CHILD TO PARENT Author Unknown

* Don't spoil me, I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I am only testing you.

* Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It makes me feel more secure.

* Don't let me form bad habits. I have to rely on you to detect them in the early stages.

* Don't make me feel smaller than I am. It only makes me behave stupidly "big."

* Don't correct me in front of people if you can avoid it. I'll take much more notice if you talk quietly with me in private.

* Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the painful way sometimes.

* Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. I am quite capable of trading on them.

* Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing deaf.

* Don't make rash promises. Remember that I feel badly let down when promises are broken.

* Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should like. That is why I am not always very accurate.

* Don't tax my honesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling lies.

* Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me lose faith in you.

* Don't put me off when I ask questions. If you do you will find I will stop asking and seek information elsewhere.

* Don't tell my fears are silly. They are terribly real, and you can do much to reassure me if you try to understand.

And please...

* Don't neglect me; I do not want to be a delinquent.

NO TIME TO BOTHER WITH RELIGION by Melodie Davis

One of the most inspiring thinkers of the 20th century is Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Actually, he was not just a theologian and writer--but a doer--so much of a doer that his work in the German resistance movement during World War II led him to be imprisoned and finally killed in a concentration camp. Born in Breslau, Germany in 1906, Bonhoeffer understood, even before Hitler came to power, the dangers of a political system that made an idol or god of a leader or a system.

He was a pastor and teacher, and eventually was involved with an underground plot against Hitler, even though some argued with him that it would be wiser to withdraw from the activities. Bonhoeffer responded that if persons claim to be persons of faith, there is no room for taking the easy way out.

He was arrested in 1943 and sent to prison and various concentration camps. In prison, he ministered to the sick and to his fellow prisoners, and it was reported that he was able to comfort the anxious and depressed in an amazing way. Ultimately, he was executed by special order at the concentration camp at Flossenburg on April 9,
1945, just a few days before it was liberated by the Allies. (From "Memoir," G. Leibholz, in Cost of Discipleship. )

I tend to pay attention to strong words written by someone who has given their life for what they believe. Bonehoeffer says: "None of us is so rushed that it would be impossible to allow for even ten minutes in the day in which arrangements could be made for silence, in order to place oneself in the presence of Eternity."

I also found this intriguing: "You do not have your belief once and for all. Your belief demands to be won anew tomorrow and the day after tomorrow; indeed, it demands to be won anew with every new day...

Either we receive faith anew every day or it decays... Every morning brings a new struggle to push through all the unbelief, through all the littleness of faith, through all the vagueness and confusion--to reach faith and wrest it from God." He reminds us: "If the [Bible] has become empty for me in my daily routine, if I no longer experience it, that proves I have not let it speak personally to me for a long time."

Countless persons have died for their faith throughout the ages. They paid the ultimate test. Too many of us claim we can't be bothered to even live what we believe.

Perhaps you started some good habits during Lent--including taking time for spiritual meditation. Don't let Easter be the end of it--let it be the beginning of a deeper and active commitment to your faith.

ONCE IN A BLUE MOON By Christopher Notes

If you ever wondered just how often "once in a blue moon" is, here's the answer: it happens about every thirty-two months.

A blue moon is the term for the second full moon in a given month. Since a full moon occurs every twenty-nine and a half days, a blue moon is possible in every month except February.

And, yes, when the weather conditions are just right, the moon really can look bluish.

Check an almanac or the weather page of your local newspaper to find out when the next one occurs. Then look up at the night sky. When you do look to the heavens there's a universe of wonder and beauty God has given us to appreciate.

Take a moment today to notice, to enjoy, and to say "thanks."

It is the moon that marks the changing seasons. ...From the moon comes the sign for festal days, a light that wanes when it completes its course. The new moon...renews itself; how marvelous is it in this change, a beacon to the hosts on high, shining in the vault of the heavens! (Sirach 43:6,7-8)

OUR COMFORTER Contributed by Melanie Schurr

Have you ever sometimes felt alone, overwhelmed by whatever situation is troubling you, and that no one truly understands the pain you feel?

Someone DOES understand: God.

"He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53:3)

As the above Scripture reveals, the Son of God was a man of sorrows; one who was familiar with suffering. While Jesus was loved by many, there were also those individuals who despised Him, and did not see or appreciate Him for the special Being He is.

How wonderful it would be when we are feeling low to have someone who loves us, come to us and embrace us with such satisfying love and comfort that we can KNOW that no matter what comes our way, they will be there to see us through it. How sweet the words, "Do not worry. I am there with you, and we will get through this together," would be!

My dear friend, the comfort we all seek now and then is already here! It has been right there before us, yet not all of us partake!

His name is Christ Jesus, and He is a comfort to all who call upon Him in sincere repentance.

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

LIFE IN THE RIVER By Sally I. Kennedy

Enjoying a cup of coffee in the early morning quiet at our vacation condo, I was watching the activity of the river below. Due to a long drought, the water was way down. Rocks and boulders I'd never seen before were in full view. A small white piece of paper, or plastic, caught my eye. It was going 'round and 'round in a tiny area almost entirely closed off by small boulders. The whole time I watched, it never left the spot, just continued to spin around.

That night it rained cats and dogs. Next morning the river was noticeably higher. It sang a bit louder and ran a little faster. The white paper was no longer swirling in a circle. It was, instead, wedged up against a rock close to the river's edge. It was safely hugging the rock, just out of reach of the moving water. It seemed the
paper had no choice. It was stuck.

Sometimes I feel stuck in the river of life. Unlike the paper, however, I have a choice. A long time ago God made a choice that would bring people back to Him. Through Jesus we have a choice: accept His life sacrifice for us, get out of our own little whirlpool worlds and move downstream with Him, or stay stuck in our self centered world while we cling to some safe rock in the river.

I hope that daily I can remember to make the better choice, and keep moving with the current. Even if momentarily, or temporarily, I get caught in a holding pattern, I can choose to move out and onward with Him.

BRING THOSE BABIES TO CHURCH Author Unknown

My heart goes out to the parents of small children. I know first hand the kind of problems they face. Training up a toddler in the way he should go is a constant job, a continuous battle, seven-day-a- week task, not to mention an awesome responsibility. After six days of their whining chorus at home and three hours of embarrassment while shopping, the last thing some young mothers want to face is an hour of agony and humiliation at church.

Many young mothers have asked herself, "Why do I keep bringing them to church?" As she enters the auditorium she utters a silent prayer that the kids will be good and the sermon short. The service begins. While mother is picking up toys, drying eyes, wiping noses, swatting, scolding, trying to sing, listen, and pray, the toddler is pouring juice on her dress. To the toddler, church is an exciting adventure. Songbooks are a challenge to take, stuffed toys make great missiles to launch over four or five rows, and the collection plate would make a great hat. Young parents take heart!

Let me assure you of this:

1. Your children do not disturb others nearly as much as you think they do.

2. If people without children are determined to sit at the back of the church, then they deserve any distraction they get.

3. Most people really do understand your plight and remember back to the days when their children were infants and toddlers.

4. Remember that you are both wanted and needed in the worship service.

5. Have faith that the hand, which now hurls crayons, will one day spread the seeds of the Kingdom.

NO AGENDA By Sally I. Kennedy

I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! Isaiah 65:24 NLT

Literally, I had no agenda. True, many things had been on my mind. Several situations I'd been mulling over. A few people that had been especially on my heart. Some unresolved relationships that were sort of stewing in the back corners of my brain.

You know, just things... Things that are on our minds, yet unspoken. Things that are on our hearts, and not shared. God knows them all. All.

So, I had no agenda when we went to this church for an evening service of refreshing and renewing. I just know that when there was a time to be quiet, to be still before the Lord, and this beautiful music was in the background, I began to zone out, let my mind wander.

As I sat there, just being thankful to be in the presence of the Lord, God began to speak softly to me. One by one, He spoke to the concerns of my heart. I began to be aware that He was sharing with me direction and answers to these unspoken concerns.

Later, I thought about how amazing God is. Amazing God! Amazing grace! How good to remember that God knows our deepest needs and desires before they are even fully formed in our minds, or on our lips. And, that in His time, the perfect time, He will answer. Even if we have `no agenda'.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for sharing the Word, the wisdom, the love of our heavenly Father with us. In the name of Jesus! Amen.

BALANCING ACT By Marion Smith

When I was young we attended the circus every year. The high wire act always captured my undivided attention. I would marvel as the performers would walk on that thin wire, backwards and forwards, performing tricks such as jump rope and forward rolls , and all the time not fall off the wire. Their only aid was a long pole which would help them keep their balance, and perhaps the special ballet looking shoes they wore.

Last week I saw a squirrel nest that looked like a marvel of a balancing act. Usually the nests are in a crook of a tree, or in a V somewhere in the branches. This lends support to the structure as the squirrels build their nest. However, this particular nest seemed to be suspended in what looked to be thin air. The branches of the tree were so small, it was unbelievable that the nest could balance there. It
must have taken a very crafty squirrel family to perform that balancing act!

There are things which we must balance in life - our checkbook, the tires on our car, and most importantly the way we spend our time. God has given us 24 hours in a day, and freewill to do with them whatever we wish. We have physical, emotional and spiritual needs which we should keep in balance.

The truth is, however, many of us are way out of kilter in this balancing act of life. We may be caught up in the physical - job demands, health issues or just being overboard on physical fitness. We many be overindulgent in the pursuit of happiness, or unduly involved with activities that rob us of healthy emotional growth. Very seldom are we overboard in spiritual pursuits, allow the other two areas to dominate our lives.

God tells us we should have a healthy balance in our lives. We should give equal attention to physical, emotional and spiritual growth. We should not allow one area to be overbearing and tilt us off kilter, tumbling us to a fall. Balance in these 3 areas is healthy and right. It is God's plan, and He wouldn't have given it to us if it weren't beneficial.

God always has His best plan for our life!

GOD, I CANNOT DO THIS ALONE By Stan Stoler

Three years ago, my wife and I sat in her hospital room waiting for Dr. Michael Santi, her physician, to visit with us. She had been diagnosed with colon cancer and was scheduled for surgery the next day.

He entered Linda's room with his usual smile, sat down on the edge of her bed and proceeded to explain what would take place in the operating room the following morning. Frankly, we were scared to death! But when he finished explaining the surgery, recovery time, etc., he calmly took Linda by the hands and held them heavenward.

"Linda," he said, "tomorrow our hands will be in His hands." Then he prayed the most magnificent prayer for my wife. "God, I cannot do this alone. I need your help," he said.

This was our first indication that Dr. Santi was a believer. What a God! In the midst of our frightening experience, God gave us a Christian doctor!

As I write this, I am seated in a waiting room of the same hospital. Linda has just had her annual check-up. It has been exactly three years since she had colon cancer surgery. Dr. Santi smiles as he enters the room.

"I have good news for you. Your wife is doing great---no sign of cancer or polyps anywhere!"

Yes, through the hands of a skilled surgeon, the prayers of God's people and the encouragement of loved ones, my wife has been healed.

In retrospect, I can testify that we were "changed" through this event. While cancer is truly a cruel disease, God is greater than any health problem we may encounter. You can trust him with your troubles...

As a result of the "cancer crisis" in our home, I have reached the conclusion that all good things come from God's hands. Our home, children, food, flowers, music, sunsets, rain, snow, and most of all LIFE, reflect His unconditional love.

"During our times of deepest sorrow,
When in the depths we're sinking low,
If we look up to our faithful Father,
Love and compassion to us will flow."