Spiritual Motivation and Insight

[CrimsonTide4]

The Difference is the Soil

(Mar 4:24 BBE) And he said to them, Take care what you give ear to: in the same measure as you give you will get, and more will be given to you.


This morning we continue our series on the "Biblical Principles of Sowing and Reaping." Now that we have discussed this sower that went forth to sow, let's move further along in the story. Jesus went on to explain the different types of soil to the crowd in general and then further explained the parable to His disciples in private. He explained that the farmer sows the word and that there will be different types of people in the earth that receive the Word. Some will be like the soil by the side of the road that receive the seed, but as soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes it away. Others are like the rocky soil. These people hear the word and immediately rejoice. They get happy, but since they have no root, they quickly burn out. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others are like the thorny ground. These people hear the word, but they allow the worries of this life to choke it and to make it unfruitful in their lives. And finally others are like good soil. These people - which I hope you fall into this category - hear the Word in faith, they accept it and it produces a harvest in their lives; some thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.



Take careful note that this story started off with "one" sower. This sower went forth to sow seed in the earth. He sowed the same seed in every situation, but the results were different. What caused the difference? Was it the sower? No! Was it the seed? No! Was it how it treated each soil? No! The singular difference in every case was the soil itself. God does not play favorites. He does not want to bless one and ignore another. He desires to save and prosper us all, but many refuse to allow the seed of the Word of God to produce a harvest in their lives. This is not God's fault, but ours. The Word works if you work the Word! Our text teaches us that we need to be careful what we receive. The more receptive we are to the Word of God, the more we will get and the greater the harvest will be in our lives.


So what does this mean to you today? A few things:

1. Understand that the Word of God is an incorruptible seed.

2. Understand that this seed can produce a harvest in anyone's life, but they must be willing to receive the seed and allow it to work in them.

3. When we receive the Word of God by faith, and then apply it to our lives, we are allowing the seed to bring forth Godly fruit.

4. If we are not experiencing a harvest, it is not because there is something wrong with the seed.

5. The difference between a person growing in God and experiencing the harvest and a person just barely getting by and not growing at all is the soil, not the seed.

If you do not like what you are harvesting, it may be time to check the soil!

Confession for this day: Lord God. I receive the incorruptible seed of the Word of God. I am good soil and receive that seed by faith. It brings forth fruit in my life. Sometimes thirty, sometimes sixty, and other times a hundred times what was sown. I allow the Word of God to change me and to shape my character. I am the good soil and I receive a Godly harvest. In Jesus' name. Amen!

[CrimsonTide4]

Are you going through a painful time in your life? Have you just
gone through a storm? Do you see relief in sight? Is there a cure
for your pain? The Pain Reliever...

There is a Pain Reliever that is available to all who seek. You do
not need a prescription. You do not have to buy it over the
counter. You do not have to put it up your nose. You do not have to
drink it. You do not have to cry to get it. All it takes to get
your Pain Reliever is to call on the name of Jesus.

No other name is able to make hell tremble. When you call on the
name of Jesus from the depths of your soul you will receive instant
Pain Relief. Jesus is all you have ever needed and all you will ever
need in life. Those prescriptions, illegal substances, liquors, and
crying spells are unnecessary when you get a hold of Jesus. You see
He will cure whatever you need help with.

One of the hardest things for many of us to do is to realize that we
are truly in pain. If you are abusing a substance it is to hide a
pain. Guess what? Once you clean your system the problem still
exists, but if you call on Jesus He will bring your healing. You
will realize that you can enjoy life sober. You can enjoy life
without always having to be high. How much of your life have you
truly missed because you were under the influence of everything else
except Jesus? Try Jesus today. Life does still go on when you
accept Jesus. There is some misconception that you have to stop
living once you give Jesus a try. This is not true, you just learn
to dance to a different, yet better beat.

So today know that Jesus is your Pain Reliever. Whatever storm you
face does have a guaranteed relief. If you take one step toward
Jesus, He will move you one more step away from your addiction. You
must make the first step. Walking with Jesus is a little painful at
first because we all have some habits that need to be broken, but
what an outcome when you have gotten past those things in life. And
therefore remember For the moment all discipline seems painful rather
than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to
those who have been trained by it.

had to share this with everyone this is well, something awesome! It is strong! hope you all will appreciate it. Turn the sound up just a little. It just adds to the impact of it.

click on the link below

http://members.cox.net/classicweb/email.htm

On another note, I would also like to take this time to drop some scriptures that is helping me through my time of waiting. I pray it can be encouraging and helpful to you as well.

(Matt. 21:22): And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

(*note*- the key in this scripture is BELIEVING. How can you expect to receive anything from the Lord if you don't first believe? Whatever you're going through, whatever whirlwind you're in, give it over to the Lord. Ask Him for guidance, BELIEVING that He'll see you through and guess what? It SHALL be done.)

(Ps. 37:5): Committ thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him and He shall bring it to pass.

(*note* - Do all you do in the name of the Lord. So many times, we can get caught up in ourselves and start looking at everything WE'VE done when in actuality, it was all the Lord. In everything you do, give thanks to the Lord. When you follow Him, everything you desire will come to pass.)

(Romans 8:25): But if we hope for that we see not, then do we, with patience, wait for it.

(*note* - Another scripture that corelates to this one is Heb. 11:1, which says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen." My goodness, when you're praising God for what He's already done, whether it's come to pass or not, just think of how blessed you're going to be. Start claiming things you want in Jesus' name. If it's for you and if it's in His will, it will be done. Start praising Him for it NOW!!)

(James 1: 3-4): 3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4) But let patience have her perfect work that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

(*note* - We know that through life we will be tried by the fire, but understand that in all things we are more than conquerers through Him that loved us. Your faith and patience will be tested. There's no doubt about it. When you're living your life for Christ, it's the devil's job to keep you down. It's his job to keep you from doing the Lord's will. But when you let that faith and patience be tried, and you stand back up even when you're knocked down through it all, the devil has been defeated and you are well on your way to receiving more of what God has for you. You will want for NOTHING once you give all your worries and strains over to the Lord.)

I hope this has encouraged you on this day and I pray that all you do is to the glory of the Lord. Have a blessed day!!

[CrimsonTide4]

Every great invention came behind the struggles of many failures. If
you never try then you will never know if you can make it. How can
you tell your success story if you never find out what you are
successful at in life? Success is a byproduct of your struggles.

So often in life we never want to associate struggles with the will
of God. This is not true. Struggles are sometimes His will. If you
never struggle then how would you know what it is to move to your
next level? If you never struggle then how would know the
Omnipotence of God? If you never struggle then how would know that
God will be your strong tower? If you never struggled...

To trust God is to know God. To know God is to understand His
nature. To know God's nature is to understand that He would never
put more on you than you can bear. To understand that He would never
put more on you means that you understand that struggles are
sometimes His will.

If you decided today that nothing would ever turn you from trusting
and believing God then you would begin to understand that your
struggles are all a part of God's master plan for your life. If He
has masterminded the plan, then surely you already have the victory.
Who would mastermind their own defeat? Not the awesome God that we
serve. Not the God who knew you before you were ever formed in your
mother's womb. Not the God who sat on His hands as His only begotten
Son said that He would bear all the sins of this world for us. He
knew your struggles, but He sat back calmly because He already knew
your ending. He is Alpha and Omega.

So today know that your success is a byproduct of your struggles.
Sometimes in life you have to struggle in order that you may be
prepared for your next level in God. Your struggles are only
temporary, but your victory is eternal. Therefore be like Job today
and declare Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will
maintain mine own ways before him.


Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine
own ways before him.

Job 13:15

[CrimsonTide4]

"Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness." Shakti Gawain


"No one may know what you are going through right now.
No one may know how many times you continued to get up even when you didn't have the strength. No one may know how many times you said "no" to the enemy of temptation, suicide or addiction. Maybe no one heard you speak up to your bill collector or when you were disrespected by a family member, friend or co-worker.

No one may know how many times you have
prayed for help just for the hour.
So often your bravest faith-walking times will happen without a witness.

You will experience private moments of victory without
applause, points, a hug or a pat on the back. But God sees you and hears you. You are growing everyday in courage, action and faith.

Acknowledge your progress and walk through your valley of fear confident with the whole armor of God, the belt of truth, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit. The following beautiful
song is a reminder...

"When you walk through a storm
Keep your chin up high
And don't be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm is a golden sky
and the sweet silver song of a lark.

Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho' your dreams be tossed and blown, walk on,
walk on with hope in your heart
and you'll never walk alone,
you'll never walk alone."
~ Jewel Diamond Taylor



"If you are in harmony with yourself, you can meet a lion without fear. He respects anyone with self-confidence." ~ Nelson Mandela



"Each of us should do something every day that we do not want to do but we know we should do, to strengthen our backbone
and put iron in our soul. " --- Henry Hitt Crane

[CrimsonTide4]

Why Men Won't Lead
By Brad Winsted

by Faith Online -

Men often fail to lead in the home because of their own lack of personal purity. I Thessalonians 4:1-9 underlines the need for moral cleanliness. And we know from the Sermon on the Mount, that those who harbor impure hearts will not "see God" (Matthew 5:8). And it is, with those thoughts in mind, that we consider the "Christian marriage" of an absentee father, John, and an unfulfilled mother, Mary.

They are Christians who grew up in Christian homes, yet neither saw transparent living from their spiritually reserved parents. And neither was given clear biblical reasons about how they should avoid impure thoughts, fantasies, and sexually explicit media. Neither was encouraged to build accountable friendships, nor did they ever see the means of Christian grace lived out before them: confession, repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

In college, John and Mary fell in love and became engaged. And shortly afterward, they became sexually active. They'd be married soon, they figured, "so what the heck." Mary wanted to please John, and John enjoyed Mary's favors. But after their sexual encounters their spiritual and emotional oneness was overtaken by lust for one another. Still, they looked forward to marriage.

But now, a few years down the road, the unexpected has happened. Mary feels exploited, and John feels guilty. They're not becoming "one in spirit" nor do they relate emotionally. Mary doesn't enjoy sex the way she did before marriage, and they've become distant from one another. She puts her energies into the home and the children. He excels in business. Yet, a deep longing for intimacy goes unfulfilled. Mary wishes that John would take a more active role with the family. And John is troubled by his sexual fantasies—they make it awkward to talk about intimate things with Mary. And he feels rejected by her because she doesn't respond to him sexually. Burdened by guilt, he's no longer willing to lead Mary or the children spiritually.

For the last 30 years every head of every home has grown up in an anything-goes culture that made pre-marital sex, pornography, and sexual exploitation the norm. As a result, unconfessed sins have wreaked havoc with our spiritual walk and emotional intimacy with our spouses.

I Thessalonians 4 tells us that, "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that each of you would learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother (or girlfriend and future wife) or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit."

As we read these words we know, intuitively, that most men continue to live with impure thoughts and unconfessed sins. Consequently, there's been no forgiveness or restoration. And married life is far less than God meant it to be. Of course, God through Jesus offers us a way to be restored if we confess our sins. He brings us to that point where we "ruthlessly" allow the Holy Spirit to bring to mind areas where we have failed our wives. But the pain of dredging up past sins is hard, so we remain estranged and unable to lead.

What should the church do?

Husbands need transparent models in order to see that they're not alone in their sexual temptations. Therefore, pastors must confess their own struggles with sexual impurity. It is embarrassing, so no one talks about it. But that's exactly why, with good judgment, we must talk about it—probably with other elders we trust. A broad public confession would be counterproductive, but we need to do more than confess to ourselves. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer points out in Life Together, that amounts to nothing more than self-absolution.

If men live with unconfessed sexual sin they will never be spiritual leaders in their homes. They will not give themselves sacrificially to their wives or children, and they will not be able to cleanse their family with God's Word because they have not been cleansed themselves.

Before men can lead at home, they must first be led to repentance.

Brad Winsted is the Director of Children's Ministry International. CMI produces Reformed educational material for churches, schools, and homes: www.childministry.com

[CrimsonTide4]

Subject: Be Encouraged Today. Your help is in the Lord.

God is so amazing and wonderful. So, close your eyes and let Him take you on the path He has prepared for you. Today, let's walk by faith and not by sight as we trust Him.

But Jesus said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

Do you believe this? That God can do all things? What about the situations that seem impossible, do you think God can handle it? What about your financial issues, do you think God can provide for you? What about the report the doctor gave you, do you think God can heal you? What about the family members that are not saved, do you think that God can save them? I think we all would say YES verbally but do we really believe it in our hearts? We look through our human eyes and forget that God has a vision that does not compare to ours. He sees everything, past, present and future, because He knows the outcome already. He walks ahead of us and guides us. He knows the answers. He knows the time it will come to pass. He knows how to fix it and what is needed to do so. All we need to do is trust Him and BELIEVE that it is done according to His riches.

So, what in your life right now, are you having to rely completely on God for? Are you believing in faith or are you dragging your feet and doubting all the way?

Friends let me tell you this, God is very big and very powerful. After all He created the universe. So, I believe it is safe to say that we can close our eyes and hold out our hands to Him as we ask God to guide us and take care of the problems that are plaguing us.

You know what, if you do it, HE WILL. I know, what your thinking....... I've prayed and prayed but the answer never seems to come. I want you to STOP this right now. Stop looking through your human eyes, instead look through God's eyes. Hold onto the promise that He has made especially for you and your situation. Find it in the bible. It's there. Then repeat it and claim it as your own.

God will honor it, after all He is not a man that He should lie. He honors ALL of His promises. Yes, even yours. Just hold onto it. If you need help in finding a promise for your situation, email me. I will help you find one. When we hold God's hand and trust Him, He will not let us fall. You will not walk blindly into walls. You will not stumble and get lost. Why? Because He promises to never leave or forsake us. When you allow God to guide your every step, you allow amazing things to happen. So let Him.

Let God take you to amazing places. Let Him show you how big and awesome He really is. Be encouraged.

Author- Jeanette




Confused?
What Does God Say?
Free Bible Lessons!
http://www.hopetalk.org

[Honeykiss1974]

Thanks CT4 for allowing God to use you to speak to a situation going on with me right now.

[btb87]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Thanks CT4 for allowing God to use you to speak to a situation going on with me right now.

That makes 2 of us. I had actually started to PM CT4 and changed my mind because I couldn't gather my thoughts as to what and how I wanted to say, but you summed it up much better than I could. I think it's awesome how when you're going through something that the Lord sends His words of comfort through others. Thanks Carla for being a willing vessel.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by Honeykiss1974
Thanks CT4 for allowing God to use you to speak to a situation going on with me right now.

Originally posted by BTB87
That makes 2 of us. I had actually started to PM CT4 and changed my mind because I couldn't gather my thoughts as to what and how I wanted to say, but you summed it up much better than I could. I think it's awesome how when you're going through something that the Lord sends His words of comfort through others. Thanks Carla for being a willing vessel.

I am glad that both of you were blessed. I had had them in my inbox for the past 2 days and since today is my off day I cleaned it out and posted them here. I know this thread has been a blessing to me at one time or another as well.

[CrimsonTide4]

How Do You Respond To God's Cutting Truth?


"Truth strips them of their vices, sacrifices their idols, darts its lightnings against their easily besetting sins and absolutely requires a conformity to a crucified Christ." - Adam Clarke

Are you turning away your ears from God's Cutting Truth?

Answer these questions to find out -

How do you respond to Truth that "strips you of your vices," demands the "sacrificing of your idols," "darts its lightnings against your easily besetting sins, " and "absolutely requires a conformity to a crucified Christ"? Just how passionately are you hanging on to the "vices," "idols," and "pet sins" in your life? Do you find it highly offensive, repulsive, annoying, or even disgusting to be required to "conform" to a "crucified Christ" Who demands a "death blow" to your will and way?

How important is it to have "ears to hear"?

The Scriptures say much about the ears and hearing. To be able to hear with attention or interest, listen to, give heed to, yield to, and obey the Scriptures is a great blessing.

In fact, the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 13:16 - "But blessed are...your ears, for they hear." Deuteronomy 29:4 - We see from the Scriptures that "the hearing ear" comes from the Lord - "Yet the Lord hath not given you...ears to hear..." Proverbs 20:12 - "The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them."

Psalm 78:1 - The "hearing ear" listens to and is obedient to God's law - "Give ear...to My law..." It is bent or stretched out towards His promises and commands - "...incline your ears to the words of My mouth." Proverbs 4:20 - It pays attention to His utterances - "My son, attend to My words..."

So basically we can explain an "hearing ear" by three simple commands - "Give ear... to My law"; "Incline your ears to the words of my mouth"; "attend to My words."

The "hearing ear" is sensitive to God's Word and obeys it.

Two Scriptures that depict it are found in the Book of Proverbs - Proverbs 15:31 - "The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise." Proverbs 13:1 - "A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke."

The "hearing ear" is one that listens to correction...gives heed to reproof and rebuke...and receives all punishment and chastisement from the Lord. It "heareth the reproof of life." In a wise son, it hears the Father's instruction - which includes all the checks and restraints...rebukes and reproofs...correction and instruction that come from his heart.

Are all of God's children "wise" sons and daughters? Do they all hearken to His commands as outlined in His Word? Do they all "hear" His chiding and reproof?

No, Proverbs 13:1 tells us that "...A scorner heareth not rebuke." These are those who are arrogant boasters and mockers of "harsh" or corrective words from the Lord.

2 Timothy 4:3 tells us about those who have "itching ears." They are desirous of hearing "pleasant" things from the Lord. They want "smooth" words which conform to their carnal wishes and feelings - the kind of instruction that will allay their restless and uneasy sinful desires.

2 Timothy 4:4 tells us about those who "turn away their ears from the Truth" and turn them unto fables and falsehoods.

Adam Clarke's Commentary so explicitly tells us what God's Holy Word actually does - "Truth strips them of their vices, sacrifices their idols, darts its lightnings against their easily besetting sins and absolutely requires a conformity to a crucified Christ."

These kind of people - mentioned by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:4 - do not want this kind of Truth. In fact, they have gone so far as to "change the truth of God into a lie"(Romans 1:25). They have turned away their ears from such piercing Truth to believe any kind of "nonsense" that comes under the label of "Christian" or "God."

Lastly, Proverbs 28:9 tells us about those who turn away their ears from hearing the Law. They will not read the Bible nor expose themselves to any hard-hitting, sin-exposing, or plain-truth messages from the Scriptures - "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."

John 10:27 says - "My sheep hear My voice..." Nonetheless, Hebrews 3:15 warns - "...TO DAY IF YOU WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEARTS..."

Even though we are God's children and hear His voice, there are times when He speaks things to us that we do not like to hear. The temptation presents itself to become stubborn or obstinate to His command.

The Scriptures abound with example after example of times when the Father cried unto Israel - His people - and they would not hear.

Psalm 81:11 tells us - "But My people would not hearken to My voice; and Israel would none of Me." They were supposedly God's sheep, yet they would not give heed to His Word. They did not like His terms and refused to be ruled by His commands.

"Israel would none of Me." What does this mean? They refused or rejected God - did not incline their ear to Him...worship Him...find satisfaction in Him...were no longer attached to Him or cleaving to Him as their All-in-All.

Other Scriptures which demonstrate this resistance to God's commands are as follows -
Proverbs 1:30 - "They would none of my counsel..."
Proverbs 1:25 - They "...would none of My reproof."
Psalm 81:11 - "...Israel would none of Me."
Ezekiel 20:8 - "...they rebelled against Me, and would not hearken unto Me..."
Zechariah 7:11 - "...they refused to hearken...and stopped their ears, that they should not hear."
In Jeremiah 13:10, God called them "...evil people, which refuse to hear My words..."

We can hear the Father's cry of anguish for all of His children in Psalm 81:13 - "Oh that My people had hearkened unto Me, and Israel had walked in My ways!"

He desires for us to have an "hearing ear" - one that pays attention to His Word and obeys it. He desires that we receive His checks and restraints - rebukes and reproofs - upon our lives.

After all, Revelation 3:19 tells us - "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten..." He does not cater to our whims and fancies. Today, if we hear His voice speaking to us, we must be careful not to harden our hearts against Him because it is not what we like or want to hear.

Job 9:4 - Let's remember the admonitions found in the Book of Job - "...who hath hardened himself against Him, and hath prospered?"

Revelation 2:7 - and the Book of Revelation - "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith..."

And let's be sure to always make this our earnest plea - Lord Jesus, grant unto us an "hearing ear" and - at all events - keep us from hardness of heart.


Connie

www.walkingintruth.org

Connie Giordano P. O. Box 383016 Duncanville, TX. 75138-3016

Copyright 2004 by Connie Giordano

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

[CrimsonTide4]

NEEDING REFRESHMENT By Fern Horst

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." (Psalm 42:1-2)

I have a cat that loves to be wherever I am. If I go to the kitchen, she follows me there. If I go outside, I have to be careful to close the door or she'll sneak out also. And when I sit at my desk, she finds her special spot behind the computer monitor, which is the only place on my desk I'll allow her to lounge!

Every now and then I realize that she's taken advantage of my concentration and it's not until I try to move my computer mouse that I notice that she's lying across my mousepad, making it impossible for me to maneuver my mouse. I have to convince her that my mousepad is not her napping place!

But even that's not close enough for her at times. If I'm doing something at my desk that doesn't demand a lot of moving around, she curls up on my lap and stays as still as she can so that I don't make her leave. I admit that I enjoy her company and am flattered by her desire to be with me.

Recently it occurred to me that I should have the same desire to be as close to the Lord as I can. I should delight to be still in His presence just as much as my cat delights to sit quietly in mine. Too often I feel like I have to be busy accomplishing things for Him, and certainly Jesus said that when we minister to others in His Name, we are ministering to Him. I should never neglect my service to the Lord, but it's important that I also continually communicate and seek fellowship with Him.

The Psalmist spoke of panting for God just as a deer pants for streams of water. A deer that is busy running through the forest finds himself longing for the cool refreshing waters of a stream. Our busy lives leave us thirsty for refreshment also, but so often we don't realize that it's time with the Lord that we need. We seek refreshment elsewhere, perhaps in socializing with friends, or turning on the TV, or even reading an inspirational book. But if we neglect time with the Lord, those things only mask our thirst, rather than fully quenching it.

Just as Jesus spent time alone with His Heavenly Father in the midst of His busy schedule of ministering to others, and just as a deer realizes his need for water to keep going, so I know that I need to spend time with the Lord to be able to accomplish all that He Has purposed for me.


Copyright (c) 2004 Fern Horst http://singleness.org/devo/dev_233.shtml

The following is a quote I received at church just this week from the Bishop of our Jurisdiction:

"Don't be preoccupied with so much the devil does to you; when God is doing so much more FOR you!!"

[CrimsonTide4]

Subject: When I Was Quiet
================

"They didn't see me when I was quiet."

That's what my five-year-old said.

I picked him up from school and as usual, asked him how his day went. I often ask him what he did during the day.

"I got my name put on the board for talking," he said.

The teachers try to be strict about maintaining discipline. It's a good thing. Even though they can't use the paddle anymore as they did in my day, they do the best they can with the techniques they are allowed to use.

If your name is on the board, you can't play during recess.

You can't get on the swings, the slide, or play any of the sports. If your name is on the board, you're grounded.

"I got my name on the board, but they didn't see me when I was quiet so I couldn't get it off."

Remember the last speeding ticket that you got?

They didn't see you when you were going slower and traveling at a reasonable speed. Down the hill and in a hurry and here comes the blue lights.

They didn't see you when you were quiet!

The boss catches you just when you doze for a second (well maybe longer than a second) after diligently working all day.

They didn't see you when you were quiet.

Your wife catches your eyes wandering as you admire the architecture of an elegant building that just happens to have a shapely female in front of it.

They didn't see you when you were quiet.

Why doesn't the world take into account all of the times that you were quiet?

Why do you suffer so long for a moment's indiscretion?

How can a few minutes take an eternity to make up for?

Because of one of life's simple principles, it's a lot easier and faster to mess up than to clean up.

Harsh words uttered in five seconds can damage a relationship for five years.

All of us are still in school.
We still have teachers.
We still pass or fail tests.
There are still paddles in one form or another and there is still the board.

With many of the things in our lives, we simply need to slow down and be quiet.

That way we won't miss playtime.

Author Unknown