DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE FROGS who were hopping through the woods one day when suddenly two of them fell into a deep pit? The other frogs gathered around the pit, peered down into it and began to analyze the situation. When they realized how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs down there that they would never get out. But the two frogs were of the optimistic kind, so they ignored the evaluation of their friends and began jumping in and effort to escape. The frogs above (their friends?) kept yelling for them to stop. They told the two that it was no use; they couldn’t get out and they were as good as dead. And they kept repeating this over and over.

Finally, one frog absorbed what they were saying. He gave up. Then he fell down, exhausted and discouraged, and died. But the other one continued to jump, ignoring his dead companion. The bunch up top kept shouting, “Give up! It’s no use! In fact, it’s hopeless!”

With one great burst of energy, the surviving frog made a running start and jumped right out of that pit! The negative crowd was astounded and asked, “Why did you keep jumping? Didn’t you hear us?” The little frog explained that he was hard of hearing. He heard their muffled voices but thought they were cheering him on!

I got to thinking about this fable and asked myself two questions: (1) When I am in life’s pits, do I give up easily or do I persevere until victory comes? (2) When I see someone else that is struggling to get free, am I an encourager or do I throw cold water on their efforts? I hope I’m a cheerleader. What about you?

I love the words of Paul to Timothy: “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and ENCOURAGE—with great patience and careful instruction.” That’s our calling as believers. Encourage those in pursuit of their goals. When you’re on the sidelines, don’t throw discouraging words at the participants. And if you’re in a pit, turn a deaf ear to the detractors. Tune into God’s promises. He wants you to keep jumping!

EVERYTIME IF GO TO MY DOCTOR about some health issue, he always seems to mention the importance of drinking enough water. I concluded that perhaps I should do a little research on the subject.

Did you know that water is considered an essential nutrient because it must be consumed from exogenous sources to satisfy metabolic demand? Water constitutes approximately 60% of adult body weight. The body needs about 3 quarts of water a day to operate efficiently. It helps break up and soften food. The blood, which is 90 percent H2O carries nutrients to the cells. As a cooling agent, water regulates our temperature through perspiration. And without its lubricating properties, our joints and muscles would grind and creak like unused parts of some old rusty machinery.

The famous Lawrence of Arabia once visited London and brought along some of his desert-dwelling friends. These men were impressed by the bustling city and its modern conveniences. They were impressed most by the water faucets—all one had to do to obtain fresh water was turn a handle! The naïve visitors asked Lawrence an interesting (and silly) question: Would it be possible, they wondered, to take some of these water faucets back to the desert?…

Misguided? Of course. Yet, when people who are spiritually dead attempt to find joy and fulfillment in material pursuits, pleasure-filled living, or worldly success, they are doing the same thing: They are attempting to turn on a "water tap" to bring forth joy, when in reality there is no source of water to tap into. True joy and fulfillment are possible only after grounding one's life in the source of Living Water.

A father took his son downtown to play in one of the city's massive fountains. As the five-year-old played in the thirty or so jets of water shooting up from the courtyard, the father looked around and noticed all the different kinds of people who were doing the same thing. There were small children like his own son who were splashing about in the water. There were downtown office workers who were coming to cool their feet on their lunch hour. There were sophisticated vacationers speaking foreign tongues. There were people who looked to be homeless. There were others whose identity couldn't quite be ascertained. Yet they were all united in the water. A mysterious kinship formed among them as they tarried in the fountain's jets. Then, after they left the water, they all returned to their respective 'worlds,' perhaps never to cross paths with one another again.

Our standing with Christ is like that. As long as we're actively drinking from the 'Living Water,' through regular communion with Him, we will feel a kinship with our fellow men and women in this world-- a kinship that enables us to fellowship with them, minister to them, befriend them. However, if we withdraw ourselves from regular fellowship with Christ and stop drinking from His Living Water, we will lose our connection with other people. We will once again see people through human eyes, rather than seeing them as God Himself sees them.

MY CAR HAS A FEATURE ON IT THAT IS BOTH AMAZING AND WONDERFUL, especially since I live in cold Michigan. The remote which allows me to open, and lock my car doors also makes it possible for me to turn on the engine, and therefore the heater as well. That means that I can, from my office, start the car and warm it up before I leave. As I said, it’s an amazing feature, but I discovered that it only runs for about five or six minutes, then shuts off, meaning that when it’s really cold, the car doesn’t get warm enough. Feeling sorry for me yet?

I mentioned this to a friend who told me, “Go back to your dealer and have them re-set it. You can alter the time and have it run longer.” That sounded like an excellent idea and set me to thinking about our lives in general when it comes to our relationships with God. If we have grown cold and distant in our connection kinship with Him, guess who is at fault? He is always available and awaiting our return.

We can go to the Source and have Him adjust our soul so that His warmth and love are constant and ever-growing. He will place, or perhaps re-place, His fire within us, so that we will burn hot for Him.

The fire of God is meant to affect others who are shivering in the cold, alone and often hopeless, wondering if anyone cares. Have you ever said to anyone, “Come on in out of the cold. Sit for a while. Have a cup of tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. Warm yourself by the fire.” And it isn’t long before they feel rejuvenated.

When I was pastoring in Traverse City, Michigan, the church put on a special live nativity each advent season—right on the bay! And of course the pastor was expected to be there for a while. The wind was always very strong and the night air frigid. Those who were part of the nativity cast wore snowmobile suits under their costumes and could only take about 20 minutes at a time outside because they were standing still. When someone came to relieve them, they headed straight for the fellowship hall, where hot chocolate and cookies were available, along with great fellowship. The warmth of the building and fellow believers thawed them out until they resumed their duties outside. No one had to tell them to do this. It just made sense. And so it is with our Lord. It just makes sense to snuggle up with Him and receive what only He can give.

We have one of those instant fires in our home—you know, a remote that you push and bingo!--there’s a fire in the fireplace. That, I believe is the way our heavenly Father operates. At times we cry to Him for the warmth of His love and there it is! He delivers on time and in ample supply. So, what are you waiting for? Come on in and enjoy His presence