The Lesson Of The Strangler Fig

The Lesson of the strangler fig

Today while I was hiking, I approached this beautiful old tree. It was like the tree was reaching out toward the sky. As I looked closer I noticed that it wasn’t one tree but two. My guide Peter explained that the tree was a beautiful oak tree and the roots growing around it was called  a strangler fig. He went on to explain that the only way a strangler fig survives is to attach itself to another tree.  Over the course of years to fix slowly cuts off the nourishment of the Oak tree and as  a result it ultimately kills the oak tree.

I sat and thought about how profound that Oaktree was and thought about how many strangler figs  try to penetrate our lives. 

People who attach themselves to us while we were growing and appear to be rising up with us, but in truth they are slowly draining the life out of us—people who are not able to make it on their own so they reach out to stronger people so they can live,   without concern for others, just themselves.

 By the time we realize what is happening, it is too late. We don’t have the strength to fight –

and just slowly die.

It is important for us to take a deep look into our souls and decide for ourselves which role we will allow the strangler fig to play in our lives—and how we must prevent the grasping strangler fig from draining the life out of us so that we may become the mighty oak that reaches for the stars knowing there are no limits’

This is not my original work, don’t know who it belongs to but it is so good!

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Building Take Skill, Tearing Down None https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521429154/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_VFDQ92GAZA0HBQ9C53DP

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Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/10

youtube.com/watch

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

8/10–Start Your Day Off Right Series

Quote:

Be the kind of person that when your feet hit the floor each morning that devil says oh no, they are up

Story:

Fill Someone Else’s Cup

There are people who want you to fill their cup one day and then they’re back the next with their cup again for you to fill it back up! They seemingly never think about filling someone else’s cup up.

They are definitely on the Me channel and only thinking about themselves!

Philippians 2: 3-4 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

If I put you up higher than myself, and you put me higher than yourself we should be eye to eye, and on the same level. If I fill your cup up then some of the overflow may rundown on to me! Start in today trying to make others your focus. It seems that nearly everyone wants to be served but few want to serve.

To be the greatest in the Kingdom we must be first like Jesus, and be able to serve. To be great in the Kingdom you have to be willing to be servant of all.

God loves humbleness and hates pride. Jesus was a King but took on the form of a servant. He left us the example to follow. That’s why Ok at the Lord’s Supper he girded himself with a towel and began to wash the Disciples feet. We have to lay our bib down to grab the towel.

Excerpt From “Live First, Die Last”By JD Canter  Available in Amazon Kindle:

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Scripture:

Philippians 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Humor:

The preacher, lawyer, and doctor hunting deer

Can You Spare A Minute 8/10?

youtube.com/shorts/-qLI3Uv0BLI

If you can’t find two minutes, can you spare just one?

8/10– Can You Spare A Minute?

–A rich man was determined to give his mother a birthday present that would outshine all others. He read of a bird that had a vocabulary of 4000 words, could speak in numerous languages and sing 3 operatic arias.

He immediately bought the bird for $50,000 and had it delivered to his mother. The next day he phoned to see if she had received the bird.

What did you think of the bird?” he asked.  
She replied, “It was delicious.” 

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#A-Y-T-Shorts

How Much Patience Do You Need?

Patience—-You only need as much patience for the other person as you would like for them to have for you.  I heard a story about a lady whose car had gone dead at a traffic light and wouldn’t start back.  The man in the car behind her repeatedly blew his horn.  The lady got out of her car and wnt back to his car.  She suggested that if he would try to start her car, she would gladly keep his horn going for him. You only need as much patience for the kids of someone else as you want them to have for yours.

A 2006 survey of more than 1,000 adults discovered that most people take an average of 17 minutes to lose their patience while waiting in line. Also, most people lose their patience in only 9 minutes while on hold on the phone. Impatience is a common trait.

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Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/9

youtube.com/watch

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

8/9–Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/9/21

Quote:

Every man has two lives, and the second starts when he realizes he has just one.” — Confucius

Story:

Don’t underestimate the power of the word. The movie, stand And Deliver portrayed the story of Jaime Escalante who was an incredibly successful teacher in a rough high school.

In his class were two students named Johnny. One was a bright student and a joy to teach. The other wasted his talent and bucked authority. At the first PTA meeting for parents, Johnny’s mother asked Jaime for a report on her son’s progress. Jaime’s reply was, “Johnny is a joy to have in my class. I’m glad he is there.”

The next day, rebellious Johnny walked into the classroom with a new attitude and demeanor. He ran up to Mr. Escalante and said, “My mom told me what you said about me. I’ve never had a teacher who wanted me.” He became a model student. Mr. Escalante had thought that Johnny’s mother was the mother of his best student. His comments were meant for the other Johnny but the results were dramatic. The word -spoken at the right moment -carefully crafted -caused dramatic change. Encourage someone. Ah, communication is an art!

Excerpt from “Live First, Die Last” by J D Canter

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Scripture:

1 Samuel 30:6

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

Humor:

This story may/may not be true but sure makes a point!

A cantankerous old man (who claimed atheism) lived next to a poor Christian woman. One day while working in his yard near her house, he overheard her praying for food… she didn’t have money to buy it. He, intending to prove that God wasn’t real, decided he would buy the groceries, set them on her porch, and lie in wait to see if she gave credit where credit was due. When she saw the groceries she immediately raised her eyes toward heaven and proclaimed, “Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer!” The old man jumped out of the bushes and shouted, “Aha, God didn’t answer your prayer, I did!” She again looked up saying, “Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayer and using the devil to do it!”

Have a blessed day.

Can You Spare A Minute 8/9?

youtube.com/shorts/-qLI3Uv0BLI

If you can’t find two minutes, can you spare just one?

A rich man was determined to give his mother a birthday present that would outshine all others. He read of a bird that had a vocabulary of 4000 words, could speak in numerous languages and sing 3 operatic arias.

He immediately bought the bird for $50,000 and had it delivered to his mother. The next day he phoned to see if she had received the bird.

What did you think of the bird?” he asked.  
She replied, “It was delicious.” 

Also Check Out Sermons On You Tube Under Brother Dale Cantrell And Please Subscribe:

Check Out Books By J D Canter in Amazon And Kindle:

Also Check Out Sermons at http://www.freeholiness.net under Bro Dale Cantrell 

Check out http://www.encourager98.weebly.co

Start Your Day Off Right Series 8/8

youtube.com/watch

Here is some food for your Daily Bread!

8/8–Start Your Day Off Right Series

Quote:

Noah didn’t stop building the ark to explain himself to every doubter & hater.

KEEP BUILDING and let the RAIN DO the TALKING!

Story:

President Lincoln had an early political rival named Edwin Stanton. He called Lincoln the original gorilla.

When Lincoln was elected President he chose Stanton to be his secretary of war because he believed he was the best man for the job.

At Lincoln’s funeral Stanton said, “There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen.”

President Lincoln had learned not to take insults personally.

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Check Out Books By J D Canter in Amazon And Kindle:

Also Check Out Sermons at http://www.freeholiness.net under Bro

Dale Cantrell 

Check out http://www.encourager98.weebly.com too

Scripture:

Philippians 2:3-4

Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.=

Humor: