The Parable of the Eagle

Once upon a time, while walking through the forest, a certain man found a young eagle. He took it home and put it in his barnyard where it soon learned to eat chicken feed and to behave as chickens behave. One day, a naturalist who was passing by inquired of the owner why it was that an eagle, the king of all birds, should be confined to live in the barnyard with the chickens. “Since I have given it chicken feed and trained it to be a chicken, it has never learned to fly.” replied the owner. “It behaves as chickens behave, so it is no longer an eagle.” “Still,” insisted the naturalist, “it has the heart of an eagle and can surely be taught to fly.” After talking it over, the two men agreed to find out whether this was possible. Gently, the naturalist took the eagle in his arms and said, “You belong to the sky and not to the earth. Stretch forth your wings and fly.” The eagle, however, was confused; he did not know who he was, and seeing the chickens eating their feed, he jumped down to be with them again. Undismayed, the naturalist took the eagle, on the following day, up on the roof of the house and urged him again, “You are an eagle. Stretch forth your wings and fly.” But the eagle was afraid of his unknown self and world and jumped down once more for the chicken feed. On the third day, the naturalist rose early and took the eagle out of the barnyard to a high mountain. There, he held the king of birds high above him and encouraged him again, saying, “You are an eagle. You belong to the sky as well as the earth. Stretch forth your wings now, and fly.” The eagle looked around, back toward the barnyard and up to the sky. Still he did not fly. Then the naturalist lifted him straight toward the sun and it happened that the eagle began to tremble and slowly he stretched his wings. At last, with a triumphant cry, he soared away into the heavens. It may be that the eagle still remembers the chickens with nostalgia; it may even be that he occasionally revisits the barnyard. But as far as anyone knows, he has never returned to lead the life of a chicken. He was an eagle even though he had been kept and tamed as a chicken, Just like the eagle, people who have learned to think of themselves as something they aren’t, can re-decide in favor of their real potential. They can become all that God intends for them to become.

LDSminds

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A Parable of Two Frogs

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, they 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 with all their might, and after several hours of this, were quite weary. Finally, one of the frogs took heed to the calls of his fellow frogs. Exhausted, he quietly resolved himself to his fate, lay down at the bottom of the pit, and died. The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could, although his body was wracked with pain and he was quite exhausted. Once again, his companions began 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 leaped so high that he sprang from the pit. Amazed, the other frogs celebrated his freedom and then gathering around him asked, "Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?" The astonished frog explained to them that he was deaf, and as 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. The book of Proverbs says, "There is death and life in the power of the tongue". Your encouraging words can lift someone up and help them 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. Be careful what you say. Speak life to and about those who cross your path. There is enormous power in words. If you have words of kindness, praise or encouragement - speak them now to, and about, others. Listen to your heart and respond. “When we treat people merely as they are, they will remain as they are. When we treat them as if they were what they should be, they will become what they should be.” – Thomas S. Monson

Source:DreamJobCoaching

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Stand Tall with Grace: A Flamingo-Inspired Devotional

Stand Tall with Grace: A Flamingo-Inspired Devotional Written by Julia Bettencourt - CreativeLadiesMinistry Flamingos remind us of the beauty found in unity, standing tall, and embracing our vibrant uniqueness. Let’s dive into a devotional that encourages us to stand with faith, grace, and unwavering poise. 1. Stand Tall Scripture: “He gives strength to his weary and increases the power of the weak.” — Isaiah 40:29 (NIV) Reflection: Flamingos hold themselves upright on one leg—balanced even when resting. In a world that often feels unstable, we’re invited to stand tall in God’s strength. Activity: Invite participants to strike a one-legged “flamingo pose” for 10 seconds. Encourage them to reflect on who helps them “stand tall” spiritually. 2. Embrace Your Color Scripture: “There is no fear in love… perfect love drives out fear.” — 1 John 4:18 (NIV) Reflection: Those famous pink hues come from the flamingo’s diet. Similarly, our true colors—our God-given gifts and personality—shine most when nourished by divine “food”: God’s love, Word, and community. Activity: Provide pink highlighter pens and invite participants to highlight a favorite verse that reflects their unique God-given identity. 3. Community Counts Scripture: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” — Psalm 133:1 (NIV) Reflection: Flamingos gather in large flocks—there’s safety and strength together. We, too, flourish in community. Activity: Form smaller “flamingo flocks” of three. Share a prayer request and offer prayer encouragement—then rotate to partner with another flock. 4. Walk in Beauty Scripture: “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” — Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV) Reflection: Flamingos walk with elegance—wading through muck but emerging radiant. So can we—navigating life’s muddy paths by God’s grace, emerging with beauty. Activity: Encourage each woman to write one personal challenge and one hopeful prayer on a postcard. Collect and “bury” them in a decorative vase filled with sand or water, symbolizing God’s ongoing work. Closing Prayer: “Lord, help us stand with confidence, embrace our God-given colors, thrive in loving community, and walk beautifully in Your purpose, even when the ground is messy. Amen.”

Printable PDF - Do the Flamingo Devotional for Christian women.
Learn how the flamingo acts. You might be able to learn a few things!

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If I Were The Devil...

“IF I WERE THE DEVIL… I would gain control of the most powerful nation in the world. I would delude their minds into thinking that they had come from man's effort, instead of God's blessings. I would promote an attitude of loving things and using people, instead of the other way around. I would dupe entire states into relying on gambling for their state revenue. I would convince people that character is not an issue when it comes to leadership. I would make it legal to take the life of unborn babies. I would make it socially acceptable to take one's own life, and invent machines to make it convenient. I would cheapen human life as much as possible so that the life of animals are valued more that human beings. I would take God out of the schools, where even the mention of His name was grounds for a law-suit. I would come up with drugs that sedate the mind and target the young, and I would get sports heroes to advertise them. I would get control of the media, so that every night I could pollute the mind of every family member for my agenda. I would attack the family, the backbone of any nation. I would make divorce acceptable and easy, even fashionable. If the family crumbles, so does the nation. I would compel people to express their most depraved fantasies on canvas and movie screens, and I would call it art. I would convince the world that people are born homosexuals, and that their lifestyles should be accepted and marveled. I would convince the people that right and wrong are determined by a few who call themselves authorities and refer to their agenda as politically correct. I would persuade people that the church is irrelevant and out of date, and the Bible is for the naive. I would dull the minds of Christians, and make them believe that prayer is not important, and that faithfulness and obedience are optional. I guess I would leave things pretty much the way they are.” “Paul Harvey … Good day.”   If I Were the Devil by Paul Harvey - Original 1965 Broadcast - YouTube In 1965, Mr. Harvey broadcast "If I Were the Devil." Although it has been over a half a century since the broadcast, Mr. Harvey's words describe our current times well.   Also see "So God Made A Farmer" - Paul Harvey

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The Parable of the Wooden Bowl

Take Care of Those You Love   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 comer. 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!” Printable PDF Version of This Parable

Source: Margie's Messages

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Before I Go ~ Poem

When my life has reached its very end, And I take my final breath; I want to know I've left behind, Some good before my death. I hope that in my final hour, In all honesty I can say; That somewhere in my lifetime, I have brightened someone's day. That maybe I have brought a smile, To someone else's face, And made one moment a little sweeter, While they dwelled here in this place. Lord, please be my reminder, And whisper in my ear... To be a "giver", not a "taker," In the years I have left here. Give to me strength I will need, Open up my mind and soul; That I may show sincere compassion, And love to others as I go. For if not a heart be touched by me, And not a smile I've left behind, Then the life that You have blessed me with, Will have been a waste of time. With all my heart I truly pray, I leave something here on earth; That touched another child of yours, And gave my life its worth... Heart & Soul ~Shawnee Kellie~

 

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Christian Acronyms Mega List

Christian abbreviations and acronyms are short words or groups of letters used to remember Bible truths, guide prayer, or name sacred symbols.   Popular examples include ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) for prayer, BIBLE (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth), and INRI (Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum) for Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.Prayer and Study Acronyms     G.O.A.T. – God Of All Things   B.I.G. – Believe In God   C.O.P.S (Christians Obediently Preaching Salvation)   E.L.F (Everyone Lives Forever)   S.W.A.G. – Saved With Amazing Grace   J.O.Y. – Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last   L.I.G.H.T. – Living In God’s Holy Truth   W.W.J.D. – What Would Jesus Do?

Acronym Source: The Secret Code of 2000s Youth Group Acronyms - JesusAlive
Image Source: Adobe

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The Parable of the Pearl and the Box

The "Story of the Pearl and the Box" is a famous parable often shared to illustrate the danger of prioritizing outward appearances over internal meaning. It explores the idea of losing sight of what truly matters by focusing too heavily on the "container." “A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last the perfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box and line it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so others could share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon he turned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl.” As we are learning to live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, looking ‘beyond the mark’ (Jacob 4:14) can cause us to focus incorrectly on the jewel box instead of the precious pearl of great price. For example, the Conference Center in Salt Lake City is an impressive facility, but it is a jewel box. The teachings of the living prophets and apostles, the Seventy , the Presiding Bishopric, and the general auxiliary leaders that originate from the Conference Center are the pearl of great price. … The physical structure and grounds of a temple are majestic and beautifully maintained. Indeed, the Church goes to great lengths to create a physical environment in and around a temple that appropriately invites the Spirit of the Lord. However, we should remember that the ordinances and covenants we receive in the house of the Lord are the pearl of great price. The attractive physical setting is the jewel box. …. Meetings are important gatherings, but meetings in and of themselves are a jewel box. The faith, unity, worship, and edification that derive from meetings as they are directed by the Holy Ghost are the pearl of great price. … The programs and procesures of the Church are a jwel box; the love of God and our fellowmen, the spiritual strength, and the individual growth realized through serving in the programs and following correct procedures are the pearl of great price.   Meaning & Symbolism: The parable is frequently used in philosophical and religious teachings (often attributed to a story shared by leaders like Boyd K. Packer) to represent misplaced focus.The Pearl represents the core essence—such as the core message, truth, or spiritual principles.The Box represents the external, structural elements—such as physical buildings, traditions, programs, or rules.The lesson is a reminder that while the "box" (structures, buildings, and traditions) may be beautifully made and serves a good purpose, its only true job is to protect and highlight the treasure inside.

Principles of the Gospel

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