OFF KILTER FAN By Marion Smith

The ceiling fan in the guest room was off kilter. Each time the blades made a rotation, I cringed. In the beginning, it wasn’t too annoying, but as time progressed I was afraid the entire fan would drop to the floor, bent and broken into bits. I called the handyman to repair the fan, and he promptly arrived to our house with tools in hand. He tinkered and toyed with the fan, and it seemed, for a while at least, to be repaired. Before long it made its lopsided rotation again. The repairs were short lived and the fan once again appeared to be on the verge of toppling. Something had to be done, or we would lose it. I called the electrician, (the professional)which is what I should have done in the first place. He repaired the fan for us, and cleared up a couple of other trouble spots for us.

God is just like that electrician. He is the professional we should turn to when our life is off kilter. When we wobble and groan with difficult turns of life, and it appears our lives will crash and shatter, God will comfort and sustain us, and repair our hearts . Then we can face our problems and be equipped to handle them. Unfortunately, we often search for solutions in other places, just as I had done when I called the handyman . These other solutions might be immersing ourselves in alcohol or drug, going on a spending spree, or perhaps just withdrawing from reality. They may suffice for a short time, but they have no long term healing power. Only God can pour the healing balm on our hearts, and help us through difficult times. We must ask for His help, though, just as I called the electrician and asked for his. The good news is God is available 24 hours a day. There will be no answering machine or call forwarding to Him. The line of communications is open and direct.. we reach Him through the wonderful and awesome power of prayer.

If your life is off kilter and possibly on the verge of falling and crashing, call out to God. He is waiting to hear from you. He is the master repairman, with the correct tools to handle your very own personal problem.

AN EVERYDAY SURVIVAL KIT Author Unknown

Toothpick
Rubber band
Band aid
Pencil
Eraser
Chewing gum
Mint
Candy Kiss
Tea Bag

Here's why:

Toothpick - to remind you to pick out the good qualities in others...Matt 7:1

Rubber band - to remind you to be flexible, things might not always go the way you want, but it will work out...Romans 8:28

Band Aid - to remind you to heal hurt feelings, yours or someone else's...Col. 3:12-14

Pencil - To remind you to list your blessings everyday...Eph1: 3

Eraser - to remind you that everyone makes mistakes, and it's okay...Gen. 50:15-21

Chewing gum - to remind you to stick with it and you can accomplish anything ...Phil 4:13

Mint - to remind you that you are worth a mint to your heavenly father...John 3:16-17

Candy Kiss - to remind you that everyone needs a kiss or a hug everyday...1 John 4:7

Tea Bag - to remind you to relax daily and go over that list of God's blessings... 1 Thess 5:18

This is my gift to you. May God richly bless you.

To the world, you may just be somebody...but to somebody, you may be the world.

HOPE ON A HIKE Author Unknown

An Atheist and a Christian were hiking up a mountain; they came upon a large rock and decided to rest. While there, they talked about their jobs, families, and how good it was to enjoy nature... their conversation then drifted toward the supernatural. "I do not believe in God because there is no proof of his existence," said the Atheist.

The Christian did not immediately respond, but instead gazed upon the tall pines and blue sky above him. "No," said the Christian, "we cannot actually see, hear, or touch God, but we can know that God exists since we can see the results of His work."

The Christian continued, "Think of all the magnificent things we saw today... grand mountains, hundred of varieties of trees, flowers, insects, birds... and even you and I! There is beauty in all these things; they are good."

The Atheist replied, "Yes, nature is definitely awesome, but I believe this all came about by chance."

Again, the Christian peered at the billowy clouds above him, then asked, "We cannot see air, can we? We know that it exists because we see the effects of air. We see the trees sway and leaves rustle, but we do not actually see air nor wind. The effects of God are all around. We just have to take the time to look."

Without another word, the Atheist and Christian continued their long journey up the mountain.

ADVICE TO FATHERS ABOUT CHILDREN Author Unknown

A - Always trust them to God's care
B - Bring them to church
C - Challenge them to high goals
D - Delight in their achievements
E - Exalt the lord in their presence
F - Frown on evil
G - Give them love
H - Hear their problems
I - Ignore not their childlish fears
J - Joyfully accept their apologies
K - Keep their confidence
L - Live a good example before them
M - Make them your friends
N - Never ignore their endless questions
O - Open your home to their visits
P - Pray for them by name
Q - Quicken your interest in their spirituality
R - Remember their needs
S - Show them the way of salvation
T - Teach them to work
U - Understand they are still young
V - Verify your statements
W - Wean them from bad company
X - eXpect them to obey
Y - Yearn for god's best for them
Z - Zealously guide them in biblical truth

LANDING AND GROUNDING By Sally I. Kennedy

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6,7

What a sight! A miniscule island in the bay, thick with mangroves still showing hurricane trauma. Skirted with a narrow beach, it apparently was home to a giant flock of cormorants.

One lone heron was center stage, looking regal and stately. As we edged closer, some of the frightened birds took flight. I turned just as one of the cormorants was making a smooth landing.

I thought about how, as believers, once we ‘land’ in the kingdom of God, how important it is we stay grounded. Even though we’ve landed, it’s easy to tip over, take in some unwanted sea/salt water, or float off in the wrong direction.

Reading and absorbing God’s Word is so vital, likewise an attitude of gratitude. In the morning, I try to remember to thank God for the day, and turn it over to Him. In the evening I like to make my ‘thankful’ list, and thank the Lord for things during that day.

Landing – and grounding. The perfect winning combo, and it is- Good news.

A NEW BODY By Jeff Lee

A cosmetic surgeon advertises:
New skin - Eliminate fine wrinkles and scars.
New eyes - Eliminate excess folds of skin and fat.
New nose and chin - Reshape to create a more pleasing, balanced look.
New mouth - Eliminate wrinkles or improve lip shape.
New body - Remove fat through liposuction.

People pay big money to have a new look. But, sadly, few believers
would ever consider a change-over. Apostle Paul insists that every
believer should have a lasting transformation, not by scalpel,
injection or Laser but through the Holy Spirit:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off
your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to
be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Eph 4:22
-24

Our old self is crucified with Jesus, our body of sin is destroyed and
we no longer serve sin. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we are new
both inside and out.

Do I have the new look from the Holy Spirit? Fewer frowns, more joy,
eyes that are less looking down on people but more upward to Him, a
new mouth, less critical and sarcastic but more praising, a new nose
and chin, not stuck up, but more humble, a new body that begins to
resemble Jesus?