Sweet things

[Judy Harder]

 Stethoscope

A nurse on the pediatric ward, before listening to the little ones' chests, would plug the stethoscope into their ears and let them listen to their own heart. Their eyes would always light up with awe, but she never got a response equal to four-year old David's comment. Gently she tucked the stethoscope into his ears and placed the disk over his heart. 'Listen', she said...'What do you suppose that is?' He drew his eyebrows together in a puzzled line and looked up as if lost in the mystery of the strange tap - tap - tapping deep in his chest. Then his face broke out in a wondrous grin and he asked,

                                             'Is that Jesus knocking?'

 

[Judy Harder]

A Great Cup of Coffee!
     
A sweet little boy surprised his grandmother one morning and brought her a cup of coffee.

He made it himself and was so proud.

He anxiously waited to hear the verdict on the quality of the coffee.

The grandmother had never in her life had such a bad cup of coffee and as she forced down the last sip she noticed three of those little green army guys in the bottom of the cup.

She asked, "Honey, why would three little green army guys be in the bottom of my cup?"

Her grandson replied, "You know Grandma, it's like on TV...

The best part of waking up is soldiers in your cup."

Have a blessed day and make it a GREAT one!

[Judy Harder]

I don't agree with everything that is listed here, but most of it is probably true for a lot of folks.  D.

Isn't it strange
how a 20 dollar bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to church,
but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange
how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange
that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but..
you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange
how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel?

Isn't it strange
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games but
they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange
how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks
before the day so we can include it in our agenda,
but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others;
but how easy it is to learn, understand, extend and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange
how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but....
we question the words in the Bible?


Isn't it strange
how everyone wants a place in heaven but....
they don't want to believe, do, or say anything to get there?


Isn't it strange
how we send jokes in e-mails and they are forwarded right away but
when we are going to send messages about God,
we think about it twice before we share it with others?

IT'S STRANGE ISN'T IT?
Now that you've read this message, will you forward it to anybody
that you consider a friend, family member or foe (enemy)?

If you choose not to share His message you may deprive yourself
from being blessed as well as depriving others...
who may need God in their life.

WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
_

[Judy Harder]

OLD JACK

YOU REAP WHAT YOU S0W

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground.

The man slowly looked up..

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before..  "Leave me alone," he growled....

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm. 

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head.  "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile." 

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!"  Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up.  "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

" This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it." 

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner.  It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table.  "What's going on here, officer?" he asked.  "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered. 

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin.  "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."   

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled....... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?" 

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms." 

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh." 

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference."  She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty." 

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, mam. That would be very nice." 

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer." 

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."   

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently..  "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes.  "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly.  He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything.  Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days.  It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile.  "Now I remember," he said.  "I was behind the serving counter.  You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy." 

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it.  I was afraid that you would get into trouble... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up.  Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office."  She smiled.  "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you." 

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways...

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.

If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh.. 

But, if you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world. 

Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you..

God is so big He can cover the whole world with his Love and so small He can curl up inside your heart..

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff, trust Him fully and let go. Only 1 of 2 things will happen, either He'll catch you when you fall, or He'll teach you how to fly!

The  power of one sentence!

God is going to shift things around for you today and  let things work in your favor..

If you believe, send it.
If you don't believe, delete it.

God closes doors no man can open & God opens doors no man can close.....If you need God to open



some doors for you...send this on.

Have a blessed day and remember to be a blessing....

LIVE WELL,

LOVE MUCH,

LAUGH OFTEN

[Judy Harder]

STONE
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT  .
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE

THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND ,

TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE .

THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH

THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.

AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:

'TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE'

THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, 'AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?'

THE FRIEND REPLIED
'WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.   

BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES  SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT'

LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BENEFITS IN STONE.

THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON,   

AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM,   

A DAY
TO LOVE THEM,

BUT THEN ,

AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.

SEND THIS TO
THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER
FORGET.     

I JUST DID..

IF YOU DON'T
SEND IT TO ANYONE,
IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A
HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE
FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS.

TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!

DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE
WHO YOU HAVE KNOWN IN YOUR LIFE!


AND IF I HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK,
THEN I KNOW MY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.


Live Simply,

Love Generously

Care Deeply,

Leave the rest to GOD

[Judy Harder]

You may have read this message before. 

I have read it several times but always reread it and cry again.   

I know God has a purpose for each of us.


This is a true story and it will give you the chills.
This is a beautiful and touching story of love and perseverance.

Well worth the read.
 
At the prodding of my friends I am writing this story. My name is Mildred Honor and I am a   former elementary school music teacher from  Des Moines ,   Iowa .  I have always supplemented my income by teaching piano lessons - something I have done for over 30 years. 
 
During those years I found that children have many levels of musical ability, and even though I have never had the   pleasure of having a prodigy, I have taught some very talented students. However, I have also had my share of what   I call 'musically challenged' pupils - one such pupil being Robby. 
 
Robby was 11 years old when his mother (a single mom) dropped him off for his first piano lesson. I prefer that students (especially boys) begin at an earlier age, which I explained to Robby. But Robby said that it had always been his mother's dream to hear him play the piano, so I took him as a student. 
 
Well, Robby began his piano lessons and from the beginning I thought it was a hopeless endeavour. As much as Robby tried, he lacked the sense of tone and basic rhythm needed to excel. But he dutifully reviewed his scales and some elementary piano pieces that I require all my students to learn.  Over the months he tried and tried while I listened   and cringed and tried to encourage him. At the end of each weekly lesson he would always say 'My mom's going to hear me play   someday'. But to me, it seemed hopeless; he just did not have any inborn ability. 
 
I only knew his mother from a distance as she dropped Robby off or waited in her aged car to pick him up. She always waved and smiled, but never dropped in. 
 
Then one day Robby stopped coming for his lessons. I thought about calling him, but assumed that because of his lack of ability he had decided to pursue something else. I was also glad that he had stopped coming - he was a bad advertisement for my teaching! 
 
Several weeks later I mailed a flyer recital to the students' homes. To my surprise, Robby (who had received a flyer) asked me if he could be in the recital. I told him that the recital was for current pupils and that because he had dropped out, he really did not qualify. He told me that his mother had been sick and unable to take him to his piano lessons, but that he had been practicing. 'Please Miss Honor, I've just got to play' he insisted. I don't know what led me to allow him to play in the recital - perhaps it was his insistence or maybe something inside of me saying that it would be all right. 
 
The night of the recital came and the high school gymnasium was packed with parents, relatives and friends. I put Robby last in the program, just before I was to come up and thank all the students and play a finishing piece. I thought   that any damage he might do would come at the end of the program and I could always salvage his poor performance through my 'curtain closer'.   

Well, the recital went off without a hitch, the students had been practicing and it showed. Then Robby came up on the   stage. His clothes were wrinkled and his hair looked as though he had run an egg beater through it. 'Why wasn't he dressed up like the other students?'  I thought. 'Why didn't his mother at least make him comb his hair for this special night?' Robby pulled out the piano bench, and I was surprised when he announced that he had chosen to play Mozart's Concerto No. 21 in C Major. I was not prepared for what I heard next. His fingers were light on the keys; they even danced nimbly on the ivories. He went from pianissimo to fortissimo, from allegro to virtuoso; his suspended chords that Mozart demands were magnificent! Never had I heard Mozart played so well by anyone his age. 
 
After six and a half minutes he ended in a grand crescendo, and everyone was on their feet in wild applause! Overcome and in tears, I ran up on stage and put my arms around Robby in joy. 'I have never heard you play like that Robby, how did you do it?' Through the microphone Robby explained: 'Well, Miss Honor .... Remember I told you that my mom was sick? Well, she actually had cancer and passed away this morning. And well..... She was  born deaf, so tonight was the first time she had ever heard me play, and I wanted to make it special.' 
 

There wasn't a dry eye in the house that evening. As the people from Social Services led Robby from the stage to be placed in to foster care, I noticed that even their eyes were red and puffy. I thought to myself then how much richer my life had been for taking Robby as my pupil. No, I have never had a prodigy, but that night I became a prodigy.... of Robby. He was the teacher and I was the pupil, for he had taught me the meaning of perseverance and love and believing in yourself, and may be even taking a chance on someone and you didn't know why. 
 
Robby was killed years later in the senseless bombing of the Alfred P.Murray   Federal   Building  in  Oklahoma City  in April, 1995. 
 
And now, a footnote to the story. If you are thinking about forwarding this message, you are probably wondering which people on your address list aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. The person who sent this to you believes that we can all make a difference! So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice -Do we act with compassion or do we pass up that opportunity and leave the world a bit colder in the process? 
 
You now have two choices: 1. Delete this; OR 2. Forward it to the people you care about. You know the choice I made. Thank you for reading this. May God Bless you today, tomorrow and always? If God didn't have a purpose for us, we wouldn't be here!


 

[Judy Harder]

Never heard it put quite like this before

RECALL NOTICE:

The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and
central component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam
and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent
units. This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal
Non-Morality," or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily
expressed.

Some of the symptoms include:
1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions
3. Amnesia of origin
4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior
6. Depression or confusion in the mental component
7. Fearfulness
8. Idolatry
9. Rebellion

The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is
providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct
this defect.

The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire
burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee
required.

The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R.
Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE
procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician, Jesus, into
the heart component.

No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self control

Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before
Leaving Earth) for further details on the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids
any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems too
numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently
impounded. For free emergency service, call on Jesus.

DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have
to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted to enter
Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility. Thank you for your
attention!

- GOD

P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important
recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'!

Because He Lives!

[Judy Harder]

Heaven: Our Glorious Expectation

By Warren Olson

When I think back to some of the greatest days of my life... my wedding day or the day one of my children was born... it's almost as if I am taken back to that moment in time. I feel the joy again of seeing Virginia walk down the aisle, or the wonder of holding one of my children for the first time.

Now what if, instead of being there on those special days, I had only read a book about weddings or childbirth, and never truly experienced it myself? Although I might have had a vague idea of the joy of a day like that, it would be nothing compared to actually being there myself!

This is so true when we think about heaven. While we can read what Scripture tells us about what life will be like in eternity with God, even the most vivid description will not compare to actually experiencing heaven itself!

While we can read what Scripture tells us... even the most vivid description will not compare to actually experiencing heaven itself!

This is exactly the idea that Paul had in mind when he was writing his first letter to the Corinthian church. Quoting Isaiah, he told them, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). We should understand Paul's words here to mean that there is no possible way that the joyous rewards of heaven could ever be fully described. Our glorious expectation of heaven is truly indescribable! And while heaven is wonderful beyond all words, God has given us a sufficient understanding of heaven in His Word.

One of the clearest descriptions of heaven in the Bible comes from the book of Revelation. When Christ returns, He will reign on earth for a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-7). Then, He will bring the heavenly kingdom to earth, which the Bible calls the "new heaven" and "new earth" (Rev. 21:1). Heaven is not just a place in the sky where our souls go when we die. It will be an actual physical existence that is more real than the ink on this page!

John, the author of Revelation, gives us a glimpse of how we will be different in this new state. He writes that in heaven, "the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God" (Rev. 21:3). Also, God "will wipe every tear from (our) eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" (Rev. 21:4).

From these verses, two things can be known for sure about what heaven will be like: we will have an eternally restored fellowship with God, and there will be no more sadness or pain. Those who have faith in Christ will not only escape judgment, they will enjoy restored fellowship with God forever! This is wonderful news!

Those who have faith in Christ will not only escape judgment, they will enjoy restored fellowship with God forever!

So how can a biblical understanding of heaven change your life today? First, it should help you persevere through tough times because you know that your reward is coming. This is what Paul refers to when he says that "our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). Second, it should motivate you to live a bold life for Christ because you want those you know and love to go to heaven as well!

Heaven is so much more than just a place. It is a hope! And it's my prayer that you are encouraged by this hope, and that you daily live in the light of our glorious expectation!