To receive the free 'Joyful Ministry Email Circular', click the 'Join List' button: Choose from the following titles: Animal School Once upon a time, the animals decided they must do something heroic to meet the problems of 'a new world.' What About Abstinence? I was holding a notice from my 13-year-old son's school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students. Who'll Take the Son? A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. Apples A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. Athiest A preacher and an atheistic barber were once walking through the city slums. Said the barber to the preacher: 'This is why I cannot believe in a God of love.' The Big Rocks One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. The Brick The cocky businessman rapidly wound his way through the traffic in his brand new Jaguar. Suddenly a brick--seemingly thrown from the side of the street--bashed into the side door of that elegant machine. Absent Member A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the pastor decided to visit him. An Aging Christian Prays Dear Lord, the days and years have sped so rapidly by, and now I find that not only am I no longer young. I'm past the years called middle age. As A Little Child We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat my infant son Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Diving Surprise A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. All the Good He was in the first third grade class I taught at Saint Mary's School in Morris, Minn. All 34 of my students were dear to me, but Mark Eklund was one in a million. The Cocoon One day a man found a cocoon of a butterfly. When a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the tiny hole. Are You the 'Cracked Pot'? A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck.  One of the pots had a crack in  it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. Appointment With Love In six minutes, he would see the woman who had filled such a special place in his life for the past 13 months, the woman he had never seen, yet whose written words had been with him and sustained him unfailingly. The Homeless Preacher It was a cold winter's day that Sunday. The parking lot to the church was filling up quickly. I noticed as I got out of my car that fellow church members were whispering among themselves as they walked to the church. I Am Embroidering Your Life When I was a little boy, my mother used to embroider a great deal. I would sit at her knee and look up from the floor and ask what she was doing. 57 Cents That Made History A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it 'was too crowded'. "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby,unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The Grandfather 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. You Cannot Judge A Book By Its Cover During the mid-1980s I was an American living in the Netherlands at a Christian ministry base, getting familiar with a new culture, new customs, and a new language. Common purpose and vision, however, tied me to the people I met, and we newcomers quickly intermingled with the seasoned veterans. A Doll And A White Rose I hurried into the local department store to grab some last minute Christmas gifts. I looked at all the people and grumbled to myself. I would be in here forever and I just had so much to do. Christmas was beginning to become such a drag. Dad's Helper A little boy was helping his father move some books out of an attic into more spacious quarters downstairs. Israel Goy In the city of Krakow there lived a rich Jew by the name of Israel who was famous for his stinginess. The local beggars had long since given up trying to knock at his door. All attempts by the trustees of the community's various charity funds to elicit at least a token contribution from him were met with polite but adamant refusals. Catch of a Lifetime There was once an 11-year-old who went fishing every chance he got from the dock at his family's cabin on an island in the middle of a New Hampshire lake. A Brother Like That Paul received an automobile from his brother as a Christmas present. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it. Faith to Move Mountains A small congregation in the foothills of the Great Smokeys built a new sanctuary on a piece of land willed to them by a church member. Ten days before the new church was to open, the local building inspector informed the pastor that the parking lot was inadequate for the size of the building. Five More Minutes While at the park one day, a woman sat down next to a man on a bench near a playground. "That's my son over there," she said, pointing to a little boy in a red sweater who was gliding down the slide. Graduation Prayer They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-three students filing into the already crowded auditorium. With rich maroon gowns flowing and the traditional caps, they looked almost as grown up as they felt. Gratitude There were ten of us there that day. Each of us needed healing from the leprosy that ravaged our bodies. We were outcasts. Heaven's Grocery Store I was walking down life's highway a long time ago. One day I saw a sign that read, 'HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE'. As I got a little closer the door came open wide, and when I came to myself I was standing inside. The Best Is Yet To Come The sound of Martha's voice on the other end of the telephone always brought a smile to Brother Jim's face. She was not only one of the oldest members of the congregation, but one of the most faithful. Aunt Martie, as all of the children called her, just seemed to ooze faith, hope, and love wherever she went. This time, however, there seemed to be an unusual tone to her words. The Bird Cage There once was a man named George Thomas, a pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage. Dear Friend As you got up this morning, I watched you and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday-but I noticed you were too busy. Dry Season It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk. The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. Jesus Is In The House Once there was this very wealthy young man. He lived in a great, elaborate house with dozens of rooms. One day he decided to invite the Lord to come home and stay with him. When the Lord arrived, this young man offered him the very best room in the house. Kyle One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. Love And The Cabbie I was in New York the other day and rode with a friend in a taxi. When we got out, my friend said to the driver, 'Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving.' "Come'n Dine" Once upon a time, there was a restaurant named "Come'n Dine". This fine eating establishment sat along side a busy street in a village located in the middle of a very busy community of towns not far from the great city of Never Dull. A Deacon Talks in Church We were not expecting anything unusual that day, but we got it just the same. It was a warm Sunday in June, and the annual foreign missionary sermon was to be preached and the collection taken. That didn't excite us any, for we had slept, I may say, through both sermon and collection many a time before. The Gossip A woman repeated a bit of gossip about a neighbor. Within a few days the whole community knew the story. The Flower By Pastor John R. Ramsey For some time I have had a person provide me with a rose boutonniere to pin on the lapel of my suit every Sunday. Because I always got a flower on Sunday morning, I really did not think much of it. It was a nice gesture that I appreciated but it became routine. God's Resume To Whom It May Concern: I heard you were considering a new manager in your life. I would like to apply for the job. I believe I am the most qualified candidate. It's Not the Clothes His name is John. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kinda esoteric and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college. Failure to Gratitude In the midst of the darkest day in American history, in the midst of the Civil War which claimed more American lives than any other war, in the midst of great trial and tragedy, President Lincoln issued the Thanksgiving proclamation. Just an Umbrella In England, the story is told, a lady opened her front door in a driving rainstorm. A rain soaked lady stood there and said, "Pardon, the wind and rain have completely done me in and I forgot to take an umbrella." The Letter Ruth went to her mail box and there was only one letter. She picked it up and looked at it before opening, but then she looked at the envelope again. There was no stamp, no postmark, only her name and address. Jeremy's Egg Jeremy was born with a twisted body, a slow mind and a chronic, terminal illness that had been slowly killing him all his young life. Still, his parents had tried to give him as normal a life as possible and had sent him to St. Theresa's Elementary School. Jesus and the Elves 'There's a problem with the angel,' said a Pharisee who happened to be strolling by.  As he explained to Joseph, angels are widely regarded as religious symbols, and the stable was on public property where such symbols were not allowed to land or even hover. Laugh Many years ago, Norman Cousins was diagnosed as "terminally ill." He was given six months to live. His chance for recovery was one in 500. Life in the Manure Pile Most folks have felt the pain of seeing their hopes shattered and dreams destroyed. We all have felt at times like life is one big dung heap and we're living smack dab in the middle of a mountain of manure! Let There Be Peace Three young boys, full of youthful, after-school enthusiasm, came down the street, beating merrily on every trash can they encountered. The crashing percussion continued day after day, until finally the wise old man decided it was time to take some action. A Long Walk In a remote village in Central America the word got out among the peoples of the region that one of the American missionaries that had served this country for many years was about to return to the US." Ron's Story One evening, following a church service, a friend and I sat down together in a donut shop to talk over a cup of coffee. As we talked, Ron shared this amazing story. The Man Who Had Plenty Once there was a family that was not rich and not poor. They lived in Ohio in a small country house. One night they all sat down for dinner, and there was a knock at the door. The Last Day Before Christmas Most people overlook a child's heart when it is buried under pain. Take the time to give a wounded child your love and he will learn to love the world. Love is very powerful. Use it's power wisely and someone will be the better for it. Pass It On He almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. A Merchant and a Jew In Paris there lived a great merchant, and worthy man called Jeannot de Chivigni, a dealer in silk, and an intimate friend to a certain rich Jew, whose name was Abraham, a merchant also, and a very honest man. Play Ball At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning-disabled children, the father of one of the shool's students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. Moving the Rock A man was awakened from sleep one night by the Lord, who showed him a huge rock in front of his cabin. The Old Man and The Sea A father, his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific Coast, when a fast approaching storm blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright, and the three were swept into the ocean. It Takes Guts to Believe This is a true story of something that happened just a few years ago at a prominent university. Mary's Dream I had a dream, Joseph. I don't understand it, not really, but I think it was about a birthday celebration for our son. I think that was what it was all about. My Son Fred My dad owned a farm with fish ponds in them. It was the 1st of January 1995. We decided to all go to his farm for New Years Day and spend the weekend. Every one went including my brother, father, husband, my two and half year old son and a friend. The Nails There was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer a nail in the back fence. Outward Appearance Our house was directly across the street from the clinic entrance of Johns-Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. We lived downstairs and rented the upstairs rooms to out patients at the clinic. One summer evening as I was fixing supper, there was a knock at the door. Perfect Mistake My mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to some orphanage in China. Even if it's Dark He was a strong man facing an enemy beyond strength. His young wife had become gravely ill, then suddenly passed away, leaving the big man alone with a wide-eyed, flaxen-haired girl, not quite five years old. One For The Team This story was told by an old priest one Sunday. It is a true story of when he served in the military. 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. No Charge A little boy came into the kitchen this evening while his mom was fixing supper. And he handed her a piece of paper he'd been writing on. One Principals' Stand This is a statement that was read over the PA system at the football game at Roane County High School, Kingston, Tennessee by school Principal Jody McLoud, on September 1, 2000. The Other Side A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, 'Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.' I Shall Meet You There Some years ago, a radio evangelist announced that he would speak the following Sunday on "Heaven". It was to be broadcast on radio. During that week he received a letter from an old man who was very ill. The Faithful Preacher Several years ago a preacher moved to Houston, Texas. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown. The Parable of the Playground There was a land of children who for the most part loved to play. Now, there were some who did not believe in fun and never participated in the good times, and they were constantly trying to get the other children to be serious and stop going to the playgrounds. The Rose The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. Positive Attitude Jerry was the kind of guy you love to hate.  He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say.  When someone asked him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" Puppy for Sale A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read 'Puppies For Sale.' The Rich Farm Boy One day a very rich father took his family on a trip to the country. 'How come we're doing this, Dad?' one of the kids wanted to know. 'Oh,' he replied, 'I just want to show you how poor some people can be.' The Undeserved Gift I grew up in a small town in Ohio. There was a man in town that everyone seemed to know. Bob was uneducated and couldn't talk plain. It seemed that because he was good natured and not very smart that every one teased him. I guess he was an easy mark. Did God Create Evil? At a certain university, there was a professor with a reputation for being tough on Christians. At the first class every semester, he asked if anyone was a Christian . . . Winter Morning Guest One winter morning in 1931, I came down to breakfast - and found the table empty. It was cold outside. The worst blizzard on record had paralyzed the city. Shoes In New York City, on a cold day in December, a little boy about 10 years old was standing before a shoe store on the roadway, barefooted, peering through the window, and shivering with cold. Under the Wings An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings. Recognize Your Winners Fran Tarkenton, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback, once called a play that required him to block onrushing tacklers. Police Story As the flashing lights blinked in his rear view mirror, Jack took a long look his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as any months. How could a guy get caught so often? The Rich Family In Church I'll never forget Easter 1946. I was 14, my little sister Ocy was 12,and my older sister Darlene 16. We lived at home with our mother, and the four of us knew what it was to do without many things. My dad had died five years before, leaving Mom with seven school kids to raise and no money. The Matchless Pearl David Morse an American missionary to India became great friends there with the pearl-diver, Rambhau. Many an evening he spent in Rambhau's cabin reading to him from the Bible, and explaining to him God's way of salvation. The Three Men A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said 'I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry.' An Afternoon in the Park There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey. Does God Still Speak? A young man had been to Wednesday night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, "Does God still speak to people?" The Richest Man A rich landowner named Carl often rode around his vast estate so he could congratulate himself on his great wealth. One day, while riding around his estate on his favorite horse, he saw Hans, an old tenant farmer. This Is Good The story is told of a king who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, 'This is good!' Remember the Duck There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. The Room In the place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features, save the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones used in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. The Scars Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. Keeper of the Spring The late Peter Marshall used to love to tell the story of "The keeper of the spring," a quiet forest dweller who lived high above an Austrian village along the eastern slopes of the Alps. Surving the 81st Floor of World Trade Tower Two Tuesday, September 11, 2001, began like any other day for Bethel Assembly of God deacon and Sunday school superintendent Stanley Praimnath of Elmont, Long Island. He got up early, took a shower, prayed, got ready and headed for work. The drive was uneventful. The train ride was the same. Yet, this day he would see the hand of God spare his life. Two Babes in a Manger It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. Three Trees Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, 'Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems.' Through a Glass Darkly I looked into the eyes of an old man today. We've known each other for a long time but he seemed to have changed since the last time. A bit more tired, dark circles like half-moons below his bloodshot eyes. His hair was a little grayer, maybe even thinner. Not Home Yet An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and were returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. Tommy Some twelve years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our first session in the Theology of Faith. That was the first day I first saw Tommy. A Touching Story of Christmas Bobby was getting cold sitting out in his back yard in the snow. Bobby didn't wear boots; he didn't like them and anyway he didn't own any. The thin sneakers he wore had a few holes in them and they did a poor job of keeping out the cold. Socrates There once was an eager student who wanted to gain wisdom and insight. He went to the wisest of the town, Socrates, to seek his counsel. Worn Shoes A preacher had been told by the head of a great shoe factory, that if he found any poor people who needed shoes, he could come to him and get them. The Song of the Bird A man found an eagle's egg and put it in a nest of a barnyard hen. I Shed Some Blood For Him A young couple was deliriously happy when a beautiful little girl was born. This young couple was unsaved, in fact they had somehow grown to hate anything and everything that had anything to do with God, and His Son Jesus Christ. The Smile The author of 'The Little Prince' was a fighter pilot who fought against the Nazis and was killed in action. Before World War II, he fought in the Spanish Civil War against the fascists, and wrote a fascinating story based on that experience. The Stranger A few months before I was born, my dad met a stranger who was new to our small Tennessee town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with this enchanting newcomer, and soon invited him to live with our family. Things Are Not What They Seem Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room. Twenty Dollars A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, who would like this $20 bill? Twenty Six Angels A missionary on furlough told this story while visiting his home church. Two Brothers Two brothers worked together on the family farm. One was married and had a large family. The other was single. Two Men In A Hospital Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. Unless the Corn Die Years ago a minister in Iowa went home from a service for dinner with a wealthy farmer. This man, though not a Christian, was moral and upright. What Did It Mean? The day is over, you are driving home. You tune in your radio. You hear a little blurb about a little village in India where some villagers have died suddenly, strangely, of a flu that has never been seen before. What is Success? An American businessman was at the pier of a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. Inside the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. White Ribbons This is a story about the power of love, told by a Rabbi by the name of Jack Riemer. There was once a man and a teenager who shared a train ride to a place called Smithville. The man happened to sit down next to the young man who was no more than 17 years old. This Page's Title Is: Your Name Is: Your Email Address Is: Your State and Country: Please identify your vocation: Senior Pastor. Associate Pastor. Youth Pastor. Lay Minister. Church Member. Which section of this site would you most likely return to? Sermons Articles Stories Poems Hymns Articles for Leaders Marriage Articles A Bit of Humor Would you like to receive the free weekly E-mail Circular? YES If you have a web page, would you like to establish a reciprocal link? YES Feel free to add a comment or prayer request:       If you have enjoyed the joyfulministry.com site, you may send a referral letter. 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