JUST P.U.S.H!

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light, and the Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down; his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all of his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: “you have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn’t moved.” Thus, giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, “Why kill yourself over this?”

“Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough.”

That’s what he planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his troubled thoughts to the Lord. “Lord,” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The Lord responded compassionately, “My Servant, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard.

Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. Now I, my servant, will move the rock.” At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is just a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves mountains.

When everything seems to go wrong .................................. just P.U.S.H!
When the job gets you down ............................................... just P.U.S.H!
When people don’t react the way you think they should ... just P.U.S.H!
When your money is “gone” and the bills are due ............. just P.U.S.H!
When people just don’t understand you ............................ just P.U.S.H!

P + U + S + H = Pray + Until + Something + Happens

WEAKNESS OR STRENGTH?

Sometimes your biggest weakness can become your biggest strength. Take, for example, the story of one 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident.

The boy began lessons with an old Japanese Judo Master Sensei. The boy was doing well, so he couldn’t understand why, after three months of training the master had taught him only one move.

“Sensei,” the boy finally said, “Shouldn’t I be learning more moves?”

“This is the only move you know, but this is the only move you’ll ever need to know,” the Sensei replied.

Not quite understanding, but believing in his teacher, the boy kept training.

Several months later, the Sensei took the boy to his first tournament. Surprising himself, the boy easily won his first two matches. The third match proved to be more difficult, but after some time, his opponent became impatient and charged; the boy deftly used his one move to win the match. Still amazed by his success, the boy was now in the finals.

This time, his opponent was bigger, stronger, and more experienced. For a while, the boy appeared to be overmatched. Concerned that the boy might get hurt, the referee called a time-out. He was about to stop the match when the sensei intervened.

“No,” the Sensei insisted, “Let him continue.”

Soon after the match resumed, his opponent made a critical mistake: he dropped his guard. Instantly, the boy used his move to pin him. The boy had won the match and the tournament. He was the champion.

On the way home, the boy and Sensei reviewed every move in each and every match. Then the boy summoned the courage to ask what was really on his mind. “Sensei, how did I win the tournament with only one move?”

“You won for two reasons,” the Sensei answered. “First, you’ve almost mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of Judo. And second, the only known defense for that move is for your opponent to grab your left arm.”

The boy’s biggest weakness had become his biggest strength.

A LESSON FROM A FROG TALE

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, the rest of the dismayed group 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 as hard as they could, and after several hours of desperate effort were quite weary.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellows. Spent and disheartened, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died as the others looked on in helpless grief. The other frog continued to jump with every ounce of energy he had, although his body was wracked with pain and he was completely exhausted.

His companions began a new, 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 leapt so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his miraculous freedom and then gathering around him asked, “Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?” Reading their lips, the astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and that when 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. Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help him or her 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.

MOUNTAIN STORY

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.

Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!”
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating, somewhere in the mountain: “AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!”
Curious, he yells: “Who are you?”
He receives the answer: “Who are you?”
And then he screams to the mountain: “I admire you!”
The voice answers: “I admire you!”
Angered at the response, he screams: “Coward!”
He receives the answer: “Coward!”

He looks to his father and asks: “What’s going on?”
The father smiles and says: “My son, pay attention.”
Again the man screams: “You are a champion!”
The voice answers: “You are a champion!”
The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: “People call this ECHO,
but really this is LIFE.”
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.
If you want more love in the world,
create more love in your heart.
If you want more competence in your team,
improve your competence.
This relationship applies to everything, in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it.”

“Your life is not a coincidence. It’s a reflection of you!”

THE OBSTACLE IN OUR PATH

In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it.

Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been.

The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many others never understand.

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one’s condition.

GRANDPA’S TABLE

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped, the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child’s future. Let’s be wise builders and role models.

“Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference.
Take care of yourself, ... and those you love, ... today, ... and everyday!”

A MANGO OF JESSY

On January 1, 1987, I wanted to wish a New Year greeting by giving a gift to my neighbors and to the very important people in Jammu Kashmir, India. After packing New Testaments, Christian tracts, and gospel packets in nice-looking gift papers, I took my two older daughters with me to distribute our gifts in Katra, a Hindu Pilgrim center in Jammu Kashmir. As we wished New Year greetings to everyone, we told them we also wanted to give them a New Year gift. Even though everyone said they gladly accepted our gift, many were not happy with the Christian literature we gave them. If we had given our gift on any day other than the New Year, it would not have been received.

After greeting many and distributing gifts, we finally reached the Post Master, a man who had been friendly toward us in the past. “Happy New Year, sir,” I said.

“Same to you,” he said smiling.

“My daughter Jessy brought a New Year gift for you,” I told the Post Master. He gladly accepted the packet from Jessy, who was nine years old at the time. “Can I open it now?” he asked.

“Yes,” I told him.

After opening our gift, the Post Master’s face reddened with anger. He started speaking vulgar and filthy language, obviously disgusted with the Christian materials we had given him. Still hostile after expressing his disapproval, he spat in Jessy’s face.

Jessy cried out. I wiped the spit from her face with my hand towel, then quickly took her home and asked my wife to give her a bath.

This incident greatly saddened me as a father and as a Christian, but I believe it paved the way for God to bless Jessy. About two years later, she was attending a Christian residential school in Kashmir to study and to receive her education. While she was home visiting for her annual vacation, I took her back to my mission field, where we minister to the leper colonies. Before the end of her vacation she reminded me that she loved mangoes and asked me repeatedly to buy her a mango before she returned to school.

I had no money, not even enough to buy a mango. I was much worried about the school fees and hostel fees for my two daughters, and knew I could not spend anything on a mango. Because Jessy was only about ten years old, I knew she couldn’t understand my financial crisis or stress. So for ten days she continued insisting that I buy a mango for her.

On Sunday, the last day of her holidays, Jessy came to me and said, “Pappa, tomorrow I am going back to my school. Before I go, I need mangoes!”

My heart broke. I told Jessy once again that because I needed to have money to put her back in the school, I didn’t have money for mangoes.

“Pappa, always you say that our Jesus hears our prayer and answers all of our prayers. You say that nothing is impossible.” Determined, Jessy continued, “Jesus answers prayers. Now I am going to pray for mangoes. Tomorrow, before I go back to school, I need mangoes.” After hearing Jessy’s determination to ask God for a mango, I was speechless and couldn’t open my mouth. I could only smile at her and nod my head in agreement.

Jessy went to the prayer hall and closed the door. After singing several songs, she prayed to her heavenly Father and asked Him for mangos. Some time later she came out, lifted my face towards her, and said, “Pappa, I prayed, and I believe that my Jesus will give me mangoes.” Looking into
Jessy’s red face, I could see the marks where tears had streamed down her cheeks. I, being her father, was shaken by her emotion and prayed in my heart that God would honor her request. Extraordinary Miracles in the Lives of Ordinary People

A couple of hours later, Christian believers started arriving for Sunday worship and prayer. Elisha, one of our believers, arrived carrying a large basket. He said, “Pastor (Padri Sab), I brought something for your second daughter Jessy. Where is she?”

I called for Jessy, and when she came I said, “Look at Elisha, Jessy. He brought something for you.”
Jessy peered into the oversized basket then started shouting with joy. “Pappa! It’s mangoes. Mangoes! Mangoes!” she burst out with joy. We all watched in awe at the wondrous miracle God had done for Jessy. The basket was filled with more than five killograms (about twelve pounds) of
plump, ripe mangoes.

We all enjoyed eating mangoes that day. On Monday, the next day, Jessy travelled in a bus headed back to her school in Kashmir, savoring her luscious mangoes with a heart of gratitude.
Jessy had asked me for one mango, but God gave her an abundance of mangoes. I, her earthly father, couldn’t buy even one mango for Jessy. But her heavenly Father did a miracle and brought more than we could ask or imagine.

After being in residential school for two years, God made a way for Jessy’s admission to the best school at Santhosha Vidhyalaya in Tamil Nadu, South India. While Jessy was studying in her high school she became the state athlete in sports. Because she excelled and was honored in the local school, in district level and state level, every year I received scholarship money from the Tamil Nadu government to pay for her schooling. It was a great relief for me to pay her school fees. Because of the talents God gave Jessy, I was also honored by the school principal and other teachers. Jessy completed her college education in Nagpur, India.

In 2004, just before coming to the United States for Jessy’s arranged wedding, I asked her if she realized how God had honored her by bringing her to the United States to get married. This was her first trip to the United States, and she didn’t understand my question. I continued, “Do you
remember when the Post Master spat in your face after you gave him a gospel packet and New Testament?”

When she said she didn’t remember, I reminded her of God’s miracle mango provision. “When the Post Master spat at your face,” I told Jessy, “our God recorded honor to you in heaven.”

EXPRESS APPRECIATION

Once upon a time, there was a man who was very helpful, kindhearted, and generous. He was a man who will help someone without asking anything to pay him back. He will help someone because he wants to and he loves to.  One day while walking into a dusty road, this man saw a purse, so he picked it up and noticed that the purse was empty. Suddenly a woman with a policeman shows up and gets him arrested.

The woman kept on asking where did he hide her money but the man replied, “It was empty when I found it, Mam.” The woman yelled at him, “Please give it back, It’s for my son’s school fees.”  The man noticed that the woman really felt sad, so he handed all his money.  He could say that the woman was a single mother.  The man said, “Take these, sorry for the inconvenience.”  The woman left and 
policeman held he man for further questioning.

The woman was very happy but when she counted her money later on, it was doubled, she was shocked.  One day while woman was going to pay her son’s school fees towards the school, she noticed that some skinny man was walking behind her.  She thought that he may rob her, so she approached a policeman standing nearby.  He was the same policeman, who she took along to inquire about her purse.  The woman told him about the man following her, but suddenly they saw that man collapsing.  They ran at him, and saw that he was the same man whom they arrested few days back for stealing a purse.

He looked very weak and woman was confused.  The policeman said to the woman, “He didn’t return your money, he gave you his money that day.  He wasn’t the thief but hearing about you son’s school fees, he felt sad and gave you his money.”  Later, they helped man stand up, and man told the woman, “Please go ahead and pay your son’s school fees, I saw you and followed you to be sure that no one 
steals your son’s school fees.”   The woman was speechless.

Moral: Life gives you strange experiences, sometime it shocks you and sometimes it may surprise you. We end up making wrong judgments or mistakes in our anger, desperation and frustration. However, when you get a second chance, correct your mistakes and return the favor. Be Kind and Generous. Learn to Appreciate what you are given.