Text Box: “When I created you, I already had this puzzle picture in mind. You are the only one who could put this puzzle together because only you have the gifts, temperament, and experiences that I have given you. The plan I have for you, is uniquely for you, and you alone.” That man had to fight back doubts that had developed throughout his life. These doubts told the man that he was not special or unique. These doubts told him that his life was of little value or worth. God cocked His head to the side as He could understand the man’s doubts. “You were fearfully and wonderfully made. I created you unique from anyone and everyone else. I poured out my love as I created you.” “But what does this picture puzzle mean? How am I ever going to put together such a complex puzzle?” God replied, “This picture is the life I have planned for you. If you will follow my instructions I will help guide you in putting together this picture of your

Text Box: One day God handed a man a puzzle box. It was one of those multi-thousand piece puzzles. On the cover of the box was the picture that the completed puzzle would display. This picture was very beautiful. It was intricately detailed and its complexity was astounding. Truly, it was a picture that only God could create. For several minutes, the man could do nothing but stare at the box. He had never seen something so captivating that drew him to it as powerfully as this box. Within him, he felt as if he had found the most important thing in his life. To him it seemed as if the picture was personalized for him, as if it were all about him. Yet, this picture seemed outside of his life. This picture seemed to him to embody what his life was missing. This picture represented his longings in life, yes, even his deepest ambitions and desires. Clearly, though, this picture represented what had not happened before in his life.

Text Box: “I love you,” God said to him. His voice startled the man since he had fallen into such deep thought and introspection as he looked at the box. The man turned his gaze to the provider, His provider, of this picture that so profoundly drew the man into it. Across God’s face was a warm, paternal smile. It was the look of a father who was proud of his child. Often times in moments like these the man remembered, as a father, smiling, too, but with a smile of self-pride, having done something to make his own child love him more. But this smile spoke nothing of pride but only of pure, selfless love. “I took great care to create this picture puzzle just for you. No one else has the same puzzle.” “Why would you do that for me?” asked the man. God let out a slight sigh. His eyes gleamed, even teared a bit as he replied.

The Puzzle Box

by Pastor Dave Bassett

Text Box: Building God’s Kingdom Together, Inc.

February 2008 — Issue #3

Special points of interest:

· The Puzzle Box

by Pastor Dave Bassett

· What Will You Do With Your Extra Day?

by Judy Bassett

· God Knows Our Financial Situation

by Pastor Dave Bassett

· Do You Check Out The Return Address?

by Judy Bassett

Rev. Dave Bassett is the pastor of Rosewood Lane Church of the Nazarene. Click the link to see the church’s website at
http://www.RosewoodLane.org
for info on the Rosewood Lane Church in Layton, Utah.
We would love to have you visit our church!

February 29, 2008

What Will You Do With Your “Extra” Day?
by Judy Bassett

Someone once asked me how I get so much done. My answer was that I don’t really know—I have 24 hours in a day, just like everyone else. I guess I just pack a lot into my 24 hours.

Today is February 29th—Our extra day, since it is Leap Year. Today we have an extra 24 hours, that we only get every 4 years.

What am I doing with my extra 24 hours? About the same thing I do other days. I got up and had breakfast, had devotions, prayed with Pastor Dave for all our friends, family and church members.

I finished the laundry, made phone calls, worked on our home businesses, and will (hopefully) complete our church bulletin and eBulletin today. However, it is only noon! Friday is our day off, so it isn’t as busy as other days, but there are still things to do!

If it were not Leap Year, it would still be Friday, but it would be March 1st instead of Feb. 29th. So, we have an extra day during 2008. Today may not be much different from a regular Friday, however, I want to dedicate that extra 24 hours this year to work for Christ. What will you do with your extra 24 hours?