The Stone Cutter

Good Morning Everyone,

Have you ever been jealous of someone? Perhaps they had
more than you did, and you wished you had such possessions.
Perhaps it was a person who was successful and didn't seem
to make many mistakes in their career. It could even have
been someone who was prettier, or more intelligent, or even
had a better car.

Here you sit watching them with envy thinking how lucky they
are and how unfortunate you are.

Basically what you have done is shown a great deal of unthankfulness
for WHAT YOU DO HAVE.

It is something we are all guilty of from time to time.

My guess is if you walked in that person's shoes for a week,
you would beg for your own life back. For everyone has hard times,
everyone wishes they had something else, and everyone is flawed and
subject to failure. All of us will go through hard times, illness
and tragedy. This is just life. It is not what we don't have that counts.
It is what we do with what we have that counts. What you hold within
your grasp and reach today, you can make shine or you can complain about.

How do you want to be remembered?

Make a success of whatever you are given to do, or whatever your life
is about today. It is all that you have control over. Never be jealous
of what someone else has, they have their own burdens to bear you cannot
understand, just as they do not fully understand you.

Rejoice for the new day you have been given, and live it for Christ.

These are things you will never regret, and they will make each day
successful in it's own measure.

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, for Christ will last

love always
millie

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THE STONE CUTTER

There was once a stone cutter who was dissatisfied with himself and with
his position in life.

One day he passed a wealthy merchant's house. Through the open gateway, he
saw many fine possessions and important visitors. How powerful that
merchant must be! thought the stone cutter. He became very envious and
wished that he could be like the merchant.

To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more
luxuries and power than he had ever imagined, but was envied and detested
by those less wealthy than himself. Soon a high official passed by, carried
in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants and escorted by soldiers
beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the
procession. How powerful that official is! he thought. I wish that I
could be a high official!

Then he became the high official, carried everywhere in his embroidered
sedan chair, feared and hated by the people all around. It was a hot summer
day, so the official felt very uncomfortable in the sticky sedan chair. He
looked up at the sun. It shone proudly in the sky, unaffected by his
presence. How powerful the sun is! he thought. I wish that I could be
the sun!

Then he became the sun, shining fiercely down on everyone, scorching the
fields, cursed by the farmers and laborers. But a huge black cloud moved
between him and the earth, so that his light could no longer shine on
everything below. How powerful that storm cloud is! he thought. I wish
that I could be a storm cloud!

Then he became the storm cloud, flooding the fields and villages, shouted
at by everyone. But soon he found that he was being pushed away by some
great force, and realized that it was the wind. How powerful it is! he
thought. I wish that I could be the wind!

Then he became the wind, blowing tiles off the roofs of houses, uprooting
trees, feared and hated by all below him. But after a while, he ran up
against something that would not move, no matter how forcefully he blew
against it - a huge, towering rock. How powerful that rock is! he
thought. I wish that I could be a rock!

Then he became the rock, more powerful than anything else on earth. But as
he stood there, he heard the sound of a hammer pounding a chisel into the
hard surface, and felt himself being changed. What could be more powerful
than I, the rock? he thought.

He looked down and saw far below him the figure of a stone cutter.

Author Unknown

Short Circuits

copyright Millie Plastaras 12/27/2003


My soul, wait thou only upon God, for my expectation is from
Him!! He only is my ROCK and my SALVATION, He is
my defense, I shall not be moved! In God is my salvation
and my glory, the rock of my strength, and my refuge,
is in God. Psalm 62:5-7

Have you ever desired something so much it hurt?
You wanted it so badly, you thought about it from morning
till night. And then one day, you got it, and it seemed
semi-climatic compared to all you went through to get it.
By the time you got it, you realized it was more fun working for it,
than it was finally getting it! It wasn't at all what
you expected, it fell short of your hopes. This could
be true of a career, a relationship or even a long
desired possession.

Sometimes our thinking gets an electrical short in it.
We think we know how our life is supposed to be, and
how we want it to be, and we work hard to make it happen.
And then one day we find, that we were going down the wrong path
all along. We forgot to consult the one who knows about
tomorrow in our life. We forgot to pray and ask for God's
guidance. He can see tomorrow, He knows our yesterdays
and He knows far more than we do what is best just for us.

So here we are plotting, planning, working and
dreaming, and setting goals, and when we reach them,
we realize, wow.. I didn't really want this
after all. It wasn't what I thought at all. I'm not happy!

How can we avoid making such wrong choices that
lead us down a path that we never expected, dealing
with things we never wanted to, and perhaps don't even
have the skills or patience to deal with?

We have to build our house upon the rock.
We have to focus on God, first, and all things else,
will fall into perfect place ... perfect timing, and
perfect companions for the trip. Most of all
a perfect Savior, guiding us and leading us in
paths of righteousness.

God made us, He knows our thoughts, our hearts,
the intent of our heart, and He knows what will be best for us.
He also sees the future, so His plans, will work out best for us.
We won't get lost in a sea of misunderstanding if we pray
and seek His will for the choices we make in life.

How long, truly, since you set down and prayed and
asked God to show you His perfect will for your life?
We not only have to pray, we must pray with fervency,
emotions, and pour out our heart before Him. And then
be patient. God will need time to set up the perfect
circumstances for our lives. We need to listen for that
precious still small voice to speak to our hearts, and lovingly
guide us into the perfect path that will lead to a fulfilling life
in Christ.

Many people lead unhappy lives, because they
make wrong decisions, that they have to pay for, for
the rest of their lives, and they never fulfill their dreams
or hopes, because they went down the road of
least resistance. Caving in to the world and it's standards.

God holds us to higher standards, and a calling
that is beautiful and precious upon our lives. And He
will provide the tools we need for the journey.

Are you ready for the ride of your life?
Get into the train with God. He will give you a journey
that is unexpected and wonderful. There will be troubles
and trials along the way, but He will be right there with you,
coaching you, leading you and providing comfort, strength,
wisdom, hope, and every good thing.

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last

The Strange Visitor

copyright by Millie Plastaras 9/17/02
cannot be reproduced without permission.

We have a new companion in our home. It was an
unexpected visitor. Not someone I had thought of
inviting before. But one day, there they were at
my doorstep. They were so compelling in their words
that I had to let them in. What they said, seemed to
hit the deepest part of my heart. They seemed to know
exactly what I was thinking. They seemed to know
all the sad things that were in my heart and life.

At first, I think my family was surprised by the new visitor.
They tried to communicate and understand, but they
were too busy, and soon that task was all my own. I
prepared the visitor breakfast, lunch and dinner.
And then sat down to talk to them, and to get a lot
of feedback from them. Day and night this visitor
would talk to me about what I was going through
and how I should look at it. Pretty soon I seldom left my house.

I noticed my friends were drifting away from me, and
I was surprised at their response. I marked it all down
to jealousy. They just wish they had such a companion.
I recognize jealousy when I see it.

My husband was seeming like a stranger to me more
and more. He was leaving earlier for work, and coming
home later. And seemed to fill the evening with work
he bought home. And I noticed he did not want to
be around as much. I couldn't believe he would be
jealous also. He never expressed this. What was his
problem anyway? My goodness, can't a person
have company for a week or two?

Slowly my taste in clothes changed, any old thing
seemed to do. I was staying in bed later, and eating
more. And I spent a lot of time watching television.
I seemed to be crying more, what's up with that?
I couldn't figure out what was happening to me.

I asked my company, but they seemed a bit illusive on
this subject. That rather surprised me. I thought they
had become my best friend.

I noticed that the days seemed more overcast lately,
something like my moods. Suddenly I felt so sad,
and let down by everyone around me. And I looked
for ways to drown my sorrow. There are a lot of ways
to do that. But none of them helped, I only felt worse
afterwards.

One morning as I got up, I remembered how my Father
had taught me that reading the Bible was a good way
to find wisdom in any situation. Dad used to tell me
how God could change our lives, and bring us spiritual
understanding we never imagined. That would give
us hope in the worst of situations. Jesus was the
one who came, that we might have life, and have it
more abundantly.

What had I done with my Bible? I knew it had to be around
here someplace. I remember reading it this year.
Oh yes, here it is, under one of my favorite magazines.
A bit dusty, but none the worse for wear.

As I opened up this book it fell open to Psalm 109:31
For He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save
his life from those who condemn him.

I had someone standing at my right hand?
I didn't know that. As I looked to my right, I suddenly
felt a presence, a warmth, and I remembered
years ago what it felt like to be in church and
sing the songs rich with the beauty of the presence
of God. What peace that had brought. Why had
I ever stopped it? The tears started to course down
my cheeks, and I recognized the feel of a hand upon
my shoulder. He said, My child, you are never alone,
I will never leave you, nor forsake you. You are mine,
I bought you with a price.

Fear not for I am with thee,be not dismayed, for I am thy
God! I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee,
yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Psalm 147;3

Suddenly I noticed my old visitor at the front door,
making a hasty retreat. I realized they had not been
my friend at all. It had been the spirit of depression.
And I had invited them in my home, and felt sorry for
myself, and spent the day feeding my depression,
and forgetting my family and friends, to allow
depression to become my constant companion.

I had not recognized the darkness.
Now, I did. Yet Jesus was in this room with me.
I felt his presence so clearly. A restful, peaceful
presence. And I felt something in my heart, I had not
in months, a calm reassurance, and hope. Great hope
that everything was going to be OK. Jesus is here,
I can relax now. I felt the brush of angel wings upon
my soul. I had companions of light. Jesus had
bought light into my home. And his angels
were here to guard it, and to minister to me.

I got down on my knees and cried Holy and worshipped
the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The great deliverer. Jehovah Jireh the great provider.
The great I Am, I am all that you ever need.

All Jesus is, is all I will ever need.

Never again, will I allow dark companions to enter
my home. I have found the bright and morning
star, Jesus Christ, and He has come to live in
my home, and dispel all darkness, and bring
hope and comfort, and a future to me.

I am a child of the king of Kings.

Never alone again.

I can relax now. Jesus is here.

remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done, For Christ will last

The Parable of the Pencil

Good Morning Everyone,

A few years ago, someone sent me the story below. I think from
time to time it is so good to read it.

Sometimes when life is happening around us, we lose the broader
perspective and often get caught in a web of wanting to give up
or of thinking negatively about everything.

Sometimes being around people who are positive,
inspiring, or encouraging, it can make us rise up to
the occasion rather than being defeated by it.

Each thing we go through in life sharpens us. It teaches
us lessons. It teaches us accountability to the standards
God has set for us to live by. It refines us and makes us stronger
and more resilient.

I can honestly say each hard time in my life, each loss, each
tragedy, made me think deeper, strive to live better, and to be wiser
in my relationships and decisions. It brought wisdom and insight into my heart.

Being a analytical person about all of these events, I processed them
with the word of God in my heart, and then I realized all this time
God had been with me through everything, guiding me, comforting me,
and telling me things would be ok, just to trust in Him, and this too
would pass.

So my friends today, rejoice in life, and it's lessons and let them
make you a better person. Don't be defeated, don't give up, instead
turn your face to God and find strength in him.

A suggestion: be one of those wonderful people who is prayerful,
encouraging, spirit led, and full of God's word so you can be a great
influence on the lives of those around you because of what you have
been through and who your Savior is in you.

We have around us many people whose lives tell us what
faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and
never give up. We should remove from our lives anything that
would get in the way and the sin that so easily holds us back.
Hebrews 12:1

love always
millie

ps... for those of you who asked, I have been sick for weeks with
a terrible flu bug. I am on the mend and hope to restart my devotions.
I have missed very much doing the work and hearing from all of you.
Forgive me for the unanswered letters, and thank you all for your prayers
and faithfulness. I can always use your prayers, we are facing some
obstacles right now and need God's intervention in our situation. God
has never once failed me, and He cares about our needs. Never forget that.
Cast your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7


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"PARABLE OF THE PENCIL"

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, butonly if you allow yourself to be guided by Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening fromtime to time, but you'll need it to become abetter pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct any mistakesyou might make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart. Now put your self in the place of the pencil.Always remember these five things and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of His garment. I have often felt that many things that bring us to our knees,teach us while we are down there to learn to pray.

These possibilities are open to everyone.

Don't tell God you are not good enough, do what He asks.

Don't tell God to send someone else, He asked you.

Don't tell God you don't have time to pray, He said seek me first.

Don't neglect the things of God. He said we are to pick up His cross daily and follow Him.

Don't tell God anything is bigger than His ability. God is the Great I Am, I am whatever you need. There is no pit so deep, God's love is not deeper still.Not my will but thine oh Lord.

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° Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank GodX EVEN WHEN YOU CAN'T SEE HIM...GOD IS THERE! O (run your mouse across the x to zero and highlight it )Disclaimer©§@}»~©©{millieshome1 }©©~»{@§©This mailing is for Millies Devotions members only and is being sent to those who have subscribed to Millies DevotionsMillieshome1 is a registered member with the Aol community action team. Millies Devotions is not responsible for forwards of any kind.All disclaimers are on file with Millie(Millieshome1@aol.com)in the event of a TOS violation. If you wish to stop receiving from this list, just click on the link below. Millie unsubscribe me ALLOW AT LEAST 72 HOURS FOR YOUR REMOVAL FROM THE LISTif you have received this from someone else and are not yet a member and would like to join, please click on the link below. Thanks :)add me to millie's devotions list If you wish to join the list, please click on the above linkallow at least 72 hours for this to occur.thanks for joining!

Strengthening Your Grip

Dearest Friends,

What do you cling to the most?

The past? The present? Hopes for your future?
People or relationships? Money?

What has a grip on your mind and heart?
Is it building you or tearing you down?

Are you sustained or are you depressed and hurting?
Does that have anything to do with what you are clinging to?

I think it does. I think whatever we cling to, we build our
life, hopes, dreams and thought patterns around. So if we
cling to things, or relationships that are not sound or secure,
we find ourselves in a crisis more than we would like.

We are looking for security by gripping onto things or
people that are actually making us feel more insecure.

This week my daughter Eva's father in Law Juan, after months
of struggling with lymphoma and many symptoms and much
suffering, was told he has a few days to live. For months,
he fought back from what he thought was impossible odds.
He finally got his strength back, he finally was able to walk on
his own, and even start driving again. Then this horrible
report. We are sorry, your cancer has come back, we
don't think you can survive it this time.

How do we face such things?

As I was thinking about this, this very week, the one
thought that came to mind was times like these
strengthen our grip on God. And it shows us Gods grip on
us is never failing. No matter what diseases, disasters,
hard times or losses we may face in life, we never
face them alone. We are gripped by God's strength,
provision, comfort and He is our hiding place.

The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous runs
into it and is safe. Proverbs 18:10

What are you relying on to get you through the rough times?
The insecurities of this life, the natural and unnatural disasters?
Are you going to cower in fear, or despair? Will your strength
be depleted and never replaced?

No matter what we face in life we have a mental choice
to face it with courage and just go through it, and seek God at
every turn and read his promises till our heart is still and peaceful,
or we run and find escapes that never work, never sustain,
and never rebuild that courage we need.

Let God strengthen your grip. Find hope in him every morning.
His mercies are new every morning.

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness."
- Lamentations 3:21-23

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.MY friend, are you really trusting God? Oh run to Him now.

Don't for a minute let go, or stop believing, or lose faith or stop trusting.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord God delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19

Whether you go through hard circumstances or not, and we all do.. you are never going through them alone. Keep your focus on God, feed on His word and let Him sustain you. Cling to Him for all you are worth. He never fails, or leaves you.

Wait for the Lord's help. Be strong and brave, and wait for the Lord's help.
Psalm 27:14

The Lord is good to those who hope in Him, to those who seek Him. It is good to
wait quietly for the Lord to save. Lamentations 3:25-26

So do not lose the courage you had in the past, which has a great reward! You must
hold on, so you can do what God wants and receive what He has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently. Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain.
Romans 8:25-26

Casting All your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

Just Trust!

Love Always
millie

Making Progress In Your Own Battleground

Dearest Friends,

The last devotion I sent to you was about a battleground.

I realize now how that was about me. I was about to
face several large battles. I had my mailing privileges
questioned and revoked. Suddenly my life work felt like it had
come to a end and all the precious people I had met around
the world, I was unable to contact and minister to.

Since then, both my husband and I have
been desperately ill with some horrible virus that
settles in your lungs like glue, and doesn't want to come out.
We have been in bed for days, with the worst time breathing
that is in recent memory for me.

Then.. I fought a big battle with fear over it.

I thought then about how over the years each lesson
I have taught from my heart, and out of God's word,
has often been lessons that have been very hard earned for me.
Things I learned the hard way, or went through great trials
to overcome and explain how to persevere.

I can remember a few times asking God why I had
such heavy difficult trials and he said how else can you
tell others about overcoming if you don't learn this lesson?

How can we be equipped for a job if we have no
equipment? How can we teach if we have no knowledge?
How can we share our heart, if we do not open it?

I also thought that battle ground devotion was very relevant
for the Christian community on several fronts. Let me tell
you why.

People are weary from their own battles. They are
weary from a world that gives you more negative input than good.
People are weary from not reading their
Bible and merely casting glances at it,
as if it would somehow leap off the page and enter their minds
and inspire them. People avoiding churches because
someone hurt them, and they therefore deny themselves
the great fellowship, prayer partners and Bible teaching
that are so vital to the growth of all of this.

People have gotten in a spiritual rut. They are not
growing. They are not hearing the word of God
powerfully taught so it convicts our spirit of our
wrong doings, and makes us long to please God
and to turn our lives over to Him, and truly be a disciple.

All of this combined with the world situations has made
our whole mindset different. We are no longer believing
that we can overcome, or fight. We seem to be content
to take whatever comes and deal with it.

Whatever happened to walking in the strength of God like
a good soldier? One who keeps pushing forth no matter
the obstacles. How dare I say this? I have to do it too!

When problems hit it is easy to cave into a negative mindset,
but it only hurts us. And it certainly shows we are NOT
relying on God, but trying to control everything ourself.

I had to come back and tell you, please get into the word of God.
Please take time to talk to Him. He loves you and has answers
and courage and inspiration for all your needs. But you have
to have time for him. You cannot have a relationship with
anyone without giving them time!

Oh precious friends, all these years we have been together,
have I not often spoken to you of God's word? Does it not
ring within your spirit? Do you not want to be encouraged
and strengthened to face your own battles?

Let not your heart be weary, you believe in God. Believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I
would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
(what a blessed promise)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and
receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14:1-3

Always remember, even if we cannot be in touch,
Only one life, will soon be past,
Only what is done for Christ will last.

Let this poem of my Dads ring in your heart as it did His,
and as it does mine. Make Christ your first thought,
and your first desire, and walk with Him each morning
in the garden of your heart and let him refresh your spirit
and whisper words of love and reassurance to you,
that you may be equipped and victorious for your days.

love always
millie


Just walk it.
Just talk it.
Just preach it.
Just teach it.
Just tell it.
Just live it.
Just give it.
Just wear it.
Just share it.
Just shout it.
Just sing it.
Just proclaim it.
Just prove it.
JUST DO IT.
Live For Jesus!