Some other good emails.....thoughtful

[committed]

Here is one I got today....very good!!
This one will make you stop and shudder! If the devil were to write his own
bible, it would probably go something like this:


1. Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians -- they are my best workers.



2. Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked -- I can use them.



3. Blessed are the touchy who stop going to church -- they are my
missionaries.



4. Blessed are the trouble makers -- they shall be called my children.



5. Blessed are the complainers -- I'm all ears to them.



6. Blessed are those who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and mistakes -- for they get nothing out of his sermons.



7. Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church -- for he is a part of the problem instead of the solution.



8. Blessed are those who gossip -- for they shall cause strife and
divisions that please me.



9. Blessed are those who are easily offended -- for they will soon get angry and quit.



10. Blessed are those who do not give their offering to carry on God's work-- for they are my helpers.



11. Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and sister -- for he shall be with me forever.



12. Blessed are you who, when you read this think it is about other people and not yourself -- I've got you too!


SHARE THIS. WE ALL NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THIS CAN HAPPEN TO ANY CHRISTIAN, INCLUDING YOU AND ME

As for me and my house ...

__[] _____
¸...¸ /____ /\____\__
,·´º o`·,/__/ _/\____\ __\
``)¨(´´´ | | | | | | | || |l±±±±
¸,.-·²°´ ¸,.-·~·~·-.,¸ `°²·-. :º°

We will serve the Lord.

:bow:

[committed]

Here is another good one.......thought provoking....
Charles Schultz Philosophy
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip.

You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read the e-mail straight through, and you'll get the point.


1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winner for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.


How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten.

Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.


Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:


1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.


Easier?


The lesson:


The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the
most credentials, the most money, or the most awards.
They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia."

(Charles Schultz)

[tufluv]

HALLELUYAH! SEE?
"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia."
I KNEW IT! TIME is so-o-o..Timely!

Great posts, Committed! Very thought provoking, and interesting, and true!

[committed]

This is something that you may not need but know someone that does. Please send it on to anyone you know that has children.

From Dr. James Dobson:


Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, please pay
special attention not only to the what your kids
watch on TV and in movie theaters and the music they
listen to ... but we must also be alert regarding
the books they read.

Two particular books, Conversations with God and
Conversations with God for Teens, written by Neale
Donald Walsch sound harmless enough by their titles
alone. These books have been on the New York Times
best seller list for a number of weeks. These
publications makes truth of the statement "Don't
judge a book by its cover/title". The author
purports to answer various questions from kids using
the "voice of God." However, the "answers" that he
gives are not biblically-based and in fact go
against the very infallible Word of God.

For instance (and I paraphrase), when a girl asks
the question "why am I a lesbian?" his answer is
that she was born that way because of genetics just
as you were born right-handed, with blue eyes, etc.
Then he tells her to go out and "celebrate" her
differences.

Another girl poses the question "I am living with my
boyfriend. My parents say that I should marry him
because I am living in sin. Should I marry him?"
His reply is "Who are you sinning against? Not me,
because you have done nothing wrong.

Another question asks about God's forgiveness of
sin. His reply - "I do not forgive anyone because
there is nothing to forgive. There is no such thing
as right or wrong and that is what I have been
trying to tell everyone. I do not judge people.
People have chosen to judge one another and this is
wrong because the rule is 'Judge not lest ye be
judged'."

And the list goes on. Not only are these books the
false doctrine of devils but in some instances even
quote (in error) the Word of God. These books (and
others like it) are being sold to school children
(The Scholastic Book Club) and we need to be aware
of what is being fed to our children. Our children
are under attack so I pray that you be sober and
vigilant about teaching your kids the true Word of
God and guarding their exposure to worldly media
because our adversary, the devil, "roams about as a
roaring lion seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter
5:8). And how many of us know that lions usually
hunt for the slowest, weakest and YOUNGEST of its
prey.

Pass this on to every believer you know. God bless.

James Dobson, PhD

[Faithchild]

Committed, we miss your picture! Your beautiful smile lit up the discussion board (of course, the frame was pretty nice as well).

[committed]

Faithchild,
Thank you for the compliment! Getting older, sometimes we feel so blah....... I thought maybe I should stay incognito....not that I know zillions of people.....but.....??
Again thanks! You picked up my spirits for the day!!

[Hebrews116]

Here's one:

Since many of us have paid into FICA for years and are now receiving a Social Security check every month -- and then finding that we are getting taxed on 85% of the money we paid to the federal government to "put away," you may be interested in the following:

Q: Which party took Social Security from an independent fund and put it in the general fund so that Congress could spend it?

A: It was Lyndon Johnson and the Democratic-controlled House and Senate.

Q: Which party put a tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic Party.

Q: Which party increased the tax on Social Security?

A: The Democratic Party with Al Gore casting the deciding vote.

Q: Which party decided to give money to immigrants?

A: That's right, immigrants moved into this country and at 65 got SSI Social Security. The Democratic Party gave that to them although they never paid a dime into it. Then, after doing all this, the Democrats turn around and tell you the Republicans want to take your Social Security.

And the worst part about it is, people believe it!

Pass it on please!

2004 Election Issue

This must be an issue in "04". Please! Keep it going.

SOCIAL SECURITY:

(This is worth the read. It's short and to the point.)

Perhaps we are asking the wrong questions during election years. Our Senators and Congress men & women do not pay into Social Security and, of course, they do not collect from it.

You see, Social Security benefits were not suitable for persons of their rare elevation in society. They felt they should have a special plan for themselves. So, many years ago they voted in their own benefit plan.

In more recent years, no congressperson has felt the need to change it. After all, it is a great plan. For all practical purposes their plan works like this:

When they retire, they continue to draw the same pay until they die, except it may increase from time to time for cost of living adjustments.

For example, former Senator Byrd and Congressman White and their wives may expect to draw $7,800,000.00 (that's Seven Million, Eight-Hundred Thousand Dollars), with their wives drawing $275,000.00 during the last years of their lives.

This is calculated on an average life span for each.

Their cost for this excellent plan is $00.00. Nada. Zilch.

This little perk they voted for themselves is free to them. You and I pick up the tab for this plan. The funds for this fine retirement plan come directly from the General Funds-our tax dollars at work!

From our own Social Security Plan, which you and I pay (or have paid) into-every payday until we retire (which amount is matched by our employer) --we can expect to get an average $1,000 per month after retirement. Or, in other words, we would have to collect our average of $1,000 monthly benefits for 68 years and one (1) month to equal Senator Bill Bradley's benefits!

Social Security could be very good if only one small change were made. That change would be to jerk the Golden Fleece Retirement Plan from under the Senators and Congressmen. Put them into the Social Security plan with the rest of us ... then sit back and watch how fast they would fix it.

[committed]

About dealing with telemarketers!!....................
Subject: Andy Rooney's tips for telemarketers



Three Little Words That Work !!

(1)The three little words are: "Hold On, Please..."

Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off
(instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each
telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room
sales would grind to a halt.

Then when you eventually hear the phone company's "beep-beep-beep" tone,
you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset, which has
efficiently completed its task.

These three little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting.

(2) Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one
on the other end?

This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls
and records the time of day when a person answers the phone.

This technique is used to determine the best time of day for
a "real" sales person to call back and get someone at home.

What you can do after answering, if you notice there is no one there,
is to immediately start hitting your # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times,
as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialed the
call and it kicks your number out of their system.

Since doing this, my phone calls have decreased dramatically.

(3) Another Good Idea:
When you get "ads" enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return
these "ads" with your payment. Let the sending companies throw
their own junk mail away.

When you get those "pre-approved" letters in the mail for everything
from credit cards to 2nd mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw
away the return envelope.

Most of these come with postage-paid return envelopes, right?
It costs them more than the regular 37cents postage "IF" and
when they receive them back.

It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was
around 50 cents before! the last increase and it is according to
the weight. In that case, why not get rid of some of your other
junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-paid return
envelopes. One of Andy Rooney's (60 minutes) ideas.
Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express.
Send a pizza coupon to Citibank. If you didn't get anything
else that day, then just send them their blank application back!

If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name
isn't on anything you send them.

You can even send the envelope back empty if you want to
just to keep them guessing!

Eventually, the banks and credit card companies will begin
getting their own junk back in the mail.

Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and
best of all they're paying for it...Twice!

Let's help keep our postal service busy since they are saying that
e-mail is cutting into their business profits, and that's why they
need to increase postage costs again. You get the idea !

If enough people follow these tips, it will work----
I have been doing this for years, and I get very little
junk mail anymore.
:bow:

[committed]

Hymns, by Occupation

Hymns, by Occupation

The Dentist's Hymn------------------Crown Him with Many Crowns
The Weatherman's Hymn---------------There Shall be Showers of
Blessings
The Contractor's Hymn---------------The Church's One Foundation
The Tailor's Hymn-------------------Holy, Holy, Holy
The Golfer's Hymn-------------------There's a Green Hill Far Away
The Politician's Hymn---------------Standing On the Promises
The Optometrist's Hymn--------------Open my Eyes That I Might See
The IRS Agent's Hymn----------------I Surrender All
The Gossip's Hymn-------------------Pass it On
The Electrician's Hymn--------------Send the Light
The Shopper's Hymn------------------Sweet By and By
The Realtor's Hymn------------------I've Got a Mansion Just Over
the Hilltop
The Massage Therapist's Hymn--------He Touched Me
The Doctor's Hymn--! ---------------The Great Physician

Did you note the lack of a hymn for lawyers?
For those who speed on the highway - a few hymns:
45mph------------------------------God Will Take Care of You
55mph------------------------------Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
65mph------------------------------Nearer My God to Thee
75mph------------------------------Nearer Still Nearer
85mph------------------------------This World is not my Home
95mph------------------------------Lord, I'm Coming Home
100+mph-----------------------------Precious Memories

Give me a sense of humor, Lord, Give me the grace to see a joke, To get some humor out of life and pass it on to other folk.

:angel:

[Faithchild]

Commited, note that I hide behind an avatar!

[Goodshepherd]

ANNOUNCEMENT


The Kingdom of God is hiring!

Are you ready to apply? Do you qualify?

JOB TITLE: Disciples for Christ.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Tell the dying world how to live through Jesus Christ.

NUMBER OF AVAILABLE POSITIONS: Unlimited; everyone is welcome--preachers, teachers, singers, musicians, missionaries, custodians, food servers and numerous others that we just can't list them all here.

EXCEPTION TO AVAILABLE POSITIONS: The vacancy of BOSS has already been filled by the Holy Spirit.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must have previously sinned and been blood washed; must be willing to press toward the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

EXPERIENCE NEEDED: None necessary; experience will be earned through on-the-job training.

EDUCATION: The Holy Spirit will teach you all things.

BENEFIT PACKAGE/SALARY: God (the employer) shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

INSURANCE: Access to the Master Physician.

PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES: Love, joy, peace, patience, long suffering; Lawyer, Comforter, and a Wonderful Counselor.

RECOMPENSE FOR COMPLETING THE JOB ASSIGNMENT: The most important benefit,
ETERNAL LIFE with the employer.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: Before the return of Jesus Christ; date/hour
not known; wise to apply TODAY.


IMPORTANT WARNING: Satan and HIS DEMONS need not apply.

[Goodshepherd]

It depends whose hands it's in.

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19.
A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A baseball in my hands is worth about $6.
A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million.
It depends on whose hands it's in.

A tennis racket is useless in my hands.
A tennis racket in Venus Williams' hands is a championship winning.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A rod in my hands will keep away a wild animal.
A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea.
It depends whose hands it's in.

A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy
A sling shot in David's hand is a mighty weapon.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands.
It depends whose hands it's in.

Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world.
It depends whose hands it's in.

As you see now it depends whose hands it's in.
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands it's in.

This message is now in your hands.
What will YOU do with it?

It depends who's hands it's in

[Goodshepherd]

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!!!!!!

[seguidordejesus]

"RECOMPENSE FOR COMPLETING THE JOB ASSIGNMENT: The most important benefit, ETERNAL LIFE with the employer."

Eternity with the boss??????? arrrrgggghhhh!!!!!!!!! jk

[committed]

Faithchild,
Yes, you hide.....but we (my husband and I) met you about 5 or 6 years ago at the Bogalusia (sp?) Bible and Prayer conference......so I, anyhow, know who you are.....in my case I am just one of many!! Ha Ha......I think you even know my son in law....... By the way I love your website, and the things you have to say.....it takes a brave man...................!!

[committed]

The Cracked pot...... :eek:

A water bearer had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole, which he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water.

At the End of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his house.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect for which it was made.

But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.

After 2 yrs of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

"I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you. I have been able to deliver only half my load, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house.

Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.

The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw,
and I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you've watered them."

For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house.

Moral: Each of us has our own unique flaws. We are all cracked pots. But it is the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. Just accept each person for what they are, and look for the good in them.
Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
Remember to appreciate all the different people in your life!

Love and Blessings!
:-):-):-) ;) :) :D :beammeup:

[Goodshepherd]

I got that one too committed............ I was going to put it but I decided that not too. I am glad you did because the Logic behind it is so true. Sometimes we think that we are not good enough to perform the work of the Lord. The Lord thinks differently. We all have a purpose and a duty to perform in his kingdom.

God bless!!

[Goodshepherd]

A Strong Woman vs A Woman Of Strength



A strong woman works out every day to keep her body in shape ...

but a woman of strength kneels in prayer to keep her soul in shape...



A strong woman isn't afraid of anything ...

but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear...



A strong woman won't let anyone get the best of her ...

but a woman of strength gives the best of her to everyone...



A strong woman makes mistakes and avoids the same in the future...

a woman of strength realizes life's mistakes can also be God's blessings and capitalizes on them...



A strong woman walks sure footedly ...

but a woman of strength knows God will catch her when she falls...



A strong woman wears the look of confidence on her face ...

but a woman of strength wears grace...



A strong woman has faith that she is strong enough for the journey ...

but a woman of strength has faith that it is in the journey that she will become strong...

[Goodshepherd]

THE BRICK

A young and successful executive was traveling down a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he saw something. As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on the brakes and backed the Jag back to the spot where the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car shouting, "What was that all about and who are you? Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money. Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...please, I'm sorry but I didn't know what else to do," He pleaded.

"I threw the brick because no one else would stop..." With tears dripping down his face and off his chin, the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car.

"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive, "Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair, then took out a linen handkerchief and dabbed at the fresh scrapes and cuts.

A quick look told him everything was going to be okay...

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child told the stranger. Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The damage was very noticeable, but the driver never bothered to repair the dented side door. He kept the dent there to remind him of this message "Don't go through life so fast that someone has to throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts. Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has to throw a brick at us. It's our choice to listen or not.

[committed]

Here's on I got today.....tears....

The Sandpiper by Robert Peterson

She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me.

She was building a sandcastle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. "Hello," she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small
child.

"I'm building," she said. "I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring. "Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand." That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. "That's a joy," the child said.
"It's a what?" "It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy." The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance.
"What's your name?" She wouldn't give up.
"Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson."
"Mine's Wendy... I'm six." "Hi, Wendy." She giggled. "You're funny, "she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me. "Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day."

After a few days of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.
The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. "Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?" "What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. "I don't know, you say." "How about charades?" I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is."

"Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked.
"Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter. "Where do you go to school?" "I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation."
She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed.
Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home. "Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath. "Why?" she asked. I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child? "Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day." "Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and--oh, go away!" "Did it hurt?" she inquired."Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself. "When she died?" "Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.

A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.

"Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was." "Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies." "Not at all -- she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.
"Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you." Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath "She loved this beach so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered, "She left something for you ... if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?" I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman.

She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in
bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY. Tears welled up in my eyes and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I muttered over and over, and we wept together.

The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love.

A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand -- who taught me the gift of love.

NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less.

Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday
traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.

This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment...even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses. This comes from
someone's heart, and is shared with many and now I share it with you.

May God Bless everyone that receives this! There are NO coincidences! Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant.
Who knows what they can teach us?

[committed]

The next time you feel like God can't use you, just remember . . .

NOAH was a drunk.

ABRAHAM was too old.

ISAAC was a daydreamer.

JACOB was a liar.

LEAH was ugly.

JOSEPH was abused.

MOSES had a stuttering problem.

GIDEON was afraid.

SAMSON had long hair, and was a womanizer!

RAHAB was a prostitute!

JEREMIAH and TIMOTHY were too young.

DAVID had an affair and was a murderer.

ELIJAH was suicidal.

ISAIAH preached naked..

JONAH ran from God.

NAOMI was a widow.

JOB went bankrupt.

JOHN the Baptist ate bugs.

PETER denied Christ.

The Disciples fell asleep while praying.

MARTHA worried about everything.

MARY MAGDALENE was, well, you know .

The SAMARITAN WOMAN was divorced ... more than once!

ZACCHEUS was too small.

PAUL was too religious.

TIMOTHY had an ulcer .. AND

LAZARUS WAS DEAD!

... no more excuses now.

God's waiting to use your full potential.

[straitway]

A little boy who lived far out in the country in the late 1800s had reached the age of twelve and had never in all his life seen a circus. You can imagine his excitement, when one day a poster went up at school announcing that on the next Saturday a traveling circus was coming to the nearby town.
He ran home with the glad news and the question, "Daddy, can I go?" Although the family was poor, the father sensed how important this was to the lad. "If you do your Saturday chores ahead of time," he said, "I’ll see to it that you have the money to go."’
Come Saturday morning, the chores were done and the little boy stood by the breakfast table, dressed in his Sunday best. His father reached down into the pocket of his overalls and pulled out a dollar bill-the most money the little boy had possessed at one time in all his life. The father cautioned him to be careful and then sent him on his way to town.
The boy was so excited, his feet hardly seemed to touch the ground all the way. As he neared the outskirts of the village, he noticed people lining the streets, and he worked his way through the crowd until he could see what was happening. Lo and behold, it was the approaching spectacle of a circus parade! The parade was the grandest thing this lad had ever seen. Caged animals snarled as they passed, bands beat their rhythms and sounded shining horns, midgets performed acrobatics while flags and ribbons swirled overhead.
Finally, after everything had passed where he was standing, the traditional circus clown, with floppy shoes, baggy pants, and a brightly painted face, brought up the rear.
As the clown passed by, the little boy reached into his pocket and took out that precious dollar bill. Handing the money to the clown, the boy turned around and went home. What had happened? The boy thought he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade!
Are you experiencing all that God has for you? The Christian life is a marvelous adventure, an exciting journey. Many people-including Christians-seem to be content to float in a sea of mediocrity, settling for second best. Do you want the abundant life that Jesus promised?
...

[soldout4Jesus]

ROTFLOL : Hymns by Occupation.....thanks committed.

As much as i want to post in this thread, I can't because Goodshepherd already does. She sends me great e-mails.

[committed]

(A scene at City Hall in San Francisco )

"Next." Good morning. We want to apply for a marriage license."

""Names?"

"Tim and Jim Jones."

"Jones? Are you related? I see a resemblance."

"Yes, we're brothers."

"Brothers? You can't get married."

"Why not? Aren't you giving marriage licenses to same gender couples?" :huh:

"Yes, thousands. But we haven't had any siblings. That's incest!"

"Incest?" No, we are not gay."

"Not gay? Then why do you want to get married?"

"For the financial benefits, of course. And we do love each other. Besides,
we don't have any other prospects."

"But we're issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples who've been
denied equal protection under the law. If you are not gay, you can get
married to a woman."

"Wait a minute. A gay man has the same right to marry a woman as I have. But
just because I'm straight doesn't mean I want to marry a woman. I want to
marry Jim."

"And I want to marry Tim, Are you going to discriminate against us just
because we are not gay?" :flame:

"All right, all right. I'll give you your license. Next."

"Hi. We are here to get married."

"Names?"

"John Smith, Jane James, Robert Green, and June Johnson."

"Who wants to marry whom?"

"We all want to marry each other."

"But there are four of you!"

"That's right. You see, we're all bisexual. I love Jane and Robert, Jane
loves me and June, June loves Robert and Jane, and Robert loves June and me. :yeah: :yeah:
All of us getting married together is the only way that we can express our
sexual preferences in a marital relationship."

"But we've only been granting licenses to gay and lesbian couples."

"So you're discriminating against bisexuals!" :realmad:

"No, it's just that, well, the traditional idea of marriage is that it's
just for couples."

"Since when are you standing on tradition?" :grumble:

"Well, I mean, you have to draw the line somewhere."

"Who says? There's no logical reason to limit marriage to couples. The more
the better. Besides, we demand our rights! The mayor says the constitution
guarantees equal protection under the law. Give us a marriage license!" :realmad:

"All right, all right. Next."

"Hello, I'd like a marriage license."

"In what names?"

"David Deets."

"And the other man?"

"That's all. I want to marry myself." :realmad:

"Marry yourself? What do you mean?"

"Well, my psychiatrist says I have a dual personality, so I want to marry
the two together. Maybe I can file a joint income-tax return."

"That does it! I quit!! You people are making a mockery of marriage!!

[survivor4christ]

:banana: That's funny, Sister! :goof:

Ha! Ha! Ha! :banana:

[NanaRenan]

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene. One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind' s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you." Epilogue: There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy. "Today is a gift, that's why it is called the present."

[NanaRenan]

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went.



He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His mother in the house
was looking out the window saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could.



Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.



Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.



The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pantlegs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go."



You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you.



The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril -- and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins -- and you & I have the scars of His love.



Be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.




Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that you can be a blessing to others You just never know where a person is in his/her life and what they are going through.




Never judge another persons scars, because you don't now how they got them.



Right now, someone needs to know that God loves them, and you love them too

~~~~ enough to not let them go.

[committed]

Is this you?? Can you relate?

An man is being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard.

Suddenly, the light turns yellow, just in front of him.

He does the honest thing, and stops at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman hits the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she misses her chance to get through the intersection with
him.

As she is still in mid-rant, she hears a tap on her window and looks up into the face of a very serious police officer .

The officer orders her to exit her car with her hands up.

He takes her to the police station where she is searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a cell.

After a couple of hours, a policeman approaches the cell and opens the door.

She is escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer is waiting with her personal effects.

He says, "I'm very sorry for this mistake."

"You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping the guy off in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him."

"I noticed the "Choose Life" license plate holder, the "What Would Jesus Do" bumper sticker, the "Follow Me to Sunday School" bumper sticker, and the chrome plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk."

"Naturally I assumed you had stolen the car." :eek: :eek:

[NanaRenan]

WORDS TO LIVE BY





Always keep your words soft and sweet,
just in case you have to eat them.

Always read books that will make you look
good if you die in the middle of it.

Eat a live toad in the morning and nothing
worse will happen to you for the rest of the day.

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 serve as a warning to others.

Never buy a car you can't push.
Never put both feet in your mouth at the
same time, because then you don't
have a leg to stand on.

When everything's coming your way,
you're in the wrong lane.

You may be only one person in the world,
but you may also be the world to one person.

Don't cry because it's over;
smile because it happened.

We could learn a lot from crayons:
some are sharp, some are pretty, some
are dull, some have weird names, and
all are different colors but they all
have to learn to live in the same box.

A truly happy person is one who can
enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Happiness comes through doors you
didn't even know you left open.