The Devil’s Workshop

One night a man had a dream. He found himself in the devil’s workshop. All around the room were shelves and racks on which tools of all kinds were arranged neatly.
“Welcome to my workshop,” the devil said. “Feel free to look around. I’ve never had visitors, it might be kinda nice to have someone to talk to while I work, if you have any questions let me know.”
So the man took himself on a little tour of his surroundings. He admired the various implements he saw, and wondered at the uses of some of the others. Many were obviously of an antique design, their uses unknown to this man. He had almost completed his circuit of the room when he noticed something, which struck him as odd. Turning to the devil he said,
“You have a well equipped workshop here. Do you mind if I ask what sort of work you do in it?”
“Not at all. You see I work to destroy those who would follow the Bible and believe in Jesus. It all started with the serpent act I pulled off in the Garden of Eden. The outfit I wore for that little number is over there in the corner. After that I built this workshop and began collecting these tools. If you look in the closet over there you’ll find the Babylonian Clothing that Achan took and hid in his tent. The Golden calf that the Israelites worshipped while Moses was on mount Sinai is now serving as the legs for my workbench. The other part of the money that Annanias and Saphira kept back from the apostles, is in that little box over there on that shelf. I don’t mean to brag, but I have been very successful in my efforts to steal souls away from the One who would be their Saviour. It is very rewarding work.”
“This is all very interesting. But I have one question.”
“What is that?” asked the devil.
“You have gone through all the trouble to build this workshop and collect these tools, but none of them have ever been used. You have them and they sit on their shelves or hang from the walls, but you have never used any of them. Why?”
“Have you gotten to the workbench yet? On the workbench is my most prized and useful tool. With it I have caused all kinds of havoc in the church, and have turned many against God, and against each other. Have a look.”
The man made his way to the workbench expecting to see a cunningly devised masterpiece of diabolical ingenuity. So he was surprised when he discovered that the devil’s most prized possession was a plain, badly worn and battered wedge. It had the marks of many hammer strokes marring its once shiny surface. Scratches and gouges covered it from one end to the other.
“I don’t understand.” The man said, after a long moment. “Why would this be your favorite tool out of all of the ones on the shelves and hanging from the walls? Why would it be this wedge?”
“With that wedge I can widen even the tiniest crack in the church into a division that will tear families apart. I have divided congregations that stood against me for years with just a few careful taps of my hammer behind that wedge. If I find a place to drive that wedge into, the people usually do the rest of my work for me. You have never seen a group of “saints” behave in such a way as they do when I have had a chance to drive that wedge in between them. The fighting, backbiting, and gossip are like music to my ears. The anger and hatred that sometimes results is a wonder to behold. They blame me for the things that take place in the church but all I did was tap the point of that wedge in, they did the rest. Of course I was there observing and enjoying every minute of the chaos that resulted.”
“Has your wedge ever failed you?”
“Once or twice, not very often though. When I had Peter arrested, those people prayed until God sent an angel to release him. Usually though if I can get my wedge into even a tiny crack, I am assured of success.
Now, I need to sharpen it again. There is a church I have had my eye on for some time and I think it’s about ready for my wedge.”



Original Author
Unknown

A Glimpse of H I S T O R Y

The gospel can be summarized by an overview of our H-I-S-T-O-R-Y:

H—How it all began: A good creation (Gen. 1:31)

I—Iniquity. Sin entered creation (Gen. 3) and grew.

S—Selection. God selected a people to be a channel of His grace, yet they rebelled (Rom. 9:1-5).

T—Truth. God sent messengers of truth but they were mocked and murdered (Matt. 23:37).

O—God's only Son. Christ lived and died for our salvation (John 3:16)

R—Redemption. Christ dying on the Cross for our salvation (Gal 3:13).

Y—Your choice. God's salvation is freely given to anyone and everyone who will receive him. (John 1:12).

No matter what your history may be, the God of all history desires that you come to faith in Jesus.

Happy Birthday Kasey Baby

At 8:35 pm, you will turn 26 years old. I tried to paste you a pretty happy birthday sign....but couldn't get it to work for me. God bless you and keep you
as you celebrate this birthday, love momma.

Wait Patiently

Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.


Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

JAMES 5:7,8

The farmer must wait patiently for his crops to grow; he cannot hurry the process. But he does not take the summer off and hope that all goes well in the fields. There is much work to do to ensure a good harvest. In the same way, we must wait patiently for Christ's return. We cannot make him come back any sooner. But while we wait, there is much work that we can do to advance God's Kingdom. Both the farmer and the Christian must live by faith, looking forward to the future reward for their labors. Don't live as if Christ will never come. Work faithfully to build his Kingdom. The King will come when the time is right.

"27 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE"

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile and pray. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

3. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, 'My purpose is to __________ today.'

4. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.

5. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

6. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

7. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

8. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

9. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

11. Don't take yourself so seriously.

12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.

14. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what kind of prerequisites came with their journey.

15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

16. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'

17. Forgive everyone for everything.

18. What other people think of you is none of your business.

19. GOD is a healer.

20. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

21. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

22. Envy is a waste of time and a place of bondage. You already have all you need.

23. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.

24. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

25. Please send this to everyone you care about and know that the Lord has His hands on you.

26. Trust Him and depend on Him even when you don't understand why you are where you are.

27. Untie His hands with your thoughts of rationality and let Him bless you so that He will be Glorified.

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 in 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 day 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!

Are you "Kept"?

Did you know that I am a "KEPT" person?

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,

But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could go no longer,

But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,

But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Psa. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,

But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on,

the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.

When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!

I'm blessed to be "kept."

Damon=JOY

Damon, you were the Truest Light...You are so missed. This day a year ago, we lost you....we were desolate and you were promoted to glory...the ache is still here in my heart. I miss the phone calls from you. A person never realizes how much you love someone, until they are gone. I didn't realize how much you meant to my heart, till you left us a year ago...it is still like an out of body experience...the joy, the fun, the fellowship, then that hour, where time stopped for us. If only I could hug your neck one more time, and tell you how much I love you, how much I appreciate you, how much of a hole you have left in my heart, in the hearts of our families, friends and specially Kasey. YOU were such a jewel, to all you came into contact with. One day Damon Broyles, I WILL SEE YOU AGAIN. Until that time, I have my memories of you, that I think on OFTEN. The Bible says to praise God in ALL things, Damon, the day you were promoted was such a hard day to praise the Lord. I did praise HIM though, do you know why? Because the Lord now has you, I can just see you making our mansions ready, painting them all to perfection, I can see your smile, your quirky smile.
This day is hard for us still here on this earth, and it has been hard ever since you were promoted. The thing that makes it better for us, is knowing, YOU MADE HEAVEN, that YOU ARE in the PRESENCE of GOD, That you have walked the streets of Glory with JESUS.
I miss you Damon Broyles...so much. But, I rejoice, in that, you are SO happy, you are SO healthy, YOU can BREATHE and YOU made heaven even better because you are there...I love you, I love you...

Something to think about

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, right there beside us.
Moral of the Story:
Just because you can't see God doesn't mean He is not there.
'For we walk by faith; Not by sight.'
~ 2 Corinthians 5:7

If you liked this story, pass it on. If not, perhaps you took off your blindfold before dawn.

Prayer Changes Things!!!

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 is going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.

Bears repeating....John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

JOhn 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Thought for the Day

If I have brought a gleam of light
To cheer a darkened day,
If I held out a friendly hand
To help along the way.
Then in these acts of kindness done
It is not me you see,
But glimpses of that Loving One
Who chose to dwell in me.

Bloggers, have a blessed day.

Through Me

Through me
let there be kind words, a warm smile, and a caring heart.

Through me
let there be a willingness to listen and a readiness to understand.

Through me
let there be dependability, steadfastness, trust and loyalty.

Through me
let there be compassion, forgiveness, mercy and love.

Through me
let there be every quality I find, O Lord, in Thee.

Pastor's Business Card

A new pastor was visiting in the homes of his parishioners. At one house it seemed obvious that someone was at home, but no answer came to his repeated knocks at the door.

Therefore, he took out a business card and wrote "Revelation 3:20" Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
on the back of it and stuck it in the door.

When the offering was processed the following Sunday, he found that his card had been returned. Added to it was this cryptic message, "Genesis 3:10."

Reaching for his Bible to check out the citation, he broke up in gales of laughter. Revelation 3:20 begins "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Genesis 3:10 reads, "I heard your voice in the garden and I was afraid for I was naked."

Remember when the funniest jokes were the clean ones? They still are!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Prov. 17:22)

Challenge

This was the devotion in the Daily Bread for Today...can you, will you, do you accept this Challenge, God Bless each and everyone.

Numbers 14 (1-5, 26 & 27)
1 And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night.
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!
3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?
4 And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt.
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.
26 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
27 How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.


A pastor in Kansas City gave what seemed to be an impossible challenge to his congregation—to go 21 days without complaining (the amount of time some say it takes to develop a new habit). Special bracelets were distributed to participants as a reminder to live complaint-free lives. A movement was started, and millions of bracelets have been distributed all over the world.
The biblical principle “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil. 2:14) is an important one. The ancient Israelites discovered this when, because of their constant complaining in the wilderness, they were judged by God and not allowed to enter the Promised Land (Num. 14).
How can we learn to develop a noncomplaining, positive attitude that will please the Lord?
• By disciplining our thoughts (Rom. 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.). We need to meditate on Scripture and remember our blessings.
• By confessing our critical spirit and committing ourselves to obedience each time we fail (1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.).
• By enlisting God’s help and the help of others. The Spirit will empower us as we depend on Him (John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.). — Anne Cetas
Because God helps us, doing all things without complaining is not an impossible challenge.
Lord, help me stop complaining
When things don’t go my way;
Instead, give me a thankful heart
For all You do each day. —Sper
A complaining Christian is a contradiction in terms.

Puppy Size

This is one of the neatest stories you will ever hear. You will

know Precisely what this little girl is talking about at the end.


' Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We've been

back to This animal shelter at least five times. It has been

weeks now since We started all of this,' the mother told the volunteer.


'What is it she keeps asking for?' the volunteer asked.


'Puppy size!' replied the mother.


'Well, we have plenty of puppies, if that's what she's looking for.'


'I know...we have seen most of them,' the mom said in frustration...


Just then Danielle came walking into the office


'Well, did you find one?' asked her mom. 'No, not this time,'

Danielle said with sadness in her voice. 'Can we come back on

the Weekend?'


The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed


'You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately, there's Always a supply,' the volunteer said.


Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. 'Don't Worry, I'll find one this weekend,' she said.


Over the next few days both mom and dad had long conversations with her.


They both felt she was being too particular. 'It's this weekend or

We're not looking any more,' Dad finally said in frustration.


'We don't want to hear anything more about puppy size either,' Mom added.


Sure enough, they were the first ones in the shelter on Saturday

Morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she ran right for the Section that housed the smaller dogs.


Tired of the routine, mom sat in the small waiting room at the

end of The first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could See the animals during times when visitors weren't permitted.


Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically

to Take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held Each one.

One by one she said, 'Sorry, you're not the one.'


It was the last cage on this last day in search of the perfect pup.


The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up The dog and held it closely. This time she took a little longer.


'Mom, that's it! I found the right puppy! He's the one! I know it!'

She screamed with joy. 'It's the puppy size!'


'But it's the same size as all the other puppies you held over the

Last few weeks,' Mom said.


'No not size... The sighs. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,' she Said.


'Don't you remember?

When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the Sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!'


The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn't know Whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did A little of both.


'Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy

come home From work and hug each other, you both sigh. I

knew I would find the Right puppy if it sighed when I held it in

my arms,' she said.

Then holding the puppy up close to her face she said, 'Mom, he loves Me. I heard the sighs of his heart!'


Close your eyes for a moment and think about the love that

makes you Sigh. I not only find it in the arms of my loved ones, but in the Caress of a sunset, the kiss of the moonlight and the gentle brush of Cool air on a hot day.

They are the sighs of God . Take the time to stop and listen; you will Be surprised at what you hear. 'Life is not measured by the breaths we

Take, but by the moments that take our breath away.'

Hope your life is filled with Sighs!!

One Nation, "Under God."

One day a 6 year old girl was sitting in a

classroom. The teacher was going to explain

evolution to the children. The teacher asked

a little boy: Tommy do you see the tree

outside?


TOMMY: Yes.


TEACHER: Tommy, do you see the grass

outside?


TOMMY: Yes.


TEACHER: Go outside and look up and see

if you can see the sky.


TOMMY: Okay. (He returned a few minutes

later) Yes, I saw the sky.


TEACHER: Did you see God up there?


TOMMY: No.


TEACHER: That's my point. We can't see

God because he isn't there. Possibly he just

doesn't exist.

A little girl spoke up and wanted to ask the

boy some questions.


The teacher agreed and the little girl asked

the boy: Tommy, do you see the tree

outside?


TOMMY: Yes.


LITTLE GIRL: Tommy do you see the grass

outside?


TOMMY: Yessssss!


LITTLE GIRL: Did you see the sky?


TOMMY: Yessssss!


LITTLE GIRL: Tommy, do you see the

teacher?


TOMMY: Yes


LITTLE GIRL: Do you see her brain?


TOMMY: No


LITTLE GIRL: Then according to what we

were taught today in school, she possibly

may not even have one!


(You Go Girl!)


FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT"

II CORINTHIANS 5:7

copied from KaseyBaby

Advice from an Old Tennessee Mountain Man

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull-strong.
Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance.
Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.
A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.
Words that soak into your ears are whispered... not yelled.
Meanness don't jes' happen overnight.
Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads.
Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you.
It doesn't take a very big person to carry a grudge.
You cannot unsay a cruel or unkind word.
Every path has a few puddles.
When you wallow with pigs, expect to get dirty.
The best sermons are lived, not preached.
Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway.
Don't judge folks by their relatives.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.
Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't botherin' you none.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'.
Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got.
The biggest troublemaker you'll probably ever have to deal with, watches you from the mirror every mornin'.
Always drink upstream from the herd.
Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment.
Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in.
If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around.
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Leave the rest to God.

Christian ways to reduce Stress

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."
1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19 Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus ."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33 Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)

Live Simply

A group of graduates, well established in their careers, were reminiscing at a reunion and decided to go visit one of their old university professors, now retired.



During their visit, the conversation turned to complaints about stress in their work and lives.



Offering his guests hot chocolate, the professor went into the kitchen and returned with a large pot of hot chocolate and a tray with an assortment of cups - porcelain, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to the hot chocolate.



When they all had a cup of hot chocolate in hand, the professor said, "I want you to notice that all the nice looking, expensive cups were taken, leaving behind the plainer, older and cheaper ones. While it is common for you to want only the best for yourselves -- THAT is the source of your problems and stress.



That fancy cup that you are drinking from adds nothing to the quality of the hot chocolate; In most cases it is just more showy or expensive -- and in some cases it even takes away from the enjoyment of what we drink.



What all of you really wanted was hot chocolate, 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 hot chocolate.



Your job, money and position in society are the cups; --They are just tools to hold and contain life.



The cup you have does not define, nor change the quality of life you have. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the hot chocolate God has provided us.



God makes the hot chocolate, man chooses the cups. The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything that they have.

DIRECTIONS TO OUR FATHER'S HOUSE.

Make a Right onto Believeth Blvd.

Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ.

There, you must turn onto the Bridge of Faith, which is over troubled water.

When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight.

You are on the King's Highway - Heaven-bound.

Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.

Then exit off onto Grace Blvd.

From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane.

Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road.

As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave.

Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.

Pass up Envy Drive, and Hate Avenue.

Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane, and Backbiting Blvd.

However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane, Persecution Blvd. And Trials and Tribulations Ave.

But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead!

AMEN!!!!!

Life is God's gift to you.

The way you live it............is your gift to God

Making Pancakes

Six year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor.

He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten.

Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad.

He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky.

And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon 's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him.

Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process!

That's how God deals with us.. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky or we insult a friend, or we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour.

Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him.

But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried...

I was thinking. and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do.


Show Your Love To Everone Every day And Never Stop "Making Pancakes." l

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