Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Family
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,"Oh excuse me please" was my reply. He said, "Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down."Move out of the way," I said with a frown. He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed ,God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor, You'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.
"By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed.
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. "Are these the flowers you picked for me?" He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay . I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."
FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.
But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?
So what is behind the story? Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU
(another email gem)
~Dancing with God~
When I meditated on the word GUIDANCE, I was drawn to"dance" at the end of the word.
I reflected upon how doing God's will is a lot like dancing.
When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes this and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music.
One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully.
The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.
My eyes drew back to the word GUIDANCE.
When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i." "God, "u" and "i" dance." !
God, you, and I dance.
This statement is what guidance means to me. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.
Once again, I became willing to let God lead.
My prayer for you today is that God's blessings and mercies be upon you and your family on this day and everyday.
May you abide in Him as He abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting Him to lead and to guide you through each season of your life. lets continue to pray for one another.
I Hope You Dance !!!!!!!!!!!!
Life is Precious - "Give God Thanks For It"
(From an email)
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Women VS Men
WIFE VS. HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically,
"Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
WORDS
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men..
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"
CREATION
A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. "The wife responded, "Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!
WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.
The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it! because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says .......... "HEBREWS"
THE SILENT TREATMENT
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't awakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word. An earlier discussion had led to an argument and neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs, the husband asked sarcastically,
"Relatives of yours?" "Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
WORDS
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...30,000 to a man's 15,000. The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat everything to men..
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"
CREATION
A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time. "The wife responded, "Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you!
WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first, and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.
The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and you should do it! because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible that the man should do the coffee." Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says .......... "HEBREWS"
THE SILENT TREATMENT
A man and his wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment. Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife to wake him at 5:00 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote on a piece of paper, "Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and he had missed his flight. Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn't awakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.
A Child's Perspective!
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Sunday school teacher was telling her class thestory of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead.
She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence,"I think I'd throw up."
STORY OF ELIJAH
The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar.
And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar.
He had them do this four times. "Now," said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?"
A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know, I know," she said, "to make the gravy!"
LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Johnny interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was DRIVING," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?" "No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms."
POOR LION
A Sunday school teacher was telling the youngsters about Daniel and the Lion's Den. She had a picture of Daniel standing, brave and confident, with a group of lions around him.
One little girl started to cry. The teacher said, "Don't cry. The lions are not going to eat Daniel."
The girl said, "That's not what I'm crying about. That little lion, over in the corner, isn't going to get any food."
HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"
One child blurted out, "Aces!"
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Nine year old Joey,was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.
"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements.
They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." ”Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.
"Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse.
Little Bobby was excited about the task. But, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Bobby was so nervous.
When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my shepherd and that's all I need to know!"
Sunday school teacher was telling her class thestory of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead.
She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"
A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence,"I think I'd throw up."
STORY OF ELIJAH
The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar.
And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar.
He had them do this four times. "Now," said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?"
A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know, I know," she said, "to make the gravy!"
LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Johnny interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was DRIVING," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?" "No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms."
POOR LION
A Sunday school teacher was telling the youngsters about Daniel and the Lion's Den. She had a picture of Daniel standing, brave and confident, with a group of lions around him.
One little girl started to cry. The teacher said, "Don't cry. The lions are not going to eat Daniel."
The girl said, "That's not what I'm crying about. That little lion, over in the corner, isn't going to get any food."
HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, "We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?"
One child blurted out, "Aces!"
SUNDAY SCHOOL
Nine year old Joey,was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school.
"Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
When he got to the Red Sea, he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements.
They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." ”Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked.
"Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse.
Little Bobby was excited about the task. But, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line.
On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Bobby was so nervous.
When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my shepherd and that's all I need to know!"
Scripture Tree
This is awesome!!
Click on the above link
When the tree comes up....click on a flower, close that one and click on another.
Have a great day.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Happy Birthday Matthew!
It is so hard to believe my second oldest son is 23 years old today. Where have all those years gone?
Happy Birthday Matthew. I thank the Lord for allowing me to be your mom. I am very proud of you and love you very much.
My prayer for you today is that you will become the man of God you were born to be.
That you will have the blessing and love of the Lord in your life always.
That His hand will be upon you always to guide you and lead you in the way of righteousness.
That you will always find joy in everything you do.
May He keep you safe and give you the desires of your heart. And above all else, may you come to know the Lord in a very real and wonderful way all the days of your life.
We all love you and miss you!
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
We Need More Judges Like This One!
Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to light it?
Did you know his trial is over?
Did you know he was sentenced?
Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio?
Didn't think so.
Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.
Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.
Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.
His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his "allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah," defiantly stating,
"I think I will not apologize for my actions," and told the court "I am at war with your country."
Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:
January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid. Judge Young:"
Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.
On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General.
On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively. (That's 80 years.)
On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed.
The Court imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that's an aggregate fine of $2 million.
The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.
The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment. The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it.
But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.
This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence.
Now, let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid.
We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is too much war talk here and I say that to every-one with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals.
As human beings, we reach out for justice.
You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist.
You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist.
To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier.
You are not----- you are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.
So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big.
You're no warrior. I've known warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.
In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: "You're no big deal."
You are no big deal. What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.
What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say.
And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing?
And I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.
It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom.
Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.
Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom.
So that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.
We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bare any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.
Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.
Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.
The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.
See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. And it always will.
Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.
So, how much of this Judge's comments did we hear on our TV sets? We need more judges like Judge Young, but that's another subject.
Everyone should and needs to hear what this fine judge had to say. Powerful words that strike home. God bless America!
(This was forwarded to me from an email I HAD to post it.)
Did you know his trial is over?
Did you know he was sentenced?
Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV or Radio?
Didn't think so.
Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.
Ruling by Judge William Young, US District Court.
Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.
His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his "allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam, and to the religion of Allah," defiantly stating,
"I think I will not apologize for my actions," and told the court "I am at war with your country."
Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below:
January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid. Judge Young:"
Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.
On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General.
On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutively. (That's 80 years.)
On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years again, to be served consecutively to the 80 years just imposed.
The Court imposes upon you for each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 that's an aggregate fine of $2 million.
The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.
The Court imposes upon you an $800 special assessment. The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it.
But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.
This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence.
Now, let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid.
We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is too much war talk here and I say that to every-one with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals.
As human beings, we reach out for justice.
You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist.
You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist.
To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier.
You are not----- you are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.
So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big.
You're no warrior. I've known warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders.
In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: "You're no big deal."
You are no big deal. What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific.
What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say.
And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing?
And I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.
It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom.
Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.
Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom.
So that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.
We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bare any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.
Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.
Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.
The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.
See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. And it always will.
Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.
So, how much of this Judge's comments did we hear on our TV sets? We need more judges like Judge Young, but that's another subject.
Everyone should and needs to hear what this fine judge had to say. Powerful words that strike home. God bless America!
(This was forwarded to me from an email I HAD to post it.)
Monday, June 19, 2006
Think About The Words You Say!
Nail in The Fence
There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same.
When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.
You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there. "
(From an email I recieved.)
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Faith VS Doubt
Can you judge someone by looking at them?
BY LOOKING AT A PICTURE OF A PERSON, YOU HAVE TO DECIDE IF HE IS A COMPUTER GEEK OR A SERIAL KILLER.
GO WITH YOUR GUT FEELING AND CLICK ON YOUR CHOICE. THERE ARE 10 PHOTOS. YOUR SCORE WILL BE GIVEN AT THE END. Let me know what your score is on the comment section.
I scored 9 out of 10, guess that means I am safe?
Serial Killer Quiz
Monday, June 12, 2006
Nature Speaks
So far today I have seen a cute little bunny, numerous birds and butterflies just simply by looking out the back door.
Everytime I see the wonderous signs of nature I can't help but wonder how anyone in their right mind can believe there is no God.
Everything in nature cries in acknowledgment of the existance of a creator. A creative designer to all the beauty we see in nature. How can anyone honestly believe all this was merely and "accident"??
It takes more faith to believe the universe and everything magical in it was not formed by some kind of design than it does to believe their is a creator who loved us enough to surround us with such beauty and wonder. And if He loves us enough to give us such awesome things, it would stand to reason He desires a personal relationship with his workmanship.
And it takes no more faith to believe if He can create all this, He can do anything! If anything I am going through seems to tough for God to handle all I need do is look around and see all the miracles we so easily take for granted. Whatever is going on in my life that needs repair is nothing He cannot fix. The key is to be willing to let Him fix it. To be willing to call on Him and to listen to what He has to say.
He gave us His word to guide us, to encourage and teach us. He gave us His Son to die for our sins so we might have life and have it more abundantly and He offers us eternity with Him. He gave us his Holy Spirit to give us strength to overcome and to understand what He desires of us, His creation.
All He asks is that we accept His love, His plan for redemption, and His desire to be the Lord of our lives. He offers us life, and it is up to each individual person to make the choice to accept it or reject it.
He does not promise us we will have a trouble free life, or every material thing we desire, what He does promise us is He will never leave us nor forsake us. That if we accept the free gift Jesus gives us through His scarifice we will one day leave this earth and spend forever with Him. No more tears, no more pain or struggle, or loss. He promises us heaven!
"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:3-5
Now that is a promise I can hang on to!! And you should to...if you do not know Jesus Christ think about getting to know him...because No Jesus No Peace....Know Jesus Know Peace!!! And it is a peace inside that nothing can take away from you no matter what is going on around you!!
Booker's favorite place to be....floating on a raft in the lake. This was taken over Memorial Day weekend when we all went to the lake. Booker also enjoyed tubbing....something which brought funny and amazed looks from passerbys.... He spent the day getting off and on the raft. He has climbing from the boat to the floaty down to a science!!
Thursday, June 08, 2006
| You Are a Prophet Soul |
Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people. Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run. No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings. A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning. You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer. |
Monday, June 05, 2006
Our Attorney
After living what I felt was a "decent" life, my time on earth came to the end. The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house. The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.
As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.
I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking Man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."
The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this sinner belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even My Own Attorney, as the devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.
As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life -- couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said, "This sinner belongs in hell, and is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."
When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full Splendor and Majesty.
I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, My Lord and My Savior.
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad!" and then He turned to address the court. "Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations.
And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this sinner deserves to be punished." Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.
"My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet.
This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words resounded from His lips... "This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed."
As My Lord embraced me and led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up; I will win the next one.
"I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, "PAID IN FULL."
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"
(Taken from an email)
As I looked around I saw the "prosecutor". He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.
I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, a kind and gentle looking Man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.
The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes. He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room. I couldn't take my eyes off of Him. As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, "Let us begin."
The prosecutor rose and said, "My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this sinner belongs in hell." He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and in the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.
I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even My Own Attorney, as the devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.
As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all. I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life -- couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm I'd done?
Satan finished with a fury and said, "This sinner belongs in hell, and is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise."
When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward. As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full Splendor and Majesty.
I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, My Lord and My Savior.
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, "Hi, Dad!" and then He turned to address the court. "Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won't deny any of these allegations.
And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this sinner deserves to be punished." Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with outstretched arms and proclaimed, "However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his Savior, so he is Mine.
"My Lord continued with, "His name is written in the book of life and no one can snatch him from Me. Satan still does not understand yet.
This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy."As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, "There is nothing else that needs to be done. I've done it all."
The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words resounded from His lips... "This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. Case dismissed."
As My Lord embraced me and led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, "I won't give up; I will win the next one.
"I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, "Have you ever lost a case?" Christ lovingly smiled and said, "Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, "PAID IN FULL."
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!"
(Taken from an email)
Thursday, June 01, 2006
Don't Ever Give Up!
Life is never easy and sometimes we will get a curve ball thrown our way. God doens't promise us we will not have trials, or suffer illness or tragedy in our lives. What He does promise is to be there and guide us through.
To be our comforter, and our ever present help. What happens while we are on earth is to prepare us for eternity with Him. When we can get our focus off ourselves, and off of the world attitude that it's all about ME and what I want, and where it belongs....on Him and His will for our lives, then and only then can we truly know the peace He promises us.
There are some believers out there who think if they are truly believers and truly listening to God nothing bad will happen in their life, that they will have riches on this earth and never face want or need. That if you just "name it can claim it" with true faith God will give you everything you want and you will have a life full of happiness. There is one little problem with that...it is NOT what the bible says.
When Jesus says He came to give us life and life more abundantly he was not talking about worldly possessions, or a trial free life. And if you have trials, or suffer illness, or struggle financially it does not mean you do not have enough faith.
In fact Jesus said, "33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”John 16:33
There are people who give up at the first sign of trial. Willing to make Christ their Lord and savior as long as having Christ as Savior gets them the "things" they want, if not it is not long before they walk away from their relationship with the Lord.
Jesus said "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." Matthew 13:21-23
The Lord is with us through everything. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, sometimes when you may feel He has left you, it was not Him who turned away!
His ways are not our ways, and He works how He works, the key is to trust Him no matter what is going on and no matter how circumstances may look. We must always remember what happens in this life is temporary, what counts is eternity. God is in control of all things, even if we do not believe or understand this fact. It's one reason why I say it so often. Knowing He is in control makes the trials and the hurts much easier to bear and get through. Knowing that no matter what it looks like or how I feel, My God is always there for me, loving me, forgiving me and giving me the strength to make it through anything!
Jesus is our rock, if we let Him be...so no matter what trail you are going through, no matter how confusing things that happen may be in our lives, we must always remember there is HOPE and through Christ we can do and handle anything...don't ever give up!!!
Remember just when you feel like giving up is usually the time when the miracle arrives...and as Job said, "Though He slay me yet will I trust Him."
To be our comforter, and our ever present help. What happens while we are on earth is to prepare us for eternity with Him. When we can get our focus off ourselves, and off of the world attitude that it's all about ME and what I want, and where it belongs....on Him and His will for our lives, then and only then can we truly know the peace He promises us.
There are some believers out there who think if they are truly believers and truly listening to God nothing bad will happen in their life, that they will have riches on this earth and never face want or need. That if you just "name it can claim it" with true faith God will give you everything you want and you will have a life full of happiness. There is one little problem with that...it is NOT what the bible says.
When Jesus says He came to give us life and life more abundantly he was not talking about worldly possessions, or a trial free life. And if you have trials, or suffer illness, or struggle financially it does not mean you do not have enough faith.
In fact Jesus said, "33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”John 16:33
There are people who give up at the first sign of trial. Willing to make Christ their Lord and savior as long as having Christ as Savior gets them the "things" they want, if not it is not long before they walk away from their relationship with the Lord.
Jesus said "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22 Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful." Matthew 13:21-23
The Lord is with us through everything. He promises to never leave us or forsake us, sometimes when you may feel He has left you, it was not Him who turned away!
His ways are not our ways, and He works how He works, the key is to trust Him no matter what is going on and no matter how circumstances may look. We must always remember what happens in this life is temporary, what counts is eternity. God is in control of all things, even if we do not believe or understand this fact. It's one reason why I say it so often. Knowing He is in control makes the trials and the hurts much easier to bear and get through. Knowing that no matter what it looks like or how I feel, My God is always there for me, loving me, forgiving me and giving me the strength to make it through anything!
Jesus is our rock, if we let Him be...so no matter what trail you are going through, no matter how confusing things that happen may be in our lives, we must always remember there is HOPE and through Christ we can do and handle anything...don't ever give up!!!
Remember just when you feel like giving up is usually the time when the miracle arrives...and as Job said, "Though He slay me yet will I trust Him."
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