'If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world 's wealthy. '
'And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity. '
'If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... You are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day. '
'If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... You are ahead of 700 million people in the world. '
'If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world. '
'If your parents are still alive and still married ..you are very rare.'
'If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair. '
If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.
Kinda puts our life in perspective --Huh
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The brand new pastor and his wife, newly assigned to their first ministry, to reopen a church
in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October
excited about their opportunities. When they saw
their church, it was very run down and needed
much work. They set a goal to have everything
done in time to have their first service
on Christmas Eve
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls,
painting, etc, and on December 18
were ahead of schedule and just about finished.
On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving
rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.
On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.
His heart sank when he saw that the roof had
leaked, causing a large area of plaster about
20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall
of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit,
beginning about head high.
The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor,
and not knowing what else to do but postpone
the Christmas Eve service, headed home.
On the way he noticed that a local business was
having a flea market type sale for charity, so he
stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful,
handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth
with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross
embroidered right in the center. It was just
the right size to cover the hole in the front
wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
By this time it had started to snow. An older
woman running from the opposite direction was
trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor
invited her to wait in the warm church for
the next bus 45 minutes later.
She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor
while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put
up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor
could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and
it covered up the entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center
aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor,"
she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check
the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into
it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had
made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria .
The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor
told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The
woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria .
When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.
Her husband was going to follow her the next week.
He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her
husband or her home again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth;
but she made the pastor keep it for the church.
The pastor insisted on driving her home. That
was the least he could do. She lived on the other
side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn
for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas
Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the
spirit were great. At the end of the service, the
pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door
and many said that they would return.
One older man, whom the pastor recognized
from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the
pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he
wasn't leaving.
The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on
the front wall because it was identical to one
that his wife had made years ago when
they lived in Austria before the war and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he
forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was
supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and
put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home
again all the 35 years between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to
take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten
Island and to the same house where the pastor
had taken the woman three days earlier.
He helped the man climb the three flights of
stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on
the door and he saw the greatest Christmas
reunion he could ever imagine.
True Story - by Pastor Rob Reid
who says God does work in mysterious ways.
in suburban Brooklyn , arrived in early October
excited about their opportunities. When they saw
their church, it was very run down and needed
much work. They set a goal to have everything
done in time to have their first service
on Christmas Eve
They worked hard, repairing pews, plastering walls,
painting, etc, and on December 18
were ahead of schedule and just about finished.
On December 19 a terrible tempest - a driving
rainstorm hit the area and lasted for two days.
On the 21st, the pastor went over to the church.
His heart sank when he saw that the roof had
leaked, causing a large area of plaster about
20 feet by 8 feet to fall off the front wall
of the sanctuary just behind the pulpit,
beginning about head high.
The pastor cleaned up the mess on the floor,
and not knowing what else to do but postpone
the Christmas Eve service, headed home.
On the way he noticed that a local business was
having a flea market type sale for charity, so he
stopped in. One of the items was a beautiful,
handmade, ivory colored, crocheted tablecloth
with exquisite work, fine colors and a Cross
embroidered right in the center. It was just
the right size to cover the hole in the front
wall. He bought it and headed back to the church.
By this time it had started to snow. An older
woman running from the opposite direction was
trying to catch the bus. She missed it. The pastor
invited her to wait in the warm church for
the next bus 45 minutes later.
She sat in a pew and paid no attention to the pastor
while he got a ladder, hangers, etc., to put
up the tablecloth as a wall tapestry. The pastor
could hardly believe how beautiful it looked and
it covered up the entire problem area.
Then he noticed the woman walking down the center
aisle. Her face was like a sheet. "Pastor,"
she asked, "where did you get that tablecloth?"
The pastor explained. The woman asked him to check
the lower right corner to see if the initials, EBG were crocheted into
it there. They were. These were the initials of the woman, and she had
made this tablecloth 35 years before, in Austria .
The woman could hardly believe it as the pastor
told how he had just gotten "The Tablecloth". The
woman explained that before the war she and
her husband were well-to-do people in Austria .
When the Nazis came, she was forced to leave.
Her husband was going to follow her the next week.
He was captured, sent to prison and she never saw her
husband or her home again.
The pastor wanted to give her the tablecloth;
but she made the pastor keep it for the church.
The pastor insisted on driving her home. That
was the least he could do. She lived on the other
side of Staten Island and was only in Brooklyn
for the day for a housecleaning job.
What a wonderful service they had on Christmas
Eve. The church was almost full. The music and the
spirit were great. At the end of the service, the
pastor and his wife greeted everyone at the door
and many said that they would return.
One older man, whom the pastor recognized
from the neighborhood continued to sit in one of the
pews and stare, and the pastor wondered why he
wasn't leaving.
The man asked him where he got the tablecloth on
the front wall because it was identical to one
that his wife had made years ago when
they lived in Austria before the war and how
could there be two tablecloths so much alike?
He told the pastor how the Nazis came, how he
forced his wife to flee for her safety and he was
supposed to follow her, but he was arrested and
put in a prison. He never saw his wife or his home
again all the 35 years between.
The pastor asked him if he would allow him to
take him for a little ride. They drove to Staten
Island and to the same house where the pastor
had taken the woman three days earlier.
He helped the man climb the three flights of
stairs to the woman's apartment, knocked on
the door and he saw the greatest Christmas
reunion he could ever imagine.
True Story - by Pastor Rob Reid
who says God does work in mysterious ways.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Since I am not real faithful at keeping this up any more and thanksgiving is just around the corner I want to share my favorite Thanksgiving story.
I am Thankful that thorns have roses!!
Sandra felt as low as the heels of her Birkenstocks as she pushed against a November gust and the florist shop door. Her life had been easy, like spring breeze.
Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease. 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. What's worse, 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. "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 the life of her unborn 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."
Then the 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.
"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 good things in life and never to ask Him why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! 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 arrangement ... twelve 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 to the clerk. "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."
Then in the fourth month of her second pregnancy, a minor automobile accident stole her ease. 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. What's worse, 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. "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 the life of her unborn 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."
Then the 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.
"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 good things in life and never to ask Him why those good things happened to me, but when bad stuff hit, did I ever ask! 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 arrangement ... twelve 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 to the clerk. "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."
Friday, May 29, 2009
Garbage!
ne day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly.
So I asked, "Why did you just do that? That guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"
This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, "The Law of the Garbage Truck."
He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage -- frustration, anger, disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you.
Don't take it personally. Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on.
Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.
The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day. Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Mothers day
So I usually struggle with the whole mothers day thing. Partially because the one who made me a mother is now living in heaven and part because I have worked every mothers day for the past 19 years. I think because of this I reflect more on my mom than being a mom. I apologize to my children for this, I guess I just feel somehow unworthy for all the hype of mothers day.
Because of Brookes recent adventures with car issues, she said something to me that has brought a change to my thinking. She thanked God for her Godly parents, As I reflect on my parenting responsibility, which is basically done, I usually see the things I did wrong and wish I could change. When I heard this I was humbled. We did do our best to be Godly parents, It is awesome to hear that we succeeded, at least our youngest thinks so. I know our kids know we love them and I know they love us too. I have always looked at it as we had great kids. We have been through tough times as a family, I am a different parent and parented differently after Shaun died, then I did before he died and have always felt a bit guilty for that. I think I was a better parent after Shaun was killed. ( I am sorry Shaun).
I continue to pray daily for my living kids. I thank God for them as well as ask Him to continue to direct their paths. You are great kids and I am honored that GOD entrusted you to us. I am Blessed to be your mom!
I am looking forward to the change in our relationship, to not only be the parent, but also a friend. So far I think it is going well. I love being their mom!!
Because of Brookes recent adventures with car issues, she said something to me that has brought a change to my thinking. She thanked God for her Godly parents, As I reflect on my parenting responsibility, which is basically done, I usually see the things I did wrong and wish I could change. When I heard this I was humbled. We did do our best to be Godly parents, It is awesome to hear that we succeeded, at least our youngest thinks so. I know our kids know we love them and I know they love us too. I have always looked at it as we had great kids. We have been through tough times as a family, I am a different parent and parented differently after Shaun died, then I did before he died and have always felt a bit guilty for that. I think I was a better parent after Shaun was killed. ( I am sorry Shaun).
I continue to pray daily for my living kids. I thank God for them as well as ask Him to continue to direct their paths. You are great kids and I am honored that GOD entrusted you to us. I am Blessed to be your mom!
I am looking forward to the change in our relationship, to not only be the parent, but also a friend. So far I think it is going well. I love being their mom!!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Romans 12
Once again I am in Delta and have some time to update my blog! I am working on memorizing Romans 12 along with the Jr Hi youth at church so I am going to see how well I am doing. Here goes!!
Therefore I urge you brothers in view of Gods mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is, his good pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you do not think of yourself more highly then you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the measure faith God has given you.
Just as each of us has one body with many member's and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a mans gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith, if it is serving let him serve, if it is teaching let him teach, if it is encouraging let him encourage, if it is giving to the needs of others let him give generously. If it is leadership let him govern diligently, If it is showing mercy let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere hate what is evil cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, Honor one another above yourselves
Never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor serving the lord. Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction faithful in prayer.
Share with Gods people who are in need, practice hospitality
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse, Rejoice with those who rejoice morn with those who morn. Live in harmony with one another do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position do not be conceited
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible as far as it depends on you live at peace with everyone, Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for Gods wrath for it is written "it is mine to avenge I will repay says the lord" On the contrary If your enemy is hungry give him something to eat, if he is thirsty give him something to drink. in in doing this you will heap burning coal on his head Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
the parts in italics is where I messed up :-( --I have a lot of work to do yet!! But usually with just a word or 2 I could go on for a while :-)
Therefore I urge you brothers in view of Gods mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what Gods will is, his good pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you do not think of yourself more highly then you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment in accordance with the measure faith God has given you.
Just as each of us has one body with many member's and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a mans gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith, if it is serving let him serve, if it is teaching let him teach, if it is encouraging let him encourage, if it is giving to the needs of others let him give generously. If it is leadership let him govern diligently, If it is showing mercy let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere hate what is evil cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, Honor one another above yourselves
Never be lacking in zeal but keep your spiritual fervor serving the lord. Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction faithful in prayer.
Share with Gods people who are in need, practice hospitality
Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse, Rejoice with those who rejoice morn with those who morn. Live in harmony with one another do not be proud but be willing to associate with people of low position do not be conceited
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible as far as it depends on you live at peace with everyone, Do not take revenge my friends, but leave room for Gods wrath for it is written "it is mine to avenge I will repay says the lord" On the contrary If your enemy is hungry give him something to eat, if he is thirsty give him something to drink. in in doing this you will heap burning coal on his head Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.
the parts in italics is where I messed up :-( --I have a lot of work to do yet!! But usually with just a word or 2 I could go on for a while :-)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
New post especially for Brooke
Guess what Brooke I am in Delta today and tomorrow so I have some time to update my blog again so this one is for you --Probably my only reader!! Bob had an aunt die so he is heading to Fairview MI for the funeral.
Well Dave and I are quickly getting back into the ole grind after a wonderful weekend away. We went to Kansas to see Brooke, meet her boyfriend, take a wonderful group of college kids out for pizza Sunday evening,(you'll have to ask them about the blessing, What a great time) and spend some time with an old friend Kevin. All to celebrate our 29th anniversary. Some may think that going to Kansas may be a lame place to celebrate, but for us it was the best place--this is where we met. We stayed up too late for old people every night we were there, and wouldn't have changed a thing about the weekend, except maybe to not have Brooke work on Saturday. But all in all it was wonderful and I am glad we did it. We were blessed!!
So we just celebrated 29 years of wedded bliss. I cannot imagine having gone through those 29 years with anyone else they have been good. I am not saying we have had a bed of roses, many times we only had thorns, but we are in this life together! We have had the privilege of having 4 great kids, I love them all more than words can say. When I think of how much I love my husband and kids and how much more that Jesus loves us it simply amazes me.
As this weekend is Easter, I think of the tremendous LOVE the Father has for us. To give his child is to give the most precious thing that He could give. To give your Son is more of a sacrifice than to give yourself. And to give His son Jesus to die for us --not for himself --but for us-- AMAZING LOVE. To add to that the awesome resurrection--which is the foundation of our christian faith. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. John 11:25 I believe!!!
I have seen Caleb and Brooke this week, and will see Jessica on Sunday, Shaun I miss so much But I know I will see him again because he has died, yet he lives. (the bible tells me so) He too believed --But 10 1/2 years is too long for a parent to go with out seeing their child. (I don't like to go a month) But to those of you left here, don't worry about me, I am not making plans to go to heaven just yet, I want to stay here with you until Jesus calls my name to go to Him.
Well Dave and I are quickly getting back into the ole grind after a wonderful weekend away. We went to Kansas to see Brooke, meet her boyfriend, take a wonderful group of college kids out for pizza Sunday evening,(you'll have to ask them about the blessing, What a great time) and spend some time with an old friend Kevin. All to celebrate our 29th anniversary. Some may think that going to Kansas may be a lame place to celebrate, but for us it was the best place--this is where we met. We stayed up too late for old people every night we were there, and wouldn't have changed a thing about the weekend, except maybe to not have Brooke work on Saturday. But all in all it was wonderful and I am glad we did it. We were blessed!!
So we just celebrated 29 years of wedded bliss. I cannot imagine having gone through those 29 years with anyone else they have been good. I am not saying we have had a bed of roses, many times we only had thorns, but we are in this life together! We have had the privilege of having 4 great kids, I love them all more than words can say. When I think of how much I love my husband and kids and how much more that Jesus loves us it simply amazes me.
As this weekend is Easter, I think of the tremendous LOVE the Father has for us. To give his child is to give the most precious thing that He could give. To give your Son is more of a sacrifice than to give yourself. And to give His son Jesus to die for us --not for himself --but for us-- AMAZING LOVE. To add to that the awesome resurrection--which is the foundation of our christian faith. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies. John 11:25 I believe!!!
I have seen Caleb and Brooke this week, and will see Jessica on Sunday, Shaun I miss so much But I know I will see him again because he has died, yet he lives. (the bible tells me so) He too believed --But 10 1/2 years is too long for a parent to go with out seeing their child. (I don't like to go a month) But to those of you left here, don't worry about me, I am not making plans to go to heaven just yet, I want to stay here with you until Jesus calls my name to go to Him.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Stress
A lecturer when explaining stress management to an audience, Raised a glass of water and asked 'How heavy is this glass of water?' Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g. The lecturer replied, 'The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance. In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. 'He continued,'And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, As the burden becomes increasingly heavy, We won't be able to carry on. ''As with the glass of water, You have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden.'' So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, Let them down for a moment if you can. 'So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.
Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, And some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, Just in case you have to eat them.
Always wear stuff that will make you look good If you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be"Recalled" by their maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, It was probably worth it.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, Because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance
Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
When everything's coming your way,You're in the wrong lane.
Birthdays are good for you.The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:
Accept that some days you're the pigeon, And some days you're the statue.
Always keep your words soft and sweet, Just in case you have to eat them.
Always wear stuff that will make you look good If you die in the middle of it.
Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be"Recalled" by their maker.
If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, It was probably worth it.
It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to be kind to others.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, Because then you won't have a leg to stand on.
Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance
Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
The second mouse gets the cheese.
When everything's coming your way,You're in the wrong lane.
Birthdays are good for you.The more you have, the longer you live.
You may be only one person in the world, But you may also be the world to one person.
Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.
A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
rich man in heaven
There once was a rich man who was near death. He was very grieved because he had worked so hard for his money and he wanted to be able to take it with him to heaven. So he began to pray that he might be able to take some of his wealth with him.
An angel hears his plea and appears to him, "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."
The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.
The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.
Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough,. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!?!" (Revelation 21:21 -
An angel hears his plea and appears to him, "Sorry, but you can't take your wealth with you."
The man implores the angel to speak to God to see if He might bend the rules.
The man continues to pray that his wealth could follow him. The angel reappears and informs the man that God has decided to allow him to take one suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed.
Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. Seeing the suitcase Peter says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
But the man explains to him that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough,. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!?!" (Revelation 21:21 -
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