A little boy eagerly raced round and about the apple tree where his grandmother and he were sacking little green apples that had fallen to the ground. He couldn't wait till they were all picked up. His grandmother had promised him a snack as a reward for his help.

As the last apple was placed in the paper bag the young boy reached for the largest green apple he could see, exclaiming, "I choose this for my snack." And before his grandmother could speak, he opened wide his little mouth and bit down. Immediately his faced turned from smiles to frowns. Disappointment over a sour apple was made known by him spitting the fruit across the yard. It was certainly not what he expected!

The grandmother seeing the disappointment in his eyes, cuddled him in her arms and explained that there is a right way and a wrong way to eat green apples. She then led him by the hand inside her kitchen where she placed a hot piece of apple pie before him. The little fellow eagerly ate every bite. "What kind of apples Was the pie made of Grandmother?", he asked. "Green apples, of course", she replied. The little boy sat in amazement over how tasty green apples were when used to make apple pie.

The above story can be used to illustrate life. We may be going through our lives expecting a Red or Golden Delicious apple and at the most unexpected time, life serves us a sour, green apple instead. How do you handle crisis? How do you manage to swallow the sour apples of life? How do you turn tragedies to triumphs? You do it in the same way the grandmother in our illustration did. Make apple pie out of your sour apples. Make lemonade out of your lemons. Use a bad circumstance to create something good, wholesome and profitable for yourself and those around you.

King David, a man after God's own heart, no doubt knew this was true. For there was a time in David's life when he had committed several grievous sins against God and those around him. He had committed adultery, killed an innocent man, and even tried to hide his sins. Yes, David had a whole sack full of green apples But after being confronted by Nathan, God's prophet, David poured his heart out to God in repentance. Psalm 51 records his heartfelt confession of sin.

Verse 13 in the text states, "Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee." It is in this verse that David turns tragedy into triumph. If God could forgive David for his terrible sins (vv. I -11), David would teach others of the wonderful grace and mercy of God (v. 13). For if God could forgive David, King of Israel, leader of the people and example to all, God could forgive anyone. Certainly, David made a apple pie out of a sack overflowing with green apples. He used a negative situation to bring about a positive result. And so can we!

When life brings tragedy, look for a way to triumph. When someone gives you a lemon, make lemonade. When everything is gloom and doom, and all you can see is green apples, use those unwanted circumstances of life, like David, to grow and develop as God's child. Learn from your sins. Profit from your trials. Strengthen yourself in life's hurtful blows. For no doubt there will be more green apples just around the tree that we will need to deal with!

Proverbs 31:10 - "Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies".
Blessed is she whose daily tasks are a work of love, for her willing hands and happy heart transformed duty into joyous service to all her family and God.

Personal Work "B"
Visitation team "B" is scheduled to meet today (Sunday) after the morning worship in the annex. All members of that group are encouraged to attend. There will be a light lunch after the meeting.

Ladies’ Work Group
The Ladies’ Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow evening (Monday) at 7:00 pm in the annex. All of our ladies are invited to attend.

Home Devo
Jose and Angelica Calero will host the monthly Home Bible Study and devotional this coming Saturday (28th) evening at 6:00 pm at their home in Lake Alfred. Sign-up on the sheet in the foyer if you plan to attend.

Off To Ghana
Jackie and Joyce Stearsman left for Ghana, West Africa, on Friday with Ted, Renee, Trish and Troy Wheeler. Ted and Jackie will be conducting two seminars for preachers and church leaders as well as preaching and teaching at various congregations. Renee and Joyce will be conducting Ladies Classes. Trip updates will be published as received on the GhanaMissions.com web-site.

Don’t Forget the Prayer Meeting in classroom #3 today at 5:30 p.m.