December 31, 2007

No. 457

MONDAY MORNING MINUTE

FROM CHAPLAIN BARNES On-the-Job Inspiration, Humor Challenge and Encouragement. You are invited to copy and share these notes with others so long as it is not for profit.

"What you sow, so shall you reap". (Gal. 6:7)

THE SEED

A successful Christian business man was growing old and knew it was time to choose a successor to take over the business. Instead of choosing one of his directors or his children, he decided to do something different. He called all the young executives in his company together. He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next CEO. I have decided to choose one of you.. "The young executives were shocked, but the boss continued." I am going to give each one of you a SEED today - one very special SEED. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from the seed I have given you. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next CEO" One man, named Jim, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly, told his wife the story. She helped him get a pot, soil and compost and he planted the seed. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown. After about three weeks, some of the other executives began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Jim kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by, still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Jim didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure. Six months went by--still nothing in Jim's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Jim didn't say anything to his colleagues, however. He just kept watering and fertilizing the soil - He so wanted the seed to grow. A year finally went by and all the young executives of the company brought their plants to the CEO for inspection. Jim told his wife that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But she asked him to be honest about what happened. Jim felt sick at his stomach, it was going to be the most embarrassing moment of his life, but he knew his wife was right. He took his empty pot to the board room. When Jim arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other executives. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Jim put his empty pot on the floor and many of his colleagues laughed, a few felt sorry for him! When the CEO arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted his young executives. Jim just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the CEO. "Today one of you will be appointed the next CEO!" All of a sudden, the CEO spotted Jim at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered the financial director to bring him to the front. Jim was terrified. He thought, "The CEO knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me fired!" When Jim got to the front, the CEO asked him what had happened to his seed - Jim told him the story. The CEO asked everyone to sit down except Jim. He looked at Jim, and then announced to the young executives, "Behold your next Chief Executive! His name is Jim!" Jim couldn't believe it. Jim couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new CEO the others said? Then the CEO said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone in this room a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds; they were dead - it was not possible for them to grow. All of you, except Jim, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Jim was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new Chief Executive!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness

If you plant perseverance, you will reap contentment

If you plant consideration, you will reap perspective

If you plant hard work, you will reap success

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation

If you plant faith in Christ, you will reap a harvest

So, be careful what you plant now; it will determine what you will reap later.

Two thousand years ago Paul wrote to the church at Galatia the same story but with fewer words, "What you sow, so shall you reap". (Gal. 6:7)

We are grass that will wither and die but the incorruptible seed of Gods Word will live forever - sow it daily into the life of your family! (1 Peter 1: 23 - 25)

Thought for the week: The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking. -- John Kenneth Galbraith

Funny for the week: 2008 Contract

After serious & cautious consideration.....your contract of friendship has been renewed for the Year 2008!

It was a very hard decision to make. So try not to screw it up!!!


My Wish for You in 2008

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had
forget your home address! In simple words ............

May 2008 be the best year of your life!!!

Wishing you and yours a Happy and prosperous New Year………..Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: In whom is there no truth? The devil (John 8:44)

This week’s question: Why did men love darkness better than light?

December 24, 2007

FROM CHAPLAIN BARNES On-the-Job Inspiration, Humor Challenge and Encouragement. You are invited to copy and share these notes with others so long as it is not for profit.

"He came unto his own, and his own received him not." John 1:11

CHRISTMAS EVE - As I sat down to write this I realized that many of you will not read this today. You get the devotion at work and you will be off for Christmas. I am sending out to you a piece of myself and you will not even know it was sent. (Bet you can guess where this is going.) Yes, my gift to you will be held in storage until a convenient time. I won't be hurt because this is only words. But it does remind me that when God sent His Son as a baby, only a very few outcasts of society were told of his coming. He arrived quietly in a stable much like my devotion will arrive in you mailbox. Some like Herod who tried to delete Him, will delete this message without ever reading it. Others will see it as just another devotion from the chaplain and move on to more important things. I guess that is how the world treated Him too. Just another baby born to some poor pheasant girl in a crowded city. But my, how the angels did sing and the stars scream his glory. He would go on to change the course of history and eternity. My devotion, it will go to the trash bin, but maybe not before it has made you think about your relationship to the greatest event in the history of mankind. Worship the Lord Jesus today!

Thought for the week: Remember God's bounty in the year. String the pearls of His favor. Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light! Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude! ~Henry Ward Beecher

Christmas poem for the week:

Twas the month before Christmas
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.
Why the PC Police had taken away,
The reason for Christmas - no one could say.
The children were told by their schools not to sing,
About Shepherds and Wise Men and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feelings, the teachers would say
December 25th is just a 'Holiday'.

Yet the shoppers were ready with cash, checks and credit Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CDs from Rhianna, an X BOX, an I-pod
Something was changing, something quite odd!
Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Ikea* *were hanging their trees upside down
At the Bay the word Christmas - was no where to be found. At Staples, Wal-Mart, Future Shop and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!
At the top of City Hall, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word, as they took away our faith
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded The reason for the season, stopped before it started.
So as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree' Sipping your Starbucks, listen to me.
Choose your words carefully, choose what you say
Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS -NOT Happy Holiday!

Merry CHRISTmas.................. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: When Samuel first heard God calling him, whose voice did he think it was? Eli (1 Sam 3:8)

This week’s question: In whom is there no truth?

December 17, 2007

"My grace is all that you need, for my strength is made perfect in weakness."

II Corinthians 12:9

Christmas is a-coming!! Don't believe me? Ask a kid. With all the work demands and the holiday season barreling down on us we may feel haggard, tired and aggravated. I am convinced that God knows in advance when these stressful times are coming. We may feel dazed from the pressure, but our Father knows our limits. Actually there is some good that can come from these times. Our faith gets stretched and our eyes look to the Father. We are far to precious to Him to allow us to be totally overwhelmed. For a Christian there is no such thing as a "last straw." When life has beaten you down and circumstances have worn you out, the Father is watching you and waiting for you to pause in all the hustle and talk to him. He knows the exact time to ease the pressure. He has promised to give you strength to continue. Re-read the verse above. Claim it this day.

Thought for the week: "In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don't have the first, the other two will kill you." Warren Buffet

Funny for the week:

Dear Darling Son and That Person You Married,

Merry Christmas to you, and please don't worry. I'm just fine considering I can't breathe or eat. The important thing is that you have a nice holiday, thousands of miles away from your ailing mother. I've sent along my last ten dollars in this card, which I hope you'll spend on my grandchildren. God knows their mother never buys them anything nice. They look so thin in their pictures, poor babies.

Thank you so much for the Christmas flowers, dear boy. I put them in the freezer so they'll stay fresh for my grave. Which reminds me -- we buried Grandma last week. I know she died years ago, but I got to yearning for a good funeral so Aunt Viola and I dug her up and had the services all over again. I would have invited you, but I know that woman you live with would have never let you come. I bet she's never even watched that videotape of my hemorrhoid surgery, has she?

Well son, it's time for me to crawl off to bed now. I lost my cane beating off muggers last week, but don't you worry about me. I'm also getting used to the cold since they turned my heat off and am grateful because the frost on my bed numbs the constant pain. Now don't you even think about sending any more money, because I know you need it for those expensive family vacations you take every year. Give my love to my darling grand babies and my regards to whatever-her- name-is -- the one with the black roots who stole you screaming from my bosom.

Merry Christmas.
Love, Mom

Ah, mom, I didn’t know you cared so much ……………. Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who was ruler of Rome when Jesus was born? Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1)

This week’s question: When Samuel first heard God calling him, whose voice did he think it was?

December 10, 2007

"So then, you are no longer strangers, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." Ephesians 2"19

"Tis the Season to be jolly..." But did you know that to be happy, a person must know two things. First is that someone cares about you. To know that someone thinks you are the greatest! Love is a two-way street and love can only blossom when it is mutually shared. God thinks you are the greatest. When you allow God's love in your heart, you have reached first base in achieving a fulfilling life. The second thing you need to know is a person must feel that their life is important, that it means something. If a person doesn’t believe this, life becomes a tedious monotony. A dull routine done out of financial necessity. God tells us that when we do His will, follow His vocation in life, He is pleased and we will know contentment. We can know that we are here on earth accomplishing what we were sent here to do. There is no hierarchy among God's children. I am no more important than you. Whether a minimum wage earner or a famous brain surgeon, if you are doing God's will, He is smiling. :)

Thought for the week: A celebrity is a person who works hard all his life to become well known, then wears dark glasses to avoid being recognized. Fred Allen

Funny for the week: "Drum Problem"

There was once a small boy who banged a drum all day and loved every moment of it. He would not be quiet, no matter what anyone else said or did. Various attempts were made to do something about the child.

One person told the boy that he would, if he continued to make so much noise, perforate his eardrums. This reasoning was too advanced for the child, who was neither a scientist nor a scholar.

A second person told him that drum beating was a sacred activity and should be carried out only on special occasions. The third person offered the neighbors plugs for their ears; a fourth gave the boy a book; a fifth gave the neighbors books that described a method of controlling anger through biofeedback; a sixth person gave the boy meditation exercises to make him placid and docile. None of these attempts worked.

Eventually, a wise person came along with an effective motivation. He looked at the situation, handed the child a hammer and chisel, and asked, "I wonder what's inside the drum?"

Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who ordered that James, brother of John, be killed with a sword? Herod (Acts 12:3)

This week’s question: Who was ruler of Rome when Jesus was born?

December 3, 2007

"The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to his lips." Proverbs 16:23

My wife is always telling me, "It's not what you're saying honey, it is how you're saying it." All of us need to constantly add two ingredients to our speech; gentleness and tact. These two qualities allow our message to get through. Soften your tone, lower your voice, take away any accusation tone in your voice, speak gently. Think about HOW to say something, the best way to phrase it. Speak tactfully. Practicing these rules will benefit us at home, work and anywhere we interact with people. Many time a person's true message has been rejected because it was packaged in immature, incendiary tones. Even the words "I love you" can be spoken so as to cause the receiver to react negatively to us. Practice saying things how you want them to feel, and allow someone the freedom to give you feed back, in love, on how you sound.

Thought for the week: "Today is the first day of the rest of your life but so was yesterday and look how you messed that up."

Funny for the week: "Biker Problem"

A little guy is sitting at the bar just staring at his drink for half an hour when this big trouble-making biker steps next to him, grabs his drink and gulps it down in one swig. The poor little guy starts crying.

"Come on man. I was just giving you a hard time," the biker says. "I can't stand to see a man crying."

"This is the worst day of my life," says the little guy between sobs. "I can't do anything right. I overslept and was late to an important meeting, so my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car was stolen and I don't have any insurance. I grabbed a cab home but, after the cab left, I discovered my wallet was still in the cab. At home I found my wife in bed with the gardener and my dog bit me. So I came to this bar trying to work up the courage to put an end to my life, and then you show up and drink the poison!"

I wonder why his dog bit him?..................... Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: What book comes after Job in the OT? Psalms

This week’s question: Who ordered that James, brother of John, be killed with a sword?

November 26, 2007

"The tongue of the wise uses knowledge correctly; but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness." Proverbs 15:2

Have you ever agreed to disagree with someone? Sometimes it happens. Here are some "no-no's" when you disagree: Do not ridicule, diminish or bad-mouth the other person's opinion. Do not try to make converts by telling your side to others. Do not make loyalty an issue, i.e. "If he\she was really my friend, they would see it my way." Do not rehash mental arguments that support you and refute the other person. Lastly, let it go. Time will tell who was right. In a lot of cases, both of you will be partially right, partially wrong. Next time you have an honest disagreement remember the verse above. Knowledge is power. Use knowledge correctly.

Thought for the week: Nothing so conclusively proves a man's ability to lead others

as what he does from day to day to lead himself. ~Thomas J. Watson

Funny for the week: "Restaurant Excitement"

I was having dinner at a nice restaurant the other night. The couple at the next table were smooching from the moment they sat down. Oh how romantic, young love!

But I couldn't figure out what was going on at their table after the food came. Every time the young man would take a bite, he would jump up and give the girl such a big hug that she would squeal loudly! This bizarre behavior continued about 10 times - he took a bite, gave her a big hug, she squealed....very strange. Everyone was looking!

When my waiter came by I mentioned the 'entertainment' and he said "Oh, we have that all the time in here. You see, that man ordered the Seize Her Salad."

Interesting idea.................................... Chaplain Barnes

Last week’s answer: Who was the writer of the first letter recorded as being written in the Bible? David (2 Sam 11:14)

This week’s question: What book comes after Job in the OT?