The Picnic (By Bob Benson)

Do you remember ever being invited to a picnic, a social gathering, like by a church group or maybe a family reunion? Maybe you were told something like, "You bring what you want to eat and we'll furnish the tea."

But you came home and, at the last minute, got ready to pack your lunch, but all you could find was one dried up piece of bologna and just enough mustard in the jar so that you got it all over your knuckles when you tried to get it out . . . and just two stale pieces of bread. Soooooooo, you made a bologna sandwich and wrapped it in a brown bag and went to the picnic.

When it came time to eat, you sat at the end of the table and spread out your sandwich. But the folks right next to you - the lady was a good cook and had worked all day - had fried chicken and baked beans and potato salad and home made rolls and sliced tomatoes and pickles and olives and celery, and, to top it off, two great big homemade chocolate pies. They spread it all out beside you and there you were . . . with your bologna sandwich.

But they smiled warmly and said to you "Why don't we put it all together?" You may have stammered a bit, embarrassed, and made excuses, but they wouldn't take no for an answer. "Aww come on, there's plenty of chicken, plenty of pie, plenty of everything. And we just love bologna sandwiches. Let's just put it all together." So you did . . . and there you sat, eating like a king, when you came like a pauper.

So I'm thinking . . . thinking of me sharing in the very being of God. When I think of how little I bring and how much He brings and that He invites me to share. . . I know I should be shouting to the housetops, but I'm so filled with awe and wonder that I can hardly be heard. I know I don't have enough love. . . or faith . . . or grace. . . or mercy. . . or wisdom. But He has. He has ALL those things in abundance, and He says, "Let's just put it all together. Everything that I possess is available to you, and everything that I am and can be to a person I will be to you."

And when I think about it like that, it really amuses me - to see somebody running around through life, hanging on to their dumb bag, with their stale bologna sandwich saying, "Well, God's not gonna get my sandwich! No sirree, not mine!" Did you ever see anybody like that - just so needy? Just about half starved to death, hanging on for dear life to their bologna sandwich?

You see, it's not that He needs your bologna sandwich. Fact is, you need His everything.

Mother Teresa Tells Us.....

What I do, you cannot do; but what you do, I cannot do.  The needs are great, and none of us, including me, ever do great things.  But we can all do small things, with great love and together we can do something wonderful.

Learning to Breathe. Flying Like an Eagle

I was born with a bottle of decongesting nasal spray in my hand. I can't remember a day when I didn't have a bottle of that poison, and I was taught to use its spray three times a day. Since, as I would quickly learn, I couldn't breathe without it, I did as I was told!

I had no idea at the time that most of my mother's side of the family had deviated nasal septums. This label sure sounds alien, don't you think? All it means to me is that one side of my nose is large enough to host a party, while the other side is rather insignificant; and when my nose switches over to this little side, I can't breathe! Nasal decongesting spray to the rescue!

The first time I became aware that this was perhaps a serious problem was the day I visited my uncle, my mother's brother, in the hospital. I was around 12 years old at the time, and it didn't make sense when he told me that he had to have his nose broken by doctors so that it would be straight. To me, his nose always seemed straight. What was he talking about?

Eventually as I got older, I became aware that these little bottles of decongesting nasal spray were far from being my friends. I tried to wean myself off them, but without success. One time I managed to stay off of them for a few years; but nighttime was brutal. When it was the turn of the small side of my nose to take the primary burden of breathing, it couldn't stand up to the task and it collapsed instead!

The day I had my panic attack, I decided that it was time to put these bottles of decongestant nasal sprays to rest for good. I couldn't sleep anyway, so why not make myself totally miserable? My tactic, however, was quite different than what I had tried before. Instead of relying on my own efforts, I prayed for wisdom, depending solely on God.

A few days later I discovered the existence of nose cones. One of these in my dwarf nostril at night would allow me, for the first time in my life, to breathe without nasal spray from the small side of my nose. I became a new man. One who, I am proud to say, is completely free of these annoying little bottles that used to hold me captive.

Looking back, although I sure didn't relish that panic attack that evening, I thank God for letting me go through it. Not only did God free me from my addiction since birth; not only did He teach me how to breathe; He also taught me how to walk closer to Him than ever before.

You may be going through some dark times. Look beyond the darkness and see God's light shining brightly towards you. He will lead you to freedom and a peace out of this world. Truly, Paul was so correct when he wrote: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, NIV)

Learn to breathe from the Lord. Refreshing air from God's Holy Spirit will fill you completely! We were not born for addictions, but rather, to experience God fully in our everyday walk with Him. Enjoy this Fresh air from our Father. "Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night." (Philippians 2:15, MSG)

You, too, can be free!

Rob Chaffart

©Copyright 2011 Answers2Prayer | Matt 10:8 "Freely you have received, freely give."

Where Can we get peace?

Lamu attacks and murders, Isreali-Gaza conflict, Iraq in turmoil, Egypt in crises, Syria bleeding, Boko Haram in Nigeria, AlQuida everywhere, Al Shabaab in Somali and elsewhere, Separatists in Ukraine who can bring down a jetliner with sophisticated war machinery, endless domestic violence. The list is endless......

Where can we get peace?

Matthew 5:9  “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

John 14:27  Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 20:19  On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them,  “Peace be with you.”

PRAYER:

Philippians 4:6-7  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."  -  C.S. Lewis

"I have to get to the point of the absolute and unquestionable relationship that takes everything exactly as it comes from Him. God never guides us at some time in the future, but always here and now. Realize that the Lord is here now, and the freedom you receive is immediate."  -  Oswald Chambers

"Blessed are the single-hearted, for they shall enjoy much peace… If you refuse to be hurried and pressed, if you stay your soul on God, nothing can keep you from that clearness of spirit which is life and peace. In that stillness you know what His will is."  -  Amy Carmichael

Romans 5:1 - Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 2:4 - And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

Guardian Angels

You are Mine.  Once I have set on you My stamp and seal of ownership all My Hosts throng to serve and protect you. Remember that you are daughters of a King.   Try to picture a bodyguard of My servitors in the Unseen waiting, longing, efficient, to do all that is necessary for your well-being. Feel this as you go through the day.  Feel this and all is well. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14