A Child's Message to His Parents #3

Don't make me feel smaller than I am. If you do, I will make up for it by behaving like a 'big shot'.

Don't do things for me that I can do for myself. It makes me feel like a baby, and I will therefore act helpless like one, and put you in my services.

A Child's Message to His Parents #2

Don't use force with me. It teaches me that power is all that counts. I will respond more readily to being led.

Don' make promises. You may not be able to keep them. That will discourage my trust in you.

A Child's Message to His Parents #1

Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all I ask for. I'm only testing you.

Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it. It lets me know where I stand.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #1

Nothing inspires me and strengthens my commitment like the annual business meeting.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #2

Pastor, we'd like to send you to that Bible seminar in the Bahamas.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #3

Since we're all here, let's start the worship service early.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #4

I love it when we sing hymns we've never sung before.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #5

Forget the denominational guidelines - let's pay our pastor a good living wage.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #6

I volunteer  to be the permanent Sunday School teacher for the junior high class.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #7

Pastor, I've decided to give our church the $500 a month I used to send to the TV evangelists.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #8

Personally, I find witnessing more enjoyable than golfing.

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #9

I was so enthralled, I never noticed the sermon went overtime by 20 minutes)

(Dedicated to Susan Jordan)

Pastors' Top Ten Wished-for Statements #10

Hey, it's my turn to sit in the front pew!

Learning

A small boy was learning to skate. His frequent mishaps awakened the pity of a bystander. "Sonny, you're getting all banged up," he said, "Why don't you stop for a while and just watch the other?"

With tears still rolling down his cheeks from the last fall, he looked from his advisor to the shining steel on his feet and said, "Mister, I didn't get these skates to give up with! I got 'em to learn how with."

Give Thanks #15

I am thankful for the alarm that goes off in the early morning because it means I am still alive.

Give Thanks #14

I am thankful for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day because it means I have been capable of working hard.

Give Thanks #13

I give thanks for the pile of laundry and ironing because it means I have clothes to wear.

Give Thanks #12

I am thankful for the lady behind me in church who sings off key because it means I can hear.

Give Thanks #11

I am thankful for my huge heating bill because it means I am warm.

Give Thanks #10

I am thankful for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot because it means I am capable of walking and I have blessed with transportation.

Don't Be Afraid to Fail

You've failed many times, although you may not remember. You fell down the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim, didn't you? Did you hit the ball the first time you swung a bat? Heavy hitters, the ones who hit the most home runs, also strike out a lot. R. H. Macy failed seven times before his store in New York caught on. English novelist John Creasey got 753 rejection slips before he publish 564 books. Babe Ruth struck out 1,300 times but he also hit 714 home runs. Don't worry about failure. Worry about the changes you miss when you don't even try.

Give Thanks #9

I give thanks for all the complaining I hear about our government because it means we have freedom of speech.

Give Thanks #8

I am thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing because it means I have a home.

Give Thanks #7

I am thankful for my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am out in the sunshine.

Give Thanks #6

I am thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug because it means I have enough to eat.

Give Thanks #5

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

Give Thanks #4

I am thankful for the taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

Give Thanks #3

I am thankful for the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes because it means she is at home and not on the streets.

Give Thanks #2

I am Thankful for the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato, because he is home with me and not out at the bars.