The Sanctuary

Thanksgiving Everyday

2011-12-02T09:29:00.003+08:00

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank you, Lord, that I can hear.

There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as possible, thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast is burned, and tempers are short, my children are so loud, thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are alone.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced, thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are so many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job is often monotonous, thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my circumstances were not so modest, thank you, Lord, for life.

Author: Unknown

The Taxi Ride

2011-11-18T21:56:00.002+08:00

I arrived at the address and honked the horn.
after waiting a few minutes 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 90's 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 to be treated.'

'Oh, you're such a good boy, she said.
When we got in the cab, she gave me an address
and 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 rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening.
'I don't have any family left,' she continued in a soft voice..
'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 neighbourhood 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, and 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 got 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 anything
more important 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 a small
one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID,
OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER
HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL

Author: Unknown

The Praying Hands

2011-06-14T21:02:00.002+08:00

Many of you would have seen the picture of “The Praying Hands”, which is present in many Christian homes, but would almost certainly not have heard the moving story behind this popular picture. Here is the story....

The Story Behind The Picture Of The Praying Hands

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood.

Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of the elder children, Albrecht and Albert, had a dream.

They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact.

They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy.

Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines.

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation.

Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming.

After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition.

His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ..no ...no ..no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg.

It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands!

The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush.

No, brother ...for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works.

More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward.

He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look.

Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one - no one - - ever makes it alone!

Author: Unknown

A Thousand Marbles

2011-05-09T09:50:00.000+08:00

Contributed by: Jason Lee
Author: unknown

The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not having to be at work. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable.

A few weeks ago, I was shuffling toward the basement shack with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. Let me tell you about it.

I turned the dial to the phone-frequency portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning conversation. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whoever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles."

I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well, but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital."

He continued, "Let me tell you something, Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."

"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years.

"Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part. It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail", he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.

"So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away.

"I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.

"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."

"It was nice to meet you Tom, I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on the band. 73 Old Man, this is K9NZQ, clear and going QRT, good morning!"

You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about. I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."

"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.

"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

My Best Friend

2011-04-08T10:21:00.003+08:00

By Andrew Galanopulos
Contributor: Jason Lee

The language of friendship is not words but meanings. ~ Henry David Thoreau

The agony of the final round set in off the first tee. It wasn't Sunday. There was no tournament. It was just me and Matt, my golf partner of three years, not to mention my best friend since the third grade.

We had entered the world of golf as two youngsters with cheap clubs, inspired by our fathers' stories of birdies, three-hundred-yard drives, and near-holes-in-one. For some reason these tales failed to hold true when we played with them.

Expecting to go out and conquer the game, Matt and I were quite surprised (not to mention angry) when we found ourselves humbled by a little white ball. Over time though, our swings became more controlled, good shots became more frequent, scores lower and our friendship stronger.

That summer, we entered a junior golf tour. We soon realized how much we had to learn, and how much we wanted to win. We had been in the game for two years already, and we figured all we needed was some fine-tuning to give our game the extra edge.

We played almost every day after school that year with the hope that the hard work would pay off with victory on the tour next summer. Then we got the news.

"Andrew, my dad's being transferred to Charlotte right after school," Matt said when he broke the news to me. He was moving away following our freshman year and right before the golf season would start. We had only a month left together, so we decided to make the most of it. Golf was the only way we knew how to enjoy ourselves without facing the sorrow of separation. No matter what is going on, golf helps you forget by making you concentrate on the task at hand―beating the guy you're playing with―and that was good enough for us.

We played and the time flew, and soon we found ourselves in what we realized was our final round together. We had tried to ignore it for so long, but now it hung over us. The only way to shake it was to continue the eighteen.

When all was said and done, we finished the game. Our scores were average. He beat me by three strokes.

Matt had to be home so he could wake up early in the morning and head out. We stood at the practice green waiting for his mother to come get him. Finally, she arrived.

"It was a pleasure playing with you." I held out my hand. He shook, and then I half-hugged him, like boys do when they want to be men. I saw him off the next morning.

He played on a tour at his new home, and I competed also. One day, I received a letter in the mail. It was a scorecard and a picture of the leader board. Matt was atop it. He finally won.

Over the years, I received many scorecards from Matt (unfortunately more than I sent him). I keep them in my golf bag for good luck.

I guess the magic of golf isn't the course, or the swing, or the sound you hear when you hit a solid 3-iron. It's the feeling you get when you beat your best friend, or lose to him, for that matter.

And sooner or later you realize that you didn't play every week because you were golfers; you played because you were friends.

The Moment My Life Began

2011-03-26T09:31:00.000+08:00

By Michelle McCormick
Contributor: Jason Lee

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.~ Maori Proverb

Monday morning, 8:15 A.M. is when it happened. I lost my job. Not just any job, my first real job. This was my first professional experience outside of graduate school. I worked almost two years before my vice president called me into her office to relay the life-altering news.

It didn't take long. In fact, I kind of knew it was coming. I just sat there listening to the sad tone of my boss' voice and the other vice president who accompanied her as they talked about how much they'd miss me, how sad they were, what my severance options were and how they knew whatever I did, I would succeed. The more they spoke, the more I started to drift into a moment of complete surrender to my faith.

Just a week prior to the news, I was in Hawaii enjoying a vacation with my close girlfriends. During our weeklong getaway, we decided to skydive. I had always been a planner―a control freak―and yearned to let go of that characteristic. As I fell from the plane, I let go of all my worries and just lived in the moment. I didn't worry about deadlines, relationships, the things of this world. Instead, I took in the beauty of the sea, the mountainside and the unexplainable peace that comes from just floating and having no clue what the next moment will hold or feel like.

It was in my boss' office that morning that I reverted to the feeling I had as I took a step of faith and fell. Fell and let go of all things in my control, and trusted that life isn't about me and my plans. Instead it's about following what I believe to be true and trusting the one I believe created me.

That day was the first day of the rest of my life. I often tell my old co-workers that the day I lost my job was the best day of my life. It's the day I stopped living in a nine-to-five box and started living life as it was meant to be lived: adventurously.

The next couple of weeks were trying. But I couldn't let circumstances get me down. I was a woman who yearned to enjoy life, and no matter what my income now was, I was determined to make that dream a reality.

Two weeks after I was let go, I found myself surrounded by middle school students on a bus heading to North Carolina. I had always wanted to volunteer with youth, but never had the time due to my job and prior commitments. But since I was no longer constrained, I went on a weeklong trip as a chaperone. I was blessed to get to know some amazing girls as we shared a hotel room, and even more blessed as I watched these kids perform for various non-profits throughout the city.

Next, I went to camp as a leader. Again, I developed relationships that would benefit the middle and high school students. I was in fellowship with them, along with growing internally myself. But even more exciting things were on the horizon.

I had always wanted to go overseas on a mission trip, and in fact there was one I was very interested in. We would set up a sports camp for orphans in a desert town clear across the world. The kicker? The trip was scheduled for the same week as my biggest event at work. I could never have gone.

I applied for a passport and started to prepare for the trip. My new passport showed up in July, just days before I was asked to accompany a group of teenagers to the Dominican Republic on another mission trip. The trip would be free, since I would go as a leader and there was nothing holding me back.

My life only continued to get better. I travelled across the country. I visited London for the first time. I learned about culture, others, and myself. I had made a commitment to myself in the beginning of 2008 to make it a year of no fear, and for the first time in my life I had a free schedule to play with. I had no classes, no meetings, no work.

I had gone to school to be a writer, I was born to be a writer, and for the first time I could take the time to be a writer. My job interviews focused on writing. Continuing my education was also a big dream of mine, and I enrolled in online courses for another graduate degree. I was chasing my dreams at a time when the world was telling me to be depressed and settle for whatever I could get. The loss of my job opened doors I never would have foreseen or even attempted to venture through.

Worry vs Prayer & Praise

2011-03-08T22:36:00.003+08:00

Worry! Why worry? What can worry do?
It never keeps a trouble from overtaking you.
It gives you indigestion & woeful hours at night,
And fills with gloom the passing days, however fair & bright.
It puts a frown upon your face & sharpness in your tone;
You're unfit to live with others & unfit to live alone.
Worry! Why worry? What can worry do?
It never keeps a trouble from overtaking you.

Pray! Why pray? What can praying do?
Praying really changes things, arranges life anew.
It's good for digestion, gives peaceful hours at night,
And fills the grayest, gloomiest days with rays of glowing light.
It puts a smile upon your face, & the love-note in your tone,
Makes you fit to live with others & fit to live alone.
Pray! Why pray? What can praying do?
It brings God's Love & power from Heaven to live & work with you.

Praise! Why praise? What does praising do?
Praise satisfies the heart of God & brings new joy to you,
Provides a tonic for the soul, & keeps you always bright
With memories of blessings sent, & joyful songs at night.
And when there's "Thank you" on your face, & the praise-note's in your tone,
Folks all will want to live with you: you'll never be alone.
Praise! Why praise? What does praising do?
Praise always says that God is good: Experience proves it true.
(Phi.4:6-7)

Author: Unknown

Have A Blessed Day

2011-03-04T11:17:00.010+08:00

Have a Blessed Day ! ...
A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet.
He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.

A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat.
He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words.
He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.
That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning?
What did you write?"

The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."
What he had written was: "Today is a beautiful day and I cannot see it."

Do you think the first sign and the second sign were saying the same thing?

Of course both signs told people the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind.
The second sign told people they were so lucky that they were not blind.
Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?

Moral of the Story:

Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively.

Invite others towards good with wisdom. Live life with no excuse and love with no regrets. When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.

Great men say, "Life has to be an incessant process of repair and reconstruction, of discarding evil and developing goodness…. In the journey of life, if you want to travel without fear, you must have the ticket of a good conscience."

The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling…
And even more beautiful is, knowing that you are the reason behind it!!!

Author: Unknown

Appreciation

2011-02-25T11:22:00.002+08:00

One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company.

He passed the first interview; the director did the last interview and made the final decision. The director discovered from the CV, that the youth's academic result is excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research - never was there a year he did not score. The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarship in school?" and the youth answered "None".

The director asked, "Was it your father who paid for your school fees?"

The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one-year-old. It was my mother who paid for my school fees."

The director asked, "Where did your mother work?"

The youth answered, "My mother worked as a washer-woman."

The director requested the youth to show him his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect to the director.

The director asked, "Did you ever help your mother wash the clothes before?"

The youth answered, "Never! My mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me."

The director said, "I have a request, when you go back today, go and help to clean your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning."

The youth felt that as the chance of landing the job was high, when he went back, he happily wanted to clean his mother's hands. His mother felt strange. She was happy but with trepidation, she showed her hands to the youth.

The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly, his tears flowing as he did that. It was the first time he saw his mother's hands so wrinkled, and there are so many scars in her hands. Some wounds were still raw and incurred pain so intense that his mother's body shuddered when cleaned with water.

This is the first time the youth realized and experienced that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes every day to earn for him the school fees. The scars in the mother's hands were the price that the mother paid for his graduation and academic excellence and probably his future.

After finishing the cleaning of his mother's hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

Next morning, the youth went to the director's office.

The director noticed the redness in the youth's eye, asked, "Can you tell what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?"

The youth answered, "I cleaned my mother's hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes"

The director asked, "Please tell me how you felt."

The youth said:

"Number 1, I learnt what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not be the successful me today.
Number 2, I learnt how to work together with my mother. Only then could I understand how difficult and tough the job was.
Number 3, I learnt the importance and value of family relationship."

The director said, "This is what I am looking for. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who understands the suffering of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life to be my manager. You are hired."

Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team, the company's results improved tremendously.

A child who had been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted will develop an "entitlement mentality" and will always put himself first. He will be ignorant of his parents' efforts. When he starts working, he will assume that everybody must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know how his employees suffer and will always blame others for anything that goes wrong. For such people, he may achieve good results and may be successful for a while, but will never realise it is team effort that resulted in the achievements. He will be self-centred and always be wanting more for himself. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we loving our children or destroying them?

You can let your children live in a big house, eat good food, learn piano, watch a big-screen TV, etc., but when you are mowing the grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their own plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in the right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day it is their own efforts that will matter - especially to their own children.

The most important thing is that your children learn how to appreciate the efforts, experience the difficulty and learn the ability to work with others to get things done.

Contributor: Jason Lee

To Begin Again – By The Amazing Grace of God

2011-02-18T11:54:00.004+08:00

The restaurant was crowded, and I waited at the bar until my wife's and my table was called. A fire roared nearby and a real tree stood simply in the corner, covered in small white lights and nothing else. I ordered my wife a glass of wine and sipped at my draft beer while she lingered in the bathroom.

No doubt she was drying her eyes and reapplying a third coat of mascara, I thought bitterly as I remembered the heated words and nasty barbs we had exchanged on the first leg of our trip from North Carolina to Florida.

We were going home to get a divorce. There was nothing pleasant about it. Neither of us was even trying anymore.

We had pulled over at the first nice restaurant we saw. Of course, we had passed a hundred others that either hadn't lived up to her expectations or my price range. We blamed each other the more our hunger grew.

I grunted when the hostess told us that the wait was over an hour. My wife sighed and disappeared into the ladies' room.

As I chewed on stale peanuts and ordered another beer, I watched the happy couples at the bar, basking in the firelight and looking forward to the new year that they had no doubt roared in together romantically.

My wife and I had spent the first day of the new year storming around the house, dividing the CD collection and credit card bills. We had been married for four years, so there was a lot to go over.

I watched a young couple kiss. An older couple held hands. I recalled a happier time, not too long ago, when my wife and I would have been right there with them. Lingering over cocktails at the bar on purpose instead of just rushing in to get a table, eat and get it over with.

I thought of the past year and its few ups and many downs. It had started with a job transfer, and things had gone downhill from there. My wife said goodbye to her fourth-grade students, and we packed up the car and moved ten hours away. We had no friends, no family, and our first month's phone bill was enormous.

She found a job quickly and advanced easily, while I soon realized my new job was a big disappointment. She missed her family and her students, I missed my old job, and nothing worked out right. The move cost more than we expected, we rented an expensive apartment we really didn't need, and there was nothing to do in our new town but eat and watch TV. And fight..

Resentment grew with each passing month. But instead of talking to each other and sharing our problems as we had in the past, we turned to grumbling and grousing, fussing and fighting.

How could I tell her I felt unfulfilled and defeated at my new job? The job that had caused her to uproot her whole life and follow her husband to a small town in the mountains of North Carolina?

How could she tell me she hated going into work every morning and felt unfulfilled without being in a classroom?

In the end, neither of us told the other anything. When we spoke at all, it was to yell or accuse or snipe or bark.

My wife appeared at the bar, looking beautiful despite her puffy, cried-out eyes. I felt guilty at her tears, and each drop was like a knife in my heart. There was a time in our life when the thought of making her cry had brought tears to my own eyes. But now each drop was like some stupid point on an invisible scoreboard.

I watched her cross the room and felt a lurch inside my stomach as I thought of my life without her.

"How do I look?" she asked instinctively, and I had to laugh. It was a question she asked constantly, all through the day and night. An inside joke we'd shared for years, soon to be shared no more.

She thought I was laughing at her makeup, and she quickly downed her wine with a sour expression on her face that had nothing to do with the vintage.

Our last name was finally called, and we rushed through soup and rolls. Silver clinked on fancy plates and we chewed in silence. There was so much I wanted to say to her, but after all that we had decided, what was the point?

Telling her I still loved her would only make our decision that much more difficult.

After ordering dinner I excused myself to go to the men's room, stopping on the way to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Not surprisingly, her body clenched at my touch.

While inside the men's room I heard the door burst open behind me and then the sound of water running, but my flushing couldn't cover the sound of sobbing as I emerged from the stall.

A middle-aged man in a collared shirt and Dockers stood blubbering in front of the sink. He snuffled and snorted when he saw me, and I reached for paper towels and handed them to him in an unceremonious lump. He used them all and still the tears flowed. His face looked ruddy and flushed, and his washed-out eyes beseeched me to understand as he explained himself through his sobs.

"I'm sorry," he choked. "It's just... the tree and the lights. I thought I was ready. I thought I could do all this. But then I heard the Christmas music and I just... it's the new year already. Why do they have to keep playing them? I just couldn't do it. I'm sorry. I tried."

"Tried to do what?" I asked gently, hoping I wasn't prying. His pain seemed so intense, it was all I could do not to join him myself.

"Be... normal," he explained, blowing his nose shortly after. "My wife. You see... she died six weeks ago and I―"

"Six weeks!" I shouted, fear clutching my young heart. "I couldn't get out of bed if my wife had passed away six weeks ago." Despite the current state of affairs of my marriage, I suddenly realized this statement was all too true.

He nodded, as if I had any idea what kind of pain he was experiencing.

"I know," he nodded again. "I know. But... I managed to make it through Thanksgiving by drinking my way through a tropical cruise. I even managed to eat and sleep my way through Christmas. And... I thought I should be well by now.

"But Christmas was always her favorite. I never stopped to listen to all of those silly Christmas songs until this very night. My appetizer came, my drinks, my salad. It all just sat there while I listened to the words. Over and over. Then I just started bawling. I'm sorry, you must think me a fool."

Just then the men's room door burst open again, nearly knocking me to the ground. Two young men of college age rushed to surround the crying man. They wore expensive sweaters and grave expressions and called him "Dad."

They asked if he was all right and turned their backs to me as they cleaned their father up in private.

The small room grew crowded, and I left them to their task. I wanted to ask the man how long he and his wife had been married, but by the age of his grown sons I assumed it was well beyond twenty years.

I watched my wife's young face aglow in the candlelight, her fine hands curved around the stem of her wine glass. My legs felt leaden as I joined her at her seat, taking the chair beside her and pulling her into my arms just as the tears came.

"What's wrong?" she whispered into my hair as I clung to her chest. Her tone held no scorn, only bare and naked concern that her husband should feel pain.

After so many hateful words, so many petty barbs, I was still her husband.

"I'm sorry," I said, looking into her eyes.

Her tears spoke her truest fears, and in seconds we were tripping all over each other's apologies. Relief overflowed our hearts as we spoke.

"I'll find a job back home," I sputtered. "I'll work two jobs, whatever it takes. I miss our family, I―"

"We'll both find jobs," she joined. "You'll see. We'll be fine. We'll start all over. Last year was horrible. This year will be fresh and..."

When our apologies and plans were spent, she held me close and whispered two words in my ear: "What happened?"

But how could I explain that in one quick bathroom visit I had lost her, and then found her, all at the same time?

Author: Rusty Fischer
Contributor: Bro Jason Lee

YEAR 2011- THIS IS WEIRD BUT IT IS TRUE

2011-01-26T13:11:00.005+08:00

This year we will experience four unusual dates, 1/1/11, 1/11/11, 11/1/11, and 11/11/11.

NOW...go figure this out:-

Take the last two digits of the year you were born

Plus the age you will be THIS year, and it will equal to 111

Example: Born 1941
Birthday this year: 70
Add: 41 + 70 = 111

Fortunately, it did not turn out to be 666, else we have to bring in 777.....

What Did You Miss In Life?

2010-12-09T10:01:00.008+08:00

Life Is A Process.
It Is Sad That It Does Not Come The Same Again;
It Is Glad That The Same Does Not Have To Come Back Again.

In This Life, What Did You Miss?

The Wife Asked The Husband When She Was 25 .
Despondently, The Husband replied: I Missed A New Job Opportunity.

When She Was 35,
The Husband Angrily Told her That He Had Just Missed The Bus .

At 45, The Husband Sadly Said:
I Missed The Opportunity Seeing My Closed Relative Before His Last Breath.

At 55, The Husband said disappointingly:
I Missed A Good Chance To Retire.

At 65, The Husband Hurriedly Replied:
I Missed A Dental Appointment.

At 75, The Wife Did Not Ask The Husband Anymore,

The Husband Was Kneeling In Front Of The Very Sick Wife.
Remembering The Question The Wife Used To Ask Him,

This Time He Asked The Wife The Same Question.
The Wife With A Smile And Peaceful Look, Replied:
In This Life, I Did Not Miss Having You!

The Husband Was Full Of Tears.
He Always Thought That They Could Be Together Forever.
He Was Always Busy With Work And Trifles.
So Much So He Had Never Been Thoughtful To His Wife.

The Husband Hugged The Wife Tightly And Said:
Over 50 Years, How I Had Allowed Myself To Miss
Your Deep Love For Me.

In The Busy City Life, There Are Many People
Who Are Always Busy With Work.
These People Revolve Their Lives Around Their Jobs.
These People Sacrifice All Their Times And Health
To Meet The Social Expectations.
They Are Unwilling To Spend Times On Health Care.

They Miss The Opportunity To Be With Their Children
In Their Growing Up.
They Neglect The Loved Ones Who Care For Them,
And Also Their Health.

Nobody Knows What Is Going To Happen One Year From Now.
Life Is Not Permanent, So Always Live In The Now.

Express Your Gratitude To Your Loved Ones In Words.
Show Your Care With Actions.
Treat Everyday As The Last Episode Of Life.

In This Way, When You are Gone,
You Loved Ones Would Have Nothing
To Feel Sorry About.

Author: Unknown

No Second Chance

2010-11-26T13:25:00.003+08:00

There's No Second Chance in Life...

TO THOSE OF US WHO ARE ALREADY THERE
AND TO THOSE WHO WILL SOON BE THERE...

The Secrets of Old Age

Before middle age – Do not fear!

After middle age – Do not regret!

Enjoy Your Life While You Can!

Do not wait till you cannot even walk just to be sorry and to regret.

As long as it is physically possible, visit places you wish to visit.

When there is an opportunity, get together with old classmates,

Old colleagues & old friends.

The gathering is not just about eating; it’s just that there is not much time left.

Money kept in the banks may not be really yours.

When it is time to spend, just spend, & treat yourself well as you’re getting old.

Whatever you feel like eating, just eat! It is most important to be happy.

Food which are good for health – eat often and more - but that is not everything.

Things which are not good for health – eat less but once in a while

Do not abstain from them totally.

Treat sickness with optimism. Whether you are poor or rich,

Everyone has to go through the birth, aging, sickness and death.

There is no exception, that’s life. Do not be afraid or worried when you are sick.

Settle all the outstanding issues before hand

And you will be able to leave without regret.

Let the doctors handle your body,

God handles your life & loves you,

But be in charge of your own moods

If worries can cure your sickness, then go ahead and worry.

If worries can prolong your life, then go ahead and worry.

If worries can exchange for happiness, then go ahead and worry.

If worries cannot solve the above (which it cannot), then kick it out of your mind

Our kids will make their own fortune.

Look After Four Old Treasures:

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

1. Your old body – pay more attention to health,
You can only rely on yourself on this.

2. Retirement funds – money that you have earned,
It is best to keep them yourself.

3. Your old companion – treasure every moment with your other half,
One of you will leave first.

4. Your old friends – seize every opportunities to meet up with your friends.
Such opportunities will become rare as time goes by.

With Friends, Everyday you MUST laugh, dance and be happy !~!~!

5 Running water does not flow back.
So is life, make it happy !~!~!

***ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE***

Author: Unknown

Smile

2010-11-26T12:48:00.003+08:00

Breakfast at McDonald's

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):

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 playtime 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 challenged 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 to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, the 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 sent to each and every person who may read this and learn how to:

LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS -

NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

There is an Angel sent to watch over you..

In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over..

An Angel wrote:

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

To handle yourself, use your head..

To handle others, use your heart.

God Gives every bird it's food, but He does not throw it into its nest.

A box of gold

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

With a secret inside that has never been told

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

This box is priceless but as I see

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

The treasure inside is precious to me

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

Today I share this treasure with thee

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

It's the treasure of friendship you've given me.

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

Author: Unknown

Pencil & Eraser

2010-11-15T20:15:00.003+08:00

Pencil: I'm sorry

Eraser: For what? You didn't do anything wrong.

Pencil: I'm sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I made a mistake, you're always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes vanish, you lose a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.

Eraser: That's true. But I don't really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do something wrong.

Even though one day, I know I'll be gone and you'll replace me with a new one, I'm actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.

I found this conversation between the pencil and the eraser very inspirational.

Parents are like the eraser whereas their children are the pencil. They're always there for their children, cleaning up their mistakes.

Sometimes along the way, they get hurt, and become smaller / older, and eventually pass on.

Though their children will eventually find someone new (spouse), but parents are still happy with what they do for their children, and will always hate seeing their precious ones worrying, or sad.

All my life, I've been the pencil. And it pains me to see the eraser that is my parents getting smaller and smaller each day.

For I know that one day, all that I'm left with would be eraser shavings and memories of what I used to have.

This is to all the parents out there.

TIME

2010-08-05T09:15:00.002+08:00

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:12

Time is God's gift to mortal man;
It is that fleeting little span
Between our birth & Heaven's door
Where we begin God's evermore
When time is o'er.

How then should we our time employ,
In service, or, in passing joy?
Can we afford to throw away
And squander time in passing play,
O men of clay?
--Rev. R. E. Neighbour, D.D.

* Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once.

* "Time is the coin of your life.
It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.
Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."
--Carl Sandburg

* To comprehend a man's life, it is necessary to know not merely what he does, but also what he purposely leaves undone. There is a limit to the work that can be got out of a human body or a human brain, & he is a wise man who wastes no energy on pursuits for which he is not fitted; & he still wiser who, from among the things that he can do well, chooses & resolutely follows the best.
--William E. Gladstone

* "The less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in." --Lord Chesterfield

* You may delay, but time will not.--Benjamin Franklin

* 1,440 Minutes A Day

What if you were given $1440.00 at the start of each day to use as you see fit,
the only stipulation being that you must give back what you haven't spent by the end of the day?

We master our seconds and minutes, or we become slaves to them; we use time, or time uses us.
More time is wasted not in hours but in minutes.
A bucket with a small hole in the bottom gets just as empty as a bucket that is deliberately kicked over.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!

* "We are always complaining that our days are few, and acting as though there would be no end." --Seneca

* "I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first 3 hours in prayer." --Martin Luther

* What Happened to Time

When as a child I laughed and wept, time crept.
When as a youth I dreamed and talked, time walked.
When I became a full grown man, time ran.
And later as I older grew, time flew.
Soon I shall find while traveling on, time gone.

* Most of us spend a lot of time dreaming of the future, never realizing that a little of it arrives each day.

USE THE BEST OF YOUR TIME FOR GOD. IT IS A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM HIM. DON'T WASTE IT!

Author unknown

Regaining Your Joy

2010-07-18T16:31:00.002+08:00

"Joy of the Lord" is really just a state of mind and a state of heart.

It is being thankful because you know, first and foremost, that God has given you eternal life in a world of happiness. It is remembering that, above all the frustration and turmoil you may be experiencing in your present state, or the lethargy or boredom that you have with your present circumstances, when it comes down to it, you realize what the priorities of life are—what your life is all about.

To regain your joy of the Lord, you have to look past all your other priorities; all the things that keep you busy, all the things that bore you. You have to realize that, despite all those things‚ you have already obtained the most valuable prize you could possibly gain in any walk of life: Eternal life!

Whether you are a successful world leader or a simple person, because you know the Lord, you have the asset of the joy of the Lord deep within your heart. You can keep this asset no matter what anybody does to you, and no matter what circumstances you may find yourself in. It's like you've already won the main, top prize, Eternal life in Heaven and the extremely wonderful thing about it is: You can never lose it!

This time period you are living in is very short and temporary and "passes away" (Matthew 24:35), day by day, but your spirit is saved and lives on forever.

The joy of the Lord is to realize: That you are a sinner, but God has forgiven you; That He unconditionally loves you & will never give up on you; That at any point when you reach out and take His hand, He will take it immediately into His and forgive you.

The Joy of the Lord is realigning your priorities in proper order and proper perspective. All these other nagging, incomplete, and sometimes frustrating details, that are imperfect and that tend to get you down‚ are really insignificant points that will some day pass away. Yet your spirit will remain and live for eternity.

The Joy of the Lord is fixing your gaze, which determines your attitude and actions, on the eternal values that you'll be living by forever, and cut yourself loose from the temporary setbacks.
You will be among those who fulfill the Scripture, "The spirits of just men made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23). Perfect in love, perfect in joy, perfect in creation—that's you! That's where you're headed. ‘Regaining your joy’ is realizing the truth of this, and not being set back by the façades of the temporal!

The Joy of the Lord is your strength! (Nehemiah 8:10b)

Author: Unknown

Psalm 23 - what's in it for you?

2010-07-17T18:36:00.002+08:00

The Lord is my shepherd.—That's relationship.
I shall not want.—That's supply.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.—That's rest.
He leads me beside the still waters.—That's refreshment.
He restores my soul.—That's spiritual healing.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness… —That's guidance.
… for His name's sake.—That's purpose.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death… —That's tribulation.
… I will fear no evil… —That's protection.
… for You are with me.—That's faithfulness.
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.—That's discipline.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.—That's hope.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.—That's abundance.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.—That's blessing.
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord...—That's security.
… forever.—That's eternity.

—David the psalmist, with comments by an unknown author

Happiness Formula

2010-07-08T16:28:00.005+08:00

It's not your circumstances that determine your happiness; it's your state of mind.

Happiness and contentment are in your attitude! It's all in your perspective and your outlook. It's a matter of taking on God’s mind, of looking at situations and circumstances and even yourself through His eyes, seeing things from His view—even if you have to take it by faith.

There's just no reason to be discouraged, to feel down, and to let the things of this world get to you. Why should such trivial things muddy your view, steal your joy, and bring defeat and discouragement?

Seek to be triumphant, and that spirit of victory will become alive in you. Search for ways to see the good in all that is happening, and you will begin to live the good.

Turn to God for your happiness and stability and that's what you will find. Desire contentment in how things are today, not how they could be, and you will find the satisfaction you long for.

The Enemy of your soul only has claim to what you give him. He cannot steal your joy and happiness away; it's your choice whether he can take it. He will taunt you, he will hit you with everything, and he will haggle you until you give in, or better yet, until you turn around and tell him to get lost.

Happiness, fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, peace, and joy are not contingent on the things of the physical, on your surroundings, on your lacks or problems, but they are contingent on your choices.

Choose to be victorious regardless of how you feel in the physical and that choice will become reality. Choose contentment over all the things the Enemy's pointing out to you to get your eyes off of the Lord, and as you make that decision you will find contentment.

Life's greatest lessons are mastered through learning to make something good out of the seeming bad. It's being faced with a difficult and troublesome time and rather than getting down about it, rejoicing for the good that can be found, or if none can be found, then being thankful for the sunny days and the happy times that you have known and that are yet to come.

That is how you will find the victory. The difficulties and struggles will not necessarily vanish, but the weight of them will not seem as heavy, for you will have placed them in God’s hand. Remember, victory is a state of mind.

What's your state of mind?

Author: Unknown

Kneeling to pray

2009-12-09T18:24:00.001+08:00

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray. Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle.

The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in a while. His shirt was kinda shabby and his coat was worn and frayed, the man knelt, he bowed his head, Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed, each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment. A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear, he decided to stop the man and ask him, 'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road..
Lunch was half an hour..
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.

'I stay only moments, see, because the factory is so far away; as I kneel here talking to the Lord. This is kinda what I say:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.'

The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine..
He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime. Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.' He hurried to the door.

The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love, and met with Jesus there. As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD, HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY..
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.'

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry.
At the factory, he asked about him, and learned that he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried too. But Jim had given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, he brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious, touched and changed the people. This was Jim’s reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, when no flowers, calls or cards came. Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed. He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn. Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up and with a winsome smile; 'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know, that He's in here all the while everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see. He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me:

'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM, HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN. ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY, I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'

If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

May God hold you in the palm of His and angels watch over you. Live in peace and peace will live in you.

Time Where Are You

2009-12-03T22:01:00.001+08:00

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." - Psalm 90:12

Time is God's gift to mortal man;

It is that fleeting little span

Between our birth & Heaven's door

Where we begin God's evermore

When time is o'er.

How then should we our time employ,

In service, or, in passing joy?

Can we afford to throw away

And squander time in passing play,

O men of clay?

--Rev. R. E. Neighbour, D.D.

* Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening at once.
* "Time is the coin of your life.
It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.
Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you."
--Carl Sandburg

* To comprehend a man's life, it is necessary to know not merely what he does, but also what he purposely leaves undone. There is a limit to the work that can be got out of a human body or a human brain, & he is a wise man who wastes no energy on pursuits for which he is not fitted; & he still wiser who, from among the things that he can do well, chooses & resolutely follows the best.

--William E. Gladstone

* "The less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in." --Lord Chesterfield

* You may delay, but time will not.--Benjamin Franklin

* 1,440 Minutes A Day
What if you were given $1440.00 at the start of each day to use as you see fit, the only stipulation being that you must give back what you haven't spent by the end of the day?

We master our seconds and minutes, or we become slaves to them; we use time, or time uses us.
More time is wasted not in hours but in minutes.
A bucket with a small hole in the bottom gets just as empty as a bucket that is deliberately kicked over.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!

* "We are always complaining that our days are few, and acting as though there would be no end." --Seneca

* "I have so much to do today that I shall spend the first 3 hours in prayer." --Martin Luther

* What Happened to Time

When as a child I laughed and wept, time crept.
When as a youth I dreamed and talked, time walked.
When I became a full grown man, time ran.
And later as I older grew, time flew.
Soon I shall find while traveling on, time gone.

* Most of us spend a lot of time dreaming of the future, never realizing that a little of it arrives each day.

USE THE BEST OF YOUR TIME FOR GOD. IT IS A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM HIM.

DON'T WASTE IT!

Your Turn to Love

2009-11-30T21:21:00.001+08:00

Do you have parents, grandparents, or other loved ones who are suffering from any of the long-term troubles that occur naturally in old age? Here are five ways that you can return their love and support:

1. Empathize.

Put yourself in their place. You may think you have problems, but if you stop to think about what it might be like to be their age, that would probably give you a much greater appreciation for what some elderly go through.

Many seniors no longer have the physical capacity to do some things they've always done, which can be discouraging and lead to feelings of uselessness. Some are not able to see or hear or even to eat or walk on their own, so they feel ashamed, humiliated, stripped of their dignity. Others are in almost continual pain or discomfort. Due to their weakened immune system, even minor ailments can turn into serious problems. Their bones are more fragile and their organs more delicate, and when those are broken or damaged, they require more time to heal.

Depending on their circumstances, they may worry about what will happen if their condition worsens and they don't have anyone to take care of them, or they may dread becoming a burden to others.

Understanding and sympathy go a long way in easing those hardships and alleviating those fears.

2. Take an interest.

Some seniors may not be as strong or sharp as they once were, but the intangibles that matter most, those personal qualities that make them the unique people they are, have not diminished. In fact, it is often in the later years that qualities such as love, thoughtfulness, loyalty, humility, humor, optimism, and wisdom come to full fruition.

That makes seniors some of the most fascinating people in the world. So does the fact that they have lived through times that those who are younger can never experience firsthand. Take the time to unearth their latent treasures, and you'll be surprised at what you'll find. They may even surprise themselves.

3. Show love and appreciation.

Sometimes simply knowing that we are loved can make all the difference in how we view and deal with our present circumstances. Knowing that they are appreciated for past efforts can also help seniors put their lives in perspective and counter feelings of regret over failures and shortcomings, both real and imagined.

Some of the saddest words ever spoken are heard at funerals: "I hope he knew how much he meant to me," or, "I wish I'd told her more often how much I loved her." Show love and appreciation while you can.

4. Help them stay active.

Numerous studies have shown that physical activity slows the aging process, which results in both prolonged life and improved quality of life. Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle increases the chances of age-related disease and premature death. Even a short walk in the fresh air is beneficial. (Recommendations vary, but a sensible approach is to start low and gradually increase the duration and frequency of exercise to at least 20 minutes, five days a week.)

Other studies have shown that intellectual stimulation can bolster the mind and stave off memory loss in the same way that physical exercise strengthens and protects the body.

Asked why they aren't more active physically and intellectually, many seniors say it's because they don't have anyone with whom they can exercise or engage in mentally challenging activities. Help them stay active, and you will be investing in your own future at the same time.

5. Pray for them.

It has been said that praying for others is not the least we can do for them, but the most. Prayer moves the heart and hand of God to take action according to our requests, to do things that we couldn't possibly do ourselves. "Things which are impossible with men are possible with God" (Luke 18:27).

Prayer opens a two-way channel of communication between us and God, and it works both ways. When we're asking God for His ear, it's easier for Him to get ours. Some of His most immediate answers to our prayers come when He is able to involve us.

The very fact that you pray for others shows that you're concerned about their happiness and well-being, and this puts you in a position to better understand His loving plan for their lives and how you can help bring it to pass. When you pray for someone to not be lonely, for example, God may give you some ideas as to how you can help alleviate that loneliness—perhaps a visit or an afternoon out together, or a phone call, email, or card.

Greater Love

Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).

Greater love means taking the initiative to reach out; to feel what the other person is feeling; to dry their tears; to bear their burdens; to feel their afflictions; to minister to those who are sick and nurse them back to health; to listen with a loving, open ear to those who need to pour out; to be a caring and understanding friend to those who need a friend; to pray for those in need; to let their heartaches be your heartaches; to make their hopes and dreams your hopes and dreams.

Knowing that you're loved gives you hope and faith. It cheers up your whole outlook!—David Brandt Berg

What God Has Promised

2009-11-19T19:42:00.001+08:00

Great Poems by By Annie Johnson Flint

God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways,
All our lives through.
God has not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

God has not promised
That we shall not know
Toil and temptation,
Trouble and woe;
He has not told us
We shall not bear
Many a burden,
Many a care.

God has not promised
Smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel,
Needing no guide;
Never a mountain,
Rocky and steep,
Never a river
Turbid and deep:

But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.

Renewing Your Mind

2009-11-18T11:53:00.001+08:00

By Virginia Brandt Berg

I once talked with a woman who said she tried very hard to think only positive thoughts, but she was never able to keep it up for long. Even when she managed to appear optimistic, inwardly she was often in turmoil. Her self-help approach to positive thinking excluded God, so when things went wrong, she didn't have anything solid to hold on to.

That may seem paradoxical—faith in God being something substantial—but it's true. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). In the face of difficulty and disappointment, faith is far more effective than mere mental exercise because it is backed by promises that God has made in His Word—promises that bring about tangible results when believed and applied to real-life situations.

These promises not only have the power to change problem situations; they also have the power to change us. The Bible tells us to "be transformed by the renewing of the mind" (Romans 12:2). It is through those "exceedingly great and precious promises" that we "may be partakers of the divine nature" (2 Peter 1:4).

We can, by an act of our will, take our mind off of negative thoughts. Unless we fill that void, however, the negative thoughts will rush back in. What should we replace those negative thoughts with? What is more positive or more powerful than the living Word of the living God? When coupled with prayer, the uplifting, transforming Word of God can give you victory over every ugly, negative thought and its consequences.

As you make a consistent effort to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts from God's Word, it will become a habit; you will learn to—as the Bible puts it—"bring your thoughts into captivity" (2 Corinthians 10:5).

This is very difficult to accomplish in the tumult of the world. We don't find the mind of God on the streets of social life or in the hobby shop. To connect with Him, find a place where there are no distractions. "When you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:6).

When we come aside from the temporal things that distract and harass us, and there in the presence of God we put our mind on the things of God, the transforming power of God then begins to work in us, and we are changed, renewed. There is no place where the mind can be as fully renewed as in the secret place of prayer, alone with God

Keep on the sunny side of life

2009-10-31T23:07:00.002+08:00

KEEP ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF LIFE

Well there's a dark and a troubled side of life.

There's a bright and a sunny side too.

But if you meet with the darkness and strife,

The sunny side we also may view.

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,

Keep on the sunny side of life.

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,

If we keep on the sunny side of life.

Oh, the storm and its fury broke today,

Crushing hopes that we cherish so dear.

Clouds and storms will in time pass away.

The sun again will shine bright and clear.

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,

Keep on the sunny side of life.

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,

If we'll keep on the sunny side of life.

Let us greet with a song of hope each day.

Though the moments be cloudy or fair.

Let us trust in our Saviour always,

To keep us, every one, in His care.

Keep on the sunny side, always on the sunny side,

Keep on the sunny side of life.

It will help us every day, it will brighten all the way,

If we'll keep on the sunny side of life.

Prayer - Armour of God

2009-10-08T23:18:00.002+08:00

Prayer for putting on the Armour of God

"Heavenly Father, we praise and worship you because you are God.

We are honored to be your servants and we take our stand today against the devil and his schemes against us, our families and our ministries.

Father, as we take up each piece of the armor, please secure it in place on us.

1. We take up the shield of faith and extend it over ourselves. It extinguishes all the fiery darts of the evil one.

2. We put on the helmet of salvation, which protects our mind from the enemy's attacks. We have the mind of Christ."

3. We put on the breastplate of righteousness, which covers our bodies with the righteousness of God. In Christ, every foothold of evil has been washed away and we are clothed in righteousness!

4. We gird our loins with the belt of truth. Your word, O God, is truth. Father, sanctify us according to your word and remind us through the Holy Spirit of the truth that destroys the lies of sin.

5. We shod our feet with the preparation of the Gospel of peace. We have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. We have favor with God and with man. We walk in our inheritance as an adopted son of God and have authority over evil in Jesus' name.

6. We will use the Sword of the Spirit by speaking the Word of God as it applies to whatever situation we may face today. Father, please remind us of your Word via the Holy Spirit.

We will continue throughout the day & night praying in the Spirit, and we believe that the Holy Spirit is interceding on our behalf according to our prayers.

Thank you, Father, for the whole armor of God. Please surround us with your hedge of protection as we move forward on the spiritual battlefield today and every other days. We praise and worship you now and forever. In Jesus mighty name, Amen.

His Name is called Wonderful

2009-07-25T16:07:00.005+08:00

God can do wonders, that's why HIS name is called WONDERFUL.

A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded'.

'I can't go to Sunday School,' she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: 'This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.'
For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.
He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there...
A newspaper learned of the story and published It. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.
When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide.Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated.
Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, 'Acres of Diamonds'.

This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS.

The God Factor

2009-02-10T11:58:00.001+08:00

Nearly everyone in the world experiences problems, financial troubles & trying situations at one time or another, but some people deal with it better than others. What makes the difference is often not so much these people’s circumstances, but to whom they turn for help. The secret to overcoming any problem or obstacle in life is: Do what you can do, and then rely on the “God factor.”

What is the God factor?

Isaiah 55:9 says, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

In making our plans we must remember that God is in control of the situation, that it's His work, and that He is able to change hearts and situations and make things happen that are far beyond our abilities. That's the "God factor."

What seems logical to the human mind often takes on a different perspective when the God factor comes into play. The God factor is that extra factor in the equation which defies even the laws of nature and makes the impossible possible.

The God factor means standing on God’s promises. It means trusting in Him, believing that nothing is impossible with Him. It means that He’s able to supply all your needs. It means that faith in Him overrides all impossibilities.

God is in the heavenly realm, but He works in the real world. He deals not just in spiritual blessings and rewards, but in tangible, black-and-white, dollars-and-cents material blessings and rewards as well. He's the God of Heaven, and also the God of this present world. He transcends both, rules in both, lives in both, dominates both‚ creates in both, and has the power to pay us in both currencies.

We need to learn to trust Him for the material things that we need—not just our spiritual needs like happiness, purpose, and peace of mind. He's just as powerful‚ just as capable, and just as willing to give us the tangible, practical blessings we need. He has no problem or qualm about pulling cold‚ hard cash out of His pocket for us, if we'll only have the faith to receive it. We need to not limit God in our minds, but realize that His influence is all encompassing and that He is capable of performing miracles in both the spiritual and physical realms. He can and will give us both spiritual and material blessings, and we all need a whole lot of both.

God has given us some amazing promises in His Word. These promises are for real. They have been given to us by our truthful God who never lies. He doesn't exaggerate. He doesn't pump up His promises to lift Himself up or to make us feel good. He gives us His promises because He wants us to believe and claim them as our own, so He can give us all of the great things He has in store for us.

They're not fake promises, but each one is conditional. "Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4). "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). "Give and it will be given to you" (Luke 6:38). "No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly" (Psalm 84:11). They're each dependent on us fulfilling our part of the bargain, which nearly always comes down to keeping His two great commandments: Love God, and love our neighbors as we do ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). But if we do our part, they are guaranteed to come to pass—not necessarily in the way we want or think they will, but in God's time and way. Like a wise and loving parent, He always knows what's best for us and is happy to give it to us. That's the God factor.

--Adapted from an article by Peter Amsterdam

Oasis of Peace

2009-02-09T09:23:00.001+08:00

Six Steps of Meditative Prayer.

Step 1: Choose an appropriate location. Most people find that meditation is best in quiet, uncluttered surroundings, ideally away from where they work or spend most of their waking hours. A secluded spot outside can be especially conducive. Fresh air not only renews us physically, but it also illustrates God's Spirit that is able to clear our minds and spirits.

Step 2: Take time to wind down. It's impossible to immediately go from the affairs of a busy day into a state of deep meditative prayer. There needs to be a time of transition, a time of phasing out the material world. Sometimes it helps to spend a few minutes on a transitional activity, such as listening to soothing music, taking a short walk, or breathing deeply. As you try different things, you'll find what works best for you.

Step 3: Leave your cares at the door. If problems are weighing you down, they'll keep you from the peace you could receive from meditation. Take a minute or two (or as long as it takes) to give your present cares to Jesus in prayer. Be specific. Describe to Him what is troubling you, and ask Him to lift and bear it. Focus on God's ability to bring solutions, rather than the problems themselves. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (1 Philippians 4:6-7).

Step 4: Get relaxed. Several minutes of gentle stretches and deep breathing, followed by a relaxation exercise (concentrate on relaxing your face and neck, then your entire body, part by part) can help. If you're feeling especially tense, a shower or a bath or a short walk in nature might help you relax. Or if you're very tired, a nap may be just the thing, because as long as you're exhausted, you probably won't get much out of your time of meditation.

Step 5: Select a comfortable position. In meditation, the position of your spirit matters much more than the position of your body. You don't have to sit a certain way—or even sit, for that matter—except of course you should be comfortable, so that doesn't become a distraction. Whatever position you choose, it should allow you to maintain good posture, because this facilitates deep breathing and good circulation of the blood.

Step 6: Meditate. You've found an appropriate spot and wound down physically. You've put your problems and cares into Jesus' very capable hands. You've disconnected from the affairs of the day, and are relaxed and comfortable. Now you're ready to begin a time of focused meditation.

You might choose to focus on Jesus Himself, thinking about one of His attributes, or on some special blessing He has brought into your life. A specific thought from God's Word can also be a subject for meditation. Reading a passage from the Bible, or some other short devotional material may help get you started.

Let your mind rest. Don't analyze. Just relax and concentrate on quieting your body, mind, and spirit. Think of this type of meditation as being like learning to float in water. It takes that amount of relaxation of both body and spirit for God's Spirit to take over and give you the "buoyancy" you need. If you struggle or try to poke your head up to see what's happening around you, the balance will be upset and you'll break your connection with Him. Whereas if you will just lie back, stop struggling, focus on relaxing every muscle in your body, and shut out the noise of the world and every thought except the one you're meditating on, God's Spirit will hold you up perfectly. It's a wonderful feeling!

"Peace I leave with you," Jesus promised. "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you" (John 14:27). Let Him carry you away to the peaceful haven He has prepared for you.

Resting in Jesus brings comfort and peace that nothing can replace. It's Jesus touching you.

Author: Unknown

Why Meditate

2009-02-08T15:23:00.001+08:00

What is Meditation?

Text from Activate Magazine September 08

By simple definition, meditation is continued or extended contemplation, especially of a spiritual or devotional nature. In practical terms, meditation involves concentrating on a single thought or mental image to the exclusion of all others.

Meditation is practiced in various forms the world over. It's a cornerstone of New Age religions, but meditation of one style or another can also be found in most of the major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. The following quotes focus on meditating on Jesus while praying, which can perhaps be more aptly termed "meditative prayer."

We inhabit physical bodies, but we are spiritual beings living spiritual lives. Meditative prayer helps us to get in touch with the spiritual elements.

Giving Jesus our focused, undivided attention strengthens our relationship with Him. Just as we each need some time alone with those dearest to us, He wants time alone with us.

Meditation has physical benefits, especially for the nervous system. Stress and tension negatively impact our health in various ways—raising blood pressure or accelerating the aging process, for example. It stands to reason, then, that relieving stress would pay off in better health, and it does. Resting the mind has a profound effect on brain activity, which results in a slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and a reduction in stress hormones—and the nervous system gets temporary relief. If meditation is practiced regularly, these beneficial changes become relatively permanent.

Whatever happens to occupy our thoughts or drive our actions at any given moment is not the all in all. Meditation reminds us that there's more to life than what meets the eye.

Meditation helps us get our priorities right. Distancing ourselves from our day-to-day activities, even if only for a few minutes, gives us a fresh perspective on them.

When we draw closer to Jesus through meditation, He takes our minds off our problems and concerns for a time and empties us of our own thoughts about them. Later, when we must face those problems again, He is more easily able to give us His mind on the matter—solutions we hadn't been able to find on our own.

Silence

By Jessie Richards

Sometimes I just like to sit here silently with You.
You already know.
You already understand.
I don't have to say the right thing, or anything at all;
You accept me.
You see my thoughts as they form and dance.
Words could never aptly express them.
You could verbalize Your every thought perfectly,
Yet You sometimes choose silence too.
There's just something about being together,
Not having to say a thing,
Because we feel it‚ we sense it‚ we know it.

God's Plan For Financial Health

2009-02-04T09:35:00.001+08:00

Staying healthy financially is a bit like staying healthy physically: There aren't any shortcuts or "magic pills," but rather it's dependent on numerous factors that have to be done with regularity.

To get healthy or stay healthy physically, you must do a number of things in proper balance—eat well, sleep well, exercise regularly, drink plenty of water, dress appropriately for the weather, avoid stress, stay clean and avoid germs, etc. You can't only eat well and expect to be healthy; you also need to do those other things. Each is a part of God's health plan, and they all work together to bring about the desired result.

It's the same with getting healthy and staying healthy financially. You have to follow God's financial health plan as best you can. That means first and foremost making time for your spiritual life and relationship with Him—"Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4)—but there's more to it than that. You also need to work hard, be honest and fair in business, pray for His guidance before making financial decisions, be thankful for all He gives you, avoid waste, and give back to Him by supporting His work and workers, as well as giving to others in need, etc. You have to enact each part of God's financial health plan and keep the right balance, or you can't expect His full blessing.

At the same time, you need to remember that having a good income and financial stability isn't the be-all or end-all of the Lord's blessing, any more than it's the be-all or end-all of life—or as Jesus put it, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses" (Luke 12:15). Sometimes His blessings come in other forms that benefit us even more, such as good health, protection from accidents, a loving family, a happy and harmonious home life, true friends, peace of mind, and purpose and fulfillment in life.—David Brandt Berg

Be Thankful

The Lord is a wise investor. He gives the most to those who are thankful for the blessings He's already given them. We can show Him our appreciation by thanking and praising Him regularly—by not taking His generosity for granted. No benefactor would continue giving to someone who isn't grateful for what he or she has already been given.

The more you learn to recognize God's goodness and the more you make it a habit to thank and praise Him at every turn, the more He will bless. So tell Him how much you love Him and how thankful you are for all He does for you. As you praise and love Him, He loves you in return and pours His blessings on you. Praise down the blessings of God.—Maria Fontaine

God's Promises

2009-02-01T23:28:00.001+08:00

God’s promises to sustain you in time of need.

The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked. --Proverbs 10:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. --Psalm 37:3
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. --Psalm 37:16-17
The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. --Psalm 37:18-19.
I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. --Psalm 37:25
My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:19
Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. --Matthew 6:33
Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. --Psalm 37:4-5
The Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly. --Psalm 84:11
Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? --Matthew 6: 25-26
Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. --Psalm 33: 18-19
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want [lack]. --Psalm 23:1

Author: Unknown

Forgiveness Is Divine

2009-01-26T08:12:00.001+08:00

The power to forgive is one of the greatest powers given to man. It's part of the nature and essence of God, and when you exercise it you assume godlike stature. You have the power to forgive and thus rise above the pettiness of mortals.

Choosing to forgive another is one of the hardest things most people ever do, especially if it's undeserved. It's hard because it's not human nature. Human nature cries out for revenge and retribution. But why get stuck in human nature?

Jesus came to bring forgiveness and salvation from sin, but He also came to save you from human nature. When you received Him as your Savior, you received a measure of His superhuman nature. Once you've received Him, how much that superhuman nature rules in your life is up to you, and that is reflected in your choices. Since one of the most outstanding traits of His nature is a readiness to forgive, how quick you are to forgive others is a pretty good indication of whether or not you're letting His superhuman nature take charge.

Whether that person who wronged you deserves forgiveness or not is not the central issue. The central issue is you doing the right thing. No one really deserves forgiveness. If others have done wrong, they deserve a just punishment. But forgiveness is greater than justice. Justice is human; forgiveness is divine.

Forgive others who have wronged you, even as your heavenly Father forgives you.

Author: Unknown

Children Are Forever

2009-01-24T12:24:00.001+08:00

Bearing babies and raising children is the greatest experience in this natural life. Children are eternal gifts—not just for a time, but for eternity.

Babies are so close to God—straight from Heaven. Although it's very mysterious how the Lord plans and orders His creation, we know that He does not make any mistakes. God is the Creator of souls. He's the one who creates that spark of life, the union of spirit and body to form a human soul.

Of course children are not only a gift of God, but also the work of God. If God has given you children, then your first duty to God is to raise those children right. Your children are God's work for you. They're His children too, of course, but He wants you to take care of and train them.

That's a full-time job, but with that big job come big rewards and lots of benefits. You should be very proud to be a parent, because yours is the greatest work in the world—molding the future. The world of tomorrow is what the parents of today make it, according to the way they raise their children.

Never minimize the training of your children. Did you ever realize that the most important things children are going to learn in their lifetimes, they learn before they're five years old? So just think how important it is that you teach and train them right during those first formative years. That's why the Bible says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

You can't wait till your child is five years old before you begin teaching him or her. Every single day counts, and what that child learns each day is important. You as a parent are responsible to see to it that your child is not only fed, clothed, protected, and kept healthy, but also that your child is taught God's Word, trained in His truth, and inspired with His love.

Some parents have the wrong attitude that if their kids learn, they learn, and if they don't, they don't. While children shouldn't be forced to learn something they don't want to learn, the truth of the matter is that all children want to learn. They're happier and feel more fulfilled when they are learning, and they can learn a lot more with a parent's guidance and encouragement than if they are just left to learn on their own. In fact, it is entirely unscriptural to leave children to make up their own minds without first trying to inform them and guide them in their decisions. "A child left to himself brings his mother to shame" (Proverbs 29:15).

Children's minds are just like sponges, or tape recorders, or computers; they absorb, record, and process everything that goes on around them.

It's simple to teach your young children about Jesus. Just do it from your heart! Point them to the Lord by your example and your love, and by talking to them about Jesus.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14). He's just waiting to become their Best Friend and Savior!

May God help us to be good stewards of the most precious gifts He's given us—our children!

Text by David Brandt Berg

Thank You Lord

2009-01-18T19:05:00.001+08:00

… for all the blessings you gave me this year.

… for the sunny days and for the sad, cloudy days.

… for the peaceful afternoons and the long, dark nights.

Thank you for health and sickness, for the sorrows and joys I had this year.

Thank you for all the things you lent me and then took back again.

Thank you, Lord, for the friendly smiles and helping hands, for the love I received and all wonderful things.

For the flowers and stars, for children and loving souls.

Thank you for the loneliness, for work, for difficulties and problems, for uncertainties and tears because all these brought me closer to You.

Thank you for preserving my life, for supplying shelter, food and all my needs.

Whatever you wish, My Lord

… I ask only that you grant me faith to see you in everything that comes my way,

Hope & Courage to not give up,

And Love… more love for you each day and for those around me.

Give me, Lord, what you know is good for me and that which I know not how to ask.

Grant me an obedient heart and a listening ear, an alert mind and active hands so that I may yield to your desire and submit to your perfect will for my life.

Pour out Your blessings over all my loved ones and bring peace to the hearts of men.

In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Love & Children

2009-01-10T10:43:00.001+08:00

Love

As seen through the eyes of children.

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.

A group of social scientists asked this question to a group of four-to-eight-year-olds:

"What does love mean?"

See what you think.

"Love is that first feeling you feel before all the bad stuff gets in the way."

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth."

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My mommy and daddy are like that."

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."

"When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you're scared they won't love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you, they love you even more."

"There are two kinds of love, our love and God's love. But God makes both kinds of them."

“Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

“Love cards say stuff on them that we'd like to say ourselves, but we wouldn't be caught dead saying.”

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

“My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night.”

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."

"Love is when someone hurts you, and you get so mad but you don't yell at them because you know it would hurt their feelings."

"Love is when your puppy is so glad to see you even though you left him alone all day."

"You really shouldn't say I love you unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."

"When they crucified Jesus, God could have said magic words to make the nails fall off the cross, but He didn't. That's love."

“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings Thou ordained strength”

Psalm 8:2

Author: Unknown

Living With The Rose

2008-12-29T10:52:00.001+08:00

The secret of a closer relationship with Jesus

But how do we accomplish that?

How can we be more like Him?

A Persian fable says one day, a wanderer found a piece of clay. So redolent of sweet perfume. Its odor scented all the room.

“What are thou?” was the quick demand. “Art thou some gem from Samarkand or Spikenard rare in odd disguise?” Or other costly merchandise?”

“Nay, I am but a piece of clay.”

“Then, whence this sweetness, pray?”

“Friend, if the secret I disclose. I have been living with the rose.”

As in the Persian fable, it comes from living close to Him!

(2 Corinthians 3:18).

…living as He would, acting as He would, speaking as He would, and even thinking as He would.

If we don't, no matter how many good qualities we possess or how dynamic we are or how dedicated we are, no matter how good we are with people or what else we may have going for us, if we're not spending time with Jesus, we're not going to be a very good reflection of Him or His love to others.

It’s not about religion or going to church or having the ‘right’ doctrine. It’s not even about sacrifice…. It’s about spending time with the Master!

It’s about going to His Word & letting Him transform you.

Many of us tend to pick up the pace when our workloads and responsibilities increase, and that leads to more stress.

Taking time off and relaxing alone or with family or friends can help relieve the pressure, but friends or family or time alone can't give us what Jesus can.

Jesus said the requirement for a fruitful life is abiding in Him. "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15:4).

"Abiding in Jesus" means staying connected with Him by taking time to read His Word and pray and listen to Him for Jesus said, “apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

John 13:35

(… You and me!)

If you don’t know Jesus personally, we invite you to get to know Him. No matter what faith you belong to, He loves you & wants to reach out to you & give you His gift of eternal life.

PRAYER:

“Dear Jesus, I need your light to drive away all darkness. I need your peace to fill and satisfy my heart. I now open the door of my heart and ask You to please come into my life and give me your gift of eternal life. Amen”

Song of Solomon 2:1

“I am the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valleys”

Author: Unknown

A Lesson From Geese

2008-12-25T17:59:00.001+08:00

Have you ever wondered why migrating geese fly in a V formation?

As with most animal behavior, God had a good reason for including that in their instincts.

As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following.

In a V formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% more flying range than if each bird flew alone.

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone…

…and quickly gets back into formation.

Like geese…

… people who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier than those who try to go it alone.

When a goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. If people had as much sense as geese, they would realize that ultimately their success depends on working as a team, taking turns doing the hard tasks, and sharing leadership.

Geese in the rear of the formation honk to encourage those up front to up their speed. It is important that our “honking from behind” be encouraging. Otherwise it’s just - well - honking.

They stay with the unhealthy member of the flock until it is either able to fly again or dies.

When a goose gets sick or wounded, two other geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and provide protection.

Then they launch out again with another passing flock or try to catch up with their own.

May we be so sacrificial, that we may be worthy of such friends in our time of need.

…To learn from God’s marvelous creation; you only need to stop long enough to observe and let God reveal His wonders to you.

YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE A SCIENTIST...

“Ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?”

JOB 12:7-9

CAN SOMEONE “ASKED” THE GEESE…

Author: Unknown

God's Ways

2008-12-13T22:08:00.001+08:00

GOD’S WAYS

A lesson from Mother Nature

NAHUM 1:3

I recollect, when a lad, sitting on a mountain, and watching a storm as it came up the valley.

The heavens were filled with blackness, and the earth was shaken by the voice of thunder.

It seemed as though that fair landscape was utterly changed, and its beauty gone never to return.

But the storm swept on, and passed out of the valley…

And if I had sat in the same place on the following day, and said:

“Where is that terrible storm with all its terrible blackness?”

And the daisy would have said,
“Part of it is in me,”

The grass would have said, “Part of it is in me,”

And the trees and flowers and everything that grows out of the ground would have said, “Part of the storm is incandescent in me.”

Have you longed for the fruit of the Spirit, and have you prayed for sweetness and gentleness and love?

Have you asked to be made like your Lord?

Then fear not any stormy tempest that may sweep through your life.

A blessing is in the storm, and there will be the rich fruitage in the “afterward.”

The flowers live by the tears that fall from the sad face of the skies;

And life would have no joys at all, were there no watery eyes.

Life And Its Purpose

2008-12-08T10:14:00.001+08:00

YOUR LIFE AND ITS PURPOSE

What is Life all about?

Answer: Life is all about LOVE

The best use of Life is LOVE

The best expression of Love is TIME

The best time to Love is NOW

Why? Because we have NO guarantee of to-morrow

GOD’S FIVE PURPOSES FOR YOUR LIFE

1.“Love God with all your heart”:

You were planned for God’s pleasure, so your purpose is to

love God through WORSHIP.

2. “Love your neighbour as yourself”:

You were shaped for serving, so your purpose is to

show love through MINISTRY.

3. “Go and make disciples”:

You were made for a mission, so your purpose is to share

God’s message through EVENGELISM.

4. “Baptise them into…”:

You were formed for God’s family, so your purpose is to

identify with His church through FELLOWSHIP.

5. “Teach them to do all things…”:

You were created to become like Christ, so your purpose is

to grow to maturity through DISCIPLESHIP.

God Knows First

2008-12-07T19:49:00.001+08:00

GOD was the FIRST to know!

That numerous truths about our world were written in the Bible hundreds or even thousands of years before science “discovered” them.

Scientists “Discover” Truths That Were in the Bible All along!

Few people might be aware of this:
There are passages in the Bible that coincide with scientific principles that weren't "discovered" by scientists until thousands of years after the Bible had been written.

Here are a few examples:

It wasn’t until around the time of Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) that science established that the earth was spherical and hung in space.

The prophet Isaiah wrote in about 700 BC that:

“GOD “SITS ABOVE THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH”

Isaiah 40:22

About 3,000 years before Columbus, it was written in the book of Job that:

God “stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing.”

Job 26:7

Also, when Jesus spoke of His Second Coming, He referred to a night scene (men sleeping), a morning scene (women grinding), and a midday scene (workers in the field) happening simultaneously (Luke 17:34-36). This, of course, is an indirect reference to a spherical earth.

The Bible described the hydrologic cycle:

In various passages, the Bible describes a hydrologic cycle, the process by which clouds are formed, rain is produced, and ground water is replenished. Science made the same discovery in the 1600s, long after the Bible passages were written.

Here are the related Bible verses:

Job 26:8—He binds up the water in His thick clouds, yet the clouds are not broken under it.

Job 36:27-28—For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man.

Ecclesiastes 1:7— All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full; to the place from which the rivers come, there they return again.

Galileo (1564-1642) was the first to “discover” that the number of stars is uncountable – a fact that has been clearly established by modern scientists, who now estimate the number of stars in the “billions and billions”

Johannes Kepler counted 1005.

The Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe counted 777.

The Greek astronomer Ptolemy had said there were 1056.

Twenty two centuries before Galileo, the prophet Jeremiah said:

“The host of heaven cannot be numbered”

Jeremiah 33:22

The Bible stated the existence of valleys and springs in the seas:

Not until the past few hundred years did man have the technology to discover that there are deep valleys and fresh water springs in the oceans.

But the Bible always knew:

2 Samuel 22:16a - Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered. …

Genesis 7:11 - In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

In 1643, with the invention of the barometer, Evangelista Torricelli discovered a way to measure the atmospheric air pressure and thereby proved that air has weight.

In what is believed to be the oldest book in the Bible, Job is quoted as saying that:

God “establishes weight for the wind”

Job 28:25

Jet streams – the strong permanent high-altitude wind currents that have a major bearing on weather systems – were discovered by science in the 19th century.

Nearly 3,000 years earlier, King Solomon wrote:

“The wind goes toward the south, and turns to the north; the wind whirls about continually, and comes again on its circuit.”

Ecclesiastes 1:6

Words of the wise…

Daniel 12:4 - But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.

Sir Isaac Newton, writing in the 16th century on the prophecy of Daniel 12:4 (written about 2500 years ago), said that if true, it would be necessary that a new mode of traveling should be invented, for knowledge would be so increased that man would be able to travel at the rate of fifty miles an hour.

Voltaire, the French philosopher of the same century, true to the spirit of skepticism, rejoined:

"Now look at the mighty mind of Newton, who discovered gravitation; when he began to study the book called the Bible, it seems in order to credit its fabulous nonsense, he believed that the knowledge of mankind will be so increased that we shall be able to travel fifty miles an hour! The poor dotard!" ("Dotard" in this sense indicated a fool.)

Today even a skeptic would have to say, "Newton was a wise philosopher; Voltaire a poor old dotard."

The true relationship between science and the Bible is perhaps best summed up in the words of British astronomer John Herschel (1792-1871):

“All human discovery seems to be made only for the purpose of confirming more and more strongly the truth contained in the Sacred Scriptures.”

Give God Time

2008-12-06T17:57:00.001+08:00

IMPORTANT PRAYER PRINCIPLES

Excerpt from ‘Meditation Moments’ by Virginia Brandt Berg

If you have a problem today, a great need in your life, maybe your problem is that you had done all the talking, but hadn't done any listening to God!

"Stop talking and listen for a while! Listen to God's Word! Be still and let Him speak to you.

When you get quiet and wait on Him, there will come a prompting from Him in a still small voice." Someone has also called it "A Divine Oughtness," that is, an impression that you ought to do a certain thing.

Some people think that effective praying means to keep on seeking and keep on knocking, to keep on talking and talking and asking God with a multitude of words, and an insistence in talking it out with Him!

This kind of prayer doesn’t show your trust & faith that He’ll answer, on the contrary, it shows your unbelief & lack of faith that He has heard you & the answer is on its way.

When you pray you don’t need to keep on asking, with so much talking and insistence on expressing yourself in words, but you need to keep on believing and keep on expecting and waiting! Waiting for God to answer!

Oh, the answer's there, God will answer! You know, prayer in its highest meaning is not pleading with God or demanding things, but it is communion with God, throwing your whole being open heavenward, God-ward, and waiting for the divine response.

A little word by Martha Snell-Nicholson:

Sometimes I do not even pray in words.
I take my heart in my two hands,
And hold it up before the Lord.
I'm so glad He understands.

Sometimes I do not even pray in words.
My spirit bows before His feet,
And with His hand upon my head,
We just hold communion, silent, sweet.

Sometimes I do not pray in words,
For I am tired and long for rest.
And my heart finds all it needs,
Just resting on the Savior's gentle breast.

If you have prayed and had no answer yet, no answers come and it seems as if when you pray, the Heavens are brass and He's been deaf to your pleading cries, remember this:

No earnest sincere prayer to the heavenly Father has ever gone unanswered or been unnoticed. But it is also true that God has His time for all things in working out His purposes! God has strange ways of disciplining His intercessors and prayer warriors, and that takes time.

The Chained Eagle

2008-12-03T18:27:00.001+08:00

Many people resolve to do this or that, change this or that, break a bad habit, or start a new one. Sometimes it works; often it doesn't.

Is that because so many of us are like the bird in the following story?

A man once owned an eagle, and for many years kept him chained to a stake.

Every day the eagle walked around and around that stake, and over time wore a rut in the ground.

When the eagle was getting old, his master felt sorry for him and decided to set him free. So he took the metal ring off the eagle's foot, lifted the eagle from the ground, and tossed him into the air.

He was free--but he had forgotten how to fly! He flip-flopped to the ground, walked back over to his old rut, and started walking in circles like he had for years.

No chain and shackle held him, just the habit!

You may think it’s not possible for you to change, but if you really want to and are sincerely willing to, God can change you by the miracle-working power of His Spirit.

He'll do things you can't do!

There is a saying:

“The chains of bad habits are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken”

--and that would be true if it weren't for the Lord and His power.

You may have to put a great deal of your own will to the transformation process as well, but with God's strength and His intervention, you'll find you have more resolve, determination, and ability to change than you ever thought possible.

He said, "Whatever you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive"

(Matthew 21:22).

Following is what it means to "become a new creature in Christ Jesus"

(2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV).

Jesus coming into your life not only renews and purifies and regenerates your spirit, but it also renews your mind, literally breaking old connections and reflexes and gradually rebuilding it and rewiring it into a whole new computer system with a different outlook on life and a new way of looking at the world, with new reactions to nearly everything around you.

To change yourself is something you can’t do in your own will power and strength. If you want this change, it's necessary for you to ask Jesus to help.

Some changes are instantaneous, others take awhile.

--But if you ask Him for help and do your part, you'll be changed, because Jesus changes people!

Believe it or not, they used to build bridges by first flying a kite from one side of the river or gorge to the other.

Someone on the opposite side caught the kite and tied a little thicker, stronger string to the end of the kite string, and the men who had sent the kite over pulled the new, thicker string back across.

The teams on each side kept repeating the process, next with an even stronger string, then a cord, then a thin rope, then a thicker rope, and so on.

Eventually they could pull a small steel cable across, then a heavier one, until finally they had a cable across the expanse that was strong enough to support them and their tools and materials.

-And it all started with one tiny kite string!

Building Habits

--Peter Amsterdam

That's how habits are formed, both good and bad. Add a thread every day, and before long you can't break it.

Start developing a good habit by taking the first step, however small, in the right direction. Then keep at it until you've built up a routine that can't easily be broken.

Psychologists tell us that it usually takes us three weeks to get familiar with some new task or habit; it takes another three weeks before it becomes a habit.

Now the reason why many people are not successful in forming a new habit is because they've never made it past that six-week barrier. For your new behavior to become a habit, you must do it daily for at least six weeks.

--Maria Fontaine

So don’t give up too easily or too soon. Keep at it!

Adapted from an article by David Brandt Berg

Mother Teresa

2008-12-02T23:34:00.001+08:00

MOTHER TERESA IN HER OWN WORDS

“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”

Mother Teresa taught us by her sample what it really means to ‘live’ the Gospel.

“I think today the world is upside down, and is suffering so much because there is so very little love in the home, and in family life. We have no time for our children, we have no time for each other, there is no time to enjoy each other.”

“Love begins at home; love lives in homes, and that is why there is so much suffering and so much unhappiness in the world today...

Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of the peace of the world.”

"I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?"
-- 1974 interview.

ON POVERTY

"When I see waste here, I feel angry on the inside. I don't approve of myself getting angry. But it's something you can't help after seeing Ethiopia." -- Washington 1984.

“The most terrible poverty is loneliness and the feeling of being unloved.”

“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.”

“There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread.”

“We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”

ON WAR

"I have never been in a war before, but I have seen famine and death. I was asking (myself), 'What do they feel when they do this?' I don't understand it. They are all children of God. Why do they do it? I don't understand."

"Please choose the way of peace. ... In the short term there may be winners and losers in this war that we all dread. But that never can, nor never will justify the suffering, pain and loss of life your weapons will cause."

-- Letter to U.S. President George Bush and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, January 1991.

-- Beirut 1982, during fighting between the Israeli army and Palestinian guerrillas.

ON ABORTION

Abortion "is murder in the womb ... A child is a gift of God. If you do not want him, give him to me."

“The greatest destroyer of peace is abortion because if a mother can kill her own child, what is left for me to kill you and you to kill me? There is nothing between.”

“It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.”

"The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven. And St. Peter said, 'Go back to Earth. There are no slums up here.'"

-- Quoted as telling Prince Michael of Greece in 1996.

ON HER LIFE’S WORK

“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

“The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.”

ON LOVE

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

“I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.”

“I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.”

“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I do know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will NOT ask, How many good things have you done in your life?, rather he will ask, How much LOVE did you put into what you did?”

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

“Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.”

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.

Good works are links that form a chain of love.

“Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”

“I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.”

“I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.”

“I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.”

ON SERVING GOD

“In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with great love.”

“Many people mistake our work for our vocation. Our vocation is the love of Jesus.”

“Sweetest Lord, make me appreciative of the dignity of my high vocation, and its many responsibilities. Never permit me to disgrace it by giving way to coldness, unkindness, or impatience.”

“There should be less talk; a preaching point is not a meeting point. What do you do then? Take a broom and clean someone's house. That says enough.”

“Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.”

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

“Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.”

“At the end of our lives, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made or how many great things we have done. We will be judged by ‘I was hungry and you gave me to eat. I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless and you took me in.’” ’”

If you haven’t yet received Jesus into your heart, you can do it now by repeating this little prayer:

“Dear Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and my Savior. I need Your love to cleanse me from my mistakes and wrongdoings. I need your light to drive away all darkness. I need your peace to fill and satisfy my heart. I now open the door of my heart and ask You to please come into my life and give me your gift of eternal life. Amen”

“Jesus is my God. Jesus is my Husband. Jesus is my Life. Jesus is my only Love. Jesus is my All!”

“If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.”

Trust God

2008-11-28T00:03:00.001+08:00

God's love does not always keep us from trials, but it is a love that always keeps us through trials.

Got Troubles?

Everyone experiences situations or circumstances that are less than ideal, or that you have to struggle with or rise above on a daily basis.

There are all kinds of tests and trials that come as a part of life.

It teaches you to see things positively even when you feel like things are hopeless, to choose to love and share and sacrifice even when you don't have enough, to choose to do the right thing even when everything around you is wrong.

Life on Earth is a training and testing ground, one which teaches you to make the right decisions despite the hardships.

The difficulties that you face in life are what shape character. These are the tools that God uses to make you into the men and women that He needs you to be.

Without the tests, there would be no testimony.

Without these nagging weaknesses, these annoyances, these besetting sins‚ these embarrassing problems and obstacles, your faith would not be tested.

Only in the hot furnace of affliction do we as Christians let go of the dross to which, in our foolishness, we ardently cling.

He promises, "ALL things work together for GOOD to them that love the Lord!" (Romans 8:28) He is not going to allow ANYTHING to happen to you, His child, except what is for your GOOD!

Of course, we often feel like, "My goodness! A LOT of things happen that don't look very good to ME!" But sooner or later you will find out that somehow or another they WERE good for you!

So even if you don't always understand WHY you're going through tests, trials, hardships and breakings, remember, GOD knows what He's doing! He knows all the purposes and reasons behind each test, trial or trouble.

EVERYONE who has ever been of any real use to the Lord, had to first be broken, humbled and brought virtually to the END of THEMSELVES.

Otherwise, they would be too proud and self-confident in their own fleshly talents and natural abilities, and would take the glory to THEMSELVES if God were to use them.

This is why He chooses to use the WEAK things and the FOOLISH things, "that NO FLESH should glory in His presence!" (1Corinthians 1:25-29)

A bar of steel worth $5 ºº

When wrought into horseshoes, is worth $10 ºº

If made into needles, it is worth $350 ºº

If into penknife blades, it is worth $32,000 ºº

If into springs for watches, it is worth $250,000 ºº

What a drilling the poor bar must undergo to be worth this!

But the more it is manipulated‚ the more it is hammered, and passed through the fire, and beaten and pounded and polished, the greater the value.

—Sir Henry Bessemer (1813–1898), British inventor and engineer

The diamond cannot be polished without friction, nor the man perfected without trials.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perish, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise & honor & glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1Peter 1:7

Butterfly & Flower

2008-11-22T21:19:00.001+08:00

Once there was a man who asked God for a flower....

....and a butterfly.

But instead God gave him a cactus....

....and a caterpillar.

The man was sad, he didn’t understand why his request was mistaken. Then he thought:

Oh well, God has too many people to care for...

And decided not to question.

After some time, the man went to check up on his request that he had left forgotten.

To his surprise, from the thorny & ugly cactus a beautiful flower had grown.

And the unsightly caterpillar had been transformed into the most beautiful butterfly.

GOD always does things right!

His way is ALWAYS the best way, even if to us it seems all wrong.

If you asked God for one thing & received another, TRUST.

You can be sure that He will always give you what you need at the appropriate time.

What you want...

....is not always what you need!

God never fails to grant our petitions, so keep on going for Him without doubting or murmuring.

Today’s THORN...

Is tomorrow’s FLOWER!

GOD GIVES THE VERY BEST TO THOSE WHO LEAVE THE CHOICES UP TO HIM! GOD BLESS YOU!

Storm Clouds

2008-11-18T11:26:00.001+08:00

“If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth.”

Ecclesiastes 11:3

True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; it will be out again before long.

Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky?

Meanwhile those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they will yield plentiful showers.

How can we have rain without clouds?

Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will.

They are the dark chariots of bright grace!

These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be gladder for the shower.

Our God may drench us with grief, but He will refresh us with mercy!

Our Lord’s love letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes.

His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits.

Let us not worry about the clouds, but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.

His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits!

O Lord, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day!

Love beholds Thee, and is glad. Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side.

The blue of heaven is larger than the clouds.

What seems so dark to thy dim sight
May be a shadow, seen aright
Making some brightness doubly bright.

The flash that struck thy tree
No more to shelter thee
Let heaven’s blue floor
Shine where it never shone before.

The cry wrung from thy spirit’s pain
May echo on some far-off plain,
And guide a wanderer home again.

TAKEN FROM AN ARTICLE BY C.H. SPURGEON

The Romans

2008-11-14T09:59:00.001+08:00

UNDERSTANDING ROMANS 8 VERSES 28-29

Because God is sovereignly in control, accidents are just incidents in God’s good plan for you. Because every day of your life was written on God’s calender before you were born, everything that happens to you has spiritual significance. Everything!

Romans 8 28-29 explains why: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. For God knew His people in advance, and He chose them to become like His Son.” (NLT)

This is one of the most misquoted and misunderstood passages in the Bible. It doesn’t say, “God causes everything to work out the way I want it to.” Obviously that’s not true. It also doesn’t say, “God causes everything to work out to have a happy ending on earth.” That is not true either. There are many unhappy endings on earth.

We live in a fallen world. Only in Heaven is everything done perfectly the way God intends. That is why we are told to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is done in Heaven.” To fully understand Romans 8 28-29 you must consider it phrase by phrase.

“We know”: Our hope in difficult times is not based on positive thinking, wishful thinking, or natural optimism. It is a certainty based on the truths that God is in complete control of our universe and that He loves us.

“that God causes” There’s a Grand Designer behind everything. Your life is not the result of random chance, fate or luck. There is a master plan. History is His story. God is pulling the strings. We make mistakes, but God never does. God cannot make a mistake – because He is God.

“everything”: God’s plan for your life involves all that happens to you – including your mistakes, your sins, and your hurts. It includes illness, debts, disasters, divorce, and death of loved ones. God can bring good out of the worst evil. He did at Calvary.

“to work together”: Not separately or independently. The events in your life work together in God’s plan. They are not isolated acts, but interdependent parts of the process to make you like Christ. To bake a cake you must use flour, salt, raw eggs, sugar, and oil. Eaten individually, each is pretty distatseful or even bitter. But bake them together and they become delicious. If you will give God all your distatseful, unpleasant experiences, He will blend them together for good.

“for the good”: This does not say that everything in life is good. Much of what happens in our world is evil and bad, but God specialises in bringing good out of it. In the official family tree of Jesus Christ, four women are listed: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba. Tamar seduced her father-in-law to get pregnant. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was not even Jewish and broke the law by marrying a Jewish man. Bathsheba committed adultery with David, which resulted in her husband’s murder. These were not exactly sterling reputations, but God brought good out of bad, and Jesus came through their lineage. God’s purpose is greater than our problems, our pain, and even our sin.

“of those who love God and are called”: This promise is only for God’s children. It is not for everyone. All things work for bad for those living in opposition to God and insist on having their own way.

“according to His purpose”: What is that purpose? It is that we “become like His Son.” Everything God allows to happen in your life is permitted for that purpose!

Extract from The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. (Page 195)

A Master Piece

2008-11-13T16:55:00.001+08:00

This is a master piece. If you have not read it take the time to read it now. If you have read it take time to read it again! Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

GEORGE CARLIN

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes.

These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember: Spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember, to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

—George Carlin

Sanity Savers

2008-11-10T15:46:00.001+08:00

Every morning I wake up to what seems like a list of two million things I think I need to get done before the sun sets. I used to push myself to the limit physically and mentally, but still rarely accomplished everything I had planned, and that left me frustrated and stressed. My solution? I came up with a list of five things to help me get more done without feeling so pressured. Believe it or not, none of them are "work harder" or "go faster."

1. Pray for solutions. When we ask God in prayer for the help He has promised us in His Word, this sets heavenly forces to work on our behalf. So when I begin to feel pressured, I stop and ask Him to work out whatever situation is putting me under stress. This is getting at the root of the problem, not just dealing with the symptom, the stress.

2. Still my spirit. All prayers aren't answered instantaneously, of course, so I also pray for God to still my spirit and help me to trust Him for the outcome. I spend a few moments meditating on God and turning my worries and concerns over to Him. Jesus says, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).

3. Plan and organize. The Bible advises, "Let all things be done decently and in order" (1 Corinthians 14:40). I have found that by planning my day the night before, I can free myself of much of the stress on even the busiest of days. I start with a list of everything I need to do or would like to do, set priorities, and pare down the list to what seems realistic. Then I plan the order in which to do them, including my route and travel times, estimating on the outside to allow for the unexpected. If everything doesn't fit, I cut some more. Having a solid plan sets my mind at ease.

4. Take breaks. Friends who work in offices, banks, schools, and other busy workplaces tell me, "That's impossible! I don't have the time for breaks." But I've found that a break doesn't have to take 30 minutes or an hour to be effective. Five minutes or less will usually do. I drink a glass of water and step outside for a deep breath of fresh air. Or if I can't do that, I look out a window or lean back and close my eyes. Relaxing physically helps to calm my mind. The next hour or two usually go so much better that it's clear those five minutes were a good investment.

5. Stay positive. No matter how carefully I plan my day, there are times when things go wrong or the unexpected happens. Instead of panicking or getting frazzled, I make a conscious effort to look for the good, to focus on possible solutions, not the problem.

So there you have it—five sanity savers that don't require any special genius, just a little discipline and practice.

Do you want a new lease on life?

You can have one, but you have to be willing to let go of the pressures that drive you now.

It’s up to you!

—Andrew Mateyak

Getting Ahead

2008-11-09T14:28:00.001+08:00

How can you maintain peace of mind in today's fast-paced world without falling behind or getting run over by the pack? Here are some ideas.

Set priorities and goals.

· Without meaningful goals you will never be truly successful in life, no matter how much money you earn or how great a name you make for yourself.

· Be wise; prioritize.

· Success starts in the heart. When priorities and motives are right, you're halfway there.

· Avoid self-imposed pressure by avoiding unrealistic goals and deadlines.

· Even a relatively small project can seem like a mountain when you get so close to it that it's all you can see. Cut it down to size by breaking it up into smaller tasks.

· When you feel overwhelmed with all there is to do, reassess your goals, priorities, strategy, and work habits.

· Keep things in perspective. Don't let little inconveniences become big annoyances that sap your inspiration and strength.

· If you are worried about tomorrow, it makes today doubly difficult because you're trying to carry tomorrow's burdens as well as today's. Concentrate only on what you can do today.

Slow down and take time to rest and relax.

· There will always be deadlines, pressures, and work. If you let those things run your life, you'll never find time to relax and enjoy life.

· Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself.

· You must stop everything periodically and connect with the source—God—to get recharged, or you will run out of power.

· Better to take regular times of rest than to risk a breakdown. No matter how important your work is, it's not as important as your health and spiritual well-being.

· After creating the universe, God rested from His labor, and He tells us to do likewise.

Don't get caught in the materialism trap.

· Material things may temporarily satisfy the body, but only God and His love can truly satisfy the spirit.

· The truest wealth is measured in the things that money can't buy.

· Some people own things, and some people's things own them.

· At best, material success will last till the day you die; love lasts for eternity.

Take time for people.

· Make people your priority, and the best things in life will come to you.

· Start the day with love, and love will carry you through the day.

· Take the preferences, needs, personalities, and limitations of those you work with into consideration. That will go a long way in reducing stress and friction, two arch enemies of happiness.

· The life you live will soon be past,
But the things you do for love will last.

· All you need to be a world changer is love, because love changes everything it touches.

Stay positive and cheerful.

· To get the most from every day, look for the good in every situation.

· Success starts with a successful attitude. Train your mind to look beyond obstacles, disappointments, setbacks, and even failures.

· A smile is the lighting system of the face and the heating system of the heart.

· Laughter relaxes you physically and refreshes you mentally and emotionally by putting your problems in perspective.

Give your cares and problems to Jesus.

· Prayer can lift you up on the wings of God's Spirit to where you can see the big picture more clearly.

· When the pace or the events of the day seem overwhelming, take time to reflect and talk things over with Jesus, and you will be amazed at how much more energy you'll have and how much smoother things will go.

· Prayer is meant to be like talking to your closest friend on the telephone. You talk to Jesus, you listen, and together you sort things out.

· Make prayer your prelude, and you'll stay on key all day.

· Jesus can give you solutions that will make problems that loom as large as mountains melt away.

· Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light," but there's one condition attached: "Come unto Me" (Matthew 11:28-30).

Maintain a healthy, well-balanced lifestyle

· An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. It's better to stay healthy than to have to be healed.

· The best way to prevent illness is to obey God's natural laws: Live right, eat right, work right, play right, rest right, love right, and maintain a right relationship with Him.

· Take time to enjoy life. God made every good thing for you to enjoy in moderation, and He created the senses with which to enjoy them.

· Taking good care of our bodies shows respect for the God who created us and gave us life and health.

· What you take in mentally and spiritually is as important to your overall well-being as what you eat. If life is full of headaches, perhaps you've been filling your head with the wrong stuff.

Compiled by Abi F. May

Failure Is Not Defeat

2008-11-06T17:52:00.001+08:00

Failure does not equal defeat; they are two separate things.

Failure is a part of every life; everyone fails at times.

Defeat is when you don't rebound, but instead allow failure to turn what could be a successful life into a wasted one through self-pity and fear of the opinions of men.

Feelings of inferiority are Satan's attempts to deny the power of God within you.

One good thing about failure is that you appreciate the victory all the more.

It's not the failing that counts, but what you do with it.

No one has ever made a discovery, won a victory, or had a breakthrough without first experiencing some failures, yet refusing to let those failures defeat them.

Failing is often God’s way of helping you to zero in on His highest and best.

As your own programs crumble into dust, He’s right there with a new blueprint for something much better.

You can fail many times—in different things—and you will.

But you're not a failure as long as you keep getting up and trying again.

Always remember that there's a difference between failure, —which happens many times in our lives, and being a failure —which only happens if we decide to give up and quit.

There's a big difference between saying "I fail" and "I'm a failure."

There's no disgrace in saying the first—which is just a fact of life—but you should never say "I'm a failure" unless you've decided to give up.

The basic rules for success may be defined as follows: Know what you want. Find out what it takes to get it. Act on it and persevere.

No one is a failure who can truly say, "I have done my best."

Words Of Wisdom

2008-11-04T20:24:00.001+08:00

ON PRAYER:

A potpourri of inspirational thoughts on several topics.

If you worry… you didn’t pray. If you prayed… DON’T WORRY.

As a child of God, prayer is like calling home every day.

No one can live in doubt when he has prayed in faith.

To grow tall spiritually, a man must first learn to kneel.

Some people talk about Heaven being so far away, when it is within speaking distance of those who belong there.

Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the Will of God.

Most of us would be in more trouble than we are if all our prayers had been answered.

“If two of you shall agree on Earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in Heaven.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Matthew 18:19-20

ON FAITH:

Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, & receives the impossible.

Faith is to accept the impossible, do without the indispensable, & bear the intolerable.

Faith is idle when circumstances are right, only when they are adverse is one's faith in God exercised. Faith, like muscle, grows strong & supple with exercise.

You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings.

Faith ends where worry begins, & worry ends where faith begins.

The greatest victories are the victories of faith. It is not so much what we can do that counts, but what we can trust God to do.

He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.

Romans 4:20-21

ON CHARACTER:

Character, like embroidery, is made stitch by stitch.

Men of genius are admired; men of wealth are envied; men of power are feared; but only men of uprightness are trusted.

You cannot control the length of your life, but you can control its breadth, depth, & height.

The real measure of a man's wealth is how much he would be worth if he lost all his money.

Your reputation can be damaged by the opinions of others. Only you yourself can damage your character.

For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10

ON HAPPINESS:

Happiness is neither within us only, or without us; it is the union of ourselves with God. --Blaise Pascal

To be content with what we possess is the greatest of all riches.

There is as much difference between spiritual joys & earthly as between a banquet that is eaten & one that is painted on the wall.

There is no key to happiness, the door is always open.

There are two ways of being rich. One is to have all you want, & the other is to be satisfied with what you have.

You will be happier if you will give people a bit of your heart rather than a piece of your mind.

If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

John 13:17

ON PEACE:

Peace is not made at the council tables, or by treaties, but in the hearts of men. --Herbert Hoover

Peace rules the day, when Christ rules the mind.

The peace of God transcends all understanding & misunderstanding.

If we have not quiet in our minds, outward comfort will do no more for us than a golden slipper on a gouty foot. --John Bunyan

Peace is the smile of God reflected in the soul of the believer.

Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God no matter what the conflict.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

When Disaster Strikes

2008-11-03T20:53:00.001+08:00

WORDS OF COMFORT FROM JESUS

Shock, pain, anguish. Fear, confusion, turmoil. Disbelief, terrible sadness, anger. In this dark hour, I know even these words cannot fully express what you who have been touched by grave tragedy feel inside.

I know many of you feel that, at this point, there is no peace to be found. Mental anguish and an array of emotions grip you.

I feel and understand your pain. I hear the questions that barrage you. I see the horror that haunts you. I know the havoc, the devastation, the tragic loss of life. I grieve for you. I see your misery. I feel your heavy-heartedness.

Yes, I do see. I do care. I am deeply touched with your grief.

Some of you ask whether I care that your loved ones are gone. You may wonder if I care that your heart is breaking. You may question if I see.

My heart aches for you, and I want to comfort you. I want to relieve your pain and clear your mind. I want to give you peace that passes all understanding. I want to give you peace though all seems lost. I want to give you peace in place of fear, and comfort in place of distress, turmoil, and confusion.

No matter what you feel at this moment, no matter how deeply grieved you may be, no matter how hopeless or distraught you feel, I ask you to put Me to the test. Test My love. You can do this by letting Me comfort your heart, ease your mind, and free you from fear.

I'm reaching out to you now. If you'll grab hold of Me, if you will call on Me for help—even if you do not understand, even if you feel confused, even if you feel the pain is too much to bear—if you'll just put your hand in Mine and trust Me, I will give you peace that passes all understanding.

There is peace to be found. In the midst of this terrible destruction and despair that has touched your lives, in the face of bereavement and suffering, I will be your comfort and your consolation.

I want to answer the questions that trouble your mind. I want to allay the anguish and heaviness of heart, mind, and spirit you feel.

Put Me to the test. I am here with outstretched arms to bring you comfort. No matter how difficult the circumstances, I can give you perfect peace, freedom from fear, and strength to pull you through. I will be a light in the midst of the darkness that surrounds you. Try Me!

Those of you who already know Me, please talk to Me more. You can call out to Me anywhere, anytime, any hour of the day. When you do, if you'll wait a moment and listen, I will answer you. I will speak to your heart and mind, and will comfort and guide you through this difficult time.

Those of you who don't know Me yet, I will do the same for you if you'll call on Me now. Simply say:

"Jesus, if You really are the Son of God, I need You. Please make Your presence known to me. Give me Your peace and comfort and love. Take away my fear, ease this pain, comfort my aching heart. Set my confused and anguished mind at peace. Help me to talk to You, and to listen when You reply. Give me answers to my questions."

All you have to do is take this first step. No matter how dismal these days may be, I will pull you through if you'll hold on to Me. I never sleep. I am attentive to your needs and listening for your voice all the time. I am here to comfort and care for you. I am ready to answer your every question. Though your dreams may be shattered, there is no sorrow that I cannot and will not heal. I am here to hold you, to console you, to comfort you.

With never-ending love,

Jesus

Do Not Worry

2008-10-29T21:13:00.001+08:00

A Lesson from a Robin

Why worry?... you’re in God’s Hands!

"I have one preacher that I love better than any other on earth: It is my little tame robin.

I put crumbs upon my window sill, especially at night. He hops onto the window sill when he wants his supply, and takes as much as he desires to satisfy his need.
From there he always hops to a little tree close by, lifts up his voice to God, sings his carols of praise and gratitude, tucks his little head under his wing, and goes fast to sleep.
He leaves tomorrow to look after itself. He is the best preacher that I have on earth."

We are often troubled by tomorrow… its duties, its burdens, its demands. In his autobiography, Martin Luther writes:

There once was a man in an insane asylum whose chief trouble was his fear that he wouldn't get his next meal. As soon as one meal was out of the way, he began to worry about the next.
Most of his time and strength were consumed by that one worry. But that man was in an insane asylum; WE ARE NOT!

Said the Robin to the Sparrow:
“I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”

Said the Sparrow to the Robin:
“Friend, I think that it must be
That they have no heavenly Father
Such as cares for you and me.”
—Elizabeth Cheney

In the Master’s own words:

Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on.

Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them.

Of how much more value are you than the birds?
And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
If you then are not able to do the least…
Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.
…why are you anxious for the rest?

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
--Jesus
(Luke 12:6-7, 22-28, 31-34, NKJ).

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

He does not lead me year by year
Nor even day by day,
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way.

Tomorrow's plans I do not know,
I only know this minute;
But He will say, "This is the way,
By faith now walk in it."

And I am glad that it is so,
Today's enough to bear;
And when tomorrow comes,
His grace shall far exceed its care.

What need to worry then, or fret?
The God Who gave His Son
Holds all my moments in His hand
And gives them, one by one.
--Barbara C. Ryberg

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

Prayer Power

2008-10-28T19:04:00.001+08:00

How it Works and How To Use it! Learn how prayer works. Generate unlimited power to benefit yourself & others. Change the world around you!

God is still upon the Throne and prayer changes things!

Following are a few principles to help you have an effective prayer life.

Making the Connection

God's idea of prayer is not a ritual, but a loving and lively communication between the best of friends.

But sad to say, most people think they can't talk to God like that. Some think they're not religious enough, not righteous enough, or not spiritual enough. Some think He's too big--too far above them.

Some think He's too busy to be concerned about them and their problems, which they think must seem awfully petty to Him. Some feel unworthy, not good enough. Some feel guilty or ashamed about things they've done. Some are even afraid of Him.

If only they understood how differently God sees it!

God wants to have a personal relationship with each of us, and He wants it to be the deepest, most meaningful, most fulfilling and rewarding, most natural part of our lives.

Now that's not to say He wants to take away from the other relationships and activities that we enjoy and consider important. To the contrary--He wants to be a part of all that.

He wants to make our day-to-day living easier, He wants to give the things we experience greater meaning, and He wants to enjoy them with us.

In a word, He wants to make our lives better. He wants to add a wonderful new dimension to all that we do--the dimension of His loving presence.

How do we establish such a relationship, especially when we feel small and unspiritual and unworthy?

None of us can really grasp how great and wonderful God our Father is, because He and His Spirit are greater than the whole universe. He's so beyond our comprehension that He had to send us Someone who could show us His love, Someone we could experience, Someone who could bring God down to the level of our limited human understanding. So He sent Jesus.

How do we make that connection?

Simple: Through Jesus!

Prayer Is Communication

Like any deep and lasting friendship, your relationship with Jesus will be strengthened by frequent honest, open communication. That's really what prayer is all about: communicating heart-to-heart with the Lord.

You can pray anywhere, at anytime. You don't have to be either sitting or standing. You don't have to be in a church, a religious building, or any special place. Prayer connects your heart with God's heart, regardless of your surroundings.

Jesus is at your beck and call--just a prayer away--and He's always happy to lend an ear and a helping hand. He's interested in you and what you're going through, and He's happy to hear and answer your requests.

But there's more to prayer than that.

Jesus also wants to communicate with you, to talk to you. He wants to give you personal words of love and encouragement, and He wants to help you with your problems. He has all the answers, but how can He give them to you if you don't listen? You need to learn to recognize His voice when He speaks to your spirit and puts thoughts in your mind.

How Prayer Benefits You

There are so many benefits to spending time with the Lord that you really can't afford not to! He can help you solve every problem, answer your every question, heal all your heartaches, comfort you when you're sorrowful, give you joy, and bring you closer to Heaven. The list is endless.

Prayer changes things! It's one means by which God gives His children what they need or want, as long as it's good for them and others.

“Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

Matthew 21:22

You will find rest and renewal when your spirit is sagging and your mind is troubled.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Jesus will guide you through the maze of life. He will help you know what to do when you face problems and tough decisions. He has promised to instruct you, establish your thoughts, and guide your steps.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

Proverbs 3:6, Isaiah 30:21

Your prayers can not only change things for yourself, but they can significantly improve the lives of others. It has been said that praying for others is not the least you can do for them, but the most. Your prayers move the heart and hand of God to take action on their behalf.

Through your prayers others can receive most of the same benefits that you receive when you pray for the same things for yourself--including comfort, protection, freedom from anxiety and fear, healing, material supply, and more.

How Prayer Benefits Others

Thoughts on Prayer

Prayer opens a channel from our emptiness to God's fullness. It's the connecting link between human needs and divine resources.

You must learn to make personal contact with the power of God, to let Him do the work of bringing you joy, health and happiness.

No man or woman accomplishes so much with so little expenditure of time as when he or she is praying.

Prayer moves the hand and heart of God. He enjoys using us, confining the majesty and the power of His omnipotence to the hands of frail men and women. So pray!

It's not the quantity of your prayer that counts, it's the quality!

If you're in the habit of praying privately, it won't be hard for you to pray publicly.

You can experience that miracle working power in your life as God gives you solutions to problems, courage & strength in the face of adversity, peace of mind, healing, forgiveness & personal love & encouragement.

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” John 15:7

(Author: unknown)

Packing Your Parachute

2008-10-21T21:01:00.001+08:00

Charles Plumb was a U.S. Navy jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile.
Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent six years in a communist Vietnamese prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table approached them and said, "You're Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!"

"How in the world did you know that?" asked Plumb. "I packed your parachute," the man replied. Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man pumped his hand and said, "I guess it worked!"
Plumb assured him, "It sure did. If your chute hadn't worked, I wouldn't be here today.”

Plumb couldn't sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb says, "I kept wondering what he might have looked like in a Navy uniform: a white hat, a bib in the back, and bell-bottom trousers.
I wonder how many times I might have seen him and not even said, ‘Good morning, how are you?' or anything because, you see, I was a fighter pilot and he was just a sailor."

Plumb thought of the many hours the sailor had spent on a long wooden table in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he didn't know.

Now, Plumb asks his audience, "Who's packing your parachute?"
Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day. Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down over enemy territory—he needed his physical parachute, his mental parachute, his emotional parachute, and his spiritual parachute. He called on all these supports before reaching safety.

Sometimes in the daily challenges that life gives us, we miss what is really important. We may fail to say hello, please, thank you, congratulate someone on something wonderful that has happened to them, give a compliment, or just do something nice for no reason.
"I am proud of you" are five of the most precious words you can ever use to make another person feel important.

Appreciate everybody's worth, whatever they are, whatever they do.
Everybody is important & essential, whatever they do, whatever their job is.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them to become what they are capable of being.

As you go about your day, focus on individuals. Make the most of every contact with every person every day.

Someone's lifetime opportunity may be perched on the tip of your tongue.

Revel in the rhythm of ordinary things. Embrace the days of bite-size beginnings, tedious tasks, and mandatory meetings.
Your words at such times will speak volumes about the quality of life.
Let God use you in these common situations.
—Caron Loveless

Become a missionary of encouragement. Appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.
—Voltaire (1694-1778), French writer and philosopher

As you go through this week, this month, this year, recognize people who pack your parachute!

Jesus Heals

2008-10-16T14:01:00.001+08:00

Below is a living testimony from our beloved Pastor, Reverend Vinnie Yuan of Bethany Chapel, Kepong Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Here is her email to me:

"Lol, Brother Sonny! U r so happening! Hey! Btw do u know that Jesus is here in Bethany again last nite? Earlier b4 I led worship I'd heard HIM say HE will do something "new".

So as I led worship with Ruth, I declared by faith boldly that Jesus will do great miracles in the service. I am now inspired to write my own account of what I experienced and saw ...You may post it if you want to,

Testimonies of Healing Meetings with Rev John Ng 15-17 Oct 2008.

Amongst some who are are healed in Wed. 8.30pm Service . Two of our new regulars from Chinese congregation are healed of half paralysis from bicycle-accident a year ago and another of a stroke occurred in March!

The bicycle-accident lady ran twice round our entire Sanctuary to demonstrate something she could not do before.

After the 72 yr old man testified of experiencing a loosening of his nerves in his seat as the speaker began his message (I'd prayed for him 2 months ago in our Chinese Prayer Meeting. He was already experiencing Jesus' healing then as he could lift up his hand and foot to the angle he couldn't before).

He demonstrated squatting down at a speed like a young man! He also attempted to walk briskly without assistance at all, across the stage below (I believe he will run tonight!). He testified being a new believer and called those who didn't believe Jesus to come and accept Christ as Lord and Saviour.

I saw an old lady came forward to accept Christ...

She is the mother of Ho who is the Cell Leader of our Wed. Chinese Golden Eagles Cell. We'd prayed very long for her salvation and yesterday morning in cell claiming for "scales of deception" to fall off her spiritual eyes as she faces oppressive oppositions from her Buddhist monk daughter's binding prayers.

There must be many more who'd been prayed for and miraculously healed.

I don't have all good reports and space to write all of them now.

Finally, the service is almost closing when I led a 70 yr old lady to the Lord again (I wasn't aware Rev.John Ng already led her. Anyway, this is the biggest miracle. She wore dark sunglasses. She had a left eye operation that disappointingly failed. So I suddenly have the gift of faith to ask her for her sunglasses and believe Jesus heal her. She confessed her belief and obediently removed her glasses, closing her eyes. I laid hands commanding her optic nerves to align back to regain perfect sight in Jesus name. As she opened her eyes, she remarked that everything looked bright. So I began testing her eyes by showing the number of my fingers. Rev Joyce Williams also tested her from a farther distance. Then the youths seated at the far end at the musicians' corner also "tested" and she passed all the tests with by giving perfect answers! This is Jesus' Miracle of healing the "blind"!

God honoured the faith of this old lady who took the bus alone all the way from Setapak. She is the Godmother of Susan Phua.

All Glory goes back to our Father God, Jesus Christ Son of the Living God and precious Holy Spirit!

So need I say more?

Please SPREAD the Word and bring more souls who need Jesus tonight and Friday night!

Onwards in Christ,

Rev Vinnie Yuan"

Lemons

2008-10-16T10:07:00.001+08:00

25 health benefits of lemons - so, here's to good health:

1. Lemon being a citrus fruit, fights against infection. It helps in
production of WBC's (White Blood Cells) and antibodies in blood which attacks the invading microorganism and prevents infection.

2. Lemon is an antioxidant which deactivates the free radicals
preventing many dangerous diseases like stroke, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

3. Lemon lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL (good cholesterol).

4. Lemon is found to be anti-carcinogenic which lowers the rates of
colon, prostate, and breast cancer. They prevent faulty metabolism in the cell, which can predispose a cell to becoming carcinogenic. Also blocks the formation of nitrosamines in the gut.

5. Lemon juice is said to give a glow to the skin.

6. A few drops of lemon juice in hot water are believed to clear the
digestive system and purify liver as well.

7. The skin of lemon dried under the sun and then ground to make
powder can be applied to the hair for a few minutes before a bath which relieves head ache and cools the body.

8. Applying lemon juice to acnes dries the existing ones and prevents from getting more.

9. Lemon juice acts as a natural hair lightener and skin bleach which reduces the pigment melanin and prevents the risk of chemical allergic reactions which is common with hair dyes and bleaches.

10. Lemon juice is given to relieve gingivitis, stomatitis, and
inflammation of the tongue.

11. Lemon juice is given to prevent common cold.

12. Lemon juice is given to prevent or treat urinary tract infection
and gonorrhea.

13. Lemon juice is applied to the sites of bites and stings of certain
insects to relieve its poison and pain.

14. Lemon juice relieves colic pain and gastric problems.

15. Lemon juice soothes the dry skin when applied with little
glycerine.

16. Lemon juice used for marinating seafood or meat kills bacteria and other organisms present in them, thereby prevents many
gastro-intestinal tract infections.

17. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt (warm) every morning lowers
cholesterol levels and brings down your weight.

18. Lemon juice is the best drink to prevent dehydration and shock in case of diarrhea.

19. Lemon juice can also be used as a mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens the teeth and strengthens the enamel.

20. A table spoon on thick lemon syrup everyday relieves asthma.
21. Lemon juice relieves chilblains and itchy skin.

22. Gargling lemon juice relieves throat infection and also used as a
treatment for diphtheria.

23. Lemon juice is an excellent treatment for dandruff and greasy
hair.

24. Lemon applies over the face removes wrinkles and keeps you young.

25. Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis.
Lemon is not usually allergic or toxic to many, so why don't you try
its natural benefits first and then go on to medical treatment.

Contributed by —Rev Vinnie Yuan

Marriage

2008-10-15T21:21:00.001+08:00

It's a union, first of all. It's a uniting; two hearts becoming one.
Marriage is companionship and friendship.
It's being together, acting together, doing things together, and not wanting it any other way.
Marriage is understanding.
It's being blind to the faults of the other.
It's being considerate in every way--considerate of the other's time, feelings, and desires.
Marriage is caring.
It's being concerned.
It's going out of your way to make sure the other person is well cared for.
Marriage is kindness.
It's saying kind words and putting those words into action.
It's cheering them on and encouraging them when they feel down.
Marriage is stooping to lift the other. It's being strong when the other is weak.
Marriage is support.
It's supporting your mate in their endeavors, in their projects, in good times and bad.
It's giving them moral support, physical support, prayer support, all-around support.
Marriage is talking, praying, discussing, and agreeing together.
Marriage does not let things build up between you by ignoring the other, but rather finds a way; it creates solutions.
Marriage is communicating honestly and openly.
It's being willing to humbly share your heart and deepest thoughts.
Marriage is sacrifice.
It's giving of yourself for the one you love. It's being ready to give up your own ideas or desires to make your mate happy.
Marriage is going the extra mile.
Marriage is compassion. It's preferring the happiness of another to your own.
Marriage is give and take.
Marriage is taking turns; it's not one sided.
Marriage is submission. It's giving the other person a chance.
Marriage is learning from one another.
Marriage is learning to let the little things pass.
Marriage is being open minded. Marriage is walking a mile in another's shoes.
Marriage is listening and understanding.
Marriage is being there for the other in bad times as well as the good.
Married love stands through thick and thin, no matter how hot the trials or how hard the test.
Marriage is discovery.
It's discovering each other, learning about each other and all the funny things you say and do.
Marriage is a good sense of humor. It's relaxing together, enjoying each other.
Marriage is respect.
Marriage is having faith in each other.
Marriage is accepting another for what they are.
Marriage is coming to the realization that you are not complete without your other half.

Breathing Therapy

2008-10-14T20:15:00.001+08:00

Left nose, right nose breathing therapy

我們有左邊、右邊鼻孔，吸氣、吐氣時有沒有一樣？

We have left, right nose, is that same for inhaling and exhaling?

其實不一樣，可以感覺不一樣；右邊等於是太陽的意思，左邊等於是月亮.

Actually they are different, can feel the difference; right side represent the sun, left side represent the moon.

平常頭痛時可以用手把右邊鼻孔關起來，只用左邊鼻孔吸氣、吐氣，約五分鐘，頭痛就好了。

When having headache, try to close right nose and use your left nose to do your breathing, about 5 min, headache will be gone.

如果疲倦、累了，相反的關起左邊的鼻孔，只用右邊吸氣、吐氣，不用多久，馬上精神好起了。

If you feel tired, do it the opposite round, close your left nose and breathe through your right nose. After a while, you will feel your mind is fresh again.

因為右邊屬於火氣，比較會熱，左邊比較會涼。

Right side belongs to heat, so it gets hot easily, left side belongs to cold.

女生大部分吸氣、吐氣在左邊，所以心比較會涼快。

Most of the girls breathe with their left nose, so their heart gets cold easily.

男生大部分吸氣、吐氣在右邊，所以他們比較會生氣。

Most of the guys breathe with their right nose, so they get angry easily

我們起床時，可以注意哪邊吸氣、吐氣比較快？左邊或右邊？

Do you notice the moment we wake up, which side breathes faster? Left or right?

如果左邊比較快，覺得提不起精神，可以關起左邊鼻孔，用右邊呼吸，很快的精神會好起來。

If left is faster, you will feel tired. So, close your left nose and use your right nose for breathing, you will get refresh quickly

這也可以教給小孩，大人用更好。如果你有警覺心的話，速度更快。

This can be taught to kids, but the effect will be better if apply by elders.

以前我曾經頭痛，痛得非常厲害，去看醫生，醫生說：你去結婚就好了！（眾笑） ,醫生說得沒錯，他有理論根據。

I used to have headache, it was so painful, go to doctor, doctor told me: it will be all right if you married! (All audience laugh), doctor does not bullshit, what he said is supported with proofs.

當時每天晚上都頭痛，沒有辦法看書，有吃藥，也不是辦法。

That time, every night I am having headache problem, not able to study, I did take medicine, but that is not a good way.

有一天晚上靜坐，關起右鼻孔呼吸，這樣子做，不到一個禮拜，頭痛好了！持續做了一個月，從那天晚上到現在，一次也沒有頭痛過。

One night, I sit down and close my right nose and breathe with left nose, less than one week, my headache problem is gone! I continue to do it one month, from that night until today, headache does not attack me anymore.

這是我自己親身經驗過，每一次我告訴別人，你們頭痛的話，試試看，因為我的身體有效果，很多人試過也有效果。這是一種自然的處理，不像吃藥會有副作用，為什麼不用呢？

This is what I experienced myself, I told others, if headache, can try this way, because this is effective for me. Many people have tried and it works for them as well. This is a natural therapy, not like medicine, taking for long term will get side effect. So, why not try it out?

經常清楚的吸氣、吐氣，身體會覺非常輕鬆。

Always breathing your body can feel very relax.

The sentences below are some wishes from author. Wish everyone is well and healthy, and advice people must do good and act good

要時時心存好意！腳走好路！身行好事，惜緣種福．．
願所有收到這封信的朋友都能平安．健康．幸福．在這裡要送幸福給你。
您收到了嗎．．至少偶爾回個訊息，讓他也知道您還在《正常呼吸》好嗎？

Tricks or Treats

2008-10-14T08:11:00.001+08:00

How smart is Your Right Foot?
Just try this. It is from an orthopedic surgeon.....

This will boggle your mind and you will keep trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but, you can't. It's preprogrammed in your brain!

1. While sitting where you are at your desk in front of your computer, lift your right foot off the floor and make clockwise circles.

2. Now, while doing this, draw the number '6' in the air with your right hand. Your foot will change direction.

I told you so!!! And there's nothing you can do about it! You and I both know how silly it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again, if you've not already done so. Send it to your buddies to frustrate them too.

The Art of Being Positive

2008-10-13T18:08:00.001+08:00

An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity.

A pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.”

--Sir Winston Churchill

Talk happiness.

The world is sad enough without your woes. No path is wholly rough; look for the places that are smooth and clear, and speak of those, to rest the weary ear, of those so hurt by continuous strain, of human discontent and grief and pain.

Talk faith.

The world is better off without your uttered ignorance and morbid doubt. If you have faith in God, or Man, or self, say so. If not, push back upon the shelf of silence all your thoughts, till faith shall come; No one will grieve because our lips are dumb.

Talk health.

The dreary, never-changing tale of mortal maladies is worn and stale. You cannot charm, or interest, or please by harping on that minor chord--disease. Say you are well, or all is well with you, and God shall hear your words and make them true.

--Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Keep looking up; remember there is only mud under your feet. Cheerfulness is what greases the axles of the world. Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

God has two dwellings: one in Heaven and the other in a thankful heart.

--Izaak Walton (1593-1683)

When we know that everything has two sides, let us look at the bright side only.

--Mahatma Gandhi

We are often discontented and much dissatisfied. That our wish for recognition has not been gratified. We feel that we've been cheated in beauty, charm, and brains, and we dwell upon our "losses", forgetting all our "gains."

The qualities we think we lack make us miserable inside, as we brood on supposed "deficits" as seen by selfish pride.

Are you dissatisfied with yourself? "Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart".

(1 Samuel 16:7).

We begin to harbor hatred and envy fills our heart. That we do not possess the things that make others "seem so smart."

And in our condemnation of the traits that we possess, we magnify our painful plight, sinking deeper in distress.

Oh, Lord, please do forgive us for vanity and pride. For desiring to please the eye of man and not You who sees inside!

Little do we realize how contented we would be. If we knew that we are beautiful when our hearts are touched by Thee!

--Author Unknown

The wise and true Scripture tells us, "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he." (Proverbs 23:7)

And… “Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise. Think On these Things"

(Philippians 4:8).

Do You Really Love God?

2008-10-12T12:32:00.001+08:00

One day I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah, the beauty of God’s creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there the Lord brought His presence on me.

He asked me, “Do you love Me?” I answered, “Of course God! You are my Lord and my Savior!”

Then He asked, “If you were physically handicapped, would you still love Me?”

I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body. And wondered how many things I wouldn’t be able to do. The things that I took for granted. And I answered, “It would be tough, Lord, but I would still love You.”

Then the Lord said, “If you were blind, would you still love my creation?”

How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, “It’s hard to think of it, but I would still love You.”

The Lord then asked, “If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?”

How could I praise without a voice? Then it occured to me, God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted. We give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, “Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise your Name.”

And the Lord asked, “Do you really love Me?”

With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly, “Yes Lord! I love you because You are the one and true God!” I thought that I had answered well, but God asked, “Then why do you sin?”

I answered, “Because I am only human, I am not perfect.” “Then why in times of peace, do you stray the furthest? Why only in times of trouble do you pray the earnest?”

No answer. Only tears.

The Lord continued, “Why sing only at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in time of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?”

The tears continued to roll down my cheek.

“Why are you ashamed of Me? Why are you not spreading the Good News? Why in times of persecution, you cry to others when I offer My shoulder for you to cry on? Why make excuses when I try to give you opportunities to serve in My Name?”

I tried to answer, but there was no answer to give.

“You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, hut you continue to turn away. I have stretched My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge.

I have spoken to you, but your ears were closed. I have shown my blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers, and I have answered them all.” “Do you truly love Me?”

I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When my heart has cried out, and the tears had flowed, I said, “Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child.”

The Lord answered, “That is My grace, My child.” I asked, “Then why do you continue to forgive me?

Why do you love me so?”

The Lord answered, “Because you my My creation. You are My child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you are down, I will encourage you.

When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you until the end of the days, and I will love you forever.”

Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done?

I asked God, “How much do You love me?” And the Lord stretched out His arms. As they were nailed to the cross, I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Savior.

And for the first time, I truly prayed.

The Little Girl

2008-10-10T16:24:00.001+08:00

A little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was 'too crowded.' 'I can't go to Sunday School,' she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by.

Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday school class. The child was so happy that they found room for her, and she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.

Some two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings. Her parents called for the kindhearted pastor who had befriended their daughter to handle the final arrangements.

As her poor little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled red purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump.

Inside was found 57 cents and a note, scribbled in childish handwriting, which read: 'This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday School.'

For two years she had saved for this offering of love.

When the pastor tearfully read that note, he knew instantly what he would do. Carrying this note and the cracked, red pocketbook to the pulpit, he told the story of her unselfish love and devotion.

He challenged his deacons to get busy and raise enough money for the larger building.

But the story does not end there...

A newspaper learned of the story and published it. It was read by a wealthy realtor who offered them a parcel of land worth many thousands.

When told that the church could not pay so much, he offered to sell it to the little church for 57 cents.

Church members made large donations. Checks came from far and wide. Within five years the little girl's gift had increased to $250,000.00--a huge sum for that time (near the turn of the century). Her unselfish love had paid large dividends.

When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300. And be sure to visit Temple University, where thousands of students are educated.

Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of beautiful children, built so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time.

In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history. Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russell H. Conwell, author of the book, 'Acres of Diamonds'.

This is a true story, which goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 CENTS. God can do wonders, that's why HIS name is called WONDERFUL.

Perspective

2008-10-09T14:19:00.001+08:00

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family. On their return from their trip, the father asked his son how was the trip?

It was great, Dad. "Did you see how poor people live?", the father asked.
"Oh yeah," said the son.
"So, tell me, what you learned from the trip?", asked the father.

The son answered: I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end…
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us; they have friends to protect them.

The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing?
Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Appreciate every single thing you have! Pass this on to friends and acquaintances and help them refresh their perspective and appreciation. THANK YOU.

The Promise Of Easter

2008-10-07T08:28:00.001+08:00

“Because I live, you shall live also” (John 14:19).

We need these seven words above to help us to endure

The changing world around us that’s dark and insecure

To help us view the present as a passing episode

A troubled, brief encounter on life’s short and troubled road

For the fact that life’s eternal because our Savior died

And arose again at Easter after He was crucified

Makes this uncertain present, in a world of sin and strife

Nothing but a stepping stone to a new and better life

— HELEN STEINER RICE

On Easter, Jesus did a wonderful thing for us. But just how does this translate into everyday experience? A story told by Gigi Tchividjian in ‘More Stories for the Heart’ explains what can be yours because Jesus died and rose again on Easter.

In the story, there was a man who felt terribly guilty about a sin he had committed as a young man, because he thought God could not forgive him. One day he heard of an elderly lady who had conversations with God, and finally he gathered enough courage to visit her. Over a cup of tea, he asked if she could ask God a question for him.

"I would be happy to," she answered. "What would you like me to ask Him?"

"Well," the man began, "could you please ask Him what sin it was that I committed as a young man?"

The woman, who was quite curious by this time, readily agreed.

A few weeks passed, and the man again went to visit this woman. After another cup of tea he timidly asked, "Have you had any conversations with God lately?"

The woman said that she had, and that she had asked God what sin he had committed as a young man.

The man, nervous and afraid, hesitated a moment and then asked, "Well, what did God say?"

"He said He couldn't remember," she replied.The Bible tells us that because Jesus took the punishment for our sins, God promises, "I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jeremiah 31:34).

Author: Nana Williams

Alice Gray, More Stories for the Heart (Sisters, Oregon: Multnomah Publishers, 1997).

Discussion In Heaven

2008-10-06T11:37:00.001+08:00

GOD: Angels, do you know what I was just thinking about?

ANGELS: What were you thinking about?

GOD: Christians seem to have forgotten what kind of power they have available and the devil keeps on deceiving them!

ANGELS: God, exactly what are you driving at?

GOD: I have made my children in such a way that when the people of the world are sitting, they would be standing, when the world is standing, they will stand out, when the world stands out, my children must be outstanding and when the devil dares the world to be outstanding, my people will be the standards to be used!

JESUS CHRIST: They (Christians) are also forgetting the words in Ephesians 1:3.

GOD: Please read it out!

ANGEL: PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO HAS BLESSED US IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING IN CHRIST.

ANGEL: So what do we do now since the end is almost near?

HOLY SPIRIT: My Presence is still among men and I will teach and remind the Christians of all that we have discussed. I will also make sure that they pass this message on!

JESUS CHRIST: I will also keep on interceding for them and stand in for them even in their weaknesses.

GOD: I will also make sure that I give to all those who ask of me, seek me and try to find me. The blessings I have promised them through my son Jesus Christ will be delivered to all those who discover that I, Jehovah; I am ready to bless them! Not because of any special things that they have done, but just because I LOVE THEM!

JESUS CHRIST: I will also give all my followers who are willing to pass this conversation on, enough strength to carry on!

ANGELS: We are all backing THE TRINITY and even the devil cannot stop us! How funny! Christians are finally taking over and.......

DEVIL: (eavesdropping behind the gates): I hope you all heard! I will deploy more troops (demons) and make sure the Christians pray less, read their Bibles less, preach less and make sure this message does not move anywhere!

Also.....

YOU SURE HEARD THAT! THE DEVIL WILL MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PASS THIS ON BUT PROVE HIM WRONG AND SHOW HIM THE POWER YOU HAVE IN CHRIST JESUS AS A CHRISTIAN. PRAY MORE, STUDY THE WORD MORE AND PREACH THE WORD!

A Stunning Moment

2008-10-04T13:33:00.001+08:00

Apparently, a self-important college freshman attending a recent football game took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen
sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.

"You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one", the student said, loud enough for those nearby to hear.

"The Young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon.

Our space probes have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, ships and electric and hydrogen cars, cell phones, computers with light-speed processing.... And more."

After a brief silence the senior citizen responded as follows:

'You're right, young man. We didn't have those things when we were young .... so we invented them. Now, you arrogant little @#*%&@, what are you doing for the next generation?'

The applause was amazing ...........

The Smell Of Rain

2008-10-02T14:13:00.002+08:00

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery.

Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news.
That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.

At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature.

Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs.
"I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could.

"There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one"

Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived.

She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say.
She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four.

Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away

But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love.

All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl.
There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger.

But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.

At last, when Dana turned two months old. her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time.

And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life.

She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.
As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain."
Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"

Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain."
Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced,
"No, it smells like Him.

It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children.
Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along.

During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Do pass this on and let other people catch the chills like you did.
IT'S YOUR CALL!
"I can do all things in Him who strengthens me."
This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, He saw me, and He asked: "My child, what is your greatest wish for today?" I responded:
"Lord please, take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much".
You see, the love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginning, but not its end.

ANGELS EXIST but some times, since they don't all have wings, we call them FRIENDS

— David & Diana Blessing

Trust In The Lord

2008-09-30T21:59:00.001+08:00

Trust in the Lord and do good…

Inspirational thoughts to brighten your life.

* When you are tired and feel like you can't go on, that you can't take one more step, that's when God will pick you up and carry you through whatever difficulty you're facing.

One step at a time, one prayer at a time, one praise at a time, and everything will fall into place before you.

No problem or difficulty lasts forever. Things come and go. Life is like a roller coaster, but God is constant. His love for you is always there, and He will get you through any challenge that you face.

* God is never too busy for you. In fact, He is always there for you‚ just waiting for you to ask Him anything you want, and then He loves to answer your prayers.

Be not weary in well doing, for if you keep on going despite the circumstances, you will reap the rewards and be happy that you didn't give up (Galatians 6:9).

Taking time to help others is one of the most important things that you can do in life. And, in doing so, you make the Lord want to help you more as well.

* His eye never misses what we give in service to others. That means both the big things and the little things. There's nothing that escapes His gaze, and one day you'll be rewarded in full for all you have given.

* You never lose by giving, even if at times it looks like you lost. Even if you don't see any tangible results or fruit from your labors and giving here on Earth, you will receive in full in Heaven. That's something that is guaranteed.

* We're spiritual beings, not just flesh and blood. That means your spirit needs food each day, as well as your body. The Proverb is certainly true that "the spirit of a man sustains him" (Proverbs 18:14). Your spirit is what keeps the entire you going. It keeps you pressing onward; it gives you the incentive to put your body into motion. So it stands to reason that the nourishment you give your spirit each day will affect your physical body—the more spiritual nourishment, the more sustaining power for your physical body as well.

* Tired? Feel like you can't take another step or meet even one more need or demand? He knows, and He understands. He was in all points touched as we are, having experienced our human limitations (Hebrews 4:15). Therefore He's always more than ready to reach down and compassionately give you the strength you need to continue on.

* Go slow, take your time today. Enjoy this world and those around you, and you will feel more inspired about the day, and feel satisfied at the end of it.

When your day is done and you lie down to rest, set your mind on the Lord and He will take care of everything you can possibly think of, and make your sleep sweet and refreshing.

* You'll always have the strength you need for each day if you faithfully commit your day to Him. He's promised that "as thy days, so shall thy strength be" (Deuteronomy 33:25). The secret is in that simple act of dependence: giving your day to Him.

When your own strength runs out, that's when His is just beginning. He delights in showing His superior and supernatural strength. And how is it best manifested?—Through your weak and earthen vessel, that He may be glorified.

* The outlook may not always be good, but the uplook is great. Keep your eyes on the Lord and He will make everything go smoothly and efficientlly.

The Drummer Boy

2008-09-25T13:19:00.020+08:00

Title: The Testimony Of Charlie Coulson

(How Dr. Max Rossvally became an Evangelist)
Author: Dr. Max L. Rossvally
Revised by: Sandi Queen
Contributed by: Rev Vinnie Yuan
Website: http://www.queenhomeschool.com/productpages/youngmenofvalor.htm

During the American Civil War, I was a surgeon in the Army. Following the battle of Gettysburg, there were hundreds of wounded soldiers needing immediate medical attention. Many were wounded so severely that a leg or arm, or sometimes both, needed to be amputated.

One of the wounded was a boy, who had only been in service for three months. Being too young to be a soldier, he enlisted as a drummer. My steward tried to give him chloroform before the amputation, but he turned his head away and refused it. He was told it was my order. He said, "Let me talk with the doctor."

"Young man, why do you refuse the chloroform? When I found you on the battlefield, you were so far gone that I almost didn't bother to pick you up. But when you opened those large blue eyes, it occurred to me that you had a mother somewhere who might be thinking of you at that very moment. I didn't want you to die, so I brought you here. You have lost so much blood, and in your weak condition you might not live through this operation. You'd better let me give you the chloroform."

He laid his hand on mine, looked me in the face and said, "Doctor, on Sunday afternoon in Sunday School, when I was nine and a half years old, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I learned to trust Him then, and I know I can trust Him now. He is my strength. He will support me while you cut away my arm and leg." "Won't you at least take some brandy?" I begged.

Again, he looked at me and said, "Doctor, when I was about five years old, my mother knelt by my side with her arms around my neck and said: 'Charlie, I am now praying to the Lord Jesus that you will never know the taste of strong drink. Your father died a drunkard, and I've asked God to use you to warn young people against the dangers of drinking.' I am now seventeen years old and I have never had anything stronger than tea or coffee. I am in all probability going to die and go into the presence of my God. Would you send me there, smelling of brandy?"

I will never forget the look he gave me. At that time I hated Jesus, but I respected the boy's loyalty to his Saviour. When I saw how he loved and trusted Him to the very end, something deeply touched my heart. Despite the urgency of the moment and all the misery around, I did for that boy what I had never done for any other soldier ¨I asked him if he wanted to see a chaplain. "Oh, yes, sir!" was his answer.

When the chaplain came, he recognized the drummer from his tent prayer meetings. Taking his hand, he said, "Charlie, I'm so sorry to see you in this sad condition." "Oh, I'm alright, sir," he answered. "The doctor offered me chloroform, but I declined it. Then he wanted to give me brandy, which I didn't want either. So now, when my Saviour calls me, I can go to Him in my right mind."

"You might not die, Charlie," said the chaplain, "but if the Lord shall call you home, is there anything I can do for you after you're gone?" "Chaplain, here's my little Bible. My Mother's address is inside. Send it to her and write a letter for me. Tell her that since I left home, I have never let a single day pass without reading a portion of God's Word, and daily praying that He would bless her, no matter if we were on the march or on the battlefield.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, my lad?" asked the chaplain. "Yes ¨Please write a letter to the Sunday School Superintendent of the Sands Street Church in Brooklyn, New York. Tell him that his many prayers and moral counsel I have never forgotten. His lessons have helped and comforted me through all the dangers. And now, in my dying hour, I ask my Saviour to bless and strengthen my dear old teacher. That is all."

Turning towards me, he said, "Now, doctor, I'm ready, and I promise I will not scream while you take off my arm and leg." I didn't have the courage to take the knife in my hand, without first taking a quick gulp of brandy to nerve myself to perform my sad duty.

While cutting through the flesh, Charlie Coulson didn't even groan. But when I took out the saw to separate the bone, the lad, through clenched teeth, uttered, "O Jesus, blessed Jesus, stand by me now!" He kept his promise. He never screamed.

I couldn't sleep that night. Despite the constant moans and weeping of the wounded, all I could see was Charlie's soft blue eyes. Even his words, "Blessed Jesus, stand by me now," kept ringing in my ears. Between twelve and one o'clock, a strong urge came over me to see that boy again. When I got there, I was told that sixteen of the badly wounded had died. "Was Charlie Coulson one of them?" I asked. "No, sir," answered the steward, "he's sleeping as sweetly as a babe."

When I came to his side, one of the civilian nurses informed me that at about nine o'clock, two members of the U.S. Christian Commission, accompanied by the chaplain, came to read scripture and sing hymns. She said that the chaplain knelt by Charlie and offered up a passionate prayer. Then they and Charlie sang the sweetest of all hymns, "Jesus, Lover Of My Soul." I couldn't understand how this young lad, who suffered such horrible pain, could sing.

Five days after his amputation, Charlie sent for me. "Doctor," he said, "my time has come. I don't expect to see another sunrise. But thank God, I have no fear and I'm ready to go. I want to thank you with all my heart for your kindness to me. I know you are Jewish, and that you don't believe in Jesus, but I want you to stay with me, and see me die trusting my Saviour to the last moment of my life." I tried to stay, but I could not. I didn't have the courage to stand by and watch a true Christian die, rejoicing in the love of Jesus whom I had been taught to deny. So, I hurriedly left.

About twenty minutes later an anxious steward found me and said, "Doctor, Drummer Coulson wants to see you again." "I've just seen him," I answered, "I can't see him again." "But, Doctor, he says he must see you before he dies." So, I made up my mind to see him, say a few kind words, and let die." However, I was determined that no talk about his Jesus was going to influence me.

His condition had worsened. Asking me to take his hand, he said, "Doctor, I love you because you are Jewish; the best friend I have found in this world was also Jewish." I asked him who that was, and he answered, "Jesus the Christ, and I want to introduce you to Him before I die. Will you promise me, Doctor, that what I am about to say to you, you will never forget?" I promised, and he said, "Five days ago, while you operated on me, I prayed to the Lord to save you."

His words pierced deep into my heart. I couldn't understand how, when I was causing him the most intense pain, he could forget all about himself and think only of his Saviour and my spiritual need. All I could say at the moment was, "Well, my dear boy, you will soon be all right." I started to leave, hearing him sing softly, "I'm going home to die no more." Twelve minutes later he fell asleep, "safe in the arms of Jesus."

During the war thousands of soldiers died in our hospitals, but I only attended one burial, that was for Charlie Coulson the Union drummer boy. I ordered that he'd be dressed in a new uniform and like the burial for an officer, arranged that his coffin be covered with the flag he nobly served.

His dying words made a deep impression upon me. I remembered thinking how gladly I would have given all I possessed, if I could have felt towards Jesus as he did. But with the continuation of the cruel war and my company with worldly officers, I gradually forgot his prayer and my promise.

After the war and for nearly ten years, I fought against believing in Christ. But God continued to bring faithful and godly people into my life that spoke of Jesus' love. Finally, the drummer boy's prayer was answered and I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Messiah. It did come at a high cost. My family, in-laws and dear mother rejected me. Psalm 27:10, was a great comfort, "When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up."

It was eighteen months after my salvation that the Lord had a special blessing for me. One evening while traveling through Brooklyn, I felt led to attend a prayer meeting in a small local church. It was a meeting when believers testify to the loving-kindness of the Lord. After several had spoken, an elderly lady stood up and said, "Dear friends, this may be the last time I have a chance to publicly share how good the Lord has been to me. My doctor told me yesterday that my right lung is nearly gone, and my left lung is failing fast, so at best, I only have a short time to be with you. But what is left of me belongs to Jesus.

It's a great joy to know that I shall soon meet my boy with Jesus in heaven. My son was not only a soldier for his country, but also a soldier for Christ. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, and was cared for by a Jewish doctor, who amputated his arm and leg. He died five days after the operation. The chaplain of the regiment wrote me a letter, and sent me my boy's Bible. I was told that in his dying hour, my Charlie sent for that Jewish doctor, and said to him, `Doctor, before I die I wish to tell you that five days ago, while you operated on me, I prayed to the Lord to save you."

As I heard this lady speak, I just couldn't sit still. I left my seat, ran across the room, took her hand and said, "God bless you, my dear sister. Your son's prayer has been heard and answered. I am the Jewish doctor that your Charlie prayed for, and his Saviour is now my Saviour!

"Having been frequently asked whether all the details of this story are strictly true, I take this opportunity of stating that every incident occurred exactly as related." —MLR

The Truest Strength

2008-09-24T22:28:00.006+08:00

A beautiful poem...

I cannot look, I cannot see,

I cannot understand.

I lay myself down helplessly

In the hollow of Your hand.

The clouds that now encompass me

And seem to block my view,

Are sent by You, unfailing Love,

To draw me close to You.

I cease from all my struggling,

I rest from all the strain.

I only live to love You, Lord,

And glorify Your name.

There is no great achievement now,

No great works done for You,

But somehow in the stillness sweet,

My spirit is renewed.

When pain has overtaken me

And human strength is gone,

Emotions cloud all over me

And days and nights are long,

Look up into Your eyes

And find strength within Your smile.

Your Spirit gently comforts me

And holds me through each trial.

And though my body trembles now

My spirit is at peace,

For I hold to the Master's words

Which cause the storm to cease.

Your power stands unfailingly,

Your every promise sure.

You give me faith, You give me grace,

Sufficient to endure.

I lift my heart in praise to You

For all that You have done,

For every battle we have fought,

Each victory we've won!

And though my body pains me still

My spirit is at ease

For I have found the truest strength.

In You is perfect peace.

(Author: Misty Kaye)

The Tongue

2008-09-23T14:21:00.004+08:00

In her poem "An Evening Prayer," C. Maud Battersby captured what should be the prayer of each of us every day.

If I have wounded any soul today
If I have caused one foot to go astray
If I have walked in my own willful way
Good Lord, forgive

If I have uttered idle words or vain
If I have turned aside from want or pain
Lest I offend some other through the strain
Good Lord, forgive

Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee
Forgive the secret sins I do not see
That which I know not
Father, teach Thou me—
Help me to live.

The Bible has a lot to say about the power of the tongue for good or evil. "We all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body" (James 3:2-6).

Also, in the book of Proverbs it tells us, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21), "There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health" (Proverbs 12:18), and, "A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit" (Proverbs 15:4). So if you want a long, useful, healthy life, "keep your tongue from evil" (Psalm 34:13). For your own sake and everyone else's, watch your words!

How often we wound someone with an unkind word—maybe unintentionally, but unkind just the same! Some of us carry scars on our bodies from wounds and cuts. Usually they don't bother us, but they remind us of something that happened perhaps years ago. But how different it is with the scars left on the heart by a bitter, angry tongue!

Here's another poem that continues that thought:
If I knew that a word of mine
A word not kind and true
Might leave its trace on a loved one's face
I don't think I'd speak it, would you?
If I knew the sting of a word
Might linger and leave its mark
With a deep dark scar on a loved one's heart
I don't think I'd speak that word, would you?
—George Matthas Adams

You've probably heard or said yourself some time, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never harm me." Well, that isn't true! Sticks and stones can make surface wounds, but words can wound even deeper and take a long time to heal. Wounds to the heart are hidden deep, and often no one but the one who carries them knows—no one, that is, except the heavenly Father. He sees them and understands, but what a shame that we should ever be the one to inflict that wound and cause that ugly scar!

Why do thoughtless, unkind words leap from our lips like they do? Is there any remedy? Yes, there is! Thank God, there is! The remedy begins with a change in the heart—our heart—because "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34). There's only one way to change the unruly tongue, and that is to transform the heart, the spirit that controls it. The remedy begins with praying to be filled with the Holy Spirit. When we live in the Spirit, every word will be loving and true, for God is love (1 John 4:8).

So open your heart to Him. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. Then as you make a habit of reading and absorbing God's Word, you'll come into a deep, abiding relationship with Him, and that relationship will manifest itself in your words and actions. When His Word abides in you, you can't gossip or say unkind or bitter words. We can never control our tongue ourselves. "No man can tame the tongue" (James 3:8), but God can! "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

Trust God to change you! Believe that His Word will not fail. He can come in with His Spirit, and cause kindness to flow through you because He possesses your tongue and your life. You'll become a stream of blessing to all about you. God bless you and help you in this. He will bring you through to victory, because God is still on His throne and prayer changes things!
(Author: By Virginia Brandt Berg)

The Simple LIfe

2008-09-20T12:40:00.007+08:00

THE AMERICAN BUSINESSMAN was at the pier of a small Mexican coastal village when a small boat with just one fisherman docked. In the boat were several large yellow-fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied, “Only a little while.”
The American then asked why he didn’t stay out longer and catch more fish.
The fisherman said he had enough to support his family’s immediate needs.
The American then asked, “But what do you do with the rest of your time?”

The fisherman said, “I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife Maria. Then I stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and play guitar with my amigos. I have a full and busy life, señor.”

“I am a Harvard MBA,” the American scoffed. “I could help you. You should spend more time fishing. With the proceeds you could buy a bigger boat. With the proceeds from the bigger boat you could buy several boats. Eventually you would have a fleet of fishing boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing, and distribution. You would need to leave this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City, then Los Angeles, and eventually New York City, where you would run your expanding enterprise.”

The fisherman asked, “But señor, how long will this all take?”
“Fifteen or twenty years.”
“But what then, señor?”
The American laughed and said, “That’s the best part. When the time is right you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions.”
“Millions, señor? Then what?”

The American said, “Then you would retire and move to a small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play with your grandchildren, take siestas with your wife Maria, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos.”

(Author: unknown)

Living the real thing, doesn’t consist of things at all, because things cannot truly satisfy.
Only through God can we find real joy, true happiness, and the eternal fulfillment that only He can give.

Sayings

2008-09-18T13:49:00.002+08:00

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors
—African proverb

The good things of prosperity are to be wished
but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired
—Seneca (4 bc–65 ad)

It is easy enough to be pleasant when life flows like a song
But the man worthwhile is the one who will smile
When everything goes dead wrong
—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850-1919)

I can't change the direction of the wind
but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination
-Jimmy Dean (1928–)

You cannot control what happens to you but you can control
your attitude toward what happens to you
and in that you will be mastering change rather than allowing it to master you
—Brian Tracy (1944–)

Reflect upon your blessings of which every man has plenty
not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some
—Charles Dickens (1812-1870)

The only disability in life is a bad attitude
—Scott Hamilton (1958–)

Discipline is learnt in the school of adversity
—Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

In the middle of a difficulty lies opportunity
—Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

All the world is full of suffering. It is also full of overcoming
—Helen Keller (1880)

Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.
—Abraham Lincoln

The Miracle Of Easter

2008-09-16T22:07:00.004+08:00

Not long before his death in 1990, the British journalist Malcolm Muggeridge wrote, "I see my ancient carcass, prone between the sheets, stained and worn like a scrap of paper dropped in the gutter and, hovering over it, myself, like a butterfly released from its chrysalis stage and ready to fly away.

Are caterpillars told of their impending resurrection?—How in dying they will be transformed from poor earth-crawlers into creatures of the air, with exquisitely painted wings? If told, do they believe it? I imagine the wise old caterpillars shaking their heads—no, it can't be; it's a fantasy."

And so it is with us. We've been told in the Bible what happens—or at least what can happen—to our souls, the "real us," when we come to the end of this life and shed our earthly bodies. And like those caterpillars, we have been given the choice to believe it or not.

That's the crunch, the pivotal point, the one condition on which the door to eternal life in Heaven hinges—belief. "I am the resurrection and the life," Jesus said. "He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25).

The miracle of Easter is that because Jesus didn't remain in the grave, we don't have to either. We don't have to suffer eternal separation from God as the payment for our sins. After taking that punishment for us, Jesus rose to life again. And because He lives, we can live also (John 14:19).

All it takes is belief in Jesus' redeeming sacrifice.
If you believe, you're good to go! If not, we hope this message will help you to believe.

And you just might be surprised at how little faith it takes. If all you can muster is the prayer of one desperate man in the Bible, "Lord, help my unbelief" (Mark 9:24), you're opening your mind and heart to Jesus and giving Him a chance to prove Himself, and He will.

—By Keith Phillips

More Power To You

2008-09-13T16:22:00.006+08:00

Have you ever wondered if your prayers really make a difference?

Most people do at one time or another, especially if they've been praying long and hard for a breakthrough in a certain situation but haven't seen the desired result. The next time your faith in prayer gets tested, consider this:

In a factory, an elongated steel bar weighing 500 lbs (about 225 kg) was suspended by a chain. Near it, an average-size cork was suspended by a silk thread. “When we come back to this spot later,” a tour guide told a group of sightseers, “you will see something that is seemingly impossible. This cork will have set this steel bar in motion.”

The guide set in motion a mechanism whereby the cork tapped gently and repeatedly against the steel bar, which remained motionless. The visitors watched for a minute or two as the cork struck the iron bar with pendulum-like regularity, then they moved on.

Ten minutes later, the bar was vibrating slightly, and when the tour group returned at the end of an hour, the heavy bar was swinging like the pendulum of a clock.

So the next time you feel you aren't exerting a feather's weight of influence on others through your prayers, remember the cork. God hears and answers every prayer in His time and as He knows best, but sometimes you must be patient.

Often people and situations don't change overnight, even after we have prayed. But if you will be like the cork, your love and prayers will eventually prevail.

Prayer Is So Simple . . .

It is like quietly opening a door
And slipping into the very presence of God
There in the stillness
To listen to His voice
Perhaps to petition
Or only to listen
It matters not
Just to be there
In His presence
Is prayer
(Author: unknown)

Life Is A Miracle

2008-09-11T21:53:00.004+08:00

Points To Ponder

The Chinese have traditionally counted a baby as one year old when he or she is born, and they have a point. The baby has already been alive before birth, and what has changed is merely the baby's environment. Thanks to pioneering medical imaging technology, such as 4D ultrasound, we can watch a fetus as it sucks its thumb, blinks, yawns, smiles, and moves inside the womb, leaving no question that it is a unique living soul before birth.
—Abi F. May

Advanced scanning means we have a window on the secret life of fetuses. At 11 weeks we can see them yawn and even take steps. At 22 weeks, they begin to open their eyes. Between 20 and 24 weeks we watch as they seem to cry, smile, and frown. … When I see a fetus that can smile at me, I know absolutely that we should not tear it from the womb.
—Stuart Campbell

Imagine yourself as the world's tallest skyscraper, built in nine months and germinating from a single brick. As that brick divides, it gives rise to every other type of material needed to construct and operate the finished tower—a million tons of steel, concrete, mortar, insulation, tile, wood, granite, solvents, carpet, cable, pipe, and glass, as well as all furniture, phone systems, heating and cooling units, plumbing, electrical wiring, artwork, and computer networks, including software.
—Alexander Tsiaras and Barry Werth, From Conception to Birth: A Life Unfolds

The spark of life is a miracle of God, not some kind of physical accident. At conception, God combines a new human body with a new human spirit to create a new immortal soul with a distinct personality, different from anybody else in the whole world.
—David Brandt Berg (1919-1994)

Science has its explanations for how children come into being, but when you first hold your baby and look into those little eyes, you know that you are holding a miracle. You are looking at one of the great mysteries of the universe—a glimpse of Heaven and the creative power of God. There in your arms is tangible proof of the love God has for you, for He has chosen you to parent a new soul.
—Derek and Michelle Brookes, Keys to Baby

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting;
The soul that rises with us, our life's star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home.
—William Wordsworth (1770-1850)

God Could Have

2008-09-09T21:04:00.003+08:00

(A beautiful poem by Margaret K. Fraser)

God could have made the sun to rise
Without such splendor in the skies
He could have made the sun to set
Without a glory greater yet

He could have made the corn to grow
Without the sunny, golden glow
The fruits without those colors bright
So pleasant to the taste and sight.

And caused the apple trees to bloom
Without the scent that doth perfume
Those dainty blossoms, pink and white
That fill our hearts with sheer delight

He could have made the ocean roll
Without such music for the soul
The mighty anthem, loud and strong
And birds without their clear, sweet song

The charm of kittens' dainty grace
The dimples in a baby's face
All these are "extras" from His hand
Whose love we cannot understand

The God who fashioned flowers and trees
Delights to give us things that please
And all his handiwork so fair
His glory and His love declare

Yes, He Who made the earth and skies
Gave "extras" for our ears and eyes
And while my heart with rapture sings
I thank Him for the "extra things".

-Margaret K. Fraser

DOES GOD LOVE YOU?

You can see it in the beautiful world He's given you to live in.
Look around. He didn't have to make life so wonderful or
the world so beautiful, but He did —and He did it just for you!

Criticism & Gossip

2008-09-08T16:01:00.004+08:00

If some bit of gossip come
File the thing away
If a scandalous, spicy crumb
File the thing away
If suspicion comes to you
That your neighbor is not true
Let me tell you what to do
File the thing away
Do this for a little while
Then go out and burn the file

Gossip is like mud thrown on a clean wall

It may not stick but it always leaves a dirty mark

Believe not half you hear - repeat not half you believe

When you hear an evil report, halve it, then quarter it

And say nothing about the rest of it

Beware of a half-truth - you may have gotten the wrong half

Rumor is the most buoyant thing there is

It is easy to float one & hard to sink it

Gossip is one form of crime for which the law provides no punishment

The slanderer differs from the assassin only in that he murders the reputation instead of the body

The critical tongue gets its orders from an untrained eye

an unthoughtful mind, & an ungrateful heart

You'll never move up if you're continually running somebody down

It is well to remember that mansions in the sky cannot be built out of the mud thrown at others

A critical spirit comes from self-righteousness

If you know you're a mess yourself

you don't go around criticizing other people for their mistakes

but if you think you're so righteous

that's when you start picking on other people.

"I will speak ill of no man, not even in a matter of truth

but rather excuse the fault I hear & upon proper occasion

speak all the good I know of everybody." – Benjamin Franklin

(Author unknown)

Be Positive

2008-09-06T22:51:00.002+08:00

How the physical and spiritual realms affect each other is an intriguing study. Science has studied this to some degree, and they have found that even just through positive thinking your body is actually physically strengthened and made healthier as a result.
The act of thinking positively signals a chain reaction in your body, which starts in your brain and then spreads throughout your entire physical form. This is why meditation, which is often focused on positive thoughts, is considered a form of healing in some ways, because the one meditating feels release from physical pressure or strain and experiences rejuvenation or feelings of relief.

Positive thinking is a spiritual act, a spiritual power. (Philippians 4:8.) Your spirit has to be in the right position for it to respond positively. Your mind will not make the decision to be positive if the spirit hasn't first yielded to that spirit of positiveness. Positive thinking is a spiritual power that anyone on Earth can tap into. It's available to anyone, and so are the effects and power of thinking positively.
Positive thinking not only affects your physical body, but it affects your physical surroundings and physical circumstances as well. When you're positive, it affects the way people react toward you, which in most cases would mean they react more amicably or friendly to you. (Proverbs 18:24a)

When you're reacting positively, it changes the spiritual atmosphere around you, which automatically makes people feel more comfortable in your presence. They feel at ease when around you; you become easy to approach and interact with. This makes others happier, which in turn lightens their personal loads or spiritual heaviness, which then makes their physical lives easier and more enjoyable. Positive thinking, which results in positive actions, causes a chain reaction of positive results, both spiritually and physically.
The mere act of thinking positively can transform your day from a stressful one into a calm and easy-paced one. Try it!

(Author: unknown)

Attitude

2008-09-03T21:49:00.005+08:00

Choose your attitude. Your choice of attitude can decide the outcome of your life. Negative thoughts have no power unless you empower them.

Write a list of blessings and keep them handy to read when you are attacked with “negative thoughts.
—Sheri Rose Shepherd

The Outcome

Jerome K. Jerome was a British writer whose father died when he was 12, and at 14 he had to go to work to support his mother and sister. His life got even harder when his mother died, but after many different jobs, the end result was that he became a writer—not of sad stories, but a famous humorist, writing funny stories to encourage others. After such a hard beginning in life, he said, “It is from the struggle, not the victory, that we gain strength.”

--Maria Fontaine

There is enough good and bad in everyone’s life—ample sorrow and happiness, sufficient joy and pain—to find a rational basis for either optimism or pessimism. You can choose to laugh or cry, bless or curse. It’s your decision: From which perspective do you want to view life? Will you look up in hope or down in despair?

An optimistic attitude is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. The way you look at life will determine how you feel, how you perform, and how well you get along with other people. Conversely, negative thoughts, attitudes, and expectations feed on themselves; they become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Pessimism creates a dismal place where no one wants to live. The only thing more powerful than negativism is a positive affirmation.
—Rich DeVos, co-founder of the U.S.-based firm Amway and owner of NBA Orlando Magic

If you want to have a change in attitude, ask the Lord to show you the good side, the beneficial side, the favorable side, the positive side to situations. For everything that happens in the life of a Christian, there is a reason, and there is help from Above.

So if you feel you are getting swamped with negative thoughts, that you can’t help but think in a despairing, hopeless way, ask the Lord to show you the “upside” of the things that are happening to you.
The Bible says in Romans 8:28, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Do you love God? Then that promise is for you! For you He can turn bad to good and help you find the silver lining in any cloud He allows to overshadow you. So don’t let those clouds stay there for long! Look for the good, and God will help you find it.

—David Brandt Berg

Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice.

—The Bible, Philippians 4:4

A Parent's Prayer

2008-08-31T17:25:00.005+08:00

Oh, heavenly Father, make me a better parent. Teach me to understand my children, to listen patiently to what they have to say, and to answer all their questions kindly.

Keep me from interrupting them or contradicting them.

Make me as courteous to them as I would have them be to me.

Forbid that I should ever laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame or ridicule when they displease me.

May I never punish them for my own selfish satisfaction or to show my power.
Let me not tempt my child to lie or steal.

And guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do, that honesty produces happiness.
Reduce, I pray, the meanness in me. And when I am out of sorts, help me, O Lord, to hold my tongue.
May I ever be mindful that my children are children and I should not expect of them the judgment of adults.
Let me not rob them of the opportunity to wait on themselves and to make decisions.
Bless me with the bigness to grant them all their reasonable requests, and the courage to deny them privileges I know will do them harm.
Make me fair and just and kind. And fit me, O Lord, to be loved and respected and imitated by my children. Amen.

—Abigail Van Buren (1918– ), "Dear Abby"

A God Centered Life

2008-08-27T13:59:00.005+08:00

CAN WE LIVE A GOD CENTERED LIFE?

Jesus said that the way to be happy and successful in life is to “seek first the kingdom of God,” but how is that possible today? How can we lead a God-centered life, do more than survive in this materialistic world, and still be us?

Yes, it is possible to do all three of those things—and it’s not as hard as you probably imagine.

The first step is to assess your values and goals in life. Put pen to paper. Be honest.

To “seek first the kingdom of God” means to bring your priorities in line with God’s, so the next step is to know what God’s priorities are. What would He like to see you do? Many people stop here because they expect God to ask something impossibly difficult or sacrificial of them. They would probably be pleasantly surprised if they knew how simple and clear the Bible is on that, and how attainable it is:

“What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). “The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:14 NIV).

Yes, living for those things isn’t always easy and may involve some initial sacrifices, but they are sacrifices that are soon more than repaid. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

It’s also important to clear up another common misconception: While it’s true that the Bible doesn’t define success in terms of material comfort and gain, God isn’t against material success; it’s what people do with their success that matters to Him. The Bible doesn’t say that money is the root of all evil, as 1 Timothy 6:10 is so often misquoted; it is “the love of money” that’s to blame. God will be more than happy to bless you materially if you will use those blessings to “do justly, love mercy, walk humbly with your God,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” In fact, the Bible promises, “Delight yourself … in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4), and “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11).

And what about the third part of your question: Can you still be “you”?—Yes, only you’ll be a happier, more focused, and more fulfilled you. God made you to be a unique expression of His love. He’s not going to spoil that, but rather improve on it!

God wants to give you not just the good life, but the best life there is! It’s within His power to give it to you, but you’ve got to want it too. When your values are in line with God’s values and you let His priorities become your priorities, it’s a win-win situation!

(Author unknown)

Beautiful Phrases

2008-08-25T08:56:00.005+08:00

Don't compare yourself with any one in this world
If you compare, you are insulting yourself

No one will manufacture a lock without a key
Similarly God won't give problems without solutions

Life laughs at you when you are unhappy
Life smiles at you when you are happy

Life salutes you when you make others happy

Every successful person has a painful story

Every painful story has a successful ending
Accept the pain and get ready for success

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others

Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes

It is easier to protect your feet with slippers
than to cover the earth with carpet

No one can go back and change a bad beginning;
But anyone can start now and create a successful ending

If a problem can be solved, no need to worry about it
If a problem cannot be solved what is the use of worrying

If you miss an opportunity don't fill the eyes with tears
It will hide another better opportunity in front of you

"Changing the Face" can change nothing

But "Facing the Change" can change everything

Don't complain about others
Change yourself if you want peace

Mistakes are painful when they happen

But year's later collection of mistakes

is called experience, which leads to success

Be bold when you lose and be calm when you win

Heated gold becomes ornament
Beaten copper becomes wires
Depleted stone becomes statue
So the more pain you get in life
you become more valuable.

Give God what's right, not what's left

Man's way leads to hopeless end
God's way leads to an endless hope

A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing

He who kneels before God can stand before anyone

In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma
but never let him be the period

Don't put a question mark where God puts a period

Are you wrinkled with burden

Come to the church for a face-lift

When praying, don't give God instructions

just report for duty

Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church

We don't change God's message

His message changes us

The church is prayer-conditioned

When God ordains, He sustains

WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning

Plan ahead

It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark

Most people want to serve God

but only in an advisory position

Suffering from truth decay

Brush up on your Bible

Exercise daily walk with the Lord

Never give the devil a ride

he will always want to drive

Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it

Compassion is difficult to give away

He who angers you controls you

Worry is the dark-room in which negatives can develop

Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler

Be ye fishers of men… You catch them & He'll clean them

God doesn't call the qualified

He qualifies the called

Bible Promises

2008-08-23T13:04:00.001+08:00

Click here for online bible passage

These are key scripture promises to provide help,
hope and inspiration to your life.
Bible verses are from the New International Version.

When I am in trouble
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life;
You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me.
Psalm 138:7

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 14:27

When no one seems to care
Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you.
Deut 31:6

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:7

When I need strength
The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
Psalm 18:2

He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Phil 4:13

When I am at wit's end
I lift my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip, he who watches over you will not slumber.
Psalm 121:1-3

And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:28

When God seems far away
The Lord is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Prov 15:29

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, "Do not fear, I will help you."
Isa 41:13

When I feel like giving up
Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall.
Ps 55:22

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Ps 73:26

When I need to know right from wrong
Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this.
Ps 37:4,5

When I am tempted
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1 Cor 10:13

If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement while continuing their punishment.
2 Pet 2:9

When I need assurance that God loves me
You are forgiving and good O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Ps 86:5

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our trangressions from us.
Ps 103:8,11,12

Therefore since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:1

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:1

When my faith in God is lacking
You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.
Ps 18:35, 36

I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mudand mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
Ps 40:1,2

Jesus said, "Everything is possible for him who belives."
Mk 9:23

When I am depressed
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in time of trouble.
Ps 9:9

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Ps 27:14

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.
Ps 32:10

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Ps 29:11

When I feel lonely
Those who know your name will trust in you, for you Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Ps 9:10

The Lord watches over you. The Lord is your shade at your right hand. The sun will not harm you by day nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm. He will watch over your life.
Ps 121:5-7

When I face opposition
You armed me with strength for battle; you made my adversaries bow at my feet.
Ps 18:39

You who saves me from my enemies. You exalted me above my foes; from violent men you rescued me.
Ps 18:48

Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me.
Ps 56:9

When I need assurance that God hears my prayers
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked way, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2 Chron 7:14

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matt 7:7,8

If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given you.
Jn 25:7

This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of Him.
1 Jn 5:14,15

When I am fearful
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
Ps 32:7

When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruins that overtakes the wicked, for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
Prov 3:24-26

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isa 41:10

For God did not give us the spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
2 Tim 1:7

When I worry about the future
If the Lord delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
Ps 37:23,24

When I have sinned
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 Jn 1:9

When I do not know which way to turn
Submit yourself, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near you.
Jas 4:7

Who am I in Jesus Christ

CHOSEN BY GOD
For he chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Eph 1:4

MADE PERFECT FOREVER
Because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Heb 10:14

MADE AT PEACE WITH GOD
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 5:1

TOTALLY FORGIVEN
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ,. He forgave us all our sins.
Col 2:13

TOTALLY CLEANSED
But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of our God.
1 Cor 6:11

MADE HOLY AND BLAMELESS
But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.
Col 1:22

GIVEN CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
God made Him to who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteounesss of God.
2 Cor 5:21

FREED FROM CONDEMNATION
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:1,2

MADE INTO A NEW CREATION
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Cor 5:17

RECONCILED TO GOD
For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Rom 5:10,11

MADE HEIRS OF GOD
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.
Gal 4:7

God's Phone Numbers

2008-08-22T11:07:00.014+08:00

Click here for online bible passage

God's Emergency Phone numbers may be dialed direct.
No operator assistance is necessary.
All lines are open to Heaven 24 hours a day!
Feed your faith, and doubt will starve to death!

When in sorrow, call John 14.
When men fail you, call Psalm 27.
If you want to be fruitful, call John 15.
When you have sinned, call Psalm 51.
When you worry, call Matthew 6:19-34.

When you are in danger, call Psalm 91.
When God seems far away, call Psalm 139.
When your faith needs stirring, call Hebrews 11.
When you are lonely and fearful, call Psalm 23.
When you grow bitter and critical, call 1 Cor. 13.

For Paul's secret to happiness, call Col. 3:12-17.
For idea of Christianity, call 1 Cor. 5:15-19.
When you feel down and out, call Romans 8:31-39.
When you want peace and rest, call Matt. 11:25-30.
When the world seems bigger than God, call Psalm 90.

When you want Christian assurance, call Romans 8:1-30.
When you leave home for labor or travel, call Psalm 121.
When your prayers grow narrow or selfish, call Psalm 67.
For a great invention/opportunity, call Isaiah 55.
When you want courage for a task, call Joshua 1.
How to get along with fellow men, call Romans 12.
When you think of investments/returns, call Mark 10.

If you are depressed, call Psalm 27.
If your pocketbook is empty, call Psalm 37.
If you're losing confidence in people, call 1 Cor. 13.
If people seem unkind, call John 15.
If discouraged about your work, call Psalm 126.
If you find the world growing small and yourself great, call Psalm 19.

Lord sometimes...
...You allow breakages, so You can rebuild
...You allow wounds, so You can heal
...You allow me to walk in darkness, so that I see Your light
...You allow me to be confused, so I seek Your truth
...You allow me to be empty, so You can fill me
...You allow me to be lonely, so I can see what a friend You are
...You allow me to learn hard things, so I can be a gentle teacher
...You allow me to be void of feelings, so I learn to walk by faith
...You take away my future plans, to teach me to live one day at a time
...You allow me to see the futility of life, so I will see that everything is loss
compared to the surpassing value of knowing your son Jesus Christ my Lord

Locutions

2008-08-19T10:54:00.008+08:00

Happiness is knowing Christ

Life can only be understood by looking backward
But it must be lived by looking forward

You don’t choose your family
They are God’s gifts to you as you are to them

Judge not, and you will not be judged
Condemn not, and you will not be condemned
Forgive, and you will be forgiven

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication,
with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land
Your today is the tomorrow
that you worried about yesterday
Face your past without regret.
Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear
Good friends are like stars....
You don't always see them, but you know
they are always there. Keep them close

The Child

2008-08-18T11:23:00.007+08:00

She jumped up as soon as she saw the surgeon come out of the operating room. She asked "How is my little boy? "Is he going to be all right? Can I see him?" The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all we could, but your boy didn't make it." She asked "Why do little children get cancer? Doesn't God care any more? " Where were you, God, when my son needed you?"

The surgeon asked, "Would you like some time alone with your son? "
One of the nurses will be out in a few minutes, before he's transported to the university.

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her while she said good bye to her son. She ran her fingers lovingly through his thick red curly hair.

"Would you like a lock of his hair?" the nurse asked. She nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic bag and handed it to Sally.

The mother said, It was Jimmy's idea to donate his body to the University for Study. He said it might help somebody else. She said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom, I won't be using it after I die. Maybe it will help some other little boy spend one more day with his Mom."

She went on, "My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always thinking of someone else. Always wanting to help others if he could."

She walked out of Children's Mercy Hospital for the last time, after spending most of the last six months there. She put the bag with Jimmy's belongings on the seat beside her in the car.

The drive home was difficult. It was even harder to enter the empty house. She carried Jimmy's belongings, and the plastic bag with the lock of his hair to her son's room. She started placing the model cars and other personal things back in his room exactly where he had always kept them. She laid down across his bed and, hugging his pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke. Laying beside her on the bed was a folded letter.

The letter said:

"Dear Mom,

I know you're going to miss me; but don't think that I will ever forget you, or stop loving you, just because I'm not around to say "I Love You". I will always love you, Mom, even more with each day. Someday we will see each other again. Until then, if you want to adopt a little boy so you won't be so lonely, that's okay with me. He can have my room and old stuff to play with.

But, if you decide to get a girl instead, she probably wouldn't like the same things us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be sad thinking about me. This really is a neat place.

Grandma and Grandpa met me as soon as I go there and showed me around some, but it will take a long time to see everything.

The angels are so cool. I love to watch them fly. And, you know what? Jesus doesn't look like any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom? I got to sit on God's knee and talk to Him, like I was somebody.

That's when I told Him that I wanted to write you a letter, to tell you good bye and everything. But I already knew that wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom? God handed me some paper and His own personal pen to write you this letter.

I think Gabriel is the name of the angel who is going to drop this letter off to you. God said for me to give you the answer to one of the questions you asked Him. "Where was He when I needed him?" God said He was in the same place with me, as when His son Jesus was on the cross.

He was right there, as He always is with all His children. Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see what I've written except you. To everyone else this is just a blank piece of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to give God His pen back now.

He needs it to write some more names in the Book of Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table with Jesus for supper. I'm sure the food will be great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone. I'm glad because I couldn't stand that pain anymore and God couldn't stand to see me hurt so much, either.

That's when He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get me. The Angel said I was a Special Delivery! How about that?"

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me