The Wooded Bowl

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table.

But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.

The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."

So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl!

When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.

The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?"
Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work .

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.


That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things: a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.

People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

Reach out and touch someone today, we all need to feel that we are of value to someone.

JESUS is the REASON for the SEASON...

A Baby's Hug

(Courtesy of Kasey Baby)

A Baby's Hug
>
> We were the only family with chil dren in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a
> high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking. Suddenly,
> Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on
> the
> high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was
> bared
> in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.
>
>
>
> I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose
> pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of
> would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and
> unwashed.
> His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so
> varicose it looked like a road map.
>
>
>
> We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled. His hands
> waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I
> see
> ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.
>
>
>
> My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?'
>
>
>
> Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi.'
>
>
>
> Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man.
> The
> old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came
> and
> the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you
> know
> peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.'
>
>
>
> Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk.
>
>
>
> My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik,
> who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who
> in
> turn, reciproc ated with his cute comments.
>
>
>
> We finally got through the meal a nd headed for the door. My husband went
> to
> pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat
> poised between me and the door. 'Lord, just let me out of here before he
> speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my
> back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I
> did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's
> 'pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself
> from my arms to the man.
>
>
>
> Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their
> love
> and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his
> tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw
> tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and
> hard
> labor, cradled my baby's bot tom and stroked his back. No two beings have
> ever loved so deeply for so short a time.
>
>
>
> I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his
> eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice,
> 'You take care of this baby.'
>
>
>
> Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.
>
>
>
> He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in
> pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've
> given me my Christmas gift.'
>
>
>
> I said nothing more than a muttered thanks. With Erik in my arms, I ran
> for
> the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so
> tightly, and why I wa s saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'
>
>
>
> I had just witnessed Chri st's love shown through the innocence of a tiny
> child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a
> mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding
> a
> child who was not. I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share
> your
> son for a moment?' when He shared His for all eternity.
>
>
>
> The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of
> God , we must become as little children.'
>
>
>
> If this has blessed you, please bless others by sending it on. Sometimes,
> it
> takes a child to remind us of what is really important. We must always
> remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel
> about others. The clothes on your back or the car t h a t you drive or the
> house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat > your
> fellow man that identifies who you are.
>
>
>
> >
> 'It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who
> people
> think you are......'

Thorns

Sandra felt as low as the heels of her shoes as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door.

Her life had been easy, like a spring breeze. Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole that from her.

During this Thanksgiving week she would have delivered a son. She grieved over her loss. As if that weren't enough, her husband's company threatened a transfer. Then her sister, whose holiday visit she coveted, called saying she could not come for the holiday.

Then Sandra's friend infuriated her by suggesting her grief was a God-given path to maturity that would allow her to empathize with others who suffer. She has no idea what I'm feeling, thought Sandra with a shudder.

Thanksgiving? Thankful for what? She wondered. For a careless driver whose truck was hardly scratched when he rear-ended her? For an airbag that saved her life but took that of her child?

"Good afternoon, can I help you?" The shop clerk's approach startled her.

"I....I need an arrangement," stammered Sandra.

"For Thanksgiving? Do you want beautiful but ordinary, or would you like to challenge the day with a customer favorite I call the Thanksgiving "Special?" asked the shop clerk. "I'm convinced that flowers tell stories," she continued. "Are you looking for something that conveys 'gratitude' this thanksgiving?"

"Not exactly!" Sandra blurted out. "In the last five months, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong."

Sandra regretted her outburst, and was surprised when the shop clerk said, "I have the perfect arrangement for you."

Just then the shop door's small bell rang, and the shop clerk said, "Hi, Barbara...let me get your order." She politely excused herself and walked toward a small workroom, then quickly reappeared, carrying an arrangement of greenery, bows, and long-stemmed thorny roses. Except the ends of the rose stems were neatly snipped: there were no flowers.

"Want this in a box?" asked the clerk.

Sandra watched for the customer's response. Was this a joke? Who would want rose stems with no flowers! She waited for laughter, but neither woman laughed.

"Yes, please," Barbara, replied with an appreciative smile. "You'd think after three years of getting the special, I wouldn't be so moved by its significance, but I can feel it right here, all over again," she said as she gently tapped her chest. And she left with her order.

"Uh," stammered Sandra, "that lady just left with, uh....she just left with no flowers!

"Right, said the clerk, "I cut off the flowers. That's the Special. I call it the Thanksgiving Thorns Bouquet."

"Oh, come on, you can't tell me someone is willing to pay for that!" exclaimed Sandra.

"Barbara came into the shop three years ago feeling much like you feel today," explained the clerk. "She thought she had very little to be thankful for. She had lost her father to cancer, the family business was failing, her son was into drugs, and she was facing major surgery."

"That same year I had lost my husband," continued the clerk, "and for the first time in my life, had just spent the holidays alone. I had no children, no husband, no family nearby, and too great a debt to allow any travel."

"So what did you do?" asked Sandra.

"I learned to be thankful for thorns," answered the clerk quietly. "I've always thanked God for the good things in my life and never questioned the good things that happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask questions! It took time for me to learn that dark times are important. I have always enjoyed the 'flowers' of life, but it took thorns to show me the beauty of God's comfort. You know, the Bible says that God comforts us when we're afflicted, and from His consolation we learn to comfort others."

Sandra sucked in her breath as she thought about the very thing her friend had tried to tell her. "I guess the truth is I don't want comfort. I've lost a baby and I'm angry with God."

Just then someone else walked in the shop. "Hey, Phil!" shouted the clerk to the balding, rotund man.

"My wife sent me in to get our usual Thanksgiving Special....12 thorny, long-stemmed stems!" laughed Phil as the clerk handed him a tissue-wrapped arrangement from the refrigerator.

"Those are for your wife?" asked Sandra incredulously. "Do you mind me asking why she wants something that looks like that?"

"No...I'm glad you asked," Phil replied. "Four years ago my wife and I nearly divorced. After forty years, we were in a real mess, but with the Lord's grace and guidance, we slogged through problem after problem. He rescued our marriage. Jenny here (the clerk) told me she kept a vase of rose stems to remind her of what she learned from "thorny" times, and that was good enough for me. I took home some of those stems. My wife and I decided to label each one for a specific "problem" and give thanks for what that problem taught us."

As Phil paid the clerk, he said to Sandra, "I highly recommend the Special!"

"I don't know if I can be thankful for the thorns in my life." Sandra said. "It's all too...fresh."

"Well," the clerk replied carefully, "my experience has shown me that thorns make roses more precious. We treasure God's providential care more during trouble than at any other time. Remember, it was a crown of thorns that Jesus wore so we might know His love. Don't resent the thorns."

Tears rolled down Sandra's cheeks. For the first time since the accident, she loosened her grip on resentment. "I'll take those twelve long-stemmed thorns, please," she managed to choke out.

"I hoped you would," said the clerk gently. "I'll have them ready in a minute."

"Thank you. What do I owe you?"

"Nothing. Nothing but a promise to allow God to heal your heart. The first year's arrangement is always on me." The clerk smiled and handed a card to Sandra. "I'll attach this card to your arrangement, but maybe you would like to read it first."

It read: "My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain. Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant."
Praise Him for your roses; thank him for your thorns!

My Momma was released from the hospital this morning, she was transported to the health care facility, that she currently resides at as a non care needed resident....only this time she is in the full care end of the facility...she has edema in her legs and belly, her legs are looking much better, however she cannot use them, she cannot walk, she cannot stand, she cannot move at all without help...and even then it is hard to move her about...she promised me that she would not give up, that she would do all of the physical therapy, that she would work on getting better. I am thankful for my mom....she loves me, and appreciates me and she tells me every time i go to see her.
i know how hard it can be this time of year to be in the place where she is, i see the residents that are so happy all the time, and then there are those, who have given up hope and are waiting to die...it is very sad, very sad. I often wonder which is worse to be gone so quickly like Damon, or to live like this, no one visiting, with out hope. I also think of the care givers, how hard it must be for them to try to encourage those, w/o families, how draining and thankless their work must be....cannot we not even take a moment for our elderly, they took care of us when we were young, cannot we not take a half hour for them...the bible states what we sow, so we shall reap...what we give, we get...take the time to visit with someone today, take a half hour to stop at a hosp, or a rest home and make someones day better....you will be the one blessed for your time and they will too...i am guilty of this, seems i am always in a hurry to get home, what is the hurry, compared to eternity?
Today was the first day back to work, it is nice to know that i was missed, several people stopped by my desk, emailed me and said they had missed me and was glad i was back....what a blessing to receive encouragement.
i want to be a blessing to those around me, i want to be an encourager, i want to take the time to listen and console, just like my Jesus does for me....i want to be a living bible to all of those the Lord places in my path...I am Thankful tonite, I am thankful and appreciative of the many blessings...keep on the firling line saints, our redemption draweth nigh.

Thanks-giving

Good Morning
What are you thankful for?
I look at the word Thanks-giving, and I thank of the many things I am thankful for.
The Church
Salvation
Sanctification
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
Vision
My Husband
My Kasey and Damon
My Family
My Church Family
Friends, True Friends
My Job
My Home
all of these things and more, much more.
As i travel on this day, I think of the lost souls, what are they doing this thanksgiving, do they have families and friends who love them, who know the Lord, but have not told them of Jesus?
Then I look at the word Thanks-giving again, and I ask myself, am I giving of the Lord as the Bible tells me, to go ye forth into all lands preaching the gospel? Am I taking for granted, so great a gift of salvation? Am I doing my reasonable service/duty?
Someone did theirs for me....have I been GIVING back?
To me, that is what Thanks-giving is about, giving of the gift of Jesus. Giving of the time the Lord has allotted me to give. Time is running out. When we stand before the Lord, will we have anyones blood on our hands?
This is not meant to drag anyone down, this is meant to encourage, to remind, to exhort...on this day of Thanksgiving, ask the Lord to put someone in your path, that you can share the greatest gift ever given....going forward purpose in your heart to reach out. WE are being watched. We say we are Christians, are we just talking the talk? or are we walking it too?
Jesus is the way, He is the truth and the only way to God the Father...AMEN
Happy Thanks-Giving.

Thoughts

Good Morning,
It is 6:47 am on Sunday morning the 18th of November. I have been up since before 5...thinking about things, my life, my choices, my salvation, sanctification, MY CHURCH, The Church of God. Praying and expecting a mighty move of the Lord this morning, I love the Lord, I love HIS Church, the bible says that even the gates of hell shall not prevail against her....Praise the Lord, the bible also says, if I don't praise my Lord, then the rocks will, I do NOT want to be replaced by a rock.
My momma is not doing well. She has health problems that concern me, i love her and want to help her have a enjoyable time in her latter years, but i fail so much of the time (in my opinion) of doing that. She is going to the hosp on tues to have fluid drained from her abdomen, she has just had this done 3 or 4 weeks ago, the dr, was innept...he didn't take much fluid it off and it upset my mother, so she got in the mode of not caring...now her legs are so swolen from fluid her skin looks like it is going to rupture. I am not one for conflict, but finally I and my sister in law say something to her about not being stubborn and taking care of these things, she can't walk very well because of her legs being so swolen, she has asked for the wheel chair back. Please pray for her, I love her very much, she is my mommy.
My Mr Leonard, for those of you who know him, he is a character, if he knew how much I love him, it would all go to his head. He is very wise. He is a very good Judge of character. When we were first married, I didn't appreciate this wisdom, now I do. He and I went to visit our Friend Bill on friday nite, Bill is very sick. The Dr's have given him two months to live. I over heard Bill telling his grandaughters if he could die right now it would not be soon enough....Bill has been an upright man all of his life, but he needs the Lord, please pray that the Lord will reach him, before he goes off into eternity, please pray.
Wow so I am not much of of one to go on about stuff on line....but I just want y'all to know that I very much appreciate your love of Kasey. Aside from the Lord and His Church....she is our joy, we miss her and love her....thanking you all for taking care of her since Damon's promotion, thank you for your encouragement and prayer in this time. Word's cannot express the gratitude of this mother's heart....Thank you Lord for watching over her and thankyou for giving her friends and family that love her and pray for her.....love and prayer, sis katie.

WE NEED TO STAY SENSITIVE TO GOD

She obeyed not the voice; she received not correction; she trusted not in the LORD; she drew not near to her God.
ZEPHANIAH 3:2

The kingdom of self is a dangerous place to live, for we exclude the God who made us. In that self-centered condition, we don't trust God and don't seek him or his wisdom. That's what happened to the people of Jerusalem. Since they relied on themselves, so much, God could not reach them with normal discipline. Discipline would have to be harsh in order to get their attention and turn them around. When we rely too much on ourselves, we begin to believe that we don't need God. A healthy sense of self-worth and self-sufficiency does not deny our need for God's strength and guidance, but don't become so self-sufficient that you no longer recognize God's discipline when it comes. When we stay sensitive to God, he won't have to take drastic measures to help us.

God only gives the best to those who leave the choice to HIM

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 and ugly
Cactus a beautiful flower had grown.
And the unsightly caterpillar had been
Transformed into a most beautiful butterfly.

God always does things right,

His way is always the best way, even
If it seems all wrong.

If you asked God for one thing and 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 to 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!

"JESUS NEVER FAILS"

Jesus Never Fails

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell.
He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups. And set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.
As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of little boy. 'Mister,' he said, 'I want to buy one of your puppies.'
'Well,' said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, 'These puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.'
The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. 'I've got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?'
'Sure,' said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. 'Here, Dolly!' he called.
Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller. Down the ramp it slid. Then in a somewhat awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up...
'I want that one,' the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, 'Son, you don't want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.'
With that the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg attaching itself to a specially made shoe. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, 'You see sir, I don't run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.'
With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully handed it to the little boy.
'How much?' asked the little boy.
'No charge,' answered the farmer, 'There's no charge for love.'
The world is full of people who need someone who understands.

Turn your eyes to Jesus, HE sees, HE understands and HE is waiting with out stretched hands.
No matter what is going on in your life, HE is the answer..... and HE is the solution....and always remember....JESUS NEVER FAILS.

The 7 UPS!

1. Wake Up!
Decide to have a good day."This is the day the Lord hath made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalms 118:24

2. Dress Up!
The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. "The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance,But the Lord looks at the heart."I Samuel 16:7

3. Shut Up!
Say nice things and learn to listen.God gave us two ears and one mouth, So He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking."He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!
For what you believe in.Stand for something or you will fall for anything. "Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time,We will reap a harvest if we do not give up.Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up!
To the Lord. "I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up!
For something higher. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path." Proverbs 3:5-6

7. Lift Up!
Your Prayers. "Do not worry about anything; instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING." Philippians 4:6

A POSITIVE THOUGHT

If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring, and a sunrise every morning.

Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen.He could live anywhere in the universe, and He
chose your heart.What about the Christmas gift He sent you in Bethlehem; Not to mention that Friday at Calvary . Face it, He's crazy about you.


God answers
Knee-Mail!


"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

To all of you in blog land, place your cares, your concerns, your worries at the foot of the cross, then leave them there. God is on the scene, HE sees your trials and your struggles. He knows what is best for each of us. Lean on Him and let HIM take care of you and all the cares you have....HE IS ABLE.....Always remember....."JESUS NEVER FAILS"!

Beginning Today

Beginning today I will no longer worry about yesterday.
It is in the past and the past will never change.
Only I can change by choosing to do so.


Beginning today I will no longer worry about tomorrow.
Tomorrow will always be there, waiting for me to make the most of it.
But I cannot make the most of tomorrow without first making the most of today.


Beginning today I will look in the mirror and I will see a person worthy of my respect and admiration.
This person looking back at me is someone I enjoy spending time with and someone I would like to get to know better.


Beginning today I will cherish each moment of my life.
I value this gift bestowed upon me in this world and I will unselfishly share this gift with others.
I will use this gift to enhance the lives of others.


Beginning today I will take a moment to step off the beaten path and to revel in the mysteries I encounter.
I will face challenges with courage and determination.
I will overcome what barriers there may be which hinder my quest for growth and self-improvement.


Beginning today I will take life one day at a time, one step at a time.
Discouragement will not be allowed to taint my self-image, my desire to succeed or my capacity to love.


Beginning today I will walk with renewed faith in human kindness.
Regardless of what has gone before, I believe there is hope for a brighter and better future.


Beginning today I will open my mind and my heart.
I will welcome new experiences.
I will meet new people.
I will not expect perfection from myself nor anyone else: perfection does not exist in an imperfect world.
But I will applaud the attempt to overcome human shortcomings.


Beginning today I am responsible for my own happiness and I will do things that make me happy. . .admire the beautiful wonders of nature, listen to my favorite music, pet a kitten or a puppy, soak in a bubble bath. . .pleasure can be found in the most simple of gestures.


Beginning today I will learn something new;
I will try something different;
I will savor all the various flavors life has to offer.
I will change what I can and the rest I will let go.
I will strive to become the best me I can possibly be.



Beginning today. And every day.

By Penny White; Copyright 1990

Damon

we all take life so for granted..i never in a million years ever expected that Damon would not be a part of our everyday lives...NEVER...it is so hard to grasp at times...it is like i will wake up from a terrible dream and it will be all better...i treasure the time i had with him, he was a living angel on earth, he was such a special individual and to have had the honor of knowing him, was and is a blessing from the Lord. i will never forget his sweet way of teasing me about my stampin up and the way i could tease him about his southern vocabulary...i have prescious memories of Damon, very prescious and am truly thankful to have had him for my son in law...he blessed my soul, by just being him....thank you Lord for Damon, thank you Lord for loving me enough to have had him in my life...thank you Lord, Thank you.

Why?

So, I am sitting here at work, and for some reason I decided to clean out my checkbook...i am one of those people that keep their receipts until the purchase has cleared the bank...so i am going through my receipts and i throw some away and keep others...then I come to a receipt from walmart for the 19th of May....and on it is the last things I purchased for Damon....exactly one month later HE was PROMOTED to glory...my question...why am i hanging on to this reciept, why have i kept the receipt for the casket spray....why do i hang on to this kind of stuff? It won't bring him back...why, why, why?

OLDER THAN DIRT

>>> "Hey Dad," one of my kids asked the other day,>
"What was your> favorite>>fast food when you were growing up?"
"We didn't have> fast food when I> was>>growing up," I informed him.
"All the food was slow.">

"C'mon,> seriously. >>Where did you eat?">>>> "It was a place called 'at home,'" I explained.> "Grandma cooked> every>>day and when Grandpa got home from work, we sat down > together at the> dining>>>room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my> plate I was> allowed to>>sit there until I did like it.">>>>
By this time, the kid was laughing so hard I was > afraid he was> going to>>suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him> the part about> how I>>had to have permission to leave the table.
But here> are some other > things I>>>would have told him about my childhood if I figured> his system could> have>>handled it:>>>>
Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore > Levis , set foot on> a>>golf course, traveled out of the country or had a> credit card.
In> their>>later years they had something called a revolving> charge card. The > card was>>>good only at Sears>> Roebuck. Or maybe it was Sears AND Roebuck. Either> way, there is no>>>Roebuck anymore.
My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This > was mostly> because we>>>never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that> weighed probably 50> pounds,>>>and only had one speed, (slow).
We didn't have a > television in our> house>>until I was 11, but my grandparents had one before> that. It was, of> course,>>>black and white, but they bought a piece of colored> plastic to cover > the>>screen. The top third was blue, like the sky, and the> bottom third was>>>green, like grass. The middle third was red. It was> perfect for> programs>>that had scenes of fire trucks riding across > someone's lawn on a sunny> day.>>>
Some people had a lens taped to the front of the TV> to make the> picture>>look>> larger.>>>>
I was 13 before I tasted my first pizza, it was > called "pizza pie."> When>>>I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the> cheese slid off,> swung>>>down, plastered itself against my chin and burned > that, too. It's> still the>>>best pizza I ever had.>>>>
We didn't have a car until I was 15. Before that,> the only car in> our>>family was my grandfather's Ford. He called it a > "machine.">>>>
I never had a telephone in my room. The only phone> in the house was> in>>the living room and it was on a party line. Before> you could dial, you > had>>to listen and make sure some people you didn't know> weren't already> using>>the line.>>>>
Pizzas were not delivered to our home. But milk> was. >>>> All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys> delivered> newspapers.>>>I delivered a newspaper, six days a week. It cost 7> cents a paper, of> which >>>I got to keep 2 cents. I had to get up at 4 AM every> morning. On> Saturday,>>I had to collect the 42 cents from my customers. My> favorite customers> were> >>the ones who gave me 50 cents and told me to keep the> change. My least>>>favorite customers were the ones who seemed to never> be home on> collection>>day.>> >>
If you grew up in a generation before there was> fast food, you may > want>>to share some of these memories with your children or> grandchildren.> Just>>don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing.>>>>
Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it? >>>>>>
MEMORIES from a friend:>>>> My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she> died in> December) and>>>he brought me an old Royal Crown Cola bottle. In the > bottle top was a>>stopper with a bunch of holes in it. I knew> immediately what it was,> but my>>>daughter had no idea. She thought they had tried to> make it a salt > shaker>>or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the> end of the> ironing>>board to "sprinkle" clothes with because we didn't> have steam irons.>
Man, I>>>am old.>>>>>>>>>>
How many do you remember?>>>>
Head lights dimmer switches on the floor.>>
Ignition switches on the dashboard. >>
Heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall.>>
Real ice boxes.>>
Pant leg clips for bicycles without chain guards.>>
Soldering irons you heat on a gas burner.>>
Using hand signals for cars without turn signals. >>>>
Older Than Dirt Quiz: Count all the ones that you> remember not the> ones>>you were told about Ratings at the bottom.>>>>
1. Blackjack chewing gum>>
2. Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar> water>>
3. Candy cigarettes>>
4. Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles>>
5. Coffee shops or diners with tableside juke > boxes>>
6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with> cardboard stoppers>>
7. Party lines>>
9. P.F. Flyers>>
10. Butch wax >>
11. Telephone numbers with a word prefix> (OLive-6933)>>
12. Peashooters>>
13. Howdy Doody>>
14. 45 RPM records>>
15. S&H Green Stamps>>
16 Hi-fi's >>
17. Metal ice trays with lever>>
18. Mimeograph paper>>
19 Blue flashbulb>>
20. Packards>>
21. Roller skate keys>>
22. Cork popguns>>
23. Drive-ins >>
24. Studebakers>>
25. Wash tub wringers>>>>
If you remembered 0-5 = You're still young>>
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older>>
If you remembered 11-15 = Don't tell your age, >>
If you remembered 16-25 = You're older than dirt!>>>>
Have a great week...love from idaho

Glass of Milk

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry. He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door. Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, How much do I owe you?" You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said .. "Then I thank you from my heart." As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit. Many year's later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease. Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes. Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room. Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once. He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. >From that day he gave special attention to her case. After a long struggle, the battle was won. Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ... "Paid in full with one glass of milk" (Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly. Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You, God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands." There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Look up, for your redemption, draw nigh...thank you for all the prayers...sis katie.

God Bless Mothers who Drugged Us!

God bless mothers who drugged us!
The other day, someone at a store in our town read that a methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question, ''Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?''

I replied: I had a drug problem when I was young:
I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals.
I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.
I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults.
I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of the teacher or the preacher, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.
I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profane four-letter word. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's garden and flower beds and cockleburs out of dad's fields.
I was drug to the homes of family, friends, and neighbors to help out some poor soul who had no one to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood; and, if my mother had ever known that I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me back to the woodshed.
Those drugs are still in my veins; and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, and think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; Thank you Momma.
To all Momma's out there who have "DRUGGED" their children...God Bless you...and thank you Lord for Momma's who still care....be blessed...sis katie.

Five Simple Rules to be Happy

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

No one can go back and make a brand new start.
Anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.

God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.

Disappointments are like road bumps, they slow you down a bit but you enjoy the smooth road afterwards.

Don't stay on the bumps too long. Move on!

When you feel down because you didn't get what you want, just sit tight and be happy, because God has thought of something better to give you.

When something happens to you, good or bad, consider what it means.
There's a purpose to life's events, to teach you how to laugh more or not to cry too hard.

You can't make someone love you, all you can do is be someone who can be loved, the rest is up to the person to realize your worth.

It's better to lose your pride to the one you love, than to lose the one you love because of pride.

We spend too much time looking for the right person to love or finding fault with those we already love, when instead we should be perfecting the love we give.

Never abandon an old friend. You will never find one who can take his place. Friendship is like wine, it gets better as it grows older.


May today there be peace within you. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

Love to all, Sis Katie.

It started to happen gradually.

One day I was walking my son Jake to school. I was holding his hand and we were about to cross the street when the crossing guard said to him, "Who is that with you, young fella?" "Nobody," he shrugged.

Nobody? The crossing guard and I laughed. My son is only 5, but as we crossed the street I thought, "Oh my goodness, nobody?"

I would walk into a room and no one would notice. I would say something to my family - like "Turn the TV down, please" - and nothing would happen. Nobody would get up, or even make a move for the remote. I would stand there for a minute, and then I would say again, a little louder, "Would someone turn the TV down?" Nothing.

Just the other night my husband and I were out at a party. We'd been there for about three hours and I was ready to leave. I noticed he was talking to a friend from work. So I walked over, and when there was a break in the conversation, I whispered, "I'm ready to go when you are." He just kept right on talking.

I'm invisible.

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, "Can't you see I'm on the phone?" Obviously not. No one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no one can see me at all.

I'm invisible.

Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this? Some days I'm not a pair of hands; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, "What time is it?" I'm a satellite guide to answer, "What number is the Disney Channel?" I'm a car to order, "Right around 5:30, please."

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated summa cum laude but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again.

She's going8 she's going8 she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others all put together so well. It was hard not to compare and feel sorry for myself as I looked down at my out-of-style dress; it was the only thing I could find that was clean. My unwashed hair was pulled up in a banana clip and I was afraid I could actually smell peanut butter in it. I was feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, "I brought you this."

It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: "To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees."

In the days ahead I would read - no, devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work:

No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names.

These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished.

They made great sacrifices and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, "Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it." And the workman replied, "Because God sees."

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, "I see you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become."

At times, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. The writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, "My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes a turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table." That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, "You're gonna love it there."

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're doing it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

To all of you....be blessed, and encouraged, God sees and hears all...love and prayers, sis katie.

-VERY INTERESTING-

1. The Garden of Eden was in Iraq!
2. Mesopotamia, which is now Iraq,was thecradle of civilization!
3. Noah built the ark in Iraq.
4. The Tower of Babel was in Iraq.
5. Abraham was from Ur, which is in Southern Iraq !
6. Isaac's wife Rebekah is from Nahor, which is in Iraq !
7. Jacob met Rachel in Iraq.
8. Jonah preached in Nineveh - which is in Iraq.
9. Assyria, which is in Iraq, conquered the ten tribes of Israel.
10. Amos cried out in Iraq !
11 Babylon, which is in Iraq, destroyed Jerusalem.
12. Daniel was in the lion's den in Iraq !
13. The three Hebrew children were in the fire in Iraq (Jesus had been in Iraq also as the fourthperson in the Fiery Furnace!).
14. Belshazzar, the King of Babylon saw the "writingon the wall" in Iraq
15. Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, carried the Jews captive into Iraq
16. Ezekiel preached in Iraq ..
17. The wise men were from Iraq ...
18. Peter preached in Iraq ...
19. The "Empire of Man" describedin Revelation is called Babylon , whichwas a city in Iraq ! And you have probably seen this one: Israel is the nation most often mentioned in the Bible. But do you know which nation is second? It is Iraq ! However, that is not the name that is used in the Bible. The names used in the Bible are Babylon , Land of Shinar , and Mesopotamia ... The word Mesopotamia means between the two rivers, more exactly between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers ...The name Iraq, means country with deep roots. Indeed Iraq is a country with deep roots and is a very significant country in the Bible. No other nation, except Israel , has more history and prophecy associated with it than Iraq And also, This is something to think about: Since America is typically represented by an eagle. Saddam should have read up on his Muslim passages ...The following verse is from the Koran, (the Islamic Bible) Koran ( 9:11 ) - For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle.. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced; for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah;And there was peace. (Note the verse number!) Hmmmmmmm?!

what y'all think of this....sis katie

Sand and Stone

TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TOTAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE ".

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"

THE FRIEND REPLIED
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT."

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.

THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON, AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY
TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.

DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE
WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE !



God Bless each of you that read this blog...be safe this Holiday weekend...and PRAISE the LORD...AMEN

Cherokee Legend

Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage?>
His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him> alone.>
He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the> blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it.>
He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is> a MAN.>
He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must> come into manhood on his own.>
The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild> beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him> harm. The wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat> stoically, never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he> could become a man!>
Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his> blindfold.
It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the> stump next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his> son from harm.> >
We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly> Father is watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.
When trouble> comes, all we have to do is reach out to Him.> >
Work for the Lord, the pay isn't much but the rewards are> great and the retirement is out of this world!!!

God's Cake

Sometimes we wonder, "What did I do to deserve this?" or "Why did God have to do this to me?" Here is a wonderful explanation!
A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, "Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.""Here, have some cooking oil," her Mother offers.
"Yuck" says her daughter.
"How about a couple raw eggs?"
"Gross, Mom!"
"Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?"
"Mom, those are all yucky!"
To which the mother replies: "Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!
God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!
God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

our Damon was promoted to Glory...if only i'd known, if only i'd have known.

1 month ago today, all of our lives changed. for the better having known him, having loved him, one month ago today...

we decided to have mcdonald's for breakfast, Damon got his usual sausage biscuit and this time orange juice to help break up the congestion

growth....LOL...it was just going to be another fun day, with all of us together. another fun day to enjoy one anothers company

show me the growth, it was damon...LOL. he had his arms wrapped around her, they were walking in unison..he said with a big grin, that he was her

day, i was so proud oh him for that. kasey called from the back bedroom that she had a growth, this concerned me some, she come walking out front to

Wood, i was in the living room, reading Damon's Bible, he had the VLB pamplet, where you read your bible through in a year, he hadn't missed a single

i tried to post tonite, but blogger wouldn't let me, title was 1 month ago today, we were getting up and getting around, we had decided to go to Dolly

Don't give up.....
One day I decided to quit...I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God."God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"His answer surprised me..."Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?""Yes", I replied."When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care ofthem.I gave them light.I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.Its brilliant green covered the floor.Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said."In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.But I would not quit.In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I wouldnot quit." He said."Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth. Comparedto the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...But just 6months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.It had spent the five years growing roots. Those roots made it strong andgave it what it needed to survive.I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."He asked me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots"."I would not quit on the bamboo.I will never quit on you.""Don't compare yourself to others."He said."The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.Yet they both make the forest beautiful.""Your time will come", God said to me."You will rise high""How high should I rise?"I asked."How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return."As high as it can?" I questioned."Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."I left the forest and brought back this story.I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.Never, Never, Never Give up.For the Christian Prayer is not an option but an opportunity.Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Thank you

Hello All,

I do not know how many still read my blog, but to whomever....it is a surreal time in our lives. As a mother, I cannot fix this, I cannot kiss this and make it better. As a mother in law, I have never been more proud, my son in law, in my eyes was perfect...as a tribute to his character and his love of his Lord. He would call me and visit, he would tell me about his work, his side jobs, the daily things going on with him. I have such treasured memories of him. His love for our daughter was like none other I have ever witnessed. His love for his family, was phenomenal. He never let anything stop him. He fought the good fight of faith until the very end. His legacy of love and determination, will live on in the lives of those he has touched forever. Words cannot express how I feel about this remarkable young man. I will surely miss him. I know he has gone ahead of us to make sure that all of our mansions are painted just right.
I wish to express my heart felt thanks to all of you who are praying for Kasey, Yvonne and Andy, Judy and the boys and Fancy. I want to thank you for all of your out pouring of love, in your thoughts and prayers, in your time spent and the food prepared and the monetary gifts as well. Your love and your time are very much appreciated. THANK YOU, THANKYOU, THANKYOU. May God richly bless you for your giving....your sister in Christ.

YOU are Special, a Reminder.

$20.00

Sometimes we just need to be reminded!

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00 bill.
In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 bill?"
Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.
He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air Well, he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.
"Now, who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.
My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value. Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know, but by WHO WE ARE.
You are special!!
Don't EVER forget that!
Count your blessings, not your problems.
And remember: amateurs built the ark ... professionals built the Titanic.
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it!

love and prayers, one and all, you are special to me and to HIM.

Just P.U.S.H.

A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room filledwith light, and God appeared.
The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin.
The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all hismight...So, this the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun-up to sun-down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing with all his might!
Each night the man returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling thathis whole day had been spent in vain. Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan) decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: (He will do it every time)! You have been pushing against that rock for a long time and it hasn'tmoved." Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time, giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough. "That's what the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matterof Prayer and to take his troubled thoughts to The Lord. "Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What iswrong? Why am I failing? "The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all of your strength, which you have done.
Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push.
And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back shiny and brown; your hands are callused from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. True, you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be Obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My Wisdom. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will move the rock.
"At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He Wants, when actually what God wants is just simple obedience and faith in Him.
By all means, exercise the Faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God Who moves The Mountains.
When everything seems to go wrong.........................Just P.U.S.H.
When the job gets you down................................Just P.U.S.H.
When people don't do as you think they should.............Just P.U.S.H.
When your money is "gone" and the bills are due...........Just P.U.S.H.
When people just don't understand you.....................Just P.U.S.H.
P = Pray
U = Until
S = Something
H = Happens

The Duck and the devil

> > There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He> > was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the> > woods; but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged > > > > he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back he saw Grandma's pet> > duck.> > > > > > Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square i n> > the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved!> > > > In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile; only to see his > > sister watching! Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing> > > > > > After lunch the next day Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the> > dishes." But Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in > > the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny> > did the dishes.> > > > Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing> > and Grandma said, "I'm sorry but I need Sally to help make supper." > > > > Sally just smiled and said, "Well that's all right because Johnny> > told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?"> > So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help. > > > > After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's; he> > finally couldn't stand it any longer.> > > > He came to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck.> > Grandma knelt down, gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. > > > > You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but> > because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you> > would let Sally make a slave of you." > > > > Thought for the day and every day thereafter?> > Whatever is in your past, whatever you have done... and the devil> > keeps throwing it up in your face (lying, cheating, debt, fear, bad> > habits, hatred, anger, bitterness, etc.)...whatever it is...You need to > > know that God was standing at the window and He saw the whole thing. He> > has seen your whole life. He wants you to know that He loves you and> > that you are forgiven.> > > > He's just wondering how long you will let the devil make a slave of > > you. The great thing about God is that when you ask for forgiveness; He> > not only forgives you, but He forgets. It is by God's grace and mercy> > that we are saved.> > > > Go ahead and make the difference in someone's life today. Share this > > with a friend and always remember: God is at the window!

Cell Phone vs Bible

I wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?
What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
What if we flipped through it several times a day?
What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?
What if we used it when we traveled?
What if we used it in case of emergency.
This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible?
Oh, and one more thing. Unlike our cell phone, we don't have to worry about our Bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.
Makes you stop and think "where are my priorities?"
And no dropped calls!

The Value of Disaster

For ten years Thomas Edison attempted to invent a storage battery. His efforts greatly strained his finances and, in Dec 1914, nearly brought him to ruin when a spontaneous combustion broke out in his film room. Within minutes all the packing
Compounds, celluloid for records and film, and other flammable goods were ablaze. Though fire depts. came from surrounding towns, the intense heat and low water pressure made attempts to douse the flames futile. Everything was destroyed.
While the damage exceeded $2 million, the concrete bldgs, thought to be fireproof, were insured for barely a tenth of that amount. The inventor’s twenty-four-year old son, Charles, searched frantically for his father, afraid that his spirit would be broken. Charles finally found him, calmly watching the fire, his face glowing in the reflection, white hair blowing in the wind.
“My heart ached for him,” said Charles. “he was sixty-seven, no longer a young man, and everything was going up in flames”.
“When he saw me he shouted, “Charles, where’s your mother?” When I told him I
didn’t know, he said, “find her. Bring her here. She will never see anything like this as long as she lives.”
The next morning, Edison looked at the ruins and said, “There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew.” Three weeks after the fire, Edison managed to deliver the first phonograph.
With each new day, we have the opportunity to start again, to start fresh…no matter what our circumstances. Let the Lord show you how to salvage hope from debris. You never know what joys lie ahead.
HOPE IS LIKE THE SUN, WHICH, AS WE JOURNEY TOWARDS IT, CASTS A SHADOW OF OUR BURDEN BEHIND US.
Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

>The Stranger
>
>A few years after I was born, my Dad met a stranger who was new to
>our small Texas town. From the beginning, Dad was fascinated with
>this enchanting newcomer and soon invited him to live with our family.
>The stranger was quickly accepted and was around from then on.
>
>As I grew up, I never questioned his place in my family. In my young mind,
>he had a special niche. My parents were complementary instructors:
>
>
>
>
>Mom taught me good from evil, and Dad taught me to obey. But
>the stranger...he was our storyteller. He would keep us spellbound for
>hours on end with adventures, mysteries and comedies.
>
>If I wanted to know anything about politics, history or science, he always
>knew the answers about the past, understood the present and even seemed
>able to predict the future! He took my family to the first major league
>ball game. He made me laugh, and he made me cry. The stranger never stopped
>talking, but Dad didn't seem to mind.
>
>Sometimes, Mom would get up quietly while the rest of us were shushing each
>other to listen to what he had to say, and she would go to the kitchen for
>peace and quiet. (I wonder now if she ever prayed for the stranger to
>leave.)
>
>Dad ruled our household with certain moral convictions, but the
>stranger never felt obligated to honor them. Profanity, for example, was
>not allowed in our home... Not from us, our friends or any visitors.
>Our longtime visitor, however, got away with four-letter words that
>burned my ears and made my dad squirm and my mother blush.
>
>My Dad didn't permit the liberal use of alcohol. But the
>stranger encouraged us to try it on a regular basis. He made cigarettes
>look cool, cigars manly and pipes distinguished. He talked freely (much too
> freely!) about sex. His comments were sometimes blatant,
>sometimes suggestive, and generally embarrassing.
>
>I now know that my early concepts about relationships were
>influenced strongly by the stranger. Time after time, he opposed the values
>of my parents, yet he was seldom rebuked... And NEVER asked to leave.
>
>More than fifty years have passed since the stranger moved in with
>our family. He has blended right in and is
>not nearly as fascinating as he was at first. Still, if you could walk into
>my parents' den today, you
>would still find him sitting over in his corner, waiting for someone
>to listen to him talk and watch him draw his pictures. His name?....
>
>We just call him, "TV."
>

>
>He has a wife now....We call her "Computer."

Something to think about....be blessed....sis katie.

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like."The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors andthe holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding-spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they couldnot get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seenHell."They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holyman's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, "I don't understand." "It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves." When Jesus died on the cross he was thinking of you!

God's Coffee

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got to talking at a reunion and decided to go visit their old university professor, now retired. During their visit, conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in their work and lives. Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups, porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite bone china - telling them to help themselves to the coffee. When all the alumni had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said, "Notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress. Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups... and then you began eyeing each other's cups. Now consider this: Life is the coffee; your job, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain life. The type of cup one has does not define, nor change the quality of life a person lives. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything. "God brews the coffee, not the cups...
Enjoy your coffee! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Spend time with God over your coffee.

Sixty Seconds

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin. ....... . Keep your eyes and heart on the Lord, HE will keep your feet on the path.

How To Forgive

One day a while back, a man, his heart heavy with grief, was walking in the woods. As he thought about his life this day, he knew many things were not right he thought about those who had lied about him back when he had a job.
His thoughts turned to those who had stolen his things and cheated him. He remembered family that had passed on. His mind turned to the illness he had that no one could cure. His very soul was filled with anger, resentment and frustration.
Standing there this day, searching for answers he could not find, knowing all else had failed him, he knelt at the base of an old oak tree to seek the one he knew would always be there. And with tears in his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord- You have done wonderful things for me in this life. You have told me to do many things for you, and I happily obeyed. Today, You have told me to forgive. I am sad, Lord, because I cannot. I don't know how. It is not fair Lord. I didn't deserve these wrongs that were done against me and I shouldn't have to forgive. As perfect as your way is Lord, this one thing I cannot do, for I don't know how to forgive. My anger is so deep Lord, I fear I may not hear you, but I pray that you teach me to do this one thing I cannot do - Teach me To Forgive."
As he knelt there in the quiet shade of that old oak tree, he felt something fall onto his shoulder. He opened his eyes. Out of the corner of one eye, he saw something red on his shirt.
He could not turn to see what it was because where the oak tree had been was a large square piece of wood in the ground. He raised his head and saw two feet held to the wood with a large spike through them.
He raised his head more, and tears came to his eyes as he saw Jesus hanging on a cross. He saw spikes in His hands, a gash in His side, a torn and battered body, deep thorns sunk into His head. Finally he saw the suffering and pain on His precious face. As their eyes met, the man's tears turned to sobbing, and Jesus began to speak.
"Have you ever told a lie?" He asked?
The man answered- "yes, Lord."
"Have you ever been given too much change and kept it?"
The man answered - " yes. Lord." And the man sobbed more and more.
"Have you ever taken something from work that wasn't yours?" Jesus asked?
And the man answered - "yes, Lord."
"Have you ever sworn, using my Father's name in vain? "
The man, crying now, answered - "yes, Lord."
As Jesus asked many more times, "Have you ever"? The man's crying became uncontrollable, for he could only answer - "yes, Lord."
Then Jesus turned His head from one side to the other, and the man felt something fall on his other shoulder. He looked and saw that it was the Blood of Jesus. When he looked back up, his eyes met those of Jesus, and there was a look of love the man had never seen or known before.
Jesus said, "I didn't deserve this either, but I forgive you."
It may be hard to see how you're going to get through something, but when you look back in life, you realize how true this statement is.
Read the following line slowly and let it sink in....
If God brings you to it - He will bring you through it. When Jesus died on the cross, he was thinking of you!

The Trouble with Being Right

Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him:
and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3

Believe it or not, it's often harder to gracefully receive an apology than it is to issue one.
As Christians, we know we are to forgive "seventy time seven" (Matthew 18:22), but some
of us can sincerely forgive and still project an air of superiority unbecoming to a child of
the king.
If you're waiting for someone to realize they owe you an apology, use your coffee break
to think of a response that reflects genuine forgiveness and allows the transgressor to feel
he or she has retained your respect.

Consider this humorous little story:
A passenger on a dining car looked over the luncheon menu. The list included both
a chicken salad sandwich and a chicken sandwich. He decided on the chicken salad
sandwich but absentmindedly wrote chicken sandwich on the order slip. When the
waiter brought the chicken sandwich, the customer angrily protested.
Most waiters would have immediately picked up the order slip and shown the customer
the mistake was his. This waiter didn't. Instead, expressing regret at the error, he picked
up the chicken sandwich, returned to the kitchen, and a moment later placed a chicken
salad sandwich in front of the customer.
While eating the sandwich, the customer picked up the order slip and saw that the
mistake was his. When it came time to pay for the check, the man apologized to the
waiter and offered to pay for both sandwiches. This waiter's response was , "No, sir.
That's perfectly all right. I'm just happy you've forgiven me for being right."
By taking the blame initially and allowing the passenger to discover his own
mistake, the waiter accomplished several things: he allowed the passenger to retain
his dignity, reminded him to be more cautious before blaming others, and created
a better atmosphere for everyone in the dining car. Next time people blame
you for their mistake, don't get defensive, but instead find a creative way to make
things right.
It is not who is right, but what is right, that is of importance.

WOW by Max Lucado

You are in your car driving home. Thoughts wander to the game you want to see or meal you want to eat, when suddenly a sound unlike any you've ever heard fills the air. The sound is high above you. A trumpet? A choir? A choir of trumpets? You don't know, but you want to know. So you pull over, get out of your car, and look up. As you do, you see you aren't the only curious one. The roadside has become a parking lot. Car doors are open, and people are staring at the sky. Shoppers are racing out of the grocery store.The Little League baseball game across the street has come to a halt. Players and parents are searching the clouds. And what they see, and what you see, has never before been seen.As if the sky were a curtain, the drapes of the atmosphere part. A brilliant light spills onto the earth. There are no shadows. None. From whence came the light begins to tumble a river of color spiking crystals of every hue ever seen and a million more never seen. Riding on the flow is an endless fleet of angels. They pass through the curtains one myriad at a time, until they occupy every square inch of the sky.
North.
South.
East.
West.
Thousands of silvery wings rise and fall in unison, and over the sound of the trumpets, you can hear the cherubim and seraphim chanting, Holy, holy, holy. The final flank of angels is followed by twenty-four silver-bearded elders and a multitude of souls who join the angels in worship.
Presently the movement stops and the trumpets are silent, leaving only the triumphant triplet: Holy, holy, holy. Between each word is a pause. With each word, a profound reverence. You hear your voice join in the chorus. You don't know why you say the words, but you know you must.Suddenly, the heavens are quiet. All is quiet. The angels turn, you turn, the entire world turns and there He is.Jesus.Through waves of light you see the silhouetted figure of Christ the King. He is atop a great stallion, and the stallion is atop a billowing cloud. He opens his mouth, and you are surrounded by his declaration: I am the Alpha and the Omega.His angels bow their heads. The elders remove their crowns. And before you is a Figure so consuming that you know, instantly you know: Nothing else matters. Forget stock markets and school reports. Sales meetings and football games. Nothing is newsworthy. All that mattered, matters no more.... for Christ has come.
What a time that will be Brothers and Sisters, Hallelujah.

Wet Pants

Come with me to a third grade classroom.....
There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened.
It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.
The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."
He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered.
As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap.
The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"
Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk.
The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.
She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!"
Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."
May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good. Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.
Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now,but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keepthe faith. Let's continue to pray for one another.
Love and prayers, sis katie.

Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a field, in which are two horses. From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing. Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This alone is amazing. If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell. It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her. As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him astray. When she returns t o the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell. Like the owner of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. Other times we are the guide horse, helping others see. Good friends are like this. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours. "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." Two Horses ~Author Unknowm

23rd Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's Relationship!
I shall not want ----- that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ---- that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters ----- that's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness ----- that's Guidance!
For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death ----- that's Testing!
I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!
For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me ----- that's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies ----- that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!
My cup runneth 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!
What is most valuable is not what we have in our lives, but WHO we have in our lives!

What God hath Promised

What God hath Promised

God hath not promised
skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways,
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without Rain,
Joy without Sorrow,
Peace without Pain.
But God hath promised
Strength for the day.
Rest for the Labor,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
and Undying Love.

Do what you can do today....and
then trust God to do what you
cannot do!

Forgiveness

Proverbs 17:9 He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

You never let me forget, do you?
“Look, I said I was sorry a hundred times. I lied, I was wrong. It won’t ever happen again!”

It happened every time they got into an argument. He knew he had done wrong, but he had asked forgiveness a dozen times. It would cool down, but then somehow it would come up and start another argument. If only he would let go of it, but no, he always held it over his head, It hurt to know that he wasn’t forgiven. He had blown it and was truly sorry, but to be reminded of it over and over made him feel like a heel. He didn’t know how much longer he could hear about it before it would begin to affect their friendship.

True forgiveness only occurs when we treat the subject as a closed matter. If we bring up old hurts whenever feelings fly, then we have never really forgiven.
To hold a grudge is to build a wall between yourself and another person. Forgiveness breaks down walls. Christ came to break down walls and lead people to reconciliation. Before true healing can occur, though, we must let loose of all old hurts and start fresh.
Forgiveness gives us the clean start we need to heal all wounds. With God’s help, we can grow closer than ever before.
Oh Lord, teach me how to drop old hurts into the sea of forgetfulness as you have done for me and to truly forgive those who have hurt me. Fill me with your grace, that I might learn how to be graceful to others……AMEN