This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------CAC09838D532153B5638CE3A Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit --------------CAC09838D532153B5638CE3A Content-Type: message/rfc822 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline Received: from node9.cwnet.frontiernet.net (node9.frontiernet.net [209.130.129.194]) by mail.frontiernet.net (8.8.8a/8.8.8) with ESMTP id PAA311274; Mon, 22 May 2000 15:20:24 -0400 Received: (from daemon@localhost) by node9.cwnet.frontiernet.net (8.9.3/8.9.3) id PAA17928; Mon, 22 May 2000 15:20:17 -0400 Received: from 64-208-224-208.nas2.TBR.gblx.net(64.208.224.208), claiming to be "smith" via SMTP by node9.frontiernet.net, id smtpdXb8Gya; Mon May 22 15:20:08 2000 Message-ID: <000d01bfc423$4b425100$d0e0d040@smith> Reply-To: "Smith Banks" <cbanks@frontiernet.net> From: "Smith Banks" <cbanks@frontiernet.net> To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:@frontiernet.net;> Subject: Unfolding the Rosebud Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 15:23:54 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2919.6600 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 Hi This was sent to me from GC in Arkansas. Smith > > Subj: Unfolding the Rosebud > > > > A young, new preacher was walking with an older, more seasoned preacher > in > > the > > garden one day and feeling a bit insecure about what God had for him to > do, > > he was > > inquiring of the older preacher. The older preacher walked up to a > rosebush, > > handed > > the young preacher a rosebud and told him to open it without tearing off > any > > petals. > > > > The young preacher looked in disbelief at the older preacher and was > trying > > to figure > > out what a rosebud could possibly have to do with his wanting to know the > > will of God > > for his life and for his ministry. > > > > Because of his high respect for the older preacher, he proceeded to try > to > > unfold the > > rose, while keeping every petal intact...It wasn't long before he > realized > > how impossible > > it was to do so. > > > > Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while > > keeping it intact, > > the older preacher began to recite the following poem... > > > > UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD > > > > It is only a tiny rosebud, > > A flower of GOD's design; > > But I cannot unfold the petals > > With these clumsy hands of mine. > > > > The secret of unfolding flowers > > Is not known to such as I. > > God opens this flower so sweetly, > > When in my hands they fade and die. > > > > If I cannot unfold a rosebud, > > This flower of God's design, > > Then how can I think I have wisdom > > To unfold this life of mine? > > > > So I'll trust in Him for His leading > > Each moment of every day. > > I will look to him for His guidance > > Each step of the pilgrim way. > > > > The pathway that lies before me, > > Only my Heavenly Father knows. > > I'll trust Him to unfold the moments, > > Just as He unfolds the rose. > > > > Author Unknown > > -------- > > > > --------------CAC09838D532153B5638CE3A--