Drop A Pebble In The Water

Drop a pebble in the water, just a splash, and it’s gone;
But there’s half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you will forget,
But there’s little waves a-flowing and there’s ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to a great big wave have grown;
You’ve disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;
But there’s half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started the flow.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute you forget;
But there’s little waves a-flowing, and there’s ripples circling yet.
And perhaps in some sad heart a mighty wave of tears you’ve stirred,
And disturbed a life that was happy where you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: just a flash and it is gone;
But there is half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy and comfort on each splashing, dashing wave,
Till you wouldn’t believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you will forget;
But there’s gladness still a –swelling, and there’s joy circling yet.
And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard,
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

Author Unknown

Harsh Words

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way saying good-bye.
But at home a difference is told,
how we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
As I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
But the children you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
and you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
By this time, I felt very small,
and now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. "
Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Author Unknown

Heart Prints

Whatever our hands touch--
We leave fingerprints!
On walls, on furniture,
On doorknobs, dishes, books,
As we touch we leave our identity.

Oh, Lord, please where ever I go today,
Help me leave heart prints!
Heart prints of compassion
Of understanding and love.
Heart prints of kindness
and genuine concern.

May my heart touch a lonely neighbor
Or a runaway daughter,
Or an anxious mother,
Or, perhaps, a dear friend!

I shall go out today
To leave heart prints,
And if someone should say
"I felt your touch,"
May that one sense be...YOUR LOVE, LORD
Touching through ME.

Author Unknown 

I See Jesus

I saw Jesus last week.
He was wearing blue jeans and an old shirt.
He was up at the church building.
He was alone and working hard.
For just a minute he looked a little like one of our members.
But it was Jesus ... I could tell by his smile.

I saw Jesus last Sunday.
He was teaching a Bible class.
He didn't talk real loud or use long words,
But you could tell he believed what he said.
For just a minute, he looked like my Bible teacher.
But it was Jesus ... I could tell by his loving voice.

I saw Jesus yesterday.
He was at the hospital visiting a friend who was sick.
They prayed together quietly.
For just a minute he looked like Brother Jones.
But it was Jesus ... I could tell by the tears in his eyes.

I saw Jesus this morning.
He was in my kitchen making my breakfast and fixing me a special lunch.
For just a minute he looked like my mom.
But it was Jesus ... I could feel the love from his heart.

I see Jesus everywhere,
Taking food to the sick ... Welcoming others to his home,
Being friendly to a newcomer ... & for just a minute,
I think he's someone I know.
But it's always Jesus ... I can tell by the way he serves.

Author Unknown

If! O Lord God, Please Let It Happen

If I can throw a single ray of light across the darkened pathway of another;
if I can aid some soul to clearer sight of life and duty, and thus bless my brother;
if I can wipe from any human cheek a tear, I shall not have lived my life in vain while here.
If I can guide some erring one to truth, inspire within his heart a sense of duty;
if I can plant within my soul of rosy youth a sense of right, a love of truth and beauty;
if I can teach one man that God and heaven are near, I shall not then have lived in vain while here.
If from my mind I banish doubt and fear, and keep my life attuned to love and kindness;
if I can scatter light and hope and cheer, and help remove the curse of mental blindness;
if I can make more joy, more hope, less pain, I shall not have lived and loved in vain.
If by life's roadside I can plant a tree, beneath whose shade some wearied head may rest, though I may never share its beauty, I shall yet be truly blest -- though no one knows my name, nor drops a flower upon my grave, I shall not have lived in vain while here.

Author Unknown

Judge Gently

Pray, don't find fault with the man that limps
Or stumbles along the road.
Unless you have worn the shoes he wears
Or struggled beneath his load.

There may be tacks in his shoes that hurt
Though hidden away from view.
Or the burden he bears placed on your back
Might cause you to stumble too.

Don't sneer at the man who's down today
Unless you have felt the blow
That caused his fall or felt the shame
That only the fallen know.

You may be strong but still the blows
That was his if dealt to you
In the selfsame way, at the selfsame time
Might cause you to stagger too.

Don't be too harsh with the man that sins
Or pelt him with word or stone
Unless you are sure - yea, doubly sure -
That you have no sins of your own.

For you know, perhaps,
If the tempter's voice should whisper as soft to you
As it did to him when he went astray
It might cause you to falter too.

Author Unknown

Life

Life isn't about keeping score.
It's about whom you love and whom you hurt.
It's about whom you make happy or unhappy purposefully.

It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or a weapon.
It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful,
maybe heartening.

It's about what judgments you pass and why.
And who your judgments are spread to.

It's about whom you've ignored with full control and
intention.

It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
It's about carrying inner hate and love,
letting it grow, and spreading it.

But most of all,
Life is about using your life to touch or poison other
people's hearts in such a way that could have never
occurred alone.

Only you choose the way those hearts are affected,
And those choices are what life's all about.

Author Unknown

Life Is A Miracle

Life is a miracle
Don't let it slip away,
Open your heart to others
Give of yourself each day.

See the beauty in everyone
Regardless of where they've been,
Some have a difficult journey
And really need a friend.

Share your gifts and talents
Listen with your heart.
Do the things you dream about
But don't have time to start.

Pick a bouquet of flowers
Show someone that you care,
Be gracious and forgiving
Life is never fair.

Hold on to your courage
You may need it down the road,
We all have a cross to bear
It could be a heavy load.

If you practice all these things
No matter where you roam,
You may find both sun and rain
But you'll never feel alone!

Author Unknown

Love Giving

Someone taught you how to love,
and probably didn't know it.
And in return, with every day,
It's now your turn to show it.

When you love, you give a gift,
And when you're gone it stays
To be passed on by the ones you loved
To make some one else's day.

So remember someone who loved you,
And show how much you care,
By sharing all the love they gave
With people everywhere.

When you give away your love,
That doesn't mean it's gone.
Love will last forever,
so open your heart...
and pass it on.

Author Unknown 

Love Works

A guardian angel
Flew down from above,
To teach me a lesson
About the powers of love.
She whispers to me,
Take a hold of my hand,
There are so many things
I wish you to understand.
About the powers of love,
And all it can do,
To someone who needs
To share it with you.
A pat on the back,
A kind smile on your face,
Can make someone's life,
A much brighter place.
It doesn't take much,
To show someone you care,
To give them the love,
God gave you to share.
So please keep in mind,
All the powers you possess,
To grace someone's life,
When they're in distress.
You've been put on this earth
To bestow the powers of love,
And with those final words,
She disappeared up above.

Author Unknown 

Poor Yet Rich

He spent what he made, or he gave it away,
Tried to save money, and would for a day,
Started a bank account time and again,
Got a hundred or so for a nest egg, an' then
Some fellow that needed it more than he did,
Who was down and out, with a sick wife or kid,
Came along an' he wasted no time till he went
An' drew out the coin that for saving was meant.

They say he died poor, and I guess that is so:
To pile up a fortune he hadn't a show;
He worked all the time and good money he made,
Was known as an excellent man at his trade,
But he saw, heard and felt too much here
To save anything by the end of the year,
An' the shabbiest wreck the Lord ever let live
Could get money from him if he had it to give.

I've seen him slip dimes to the bums on the street
Who told him they hungered for something to eat,
An' though I remarked they were going for drink
He'd say "maybe so. But I'd just hate to think
That fellow was hungry an' I'd passed him by;
I'd rather be fooled twenty times by a lie
Than wonder if one of 'em I wouldn't feed
Had told me the truth an' was really in need."

Never stinted his family out of a thing:
They had everything that his money could bring;
Said he'd rather be broke and just know they were glad,
Than rich, with them pining an' wishin they had
Some of the pleasures his money would buy;
Said he never could look a bank book in the eye
If he knew it had grown on the pleasures and joys
Than he'd robbed from his wife, his girls and his boys

Queer sort of notion he had, I confess
Yet many a rich man on earth is mourned less.
All who had known him came back to his side
To honor his name on the day that he died.
Didn't leave much in the bank, it is true,
But did leave a fortune in people who knew
The big heart of him, an' I'm willing to declare
That today he is one of the richest up there.

Author Unknown

Reach Out to the Lost

There are many lost and dying souls
in the world today
We the few must let them know
The Light The Truth The Way

For we are His hands
To reach out to those in need
It is His command
We're a lost and dying breed

We are His feet
To go into all the Earth
And let each and everyone
Know about His glorious birth

We must plant the seeds
for harvest time is near
When He comes to take us home
Many will be left here

What if it is your brother?
What if it is your friend?
What if it is your mother?
Their souls did you try to win?

We must keep on trying
To reach out to the lost
For many souls are dying,
At our own cost

What if it is your brother?
What if it is your friend?
What if it is your mother?
Their souls did you try to win

We must keep on trying
to reach out to the Lost
For many souls are dying,
At our own cost

Author Unknown 

The Way We Affect Others

We may not always realize
that everything we do,
affects not only our lives,
but touches others too.

A single happy smile
can always brighten up the day,
for anyone who happens
to be passing by your way.

And a little bit of thoughtfulness
that shows someone you care,
creates a ray of sunshine
for both of you to share.

Yes, every time you offer
someone a helping hand,
every time you show a friend
you understand.

Every time you have a kind
and gentle word to give,
you help someone to find beauty
in this precious life we live.

For happiness brings happiness
and loving ways bring love,
and giving is the treasure,
that contentment is made of.

Author Unknown

To Touch The Heart

To touch the heart of someone dear -
though it might sometimes cause a tear
to fall or rest upon the cheek -
'Tis something we all should seek.

For often hearts not touched at all,
start hardening and shrinking small.
And then the time it takes to grow
A loving heart again - is very slow.

For hearts expand as those who care -
extend their love and - let us share
a moment, space or special phrase,
that eases pain on dreary days.
Or simply starts our lips to smile,
and brightens time for just a while.

The ways and kinds and means of sharing,
it seems to me - are based on caring.
And though we're often worlds apart,
You still can touch my tender heart.
You can make me smile or shed a tear,
And I'll remember you year after year.
YOU "touched" my heart and helped me grow.
Friend, I just thought I'd tell you so.

John 13:34-35 (NKJ) "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Author Unknown

Treasures

There are treasures in life,
but owners are few
Of money and power
to buy things brand new.
Yet you can be wealthy
and feel regal too,
If you will just look
for the treasures in you.
These treasures in life
are not hard to find
When you look in your heart,
your soul, and your mind.
For when you are willing
to share what's within,
Your fervent search
for riches will end.
The joy and the laughter,
the smile that you bring;
The heart unafraid
to love and to sing;
The hand always willing
to help those in need;
Ones quick to reach out,
to labor and feed.
So thank you for sharing
these great gifts inside;
The caring, the cheering,
the hug when one cried.
Thanks for the energy,
encouragement too,
And thank you for sharing
the treasures in you.

Author Unknown 

You Won't Understand

Often people say to me "You just won't understand."
"You're way too old," or "Way too young," or "YOU are NOT a man."

I don't know why some people feel they suffer unique pain.
As if they are the only ones who've lost or ceased to gain.
I don't know why they hide their pain and clutch it ever tighter.
It seems to me that all should know - a burden shared gets lighter.

Why some folks even deign to think the pain that's in their heart,
Is all their own, to keep and hoard, they set themselves apart.
They keep their eyes from meeting mine lest I should see their hurt.
And even if we stop and speak their words are often curt.

The Bible says: 'Two' can withstand what overcomes just 'one'.
And also that - a 'Cord of Three' can scarcely be undone.

Besides, I know the ways of hurt - My heart's been crushed before.
Friends have betrayed - I've lost at love,
Despair's knocked at my door.

And I Remember - Thoughts gone wild - And crying late at night.
Not having strength to care at all - Much less the strength to fight.
But, someone special came to me - And when my trials were told.
I realized that with their tears - They'd eased my heavy load.

And so, I learned - that Pain - like Love - Is bearable if shared.
I don't know what I would have done without that friend who cared.

My trials did not vanish fast - In fact the time was long.
But sharing gave me breathing space until I could grow strong
Enough to laugh again and even start to smile -
And though it seemed it could not help - It eased my pain awhile.

So, if you think that you can't share cause I won't understand.
At least just give me half a chance to lend a helping hand.
For I know that you're hurting and I know a place to start.
Perhaps if you could realize - Your pain burns in my heart.

I know I cannot make your trials and troubles go away.
But maybe I can help a bit to get you through today.
And maybe by tomorrow you wont need help anymore.
But if you should - Don't be ashamed -
For that's what friends are for.

And after all is said and done - The trials ceased - You're whole.
Perhaps you'll know just what to do to help another soul -
Who's being crushed by hurt and pain - be it woman or a man.
And you won't have to hear them say "You just won't understand."

Author Unknown

What Life Is About

Life isn't about keeping score.
It's not about how many friends you have
Or how accepted you are.
Not about if you have plans this weekend or if you're alone.
It isn't about who you're dating, who you used to date,
how many people you've dated, or if you haven't been
with anyone at all.
It isn't about who you have kissed,
It isn't about who your family is or
how much money they have
Or what kind of car you drive.
Or where you are sent to school.
It's not about how beautiful or ugly you are.
Or what clothes you wear, what shoes you have on,
Or what kind of music you listen to.
It's not about if your hair is blonde, red, black, or brown,
Or if your skin is too light or too dark.
Not about what grades you get how smart you are, how smart
everybody else thinks you are, or how smart
standardized tests say you are.
It's not about what clubs you're in or how good
you are at "your" sport.
It's not about representing your whole being on a piece of
paper and seeing who will "accept the written you."

Life just isn't.

Life is about who you love and who you hurt.
It's about who you make happy or unhappy purposely.
It's about keeping or betraying trust.
It's about friendship, used as a sanctity or as a weapon.
It's about what you say and mean, maybe hurtful, maybe heartening.
It's about starting rumors and contributing to petty gossip.
It's about what judgments you pass and why.
And who your judgments are spread to.
It's about who you've ignored with full control and intention.
It's about jealousy, fear, ignorance, and revenge.
It's about carrying inner hate and love, letting it grow
and spreading it.
But most of all, it's about using your life to touch or poison
other people's hearts in such a way that could have
never occurred alone.
Only you choose the way those hearts are affected, and those choices are what life's all about.

All this was said a long time ago. It was very simply put.

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

Author Unknown

When Life Gets So Hard

I wanted to find some words on a card.
That would help to get thru it when life gets so hard.
It seems you can't bear it - perhaps can't go on -
When deep in the heart there's no trace of a song.
Some words that would comfort -
when late in the night the trials return and -
you're too tired to fight.

Or the tears flow so often it seems you'll run dry.
And life gets so tough that you just want to die -
Or at least go and hide -
where you're safe from all pain.
Someplace you can rest 'til you find joy again.

What are the words you so need to hear -
That will help and will heal and remove all the fear -
That builds up inside 'til you think you'll explode -
What are the words that will lighten the load?

If only I knew the right words to say.
To encourage and Bless you or comfort some way.
I know not the words but this I can do.
I shall offer up Prayers to the Father for you.

Author Unknown

You Are Jesus to Someone

YOUR LIFE is Jesus to someone,
though tattered and torn it may be.
Though often times weak and unstable,
you're all of God someone will see.

YOUR TONGUE is Jesus to someone.
That idle, insensitive word
reflects to at least one searching heart
an idle, insensitive Lord.

YOUR GOALS are Jesus to someone.
What you put first, they believe,
are the goals of God for the Christian.
Your life is all they receive.

YOUR FAITHFULNESS... that's Jesus to someone.
Their judgment of how God is true,
rests unquestionably in the faithfulness
they see day by day in you.

YOUR LOVE is Jesus to someone--
that someone who is seeking to know
that Jesus will follow and guide and
befriend wherever in life they might go.

SO BEWARE lest others blaspheme
God by what you say or do,
for the only Jesus that someone knows
is the Jesus they see in you.

Author Unknown