Stories and Tales to have a Positive Impact...

MY 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2012

2012-01-29T02:51:00.000-08:00

MY 10 RESOLUTIONS FOR 2012

This coming year, I have decided that with God's help, I shall:-

Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude.

Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts.

Give up worry . . . trust divine providence.

Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope.

Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred . . . return good for evil.

Give up anger . . . practice patience.

Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity.

Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is around me.

Give up gossiping . . . control my tongue.

-- Author Unknown

My prayer for you in 2012 is that you will:
* Accept the shortcomings in others and realize it is not your responsibility to correct them, it is God’s to perfect them
* Understand your own shortcomings and allow God to perfect them, in His own time
* Reach out to help those whom you can help
* Accept help from those who wish to help you
* Understand that God loves you
* Understand that God wants you to love others

May you have bountiful blessings in 2012

elvis' nose

2012-01-28T11:23:00.000-08:00

was it elvis in his coffin or just a wax figure

2012-01-28T11:15:00.000-08:00

elvis and facebook

2012-01-28T11:07:00.000-08:00

GOD....thinking about God........

2012-01-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

"THINKING ABOUT GOD"
God is like Coca Cola,
He is the real thing!

God is like General Electric,
He lights your path!

God is like Bayer Aspirin,
He works wonders!

God is like Hallmark Cards,
He cared enough to send the very best!

God is like Tide Soap,
He removes the stains others leave behind!

God is like Dial Soap,
Aren't you glad you know Him, don't you
wish everyone did?

God is like American Express,
Don't leave home with out Him!
[Author Unknown]

happy new year...each day

2012-01-02T10:32:00.000-08:00

Each Day

A new year just beginning,
Each day a fresh, new start,
To fulfill your hopes
And pursue the dreams
Sustained within your heart.

Put God in charge;
He'll plant the seeds
Of affection, love and care.
Like a garden, your life will grow
With kindness flowering there.

And as you face the wonder
Of each day's mysteries,
You'll see God's hand
Unfolding, daily, possibilities!

And as each day comes to a close,
Dream a dream or two,
Then with a prayer thank dear God
For each day given to you.
Poet, Gael Phaneuf

the greatest gift

2011-12-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

THE GREATEST Gift

The greatest gift at Christmastime
Is one we all may give -

A friendly smile that helps to make
Life easier to live.

A kindly thought, a helping hand,
To show someone we care

And let them know how much it means
For us to have them here.

The greatest gift at Christmastime
Costs not a lot to buy -

It's being a good neighbor
As days and months go by:

It's offering a shoulder
When someone needs a lift,

And so I pray this Christmas Day
That this may be your gift!
Poet, Grace E. Easley

Twas the night before Christmas

2011-12-24T10:24:00.000-08:00

Today, we will share A Christmas Classic that we all know
and love. May you have a Very Merry Christmas, and may all
of your Christmas wishes come true!
_______________________

First of all, let us learn all about who wrote this classic. It
was written by the Rev. Clement Clarke Moore ( 1779-1863 ).
He was a professor of Oriental and Greek literature at the
Episcopal General Theological Seminary in New York City.
He wrote this classic for his children, and at first refused to let
it be published because he felt it wasn't fitting for a Priest to
write, after all it didn't mention God or Jesus Christ. After a
while his friends won and he let it be published, thus now we
have this Christmas Classic:

Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house
Not a creature was stirring,
Not even a mouse
The stockings were hung by
The chimney with care
in hopes that St. Nicholas
soon would be there.

The children were nestled
All snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar plumbs
Danced in their heads.
And Mama in her kerchief,
And I in my cap
Had just settled our brains
For a long winter's nap

When out on the roof
There arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed
To see what was the matter.
I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutter,
And through back the sash.

The moon on the breast
Of the new fallen snow
Gave the luster of midday
To the objects below,
When, what to my wandering
eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh
and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver,
So lively and quick,
I knew in a moment
It must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles,
His courses they came,
And he whistles and shouted
And called then be name:

NOW DASHER! NOW DANCER!
NOW PRANCER AND VIXON!
ON COMET! ON CUPID!
ON DONNER AND BLITZEN!

To The Top Of The Stairs!
To The Top Of The Wall!
Now Dash Away! Dash Away All!

As dry leaves that before
The wild hurricane fly
When they meet with an obstacle
Mount to the sky
So up to the house-top
The courses they flew
With a sleigh full of toys'
And St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling,
I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing
Of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head
And was turning around
Down the chimney St. Nicholas
Came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur,
From his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished
With ashes ands soot.
A bundle of toys he had
Flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler
Just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled!
His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses,
His nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth
Was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin
Was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe
He held tight in his teeth
And the smoke it encircled
His head like a wreath.
He had a broad face
And a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed
Like a bowl of jelly.

He was chubby and plump,
A right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him,
in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye
And a twist of his head
soon gave me to know
I had nothing to dread

He sprang to his sleigh,
To his team gave a whistle,
And away they all fly
Like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim,
Ere he drove out of sight:
HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

twas the night Jesus came

2011-12-22T10:21:00.000-08:00

TWAS THE NIGHT JESUS CAME

Twas' the night Jesus came and all through the house,
Not a person was praying, not one in the house.

The Bible was left on the shelf without care,
for no one thought Jesus would come there.
The children were dressing to crawl into bed,
not once ever kneeling or bowing their head.

And Mom in the rocking chair with baby on her lap,
was watching the Late Show as I took a nap.
When out of the east there rose such a clatter,
I sprang to my feet to see what's the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutters and lifted the sash.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but Angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

The light of His face made me cover my head,
it was Jesus returning just like He'd said.
And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,
I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life that in which he held in his hand,
was written the name of every saved man.
He spoke not a word as he searched for my name,
when He said "it is not here"

I hung my head in shame. The people who's names had been written with love,
He gathered to take to his Father above.
With those who were ready He rose without a sound,
while all the others were left standing around.

I fell to my knees but it was too late,
I waited to long and thus sealed my fate.
I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight,
Oh, if only I'd know that this was the night.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear
the coming of Jesus is now drawing near.
There's only one life and when comes the last call,
We'll find out that the Bible was true after all........

-- Author Unknown

the christmas ten commandments

2011-12-22T10:11:00.000-08:00

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.

-- Author Unknown

two babes in a manger

2011-12-17T21:17:00.000-08:00

TWO BABES IN A MANGER

In 1994, two Americans answered an invitation from the Russian Department of Education to teach morals and ethics (based on biblical principles) in the public schools. They were invited to teach at prisons, businesses, the fire and police departments and a large orphanage. About 100 boys and girls who had been abandoned, abused, and left in the care of a government-run program were in the orphanage. They relate the following story in their own words:

It was nearing the holiday season, 1994, time for our orphans to hear, for the first time, the traditional story of Christmas. We told them about Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem. Finding no room in the inn, the couple went to a stable, where the baby Jesus was born and placed in a manger.

Throughout the story, the children and orphanage staff sat in amazement as they listened. Some sat on the edges of their stools, trying to grasp every word. Completing the story, we gave the children three small pieces of cardboard to make a crude manger. Each child was given a small paper square, cut from yellow napkins I had brought with me. No colored paper was available in the city.

Following instructions, the children tore the paper and carefully laid strips in the manger for straw. Small squares of flannel, cut from a worn-out nightgown an American lady was throwing away as she left Russia, were used for the baby's blanket. A doll-like baby was cut from tan felt we had brought from the United States.

The orphans were busy assembling their manger as I walked among them to see if they needed any help. All went well until I got to one table where little Misha sat. He looked to be about 6 years old and had finished his project. As I looked at the little boy's manger, I was startled to see not one, but two babies in the manger. Quickly, I called for the translator to ask the lad why there were two babies in the manger. Crossing his arms in front of him and looking at this completed manger scene, the child began to repeat the story very seriously.

For such a young boy, who had only heard the Christmas story once, he related the happenings accurately...until he came to the part where Mary put the baby Jesus in the manger. Then Misha started to ad-lib. He made up his own ending to the story as he said, "And when Maria laid the baby in the manger, Jesus looked at me and asked me if I had a place to stay. I told him I have no mamma and I have no papa, so I don't have any place to stay. Then Jesus told me I could stay with him. But I told him I couldn't, because I didn't have a gift to give him like everybody else did. But I wanted to stay with Jesus so much, so I thought about what I had that maybe I could use for a gift. I thought maybe if I kept him warm, that would be a good gift.

So I asked Jesus, "If I keep you warm, will that be a good enough gift?"

And Jesus told me, "If you keep me warm, that will be the best gift anybody ever gave me."

"So I got into the manger, and then Jesus looked at me and he told me I could stay with him...for always."

As little Misha finished his story, his eyes brimmed full of tears that splashed down his little cheeks. Putting his hand over his face, his head dropped to the table and his shoulders shook as he sobbed and sobbed.

The little orphan had found someone who would never abandon nor abuse him, someone who would stay with him...FOR ALWAYS.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your life, but who you have in your life that counts.

-- Author Unknown

what do you want for christmas

2011-12-17T21:13:00.000-08:00

WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

A poem sent to Dear Abby from a couple who have too much stuff.

So many of you asked us (since Yuletide's drawing near)
"What do you want for Christmas? What can we give you this year?
If we say, "We want nothing!" you buy something anyway,
So here's a list of what we'd like; believe now what we say:

Pajamas for a little child, food to feed the poor.
Blankets for a shelter, and we ask a little bit more--
Perform good deeds and let us know, or volunteer your time.
These last are worth a fortune, and they needn't cost a dime.

We have to many things now, vases, candles, tapes and clocks.
We have our fill of garments, ties, underwear and socks.
Candy is too fattening, crossword books we've more than 20.
We don't need trays or plates or cups, and knickknacks we have plenty.

We've no walls to hang more pictures; we have books we've not yet read;
So please take what you'd spend on us and help the poor instead!
Just send a Christmas card to us and tell us what you've done;
We'll open them on Christmas Eve, and read them one by one.

It won't cost as much for postage as a package sent would do,
You'll need no wrapping paper, ribbons, ink or glue.
And we'll thank God you listened to what we had to say,
So we could be the instruments to help someone this way.

-- Author Unknown

why Jesus is better than santa claus

2011-12-17T21:09:00.000-08:00

WHY JESUS IS BETTER THAN SANTA CLAUS

Santa lives at the North Pole ...
JESUS is everywhere.

Santa rides in a sleigh ...
JESUS rides on the wind and walks on the water.

Santa comes but once a year ...
JESUS is an ever present help.

Santa fills your stockings with goodies ...
JESUS supplies all your needs.

Santa comes down your chimney uninvited ...
JESUS stands at your door and knocks, and then enters your heart when invited.

You have to wait in line to see Santa ...
JESUS is as close as the mention of His name.

Santa lets you sit on his lap ...
JESUS lets you rest in His arms.

Santa doesn't know your name, all he can say is "Hi little boy or girl, what's your name?" ...
JESUS knew our name before we did. Not only does He know our name, He knows our address too. He knows our history and future and He even knows how many hairs are on our heads.

Santa has a belly like a bowl full of jelly ...
JESUS has a heart full of love.

All Santa can offer is HO HO HO ...
JESUS offers health, help and hope.

Santa says "You better not cry" ...
JESUS says "Cast all your cares on me for I care for you."

Santa's little helpers make toys ...
JESUS makes new life, mends wounded hearts, repairs broken homes and builds mansions.

Santa may make you chuckle but ...
JESUS gives you joy that is your strength.

While Santa puts gifts under your tree ...
JESUS became our gift and died on a tree.

It's obvious there is really no comparison.
We need to remember WHO Christmas is all about.
We need to put Christ back in CHRISTmas,
Jesus is still the reason for the season.

Yes, Jesus is better, he is even better than Santa Claus.

-- Author Unknown

the best gifts of the season

2011-12-17T21:06:00.000-08:00

THE BEST GIFTS THIS SEASON:

To a Friend - Loyalty
To an Enemy - Forgiveness
To your Boss - Service
To your Child - A good example
To your Father - Honor
To your Mother - Gratitude and Devotion
To your Spouse - Love and Faithfulness
To Yourself - Respect
To All Men - Charity
To God - Your Life!!

-- Author Unknown

the greatest gift of all......

2011-12-07T08:55:00.000-08:00

THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so. It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas---oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it overspending ... the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, mostly black. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes.

As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them." Mike loved kids --- all kids --- and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.

On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition --- one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters, to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on.

The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure.

The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to dreaded cancer. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad.

The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always. God bless---pass this along to your friends and loved ones.

-- Author Unknown

who started christmas ????

2011-12-07T08:51:00.000-08:00

WHO STARTED CHRISTMAS?

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

-- Author Unknown

the Hand...

2011-11-26T00:57:00.000-08:00

THE HAND

Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment -- to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were.

But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes.

Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand.

His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was.

The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher."

She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work.

The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks. But they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

-- Author Unknown

thank you Lord...

2011-11-23T11:02:00.000-08:00

THANK YOU, LORD

A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are received". The soul looked at the section, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets from all the people of the world.

They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter told the soul, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are packed and delivered to the persons who asked for them down on earth."

The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in that room, since so many blessing were being packed and delivered to Earth.

Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last section. To the surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there idly, doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledging

Section," St. Peter told the soul. "How is it that, there is no work here?" "That's the sad thing," St. Peter answered. "After the people received the blessings they asked for, very few send their acknowledgments". "How does one acknowledge God's blessing?" "Simple," St. Peter answered. "Just say, "'Thank you, Lord'."

Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others and also, for giving me so many wonderful people to share this with. If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep .. you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace .. you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness . . you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death ..you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married .. you are very rare,.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful .. you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder .. you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that.. someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

THANK YOU LORD!

-- Author Unknown

tomorrow is not promise

2011-11-20T00:49:00.000-08:00

TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED

Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were meant to be there,
they serve some sort of purpose,
teach you a lesson
or help figure out who you are
and who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be:
your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger
who, when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment that they will affect your life
in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you
and at the time they seem painful and unfair,
but in reflection you realize
that without overcoming those obstacles
you would have never realized
your potential strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance
or by means of good or bad luck.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity
all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests,
whether they be events, illnesses or relationships,
life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere,
safe and comfortable,
but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life
and the successes and downfalls you experience
create who you are,
and even the bad experiences can be learned from,
In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,
forgive them,
for they have helped you learn about trust
and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart...

If someone loves you,
love them back unconditionally,
not only because they love you,
but because they are teaching you to love
and opening your heart and eyes to things
you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment
and take from it everything that you possibly can,
for you may never be able to experience it again...

Talk to people you have never talked to before,
and actually listen,
let yourself fall in love,
break free and set your sights high...

Hold your head up because you have every right too.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself...
for if you don't believe in yourself,
no one else will believe in you either.

Create your own life
and then go out and live in it!
"Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...
Tomorrow is Not Promised"

-- Author Unknown

the Rose

2011-11-20T00:44:00.000-08:00

THE ROSE

Red roses were her favorites,
Her name was also Rose,
And every year her husband sent them,
tied with pretty bows.

The year he died,
the roses were delivered to her door.
The card said, "Be my Valentine,"
like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses,
and the note would always say,
"I love you even more this year,
than last year on this day.

My love for you will always grow,
with every passing year."
She knew this was the last time
that the roses would appear.

She thought, he ordered roses
in advance before this day.
Her loving husband did not know,
that he would pass away.

He always liked things early,
way before the time.
Then if he got too busy,
everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems,
and placed them in a very special vase.
Then, sat the vase
beside the portrait of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours,
in her husband's favorite chair.
While staring at his picture,
and the roses sitting there.

A year went by,
and it was hard to live without her mate.
With loneliness and solitude,
that had become her fate.

Then that very hour,
as on Valentine's before,
The doorbell rang, and there were roses,
sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in,
and just looked at them in shock.
Then, she went to get the telephone,
to call the florist shop.

The owner answered, and she asked him,
if he would explain,
Why would someone do this to her,
causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away,
more than a year ago,"
The owner said, "I knew you'd call,
and you would want to know.

The flowers you received today,
were paid for in advance,
your husband always planned ahead,
he left nothing to chance.

There is a standing order,
that I have on file down here,
as he has paid, well in advance,
you'll get them every year.
There is also another thing,
that I think you should know,

He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago,
Then should I find out that he's no longer here,
That's the card...that should be sent to you the following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone,
her tears now flowing hard.
Her fingers shaking, as she slowly
reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he
had written her a note.
Then, as she stared in total silence,
this is what he wrote...

"Hello my love, I know
it's been a year since I've been gone,
I hope it hasn't been too hard
for you to overcome.

I know it must be lonely,
and the pain is very real.
Or if it was the other way,
I know how I would feel.

The love we shared made everything
so beautiful in life,
I loved you more than words can say,
you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover,
you fulfilled my every need.
I know it's only been a year,
but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,
even when you shed your tears.
That is why the roses
will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses,
think of all the happiness,
that we had together,
and how both of us were blessed.

I have always loved you,
and you know I always will.
But my love, you must go on,
you have some living still.

Please... try to find happiness,
while living out your days.
I know it is not easy,
but I hope you find some ways.

The roses will come every year,
and they will only stop,
When your door's not answered,
when the florist stops to knock.

He will come five times that day,
in case you have gone out.
But after his last visit,
he will know without a doubt.

To take the roses to the place,
where I've instructed him.
And place them where we are,
together once again.

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;
Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.
Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop;
Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.
Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it.
This is forever friendship.

-- Author Unknown

Recipe for kindness

2011-11-20T00:39:00.000-08:00

RECIPE FOR KINDNESS

Fold two hands together
And express a dash of sorrow
Marinate it overnight
And work on it tomorrow.

Chop one grudge in tiny pieces
Add several cups of love
Dredge with a large sized smile
Mix with the ingredients above.

Dissolve the hate within you,
By doing a good deed
Cut in and help your friend
If he should be in need.

Stir in laughter, love an kindness
From the heart it has to come,
Toss with genuine forgiveness
And give your neighbor some.

The amount of people served
Will depend on you,
It can serve the whole wide world,
If you really want it to.

-- Author Unknown

Names.....

2011-11-12T21:00:00.000-08:00

The name's used in the Bible often have not only spiritual
significance, they also are good descriptions of those people
as well. So today we will look at some of the name's that were
given to people probably by Divine design!

ANGEL meaning "messenger"
ADAM meaning "man or mankind"
EVE meaning "life"
ABRAHAM meaning "father of the multitude"
ISHMAEL meaning "God hears"
ISAAC meaning "laughter"
JOSEPH meaning "adding"
NOAH meaning "resting place"
MOSES meaning "drawn out of water"
JOSHUA meaning "Yahweh delivered"
SAMUEL meaning "God is exalted"
DAVID meaning "beloved"
SOLOMON has various meanings including
"God is peace" & "his replacement"
EZRA meaning "Yahweh helps"
ISAIAH meaning "Yahweh saves"
JEREMIAH meaning "may Yahweh lift up"
EZEKIEL meaning "God will strengthen"
DANIEL meaning "God's judge"
HOSEA meaning "salvation"
JOEL meaning "Yah is God"
JONAH meaning "dove"
MICAH meaning "Who is like Yahweh"
ZECHARIAH meaning "Yahweh remembered"
MALACHI meaning "my messenger or my angel"
PROPHET meaning "teacher"
JESUS CHRIST meaning "the Anointed One or Messiah" &
"Yahweh is salvation"
SATAN meaning "adversary"
MATTHEW meaning "the gift of Yahweh"
MARK no specific meaning
LUKE no specific meaning
JOHN meaning "Yahweh has been gracious"
PETER meaning "rock"
JUDAS no specific meaning
PONTIUS PILATE meaning "to fulfill or to accomplish"
PAUL no specific meaning
TIMOTHY meaning "honoring God"
REVELATION meaning "unveiling or uncovering"
and Last, but not least.
AMEN meaning "that's the truth!"

As you know these are just a few of the many name's
that are used in the Bible. Therefore I hope that you have found
this to be enlightening, and that it will help you to have a better
understanding of God's Holy Word!!

Children are a gift from God....

2011-11-12T20:54:00.000-08:00

Jesus said, "Let the little children come
to me, and do not hinder them, for the
kingdom of heaven belongs to such as
these." ( Matthew 19:14 *NIV )

Children are a gift from God, and hold a very special place
in our hearts. And as any parent knows, out of the mouths of
babes come amazing things! So today we will take a look at
a message I received this week from one of our subscribers.

Now I hope that you will laugh as hard as I did when I first read
these, so let us begin.......

Kid's Bible Lessons:

A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of
the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and
left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her
students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class,

"If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and
bleeding, what would you do?"

A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence,

"I think I'd throw up."

~**~**~**~**

STORY OF ELIJAH

The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story
of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She
explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the
steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah
commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and
pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times.

"Now," said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why
the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the
altar?"

A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand,
"I know, I know," she said, "to make the gravy!"

~**~**~**~**

LOT'S WIFE

A Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife
looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Johnny
interrupted, "My Mommy looked back once, while she was
DRIVING," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into
a telephone pole!"

~**~**~**~**

DID NOAH FISH?

A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think
Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?"

"No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms?"

~**~**~**~**

HIGHER POWER

A Sunday school teacher said to her children,
"We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were
in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell
me what it is?"

One child blurted out, "Aces!"

~**~**~**~**

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Nine year old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had
learned in Sunday school.

"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind
enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of
Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers
build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely.
Then, he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for
reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and
all the Israelites were saved."

"Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his
mother asked.

"Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd
never believe it!"

~**~**~**~**

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class
memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible;
Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse.

Little Bobby was excited about the task. But, he just couldn't
remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get
past the first verse.

On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23
in front of the whole congregation, Bobby was so nervous.
When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and
said proudly,

"The Lord is my shepherd and that's all I need."

moments in life....

2011-11-12T20:47:00.000-08:00

There are times in this life when one of these
9 statements apply to each one of us. So let them
now be reminders that Minister to us.....

"Moments in Life"

1. There are moments in life when you miss someone
so much that you just want to pick them from your
dreams and hug them for real! So cherish them while
they are with you.

2. When the door of happiness closes, another opens;
but often times we look so long at the closed door that
we don't see the one, which has been opened for us.

3. Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go
for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who
makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make
a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your
heart smile.

4. Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to
go; be what you want to be, because you have only one
life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

5. May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep
you human and enough hope to make you happy.

6. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the
best of everything; they just make the most of everything
that comes along their way.

7. The brightest future will always be based on a
forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you
let go of your past failures and heartaches.

8. When you were born, you were crying and everyone
around you was smiling. So live your life so at the end,
you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you
is crying.

9. Don't count the years-count the memories.......Life
is not measured by the number of breaths we take; but
by the moments that take our breath away! Amen.

Parable of the pencil

2011-11-12T20:43:00.000-08:00

PARABLE OF THE PENCIL

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

-- Author Unknown

A pillow and a blanket....

2011-11-12T20:38:00.000-08:00

A PILLOW AND A BLANKET

A long time ago, a young, wealthy girl was getting ready for bed. She was saying her prayers when she heard a muffled crying coming through her window. A little frightened, she went over to the window and leaned out.

Another girl, who seemed to be about her age and homeless was standing in the alley by the rich girl's house. Her heart went out to the homeless girl, for it was the dead of winter, and the girl had no blanket, only old newspapers someone had thrown out.

The rich girl was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. She called to the other girl and said, "You there, come to my front door, please."

The homeless girl was so startled she could only manage to nod.

As quick as her legs could take her, the young girl ran down the hall to her mothers closet, and picked out an old quilt and a beat up pillow. She had to walk slower down to the front door as to not trip over the quilt which was hanging down, but she made it eventually. Dropping both the articles, she opened the door. Standing there was the homeless girl, looking quite scared.

The rich girl smiled warmly and handed both articles to the other girl. Her smile grew wider as she watched the true amazement and happiness alight upon the other girl's face. She went to bed incredibly satisfied.

In mid-morning the next day a knock came to the door. The rich girl flew to the door hoping that it was the other little girl there. She opened the large door and looked outside. It was the other little girl. Her face looked happy, and she smiled. "I suppose you want these back."

The rich little girl opened her mouth to say that she could keep them when another idea popped into her head. "No, I want them back."

The homeless girl's face fell. This was obviously not the answer she had hoped for. She reluctantly laid down the beat up things, and turned to leave when the rich girl yelled, "Wait! Stay right there."

She turned in time to see the rich girl running up the stairs and down a long corridor. Deciding whatever the rich little girl was doing wasn't worth waiting for she started to turn around and walk away. As her foot hit the first step, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder, turning she saw the rich little girl, thrusting a new blanket and pillow at her. "Have these." she said quietly.

These were her own personal belonging made of silk and down feathers.

As the two grew older they didn't see each other much, but they were never far from each other's minds. One day, the Rich girl, who was now a Rich woman got a telephone call from someone. A lawyer, saying that she was requested to see him.

When she arrived at the office, he told her what had happened. Forty years ago, when she was nine years old, she had helped a little girl in need. That grew into a middle-class woman with a husband and two children. She had recently died and left something for her in her will. "Though," the lawyer said, "it's the most peculiar thing. She left you a pillow and a blanket."

-- Author Unknown

Big mud puddles and yellow dandelions...

2011-11-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

BIG MUD PUDDLES AND YELLOW DANDELIONS

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going
to take over my yard. My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff
you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty
person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling
at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much
rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen. My kids feel the beat and move
to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their
own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up
my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread
their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that. My kids
say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams
away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy
and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty
carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and
worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves
the little children!!

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize
they were the big things.

I wish you BIG MUD PUDDLES and SUNNY YELLOW DANDELIONS

-- Author Unknown

Don't Look Back....

2011-11-12T20:29:00.000-08:00

DON'T LOOK BACK

As you travel through life there are always those times
When decisions just have to be made,
When the choices are hard, and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do
Is simply let go and move on,
Gather your courage and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward -
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead
If you can be stalwart enough!

There might be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend,
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend!

Perhaps you'll find friendships that spring from new things
As you challenge your status quo,
And learn there are so many options in life,
And so many ways you can grow!

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things that you've never seen,
Or travel to fabulous, faraway worlds
And wonderful spots in between!

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring
And somebody special who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do,
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
And taking your life day by day...
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road -
Don't look back! You're not going that way!

-- Author Unknown

time and being too busy

2011-11-10T13:27:00.001-08:00

We often fall into the trap of being so busy that we
become caught up in this World of ours today. We even
seem to forget that we are only on this Earth for a short
time. It is written, What is your life? You are
a mist that appears for a little while and then
vanishes.                               ( James 4:14 )
   Therefore our Savior Jesus Christ asked us; What good
will it be for a man if he gains the whole world,
yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in
exchange for his soul? So, always
remember to keep God number one in your heart and
mind, for after all Eternity is a very, very, long time indeed.
   Now as I was composing this message I received the
poem below from a dear friend. It seems perfect to end this
message with that poem, for it is a reminder to us all.
                I knelt to pray but not for long,
                I had too much to do.
                I had to hurry and get to work
                For bills would soon be due.
                So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
                And jumped up off my knees.
                My Christian duty was now done
                My soul could rest at ease.
                All day long I had no time
                To spread a word of cheer.
                No time to speak of Christ to friends,
                They'd laugh at me I'd fear.
                No time, no time, too much to do,
                That was my constant cry,
                No time to give to souls in need
                But at last the time, the time to die.
                I went before the Lord,
                I came, I stood with downcast eyes.
                For in his hands God held a book;
                It was the book of life.
                God looked into his book and said
                "Your name I cannot find.
                I once was going to write it down...
                But never found the time"
                                                 Author Unknown
   Something to think about indeed, would you not say? Now
have a great day and remember that God smiles everytime
He thinks about you.     Amen.

whiter than snow----cute

2011-11-01T02:58:00.000-07:00

Bob Seger "Night Moves" and "RnR Never Forgets" Grand Rapids 2011-04-02

2011-04-05T16:07:00.001-07:00

Bob Seger "Night Moves" and "RnR Never Forgets" Grand Rapids 2011-04-02

2011-04-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

Bob Seger & Kid Rock 2011-04-02 in Grand Rapids

2011-04-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

Yahoo Blog Archive (506 posts)

2010-07-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

Default Category (506 posts)

A Nation Gone Astray by charles stanley on the u.s.a.

2010-07-05T06:09:00.000-07:00

A Nation Gone Astray
Isaiah 59

The principle of sowing and reaping applies not only to individuals but also to nations. A country that ignores or rejects God and His Word will suffer the consequences of that choice. Though Israel had once honored the Lord, it went astray during the days of the prophet Isaiah and suffered the dire results of turning from the heavenly Father.

When a nation begins ignoring biblical commands and principles, truth becomes relative as false philosophies and "liberated thinking" take root. Leaders tend to consider themselves advanced and intellectual, but in reality, if they are separated from God, their thinking is foolish and their understanding darkened (Eph. 4:17-18).

A society always behaves according to its belief system, so the inevitable result of skewed thinking is sin. Once sin becomes acceptable in the eyes of the people, sensuality and self-gratification dominate as restraint is lifted. The baser nature of man emerges in the form of immorality, greed, and violence. Injustice reaches its peak when laws permit the killing of the most helpless and innocent of all its citizens—unborn children. Even if the majority of citizens disapprove of the injustice and immorality, unless they act, that nation will continue its downward spiral into depravity.

Our ultimate hope, of course, is in our coming King who will reign on earth with righteousness and justice. But the church must still awaken to its responsibility to be salt and light in a depraved world. Each generation is called to be alert and active during its appointed time on this earth.

Ernie Harwell Farewell Address

2010-05-05T09:55:00.000-07:00

Vicon-c - The People's Medicine Community

2010-02-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

Vicon-c - The People's Medicine Community

Early Light Devotional - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010

2010-01-10T13:09:00.001-08:00

Early Light Devotional - In Touch Ministries - Dr. Charles Stanley 2010

Posted using ShareThis

31 questions for the new year

2010-01-01T04:28:00.000-08:00

31 Questions for the New Year

Dr. Ray Pritchard

The first day of a new year is a good time to stop, reflect, refocus and consider where we are going. The question for today is not, "Where are you going?" but rather, "Where will you be when you get there?" This morning all of us are taking the first steps on a 365-day journey. Where will you be when you arrive at December 31? What will you do with the gift of a new beginning that God has given you? In order to help us think about this in a practical way, Don Whitney has put together 31 questions. There are 10 basic questions and then 21 more--one for each day of the month.

If you are married, I urge you to discuss these questions with your spouse. If you are in a small group, take your first session this year to go over these questions. Thinking through these questions together will help make 2010 truly life-changing for you.

1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?

3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?

4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?

6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?

7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?

8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?

9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?

10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?

In addition to these ten questions, here are twenty-one more to help you "Consider your ways." Think on the entire list at one sitting, or answer one question each day for a month.

11. What's the most important decision you need to make this year?

12. What area of your life most needs simplifying, and what's one way you could simplify in that area?

13. What's the most important need you feel burdened to meet this year?

14. What habit would you most like to establish this year?

15. Who do you most want to encourage this year?

16. What is your most important financial goal this year, and what is the most important step you can take toward achieving it?

17. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your work life this year?

18. What's one new way you could be a blessing to your pastor (or to another who ministers to you) this year?

19. What's one thing you could do this year to enrich the spiritual legacy you will leave to your children and grandchildren?

20. What book, in addition to the Bible, do you most want to read this year?

21. What one thing do you most regret about last year, and what will you do about it this year?

22. What single blessing from God do you want to seek most earnestly this year?

23. In what area of your life do you most need growth, and what will you do about it this year?

24. What's the most important trip you want to take this year?

25. What skill do you most want to learn or improve this year?

26. To what need or ministry will you try to give an unprecedented amount this year?

27. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your commute this year?

28. What one biblical doctrine do you most want to understand better this year, and what will you do about it?

29. If those who know you best gave you one piece of advice, what would they say? Would they be right? What will you do about it?

30. What's the most important new item you want to buy this year?

31. In what area of your life do you most need change, and what will you do about it this year?

START OVER.......

2009-12-29T21:02:00.000-08:00

START OVER

When you've trusted God and walked his way
When you've felt his hand lead you day by day
But your steps now take you another way ...
Start over.

When you've made your plans and they've gone awry
When you've tried your best and there's no more try
When you've failed yourself and you don't know why ...
Start over.

When you've told your friends what you plan to do
When you've trusted them and they didn't come through
And you're all alone and it's up to you ...
Start over.

When you've failed your kids and they're grown and gone
When you've done your best but it's turned out wrong
And now your grandchildren come along ...
Start over.

When you've prayed to God so you'll know his will
When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still ...
When you want to stop cause you've had your fill ...
Start over.

When you think you're finished and want to quit
When you've bottomed out in life's deepest pit
When you've tried and tried to get out of it ...
Start over.

When the year has been long and successes few
When December comes and you're feeling blue
God gives a January just for you ...
Start over.

Starting over means "Victories Won"
Starting over means "A Race Well Run"
Starting over means "God's Will Done"
Don't just sit there ..............

START OVER

by Woodrow Kroll of "Back to the Bible"

the Christmas Ten Commandments....

2009-12-23T21:55:00.000-08:00

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy
Christmas list

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts
that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of
its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with
complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a
hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least
expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will
go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true
meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a
little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those
around you.

-- Author Unknown

2009-10-07T07:41:00.000-07:00

ten rules for a blessed day...

2009-08-12T22:26:00.000-07:00

10 RULES FOR A BLESSED DAY

1. TODAY I WILL NOT STRIKE BACK . . .

If someone is rude, if someone is impatient, if someone is unkind, I will
not respond in a like manner.

2. TODAY I WILL ASK GOD TO BLESS MY 'ENEMY'

If I come across someone who treats me harshly or unfairly, I will quietly
ask God to bless that individual. I understand "enemy" could be a family
member, neighbor, co-worker or stranger.

3. TODAY I WILL BE CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT I SAY . . .

I will carefully choose and guard my words being certain that I do not
spread gossip.

4. TODAY I WILL GO THE EXTRA MILE . . .

I will find ways to help share the burden of another person.

5. TODAY I WILL FORGIVE . . .

I will forgive any hurts or injuries that come my way.

6. TODAY I WILL DO SOMETHING KIND FOR SOMEONE, (BUT I WILL DO IT IN SECRET .
. . )

I will reach out anonymously and bless the life of another.

7. TODAY I WILL TREAT OTHERS THE WAY I WISH TO BE TREATED . . .

I will practice the golden rule. "Do Unto others as I would have them do
unto me"- with EVERYONE I encounter.

8. TODAY I WILL RAISE THE SPIRITS OF SOMEONE WHO IS DISCOURAGED . . .

My smile, my words, my expression of support, can make the difference to
someone who is wrestling with life.

9. TODAY I WILL NURTURE MY BODY . . .

I will eat less . . . I will eat only healthy foods. I will thank God for my
body.

10. TODAY I WILL GROW SPIRITUALLY . . .

I will spend a little more time in prayer today. I will begin reading
something spiritual or inspirational; I will find a quiet place (at some
point during this day) and listen to God's voice.

Luke 10:27

He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your
soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your
neighbor as yourself.'"

Luke 10:27

We learn three principles about loving our neighbor: (1) lack of love is
often easy to justify, even though it is never right; (2) our neighbor is
anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need; and (3) love
means acting to meet the person's needs. Wherever you live, there are needy
people close by. There is no good reason for refusing to help.

Remember, today is a gift from God so treat it preciously

-- Author Unknown

short story---what T.J.Drew

2009-08-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

WHAT T.J. DREW

A weary mother returned from the store,

Lugging groceries through the kitchen door.

Awaiting her arrival was her 8 year old son,

Anxious to relate what his younger brother had done.

"While I was out playing and Dad was on a call,

T.J. took his crayons and wrote on the wall!

It's on the new paper you just hung in the den.

I told him you'd be mad at having to do it again."

She let out a moan and furrowed her brow,

"Where is your little brother right now?"

She emptied her arms and with a purposeful stride,

She marched to his closet where he had gone to hide.

She called his full name as she entered his room.

He trembled with fear--he knew that meant doom!

For the next ten minutes, she ranted and raved

About the expensive wallpaper and how she had saved.

Lamenting all the work it would take to repair,

She condemned his actions and total lack of care.

The more she scolded, the madder she got,

Then stomped from his room, totally distraught!

She headed for the den to confirm her fears.

When she saw the wall, her eyes flooded with tears.

The message she read pierced her soul with a dart.

It said, "I love Mommy," surrounded by a heart.

Well, the wallpaper remained, just as she found it,

With an empty picture frame hung to surround it.

A reminder to her, and indeed to all,

Take time to read the handwriting on the wall.

-- Author Unknown

short story---unconditional acceptance

2009-08-12T22:06:00.000-07:00

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my
college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was
absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had
been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class
was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello
anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I
went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of
sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to
be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and
then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming feeling
of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there
standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short
gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling." His beautiful sky blue eyes were
full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he
counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his
hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally
deficient and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as
I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee
is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit
in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to
be warm). Then I really felt it-the compulsion was so great I almost reached
out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my
every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give
me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the
corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the
tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I leaned
over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is
here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I walked away
to join my husband and son.

When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you
to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time
we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able
to give.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to
college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in
"my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said,
"Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.
She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being
part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed. In my own way I
had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every
soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college
student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is to each and every person who may read this and
learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

-- Author Unknown

short story--tomorrow is not promised

2009-08-09T09:50:00.000-07:00

TOMORROW IS NOT PROMISED

Sometimes people come into your life

and you know right away that they were meant to be there,

they serve some sort of purpose,

teach you a lesson

or help figure out who you are

and who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be:

your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger

who, when you lock eyes with them,

you know at that very moment that they will affect your life

in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you

and at the time they seem painful and unfair,

but in reflection you realize

that without overcoming those obstacles

you would have never realized

your potential strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.

Nothing happens by chance

or by means of good or bad luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity

all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests,

whether they be events, illnesses or relationships,

life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere,

safe and comfortable,

but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life

and the successes and downfalls you experience

create who you are,

and even the bad experiences can be learned from,

In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,

forgive them,

for they have helped you learn about trust

and the importance of being cautious to

whom you open your heart...

If someone loves you,

love them back unconditionally,

not only because they love you,

but because they are teaching you to love

and opening your heart and eyes to things

you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count.

Appreciate every moment

and take from it everything that you possibly can,

for you may never be able to experience it again...

Talk to people you have never talked to before,

and actually listen,

let yourself fall in love,

break free and set your sights high...

Hold your head up because you have every right too.

Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself...

for if you don't believe in yourself,

no one else will believe in you either.

Create your own life

and then go out and live in it!

"Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...

Tomorrow is Not Promised"

-- Author Unknown

short story----The Rose

2009-07-25T21:39:00.000-07:00

THE ROSE

Red roses were her favorites,

Her name was also Rose,

And every year her husband sent them,

tied with pretty bows.

The year he died,

the roses were delivered to her door.

The card said, "Be my Valentine,"

like all the years before.

Each year he sent her roses,

and the note would always say,

"I love you even more this year,

than last year on this day.

My love for you will always grow,

with every passing year."

She knew this was the last time

that the roses would appear.

She thought, he ordered roses

in advance before this day.

Her loving husband did not know,

that he would pass away.

He always liked things early,

way before the time.

Then if he got too busy,

everything would work out fine.

She trimmed the stems,

and placed them in a very special vase.

Then, sat the vase

beside the portrait of his smiling face.

She would sit for hours,

in her husband's favorite chair.

While staring at his picture,

and the roses sitting there.

A year went by,

and it was hard to live without her mate.

With loneliness and solitude,

that had become her fate.

Then that very hour,

as on Valentine's before,

The doorbell rang, and there were roses,

sitting by her door.

She brought the roses in,

and just looked at them in shock.

Then, she went to get the telephone,

to call the florist shop.

The owner answered, and she asked him,

if he would explain,

Why would someone do this to her,

causing her such pain?

"I know your husband passed away,

more than a year ago,"

The owner said, "I knew you'd call,

and you would want to know.

The flowers you received today,

were paid for in advance,

your husband always planned ahead,

he left nothing to chance.

There is a standing order,

that I have on file down here,

as he has paid, well in advance,

you'll get them every year.

There is also another thing,

that I think you should know,

He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago,

Then should I find out that he's no longer here,

That's the card...that should be sent to you the following year."

She thanked him and hung up the phone,

her tears now flowing hard.

Her fingers shaking, as she slowly

reached to get the card.

Inside the card, she saw that he

had written her a note.

Then, as she stared in total silence,

this is what he wrote...

"Hello my love, I know

it's been a year since I've been gone,

I hope it hasn't been too hard

for you to overcome.

I know it must be lonely,

and the pain is very real.

Or if it was the other way,

I know how I would feel.

The love we shared made everything

so beautiful in life,

I loved you more than words can say,

you were the perfect wife.

You were my friend and lover,

you fulfilled my every need.

I know it's only been a year,

but please try not to grieve.

I want you to be happy,

even when you shed your tears.

That is why the roses

will be sent to you for years.

When you get these roses,

think of all the happiness,

that we had together,

and how both of us were blessed.

I have always loved you,

and you know I always will.

But my love, you must go on,

you have some living still.

Please... try to find happiness,

while living out your days.

I know it is not easy,

but I hope you find some ways.

The roses will come every year,

and they will only stop,

When your door's not answered,

when the florist stops to knock.

He will come five times that day,

in case you have gone out.

But after his last visit,

he will know without a doubt.

To take the roses to the place,

where I've instructed him.

And place them where we are,

together once again.

Sometimes in life, you find a special friend;

Someone who changes your life just by being part of it.

Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop;

Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world.

Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting
for you to open it.

This is forever friendship.

-- Author Unknown

the most beautiful flower....

2009-07-18T04:33:00.000-07:00

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL FLOWER

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read

Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree

Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown

For the world was intent on dragging me down

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day

A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play

He stood right before me with his head tilted down

And said with great excitement, "Look what I found"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight

With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light

Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play

I faked a small smile and then shifted away

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side

And placed the flower to his nose

And declared with overacted surprise

"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too"

"That's why I picked it; here, it's for you"

The weed before me was dying or dead

Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red

But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave

So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need"

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand

He held it mid-air without reason or plan

It was then that I noticed for the very first time

That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind

I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun

As I thanked him for picking the very best one

"You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play

Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see

A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree

How did he know of my self-indulged plight

Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see

The problem was not with the world; the problem was me

And for all of those times I myself had been blind

I vowed to see the beauty in life

And appreciate every second that's mine

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose

And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose

And smiled as I watched that young boy

Another weed in his hand

About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man

-- Author Unknown

Gardening...........

2009-06-06T02:24:00.000-07:00

It is the type of garden that we may plant anywhere
or at anytime of year. So I hope you will enjoy this special
garden so much that you will start planting one today!

Plant Three Rows Of Peas - For The Garden Of
Your Daily Living;
1. PEACE Of Mind
2. PEACE Of Heart
3. PEACE Of Soul

Plant Four Rows Of Squash;
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness

Plant Four Rows Of Lettuce;
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another

Now No Garden Should Be Without Turnips;
- So Plant 3 Rows Of Turnips;
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another

Finally Dear One, Your Garden Must Have Thyme;
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
4. Thyme for prayer

Water Freely With Patience & Cultivate With LOVE.
There should be much fruit in your garden, after all "We Reap
What We Sow." Therefore "Happy Gardening,

ABC News....banker saves ducks

2009-05-19T22:37:00.000-07:00

check out this video from abc news about these baby ducks

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=7619605

Carl's Garden......

2009-05-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

CARL'S GARDEN

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much. He would always greet you with a
big smile and a firm handshake. Even after living in our neighborhood for
over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.

Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight
of him walking down the street often worried us. He had a slight limp from a
bullet wound received in WW II. Watching him, we worried that although he
had survived WW II, he may not make it through our changing uptown
neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug
activity.

When he saw the flyer at our local church asking for volunteers for caring
for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in his
characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.
He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared
finally happened.

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members
approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked,
"Would you like a drink from the hose?"

The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure", with a
malevolent little smile. As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two
grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the
ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his
retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled. Carl tried to get himself
up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg.

He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help
him. Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he
couldn't get there fast enough to stop it. "Carl, are you okay? Are you
hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet. Carl just
passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.

"Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday." His wet clothes clung
to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle
again and started to water.

Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you
doing?"

"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately", came the calm
reply. Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could
only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.

A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was
unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink form his hose. This time they
didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head
to foot in the icy water.

When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the
street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at
the hilarity of what they had just done. Carl just watched them. Then he
turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with
his watering.

The summer was quickly fading into fall. Carl was doing some tilling when he
was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and
fell into some evergreen branches. As he struggled to regain his footing, he
turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormenters reaching down for
him. He braced himself for the expected attack. "Don't worry old man, I'm
not gonna hurt you this time." The young man spoke softly, still offering
the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl.

As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and
handed it to Carl. "What's this?" Carl asked.

"It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money
in your wallet."

"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?"

The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned
something from you", he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like
you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But
every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting
back, you tried to give us a drink. You didn't hate us for hating you. You
kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't
sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back." He paused for another
awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way
of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he
walked off down the street.

Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took
out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet,
he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride
that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.

He died one cold day after Christmas that winter. Many people attended his
funeral in spite of the weather. In particular the minister noticed a tall
young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the
church. The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life. In a voice
made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as
beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."

The following spring another flyer went up. It read: "Person needed to care
for Carl's garden." The flyer went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until
one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door. Opening the
door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the
flyer. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.

The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the
stolen watch and wallet to Carl. He knew that Carl's kindness had turned
this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden
shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him."

The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers
and vegetables just as Carl had done. In that time, he went to college, got
married and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot
his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought
Carl would have kept it.

One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care
for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife
just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."

"Well, congratulations! " said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed
keys. "That's wonderful! What's the baby's name?"

It was Carl.

-- Author Unknown

Brownie Crumbs........

2009-05-17T23:57:00.000-07:00

BROWNIE CRUMBS

Mrs. Baughman was my 6th grade Sunday School teacher. One morning, she
brought a pan of brownies to our class. As the goodies sat over by her
chair, she gave each child a slip of paper marked with a household expense:
house payment, utility bill, phone bill, entertainment, etc.

My slip had a car payment. Before long, Mrs. Baughman picked up the tray of
brownies and began naming the expenses written on the papers. As we gave her
our expenses, she redeemed each one for a brownie.

"Car payment" she announced. I jumped up to get my brownie from the pan.
Finally the last brownie had disappeared.

But one boy named Donald still held his unredeemed slip. "God!" called Mrs.
Baughman. Donald came forward hoping the teacher had one more brownie
hidden some where.

With a knife Mrs. Baughman scraped the crumbs from the bottom of the pan
into Donald's napkin. He got a pretty raw deal, I thought -just crumbs.

"The brownies represent your money", the teacher explained to us. "If you
don't give God his share right away, He probably won't get anything except
maybe the crumbs."

I never forgot that illustration. The day my friend Donald got only the
brownie crumbs, even as a child I learned that God should have the first
right to everything I have.

In the years since Mrs. Baughman class I have struggled with giving and
priorities, But whenever I recall the "Crummy Sunday School Lesson", I know
who should and must always come first in my life!

-- Author Unknown

the HOLY Alphabet..........

2009-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

The Holy Alphabet

A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
D o not begin to blame
E ven when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
G od is forever able
H old on to what you know
I magine life without His love
J oy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
L ove imparts to thee
M ove out of "Camp Complaining"
N o weapon that is known
O n earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Q uit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
T o "thank" is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
W e'll run the race with gratitude
X alting God most high
Y es, there'll be good times and yes some
will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

when you thought I was't looking..........

2009-05-02T02:18:00.000-07:00

WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING

When you thought I wasn't looking, by a Child

A message every parent should read, because your children are watching and
doing as you do, not as you say.

"When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the
refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned
that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me
and I learned that little things can be the special things in life.

When you though I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there
is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a
friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of
each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to
help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something
should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt
loved and safe.

When you though I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and
everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your
responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good and I learned that I would
have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I
learned that sometimes things hurt, but its all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be
everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I
need to know to be good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say,
'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'"

Each of us - parent, grandparent or friend - influence the life of a child.

-- Author Unknown

turn on your security system.........

2009-04-30T09:37:00.000-07:00

TURN YOUR SECURITY SYSTEM ON!

A horrible thing happened to me today.....a thief broke into my house. It
happened shortly after I awoke this morning. I got up and began rushing
about. I had a thousand things on my list and was already running behind.
Quickly, I gulped down breakfast, took a shower and got ready for work.

In my rush, I forgot to turn the security system on at my house. It was just
about a half an hour later that the thief broke in. Of course, he didn't
make a sound. Just kind of snuck inside, not drawing any attention to
himself. In fact, none of the neighbors ever saw him.

But, I did.

You see, I WAS HOME when the thief broke in.

He naturally startled me, as I was unprepared for his visit. He, of course,
didn't announce that he was coming and I certainly had not invited him over.

And yet, I found myself face to face with danger and I felt so powerless. I
also felt so very stupid, because this whole incident could have been
avoided if I had just taken the time to turn the security system on.

You better believe I'll be turning it on tomorrow morning! I thought I'd
warn you about this guy, because he's still on the loose. Chances are, he's
in your area. Possibly even headed for your house.

His name? His name is Satan. You see, this morning when I jumped up in my
haste to get started on my busy day, I skipped my prayer time - opting to
"pray later today." In other words, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM. My
defense wasn't on, my guard was dropped ..... and when the thief came into
my home to attack me, I was unprepared to do battle. He tempted me and I
felt powerless. Like I said, I also felt so very stupid, because I could
have avoided the incident if I had just taken the time to pray.

My friend, the thief has come to "steal, kill and destroy." And, as a Child
of God, you are on his "hit list." He'll probably pop over to your house
today. He may be lurking outside your door right now, just waiting to catch
you off guard.

Take time to pray this morning. Ask God to bind Satan from your very
presence, to protect you and empower you to do battle. In short ..... don't
forget to turn your security system on.

-- Author Unknown

TIME Management........

2009-04-28T22:04:00.000-07:00

TIME MANAGEMENT

One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business
students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students
will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered
overachiever s he said, "Okay, time for a quiz" and he pulled out a
one-gallon, wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him.

He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them,
one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more
rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?"

Everyone in the class yelled, "Yes." The time management expert replied,
"Really?" He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He
dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work
themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the
group once more, "Is the jar full?"

By this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one of them answered.
"Good!" he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of
sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the
spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the
question, "Is this jar full?"

"No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a
pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the
brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the point of this
illustration? "

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full
your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things
in it!" "No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point.

The truth this illustration teaches us is:

If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."

What are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your
faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or mentoring
others? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them
in at all.

So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story,
ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life?

Then, put those in your jar first.

-- Author Unknown

our Predestined Appointment......by Charles Stanley

2009-04-27T22:06:00.000-07:00

Our Predestined Appointment
Revelation 20:11-15

At the moment we were born, a countdown began on our lives. Every tick of the clock brings us one step closer to our inescapable appointment with God. Each of us will stand before Him as we are about to enter our eternal destination.

Tragically, there will be shocking disappointment for some. Jesus Himself warned, "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name . . . ?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matt. 7:22-23).

The only way to eternal life is through faith in Jesus. Truly, our sin has separated us from the Father. But God's Son provided the solution to this universal problem: Christ lived a perfect life and then died a sinner's death on the cross to pay the penalty each of us owed (Rom. 6:23). After three days, He rose from the grave, defeating death and evil. By accepting His sacrifice on our behalf, we no longer have to live apart from God.

To receive this amazing gift, we must simply believe in Jesus and what He did. As a result, we become new creations (2 Cor. 5:17), are adopted as God's children (Eph. 1:5), and enter into a never-ending personal relationship with our Father.

Do you have confidence about where you will spend eternity? You may assume you have time to figure out this important issue, but let me give you some wise advice: Don't wait another minute to settle the matter, because "later" may never come. Repent of your sin today, and follow Jesus.

time to think.........

2009-04-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

TIME TO THINK

My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted
out a tissue-wrapped package.

"This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the
tissue and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed
with a cobweb of lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was
still attached. "Jan bought this the first time we went to New York, at
least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was saving it for a special
occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from me and
put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician.
His hands lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the
drawer shut and turned to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special
occasion. Every day you're alive is a special occasion."

I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when
I helped him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an
unexpected death. I thought about them on the plane returning to California
from the Midwestern town where my sister's family lives. I thought about all
the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I thought about the things
that she had done without realizing that they were special.

I'm still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life. I'm reading
more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without
fussing about the weeds in the garden. I'm spending more time with my
family and friends and less time in committee meetings. Whenever possible,
life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I'm trying to
recognize these moments now and cherish them. I'm not "saving" anything; we
use our good china and crystal for every special event-such as losing a
pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom. I wear my
good blazer to the market if I like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I
can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing. I'm
not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores
and tellers in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going
friends. "Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my
vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear
and do it now.

I'm not sure what my sister would've done had she known that she wouldn't be
here for the tomorrow we all take for granted. I think she would have called
family members and a few close friends. She might have called a few former
friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think she
would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, her favorite food. I'm guessing -
I'll never know.

It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that
my hours were limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I
was going to get in touch with - "someday". Angry because I hadn't written
certain letters that I intended to write - one of these days. Angry and
sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough how much I
truly love them.

I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would
add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my
eyes, I tell myself that it is special.

Every day, every minute, every breath truly is... a gift from God.

If you've received this it is because someone cares for you. If you're too
busy to take the few minutes that it would take right now to forward this to
ten people, would it be the first time you didn't do that little thing that
would make a difference in your relationships? I can tell you it certainly
won't be the last. Take a few minutes to send this to a few people you care
about, just to let them know that you're thinking of them.

May God litter your life with blessings!

"You've got to dance like nobody's watching, and love like it's never going
to hurt."

"People say true friends must always hold hands, but true friends don't need
to hold hands because they know the other hand will always be there."

-- Author Unknown

Staying Young and Fruitful.....by Charles Stanley

2009-04-21T22:05:00.000-07:00

Staying Young and Fruitful
Psalm 92:12-15

Our culture is obsessed with youth. The marketplace is flooded with products promising better health, fewer wrinkles, and trim physique. However, these will only touch the surface of our aging problem. Unless death intervenes, growing old is inevitable. Living old, however, is a choice.

We each have to decide if we are going to flourish or dry up, grow strong or become weak. Physically, we may have no choice in the matter, but we can be young in soul and spirit, regardless of our chronological age.

When a righteous man is firmly planted in the Lord, he'll become fruitful in things that will last into eternity. We are never to retire from bearing fruit. Rather, God wants us to abide continually in an intimate connection with Him. In that way, we can do the work He has given us to accomplish (John 15:4).

A righteous man will grow strong in the Lord like a cedar of Lebanon (Psalm 92:12). These trees can grow to a height of 120 feet with a girth of 40 feet. That is one strong tree! As we walk with Christ into our latter years, we can have the confidence and stability that come only from growing strong in faith. Each year is an opportunity to trust God more and rely wholly on His Word.

Staying young while growing old begins with your mind. Never stop listening to the Lord and learning from His Word. Allow godly thinking to shape your attitudes. Be thankful, keep laughing, and rejoice in your Lord. Above all, keep believing and loving Him with all your heart.

the buzzard.....the bat......the bumblebee.........and people

2009-04-15T22:06:00.000-07:00

THE BUZZARD, THE BAT & THE BUMMBLEBEE

The Buzzard:

If you put a buzzard in a pen that is 6 feet by 8 feet and is entirely open
at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute
prisoner. The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the
ground with a run of 10 to 12 feet. Without space to run, as is its habit,
it will not even attempt to fly, but will remain a prisoner for life in a
small jail with no top.

The Bat:

The ordinary bat that flies around at night, a remarkable nimble creature in
the air, cannot take off from a level place. If it is placed on the floor
or flat ground, all it can do is shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt,
painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw
itself into the air. Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.

The Bumblebee:

A bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies,
unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but
persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom.
It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.

People:

In many ways, we are like the buzzard, the bat, and the bumblebee. We
struggle about with all our problems and frustrations, never realizing that
all we have to do is look up! That's the answer, the escape route and the
solution to any problem! Just look up!

Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, but faith looks up!

Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, and trust in our
Creator who loves us.

-- Author Unknown

the Master's Card...........

2009-04-01T22:32:00.000-07:00

THE MASTER'S CARD

By now you have probably seen the catchy television commercials for
MasterCard. They start by identifying some things that people can buy with
their MasterCard, then show a moment that is priceless and end by saying,
"There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there's
MasterCard."

For example, in one such commercial there is a man and his young son headed
to the baseball park. The commercial shows the dad buying his son a hot dog
and you hear the words, "Hot dog at the big league game...$3.00. "

The next scene shows the dad buying a game program and the words,
"Program...$ 6.00." Then, one of those large, orange hands with the fingers
forming a #1 is shown and you hear something like, "Large, orange
hand...$15.00. " The commercial finishes by showing the father explaining
some important aspect of the game to his son, who is listening intently as
he looks up at his father with excitement in his eyes, "Meaningful
conversation between a father and a son... priceless."

"There are some things money can't buy, for everything else there's
MasterCard."

Friends, I'm not unlike those agencies promoting their favorite credit card.
I'm here to advertise. You see, my life is a commercial for others to see.
I'm a card carrying representative for the Master's Card. That's right, the
MASTER'S CARD. Let me tell you about it. There are no finance charges, no
payments due. My bill has already been covered...it' s a prepaid deal. I
couldn't afford the price, so Jesus stepped in and paid it for me. My Name
is written on the card for all to see.

It is accessible twenty-four hours a day from anywhere in the world. The
MASTER'S CARD has so many benefits it's hard to list them all. Let me share
some of them with you...you might want to apply for a personal card
yourself. Just for starters there is UNLIMITED GRACE. That's right, there is
no preset limit to the amount of grace you receive from the MASTER'S CARD.
Have you been looking for love in all the wrong places? Then, look no
farther than the MASTER'S CARD. It offers the greatest rate on love that has
ever been offered.

The MASTER'S CARD gives you access to many "members only" benefits. Want
real joy despite the difficulties of life? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD. Want
a lasting peace? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD.

Want real joy despite the difficulties of life? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD.
Want a lasting peace? Apply for the MASTER'S CARD. Looking for something you
can always rely on in a jam? The MASTER'S CARD is perfect for you.

Another great thing about the MASTER'S CARD is that it never expires. Once
you're a member, you're a member for life...eternal life, that is.
Membership has its privileges, you know.

How do you receive the MASTER'S CARD. Dial 1-800-ROMANS10: 9 "if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that
God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Jesus is standing
by right now to take your call. Don't delay. This great offer won't last
forever. Peace, joy and hope: Invaluable. Faith, contentment and assurance:
Inestimable. Salvation: Priceless.

There are some things money can't buy. For those, there's the Master's Card.
Christian, why not be an advertisement for the MASTER'S CARD. Let your life
be a commercial today for Jesus Christ.

-- Author Unknown

the Mountain Climber.......

2009-04-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

THE MOUNTAIN CLIMBER

They tell the story of a mountain climber, who desperate to conquer the
Aconcagua, initiated his climb after years of preparation. But he wanted
the glory to himself, therefore, he went up alone. He started climbing and
it was becoming later, and later. He did not prepare for camping but
decided to keep on going. Soon it got dark...

Night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero.
Everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were covered by
clouds. As he was climbing a ridge at about 100 meters from the top, he
slipped and fell. Falling rapidly he could only see blotches of darkness
that passed. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity.

He kept falling....and in those anguishing moments good and bad memories
passed through his mind. He thought certainly he would die. But then he
felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Yes!! Like any good mountain
climber he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist.

In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air he had no other choice
but to shout, "HELP ME GOD", "HELP ME!"

All of a sudden he heard a deep voice from heaven..."What do you want me to
do?"

"SAVE ME"

"Do you REALLY think that I can save you?"

"OF COURSE, MY GOD"

"Then cut the rope that is holding you up."

There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man just held tighter
to the rope.

The rescue team says that the next day they found, a frozen mountain climber
hanging strongly to a rope... TWO FEET OFF THE GROUND.

How about you? How trusting are you in that rope? Why don't you let it go?
I tell you, God has great and marvelous thing for you.

CUT THE ROPE AND SIMPLY TRUST IN HIM...

-- Author Unknown

the Old Man and the Sea..........

2009-04-01T22:27:00.000-07:00

THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA

After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's pastor once
again slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit, and gave a very brief
introduction of his childhood friend. With that, an elderly man stepped up
to the pulpit to speak, "A father, his son, and a friend of his son were
sailing off the Pacific Coast," he began, "when a fast approaching storm
blocked any attempt to get back to shore. The waves were so high, that even
though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat
upright, and the three were swept into the ocean."

The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers
who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat
interested in his story. He continued, "Grabbing a rescue line, the father
had to make the most excruciating decision of his life....to which boy he
would throw the other end of the line. He only had seconds to make the
decision.

The father knew that his son was a Christian, and he also knew that his
son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the
torrent of waves. As the father yelled out, 'I love you, son!' he threw
the line to his son's friend. By the time he pulled the friend back to the
capsized boat, his son had disappeared beyond the raging swells into the
black of night. His body was never recovered."

By this time, the two teenagers were sitting straighter in the pew, waiting
for the next words to come out of the old man's mouth. "The father," he
continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus, and he could
not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without
Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son. How great is the love of God that
He should do the same for us." With that, the old man turned and sat back
down in his chair as silence filled the room.

Within minutes after the service ended, the two teenagers were at the old
man's side. "That was a nice story," politely started one of the boys, "but
I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his son's life
in hopes that the other boy would become a Christian."

"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his
worn Bible. A big smile broadened his narrow face, and he once again looked
up at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm
standing here today to tell you that THAT story gives me a glimpse of what
it must have been like for God to give up His Son for me."

"You see....I was that father, and your pastor was my son's friend."

-- Author Unknown

the Perfect Mistake........

2009-04-01T22:11:00.000-07:00

THE PERFECT MISTAKE

My Mother's father worked as a carpenter. On this particular day, he was
building some crates for the clothes his church was sending to orphanages in
China. On his way home, he reached into his shirt pocket to find his
glasses, but they were gone. When he mentally replayed his earlier actions,
he realized what had happened; the glasses had slipped out of his pocket
unnoticed and fallen into one of the crates, which he had nailed shut. His
brand new glasses were heading for China!

The Great Depression was at it's height and Grandpa had six children. He had
spent $20 for those glasses that very morning. He was upset by the thought
of having to buy another pair. "It's not fair," he told God as he drove home
in frustration. "I've been very faithful in giving of my time and money to
your work, and now this."

Months later, the director of the orphanage was on furlough in the United
States. He wanted to visit all the churches that supported him in China, so
he came to speak one Sunday at my grandfather' s small church in Chicago. The
missionary began by thanking the people for their faithfulness in supporting
the orphanage. "But most of all," he said, "I must thank you for the glasses
you sent last year. You see, the Communists had just swept through the
orphanage, destroying everything, including my glasses. I was desperate.
Even if I had the money, there was simply no way of replacing those glasses.
Along with not being able to see well, I experienced headaches every day, so
my coworkers and I were much in prayer about this. Then your crates arrived.
When my staff removed the covers, they found a pair of glasses lying on top.

The missionary paused long enough to let his words sink in. Then, still
gripped with the wonder of it all, he continued: "Folks, when I tried on the
glasses, it was as though they had been custom made just for me! I want to
thank you for being a part of that."

The people listened, happy for the miraculous glasses. But the missionary
surely must have confused their church with another, they thought. There
were no glasses on their list of items to be sent overseas. But sitting
quietly in the back, with tears streaming down his face, an ordinary
carpenter realized the Master Carpenter had used him in an extraordinary
way.

There are times we want to blame God instead of thanking him! Perhaps it is
something we ought to try more often, "Thank you God for not allowing my car
to start this morning." He may have been saving your life from a car
accident. "Lord Jesus, thank you for letting me lose my glasses; I'm sure
they'll be put to good use or there is a lesson to be learned."

-- Author Unknown

Baseball....the LORD's Baseball Game............

2009-03-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

THE LORD'S BASEBALL GAME

Bob and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was
playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to
zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.

They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was
Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never
fails. The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith
works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the
first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three
more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly wisdom never swings at
what Satan throws. The bases were loaded.

The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His
star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said, "He sure doesn't look
like much!" Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had
won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of
everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was
not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the
ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him
crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!

The Lord's team won.

The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could
get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know
why.

The Lord explained, "If your love, faith and wisdom had won the game you
would think you had done it by yourself. Love, faith and wisdom will get you
on base, but only My Grace can get you home. My Grace is the one thing Satan
cannot steal."

-- Author Unknown

the value of time..by John Maxwell

2009-03-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

The value of time

John C. Maxwell

"The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all." – Ecclesiastes 9:11

Time is valuable. Psychiatrist and author M. Scott Peck said, "Until you value yourself, you won't value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it."

In What to Do Between Birth and Death, Charles Spezzano says that people don't pay for things with money; they pay for them with time. If you say to yourself, In five years, I'll have put enough away to buy that vacation house, then what you are really saying is that the house will cost you five years—one-twelfth of your adult life. "The phrase spending your time is not a metaphor," said Spezzano. "It's how life works."

Instead of thinking about what you do and what you buy in terms of money, think about them in terms of time. Think about it. What is worth spending your life on? Seeing your work in that light just may change the way you manage your time.

* * *

Answer this question: Are the tasks on today's agenda worthy of my life?

Rules from GOD for 2009.............

2009-03-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

RULES FROM GOD FOR 2009

1. Wake Up !!

Decide to have a good day.

'Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it'
Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up !!

The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way
to improve your looks.

'The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward
appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.' I Samuel 16:7

3 Shut Up!!

Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so
He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

'He who guards his lips guards his soul.' Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!...

For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything..

'Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good...' Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!...

To the Lord.

'I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.' Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!...

For something higher.

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own
understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your
path.' Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up !!...

Your Prayers.

'Do not worry about anything; Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING.' Philippians
4:6

I thought this was mighty special, just like you.

Pass this on and brighten someone's day, and remember:

God answers Knee-Mail.

-- Author Unknown

the Awakening.........

2009-03-16T22:58:00.000-07:00

THE AWAKENING

A time comes in your life when you finally get it...when, in the midst of
all your fears and insanity, you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the
voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH!

Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child
quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder
once or twice, you blink back your tears and begin to look at the world
through new eyes.

This is your awakening.

You realize it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to
change...or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the
next horizon.

You come to terms with the fact that neither of you is Prince Charming or
Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairy tale endings
(or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever
after" must begin with you...and in the process a sense of serenity is born
of acceptance.

You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will
always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK.

They are entitled to their own views and opinions.

And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself...and in the
process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.

You stop complaining and blaming other people for the things they did to you
(or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really
count on is the unexpected.

You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say
and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always
about you.

So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself...and in the
process a sense of safety and security is born of self-reliance.

You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they
are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties..and in the
process a sense of peace and contentment is born of forgiveness.

You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around
you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been
ingrained into your psyche.

And you begin to sift through all the junk you've been fed about how you
should behave, how you should look, how much you should weigh, what you
should wear, what you should do for a living, how much money you should
make, what you should drive, how and where you should live, who you should
marry, the importance of having and raising children, and what you owe your
parents, family, and friends.

You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view.

And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are and what you really
stand for.

You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to
discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have
bought into to begin with ... and in the process you learn to go with your
instincts.

You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive.

And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop
maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.

You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated
ideals of a bygone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation
upon which you must build a life.

You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the
world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.

You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance
of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.

You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and
that martyrs get burned at the stake.

Then you learn about love.

How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk
away.

You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would
have them be.

You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.

And you learn that alone does not mean lonely.

You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing
things over and ignoring your needs.

You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK....and that it is
your right to want things and to ask for the things you want ... and that
sometimes it is necessary to make demands.

You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love,
kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less.

And you learn that your body really is your temple.

And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect.

You begin to eat a balanced diet, drink more water, and take more time to
exercise.

You learn that being tired fuels doubt, fear, and uncertainty and so you
take more time to rest.

And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul.

So you take more time to laugh and to play.

You learn that, for the most part, you get in life what you believe you
deserve...and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that
wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it
happen.

More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need
direction, discipline and perseverance.

You also learn that no one can do it all alone...and that it's OK to risk
asking for help.

You learn the only thing you must truly fear is the greatest robber baron of
all: FEAR itself.

You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that
whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away
the right to live life on your own terms.

And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a
cloud of impending doom.

You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think
you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good
people.

On these occasions you learn not to personalize things.

You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers.

It's just life happening.

And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego.

You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be
understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and
poison the universe that surrounds you.

You learn to admit when you are wrong and to build bridges instead of walls.

You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we
take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only
dream about: a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a
long hot shower.

Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you
make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never, ever settle
for less than your heart's desire.

And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind.

And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open
to every wonderful possibility.

Finally, with courage in your heart and God by your side you take a stand,
you take a deep breath, and you begin to design the life you want to live as
best you can.

-- Author Unknown

the Cab Ride

2009-03-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

THE CAB RIDE

Twenty years ago, I drove a cab for a living. It was a cowboy's life, a life
for someone who wanted no boss. What I didn't realize was that it was also a
ministry. Because I drove the night shift, my cab became a moving
confessional. Passengers climbed in, sat behind me in total anonymity, and
told me about their lives. I encountered people whose lives amazed me,
ennobled me, made me laugh and weep. But none touched me more than a woman I
picked up late one August night.

I responded to a call from a small brick fourplex in a quiet part of town.
I assumed I was being sent to pick up some partiers, or someone who had just
had a fight with a lover, or a worker heading to an early shift at some
factory in the industrial part of town. When I arrived at 2:30 a.m., the
building was dark except for a single light in a ground floor window.

Under these circumstances, many drivers would just honk once or twice, wait
a minute, then drive away. But I had seen too many impoverished people who
depended on taxis as their only means of transportation. Unless a situation
smelled of danger, I always went to the door. This passenger might be
someone who needed my assistance, I reasoned to myself. So I walked to the
door and knocked.

"Just a minute," answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something
being dragged across the floor. After a long pause, the door opened. A small
woman in her 80s stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a
pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940's movie.
By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one
had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets. There
were no clocks on the walls, no knick-knacks or utensils on the counters. In
the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

"Would you carry my bag out to the car?" she said.

I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman. She took
my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb. She kept thanking me for my
kindness.

"It's nothing," I told her. "I just try to treat my passengers the way I
would want my mother treated."

"Oh, you're such a good boy," she said.

When we got in the cab, she gave me an address, then asked, "Could you drive
through downtown?"

"It's not the shortest way," I answered quickly.

"Oh, I don't mind," she said. "I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice".

I looked in the rearview mirror. Her eyes were glistening.

"I don't have any family left," she continued. "The doctor says I don't have
very long."

I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

"What route would you like me to take?" I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the
building where she had once worked as an elevator operator. We drove through
the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were
newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had
once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl. Sometimes she'd
ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit
staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, "I'm
tired. Let's go now."

We drove in silence to the address she had given me. It was a low building,
like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.
Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been
expecting her. I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door.
The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

"How much do I owe you?" she asked, reaching into her purse.

"Nothing," I said.

"You have to make a living," she answered.

"There are other passengers," I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me
tightly.

"You gave an old woman a little moment of joy," she said. "Thank you."

I squeezed her hand, then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a
door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly, lost in
thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman
had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift? What
if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away? On a
quick review, I don't think that I have done very many more important things
in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments. But
great moments often catch us unaware - beautifully wrapped in what others
may consider small ones.

-- Author Unknown

a thought........

2009-03-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

You'll notice that a turtle only makes progress when it sticks out its neck.

What are you doing with your weekend.........

2009-03-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY COMPOSERS
By Dr. Michael A. Halleen

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. . . . (Let us) use it in proportion to (our) faith." (Romans 12:6)

Alexander Borodin was a nineteenth century Russian composer, a member of "The Mighty Handful," a group of that nation's five leading composers dedicated to producing a distinctly Russian music. His opera, Prince Igor, is thought by some to have been his most significant work.

Borodin, however, always considered himself no more than a part-time musician—a "Sunday composer," as he called himself. His training and professional career were in organic chemistry. He worked as a researcher in that field, writing scholarly articles and delivering lectures in Russian universities and throughout Western Europe. But on weekends, as a hobby, he wrote string quartets and symphonic poems—and Prince Igor. It's that music that became his legacy to the world. Likewise . . .

- Socrates was a stonemason who made a good honest, living. But he was a curious man, and in his off hours he asked questions and challenged people to think. Today he's remembered as the founder of Western philosophical thought.

- Alexander Graham Bell was a teacher whose wife was nearly deaf, and at least in part as an effort to assist her to hear better, he invented the telephone. What started as weekend tinkering to solve a domestic communication problem revolutionized communication for all.

- The Wright brothers built bicycles in Ohio, but when business was slow they fiddled around with the idea of flying. It was just a sideline. Then came that December day in Kitty Hawk, and the Wrights would forever be associated with flight.

- Jimmy Carter was, in many ways, an undistinguished, garden-variety U.S. president. Since leaving office, however, he has achieved greatness in still another career as an international diplomat and humanitarian.

The gifts that lie within many are too great to be confined to a single avenue of expression. The interests that drive some spirits are too varied and rich to be satisfied with punching the same clock for forty years. And, for a certainty, the needs of the world go well beyond the contribution any of us can make to meet them in a mere eight hours per day. We need more "Sunday composers."

Are there dreams still hidden in you? What are you doing next weekend?

the Barber.......

2009-03-13T22:58:00.000-07:00

THE BARBER

After twenty years of shaving himself every morning, a man in a small Southern town decided he had enough. He told his wife that he intended to let the local barber shave him each day. He put on his hat and coat and went to the barber shop, which was owned by the pastor of the town's Baptist Church. The barber's wife, Grace, was working that day, so she performed the task. Grace shaved him and sprayed him with lilac water, and said, "That will be $20."

The man thought the price was a bit high, but he paid the bill and went to work. The next morning the man looked in the mirror, and his face was as smooth as it had been when he left the barber shop the day before.

Not bad, he thought. At least I don't need to get a shave every day. The next morning, the man's face was still smooth. Two weeks later, the man was still unable to find any trace of whiskers on his face. It was more than he could take, so he returned to the barber shop.

"I thought $20 was high for a shave", he told the barber's wife, "but you must have done a great job. It's been two weeks and my whiskers still haven't started growing back."

The expression on her face didn't even change, expecting his comment. She responded, "You were shaved by Grace and once shaved, always shaved!"

-- Author Unknown

what is death.....but to be free

2009-03-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

I'M FREE

Don't grieve for me for now I'm free,
I'm following the path God laid for me.
I took His hand when I heard Him call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at the close of the day.

If my parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.

But be not burdened with times of sorrow,
For I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full. I've savored much,
Good friends, good times and loved ones'
touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me.
God wanted me now. He set me free!

to Focus on God............by Charles Stanley

2009-03-12T23:41:00.000-07:00

Focusing on God
Genesis 37:5-11

"Man is born for trouble" (Job 5:7). There is no way to avoid or escape this common condition of mankind. As we continue to look at Joseph's life, we get a glimpse of the anchor that held him steady while, one after another, the waves of affliction rolled over him.

When Joseph was a teenager, he was given two dreams about the Lord's future plans for his life. They revealed that he would one day be in a place of authority and honor, and his family would bow down to him. Scripture had not yet been written in those days, and the Lord would sometimes speak to men in their dreams.

Previously, God had spoken to Jacob in a dream and given him a promise (Gen. 28:10-16). And now his son was hearing from the Lord in the same way. Joseph followed his father's example of faith and believed the message.

The Lord knew that Joseph was going to need a promise to get him through the difficulty that would soon follow. God's Word to him was his anchor. During all the trials, Joseph kept on believing that the Lord would fulfill His promise. He focused on the faithfulness of the God, not on his circumstances.

When the Lord speaks to our hearts through Scripture, we can hold onto what He says as an anchor for our souls. He will keep His promises to us, just as He did for Joseph. When we focus on God and His Word, our fears will dwindle, our sense of need will diminish, and our doubts will be cleared away.

Trials in life..........by Charles Stanley

2009-03-12T23:36:00.000-07:00

Through Times of Trial
Genesis 39:19-23

When the problems of life seem overwhelming, we need someone to come alongside and help us to see our difficulties through the eyes of our sovereign God. Joseph is just such a person. Although he lived thousands of years ago, his story still speaks to us with great insights into the Lord's purposes.

Joseph experienced a wide variety of trials--hatred, rejection, and betrayal by his brothers; loss of home, family, and freedom; false accusation and imprisonment; and the loneliness and disappointment of being forgotten. His life was a series of difficult and unfair situations, yet Scripture never records any bitterness or revenge in Joseph's responses to all these circumstances.

Though outwardly it may have seemed as if God had abandoned the young man, inwardly He was doing some awesome work in Joseph's heart. The Lord had some big plans for him, and He knew that these trials would be the most effective tools for preparing His servant for the work that lay ahead.

As Joseph responded to each situation with faith in God and diligence in every task assigned to him, one fact became obvious to all who knew him: the Lord was with Joseph (Gen. 41:38-39).

We need to remember this when we are going through hard times. The Lord is with us even when our circumstances shout that He has deserted us. We may have little control over the difficulties we face, but we each have a choice of how to respond. Joseph calls to us from a time long past, urging us to trust God.

Church Bulletin Bloopers..........

2009-03-06T21:16:00.000-08:00

these sentences actually appeared in Church Bulletins or were
announced in Church Services. So sit back and let us begin.....
___________________________

Bertha Belch, a missionary from Africa, will be speaking tonight at
Calvary Methodist. Come hear Bertha Belch all the way from Africa.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sermon this morning: "Jesus Walks on the Water." The sermon
tonight: "Searching for Jesus."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our youth basketball team is back in action Wednesday at 8 PM in
the recreation hall. Come out and watch us beat Christ the King.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of
those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your
husbands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled
due to a conflict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile
at someone who is hard to love. Say "Hell" to someone who doesn't
care much about you.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Don't let worry kill you off - let the Church help.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Miss Charlene Mason sang "I will not pass ! this way again," giving
obvious pleasure to the congregation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a
nursery downstairs.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the
help they can get.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Barbara remains in the hospital and needs blood donors for more
transfusions. She is also having trouble sleeping and requests
tapes of Pastor Jack's sermons.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

a Round Tuit........

2009-03-05T08:50:00.000-08:00

A ROUND TUIT

This is a Tuit. Guard

it with your life as Tuits

are hard to come by, especially

the round ones. This is an indispen-

sable item. It will help you become

a more efficient worker. For years we

have heard people say, "I'll do it as

soon as I get a Round Tuit." Now

that you have one, you can ac-

complish all those things

you put aside until

you got a Round

Tuit!

10 rules to post on the fridge

2009-03-05T08:47:00.000-08:00

10 RULES TO POST ON THE FRIDGE

There are some important things that your teachers didn't teach you in
kindergarten, and that you didn't learn anywhere in school. Following

are 10 essential rules of life:

RULE 1: Life is not fair; get used to it.

RULE 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect
you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

RULE 3: You will not make $40,000 a year right out of high school. And you
won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

RULE 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss. She
doesn't have tenure.

RULE 5: Flipping burgers is NOT beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had
a different word for burger flipping; they called it opportunity.

RULE 6: If you screw up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about
your mistakes. Learn from them.

RULE 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are
now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes, and
listening you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain
forest from the blood-sucking parasites of your parents'

generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

RULE 8: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off, and
very few employers are interested in helping you find yourself. Do that on
your own time.

RULE 9: Television is not real life. In real life people actually have to
leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

RULE 10: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

Resentment

2009-03-05T08:29:00.000-08:00

RESENTMENT

"Resentment is like taking poison and waiting for the other person to die."

God's Word..........

2009-03-05T08:27:00.000-08:00

GETTING A HANDLE ON GOD'S WORD

Over time you will learn that there are a variety of "delivery systems" for
God's Word. At times you will simply HEAR the Word as someone like your
pastor speaks on Sunday. At times you might READ through large sections of
the Bible as you would an exciting novel. As you begin to grow you will
probably find yourself wanting to understand the Bible at a more significant
level, so you will begin to STUDY it like a textbook. Your study might
become so exciting that you find a verse or passage that you want to
MEMORIZE...When God begins to speak to you through the Bible you will find
yourself stopping to contemplate and reflect on what you are hearing. This
is the practice of biblical MEDITATION. These five delivery systems will
help get a handle on God's Word.

Thoughts........

2009-03-05T08:25:00.000-08:00

"It's good to have money and the things money can buy, but it's good too, to
check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things
money can't buy."

Taking Aim.............

2009-03-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

TAKING AIM

A young lady named Sally, relates an experience she had in a seminary class,
given by her teacher, Dr. Smith. She says Dr. Smith was known for his
elaborate object lessons.

One particular day, Sally walked into the seminary and knew they were in for
a fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were many
darts. Dr. Smith told the students to draw a picture of someone that they
disliked or someone who had made them angry, and he would allow them to
throw darts at the person's picture.

Sally's girlfriend drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend.
Another friend drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture
of a former friend, putting a great deal of detail into her drawing, even
drawing pimples on the face. Sally was pleased a the overall effect she had
achieved.

The class lined up and began throwing darts, with much laughter and
hilarity. Some of the students threw their darts with such force that their
targets were ripping apart. Sally looked forward to her turn, and was
filled with disappointment when Dr. Smith, because of time limits, asked the
students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn't have a
chance to throw any darts at her target, Dr. Smith began removing the target
from the wall.

Underneath the target was a picture of Jesus...

A complete hush fell over the room as each student viewed the mangled
picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were
pierced.

Dr. Smith said these words, "In as much as ye have done it unto the least of
these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me." No other words were necessary;
the tear-filled eyes of each student focused only on the picture of Christ.

"And the King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the
extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of
them, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:40

-- Author Unknown

Resurrection.........by Charles Stanley

2009-02-26T21:08:00.000-08:00

Resurrection: Our New Body
2 Corinthians 5:1-10

What a scene will occur at the sounding of the Lord's trumpet! The "dead in Christ" will emerge from their resting places all over the earth and soar into the sky; these saints' resurrected bodies will reunite with their spirits, which will have been residing in heaven with Jesus. Close behind them will follow believers who haven't yet departed this life--at that moment, they'll miraculously be changed as they are "caught up . . . to meet the Lord in the air" (1 Thess. 4:16-17).

The description sounds extraordinary, but in fact, the plan is practical. We're going to need a body with which to enjoy the new heaven and new earth that Jesus is preparing for His followers. However, earthly flesh and bones will not do. They age, break, and succumb to sin. So God promised to transform our humble structures into glorious bodies like the one Christ had after His resurrection. Common temptations and limitations will be gone. In addition, our physical substance will be altered so that we are not restricted by time and space. Remember, Jesus didn't bother with doors (John 20:19)! Our new bodies will be suited for the environment where we are to dwell forever--an ageless eternity in which all of our needs are perfectly met.

Each believer will still be him- or herself. Friends and family long separated will recognize one another; our personalities will be unchanged, except that we'll be absolutely sinless. At last, you and I will be the persons that God intends for us to be. And we'll be housed in a body fashioned like that of Christ--perfect, sinless, and complete.

Death.........by Charles Stanley

2009-02-26T21:06:00.000-08:00

The Good News about Death
1 Corinthians 15:50-58

The Word of God teaches that physical death is the beginning of a new existence for believers. The Lord has prepared an eternal home where those who honor His name can rejoice forever. The condition for entry is simple: believe that Jesus Christ died for your sins, and receive His forgiveness.

Some people regard this prerequisite for admittance as narrow-minded. Hanging a "For Believers Only" sign on a place as special as heaven seems unfair to them. God set up that limitation for a reason. All the way back in the Garden of Eden, He laid down a law to protect His creation: Do not disobey Me. The penalty for breaking that command is death.

Of course, we all violate the law because we are flawed human beings. In order to save people from the consequence of their wrongdoing, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to shoulder all of our sin and die in our place. Our Savior fulfilled the law while taking our punishment. The good news is that He did not remain in the grave--Christ arose victoriously after three days!

God promised in His Word that those who receive Jesus Christ as Savior share in His resurrection. When a believer dies, the heavenly gate swings open, and he or she has the same triumph over death that Jesus did. This means that when we leave this world, we do not simply disappear into vapor. We continue serving the Lord in heaven.

Death is not the end. It's the moment we claim our ultimate victory over the lord of this world, Satan, by entering God's presence forever.

the PERKS of getting older with age

2009-02-15T21:49:00.000-08:00

PERKS OF REACHING 50 OR BEING OVER 60 AND HEADING TOWARDS 70

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?

05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

07. Things you buy now won't wear out.

08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.

09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

PEACE.......the BEATLES or JESUS....by Bill Crowder

2009-02-15T08:36:00.000-08:00

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds. —Philippians 4:7

At the height of their popularity, creativity, and wealth, the Beatles produced a controversial project called “The White Album.” It signaled the breakup of the band by featuring pieces that were primarily individual in nature instead of collaborative.

It also revealed a growing disenchantment with all that their fame had produced. In his song “I’m So Tired,” John Lennon expressed the emptiness of his “successful” and wealthy life with these profound words: “I’d give you everything I’ve got for a little peace of mind.” All that he had, all that he had accomplished, and all that he had become could not meet this simple, yet deep, personal need.

The world we live in cannot offer peace. It offers only poor options. Pleasure, power, and possessions are no substitute for peace of heart and mind.

Paul reminded the believers at Philippi, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7). This is the peace God brings to those who have been reconciled to God by faith in His Son Jesus (Eph. 2:14-16). It is a peace we are to share with a world that is desperate for it.

Peace—real peace—is found only in a relationship with Jesus. Have you received His peace? —Bill Crowder

Finding Real Peace
Accept the reconciliation God offers by asking Him
to forgive you. Believe that His Son Jesus died on the
cross for your sins and was raised from the dead.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. —Jesus

Twenty-one thoughts to live by..........

2009-02-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

TWENTY ONE THOUGHTS TO LIVE BY

ONE. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

TWO. Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, t heir
conversational skills will be as important as any other.

THREE. Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

FOUR. When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.

FIVE. When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

SIX. Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

SEVEN. Believe in love at first sight.

EIGHT. Never laugh at anyone's dreams. People who don't have dreams don't
have much.

NINE. Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way
to live life completely.

TEN.. In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

ELEVEN. Don't judge people by their relatives.

TWELVE. Talk slowly but think quickly.

THIRTEEN! .... When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer,
smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

FOURTEEN. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great
risk.

FIFTEEN. Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

SIXTEEN. When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

SEVENTEEN. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and
Responsibility for all your actions.

EIGHTEEN. Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

NINETEEN. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to
correct it.

TWENTY. Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your
voice.

TWENTY- ONE. Spend some time alone.

Knock Knock

2009-02-15T08:29:00.000-08:00

KNOCK KNOCK

I knocked at heaven's door this morning.

God asked me...'My child, what can I do for you?'

And I said, 'Father, please protect and bless the person reading this
message.'

God smiled and answered...' Request granted'.

Billy Graham Quotes........

2009-02-15T08:27:00.000-08:00

BILLY GRAHAM QUOTES

"My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with
God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ."

"Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God."

"The most eloquent prayer is the prayer through hands that heal and bless."

"The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course."

"It is not the body's posture, but the heart's attitude that counts when we
pray."

"A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have
true respect for anyone."

"A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town
gossip."

"Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion - it is a
daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ."

"Believers, look up - take courage. The angels are nearer than you think."

"Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity
has."

"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others
are often stiffened."

"Give me five minutes with a person's checkbook, and I will tell you where
their heart is."

"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give
with."

"God is more interested in your future and your relationships than you are."

"God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it
was God saying to the world, "I love you.""

"God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it
takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there."

"God's angels often protect his servants from potential enemies."

"I just want to lobby for God."

"I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all
right."

"If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help
straighten out almost every other area in his life."

"If we had more hell in the pulpit, we would have less hell in the pew."

"Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for
goodness."

"My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world."

"Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love."

"Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in
the molding of character in her children."

"Only those who want everything done for them are bored."

"Read the Bible. Work hard and honestly. And don't complain."

"Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul.
Was it worth it?"

"Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a
sign of strength."

"The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep
discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and
say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'"

"The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion,
not freedom from religion."

"The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service.
The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the
lost and helpless."

"The men who followed Him were unique in their generation. They turned the
world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The
world has never been the same."

"The word 'romance,' according to the dictionary, means excitement,
adventure, and something extremely real. Romance should last a lifetime."

"There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when
riches possess men."

"We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing."

"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is
lost; when character is lost, all is lost."

"You're born. You suffer. You die. Fortunately, there's a loophole."

Pancakes and Love......

2009-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

PANCAKES AND LOVE

Six year old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents
pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter,
opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on
the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed
in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the
floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered
with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good
for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do
next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove, and he didn't
know how the stove worked!

Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push
her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to
clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas
white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big
crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was make
them proud. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But
his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up
his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and
sticky in the process.

That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it
turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend or we
can't stand our job or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there
in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God
picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets
all over Him. But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to
"make pancakes," for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right,
and then they'll be glad we tried...

-- Author Unknown

my unseen guest..........

2009-02-15T08:21:00.000-08:00

"My Unseen Guest"

God walks the trail with me each day,
He is my Friend, My Guide
However long or steep the road,
He's ever by my side.

He sits with me in evening's hush;
We speak, we laugh, we pray,
And my heart sings a joyful song...
He's never far away.

And through each dark and lonely night,
He's guarding from above.
In perfect peace, I rest secure
In His eternal love.
Poet, Lee Simmons

PAPPY...........

2009-02-15T03:50:00.000-08:00

PAPPY

Pappy was a pleasant-looking old fellow. He had the whitest hair which he
kept neatly cut and combed. His eyes were blue, though faded with age, and
they seemed to emit a warmth from within. His face was quite drawn, but when
he smiled, even his wrinkles seemed to soften and smile with him. He had a
talent for whistling and did so happily each day as he dusted and swept his
pawnshop; even so, he had a secret sadness, but everyone who knew him
respected and adored him.

Most of Pappy's customers returned for their goods, and he did not do much
business, but he did not mind. To him, the shop was not a livelihood as much
as a welcome pastime.

There was a room in the back of his shop where he spent time tinkering with
a menagerie of his own precious items. He referred to this back room as
"memory hall." In it were pocket watches, clocks, and electric trains. There
were miniature steam engines and antique toys made of wood, tin, or cast
iron, and there were various other obsolete trinkets as well.

Spending time in memory hall delighted him as he recalled many treasured
moments from his past. He handled each item with care, and sometimes he
would close his eyes and pause to relive a sweet, simple childhood memory.

One day, Pappy was working to his heart's content reassembling an old
railroad lantern. As he worked, he whistled the melody of a railroad tune
and reminisced about his own past as a switchman. It was a typical day at
the shop. Outside, the sun illuminated the clear sky, and a slight wind
passed through the door. Whenever the weather was this nice, Pappy kept the
inner door open. He enjoyed the fresh air-almost as much as the distinctive
smell of antiques and old engine oil.

As he was polishing his newly restored lantern, he heard the tinkling of his
bell on the shop door. The bell, which produced a uniquely charming
resound, had been in Pappy's family for over a hundred years. He cherished
it dearly and enjoyed sharing its song with all who came to his shop.
Although the bell hung on the inside of the main door, Pappy had strung a
wire to the screen door so that it would ring whether the inner door was
open or not. Prompted by the bell, he left memory hall to greet his
customer.

At first, he did not see her. Her shiny, soft curls barely topped the
counter.

"And how can I help you, little lady?" Pappy's voice was jovial.

"Hello, sir." The little girl spoke almost in a whisper. She was dainty.
Bashful. Innocent. She looked at Pappy with her big brown eyes, then slowly
scanned the room in search of something special. Shyly she told him, "I'd
like to buy a present, sir."

"Well, let's see," Pappy said, "who is this present for?"

"My grandpa. It's for my grandpa. But I don't know what to get."

Pappy began to make suggestions. "How about a pocket watch? It's in good
condition. I fixed it myself," he said proudly.

The little girl didn't answer. She had walked to the doorway and put her
small hand on the door. She wiggled the door gently to ring the bell.
Pappy's face seemed to glow as he saw her smiling with excitement.

"This is just right," the little girl bubbled. "Momma says grandpa loves
music."

Just then, Pappy's expression changed. Fearful of breaking the little girl's
heart, he told her, "I'm sorry, missy. That's not for sale. Maybe your
grandpa would like this little radio."

The little girl looked at the radio, lowered her head, and sadly sighed,
"No, I don't think so."

In an effort to help her understand, Pappy told her the story of how the
bell had been in his family for so many years, and that was why he didn't
want to sell it.

The little girl looked up at him, and with a giant tear in her eye, sweetly
said, "I guess I understand. Thank you, anyway."

Suddenly, Pappy thought of how the rest of the family was all gone now,
except for his estranged daughter whom he had not seen in nearly a decade.

Why not, he thought. Why not pass it on to someone who will share it with a
loved one? God only knows where it will end up anyway.

"Wait...little lady." Pappy spoke just as the little girl was going out the
door--just as he was hearing his bell ring for the last time. "I've decided
to sell the bell. Here's a hanky. Blow your nose."

The little girl began to clap her hands. "Oh, thank you, sir. Grandpa will
be so happy."

"Okay, little lady. Okay." Pappy felt good about helping the child; he knew,
however, he would miss the bell. "You must promise to take good care of the
bell for your grandpa--and for me, too, okay?" He carefully placed the bell
in a brown paper bag.

"Oh, I promise," said the little girl. Then, she suddenly became very still
and quiet. There was something she had forgotten to ask. She looked up at
Pappy with great concern, and again almost in a whisper, asked, "How much
will it cost?"

"Well, let's see. How much have you got to spend?" Pappy asked with a grin.

The child pulled a small coin purse from her pocket then reached up and
emptied two dollars and forty-seven cents onto the counter.

After briefly questioning his own sanity, Pappy said, "Little lady, this is
your lucky day. That bell costs exactly two dollars and forty-seven cents."

Later that evening as Pappy prepared to close up shop, he found himself
thinking about his bell. Already he had decided not to put up another one.
He thought about the child and wondered if her grandpa like his gift. Surely
he would cherish anything from such a precious grandchild.

At that moment, just as he was going to turn off the light in memory hall,
Pappy thought he heard his bell. Again, he questioned his sanity; he turned
toward the door, and there stood the little girl. She was ringing the bell
and smiling sweetly.

Pappy was puzzled as he strolled toward the small child. "What's this,
little lady? Have you changed your mind?"

"No," she grinned. "Momma says it's for you."

Before Pappy had time to say another word, the child's mother stepped into
the doorway, and choking back a tear, she gently said, "Hello, Dad."

The little girl tugged on her grandpa's shirttail. "Here, Grandpa. Here's
your hanky. Blow your nose."

-- Author Unknown

Pinewood Derby [the wisdom of a child ]

2009-02-15T03:41:00.000-08:00

PINEWOOD DERBY (The wisdom of a child)

My son Gilbert was eight years old and had been in Cub Scouts only a short
time. During one of his meetings he was handed a sheet of paper, a block of
wood and four tires and told to return home and give all to "dad".

That was not an easy task for Gilbert to do. Dad was not receptive to doing
things with his son. But Gilbert tried. Dad read the paper and scoffed at
the idea of making a pine wood derby car with his young, eager son. The
block of wood remained untouched as the weeks passed.

Finally, mom stepped in to see if I could figure this all out. The project
began. Having no carpentry skills, I decided it would be best if I simply
read the directions and let Gilbert do the work. And he did. I read aloud
the measurements, the rules of what we could do and what we couldn't do.

Within days his block of wood was turning into a pinewood derby car. A
little lopsided, but looking great (at least through the eyes of mom).
Gilbert had not seen any of the other kids' cars and was feeling pretty
proud of his "Blue Lightning", the pride that comes with knowing you did
something on your own.

Then the big night came. With his blue pinewood derby in his hand and pride
in his heart we headed to the big race. Once there my little one's pride
turned to humility. Gilbert's car was obviously the only car made entirely
on his own. All the other cars were a father-son partnership, with cool
paint jobs and sleek body styles made for speed.

A few of the boys giggled as they looked at Gilbert's lopsided, wobbly,
unattractive vehicle. To add to the humility, Gilbert was the only boy
without a man at his side. A couple of the boys who were from single parent
homes at least had an uncle or grandfather by their side, Gilbert had "mom".

As the race began it was done in elimination fashion. You kept racing as
long as you were the winner. One by one the cars raced down the finely
sanded ramp. Finally it was between Gilbert and the sleekest, fastest
looking car there. As the last race was about to begin, my wide eyed, shy
eight year old ask if they could stop the race for a minute, because he
wanted to pray. The race stopped.

Gilbert went to his knees clutching his funny looking block of wood between
his hands. With a wrinkled brow he set to converse with his Father. He
prayed in earnest for a very long minute and a half. Then he stood, smile on
his face and announced, 'Okay, I am ready."

As the crowd cheered, a boy named Tommy stood with his father as their car
sped down the ramp. Gilbert stood with his Father within his heart and
watched his block of wood wobble down the ramp with surprisingly great speed
and rushed over the finish line a fraction of a second before Tommy's car.

Gilbert leaped into the air with a loud "Thank You" as the crowd roared in
approval. The Scout Master came up to Gilbert with microphone in hand and
asked the obvious question, "So you prayed to win, huh, Gilbert?"

To which my young son answered, "Oh, no sir. That wouldn't be fair to ask
God to help you beat someone else. I just asked Him to make it so I wouldn't
cry when I lost."

Children seem to have a wisdom far beyond us. Gilbert didn't ask God to win
the race, he didn't ask God to fix the outcome. Gilbert asked God to give
him strength in the outcome. When Gilbert first saw the other cars he didn't
cry out to God, "No fair, they had a father's help!". No, he went to his
Father for strength. Perhaps we spend too much of our prayer time asking God
to rig the race, to make us number one, or too much time asking God to
remove us from the struggle, when we should be seeking God's strength to get
through the struggle. "I can do everything through Him who gives me
strength." Philippians 4:13

Gilbert's simple prayer spoke volumes to those present that night. He never
doubted that God would indeed answer his request. He didn't pray to win,
thus hurt someone else, he prayed that God supply the grace to lose with
dignity. Gilbert, by his stopping the race to speak to his Father also
showed the crowd that he wasn't there without a "dad", but His Father was
most definitely there with him. Yes, Gilbert walked away a winner that
night, with his Father at his side.

May we all learn to pray this way.

-- Author Unknown

How is healthy is your church..........

2009-02-14T20:41:00.000-08:00

A t-Shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes was literally
Bill's wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He was
brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. He became a
Christian while attending college. Across the street from the
campus was a well-dressed, very conservative church. They
wanted to develop a ministry to the students but were not
sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decided to go there. He walked in with no
shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service had
already started and so Bill walked down the aisle looking for a
seat. The church was completely packed and he couldn't find
a seat. By now, people were really looking a bit uncomfortable,
but no one said anything. Bill got closer and closer and closer
to the pulpit, and when he realized there were no seats, he
just sat down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in
the air was thick. About that time, the minister realized
that from way at the back of the church, a deacon was slowly
making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon was in his
eighties, had silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly
man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walked with
a cane and, as he started walking toward this boy, everyone
was saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what
he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and
of his background to understand some college kid on
the floor?

It took a long time for the man to reach the boy. The
church was utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's
cane. All eyes were focused on him. You couldn't even hear
anyone breathing. The minister couldn't even preach the
sermon until the deacon did what he had to do. And now
they saw this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With
great difficulty, he lowered himself and sat down next to Bill,
smiles, shakes his hand, and worshiped with him so he
won't be alone.

Everyone choked up with emotion. When the minister
regained control, he said, "What I'm about to preach, you
will never remember. What you have just seen, you will
never forget."

The moral of the story, "Be careful how you live. You may
be the only Bible some people will ever read".

the Cross--a Symbol of Supreme Love.....by Charles Stanley

2009-02-13T20:50:00.000-08:00

The Cross: Symbol of Supreme Love
John 10:18

Countless people wear a cross because it symbolizes Christianity. But few fully grasp the depth of love that it represents.

The cross stands for what is arguably history's most painful method of execution. Crucifixion usually began with two soldiers flogging the criminal from the front and back. They used a strap with three leather cords, each containing a piece of embedded bone that tore flesh to ribbons. No wonder Jesus fell and struggled to carry His cross after such treatment.

The soldiers then hammered a long square nail into the hands or wrists; this shape would heighten the already excruciating pain. Another nail was driven through the ankles into the wood. Raising the cross, executioners would then drop it into a hole in the ground, the "thud" further tearing flesh. In order to breathe, the convicted man had to push up on his bloody ankles.

Jesus was God, but He was also fully man. So He experienced the physical agony any human would feel at such brutality. On top of that, He felt emotional and spiritual anguish because the nation rejected Him and His disciples denied Him. Worst of all, when He took our sin upon Himself, the Father turned away (Matt. 27:46; 2 Cor. 5:21). Yet Jesus didn't see Himself as a victim; He willingly offered His blood on our behalf and considered it a joy (Heb. 12:2). No greater love exists.

Take time to consider all that Jesus endured on the cross for your sake. As you begin to grasp the enormity of His sacrifice, thank Him for His boundless love.

***

"On Love"

"Love is the fulfilment of all our works. There is the goal; that is why we run: we run toward it, and once we reach it, in it we shall find rest."
--Augustine of Hippo

"If I put my own good name before the other's highest good, then I know nothing of Calvary love."
--Amy Carmichael

"But it is doubtless true, and evident from these Scriptures, that the essence of all true religion lies in holy love; and that in this divine affection, and an habitual disposition to it, and that light which is the foundation of it, and those things which are the fruits of it, consists the whole of religion."
--Jonathan Edwards

"A wise lover values not so much the gift of the lover as the love of the giver."
--Thomas à Kempis

"When I have learnt to love God better than my earthly dearest, I shall love my earthly dearest better than I do now."
--C. S. Lewis

"Joy is love exalted; peace is love in repose; long-suffering is love enduring; gentleness is love in society; goodness is love in action; faith is love on the battlefield; meekness is love in school; and temperance is love in training."
--D. L. Moody

"Love is the greatest thing that God can give us for Himself is love: and it is the greatest thing we can give to God."
--Jeremy Taylor

Living in Bondage......by Charles Stanley

2009-02-10T21:35:00.000-08:00

Living in Bondage
John 8:31-36

Freedom is one of humanity's most prized possessions. That's why Patrick Henry's famous declaration, "Give me liberty or give me death," resonated with the colonists. His sentiment ignited a revolution and helped bring about the birth of our free nation.

Yet many inhabitants of this land are in captivity. You see, people aren't simply physical beings; they're also spiritual. And they can be enslaved spiritually as well as physically.

Jesus said that anyone who commits sin is in bondage to it (John 8:34). He was referring to continuous wrongs that become a lifestyle, even for the believer. Almost anything--including the pursuit of power, money, or relationships--can develop into a pattern of sinful living.

Usually, ungodly habits begin in a way that seems innocent and fulfills a desire or need. For example, a person might justify working too much in order to take care of his family. Over time, he may become desensitized to any guilt he originally felt. As he gradually senses less conviction by the Holy Spirit, the habit becomes a comfort and eventually controls him. Though he may hate it, he is powerless to stop. Ironically, people in this state often say and believe that they could stop the behavior
if they so chose. But they are deceived.

Neither human determination nor effort can overcome the bondage. Yet what man is unable to do, God can achieve (Luke 18:27).

Take an honest look at your life's motivations. Is there some habit, emotion, or dream that "owns" you? Jesus --and Jesus alone--can set you free.

Rekindling the Fire.........by Charles Stanley

2009-02-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

Rekindling the Fire
John 10:10

The Lord created us to live passionately for Him. In that way, we enjoy the blessings of an intimate relationship with our Creator. But there are other benefits as well. Just as the warmth and beauty of flames draw people toward the fireplace, God also uses our passion to draw others to Himself.

So, not just for our own sake but also for the sake of others, we must be careful not to let our fervor toward God fade. Thankfully, the indwelling Holy Spirit nudges believers who start to head in the wrong direction. If you sense this to be the case, you can take several steps to realign yourself with Him.

First, evaluate where you are spiritually--ask God whether your fire has grown cold. Second, acknowledge any distance you have allowed to separate you from your heavenly Father, and repent. Third, refocus your attention on Jesus; meditate on how He teaches His followers to live. Spend quality time in Scripture daily, asking the Lord to speak to you through His Word. Pray, not by using fancy words but by crying out earnestly and seeking God's face. Fourth, rely upon the Holy Spirit to guide you back to an intimate and exciting relationship with the Father. Finally, love and serve God by worshiping Him and reaching out to others.

What occupies your time and attention? Do your thoughts and conversation tend to revolve around worldly topics or the things of God? If your fire for Christ has dwindled, take the necessary steps today to renew your passion. Living closely with Him is well worth the effort and discipline.

When your fire grows dim.........by Charles Stanley

2009-02-10T21:31:00.000-08:00

When Your Fire Grows Dim
2 Timothy 1:1-11

Do you feel yourself growing cold toward the Lord? Though we, who are children of God, can never lose our salvation, it is possible for our spiritual passion to cool.

Today's passage reveals that even Timothy experienced a decrease in his excitement for God. That's why Paul wrote, encouraging the young pastor at Ephesus to fan the flame of his faith.

Spiritual "cooling" can happen to any Christian. Oftentimes, it starts when tragedy or disappointment diverts one's attention. Instead of crying out to the Lord and finding shelter in Him, the believer slowly ceases reading the Bible. The Word of God is like wood in a fireplace: the flames can be kept alive only when there are logs to burn. As less time is spent in Scripture, other aspects of the relationship with God are affected: church attendance diminishes, giving becomes sporadic, and prayer--which seems increasingly stale--is used only for emergencies.

No longer willing to stand up for what he once deemed important, the Christian soon starts to compromise. He may feel plagued by guilt and become defensive about the way he is living. Finally, the joy, contentment, and peace from God are replaced by worry, doubt, and fear.

A believer who allows himself to drift will miss out on the joy and fulfillment of a rich relationship with the Lord. Think back. Is your excitement about the things of God stronger than ever before? Or has it diminished over time? If your fire needs stoking, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how.

a series of funnies..........

2009-02-06T20:58:00.000-08:00

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was Palm Sunday, and because of a sore throat, five year old Billy
stayed home from Church with a sitter. When his family returned
home they were carrying several Palm Branches. Billy asked what
they were for? His parents replied "People held them over Jesus'
head as He walked by." "Wouldn't you know it," Billy fumed, "The
one Sunday I don't go to Church, HE showed up!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One Easter Sunday as the Minister was preaching the Children's
Sermon, he reached into his bag of props and pulled out an egg.
He pointed at the egg and asked the children, "What's in here?"
I know a little boy exclaimed, "Pantyhose!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Little Johnny asked his Grandma how old she was. Grandma
answered, "39 and holding." Johnny thought for a moment, and
then said, "And how old would you be if you let go?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was in a relative's wedding. As he was going down the
aisle, he would take two steps, stop, and turn to the crowd. While
facing the crowd, he would put his hands up like claws and roar.
So it went, step ROAR step, ROAR, step,, ROAR, all the way down
the aisle. As you can imagine, the crowd was near tears from
laughing so hard by the time he reached the pulpit.

When asked what he was doing, the child sniffed and said, "I was
being the Ring Bear."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One Sunday in a Midwest City, a young child was "acting up" during
the morning worship hour. The parents did their best to maintain
some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle. Finally,
the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle
on his way out.

Just before reaching the safety of the foyer, the little one called
loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One particular four-year old prayed, "And forgive us our trash
baskets as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy was overheard praying: "Lord, if you can' t make me a
better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I am."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Sunday School teacher asked her little children, as they were on
the way to church service, "And why is it necessary to be quiet in
church?"

One bright little girl replied, "Because people are sleeping."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A little boy opened the big and old family Bible with fascination,
looking at the old pages as he turned them. Then something
fell out of the Bible. He picked it up and looked at it closely. It
was an old leaf from a tree that has been pressed in between
the pages."Mama, look what I found," the boy called out.
"What have you got there, dear?" his mother asked. With
astonishment in the young boy's voice, he answered, "It's
Adam's suit."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The preacher was wired for sound with a lapel mike, and as he
preached, he moved briskly about the platform, jerking the mike
cord as he went. Then he moved to one side, getting wound up in
the cord and nearly tripping before jerking it again. After several
circles and jerks, a little girl in the third pew leaned toward her
mother and whispered, "If he gets loose, will he hurt us?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Six-year old Angie, and her four-year old brother, Joel, were sitting
together in church. Joel giggled, sang and talked out loud.

Finally, his big sister had enough. "You're not supposed to talk out
loud in church."

"Why? Who's going to stop me?" Joel asked.

Angie pointed to the back of the church and said, "See those two
men standing by the door? They're hushers."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do
you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo,
while I asked, "No, how are we alike?" "You're both old," he replied.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A ten-year old, under the tutelage of her grandmother, was
becoming quite knowledgeable about the Bible. Then, one day,
she floored her grandmother by asking, "Which Virgin was the
mother of Jesus? The virgin Mary or the King James Virgin?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Sunday school class was studying the Ten Commandments.
They were ready to discuss the last one. The teacher asked if
anyone could tell her what it was.

Susie raised her hand, stood tall, and quoted, "Thou shall not
take the covers off the neighbor's wife."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jeffie and Grandpa..........

2009-02-05T08:56:00.000-08:00

JEFFIE AND GRANDPA

Jeffie was in his playpen and he was crying. Tears were rolling down his
little cheeks, his face was red as it could be. He was crying, and he looked
pitiful in his little baseball T-shirt and a diaper.

Then Jeffie's Grandpa entered the room; Jeffie's little face lit up when he
saw his Grandpa! He immediately reached out his little arms in supplication
and said "Out Pa Pa out."

What is a Grandpa to do? How can someone resist that?

So Grandpa went over to the playpen, he bent over. He reached down to lift
his little buddy from captivity and distress . . .

Just then "Law and Order" walked into the room.

Momma said "Jeffie, you stay right there! I'm punishing you because you have
been naughty! Dad, leave Jeffie alone!"

What is a Grandpa to do?

Grandpa backs off and is thinking, "I can't just pick up a book and read it
with Jeffie here. He would think I was uncaring and distant. I can't leave
the room because he would feel like I have abandoned him."

What is a Grandpa to do?

But you know what? Love always finds a way. Since Grandpa couldn't take
Jeffie out of the playpen, Grandpa climbed in with Jeffie!

Grandpa said "If you are in the playpen buddy, I'm in the playpen too. What
are you in for? What is your sentence?"

Having Grandpa join him in his "prison cell" brought Jeffie great comfort
and joy. In the midst of his captivity, Jeffie no longer felt so alone.

What Jeffie's Grandpa did is also a picture of what Jesus Christ did for us
when He came to Earth as a baby.

God the Father yearned to reach down into our "playpen of captivity" and
pull us out. He could not . . . because of our disobedience . . . because of
our sin. What did God do?

God climbed into our "playpen" with us!

When Jesus Christ entered into our "playpen of captivity," He took the sin
and disobedience that should have been ours alone, releasing us from our
captivity . . . allowing us the opportunity to experience the fullness of
life God has for us!

The message is simple, clear and personal: God with us . . . He loves you so
much He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ!

"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have Eternal Life. For God did not
send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not
believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of
God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18 (NIV)

-- Author Unknown