Sabbath Keeping

"And in every work that he began 

in the service of the house of God...he did it 

with all his heart, and prospered."

~ II Chronicles 31:21 ~

A new minister was walking with an older, more seasoned minister in the garden one day. 
Feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to do, he was asking the older preacher for some advice.


The older preacher walked up to a rosebush and handed the young preacher a rosebud and told him to  open it without tearing off any of the petals.



The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was trying to figure out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the will of God for his life and ministry.

 But, because of his great respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try to unfold the rose, while keeping every petal intact. It wasn't long before he realized how impossible this was to do.



Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud, without tearing it, the older preacher  began to recite the following poem...



It is only a tiny rosebud

A flower of God's design;

But I cannot unfold the petals

With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers

Is not known to such as I.

God opens this flower so easily,

But in my hands they die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud,

This flower of God's design,

Then how can I have the wisdom

To unfold this life of mine?

So, I'll trust in God for leading

Each moment of my day.

I will look to God for guidance

In each step along the way.

The path that lies before me,

Only my Lord and Savior knows.

I'll trust God to unfold the moments,

Just as He unfolds the rose."

~ author unknown ~

"The process of being made broken bread and poured out wine means that you have to be nourishment for other souls until they learn to feed on God. ... Be careful that you get your supply, or before long you will be utterly exhausted. ... Be exhausted for God, but remember your supply comes from Him. "All my fresh springs shall be in Thee." 

~ Oswald Chambers ~

"But none of these things move me, 

nor do I count my life dear to myself, 

so that I may finish my race with joy, 

and the ministry 

which I received from the 

Lord Jesus, to 

testify to the gospel of the grace of God."

~ Acts 20:24 ~

Prayer Keeping ~ Stephanie ~ Mildred ~ Donna ~ Gretchen ~  Jim ~ Gladys ~ Tara ~ Stephanie ~ Andie, whose Dad passed away yesterday ~ Sandra ~