MOVE CLOSER Author Unknown

Not long ago I heard a story about a young man and an old preacher.

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher.

Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me, preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply, something so hushed it was undistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair.

"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "So we will move closer to hear him." This time the young man heard and he understood.

We all want God's voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God's is the still, small voice... the gentle whisper. Perhaps there's a reason.

Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God's whisper means I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer. Better still, I find myself closer to God.

BALANCING ACT By Marion Smith

Psalm 16:7 I will praise the Lord, who councils me

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.

JUST CALL UPON HIM Author Unknown

The boy walked along the ocean shore . . . trying not to stray.
He looked up to his father saying, "Dad, I want to play."

His father looked upon him, with love showing in his eyes.
"Do what you want to, my son . . . but do not leave my side."

"I would never leave you Daddy, I love you way too much."
But the boy took a step away, out of his father's range of touch.

He walked through the surf, the waves tickling one toe.
"If I take one more step in . . ." he thought, "Father will never
know."

His father called out to him, "Son, to me remain true!"
The boy thought with glee . . . "At the moment I don't need you!"

His father felt a sadness, but he held his tongue.
Sometimes lessons need to be learned . . . even when so young.

The boy stepped out a little further . . . the water covering his
waist.
His father spoke with urgency . . . his father spoke with haste.

"My son, come back to me," he said, "The day is almost done!"
"Not yet, Dad," the boy yelled, "I'm having too much fun!"

But the boy did not have his father's insight so he could not yet
tell,
The tide was coming in fast . . . there would be no time to yell.

"Father!" he tried to scream, as the water covered his head.
"I need you now, Daddy!" was what the boy had said.

And in a single instant his father was by his side.
"I thought you left me, Daddy . . . I thought you went to hide."

The father looked upon his son . . . a tear streaming down his cheek.
The boy looked upon his father . . . and cried the sobs of the meek.

"I would never leave you son . . . for I love you just the same."
"I was only waiting . . . for you to call upon my name."

WE ARE A TEAM Author Unknown

There is an old hymn that speaks contrary to our human nature. The songwriter penned these words long ago:

"Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done."

When was the last time you paused in the midst of a hectic, frantic day and counted your blessings?

We are far more prone to complain, to labor over our trials, to worry over our predicaments and to sulk over our misfortunes. Counting blessings in times of trouble is not a natural thing. Perhaps this is why we have too many melancholy Christians today filled with despair, disappointment and depression.

Well, if truth be told, I was there once. I lost track of God's goodness and mercy; I failed to take notice of the daily bread and blessings He brought my way. Thus, I allowed struggles to crowd God out and to cloud over His everlasting kindness.

While I was in this frame of mind and spirit, a person in my church invited me to join him at a high school soccer game. Since the school was just a few blocks down the road, I decided to walk to the game and take my five-year-old daughter, Clairees, and my two-year-old son, JD, along.

The kids really enjoyed the game (even more so the refreshments from the concession stand), but I was so caught up in the clutches of depression that, although physically at the game, I was mentally somewhere else.

After the game, my kids and I began to walk back home. Both youngsters had a bounce to their step, and their conversation was upbeat, filled with excitement. I, on the other hand, walked slowly, still wrestling with the depression within. Then a God-sent miracle took place. Clairees made her way to my side and slippe dher tiny hand into mine. She began to swing her hand (still tightly clasped in mine) back and forth; then looking up at me she said, "Hey, Daddy, you know what? You and I, why we're a team!"

There was so much life in her eyes and so much confidence in her voice. She believed at that moment that she could face the world as long as Daddy was holding her hand! At that same moment another hand slipped into mine. It was God's hand (it had been there all along, but I hadn't noticed). Then His Spirit spoke to me: "My child, you know what? You and I, why, we're a team!" I felt every care and burden lifted. A bounce returned to my step, a tear of rejoicing swelled in my eyes, and life returned to my soul. I realized that God had never left me nor forsaken me. I also realized that with my Father--God- -by my side, there were no problems too big for me to handle.

We need to turn our complaints into praise. Every Christian should have this kind of Ph.D. degree.

WHY? by Maria Hanna

US: "God, why did you do that to me? Why did you take the one I most love? Why did you permit such illness to conquer my life? Why am I sterile while others have children? Why? Why?"

STEVEN: Before blaming God, let me tell you my story. Many years ago, I thought richness to meant the ownership of the most precious diamond. So, I kept petitioning God to make me rich by granting me this diamond. One day, God let me stumble upon a very precious diamond on my way to work. Delighted, I scooped it up and swiftly tried to hide it in my suit. At that moment, an angel blocked my way, fiercely took the diamond and threw it far away. Shocked, I kept yelling and screaming at God, "Why did you do that to me? Why? Why?" A few minutes later, I found the King's soldiers approaching me. They started searching me thoroughly. When they finished, I angrily asked reason for their act. To my astonishment, they told me that the King has lost his dearest diamond and ordered them to search for it and instantly kill whomever they found with it. Alleluia. God did that to save my life and help me enlarge my vision scope to other means of richness like good health and happy family.

GOD: my dearest son and daughter, I'd love you all to be always satisfied. But, I select the kind of satisfaction I see suiting my purpose in each one of you. I grant some good health, others wealth, others children. I sometimes permit the loss of beloved ones or certain illnesses to enrich your souls and draw you closer to my heart. My dear children, your "whys" are bitter to my soul. They reflect your lack of love, trust and submission to me. Why do not you just lean your heads on my shoulder and trust my love and care for you? Remember, it was written, "For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole." (Job 5:18). "Yet I will not forget thee. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49: 15-16).

US: Dear God, I am sorry for any complaint we have raised against you. Let it be Your Will in my life. Please help me feel your healing hands during my toughest times. Thank you. Amen.