Make use of your trunk before buying a suitcase

Enjoy this guest post from author Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Macie, an elephant who lived in the largest city on a planet where all the residents were pachyderms, was planning a summer vacation.

Macie and her best friend, Maggie, went to numerous yard sales each week, so Macie decided to look for a new set of luggage in which to pack her vacation supplies: Sunscreen designed especially for tough skin, large bags of peanuts and a new pair of elephant boots. The boots were necessary because she needed to protect her feet from the hard, sharp rocks that covered the ground.

The month of May 2010 had almost finished its predestined trail through time, and Macie still needed her new luggage. Macie and Maggie arose early Saturday morning and headed for the yard sale sponsored by The Pachyderm Community Organization of the Planet. Since they were neighbors, Maggie offered to prepare breakfast so they would have plenty of energy for shopping.

As their destination came into view, Maggie observed that a couple of lady elephants were selling roasted peanuts. “Let's get several large orders of these delicious peanuts,” said Maggie. “It will be my treat, and it will help the organization raise a little more money for its various projects.”

“I know we ate breakfast at Maggie's Kitchen before we came here, but I'm always up for a generous helping of roasted peanuts, especially if they come from this great organization,” Macie said.

Macie and Maggie entered the building, purchased their peanuts, made themselves comfortable on the gigantic floor and began consuming their salty treats. The elephants ate so many peanuts that they closed their eyes, and soon they were fast asleep. About 15 minute later, Macie and Maggie awoke and, refreshed by their short nap, began shopping.

A large box labeled “Mystery Collectibles” caught Macie's eye. “Our friend Mollie will enjoy putting her ‘Mystery Collectibles' in this box,” she said.

“I don't know if all of Mollies' collectibles will fit in this box,” observed Maggie. “She has such a huge collection of collectibles.”

“I have a great idea!,” exclaimed Maggie. “Instead of buying this box for Mollie, why not buy it for yourself? You could use it for a suitcase when we go on vacation.”

“I don't really think that's such a good idea,” responded Macie. “I want to do something nice for Mollie. Besides, this box won't make a very good suitcase.”

“Even for an elephant, you are thick-skinned,” said Maggie.

“I'm no more of a thick-skinned pachyderm than you are,” replied Macie. “For one thing, I feel good after I do something nice for another elephant. For another thing, I've decided I don't need to buy a suitcase for vacation. I think the trunk I already have will hold everything I'll need to take with me!”

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To contact the writer of this column about preaching and other speaking engagements, or puppet ministry, please e-mail kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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A different kind of Father’s Dayby Greg Miller

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Maureen and Mitch celebrated Father's Day several weeks early.

“I'm sorry I must work on Father's Day, because I know you and the kids would like to spend the afternoon with me,” said Mitch. “But since my job as a fireman requires me to work this Father's Day, we'll celebrate the holiday a couple of weeks early.”

“That's a wonderful idea, Dear,” said Maureen. “Would you like to eat lunch at your favorite restaurant?”

“Sure,” said Mitch. “But after we get back home, I'd like to change the routine a little. Instead of watching a baseball game like I usually do, I'd like for us to spend some quality time with the Lord.”

“What kind of quality time, Dad?,” asked Monty, the couple's son.

“Yeah, Dad, what kind of quality time?,” asked Monique, Monty's sister, whose favorite pastime was teasing her older brother.

“The first thing I'd like for us to do is spend some time praying to the Sovereign Lord,” said Mitchell. “We'll thank Him for His provision and ask Him for His guidance.”

“I think we should share our testimonies about how the Lord has worked in our lives,” said Monique.

“I can preach a short sermon,” said Monty, who at the tender age of 14, said he felt the Lord was calling him to attend Bible college and become a minister.

“I'll receive an offering,” said Mitch. “We can send the money to help missionaries build a church in another country.”

“This will be a different kind of Father's Day celebration,” said Maureen. “We should have done it years ago. I believe it will draw our family closer together and strengthen our relationship with our heavenly father.”

Mitch asked Monty if he thought the afternoon together would strengthen his relationship with his sister. “I don't think it will hurt,” Monty replied. “But we already have a great relationship. She just teases me too much.”

Mitch asked his son and daughter to rate his job as a dad. “You're a great father,” said Monique. You are a wonderful husband to mom, too.”

“I agree with Monique,” said Monty. “Plus, you're always taking us to church and teaching us about Jesus and how He shed His blood on the Cross and died for our sins.”

“I'm glad you came up with the idea for this special Father's Day celebration,” said Monique. “I think it will help all of us to appreciate each other more.”

“I hope it will help all of us appreciate our heavenly father more, too,” said Mitch. “After all, when it comes to being a father, the Sovereign Lord has more experience than all the dads in the world put together!”

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To contact the writer of this column about preaching and other speaking engagements, as well as puppet ministry, please e-mail kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

Stars debate their brightness

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on Christian Daily Blog!

Francesca and Fred were stars who lived in different parts of God’s great and glorious universe.

Both Francesca and Fred had high opinions of themselves. “I’m the brightest star in the universe,” said Fred.

“Don’t be silly,” replied Francesca. “You’re the only star in the sky who doesn’t see my true brightness.”

“It seems that your opinion of yourself is the only one that counts,” said Fred. “You’re always talking about the brightness that overwhelms you when you’re standing in front of heaven’s mirror.”

“You’re just jealous,” said Francesca. “You’re a dreamer. You’re a wishful thinker. On the other hand, I’m a realist. I know what I see when I look at me. I see what I know when I look at me. I know what I think when I think about me.”

“You’re saying a lot, but you’re not saying anything,” said Fred. “You’re just talking in circles.”

“I’m millions of years older than you,” said Francesca. “That’s another reason to believe that I’m brighter than you.”

“Being millions of years older than me means only one thing,” replied Fred. “It means you’re millions of years older than me. It certainly doesn’t mean that you shine brighter than me.”

“There’s one more reason to say that I’m a brighter star than you,” said Francesca.

“I’m a graduate of the Heavenly Stars Celestial University,” Francesca said. “God himself handed my diploma to me!”

Francesca concluded her argument. “I’ve just given you all the reasons I am heaven’s brightest star,” she said. “Surely now you will concede the obvious.”

“The only thing I’m willing to concede is that you and I are very bright stars,” Fred said. “Only the Sovereign Lord, however, can judge which of us may have superior brightness. I know it may be highly unlikely, but He may say some other star is the brightest star in the Universe.”

Francesca giggled, “You’re so funny, Fred. God created us, so He knows more about us than we know about ourselves. Plus, it’s important to remember that each of us stars has been assigned a certain job to do.”

“I thought you were determined to have every star in the Universe bow at the Altar of the Mirror of Francesca,” said Fred.

“I do think I’m a very bright star,” Francesca beamed. “But since we started our little discussion, I’ve been thinking that while I may be the brightest star in the Universe tonight, you may shine more brightly tomorrow night.”

“The bottom line is no matter how brightly we shine, we’ll never outshine God’s Son, Jesus Christ,” said Fred.

“That’s right,” agreed Francesca. He created all of the stars in the Universe, and even on a cloudy day, He is far brighter than all of the rest of us put together!”
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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Unborn baby comes to life in paintings

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Thad bowed his heart before the Sovereign Lord as bedtime approached.

“Thanks for a great day, Heavenly Father,” Thad prayed. “I had a super day at work, and tonight’s church service was wonderful.”

Thad spent a couple of minutes adjusting his sheet and blanket. He closed his eyes and, within a few minutes, he was fast asleep.

Thad possessed a great creativity which manifested itself in the form of dreams. On this night, Thad’s creative juices flowed as an artist. Thad’s dreams were so real that when he awoke, the creative talents he experienced in his dreams manifested themselves in real life for about a week.

Thad’s week as an artist was very productive. He painted portraits of his favorite presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. He painted a vivid illustration of God’s Creation. And he drew a series of paintings depicting the progression of growth of an unborn baby in the womb.

The drawing from which Thad derived the most enjoyment was the one depicting the unborn baby acting and reacting, eating, praying, playing and sleeping. Even after his week of excelling as an artist, Thad couldn’t get Baby Thomas off his mind.

Thad decided to produce a series of paintings featuring Baby Thomas. And although most of Thad’s artistic ability had waned within a week of his dream, he discovered he could still paint very vivid images of Baby Thomas.

One of the Baby Thomas paintings featured the infant sucking his right thumb. In another painting, Baby Thomas bowed his head, worshipping the Creator.

Since people all over town were talking about the Baby Thomas paintings, Thad decided to open a small shop where the paintings could be displayed.

The Internet had become a popular communications tool, so Thad made a list of his favorite social networking sites. They were his favorites because he had started all of them. He used these sites to promote the opening of his shop.

The day for the shop’s grand opening soon arrived. A large crowd, including several visitors from surrounding states, showed up for the event. Thad gave away several door prices: Dinner-for-two at a popular steakhouse, a new TV, and a Bible.

After giving away the door prizes, Thad expressed this appreciation to attendees. He gestured toward one of the paintings on the wall. Baby Thomas’ head was moving up and down. He was wearing a big grin, and he was winking at the crowd, first with one eye, then the other.

Most of the crowd didn’t even see Baby Thomas’ movements in the painting, but Thurmond was very observant. Thurmond told Thad, You do a very good job of bringing a painting to life.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” Thad said. “Just wait until he starts doing jumping jacks!”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Bible Reading Challenge

Last night at church, the pastor mentioned a man who had been reading the Bible all the way through every single month. He spoke of how, if we would spend just one hour a day, we could read the Bible through three to four times a year, and if we spend just one half hour a day, we could read it throug over two times every year!

This really made me wonder...

Why don't we do that?

What is wrong with us as Christians that we are so afraid to spend time in God's Word?

Are we afraid of the illuminating power of the Word?

I don't have all the answers, but I want to challenge you—and myself!—to begin reading the Bible a minimum of 15 minutes every single day. Starting today! And if you can spend an hour, or a half hour, do it. But 15 minutes. Surely we can spare that much for our Savior?

I've already begun. Won't you join me?

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Pastor dreams about Daniel in the lion’s den

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and contact him to let him know you saw him on Christian Daily Blog!

Pastor Donald prayed to God for guidance about how to improve his prayer life.

“I want to know that you are listening, Lord,” the pastor prayed. “Please show me how to grow closer to you when I pray.”

Pastor Donald concluded his prayer time by reading First Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.”

The pastor cried out to God, “Oh, Lord, how can I pray without ceasing? I have to sleep, plus I have to be active in the ministry to which you have called me. It’s impossible to pray every second of every day.”

“You don’t have to be physically down on your knees praying all the time,” replied the Lord. “But you always need to have an attitude of prayer.

“I love you very much,” said the Lord, “When you go to sleep tonight, you’re going to enter the world of Daniel the Prophet. After you go to sleep, you’ll have a special dream. You’ll see that Daniel was a great man of prayer.”

A few moments later, Pastor Donald was fast asleep. Immediately, the dream transported him into the past, where Daniel was praying.

In the Old Testament book of Daniel, King Darius had issued a decree that stated anyone who asked any petition of any God or man for 30 days, with the exception of King Darius, would be cast into the den of lions.

As soon as Daniel learned about the decree, he went into his house and prayed near his open window. When the king heard that Daniel had disobeyed his decree, he was sorry and wanted to deliver Daniel. But he was reminded that the decree could not be changed. Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, where he spent the night.

The next morning, Daniel told the king in Daniel chapter six, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.”

Pastor Donald awoke from his dream. “Wow!,” he exclaimed. “Daniel was one courageous dude. He stood true to you and to your call on his life.”

Pastor Donald then told the Lord, “I’ve discovered that in the face of persecution, a child of God will always do well to keep the faith. I‘ve always known that you are the Creator, but I have also discovered you are the world’s greatest lion tamer!”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Pastor Offers Sweet Way to Announce Easter Truth

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and visit his website to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Pastor East Err Sundae didn’t limit his messages about the resurrection of Jesus Christ to Easter Sunday morning.

So it came as no surprise to Pastor Sundae’s congregation when he announced that his sermon topic for April 25 would be “Jesus Christ is Risen!”

Pastor Sundae read his text…Luke 24:1-7... “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

The pastor made eye contact with members and visitors alike as he read his text. He then asked everyone to bow their heads while he asked God to bless the message.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to preach your Holy Word,” he prayed. “Please help your Word to do its work in our lives. Send your Holy Spirit to bring the changes we need in our hearts and bless us to your service. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Pastor Sundae preached the most heart-stirring message his congregation had ever heard. He concluded his message by saying, “Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is alive forevermore. He lives in and reigns from heaven, and He lives and reigns in our hearts.”

As was the custom after the church’s Easter services, everyone stayed for a potluck covered-dish lunch. Pastor Sundae’s wife, Sister I. Scream Sundae, prepared her popular dish, Corn Ontopa SmashTaters Casserole.

The pastor didn’t cook very often, but he always enjoyed creating a special dish for the special Easter potluck covered-dish meal. This year, Pastor and Mrs. Sundae’s granddaughter, East R. Bonnit, was celebrating her 10th birthday, so the pastor baked a birthday cake for her.

In the icing, Pastor East Err Sundae swirled “Happy Birthday, East R. Bonnit.” Then he swirled another message, “Jesus is not here, He is risen!”

“Why did you put the message about Jesus on the cake, Dear?,” asked I. Scream Sundae.

“I believe we are to take advantage of every opportunity to tell people about Jesus,” replied her husband. “And I don’t know of any commandment in the Bible that says, ‘Thou shalt not say, ‘Jesus is not here, He is risen’ on a birthday cake!’”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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