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?