Credit for digital music: "Come Fill My Heart" by Elton Smith, Larry Holder and Steve Israel/Songs of Praise)
Please scroll down for a Words from the Well devotional.
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Words
From the Well!
A Devotional
by Peggie C. Bohanon
Frog Days!
A Hurting Word...
"You BETTER come see what Jason did," our five-year-old son Joey implored. And that was the beginning of a frog day for me I will never forget!
Now the name "Jason" concurs up all sorts of imagined, and real, disaster scenes, and so I sped downstairs. To my utter shock, our family room had become a fountain room! Springing up from a sprinkler system, dragged in from the yard, were shooting sprays of water, rising to the ceiling and back down, bringing with them white specks of ceiling material. Within seconds, I had the sprinkler back in the yard, the water shut off--and a total mess in my family room!
I was in a panicof sorts. But were my sons? No--they were hopping around in the sopping wet carpet like little frogs, having the most delightful time of their lives. I remember shutting off a television, later realizing the disaster that could have occurred, had the Lord not protected me--and these two little "frogs" dancing in the water near the TV!
Don't know what kind of day you're having today, but if it's a "frog day," then come with me and let's find some help from the Creator of frogs--and of us all!!
A Helping Word...or Two!
A Frog in the....WHAT?
...You guessed it--the plain and simple word is "toilet!" This time we had to call the plumber. His investigation revealed a little plastic toy frog clogging the pipe. In order to dislodge it, he removed the actual commode and dragged it temporarily to our lovely back deck. A neighbor nearby looked out her window, saw this very strange sight, and I had abit of humorous explaining to do the next day!
Now you may NOT be raising a two-year-old, but you are still wondering how you will survive, and whether YOU will go down the drain! For you're a PARENT IN STRESS--a 90s problem more than ever. There are days when we absolutely run out of answers. How wonderful to know at those times there is a loving Heavenly Father aware and in control. So whether it be a temper-tantrum child, a sassy teenager, or an adult wayward child, know that He cares and will help you. Lay the problem at His feet today, and know His wisdom and His peace!
A Frog on the Plate!...
Here is a strange one, especially if you've been raised in an American meat-and-potatoes family. The Sunday specialty at our Italian-American home was spaghetti and meatballs--NOT frog legs! I understand it is a delicacy to many, and I respect the fact that their culinary taste may not coincide with mine! But that's just the way it was!
We can accept "food tastes" in other people--Italian, Chinese, Mexican, and other ethnic restaurants thrive in our country. We can't accept people differences as well--and so we see PEOPLE IN CONFLICT everywhere! The Easterners and the Westerners. The Republicans, the Democrats, and the Ross Perot supporters. The conservatives and the liberals. The academians and the sportsmen. The contemporary music praisers and the traditional hymnbook singers. On and on--diversity of politics, thought, methods, culture.
Granted, we must uphold our Christian principles and standards. We may choose not to agree with various platforms or issues, and we MUST take a righteous stand against moral wrongs; but let's be decent. Let's interact with all people in love; let's treat them as we would like to be treated, or better yet, as Christ would treat them. And we will make one small part of our world a better one, and will please the Lord.
A Frog in My Life!
Now we're getting alot closer to home! For you've got a frog of your own living in your home, working alongside you, or maybe, like Egyptians in Bible days, even sleeping in your bed! You must confront and deal intimately with these difficult people on a daily basis.
You may struggle to "get along" with a family member whose personality, tastes, ways, are totally unlike your own. Perhaps you're married to such a person--it was those very differences that attracted you. Now they irritate you. Ask the Lord for a love that will bond, not divide you; that will help you enjoy, not endure, those differences.
Most of all, don't panic, for this PRINCE (or princess) IN DISGUISE is the very tool God is using to make you into the patient, loving, person He would have you be. Tough construction process--it hurts--but the Lord takes special care with the people He loves, and especially those He wants to greatly use. He wants us to mature in the difficult processes of life--and how else to do it, but by sending "frogs" into our lives to make us into the servant royalty He needs for His Kingdom. Let the "frogs" in your "space" develop His Fruit in your life!
Want to turn your frog days into prince days? Here are a few hints: (1) As a parent, learn to laugh at those antics of the "little frogs" that stress you to the max. Keep a journal--and even if you can't crack a smile about it TODAY, some day you will! (2) As a person living in our multi-cultural world, learn more about other cultures, races, and personalities. Form a friendship with someone new and "different" and see if you don't suddenly decide that "frog legs" aren't so bad after all! (3) And if you're living with a prince in disguise, learn to love that person, as God loves them. An agape, unconditional love that says, "I love and accept you just as you are." It may be the springboard for that frog to change into the most delightful prince or princess you have ever known!
Have you hugged a frog lately? Try it--and have a good week!!
And that's just a word...or two, from my heart to yours!
"This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24 KJV)."
"Lord, some days the "frogs" I deal with are just unbearable. And then other days *I* am the frog! Help me, Father, to accept and love; to know Your wisdom, patience, and kindness in dealing with difficult people in my life. Most of all, help me not to BE one of those difficult people others must confront. Give me Your special grace, and may I see and love all people--especially the frogs--through YOUR eyes this week.In Jesus' Name, Amen."
Peggie's Place banner was "Made in Hawaii" compliments of my friend Madelein of His Praise Maui!
Peggie's blog, "Fun 'n Faith for the Soul" is no longer available.
Note: As of 11/30/15, sites will no longer be checked for dead links. Please contact owner at peggiesplace.com due to tremendous amount of links.
Celebrating God's goodness . . .. . . 16 million and more!
Note: Counter keeps a running total of "hits" (which include images and people "hitting" any page or pages), erroneously identified by me as "page views" for the
entire site. --It jogs around the world and around the clock--to find
YOU!
This Christian home has been visited a zillion times
since December 26, 1995! Well, not quite, but there HAS been a houseful--and
STILL room for one more--YOU! The Christian Counter scans the entire site--and there's plenty of chocolate for everyone--so enjoy!
Most of the music playing at Peggie's Place originates from Songs of Praise.
Additional (previously named) original source for some midis: Gilberto Barreto.
Visit this great Web site to hear beautiful tunes by many talented artists. CDs are available.
All Scriptures on this website, including all applications, etc., are from the King James Version of The Holy Bible, public domain, unless otherwise noted.
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Please note that while I strongly adhere to major tenets of the
evangelical Christian faith, I may not personally agree with every specific doctrinal belief set forth in other
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A safety tip: Internet links and material may include other links and/or material which do not reflect my views or yours, Christian or otherwise. Please choose wisely and use with discretion! And if you find an ugly spider hiding in a dark corner,
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A Hurting Word...