DODOS for survival

The Dodo represents everything foolish, stupid, useless and about to go extinct. But they too had a purpose. The Calvaria tree which grew on the dodo’s native island was dependent on the dodo for its survival. The thick hull of the tree’s seeds could sprout only after it had been through the severities of the dodo’s digestive system. The tress almost went extinct too after the bird did and it was only when turkeys were brought to the island that they managed to save a handful of the trees.

Sometimes we too feel insignificant and less competent than others but each of us serves a purpose and has an important role to play even if others and we ourselves don’t see it. Hang in there. Someone else is dependent on you. 

Height of Laziness

An old mountaineer and his wife were sitting in front of the fireplace one evening taking life easy.

After a long silence, the wife said: "Jed, I think it's raining. Why don't you get up and go outside and see?"

The old mountaineer continued to gaze into the fire for a while, sighed and then said, "Aw, Ma, why don't we just call in the dog and see if he's wet."

That's what you call the height of laziness. And I wouldn't want to say that we are downright lazy, but we all have a lazy streak in us.

And laziness is a faith killer.

Power of the Mind

Do you know Harry Houdini?

Harry Houdini, the famed escape artist issued a challenge wherever he went. 
He could be locked in any jail cell in the country, he claimed, and set himself free quickly and easily.

Always he kept his promise, but one time something went wrong.

Houdini entered the jail in his street clothes; the heavy, metal doors clanged shut behind him. He took from his belt a concealed piece of metal, strong and flexible. He set to work immediately, but something seemed to be unusual about this lock. For 30 minutes he worked and got nowhere.
An hour passed, and still he had not opened the door. By now he was bathed in sweat and panting in exasperation, but he still could not pick the lock. Finally, after laboring for 2 hours, Harry Houdini collapsed in frustration and failure against the door he could not unlock.

But when he fell against the door, it swung open! It had never been locked at all! But in his mind it was locked and that was all it took to keep him from opening the door and walking out of the jail cell.

That's how powerful your God-given mind is.

The Silver Lining

One time, a young man who attended a local church heard that the husband of one of their ushers recently died.

He decided to visit the widow in their hope. He was even practicing the words he will tell her once she opens the door. 

To his surprise, the widow was in good spirits. She even offered tea and biscuits.
He asked the widow why she was such in a good mood considering that her husband has just died. 

She replied, “Yes. I am saddened. But I am also joyful because my husband is with the Lord.
The Lord will take care of me. I do not have to worry about anything. 

Instead of being the one to encourage the widow, the young man left the house encouraged. Consider it a change of roles. The widow overcame her depression not through therapy or a self-help book. It was because she meditated of the Word of God. 

God Exists

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. If God was as kind and loving as you say, He would not permit all this poverty, disease, and squalor. He would not allow these poor bums to be addicted to dope and other character-destroying habits. No, I cannot believe in a God who permits these things." 

The minister was silent until they met a man who was especially unkempt and filthy. His hair was hanging down his neck and he had a half-inch of stubble on his face. Said the minister: "You can't be a very good barber or you wouldn't permit a man like that to continue living in this neighborhood without a haircut and a shave." 

Indignantly the barber answered: "Why blame me for that man's condition? I can't help it that he is like that. He has never come in my shop. I could fix him up and make him look like a gentleman!" 

Giving the barber a penetrating look, the minister said: "Then don't blame God for allowing the people to continue in their evil ways, when He is constantly inviting them to come and be saved." 

Truth be told, God can't change you unless you step forward and ask God to help you change for the better.