Carrots, Eggs and Coffee Beans

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as when one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen.

She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.

In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what you see." "Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does this mean, mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity, boiling water. Each had reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting in the boiling water, its insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After being in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"

- Unknown

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.  2 Corinthians 4:8-10 

A New Book

The Bible is always a new book to those well acquainted with it!

- Robert Chapman

In Due Season

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!  Proverbs 15:23

Cut Down

We may have been cut down, but God is able to make something beautiful out of our lives again.

- Paul Cobb

Delighted

Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Psalm 37:4

In The Wilderness

A voice is calling, "Clear the way for the LORD in the wilderness; Make smooth in the desert a highway for our God.  Isaiah 40:30

Fathers Love Letter

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you.   Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up.   Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways.   Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.   Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image.   Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being.   Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring.    Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived.   Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation.  Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book.   Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live.   Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.   Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb.   Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born.   Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me.   John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love.  1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.   1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father.   1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.   Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father.   Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.   James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.   Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.   Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love.   Jeremiah 31:3

 

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.  Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing.   Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you.   Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession.  Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.   Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things.   Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me.   Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart.   Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires.   Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine.   Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager.  

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles.   2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you.   Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart.   Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes.   Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.   Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.    John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.    John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being.   Hebrews 1:3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.    Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.    2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.    2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you.   1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love.    Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me.    1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.   Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.   Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.    Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is… Will you be my child?     John 1:12-13 

I am waiting for you.    Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad. Almighty God

Source: Father's Love Letter .Com

S.H.I.N.E.

S.H.I.N.E. = Serving Him In Never-ending Eagerness

Expected End

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.  Jeremiah 29:11

Renew

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalm 51:10

Instructions

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.  Proverbs 1:8-9

Counsel of the Lord

Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand.  Proverbs 19:20-21

The Lighthouse

There's a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life's sea. When I'm tossed it sends out a light that I might see.

And the light that shines in darkness now will safely lead me home, If it wasn't for the lighthouse, my ship would sail no more.

And I thank God for The Lighthouse, I owe my life to Him. Jesus is The Lighthouse and from the rocks of sin, He has shown the light around me, so that I might clearly see.

If it wasn't for The Lighthouse, Where would this ship be?

Everyone that lives around us, says tear that old lighthouse down, The big ships don't sail this way anymore, ain't no use in it standing round.

But then my mind goes back to that stormy night, when just in time I saw the light With the light from that old lighthouse, that stands there on the hill.

- The Hinsons

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?  Psalm 27:1

Living Word

The purpose of knowing the written Word of God is to lead us to 'knowing' the Living Word of God. Which is Jesus, The RISEN SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.

- Troi Nelson Cockayne

Isaiah 43:4

God's favour and good-will to his people speak abundant comfort to all believers. The new creature, wherever it is, is of God's forming. All who are redeemed with the blood of his Son, he has set apart for himself. Those that have God for them need not fear who or what can be against them. What are Egypt and Ethiopia, all their lives and treasures, compared with the blood of Christ? True believers are precious in God's sight, his delight is in them, above any people. Though they went as through fire and water, yet, while they had God with them, they need fear no evil; they should be born up, and brought out. The faithful are encouraged. They were to be assembled from every quarter. And with this pleasing object in view, the prophet again dissuades from anxious fears.

- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Snare

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.  Proverbs 29:25

Rejoice in Salvation

And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.  Isaiah 25:9

Be Reconciled

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:20

Spiritual Blessings

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:  Ephesians 1:3

Between God and Us

Jesus Christ is our Mediator, the connection, the bridge, between God and us. Spiritual enablement flows from God through Him to us. God's power and God's faithfulness are the issues that are of supreme importance to us in these critical times. Are we constantly cognizant of the fact that our salvation lies in His hands? He has the power to save.

- John W. Ritenbaugh

Old Age

They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing;  Psalm 92:14

Boast Not

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.  Proverbs 27:1

Fastens

What fastens two people yet touches only one?

Answer:

A Wedding Ring.

For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.   Ephesians 5:31

Spiritually Discerned

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  1 Corinthians 2:14

A Nail

The nail is used for many things, A useful securing tool; A hammer is taken by the hand And drives it, that's the rule.

A nail is needed when you build, It's a necessary thing. It was also used over two thousand years ago, To hang upon a tree, the King.

He took the pain and suffering, For all mankind, you see. Yet He took the torture just for you, And He took it just for me.

You cannot keep a good man down, Through the years many have said. He went down a man, and rose a King, To deliver the spiritually dead.

He is on the throne, At God's right hand. The First, the Last, The Great I Am.

No nail, no hammer can touch Him now.  The mighty King on high. What He built is forevermore, Salvation for you and I.

So when you see a simple nail with it's sharpened end, And need to build or repair, Lift up your eyes, your heart and mind, And thank Him with a prayer.

- Unknown

An Apple

Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.

- English Proverb

To The Light

For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.  John 3:20-21

Raises Up

He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;   That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.  Psalm 113:7-8

Footstool

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.  Hebrews 19:12-13

Former and Latter

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month.  Joel 2:23

In The Spirit

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16