The Coal Basket

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson.

Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen tablereading from his old worn-out Bible.His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could.

One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it,
and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book.

What good does reading the Bible do?"
The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water."

The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home.
Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water.
I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all.
The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

The old man said, "So you think it is useless? Look at the basket."

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different.
Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean.

"Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible.
You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out."

That is the work of God in our lives . . .
to change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His Son.

For the word of God is living and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow;
it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.
Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:12 - 13

The Cracked Pot

Once upon a time a water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the end of a pole which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots was perfectly made and never leaked.

The other pot had a crack in it and by the time the water bearer reached his master's house it had leaked much of it's water and was only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you."

"Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?"

"I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path."

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.

But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side?

That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it.

I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them.

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table.
Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
 
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots but if we will allow it, God will use our flaws to grace his table.

Psalm 23, The Good SHEPHERD

The Lord is my Shepherd

That's Relationship!

I shall not want.

That's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.

That's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul.

That's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness.

That's Guidance!

For His name sake.

That's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

That's Testing!

I will fear no evil.

That's Protection!

For Thou art with me.

That's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.

That's Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

That's Hope!

Thou anointest my head with oil.

That's Consecration!

My cup runneth over.

That's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

That's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...

That's Security!

Forever.

That's Eternity!

The Greatest "MATHEMATICAL" Problem In The World

THE GREATEST "MATHEMATICAL" PROBLEM IN THE WORLD

Moses and the people were in the desert, but what was he going to do with them. They had to be fed, and fed is what they did, according to the Quartermaster General in the Army. It was reported that Moses would have had 1500 tons of food each day.

Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each a mile long, would be required! Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long just for one day.

And just think, they were forty years in transit and oh yes, they would have to have water. If only they had enough water to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000.000 gallons each day, and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring in water!

And then another thing! They had to cross the Red Sea at night. (They did?) Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5,000 abreast to get over in one night.

But then, there is another problem. Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long… Think of it! These spaces just for nightly camping.

Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him.

Let us take courage, we have the same God. We think our problems are so big. Remember what God can do!