. I looked at a few and was disappointed. They were so poorly done. Some were torn, some were patched, and still others lay unfinished.



“What is this Lord?” I asked. “Surely these don’t belong here?”



“Yes my son, they do,” said Jesus. “For each one represents a precious life in progress.”



“But they are such pitiful paintings. Hardly worthy of a museum like this,” I argued.



“Yes, you are correct they are not worthy,” explained Jesus. “But my Father is very patient. Each person’s life has a chance to become a masterpiece. All these people as long as they live, can still see their life displayed in heaven’s art gallery.”



“How can this be?” I asked. “Surely not through their own efforts.”



“No, they will never do it on their own. They need only ask me and I will help,” said Jesus.



I timidly asked, “What will happen if they never ask?”



We walked to the very back of the warehouse and Jesus opened the doors. Off in the distance I saw stacks and stacks of paintings burning in massive piles. I turned to Jesus and there were tears on his cheek.



“All these tried it on their own. Actors & athletes, businessmen & butchers, executives & educators, preachers & politicians, moms & dads, rich & poor, foolish & wise – they are all here. As long as people keep trying under their own strength they will never be good enough. And their canvas will be thrown into the fire – never to be admired. What a terrible waste,” sighed Jesus.



I wept with him. It was such a tragic site.



Jesus closed the doors and we walked back into the warehouse.



I asked, “Lord is there hope for me?”



Jesus smiled, “Yes! Follow me.”



We walked into a small room that was empty except for a blank canvas sitting on an easel.



“What is this?” I asked.



“This canvas represents your life after it has been washed cleaned with my blood,” said Jesus.



I marveled at how beautiful it was. There was not one blemish or imperfection anywhere on my canvas. Jesus handed me a brush and paint.



“Make it whatever you wish,” said Jesus



I stood there for several minutes imagining all the things I could paint. I soon realized that I could do nothing that would ever be good enough for heaven’s art gallery.



“Lord, I want to create a masterpiece, but I just can’t.”



Disappointed, I handed the brush back to Jesus, but he stopped me. Wrapping his hand around the brush in my hand and putting his arm around me he said,



“Let’s make it together.”

[bukojuz]

~INSIDE OUTSIDE~

‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full..’ John 10:10 (NIV)

Living your fullest life needs help from two places: the inside and the outside.

1) The Inside: You need to be able to dig deep and to how to go the extra mile. Yep, that means extra effort and extra time. Mega business dude Andrew Carnegie had this sussed and was fond of saying, ‘There’s no use in trying to help people who won’t help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he or she is first willing to climb it.’ The apostle Paul puts it like this: ‘each one should carry his own load’ (Galatians 6:5).

2) The Outside: You need to be teachable, open to other people whom God brings along to input into your development. This isn’t just a good idea, it’s a God idea; called discipleship, or basically, mentoring. Good mentors lead by example; they know that to have influence they first need your respect. They treat you as an individual understanding your strengths and weaknesses. They notice whether you’re right-brained (creative) or left-brained (methodical). They find out whether you learn visually or verbally. They know when you need a pat on the back or a kick in the rear! They’re someone who, like the apostle Paul, can say ‘Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.’ (1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV) If you can get a mentor you’ll be well blessed. So don’t hang about, ask God to bring you one!

www.word4u2day.com.au

[rideralf]

Cherokee Legend -

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of Passage?

His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him, and leaves him alone.

He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sunshine through it.

He cannot cry out for help to anyone.

Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own..

The boy is naturally terrified..

He can hear all kinds of noises

Wild beasts must surely be all around him.

Maybe even some human might do him harm.

The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, never removing the blindfold.

It would be the only way he could become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his blindfold.

It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

We, too, are never alone.

Even when we don't know it, God is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.

When trouble comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.

If you liked this story, pass it on..

If not, you took off your blindfold before dawn.



Moral of the story:

Just because you can't see God,

doesn't mean He is not there..

'For we walk by faith, not by sight.'

[bukojuz]

I Cannot Watch the Ants Forever

I took a step inside the lair. The upsurge heat of the sun made me feel uncomfortable. I wondered around and noticed a colony of ant. I watched their every move and one of them happened to be carrying a piece of rice. I wondered how hard it is to literally bear something at your back that's twice or three times your size and weight. A few inches away from the rice-carrier ant was another ant that stopped once in a while. In my own perception, it could be bidding the other ant "hi and goodbye" or, maybe, "Jesus Loves You”. I continued to study them and decided to trace their hiding place. Attentively, I watched their every move and arrived at their sanctuary. Vigilantly, I studied them: two ants carrying a tiny white something and a "police" ant that monitors their line-- What a salient obedience!

As I looked deeper into the hole, I found them stacking their food. Queen Ant welcoming them from being so patient and obedient saying, "Well done, my good and faithful servant"


The rice- carrier ant reminded me to see an important factor of my life. "Can I endure such pain, burden and weight of the rice that I was carrying?"

The line that I was following reminded me to obey-- Obey the police ant for at the end of that lane, I will be able to unload the rice that I was carrying. Maybe Queen Ant will say, "Well done my good and faithful servant". The ant that stops once in a while reminded me to share God's love. How many times in my journey have I paused and taken time to say, "Jesus loves you"?

It was a non-Christian colony, yet they believed.
They're tired, yet they endured.
They were not made in God's image, yet they lived according to His likeness.
They knew no Great Commission and Commandment, yet they obeyed.

Ants are no Christians, yet they know their purpose.
I, fearfully and wonderfully made by God, flow like a river not knowing where I am heading.

It's almost twilight when I stood up from where I was watching them. I went back to the lair and made me realize...


I cannot watch the ants forever...

[bukojuz]

Just in case you haven't read this yet:




Sulat ni Tatay at Nanay sa Atin

Sa aking pagtanda, unawain mo sana ako at pagpasensiyahan.
Kapag dala ng kalabuan ng mata ay nakabasag ako ng pinggan
o nakatapon ng sabaw sa hapag kainan, huwag mo sana akong
kagagalitan.
Maramdamin ang isang matanda. Nagse-self-pity ako sa tuwing
sinisigawan mo ako.

Kapag mahina na ang tenga ko at hindi ko maintindihan
ang sinasabi mo, huwag mo naman sana akong sabihan
ng "binge!" paki-ulit nalang ang sinabi mo o pakisulat nalang.

Pasensya ka na, anak. Matanda na talaga ako.
Kapag mahina na ang tuhod ko, pagtiyagaan mo sana akong
tulungang tumayo, katulad ng pag-aalalay ko sa iyo
noong nag-aaral ka pa lamang lumakad.

Pagpasensyahan mo sana ako kung ako man ay
nagiging makulit at paulit-ulit na parang sirang plaka.
Basta pakinggan mo nalang ako. Huwag mo sana akong
Pagtatawanan o pagsasawaang pakinggan.

Natatandaan mo anak noong bata ka pa?
kapag gusto mo ng lobo, paulit-ulit mo 'yong sasabihin,
maghapon kang mangungulit
hangga't hindi mo nakukuha ang gusto mo.
Pinagtyagaan ko ang kakulitan mo.

Pagpasensyahan mo na rin sana ang aking amoy. Amoy matanda,
amoy lupa.
Huwag mo sana akong piliting maligo. Mahina na ang katawan ko.
Madaling magkasakit kapag nalamigan, huwag mo sana akong
pandirihan.

Natatandaan mo noong bata ka pa? Pinagtyagaan kitang habulin
As ilalim ng kama kapag ayaw mong maligo.
Pagpasensyahan mo sana kung madalas, ako'y masungit,
Dala na marahil ito ng katandaan. Pagtanda mo, maiintindihan
mo rin.

Kapag may konti kang panahon, magkwentuhan naman tayo, kahit
sandali lang.
Inip na ako sa bahay, maghapong nag-iisa. Walang kausap.

Alam kong busy ka sa trabaho, subalit nais kong malaman mo na
sabik na sabik
Na akong makakwentuhan ka, kahit alam kong hindi ka interesado
sa mga kwento ko.

Natatandaan mo anak, noong bata ka pa?
Pinagtyagaan kong pakinggan at intindihin
ang pautal-utal mong kwento tungkol sa iyong teddy bear.

At kapag dumating ang sandali na ako'y magkakasakit
at maratay sa banig ng karamdaman,
huwag mo sana akong pagsawaang alagaan.

Pagpasensyahan mo na sana kung ako man ay maihi o madumi sa higaan,
Pagtyagaan mo sana akong alagaan sa mga huling sandali ng
aking buhay.
Tutal hindi na naman ako magtatagal.

Kapag dumating ang sandali ng aking pagpanaw, hawakan mo sana
ang aking kamay
At bigyan mo ako ng lakas ng loob na harapin ang kamatayan.

At huwag kang mag-alala, kapag kaharap ko na ang Diyos na
lumikha,ibubulong ko sa kanya na pagpalain ka sana ...
Dahil naging mapagmahal ka sa iyong ama't ina...

[bukojuz]

Finding Strength in Turbulent Times

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
PHILIPPIANS 4:13 NKJV

God’s love and support never changes. From the cradle to the grave, God has promised to give you the strength to meet any challenge. God has promised to lift you up and guide your steps if you let Him. God has promised that when you entrust your life to Him completely and without reservation, He will give you the courage to face any trial and the wisdom to live in His righteousness.

God’s hand uplifts those who turn their hearts and prayers to Him. Will you count yourself among that number? Will you accept God’s peace and wear God’s armor against the temptations and distractions of our dangerous world? If you do, you can live courageously and optimistically, knowing that you have been forever touched by the loving, unfailing, uplifting hand of God.

One with God is a majority. ~Billy Graham

When trials come your way—as inevitably they will—do not run away. Run to your God and Father. ~Kay Arthur

The same God who empowered Samson, Gideon, and Paul seeks to empower my life and your life, because God hasn’t changed. ~Bill Hybels

A divine strength is given to those who yield themselves to the Father and obey what He tells them to do. ~Warren Wiersbe


TODAY’S PRAYER
Lord, sometimes life is difficult. Sometimes, I am worried, weary, or heartbroken. But, when I lift my eyes to You, Father, You strengthen me. When I am weak, You lift me up. Today, I turn to You, Lord, for my strength, for my hope, and for my salvation. Amen

[bukojuz]

A PIECE OF CAKE

(Have you ever thought: "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Remember this story the next time you do.)

A daughter is telling her mom how everything is going wrong: she is struggling in algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away.

Meanwhile, her mom is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack.

"Absolutely, Mom, I love you cake."

"Here, have some cooking oil," her mom offers.

"Yuck," says the daughter.

"How about some raw eggs?" asks the mom.

"Gross, Mom!"

"Would you like some flour on them?" asks Mom.

"Mom, these are all yucky!" says the daughter.

To which the mother replies, "Yes, all these things seem bad by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully, delicious cake."

God works the same way. Many times, we wonder why He
would let us go through such bad and difficult times.

But God knows that when He puts all these things in His
order, they always work for good! We just have to trust
Him and eventually, they will all make something wonderful.

Hope your day is "a piece of cake"!

[bukojuz]

Batting My Eyelashes…

“Like the camel, I had asked the same kind of questions. When my blindness set in, I initially locked myself in a cage of self-pity and bitterness…”

A baby camel asked his mother, "Why do we have such large hoofs on our feet?"

She turned to him. "God made us that way for a very special reason," and she began her explanation. "The big hoofs are to keep us from sinking into the sand."

"Oh! So why do we have long eyelashes?"

"It's to protect our eyes from the sand."

"Why the big humps?"

"That is to store fat and have enough energy to go long distances in the hot desert!"

"I see!" the baby camel stretched his neck and looked up at his mother, "The big hoofs are to keep from sinking into the sand, the long eyelashes are to keep the sand out of our eyes, and the humps are to store energy to travel long distances -- then what are we doing in this cage in the middle of a zoo?"

Like the camel, I had asked the same kind of questions. When my blindness set in, I initially locked myself in a cage of self-pity and bitterness.

Weary from pacing within that gloomy cage, something nudged me to see beyond my circumstance and unfortunate plight.

Heavens! What was I thinking? Those bars were self-imposed. But worst of all, I'd supported them with the cold metal of my negative attitude.

Eventually, eagerness to leave my stuffy cell of discontent prompted me to open my ears to hear a reassuring whisper -- God had created me for much more.

Itching to break free, I broke down those bars and stepped out into the desert of life. I trudged through the heat with determination and drive. I endured the blistering sun with perseverance and tenacity. I quenched my thirst with fresh inspiration and encouragement. And the hooves of confidence kept me from sinking into the sand of insecurity.

Thinking ahead, I made sure I'd stored a healthy supply of wisdom and positive attitude to take me through the long haul.

Goodness gracious. Each time I reached another point in my journey, my eyes saw a whole new world with opportunities to make a difference. Best of all, I was delighted with the affirmation that I was indeed created for much more!

Bars come in all sizes and shapes. Some are physical, others are emotional or even mental. But none can withstand the force of determination that breaks them down. The effort is worth it and the results, simply amazing!

So, batting my long eyelashes to keep out the sand of discouragement, I challenge you –

Step back and peek at what bars limit you. Take a deep breath, break them down, and emerge into the freshness of a new life!

“Life is not about what you cannot do because of circumstances out of your control. Success comes when you recognize what you can do with what God has given you.”