~**~ The King With Four Wives ~**~
Once upon a time....there was a rich king who had four wives. He loved the fourth wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.
He also loved the third wife very much and showed her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.
He also loved the second wife. She was his confidante and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her to help him get through the difficult times.
The King's first wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
One day, the King fell ill and he knew that his time was short.
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No way!" replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.
The sad King asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"No!" replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I am going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.
He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?"
"I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!" replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only send you to your grave." Her answer came like a bolt of thunder and the King was devastated.
Then a voice called out: "I'll leave with you and follow you no matter where you go."
The King looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, because she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken better care of you when I had the chance!"
In Truth, we all have four wives in our lives:
Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look great, it'll leave us when we die.
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die it will all go to others.
Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
Our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the ego. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go. So cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now! It is your greatest gift to offer the world.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~
~**~ Practice What You Preach ~**~
You can know all the scriptures,
Have all the bibles you can reach,
But when push comes to shove
Do you practice what you preach?
Anyone can go to church
And collapse on the floor,
But when Judgment Day comes
Will you be at Heaven's door?
You can have the biggest of fits
And say the Holy ghost passed through,
But is that really reflected
In the things you do?
You can yell far and wide
Proclaiming your love for Christ,
But what have you given him
When for you He gave his life?
You can lecture others
About the wrong things they do,
But before you look at others
You need to look at you.
You can damn all the sinners
Tell them they're headed south,
But what have you done lately
Besides run your mouth?
You can call yourself a Christian
Spend all your days at church,
But while you are praising His name,
Have you been doing the Lord's work?
You can boast of good deeds
To show us the spirit is within
But why show it to us?
You should show it to Him!
You can memorize the bible
Know it from front to back,
But you don't use it to regulate others
Regulate how you act!
Take a good look at yourself
Not at what others do,
Because when He comes to get his children ...
Will He be coming for you too?
Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
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