setup: [E-Mail Ministry] Searching For A Vessel

The following is an E-Mail Ministry message. See below for Subscribe,
Unsubscribe and Change of Address information.

E-Mail Ministry is solely supported by its subscribers and Integrated
Process Developers, Inc. <http://www.processdevelopers.com/> (IPDI).

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

SEARCHING FOR A VESSEL

The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many - which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I'm shiny and bright,
I'm of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and lustre will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!

The Master passed on with no word at all;
He looked at a silver urn, narrow and tall;
I'll serve You, dear Master, I'll pour out Your wine
And I'll be at Your table whenever You dine,
My lines are so graceful, my carvings so true,
And my silver will always compliment You.

Unheeding the Master passed on to the brass,
It was widemouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.

Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I'm sure I'll be happy in Your house to abide.
The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I'd rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!

Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.

Ah! This is the vessel I've been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of its self;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is bigmouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.

Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. There's work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.

-- Author Unknown

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

THIS MESSAGE WAS SENT VIA YAHOO GROUPS

To learn more about E-Mail Ministry and read previous messages, visit our
web site at: <http://www.emailministry.org/> http://www.emailministry.org

E-Mail Ministry has a group in Facebook and LinkedIn - search for them and
join up. Tell your friends and connections!

HOW DO I SUBSCRIBE? Send a blank e-mail to:
emailministry-subscribe@googlegroups.com
or go to: <http://www.emailministry.org/subscribe.asp>
http://www.emailministry.org/subscribe.asp
Messages are sent out on Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Subscribe now, it's
FREE!

SUPPORT E-MAIL MINISTRY:
E-Mail Ministry is solely supported by its subscribers and Integrated
Process Developers, Inc. <http://www.processdevelopers.com/> (IPDI). To
make a financial contribution, go to:
<http://www.emailministry.org/donate.asp>
http://www.emailministry.org/donate.asp
E-Mail Ministry is a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

HOW DO I UNSUBSCRIBE? If you are a subscriber, send a blank e-mail to
<mailto:EMailMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com>
EMailMinistry-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
or go to: <http://www.emailministry.org/unsubscribe.asp>
http://www.emailministry.org/unsubscribe.asp
If this message was forwarded to you from another person, please notify them
that you are not interested in receiving any further messages.

To CHANGE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS: UNSUBSCRIBE from the old e-mail address and
SUBSCRIBE from the new e-mail address.

LEGAL STUFF: E-Mail Ministry and its sponsor run this message as submitted
and do not claim to own any copyright privileges on it. The work was
submitted to us as an item for distribution, and it was posted solely on the
basis of its quality. It is the belief of E-Mail Ministry and its sponsors
that this message is in the common domain.

"E-Mail Ministry" is a trademark of E-Mail Ministry, Inc.

-- Doug Boebinger
-- The entire Staff of E-Mail Ministry

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]