AngelicDreams4U

Burdens Give Us Wings ~ Parable

2026-10-19T00:10:40.799-05:00

The classic story "Burdens Give Us Wings" is an inspiring parable about transformation. It teaches that the challenges we face, when embraced willingly, give us the strength and ability to soar.

A long time ago God had a great many burdens that He wished to have carried from one place to another on Earth. He asked the animals to lend a hand, but all of them had excuses for not helping: the elephant was too dignified; the lion, too proud; and so on...

Finally the birds came to God and said, "If you will tie the burdens into small bundles, we'll be glad to carry them for you. We are small, but we would like to help."

So God fastened upon the back of each bird a small bundle, and they all set out walking across the plain to their destination. They sang as they went, not minding the weight of their burdens at all. Every day the burdens seemed lighter and lighter, until the loads seemed to be lifting the birds, instead of the birds carrying the burdens.

When they arrived at their destination, they discovered that when they removed their loads, there were beautiful wings in their place. Wings that enabled them to fly to the tree tops and soar through the sky, closer and closer to God.

The burdens we carry for others, as well as ourselves, become wings of the spirit, lifting us to new places and bringing us closer and closer to God.

May you always Soar in spite of your Burdens!

So until tomorrow… blessings can be found in burdens when shared with others.

Moral and Meaning

Growth Through Adversity: Just like the birds, our everyday duties and heavy trials are not meant to crush us. They are pinions designed to lift us.
Attitude is Everything: How we carry our burdens dictates their effect. When we face difficulties cheerfully and with love, the load becomes a blessing.
Strength in Weakness: It reminds us that our responsibilities and struggles are opportunities for us to grow and rise to greater spiritual heights.
WebInspirations

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Occupational Hymns

2026-10-18T20:44:32.530-05:00

Whatever you do, there's sure to be a hymn that's just right for you!

The Dentist's Hymn:
.....Crown Him With Many Crowns

The Weatherman's Hymn:
.....There Shall Be Showers of Blessing

The Contractor's Hymn:
.....The Church's One Foundation

The Tailor's Hymn:
.....Holy, Holy, Holy

The Golfer's Hymn:
.....There is A Green Hill Far Away

The Politician's Hymn:
..... Standing on the Promises

The Optometrist's Hymn:
.....Open My Eyes That I Might See

The IRS Agent's Hymn:
.....I Surrender All

The Gossip's Hymn:
.....Pass It On

The Electrician's Hymn:
.....Send the Light

The Shopper's Hymn:
.....Sweet By and By

The Realtor's Hymn:
.....I've Got A Mansion Just Over the Hilltop

The Pilot's Hymn:
.....I'll Fly Away

The Paramedic's Hymn:
.....Revive Us Again

The Judge's Hymn:
.....Almost Persuaded

The Telephone Operator's Hymn:
.....A Call To Prayer

The Psychiatrist's Hymn:
.....Just a Little Talk With Jesus

Miss America's Hymn:
.....A Crown Over There

The Architect's Hymn:
.....How Firm A Foundation

The Credit Card User's Hymn:
.....A Charge To Keep I Have To Keep

The Zookeeper's Hymn:
.....All Creatures of Our God & King

The Postal Worker's Hymn:
.....So Send I You

The Waiter's Hymn:
.....Fill My Cup, Lord

The Gardener's Hymn:
.....Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming

The Lifeguard's Hymn:
.....Rescue the Perishing

The Pediatrician's Hymn:
.....A Child Of God

The Criminal's Hymn:
.....Search Me, O God

The Baker's Hymn:
.....When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder

The Shoe Repairer's Hymn:
.....It Is Well With My Soul

The Travel Agent's Hymn:
.....Anywhere With Jesus

The Geologist's Hymn:
.....Rock of Ages

The Hematologist's Hymn:
.....Are You Washed in the Blood?

The Mens' Wear Clerk's Hymn:
.....Blest Be the Tie

The Umpire's Hymn:
.....I Need No Other Argument

The Librarian's Hymn:
.....Whispering Hope

Swimmer's Hymn:
.....Shall We Gather at the River

AND for those who speed on the highway - a few hymns:

45mph...................God Will Take Care of You

65mph...................Nearer My God To Thee

85mph...................This World Is Not My Home

95mph....................Lord, I'm Coming Home

100mph..................Precious Memories

Give me a sense of humor, Lord,

Give me the grace to see a joke,

To get some humor out of life,

And pass it on to other folk

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The Parable of the Pear Tree

2026-10-16T16:52:24.720-05:00

There once was a man who had four young sons.

He wanted to teach each of them about the dangers of judging things too rapidly before seeing all aspects of a situation. So, he decided to send each of them on a journey, one after the other, to view and observe a distant pear tree.

Each son traveled in a different season…the first in Winter, the second in Spring, the third son in the Summer, and the fourth in the Fall.

At the end of the year he brought his children together and asked them about what they had seen and observed.

The son who had travelled in the Winter described a gnarled, twisted, and barren tree that stood stark and ugly against the land.

The son who went in the Spring disagreed completely. He commented that the tree seemed full of hope and promise, with many green buds along its branches.

The third son, who travelled in the Summer, described the pear tree he had seen as covered with beautiful blossoms that looked and smelled divine.

Finally, the fourth and last son, who made the journey in the Fall, was even more elated. He described a tree laden with sweet and delicious pears that tasted better than any he had ever eaten before.

After each son had spoken, the father said they were actually all correct…because each had only seen but one season in the pear tree’s life. He told his sons that it is foolish and impossible to make wise and fair judgments in this manner.

He further explained that the essence of something, whether it’s a tree or their fellow man, can only be measured as a whole, at the end of a year, having seen it in all its development and fullness.

To make a negative judgment in Winter is to miss the promise of Spring, the beauty of Summer, and the delicious fruit of Fall.

- Author Unknown

Moral of the story:

Refuse to judge yourself, life, or other people based upon a single mistake or challenging time. Refuse to let the pain of one season destroy the joy of what is to come in the future.
For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1

Printable PDF Version of This Parable
Adapted From: GodsOtherWays

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Jake The Rancher

2026-10-16T15:30:58.279-05:00

Jake the rancher went one day
To fix a distant fence.
The wind was cold and gusty,
And the clouds were gray and dense.

As he pounded the last staples in,
And gathered tools to go,
The temperature had fallen
And the snow began to blow.

When he finally reached his pickup,
He felt a heavy heart;
From the sound of that ignition,
He knew it wouldn't start.

So Jake did what most of us would do,
If we would have been there---
He humbly bowed his balding head,
And sent a heart-felt prayer.

As he turned the key the last time,
He softly cursed his luck;
They found him, three days later,
Frozen stiff in that old truck.

Now Jake had been around in life,
And done his share of roamin'
But he was shocked when he saw heaven,
For it looked just like Wyomin'.

Of all the saints in heaven,
His favorite was Saint Peter;
And when Jake got to heaven,
Well, guess who was the greeter?.

They set and talked a minute or two,
Or maybe even three;
There wasn't no one keepin' score---
In heaven, time is free.

"Ive always heard," Jake said to Pete,
"That God will answer prayer.
But the one time when I asked for help,
Well, He just plain wasn't there."

"Does God answer the prayers of some,
But not the prayers of others?
That don't seem exactly right---
I thought all men were brothers."

"Or does He randomly reply,
Without good rhyme or reason?
Or maybe it's the time of day,
The weather or the season."

"Now I ain't tryin' to act smart,
It's just the way I feel.
And I wondered could you tell me,
Just what the heck's the deal?"

Peter listened very patiently,
And then when Jake was done,
There were smiles of recognition,
And he said, "So you're the one!"

"That day when your truck wouldn't start,
And you sent your prayer a'flyin'
You gave us all a real bad time,
With hundreds of us tryin' "

"A thousand angels rushed to check
The status of your file,
But you know, Jake, we hadn't heard
From you in quite a while.

And though all prayers are answered,
And God ain't got no quota,
He didn't recognize your voice,
And started a truck in North Dakota!"

~ Bill Jones, Cowboy Poet~

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The Visit (Jesus Came to Dinner)

2026-10-16T05:06:31.318-05:00

Inspirational Christian Story about being a blessing

Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. She read the letter:

Her hands were shaking as she placed the letter on the table. "Why would the Lord want to visit me? I'm nobody special. I don't have anything to offer." With that thought, Ruth remembered her empty kitchen cabinets.

"Oh my goodness, I really don't have anything to offer. I'll have to run down to the store and buy something for dinner." She reached for her purse and counted out its contents. Five dollars and forty cents "Well, I can get some bread and cold cuts, at least." She threw on her coat and hurried out the door. A loaf of French bread, a half-pound of sliced turkey, and a carton of milk...leaving Ruth with grand total of twelve cents to last her until Monday. Nonetheless, she felt good as she headed home, her meager offerings tucked under her arm.

"Hey lady, can you help us, lady?" Ruth had been so absorbed in her dinner plans, she hadn't even noticed two figures huddled in the alleyway.
A man and a woman, both of them dressed in little more than rags. "Look lady, I ain't got a job, ya know, and my wife and I have been living out here on the street, and, well, now it's getting cold and we're getting kinda hungry and, well, if you could help us, lady, we'd really appreciate it." Ruth looked at them both. They were dirty, they smelled bad and, frankly, she was certain that they could get some kind of work if they really wanted to.

"Sir, I'd like to help you, but I'm a poor woman myself. All I have is a few cold cuts and some bread, and I'm having an important guest for dinner tonight and I was planning on serving that to Him." "Yeah, well, okay lady, I understand. Thanks anyway." The man put his arm around the woman's shoulders, turned and headed back into the alley.
As she watched them leave, Ruth felt a familiar twinge in her heart. "Sir, wait!" The couple stopped and turned as she ran down the alley after them. "Look, why don't you take this food. I'll figure out something else to serve my guest." She handed the man her grocery bag. "Thank you lady. Thank you very much!"
"Yes, thank you!" It was the man's wife, and Ruth could see now that she was shivering.

"You know, I've got another coat at home. Here, why don't you take this one." Ruth unbuttoned her jacket and slipped it over the woman's shoulders.
Then smiling, she turned and walked back to the street...without her coat and with nothing to serve her guest. "Thank you lady! Thank you very much!"
Ruth was chilled by the time she reached her front door, and worried too. The Lord was coming to visit and she didn't have anything to offer Him. She fumbled through her purse for the door key. But as she did, she noticed another envelope in her mailbox.

"That's odd. The mailman doesn't usually come twice in one day."
She took the envelope out of the box and opened it.

The air was still cold, but even without her coat, Ruth no longer noticed.
-Author Unknown

"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
— Matthew 25:40

Original

A Letter From Jesus

Dear Beloved Child,

I just had to send a note to tell you how much I love you and care about you. I saw you yesterday when you were walking on campus with your friends. I waited all day hoping you would want to talk with me also. As evening drew near, I gave you a sunset to close your day and a cool breeze to refresh you. But you never came. It hurt me, but I still love you completely, because you are my friend.

I saw you fall asleep last night and I longed to touch your brow. So I spilled moonlight onto your pillow and your face. Again I waited, wanting to rush down so that we could talk. I have so many gifts for you. But you awakened late that next day and rushed off to class. My tears were in the rain.

Today you were so sad. You looked good on the outside, but felt so sad, so alone. It made my heart ache because I understand. My friends let me down and hurt me, remember? But I love you. Oh, if you would only listen to me. I really, really love you. I try to tell you in the blue sky and in the quiet green grass, and now in the snow. I whisper it in the leaves on trees and the colors of the autumn forests. My love for you is deeper that the oceans and bigger than the biggest want or need in your heart. If you only knew how much I want to help you. I want you to know my Father intimately. He wants to help you, too. My Father is that way, you know. Just call me, ask me, talk with me. I have so much to share with you.

But I won't hassle you. I'll wait because I love you.

Your friend,

Jesus

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Cowboy Prayer

2026-10-15T13:56:23.671-05:00

Oh, Lord, I've never lived where churches grow.
I love creation better as it stood
That day you finished it so long ago,
And looked upon your work and called it good.
I know that others might find You in the light
That's sifted down through tinted window panes,
And yet I seem to feel You near tonight.

Let me be easy on the man that's down;
Let me be square and generous with all.
I'm careless sometimes, Lord, when I'm in town,
But never let them say I'm mean or small!
Make me as big and open as the plains,
As honest as the hoss between my knees,
Clean as the wind that blows behind the rains,
Free as the hawk that circles down the breeze!

I thank you, Lord, that I am placed so well,
That you made my freedom so complete;
That I'm no slave to whistle, clock, or bell,
Nor weak-eyed prisoner of wall and street.
Just let me live my life as I've begun
And give me work that is open to the sky;
Make me a pardner of the wind and sun,
And I won't ask a life that's soft or high.

Forgive me, Lord, if sometimes I forget.
You know about the reasons that are hid.
You understand the things that gall and fret;
You know me better than my mother did.
Just keep an eye on all that's done and said
And right me, sometimes, when I turn aside,
And guide me on the long, dim trail ahead
That stretches upward toward the Great Divide.

Author-Badger Clark

The Ten Commandments - Cowboy Style
The Cowboy In Church
Cowboy's Last Request

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The Ten Commandments — Cowboy Style

2026-10-15T13:45:29.689-05:00

USA Today, in its 3/10/03 edition, had a large article on two cowboy churches in Texas. They printed the Cowboy's Ten Commandments posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Fairlie, Texas.
Maybe if we all used these instead of the one with all the "shalt nots" in it, we could probably understand and live up to them a lot better!

Guess cowboys just kinda tell it like it is!
Y'all have a good day now... ya' heah?

The Cowboy’s Code of Brotherhood: A Biblical Guide

**Stand Together in Faith:**

**Share the Load:**

**Offer a Helping Hand:**

**Pray for Each Other:**

**Encourage with Kind Words:**

**Stay True to Your Word:**

**Celebrate Together:**

**Forgive Freely:**

**Be There in Silence:**

**Live with Integrity:**

Cowboy Prayer
The Cowboy In Church
Cowboy's Last Request

Also see: Our Cowboy's Code

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The Sandpiper ~ Story

2026-10-15T12:17:19.258-05:00

This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy life, living, and each other. "The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less." Life is so complicated the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important and what is only a momentary setback or crisis.

She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.

"Hello," she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child.

"I'm building," she said.

"I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring.

"Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand."

That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by.

"That's a joy," the child said.

"It's a what?" I asked.

"It's a joy, my mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy." The bird went gliding down the beach.

"Good-bye joy," I muttered to myself, "hello pain," and turned to walk on.

I was depressed; my life seemed completely out of balance.

"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.

"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."

"Mine's Wendy....I'm six."

"Hi, Wendy."

She giggled. "You're funny," she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.

"Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."

The days and weeks that followed belonged to others; a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. "I need a sandpiper," I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of he seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly, but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. I had forgotten the child and was startled when she appeared.

"Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?"

"What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.

"I don't know, you say."

"How about charades?" I asked sarcastically.

Her tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."

"Then let's just walk," I said. Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face.

"Where do you live?" I asked. "Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter.

"Where do you go to school?"

I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation."

She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things.

When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed. Three weeks later, I rushed to the beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home.

"Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today."

She seemed unusually pale and out of breath.

"Why?" she asked.

I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, "My God, why was I saying this to a little child?"

"Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day."

"Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and - oh, go away!"

"Did it hurt?" she inquired

"Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself.

"When she died?" she asked.

"Of course it hurt!" I snapped,wrapped up in myself. I strode off.

A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door. "Hello," I said. "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was."

"Oh, yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies."

"Not at all-she's a delightful child," I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.

"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you."

Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath.

"She loved this beach; so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called "happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered.

"She left something for you...if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?" I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "Mr. P" printed in bold, childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues - a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.

Tears welled up in my eyes and a heart that had almost forgotten how to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry." I muttered over and over, and we wept together.

The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words - one for each year of her life - that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea-blue eyes and hair the color of sand - who taught me the gift of love.

NOTE: Today,tomorrow, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment....even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses. This comes from someone's heart and is shared with many. Now I share it with you. Share it with someone you love.

May God Bless everyone who receives this! There are NO coincidences! Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us?
I wish for you, a Sandpiper.

The image is a memorial tribute inspired by the famous short story "A Sandpiper to Bring You Joy" (widely attributed to Robert Peterson and Mary Sherman Hilbert).

The Story and Meaning

• The Plot: A grieving, stressed adult walking along a beach meets a six-year-old girl named Wendy who is building in the sand. When a sandpiper flies by, Wendy remarks that sandpipers "come to bring us joy".
• The Tragedy: After an abrupt interaction where the adult snaps in grief (following the death of a parent), they later learn that Wendy passed away from leukemia.
• The Gift: Wendy's mother gives the adult a crayon drawing left behind by Wendy—depicting a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird with the words: "A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY".
• The Dedication: The text at the bottom of your image ("A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY" - In Loving Memory of Wendy) personalizes this classic inspirational narrative as a memorial piece.

Note: According to www.snopes.com, this story has been circulating on the Internet since 1997, using the names of Ruth Patterson, Ruth Peterson, and Robert Peterson as the person relating the story. However, the actual author of the piece is Mary Sherman Hilbert. The Reader's Digest picked up the story and offered it in condensed form to its readership in 1980. Hilbert was not the one who had the encounter with the child; she is merely repeating a story she heard years earlier. The sandpiper tale attempts to impart two lessons. First, it instructs us not to let our own grief and suffering blind us to the travails of others. Second, it uses the power of narrative to advise that even in the face of unfolding personal horror we should strive for all the "happy days" we can, as Wendy did.

Here is the full text of the original short story, "A Sandpiper to Bring You Joy", written by Mary Sherman Hilbert:

Sources: Facebook, MizFrog's Pad

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Prayer Mega-List

2026-10-14T03:59:10.738-05:00

Archived Prayer Listings

"Seven Days Without Prayer Makes One Weak"

~* Prayers Listed Randomly *~

Prayer for Good Humor

We Pray For The Children

Interactive Lord's Prayer

Pope Francis' daily prayer for good humor

Pope Francis prays Thomas More's Prayer for Good Humor every morning.

Crosswalk Prayers by topic
PAGEREALM ARCHIVE SEARCH

SOURCE: Archives Prayer Index

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"The Pearl Necklace" (The Treasure)

2026-10-13T00:03:42.632-05:00

This story is called "The Pearl Necklace" (or "The Treasure") by Alice Gray, which tells the tale of a little girl named Jenny who saves up $1.95 to buy a dime-store plastic pearl necklace.

The cheerful girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting
with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please!"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then
looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00 If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere--Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?" "Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess--the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."

"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, " Do you love me?" "Daddy, you know I love you." "Then give me your pearls." "Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my babydoll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper." "That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you." And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian-style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. "What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?" Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny. He had had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her genuine treasure.

So like our heavenly Father.

What are you hanging on to?

(By Alice Gray as printed in "More Stories for the Heart")

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also." - Matthew 6:19-21

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The Gardener and the Currant Bush

2026-10-12T23:30:27.493-05:00

In the early dawn, a young gardener was pruning his trees and shrubs. He had one choice currant bush which had gone too much to wood. He feared therefore that it would produce little, if any, fruit.

Accordingly, he trimmed and pruned the bush and cut it back. In fact, when he had finished, there was little left but stumps and roots.

Tenderly he considered what was left. It looked so sad and deeply hurt. On every stump there seemed to be a tear where the pruning knife had cut away the growth of early spring. The poor bush seemed to speak to him, and he thought he heard it say:

"Oh, how could you be so cruel to me, you who claim to be my friend, who planted me and cared for me when I was young, and nurtured and encouraged me to grow? Could you not see that I was rapidly responding to your care? I was nearly half as large as the trees across the fence, and might soon have become like one of them. But now you've cut my branches back; the green, attractive leaves are gone, and I am in disgrace among my fellows."

The young gardener looked at the weeping bush and heard its plea with sympathetic understanding. His voice was full of kindness as he said, "Do not cry; what I have done to you was necessary that you might be a prize currant bush in my garden. You were not intended to give shade or shelter by your branches. My purpose when I planted you was that you should bear fruit. When I want currants, a tree, regardless of its size, cannot supply the need."

"No, my little currant bush, if I had allowed you to continue to grow as you had started, all your strength would have gone to wood; your roots would not have gained a firm hold, and the purpose for which I brought you into my garden would have been defeated. Your place would have been taken by another, for you would have been barren. You must not weep; all this will be for your good; and some day, when you see more clearly, when you are richly laden with luscious fruit, you will thank me and say, 'Surely, he was a wise and loving gardener.' He knew the purpose of my being, and I thank him now for what I then thought was cruelty.'"

Some years later, this young gardener was in a foreign land, and he himself was growing. He was proud of his position and ambitious for the future.

One day an unexpected vacancy entitled him to promotion. The goal to which he had aspired was now almost within his grasp, and he was proud of the rapid growth which he was making.

But for some reason unknown to him, another was appointed in his stead, and he was asked to take another post relatively unimportant which, under the circumstances, caused his friends to feel that he had failed.

The young man staggered to this tent and knelt beside his cot and wept. He knew now that he could never hope to have what he had thought so desirable. He cried to God and said, "Oh, how could you be so cruel to me? You who claim to be my friend -- you who brought me here and nurtured and encouraged me to grow. Could you not see that I was almost equal to the other men whom I have so long admired? But now I have been cut down. I am in disgrace among my fellows. Oh, how could you do this to me?"

He was humiliated and chagrined and a drop of bitterness was in his heart, when he seemed to hear an echo from the past. Where had he heard those words before? They seemed familiar. Memory whispered: "I'm the gardener here."

He caught his breath. Ah, that was it -- the currant bush! But why should that long-forgotten incident come to him in the midst of his hour of tragedy? And memory answered with words which he himself had spoken:

"Do not cry...what I have done to you was necessary...you were not intended for what you sought to be, ... if I had allowed you to continue...you would have failed in the purpose for which I planted you and my plans for you would have been defeated. You must not weep; some day which you are richly laden with experience you will say, 'He was a wise gardener. He knew the purpose of my earth life...I thank him now for what I thought was cruel.'"

His own words were the medium by which his prayer was answered. There was not bitterness in his heart as he humbly spoke again to God and said, "I know you now. You are the gardener, and I the currant bush. Help me dear God, to endure the pruning, and to grow as you would have me grow; to take my allotted place in life and ever more to say, 'Thy will not mine be done.'"

Another lapse of time in our story. Forty years have passed. The former gardener and officer sits by his fireside with wife and children and grandchildren. He tells them the story of the currant bush -- his own story; and as he kneels in prayer with them, he reverently says to God, "Help us all to understand the purpose of our being, and be ever willing to submit to thy will and not insist upon our own. We remember that in another garden called Gethsemane the choicest of all thy sons was glorified by submission unto thy will."

(Borrowed from a biography of Hugh B. Brown. He was an apostle & counselor in the 1st Presidency to Pres. McKay and died in 1975 at age 92)

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The Pumpkin Prayer

2026-10-12T12:50:58.882-05:00

Dear Jesus, As I carve my pumpkin,
help me pray this prayer:
Open my mind so I can learn about you;
Take all my sin and forgive the wrong that I do.
Open my eyes so your love I will see;

I'm sorry for times
I've turned up my nose at what you've given to me.
Open my ears so your Word I will hear;
Open my mouth to tell others you're near.
Let your light shine in all I say and do!
Amen.

Psalm 27:1: "The LORD is my light and my salvation."

Pumpkin Prayer Printable for Kids | Christian Halloween Activity

Use this Pumpkin Prayer printable to turn pumpkin carving into a meaningful Christian Halloween activity for kids. Each carving step includes a simple prayer about truth, forgiveness, kindness, gratitude and letting the light of Jesus shine. Save it for Sunday school, children’s church, family pumpkin carving or a faith-friendly Halloween celebration.

Bible Verse Candy Scavenger Hunt

Bible Verse Candy Scavenger Hunt We don't really "do" Halloweeen. I mean, the kids dress up and go to Fall Festivals and carve pumpkins, but I don't get my skirt all in a twist over the event. We don't do trick-or-treat, either. I won't elaborate on my reasons, but I found this cool way to bring the Bible into an activity the kids will love and still get some candy. Win. Win! I cut out the verses (found in picture) and hide them around. Then they race back to the "candy bucket" once they've decided what candy goes with the verse. I think they will love it.

Question PDF / Answer PDF

Find more inspiration on facebook Written In The Heart / Pinterest Board

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Hallow's Eve-il

2026-10-07T16:21:55.972-05:00

As darkness falls across the land
there's a stillness in the air
The midnight hour closes in
the Hallow's Eve is here.

Eerie houses decorated
with lanterns on the door
Skeletons, pumpkins, black cats
and evil witches galore.

Wizards, witches, ghosts and goblins
lining the darkened streets
As children go door to door
calling "Trick or treat"!

Costume parties and fancy dress
enjoyed by everyone
The haunted house, the ouija board
all seem like harmless fun.

But the candy coating of Halloween
what others do not know
Belongs to something sinister
though the attraction grows.

Beyond astrology and sorcery
the devil's greatest deceit
To cast a spell upon the world
he asks us "trick or treat?"

A sinister day with occultic roots
a pagan worship day
Honours false gods and Satan
in a celebratory way.

Harmful for what it stands for
the violence, death and fear
It emphasises the occult
on this day each year.

The night of nights for witchcraft
the occult's spirit forms
Halloween belongs to this
to which none of us were born.

Children of God, can't you see
the evil behind this day?
To celebrate is to agree
with the occultic ways.

And as God's love shines upons us,
the devil in his deceit
Brings halloween to the world
and luring, "trick or treat?"

© Christina 22nd October, 2001

"Halloween is fun time for many people ~ a time when they can dress in costumes and so forth for parties and trick or treating. But beneath the facade of witches costumes, magic potions and tricks is a very sinister and evil world, directly connected to the occult and satanism. It was celebrated amongst the ancient people before Christ (BC), with sacrifices to SAMAN (Shamhain) "the lord of death and evil spirits". We have seen the modern day Saman, the pagan god as a ghostly, skeleton holding a sickle in his hand. He later came to be known as "The Grim Reaper". "

I have some scriptures for those who wish to confirm the belief of what the Occcult is and what God says about it, and for us:
One of the ten commandments is that we have no idols and worship no other God.
Exodus 20:3-6
"You must have no other Gods before Me. You must not make for yourselves and idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, and will punish the children for their sins of the fathers throughout generations of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep my commandments."

In Deuteronomy 18:10-13 warned that God's children were to have nothing
to do with the OCCULT.
"Let no one be found among you who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the LORD your God."

1 Thessalonians 5:22
"Abstain from all appearances of evil."

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
"You are not the same as as those who do not believe. So do not join yourselves to them. Good and bad do not belong together. Light and darkness cannot share together. How can Christ and the devil have any agreement? What can a believer have together with a non-believer? The temple of God cannot have any agreement with idols and we are the temple of the living God. As God said: 'I will live with them and walk with them. And I will be their God and they will be my people. Leave those people and be seperate' says the Lord. 'Touch nothing that is unclean in my eyes and I will be your Father and you will be my sons and daughters'."

For more information, please go to this very interesting and informative site on
Halloween and its history.
"The Dark Side of Halloween"

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Halloween Commandments

2026-10-04T14:06:00.000-05:00

The "Halloween Commandments" usually refer to the informal rules of etiquette and safety for trick-or-treating, hosting, and celebrating the holiday.

The 10 Etiquette Commandments of Halloween

Popularized by guides like The Kitchn, everyday trick-or-treating etiquette includes:

A Christian's Point of View on “The Ten Commandments for Halloween” - wnews.com

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Pumpkins Filled With God's Love

2026-10-01T21:14:00.000-05:00

As Halloween is approaching,
And each a child anticipates,
What treats he will get at the next house,
They are eager to see what awaits.

Inside the next house they are ready.
They made each treat special this year.
And inside the house, they hear “Trick or Treat”!
The children wait for someone to appear.

As the door starts to slowly open,
The children are afraid of what they’ll see.
Suddenly, a man dressed as Casper the Ghost,
Jumps out and the kids laugh with glee.

Finally, the anticipated moment arrives.
All eyes watch to see what Casper does.
With a smile on his face, he gives to each child,
A smiling pumpkin filled with God’s love.

He has worked through the day on these treasures.
He wanted everything to be just right.
He filled every pumpkin with candy galore,
To give out on Halloween night.

He wanted to share with the children,
God’s gift straight from Heaven above.
So, they would know it is ok with Jesus,
To have Pumpkins Filled with God’s Love.

When you are a child things are easy.
You just want to have fun everyday.
It’s fun to dress up in costumes,
And see what prizes come your way.

Tonight all the children are happy,
As Casper has made them all grin.
He gave out Pumpkins filled with God’s Love,
And they are delighted with him.

Karen Bunker © October 16, 2006

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The Homeless Person ~ Inspiring Story

2026-10-01T20:19:53.072-05:00

The parking lot filled rapidly on Sunday morning as members of the large church congregation filed into church. As usually happens in a church that size, each member had developed a certain comfort zone - a block of space within those four church walls that became theirs after the second or third sitting.

It was as much a part of their church experience as the recliner was to the television at home. Some of the older members had been sitting in the same row on the same side for several decades. A team of oxen could not have moved them to the opposite side of the church.

One morning a stranger stood at the edge of the parking lot near a dumpster. As families parked cars and piled out, they noticed him rummaging through the trash. "Oh no! I don't believe it," whispered a lady to her husband. "That's all we need -- a bunch of homeless people milling around here."

One worried little girl tugged on her dad's sleeve. "But Daddy..."

Daddy was busy sizing up the bearded stranger, whose baggy, outdated trousers and faded flannel shirt had dusted too many park benches.

"Don't stare at him, honey," he whispered, and hurried her inside.

Soft music filled the high-ceiling sanctuary as churchgoers settled into their usual spots. The choir sang an opening chorus, "In His presence there is comfort ... in His presence there is peace...".

Sunlight suddenly flooded the center aisle. The double doors swung open and the homeless man, sloppy and stooped, headed toward the front.

"Oh no, it's him!" somebody muttered.

"What does he think he's doing, anyway?" snapped an incredulous usher.

The stranger set his bagful of dumpster treasures on the very first pew which had been upholstered in an expensive soft teal fabric just three months ago. The music stopped. And before anyone had a chance to react, he ambled up the stairs and stood behind the fine, handcrafted oak podium, where he faced a wide-eyed congregation.

The disheveled stranger spoke haltingly at first, in a low, clear voice. Unbuttoning and removing his top layer of clothing, he described Jesus, and the love He has for all people.

"Jesus possesses a sensitivity and love that far surpasses what any of us deserves."

Stepping out of the baggy old trousers, the stranger went on to describe a forgiveness that is available to each and every one of us...without strings attached.

"Unconditionally He loves us. Unconditionally He gave His very life for us. Unconditionally and forever, we can have the peace and assurance that no matter who we are, where we've come from, or how badly we may have mistreated others or ourselves, there is hope."

"In Jesus, there is always hope."

"You see, my friends, it is never too late to change," the man continued.

"He is the Author of change, and the Provider of forgiveness. He came to bring new meaning to 'life'."

Men and women squirmed as reality hit them like an electrical current. The stranger tugged at his knotted gray beard, and removed it.

"I'm here to tell you that we are loved with a love far beyond human understanding, a love that enables us to accept and love others in return." Then tenderly he added, "Let's pray together."

That wise pastor - under the guise of a homeless "nobody" - did not preach a sermon that day, but every person left with plenty to think about.

-- Author- Unknown

Heaven's Inspirations

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Cleaning Poem ~ Humorous Poem

2026-09-24T20:29:00.000-05:00

I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess.
He asked if I'd been 'putering',
And I had to answer "yes."

He told me to get off my fanny
And tidy up the house.
And so I started cleaning up...
The smudges off my mouse.

I wiped and shined the topside.
That really did the trick...
I was just admiring my work...
I didn't mean to 'click.'

But click, I did, and oops I found
A real absorbing site
That I got SO way into...
I was into it all night.

Nothing's changed except my mouse
It's very, very shiny.
I guess my house will stay a mess..
While I sit here on my hiney.

-Author Unknown To Me

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Moses & The Computer

2026-09-19T21:32:00.000-05:00

Artist: Greg Volpert

"Excuse me, Sir."

"Is that you again, Moses?"

"I'm afraid it is, Sir."

"What is it this time, Moses; more computer problems?"

"How did you guess?"

"I don't have to guess, Moses. Remember ?"

"Oh, yes; I forgot."

"Tell me what you want, Moses."

"But you already know, Sir. Remember?"

"Moses!"

"Sorry, Sir."

"Well, go ahead, Moses; spit it out."

"Well, I have a question, Sir.You know those ten 'things' you sent me via e-mail?"

"You mean the Ten Commandments, Moses?"

"That's it. I was wondering if they are important."

"What do you mean 'if they are important,' Moses? Of course, they are important. Otherwise, I would not have sent them to you."

"Well, sorry, Sir, but I lost them. I could say the dog ate them; but, of course, you would see right through that."

"What do you mean you 'lost them'? Are you trying to tell me you didn't save them, Moses?"

"No, Sir; I forgot."

"You should always save, Moses."

"Yes, I know. You told me that before. I was going to save them, but I forgot. I did forward them to some people before I lost them though."

"And did you hear back from any of them?"

"You already know I did. There was the one guy who said he never uses 'shalt not.' May he change the words a little bit?"

"Yes, Moses, as long as he does not change the meaning."

"And what about the guy who thought your stance was a little harsh, and recommended calling them the 'Ten Suggestions,' or letting people pick one or two to try for a while?"

"Moses, I will act as if I did not hear that."

"I think that means 'no.' Well, what about the guy who said I was scamming him?"

"I think the term is 'spamming,' Moses."

"Oh, yes. I E-mailed him back and told him I don't even eat that stuff, and I have no idea how you can send it to someone through a computer."

"And what did he say?"

"You know what he said. He used Your name in vain. You don't think he might have sent me one of those -- err -- plagues, and that's the reason I lost those ten 'things', do you?"

"They are not plagues; they are called 'viruses,' Moses."

"Whatever! This computer stuff is just too much for me. Can we go back to those stone tablets? It was hard on my back taking them out and reading them each day, but at least I never lost them."

"We will do it the new way, Moses; using computers!!"

"I was afraid you would say that, Sir."

"Moses, what did I tell you to do if you messed up?"

"You told me to hold up this rat and point it toward the computer."

"It's a mouse, Moses, not a rat. Mouse! Mouse! And did you do that?"

"No, I decided to try calling technical support first. After all, who knows more about this stuff than you? And I really like your hours. By the way, Sir, did Noah have two of these mice on the ark?"

"No, Moses."

"One other thing. Why did you not name them 'frogs' instead of 'mice,' because did you not tell me the thing they sit on is a pad?"

"I did not name them, Moses. Man did, and you can call yours a frog if you want to."

"Oh, that explains it. I bet some woman told Adam to call it a mouse. After all, was it not a woman who named one of the computers 'Apple?'"

"Say good night, Moses."

"Wait a minute, Sir. I am pointing the mouse, and it seems to be working. Yes, a couple of the ten 'things' have come back."

"Which ones are they, Moses?"

"Let me see.'Thou shalt not steal from any grave an image' and 'Thou shalt not uncover Thy neighbor's wife.'"

"Turn the computer off, Moses. I'm sending you another set of stone tablets."

{Heaven Awaits Lighter Side]
Featured Top Image Artist: Greg Volpert
From Moses to Megabytes: A Short History of Online Information Access

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19)

2026-09-19T14:05:00.000-05:00

It's International Talk Like a Pirate Day -- so what better time to learn "The Pirate's Prayer?"⁣
It's called that because it involves doing four things that can be abbreviated with a pirate's favorite phrase: "ARRR!" The prayer consists of:⁣

Acknowledging

Relating

Receiving

Responding

Pirates come as they are and say it like it is.
When we pray like a pirate, we also do it.

"Pray Like a Pirate" typically refers to the Pirate Prayer, a popular Catholic and Christian meditation technique that uses the acronym A-R-R-R.
ARRR! You’ve heard of Talk Like a Pirate Day (Sept. 19).
What about Pray Like a Pirate Day?
What does it mean to “pray like a pirate?”

It's a great prayer that all of us at ICC can say--whether we have a peg leg and an eye patch or not!

To pray like a pirate you need to know the acronym ARRR. Acknowledge, Relate, Receive, and Respond.

The “A” in ARRR stands for “Acknowledge.” The first step in effective prayer is acknowledging God’s presence in our life. Imagine that he is right here and looking at us with delight.

Next, “Relate” with God and have a conversation. Share what is on your heart.

After sharing, just like in a conversation with a friend, “Receive” what God wants you to have. After pouring out your heart, you have the chance to listen.

Finally, “Respond” in concrete terms to what the Lord has asked of you. This can be something simple, like adding an extra prayer in your morning devotions or being more intentional with your co-workers. Or it could be something more radical, like taking a new holy hour in your parish’s perpetual adoration rotation or joining a small group in your parish.

“Prayer develops that conversation with Christ which makes us his intimate friends: ‘Abide in me and I in you.’ (Jn 15:4).”
- Saint Pope John Paul II (Novo Millennio Ineunte, 32)

Source: How to Pray the Pirate Prayer - Hallow Blog

Ship Wrecked Prayers

2026-09-06T07:04:00.001-05:00

A voyaging ship was wrecked during a storm at sea and only two of the
men on it were able to swim to a small, desert like island.

The two survivors,
not knowing what else to do, agreed that they had no other recourse but
to pray to God. However, to find out whose prayer was more powerful,
they agreed to divide the territory between them and stay on opposite
sides of the island.

The first thing they prayed for was food. The next morning, the first
man saw a fruit-bearing tree on his side of the land, and he was able to
eat its fruit. The other man's parcel of land remained barren.

After a week, the first man was lonely and he decided to pray for a
wife. The next day, another ship was wrecked, and the only survivor was
a woman who swam to his side of the land. On the other side of the
island, there was nothing.

Soon the first man prayed for a house, clothes, more food. The next
day, like magic, all of these were given to him. However, the second
man still had nothing.

Finally, the first man prayed for a ship, so that he and his wife could
leave the island. In the morning, he found a ship docked at his side of
the island. The first man boarded the ship with his wife and decided to
leave the second man on the island.

He considered the other man unworthy to receive God's blessings, since
none of his prayers had been answered.

As the ship was about to leave, the first man heard a voice from heaven
booming, "Why are you leaving your companion on the island?"

"My blessings are mine alone, since I was the one who prayed for them,"
the first man answered. "His prayers were all unanswered and so he does
not deserve anything."

"You are mistaken!" the voice rebuked him. "He had only one prayer,
which I answered. If not for that, you would not have received any of
my blessings."

"Tell me," the first man asked the voice, "What did he pray for that I
should owe him anything?"

"He prayed that all your prayers be answered."

For all we know, our blessings are not the fruits of our prayers alone,
but those of another praying for us.

Author Unknown - Submitted By: Wanda P.

Somewhere in the World

2026-09-06T06:41:52.817-05:00

Somewhere in the world today, a little girl will go out to play

All dressed up in Mama's clothes, at least the way that I suppose it goes

Somewhere in the world tonight, before she reaches to turn out the light

She'll be praying from her tender heart, a simple prayer that's a work of art

And I don't even know her name, but I'm praying for her just the same

That the Lord will write His name upon her heart...

'Cuz somewhere in the course of this life, my little boy will need a Godly wife

So hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are...

Somewhere in the world out there, that little girl is learning how to care

She's picking up her mama's charms, or maybe swinging 'round in her Daddy's arms

Somewhere in the world to be, though the future's not real clear to me

There's going to be a tender love, founded in eternal love above

And I don't even know her name, but I'm praying for her just the same

That the Lord will write His name upon her heart...

'Cuz somewhere in the course of his life, my little boy will need a Godly wife

So hold on to Jesus, baby, wherever you are...

And so hold on to Jesus, wherever you are...

Kathryn M. Ford-Henderson

This Tiny Little Prayer

2026-09-06T06:14:30.802-05:00

Dear Lord:

Every single evening
As I'm lying here in bed
This tiny little prayer
Keeps running through my head.

God bless my mom and dad,
And other family.
Keep them warm and safe from harm
For they're so close to me.

And God, there is one more thing
I wish that you could do.
Hope you don't mind me asking,
Bless my computer too.

Now I know that it's not normal
To bless a mother board,
But listen just a second
While I explain to you 'My Lord'.

You see, that little metal box
Holds more than odds & ends
Inside those small compartments
Rest so many of my FRIENDS.

I know so much about them
By the kindness that they give
And this little scrap of metal
Takes me in to where they live.

By faith is how I know them
Much the same as you
We share in what life brings us
And from that our friendship grew.

Please, take an extra minute
From your duties up above
To bless those in my address book
That's filled with so much love!

Wherever else this prayer may reach
To each and every friend,
bless each email Inbox
And the person who hits Send.

When you update your heavenly list
On your own CD-Rom
Remember each who've said this prayer
Sent up to God.com.
Amen.

Submitted By: Brenda S.

The Parable of the Eagle

2026-08-28T20:40:00.000-05:00

Once upon a time, while walking through the forest, a certain man found a young eagle. He took it home and put it in his barnyard where it soon learned to eat chicken feed and to behave as chickens behave.

One day, a naturalist who was passing by inquired of the owner why it was that an eagle, the king of all birds, should be confined to live in the barnyard with the chickens.

“Since I have given it chicken feed and trained it to be a chicken, it has never learned to fly.” replied the owner. “It behaves as chickens behave, so it is no longer an eagle.”

“Still,” insisted the naturalist, “it has the heart of an eagle and can surely be taught to fly.” After talking it over, the two men agreed to find out whether this was possible. Gently, the naturalist took the eagle in his arms and said, “You belong to the sky and not to the earth. Stretch forth your wings and fly.”

The eagle, however, was confused; he did not know who he was, and seeing the chickens eating their feed, he jumped down to be with them again.

Undismayed, the naturalist took the eagle, on the following day, up on the roof of the house and urged him again, “You are an eagle. Stretch forth your wings and fly.” But the eagle was afraid of his unknown self and world and jumped down once more for the chicken feed.

On the third day, the naturalist rose early and took the eagle out of the barnyard to a high mountain. There, he held the king of birds high above him and encouraged him again, saying, “You are an eagle. You belong to the sky as well as the earth. Stretch forth your wings now, and fly.”

The eagle looked around, back toward the barnyard and up to the sky. Still he did not fly. Then the naturalist lifted him straight toward the sun and it happened that the eagle began to tremble and slowly he stretched his wings. At last, with a triumphant cry, he soared away into the heavens.

It may be that the eagle still remembers the chickens with nostalgia; it may even be that he occasionally revisits the barnyard. But as far as anyone knows, he has never returned to lead the life of a chicken. He was an eagle even though he had been kept and tamed as a chicken,

Just like the eagle, people who have learned to think of themselves as something they aren’t, can re-decide in favor of their real potential. They can become all that God intends for them to become.

LDSminds

Me and Little Andy {Dolly Parton}

2026-08-25T22:16:00.000-05:00

Rest in Heaven, Dolly Rebecca Parton (January 19, 1946 – August 25, 2026)

Dolly Parton - Me and Little Andy - 1976

- “Me and Little Andy” is a tragic story song written and recorded by Dolly Parton, released on her 1977 album Here You Come Again (though recorded/written around that era)

The Story

• The Arrival: On a cold, stormy night, a narrator hears a dog barking and a knock at the door.
• Sandy and Andy: Standing outside is a cold, ragged six- or seven-year-old girl named Sandy holding a puppy named little Andy.
• The Hardship: Sandy explains her mother ran away and her father is drunk in town, asking for shelter, candy, and a bed.
• The Ending: The narrator lets them in, but by morning, both the little girl and her puppy have tragically passed away from the cold and exhaustion, taken to heaven

Read “Me and Little Andy” by Dolly Parton PRovided by GENIUS Lyrics

Another Version

Video Provided to YouTube by RCA/Legacy
Me and Little Andy · Dolly Parton
Greatest Hits Album
℗ 1977 Sony Music Entertainment
Released on: 1982-10-04
Lyricist, Associated Performer, Composer: Dolly Parton
Producer: Gary Klein
Executive Producer: Charles Koppelman

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A Parable of Two Frogs

2026-08-22T00:00:00.000-05:00

A group of frogs were hopping contentedly through the woods, going about their froggy business, when two of them fell into a deep pit. All of the other frogs gathered around the pit to see what could be done to help their companions. When they saw how deep the pit was, they agreed that it was hopeless and told the two frogs in the pit that they should prepare themselves for their fate, because they were as good as dead. Unwilling to accept this terrible fate, the two frogs began to jump with all of their might. Some of the frogs shouted into the pit that it was hopeless, and that the two frogs wouldn't be in that situation if they had been more careful, more obedient to the froggy rules, and more responsible. The other frogs continued sorrowfully shouting that they should save their energy and give up, since they were already as good as dead. The two frogs continued jumping with all their might, and after several hours of this, were quite weary.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellow frogs. Exhausted, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could, although his body was wracked with pain and he was quite exhausted. Once again, his companions began yelling for him to accept his fate, stop the pain and just die. The weary frog jumped harder and harder and, wonder of wonders, finally leaped so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his freedom and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?" The astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and as he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him on. What he had perceived as encouragement inspired him to try harder and to succeed against all odds.

This simple story contains a powerful lesson. The book of Proverbs says, "There is death and life in the power of the tongue". Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them make it through the day. Your destructive words can cause deep wounds; they may be the weapons that destroy someone's desire to continue trying - or even their life. Your destructive, careless word can diminish someone in the eyes of others, destroy their influence and have a lasting impact on the way others respond to them. Be careful what you say. Speak life to and about those who cross your path. There is enormous power in words. If you have words of kindness, praise or encouragement - speak them now to, and about, others. Listen to your heart and respond.

“When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be.”
– Thomas S. Monson

Source:DreamJobCoaching

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