THE LAME AND THE STRAGGLER By Sally I. Kennedy

It was morning, still early enough for there to be little traffic on our street. From the kitchen window, I spied a dramatic sight. A flock of ibis were touring for food. Our grass must have tasty bugs; they busily absorbed themselves with their meal.

Their slender stork-like legs are so graceful. One bird seemed to be balleting through breakfast; a leg was held out continually. Actually it was dangling, I then noticed, obviously broken or perhaps the ibis was lame, perhaps hurt. This didn’t deter him from hanging right in there with the group. He pretty much kept up with the rest of the company.

The straggler was out in the street, while the rest were diving and pecking into the lawn. Then he was off by himself toward the front, as they headed out to the next spot. He was with the crowd, yet he was on the fringes.

I don’t know much about bird behavior, but perhaps these beautiful birds stick together for a reason. We need each other; no man’s an island.

We need each other, and we need God. The Bible says, “Love God, and love others.” (Matt.22) How simple; how perfect.

Lord, thank You for the thoughts and words You brought to mind today through your creations in nature. Help me be aware of You in everything, Lord, and to have a grateful heart for loving You, and loving others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

TOP TEN PREDICTIONS Author Unknown

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.

5. There will still be God-anointed preaching.

6. There will still be singing of praise to God.

7. God will still pour out blessings upon His people.

8. There will still be room at the Cross

9. Jesus will still love you.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

God whispers in your soul and speaks to your mind. Sometimes when you don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at you. It's your choice: Listen to the whisper, or wait for the brick.

OPENED AND CLOSED By Marion Smith

The red headed woodpecker was perched on the tree, intently pecking away. He was a large bird and the colors on his head and back were very vivid. It was a lovely vision; one I didn’t think could be improved upon. Then he took off in flight. When he spread his wings I knew the sight was more beautiful to behold. In the moments I was able to watch him before he flew out of sight, I saw a pattern to his wing span that was remarkable. This woodpecker was definitely more beautiful with his wings opened up. The same is true of an oriental fan. When the fan is closed you are unable to see the beauty of it. You know it is there, but until that fan is unfolded, you are not able to have a visually enjoyable experience. But just shake that fan out,.. let it unfold, and they beauty of the design or picture appears.

This is also true in the life of a Christian. If we stay all folded up, into our selves, and never fan ourselves out, the beauty of God in our lives will not be shared.

It is good and wonderful to have the love of Christ within ourselves, but even as we do, God calls us to open our wing of love – serving others and sharing with them what He has given to us.

Let’s start today and unfold our wings, taking off in flight in whatever direction God sends us.

OPENED AND CLOSED By Marion Smith

The red headed woodpecker was perched on the tree, intently pecking away. He was a large bird and the colors on his head and back were very vivid. It was a lovely vision; one I didn’t think could be improved upon. Then he took off in flight. When he spread his wings I knew the sight was more beautiful to behold. In the moments I was able to watch him before he flew out of sight, I saw a pattern to his wing span that was remarkable. This woodpecker was definitely more beautiful with his wings opened up. The same is true of an oriental fan. When the fan is closed you are unable to see the beauty of it. You know it is there, but until that fan is unfolded, you are not able to have a visually enjoyable experience. But just shake that fan out,.. let it unfold, and they beauty of the design or picture appears.

This is also true in the life of a Christian. If we stay all folded up, into our selves, and never fan ourselves out, the beauty of God in our lives will not be shared.

It is good and wonderful to have the love of Christ within ourselves, but even as we do, God calls us to open our wing of love – serving others and sharing with them what He has given to us.

Let’s start today and unfold our wings, taking off in flight in whatever direction God sends us.

THE ONION Author Unknown

I was an onion before Christ set me free.
Layers upon layers of iniquity.
An ugly old onion whose fragrance was strong;
That my Jesus bought and loved all along.

Unknown to me what He was going to do.
Of what He was planning, I had not a clue.
Pulling each layer off one by one.
In order to make me more like Jesus the Son.

The first layer wasn't so bad.
I saw all the sins that I knew I had.
They were easy to fix, just change the way I talk.
And learn more of how He wanted me to walk.

Reading His Word, and learning again;
How to put aside my life of sin.
But the next layer was pulled which hurt more.
He was getting closer to the core.

Unknown what He would find there.
I simply gave it to Him in prayer.
As another layer was removed, He started to cry;
Pulling this layer brought pain to my Father on High.

And I was crying over the sadness I felt;
The brokenness and all of the guilt.
Past memories that I thought were gone;
They were buried under layers disguised in a fragrance so strong.

As onions peel more and more;
And they put tears in our eyes as we get close to the core;
So my Father wept over my pain;
Giving me a balm of comfort and strength to sustain.

"No More Layers." I would scream.
As He continued to peel them off of me.
"I'll have nothing left my Lord, what will I do?
I'll be nothing but a worthless core to you. "

But He just said "Trust me," and continued to peel
I was sure He was blinded to my pain that was so real.
Year after year I shrunk more and more;
Until all that was left of this onion was a core.

It was then that I began to understand;
As the Lord embraced me in His loving hand.
He said, now and only now can you be;
The creation that will minister before me.

Clothed with the righteousness only from above;
Gone are your layers of self so you can be filled with my love.
He took my layers of sin, hurt and pain;
And clothed me with love, truth and mercy in His name.

Yes, we are all onions, learning with each day;
How to overcome as each layer is taken away.
Some layers tear and pull at our heart;
While others grieve us to our innermost part.

But we are nothing but an ugly onion without Christ.
Layers upon layers of pride, sin and strife.
Only God can take those layers away.
And clothe us with His righteousness in that final day.