An Old Cherokee Is Teaching ...

An Old Cherokee Is Teaching
His Grandson About Life

"A fight is going on inside me", the old Cherokee said to his grandson. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves."

"One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

"The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith."

"This same fight is going on inside you, grandson - and also inside every other person."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then he asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win, Grandfather?"

The wise old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Attitude

ATTITUDE
BY
CHARLES SWINDOLL

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. I will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes."

Student Ministry, First Baptist Church
Tallahassee, Florida

I’m My Father’s Son

I’m My Father’s Son
by Brooks A. Harris
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The older I become, the more I hear my father through my lips. When I was young I remember my father saying certain things or giving certain expressions. Now I find myself saying those very same things and giving the same expressions. Some things I’m proud of but others I’m not. I would never have thought I’d be so much like my father. Even other people who have known my father well will say that they see my father in me.

When I thought about this the other day, it made me think about my other Father. Do people see Him in me when I speak or in expressions I make? My heavenly Father has certainly influenced me in many ways and always in kind, thoughtful, helpful, loving ways. Do I imitate His words in my speech and actions? Can people tell I am one of His children? Would God be proud to admit that I am one of His own?

Do you know your Father God well enough to be accused of sounding like Him when you talk? Do you listen to Him in your prayers or through His written word? Do you have a strong relationship with your Father? He wants us to know Him well. He already knows each of us far more than we could imagine. Jesus Christ set the perfect example of how we should live and act and how we should talk. We are to strive to be like our Father’s only begotten and perfect Son. There is no greater complement than for someone to say "I can tell you are your Father’s son; you sound just like Him!"

What If We're Wrong?

WHAT IF WE’RE WRONG?
By Brooks A. Harris

If we proclaim to be Christians - true followers of Jesus Christ - but there is no God, what are we losing? Have we just wasted our lives? I’ll tell you what we’re losing. As we grow in our spiritual maturity we are losing our arrogant pride, our greedy attitudes, our ease to become angry, our selfishness, our inappropriate desire for wealth and other wrongful desires, and our tendency to worry so much. By trying to live a life of high morals, ethics and values, we’re avoiding unnecessary heartache, disappointment, shame, and pain.

We all have faith. We either believe that God does exists or we believe that God does not exists. Our faith will cause us to lose certain aspects of our life, but what is more important is what we gain due to our faith.

True Christians will often tell you that they have gained a more loving relationship with their spouse, parents, children, coworkers, friends, and people in general. They have gained the ability to truly forgive others. They have gained contentment with what they have. They have gained joy in their life by putting God and His word first in their life. They have gained comfort in their life by believing they have a spiritual friend and leader - someone they can talk to at any time and any where about any thing. They believe He hears and responds to their needs. Although Christians still have a desire to continue living, they have no fear of death’s outcome. They have gained hope for their future life here on this earth and for their eternal life to come.

Over the past several years overwhelming amounts of evidence have been found which support God’s amazing creation and the reliability of the Bible. Because of this many Christians have gained an excellent understanding of science, our origins and our early ancient history. Many Christians have also gained an understanding of their purpose in life and man’s purpose on earth, and the reason for suffering, pain and death. Many Christians have gained much enjoyment in sharing what they have learned about the Bible and their faith.

So has it been a mistake for Christians to believe in God? Have they wasted their time? Would they have been better off not believing? Are they wrong? Due to the amazing evidence from science, history, archaeology, and many other studies over the years, and due to miracles and answered prayers in their lives, and due to the way most true Christians’ lives have been changed, many Christians know that they are not wrong. They have no doubt that God exists, that Jesus lived, died, and was resurrected, and that the Bible is very reliable. If you believe otherwise, tell me what good your faith has done for you? How has your faith changed or shaped your life? I dare you to prove me wrong or ask me to share with you what I have learned.