You might say, “Right, no one here can meet all of that.” You are absolutely right. But, I can tell you about someone who can meet it all. Jesus Christ has already met it all for our sakes. He is committed for he said in Matthew 28:20, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” He denied himself and put us first. II Corinthians 8:9 says, “For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.”

They crucified Jesus but he still forgave. Luke 23:34 tells us that while on the cross Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Jesus left the comfort of his home in heaven to come down here and have no where to lay his head. Scripture tells us in Matthew 8:20 that Jesus said, “the foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.” Love is going beyond your strength to help another. Jesus met this. In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed to the Father before the hour of his crucifixion. Luke 22:44, “And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” We said that love is standing up against an enemy for someone else. Jesus did that at Calvary, when he allowed them to take his life. I say allowed because no man took his life he laid it down for our sakes and defeated the enemy of our souls.

At Calvary Jesus met the enemy of our souls and paid a price we could never pay. All that is asked of us is we confess our sins, repent and ask for forgiveness. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We ask Jesus to come into our hearts and be Lord of our life. We then have to let go of the reigns and let Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, lead us in the way the Father would have us to go. We have to learn then to “trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not unto our own understanding.” We must learn to “acknowledge him in all our ways and then he will direct our paths.” Proverbs 3:5 & 6

The end is just the beginning.

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh until you can’t stop;
Someone who makes you believe
that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is
an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.

This is Forever Friendship. Don’t let it slip by without telling them how much you appreciate them!

“Good afternoon, can I help you?” The flower shop clerk’s approach startled her. “Sorry,” said the clerk, Jenny, “I just didn’t want you to think I was ignoring you.”

“I…I need an arrangement.”

“For Thanksgiving?”

Sandra nodded.

“Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving Special.” Jenny saw Sandra’s curiosity and continued. “I’m convinced that flowers tell stories, that each arrangement insinuates a particular feeling. Are you looking for something that conveys gratitude this Thanksgiving?”

“Not exactly!” Sandra blurted. “Sorry, but in the last five months, everything that could go wrong has.” Sandra regretted her outburst but was surprised when Jenny said, “I have the perfect arrangement for you.” The door’s small bell suddenly rang.

“Barbara! Hi,” Jenny said. She politely excused herself from Sandra and walked toward a small workroom. She quickly reappeared carrying a massive arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Only, the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped, no flowers. “Want this in a box?” Jenny asked.

Sandra watched for Barbara’s response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems and no flowers! She waited for laughter, for someone to notice the absence of flowers atop the thorny stems, but neither woman did.

“Yes, please. It’s exquisite,” said Barbara. “You’d think after three years of getting the special, I’d not be so moved by its significance, but it’s happening again. My family will love this one. Thanks.” Sandra stared. “Why so normal a conversation about so strange an arrangement?” she wondered. “Ah . . . “ said Sandra, pointing. “That lady just left with, ah…..”

“Yes?”

“Well, she had no flowers!”

“Right, I cut off the flowers.”

“Off?”

“Off. Yep. That’s the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet.”

“But, why do people pay for that?” In spite of herself she chuckled.

“Do you really want to know?”

“I couldn’t leave this shop without knowing. I’d think about nothing else!”

“That might be good,” said Jenny. “Well,” she continued, “Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling very much like you feel today. She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she faced major surgery.”

“Ouch!” said Sandra.

“That same year, I lost my husband. I assumed complete responsibility for the shop and for the first time, spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel.”

“What did you do?”

“I learned to be thankful for thorns.”

Sandra’s eyebrows lifted. “Thorns?”

“I’m a Christian, Sandra. I’ve always thanked God for good things in life and I never thought to ask Him why good things happened to me? But, when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! It took time to learn that dark times are important. I always enjoyed the ‘flowers’ of life but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God’s comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we’re afflicted and from His consolation we learn to comfort others.”

Sandra gasped. “A friend read that passage to me and I was furious! I guess the truth is I don’t want comfort. I’ve lost a baby and I’m angry with God.” She started to ask Jenny to “go on” when the door’s bell diverted their attention. “Hey, Phil!” shouted Jenny as a balding, rotund man entered the shop. She softly touched Sandra’s arm and moved to welcome him. He tucked her under his arm at his side for a warm hug. “I’m here for twelve thorny long-stemmed stems!” Phil laughed, heartily.

“I figured as much,” said Jenny. “I’ve got them ready.” She lifted a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerated cabinet.

“Beautiful,” said Phil. “My wife will love them.”

Sandra could not resist asking. “These are for your wife?”

Phil saw that Sandra’s curiosity matched his when he first heard of a Thorn Bouquet.

“Do you mind me asking, “Why thorns?”

“In fact, I’m glad you asked,” he said. “Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but we slogged through, problem by rotten problem. We rescued our marriage, our love, really. Last year at Thanksgiving I stopped in here for flowers. I must have mentioned surviving a tough process because Jenny told me that for a long time she kept a vase of rose stems-stems! – as a reminder of what she learned from “thorny” times. That was good enough for me. I took home stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific thorny situation and give thanks for what the problem taught us. I’m pretty sure this stem review is becoming a tradition.” Phil paid Jenny, thanked her again and as he left, said to Sandra, “I highly recommend the Special!”

“I don’t know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life,” Sandra said to Jenny.

“Well, my experience says that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God’s providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, Sandra, Jesus wore a crown of thorns so that we might know His love. Do not resent thorns.”

Tears rolled down Sandra’s cheeks. For the first time since the accident she loosened her grip on resentment. “I’ll take twelve long-stemmed thorns, please.”

“I hoped you would,” Jenny said. “I’ll have them ready in a minute. Then, every time you see them, remember to appreciate both good and hard times. We grow through both.”

“Thank you. What do I owe you?”

“Nothing. Nothing but a pledge to work toward healing your heart. The first year’s arrangement is always on me.” Jenny handed a card to Sandra. “I’ll attach a card like this to your arrangement but maybe you’d like to read it first. Go ahead, read it.”

“My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn! I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorn. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear, teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed to Thee by the path of pain. Show me that my tears have made my rainbow. – George Matheson”

Jenny said, “Happy Thanksgiving, Sandra,” handing her the Special. “I look forward to our knowing each other better.”

Sandra smiled. She turned, opened the door, and walked toward hope.

I was given a physical condition which has been a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to hurt and bother me and prick my pride. Three different times I begged God to make me well again. Each time he said, “No. But I am with you; that is all you need. My power shows up best in weak people.” Now I am glad to boast about how weak I am; I am glad to be a living demonstration of Christ’s power, instead of showing off my own power and abilities. Since I know it is all for Christ’s good, I am quite happy about “the thorn,” and about insults and hardships, persecutions and difficulties; for when I am weak, then I am strong–the less I have, the more I depend on him.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10 TLB

She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor’s son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans. This is when the problems began.

You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor’s son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.

As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past. As she began to cry the pastor’s son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this: “My fiancee’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin. Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?”

The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus…end of case!!! We all need this message:

God Forgives . . . So Should We.

Here’s some good advice to follow: If you’re ever stuck in the snow, avoid spinning your wheels. That will only dig your vehicle in deeper. Instead, shovel the snow out of the wheel paths for several feet; spread kitty litter, sand, cinders, or tree branches under the drive wheels; point the wheels straight ahead and slowly accelerate. Good advice for winter driving, but there’s something spiritual here.

Christians and non-Christians alike get stuck in a place. Often it’s a lonely place of unforgiveness and hopelessness, dark and slippery. We can’t seem to get out. Our spiritual wheels are spinning. We go sliding along smiling, business as usual. People ask, “How is everything?” We reply, “Oh, just great!” We dig ourselves in deeper denying the truth. When our vehicle is stuck in the snow, we don’t sit in it and say; “I’m not stuck.” That won’t get us moving. We need a shovel. Jesus can clear the way for us. We need to receive Him, draw close to Him and follow His example. We need to examine ourselves and get rid of the things causing the slipping in our walk with God. We need to stand on something firm – all the promises of God. We need to dig into prayer, praise, worship, bible study, and fellowship with other saints. A songwriter once wrote; “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.” Looking to Jesus, we can proceed straight ahead. Moving in the right direction, we repeat Philippians 3:12-13, “I count myself not to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things, which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The principal looked down at the young rebel. “How many times have you been here?”

The child sneered rebelliously, “Apparently not enough.”

The principal gave the boy a strange look. “And you have been punished each time have you not?”

“Yeah, I been punished, if that’s what you want to call it.” He threw out his small chest, “Go ahead I can take whatever you dish out. I always have.”

“And no thought of your punishment enters your head the next time you decide to break the rules does it?”

“Nope, I do whatever I want to do. Ain’t nothin’ you people gonna do to stop me either.”

The principal looked over at the teacher who stood nearby. “What did he do this time?”

“Fighting. He took little Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox.”

The principal turned to look at the boy, “Why? What did little Tommy do to you?”

“Nothin’. I didn’t like the way he was lookin’ at me, just like I don’t like the way your lookin’ at me! And if I thought I could do it, I’d shove your face into something.”

The teacher stiffened and started to rise but a quick look from the principal stopped him. He contemplated the child for a moment and then quietly said, “Today my young student, is the day you learn about grace.”

“Grace? Isn’t that what you old people do before you sit down to eat? I don’t need none of your stinkin’ grace.”

“Oh but you do.” The principal studied the young mans face and whispered. “Oh yes, you truly do…” The boy continued to glare as the principal continued, “Grace, in its short definition is unmerited favor. You can not earn it; it is a gift and is always freely given. It means that you will not be getting what you so richly deserve.”

The boy looked puzzled. “You’re not gonna whup me? You just gonna let me walk?”

The principal looked down at the unyielding child. “Yes, I am going to let you walk.”

The boy studied the face of the principal, “No punishment at all? Even though I socked Tommy and shoved his face into the sandbox?”

“Oh, there has to be punishment. What you did was wrong and there are always consequences to our actions. There will be punishment. Grace is not an excuse for doing wrong.”

“I knew it,” sneered the boy as he held out his hands. “Let’s get on with it.”

The principal nodded toward the teacher. “Bring me the belt.” The teacher presented the belt to the principal. He carefully folded it in two and then handed it back to the teacher. He looked at the child and said, “I want you to count the blows.”

He slid out from behind his desk and walked over to stand directly in front of the young man. He gently reached out and folded the child’s outstretched, expectant hands together and then turned to face the teacher with his own hands outstretched.

One quiet word came forth from his mouth. “Begin.” The belt whipped down on the outstretched hands of the principal.

Crack! The young man jumped ten feet in the air. Shock registered across his face, “One” he whispered. Crack! “Two.” His voice raised an octave. Crack! “Three…” He couldn’t believe this. Crack! “Four.” Big tears welled up in the eyes of the rebel. “OK stop! That’s enough. Stop!” Crack! Came the belt down on the callused hands of the principal.

Crack! The child flinched with each blow, tears beginning to stream down his face. Crack! Crack! “No please,” the former rebel begged, “Stop, I did it, I’m the one who deserves it. Stop! Please. Stop…” Still the blows came, Crack! Crack! One after another.

Finally it was over.

The principal stood with sweat glistening across his forehead and beads trickling down his face. Slowly he knelt down. He studied the young man for a second and then his swollen hands reached out to cradle the face of the weeping child.

“Grace…”

But, with Christ love is more than just one month. The gift that we receive is eternal and forever. John 3:16 & 17 says “for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

The love that God loves us with is everlasting and it does not change. He will always love us. It is the sin that he does not love. God does not pick one day out of a month to show us his love. He loves us everyday and he shows us everyday. Psalm 19 tells us “the Heavens declare his glory,” but let me say that it also declares his love. As I look at the beauty of the sky on some mornings, it looks as though God took a paint brush and painted the sky with beautiful reds and blues just for me. Some days I look at the light of the sun reflecting on earth and I can feel the warmth of his love. As I listen in the morning and hear the song of the birds, I know that a God who loves me gave them their song just for me. Look around you sometime and see just how much God loves you.

Think about it now, whose love do you want, the world’s that is celebrated once a year with gifts that do not last or would you rather have the love of God that keeps on giving and giving day after day. The choice is yours.

Two weeks ago we got a telephone call on a Sunday afternoon from our 9 year old son Steven’s principal from school. His teacher had died suddenly that morning and they were calling all the kids’ parents to ease the shock of the children finding out at school.

Her death gave me a lot to think about.

Steven wanted to go to the Memorial Service and I took him. The church was completely full, at least 300 or more in attendance, and the pastor had made mention that there were probably 300-400 that had been there for the viewing that afternoon. As I looked around I could see there were children from her 4th grade class, older children she may have taught in the past, co-workers from the school, church family and friends, family members and more. I thought to myself that she must have made a difference in many people’s lives. I hoped that before I died I could make a difference in people’s lives too.

As I was speaking to another teacher earlier that day she mentioned how it was strange that one day you go to work and talk to another person and the next day you go to work that person is gone. It made me think about how many people we see in a day that we can share the gospel with and don’t. I thought about how often God gives us a chance to make a difference in someone’s life and we won’t take the opportunity. What if that opportunity was that person’s last chance to hear about the salvation power of Jesus and we didn’t even smile at them? What if the last words they heard coming out of our mouths were angry words to the cashier in the grocery store because their register mischarged us or to the teller at the bank because we had to wait a long time in line?

We should remember the scripture from Proverbs 27:19 NIV, “As water reflects a face, so a man’s heart reflects the man.” As we look into the mirror and see what we look like on the outside, our attitudes and actions reveal what we are like on the inside. And since “when someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 TLB, then we should act accordingly. “When the Holy Spirit controls our lives He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22-23 TLB.

The Holy Spirit can give you the kind words to encourage and edify the cashier and He can give you the patience while waiting in line to know that there is a reason you are there. Remember that we, “who belong to Christ have nailed our natural evil desires to his cross and crucified them there. If we are living now by the Holy Spirit’s power, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Galatians 5:24-25 TLB. It may be a smile, or a kind word, or just understanding when someone is having a rough day. It may be sharing the gospel with a complete stranger. You might even feel led to share a copy of this publication with a stranger but it could be the last thing that person reads before his or her life ends. And in “The End” they could give their life to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit guide you and trust Him for the help.

Anna Louise Perry wrote:

I stand at the threshold of an open door. What lies beyond only God knows. But to my heart comes the realization that what is beyond will be the complete fulfillment of why I am here. The way that I have come over many winding roads and through many experiences not understood, shall be revealed. I shall go forth in the power and might of the Holy Spirit. All men shall know that God has been and is with me. Selah

As we stand at the open doors of our homes, ready to depart somewhere into the world, we should pray that we could be a blessing to someone that day – that in whatever we have gone through and overcome in our lives we can help someone and make a difference in their life.

I pray that no matter where I go people can see God in me! But even more, even in the privacy of my home, I pray that God can see Himself in me!

In memory of
Miss Patricia Green,
who departed this life on
Sunday, January 23, 2000.
Thank you Miss Green
for making a difference
in my life too.

I just want to thank each one of you who have called or written and shared a testimony of how this booklet has helped you or someone close to you. It has made me feel that I have made a difference. As long as I remember I am just a pebble, (see When Change Comes, January 2000) being dropped in the jug, doing my part to help the water rise, then I am making a difference! And you can make a difference too – be a pebble.

Now for an update on the status of the ministry. After several delays in registering a name for the corporation, I am pleased to announce that The Well Ministries, Inc. is now the new name of the ministry! A checking account has been established in that name and now all donations can be made payable to the new ministry.

Progress is being made on the 501(c)(3) application which would make the organization non-profit allowing all donations to be tax deductible for the donor. But this can still be a few months in the process. Lord willing, hopefully it will be sooner.

Praise the Lord! These ARE steps forward and we’re excited to see what God has in store for us in the future!

Many exciting things are happening this month:

February 14th is Valentine’s Day – the day of “love” – make sure that when you tell someone that you love them, you tell them that God loves them too.

Don’t forget on Wednesday, February 23rd to watch and pray for me as I am going to be on our local Christian TV station – Cornerstone TV’s “Getting Together” at 8:00 PM.

February 26th, my husband Lou, and the Southern Gospel Quartet he sings with, Three Rivers Gospel, will be appearing at our church, The Open Bible Church, 719 Union Avenue, McKeesport, PA at 6:30 PM. Call the church at (412) 664-1016 for directions Everyone is invited to attend this night of great music and testimony. Bring a friend, too! I am hoping to have March’s issue of “The Well” ready for distribution that weekend so if you come to the concert you may be able to get your copy early.

Thanks again to all of you who write or call to let me know that this publication has blessed you. I want to apologize that we are not able to answer each letter individually. But know that we read each and every letter that comes in. Your testimonies are a blessing to all of us who work hard at putting this publication together. We pray that you will continue to receive from the Lord.

Blessings to you all,
…until next month,