Wash Day...........
Now, this is really a cute one. . ... .and
I've not seen it before, either!! That is
Getting to be a rarity!!!
Monday WashDay
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and
Vanity, so I may serve you with perfect humility
Through the week ahead.
Tuesday Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles
Of prejudice I have collected through the years
So that I may see the beauty in others.
Wednesday Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not
Set a bad example for others.
Thursday Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults
I have been hiding in the secret corners of my heart.
Friday Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may find eternal happiness for myself and all others
Those in need of love.
Saturday Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly
Love and serve it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.
Sunday The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please
Come into my heart so I may spend the day and the
Rest of my life in your presence.
If one day you feel like crying,
call me.
I dont promise that I will make you laugh,
but I can cry with you.
If one day you want to run away,
dont be afraid to call me.
I dont promise to ask you to stop,
but I can run with you.
If one day you dont want to listen to anyone,
call me.
I promise to be there for you, but also promise to remain quiet.
But one day if you call,
and there is no anwser,
come fast to see me.....perrhaps I need you!
Judy, I really like that last one...You find the neatest stuff! :angel:
God is always in control
A man from Norfolk , VA called a local radio station to share this on
Sept 11th, 2003, TWO YEARS AFTER THE TRAGEDIES OF 9/11/2001.. His name was Robert Matthews. These are his words:
A few weeks before Sept. 11th, my wife and I found out we were going to
have our first child. She planned a trip out to California to visit her
sister. On our way to the airport, we prayed that God would grant my
wife a safe trip and be with her. Shortly after I said 'amen,' we both heard a loud
pop and the car shook violently. We had blown out a tire. I replaced the
tire as quickly as I could, but we still missed her flight. Both very
upset, we drove home. I received a call from my father who was retired NYFD.
He asked what my wife's flight number was, but I explained that we missed
the flight. My father informed me that her flight was the one that crashed into the southern tower. I was too shocked to speak. My father also had more
news for me; he was going to help. 'This is not something I can just sit by
for; I have to do something..' I was concerned for his safety, of course, but more because he had never given his life to Christ. After a brief debate, I knew his mind was made up. Before he got off of the phone, he said, 'Take good care of my grandchild. Those were the last words I ever heard my father say; he
died while helping in the rescue effort. the joy, that my prayer of safety for my wife had been answered, quickly became anger. I was angry at God, at my father, and at myself. I had gone for nearly two years blaming God for taking my father away. My son would never know his grandfather, my father had never accepted Christ, and I never got to say good-bye. Then something happened. About two months ago, I was sitting at home with my wife and my son, when there was a knock on the door. I looked at my wife, but I could tell she wasn't expecting anyone.. I opened the door to a couple with a small child.
The man looked at me and asked if my father's name was Jake Matthews. I
told him it was. He quickly grabbed my hand and said, 'I never got the
chance to meet your father, but it is an honor to meet his son.'
He explained to me that his wife had worked in the World Trade Center
and had been caught inside after the attack. She was pregnant and had
been caught under debris. He then explained that my father had been the
one to find his wife and free her. My eyes welled up with tears as I thought
of my father giving his life for people like this. He then said,
'There is something else you need to know.' His wife then told me that as my father worked to free her, she talked to him and led him to Christ. I began sobbing at the news. Now I know that when I get to Heaven, my father will be standing beside Jesus to welcome me, and that this family would be able to thank him themselves. When their baby boy was born, they named him Jacob Matthew, in honor of the man who gave his life so that a mother and baby could live.
This story should help us to realize: God is always in control. We may
not see the reason behind things, and we may never know this side of
heaven, but God is ALWAYS in control. Please take time to share this amazing story. You may never know the impact it may have on someone. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.Give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love endures forever. Read Psalm 136:1
Wisdom
These are good. I especially like the one that says "He who angers you, controls you".
Think about it.
Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your door forever.
Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.
If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead.. So why should you?
Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
Peace starts with a smile.
I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?
A lot of church members who are singing 'Standing on the Promises' are just sitting on the premises.
We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.
Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
Don't put a question mark where God put a period. Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
Forbidden fruits create many jams.
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
God grades on the cross, not the curve.
God loves everyone, but probably prefers 'fruits of the spirit' over 'religious nuts!'
God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
He who angers you, controls you!
If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
Prayer: Don't give God instructions, just report for duty!
The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
We don't change the message, the message changes us.
You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.
"Thine is the Kingdom..."
by Max Lucado
There are certain mountains only God can climb. Ascend them and you'll end up bruised and embarrassed. Stay away from them and you'll sidestep a lot of stress. These mountains are described in the final phrase of the Lord's prayer, "Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen." A trio of peaks mantled by the clouds. Admire them, applaud them, but don't climb them.
It's not that you aren't welcome to try, it's just that you aren't able. The pronoun is thine, not mine; thine is the kingdom, not mine is the kingdom. If the word Savior is in your job description, it's because you put it there. Your role is to help the world, not save it. Mount Messiah is one mountain you weren't made to climb.
Nor is Mount Self-Sufficient. You aren't able to run the world, nor are you able to sustain it. Some of you think you can. You are self-made. You don't bow your knees, you just roll up your sleeves and put in another twelve-hour day ... which may be enough when it comes to making a living or building a business. But when you face your own grave or your own guilt, your power will not do the trick.
You were not made to run a kingdom, nor are you expected to be all-powerful. And you certainly can't handle all the glory. Mount Applause is the most seductive of the three peaks. The higher you climb the more people applaud, but the thinner the air becomes. More than one person has stood at the top and shouted, "Mine is the glory!" only to lose their balance and fall.
"Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever." What protection this final phrase affords. As you confess that God is in charge, you admit that you aren't. As you proclaim that God has power, you admit that you don't. And as you give God all the applause, there is none left to dizzy your brain.
From
The Great House of God
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2001) Max Lucado
The Wooden Bowl
I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and
four-year old grandson.
The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred,
and his step faltered.
The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's
shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult.
Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.
'We must do something about father,' said the son..
'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.'
So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner..
There, Grandfather ate alone
while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner..
Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two,
his food was served in a wooden bowl.
When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction,
sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him
were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food.
The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed
his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.
He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?'
Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama
to eat your food in when I grow up.
' The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.
The words so struck the parents that they were speechless.
Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand
and gently led him back to the family table.
For the remainder of his days
he ate every meal with the family.
And for some reason,
neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer
when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens,
how bad it seems today, life does go on,
and it will be better tomorrow.
I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person
by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage,
and tangled Christmas tree lights.
I've learned that, regardless of your relationship
with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.
I've learned that making a 'living'
is not the same thing as making a 'life...'
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.
I've learned that you shouldn't go through life
with a catcher's mitt on both hands.
You need to be able to throw something back
I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you
But, if you focus on your family, your friends,
the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you
I've learned that whenever I decide something
with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.
I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone.
People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug,
or just a friendly pat on the back.
I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that you should pass this on to everyone you care about.
I just did.
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled a group in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of them offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire... If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
! Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them.
And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.
'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'
The Holy Alphabet... This is Beautiful
Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine guidance!
A lthough things are not perfect
B ecause of trial or pain
C ontinue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
F ierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
I magine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
K eep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
P raise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
R edeem the time at hand
S tart every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
U ntil we see Him coming
V ictorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Z ion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
"I AM Too blessed to be stressed!" The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is
the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.
Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.
P S: GOD LOVES YOU........PASS THE WORD ON TO MORE FRIENDS AND ASK
THEM TO CONTINUE TELLING OTHERS THAT GOD LOVES THEM TOO! JUST THINK OF HOW
MANY PEOPLE THAT COULD BE REACHED OUT TO AND BLESSED WITH THESE WORDS.
Malachi 3:3 says: 'He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.'
This verse puzzled a group in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of them offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: 'He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.' She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire... If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, 'How do you know when the silver is fully refined?'
He smiled at her and answered, 'Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it.'
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.
! Pass this on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them.
And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.
'Life is a coin. You can spend it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once.'
OVERCOMING THE VOICES OF DISCOURAGEMENT
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest
any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
A while back, I had lunch with a well-known Christian leader. This man is a dynamic preacher, a brilliant thinker, and a respected statesman for the cause of Christ. As with anyone who takes a strong stand for Jesus, this man is not without his detractors. He has some vocal enemies who publicly vilify and criticize him at every turn.
While I was talking with him over lunch, I asked him how he handled all the vicious criticisms that come his way. His answer shocked me. "Jeff," he said, "I often wonder why the Lord puts me in these situations. seeing that I am one who gets easily discouraged." Wow. I always thought this guy was impervious to the hurtful remarks and comments of people. After his confession, I felt an immediate kinship with him because I also fight the demons of discouragement. Do you?
THE DEVIL'S LETHAL WEAPON
My Associate Pastor, Larry Sims, once shared with me that the devil's favorite and most lethal of weapons is the weapon of discouragement. If he can get you discouraged, he can get steal your joy and excitement about the Christian life and doing the will of God.
Discouragement is the first step down the dark, lonely road of despair. Many a person has thrown in the towel on marriage. on ministry. on career. on dreams. on taking a step of faith. all because of discouragement.
OVERCOMING THE DISCOURAGEMENT
One of the great laws God has built into the world we live in is the law of the harvest: we reap what we sow - "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap" (Gal. 6:7). Now when it comes to personal discouragement, one of the best ways to overcome it is to sow seeds of encouragement in others. As you encourage those around you, God will bring a harvest of encouragement to you.
Hebrews 3:13 instructs us to encourage one another each and every day. I believe if we are not reminded, we forget to do it. We want people to encourage us. yet we so often fail to see that God has called us to be His ambassadors of encouragement to other people.
Who can you encourage today? Your spouse. your parents. your children. your siblings. your boss. your employees. your Sunday school teacher. your neighbors. your friends. your pastor. someone you admire for courage? I remember sending an email to a frontline Christian leader who was getting hammered big time for his stand for Christ. He was so moved by my encouraging words, he called me on the phone to thank me.
Would you commit to the Lord to be an encourager and not a discourager? Would you make it a priority of each day to give the gift of encouragement? Encouragement is simple, rewarding, and free. It blesses God and makes a HUGE difference in the lives of those discouraged.
Love,
Jeff Schreve
Pastor
www.fromhisheart.org
Why go to Church?
If you're spiritually alive, you're going to love this! If you're spiritually dead, you won't want to read it. If you're spiritually curious, there is still hope!
Why Go To Church?
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all."
This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
"I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this.. They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment!
All right, now that you're done reading, send it on! I think everyone should read this! "When Satan is knocking at your door, simply say, "Jesus, could you get that for me?"
Do You Believe IN Easter?
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns.
One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved.
Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?"
Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room. After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Are you reading your Bible? Are you praying?"
Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long."
Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad? do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends. You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!"
Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!" Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that after noon, Edith called Dr. Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter."
Well, they did just that and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staff to patients were so excited about Edith, that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse.
Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said, "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me, it won't work. I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room.
Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you Phyllis and I love you, and I'm praying for you."
One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's room like a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, "I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day." Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question "Do you believe in Easter but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life. "Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter Phyllis!"
Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did some of her duties and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies because she wanted to go up to see Edith and give her some Easter lilies and wish her a Happy Easter.
When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4, "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down here cheeks, said, "Happy Easter, Edith - Happy Easter!"
Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room, and over to a
table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
If you believe in Easter, forward this on. God works in wonderful ways, and to believe in his power is to truly be free. If Jesus had e-mail, he'd do the same for you.
(Actually, maybe He just did)[/b]
Just a folded napkin
This is a neat perspective...Something I didn't know about the napkin
This is really beautiful, with such significance. I truly hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
John 20:7 reads (in "The Woman's Study Bible, The New King James Version) "v. 6: Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, v.7 and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself."
Now, please read the rest of this and see the reason I think this is beautiful.
Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?
This is one I can honestly say I have never seen circulating in the e-mails so; I'll start it, if it touches you and you want to forward it.
Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?
I never noticed this....The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.
The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.
Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved.
She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!
'Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple out ran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.
Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linenwrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.
Was that important? Absolutely! Is it really significant? Yes! In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.
. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition. When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.
Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table.
For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because..........The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'He is Coming Back!! Be Blessed
Psalm 51:4
Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Sin is not merely doing what is wrong, but doing what is wrong in the sight of the Lord. God has offered us suggestions for living full and happy lives. Our being disobedient to those suggestions doesn't hurt God, it hurts us. God is saddened by out refusal to be obedient, but He is always willing to hear our petition for forgiveness, and He will show us His mercy. When we sin, it is a private matter between God and ourselves. Take your sins before God, repent of each one, and glory in the grace of God, by which we receive full pardon of all we do wrong.
Prayer:
Forgive me, Lord. Make a new creation out of this old soul. Prepare me for the Kingdom to come, each day of my life. Amen.
Just Checking in!
A
minister passing through his church
in
the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.
Just
then the back door opened,
a
man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a
while.
His shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and
frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his
head,
Then rose and walked away.
In
the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a
moment,
A
lunch pail in his lap.
Well,
the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He
decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'
The
old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunch time was his prayer time,
For finding strength and
power.
'I
stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far
away;
as
I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:
'I
JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE
FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. DON'T KNOW MUCH
OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING
IN TODAY.'
The
minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He
told the man he was welcome
To
come and pray just anytime
Time
to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He
hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.
His
cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As
the tears flowed, in his heart,
he
repeated old Jim's prayer:
'I
JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN, SINCE WE
FOUND EACH OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN. I DON'T KNOW MUCH
OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU
EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING
IN TODAY.'
Past
noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As
more days passed without Jim,
he
began to worry some.
At
the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The
week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The
head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards
came,
Not a visitor he had.
The
minister stayed by his bed,
He
voiced the nurse's concern:
No
friends came to show they cared.
He
had nowhere to turn.
Looking
surprised, old Jim spoke
up
and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she
couldn't know,
that he's in here all the while
Every
day at noon He's here,
a
dear friend of mine, you see,
He
sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
'I
JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE
FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
I
THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN TODAY.'
If
this blesses you, pass it on. Many people will walk in and out of your
life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart
May
God hold you in the palm of His hand
and Angels watch over
you.
Please
pass this page on to your friends & loved ones. If you aren't
ashamed. Jesus said,
'
If you are ashamed of me,' I will be ashamed
of
you before my Father.'
If
you are not ashamed, pass this on. But only if you mean it.
So
this is me . Just Checking In
IF TODAY YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, HARDEN NOT YOUR HEART
The Sounds of Silence
Mark Daniels
Talk Show Host
I remember a TV program that aired back when I was a kid called "The Christophers." It always began with a basso profundo voice, proclaiming that "it is better to light a single candle, than to curse the darkness."
I find myself, more often, cursing the chaos these days. It surrounds us from the minute we awaken, to the moment we close our weary eyes to rest. And it has "ramped up" in every sector of our lives, like a billion small children clamoring for our attention.
And that's what's happening, in essence. Recognizing the competition that now exists for our ears and eyes, every form of media has "pumped up the volume." TV, radio, internet, print, billboard—even gas pumps screens—now assault our senses. The noise and confusion have become so pervasive, that even a moment of silence seems almost... awkward.
But my pastor makes an interesting point about silence, as well. How often, when confronted with silence, do we lunge for the TV "switcher," and the comfort of cacophony? How much easier is it to drown out the conviction of that still, small voice in our hearts with the larger and louder noise of the world? How comfortable are we, when we're alone with ourselves, and our thoughts? When was your last quiet time with God?
I'll admit that peace and quiet are often idols for me. Truth is, as time goes by, I'm less and less able to deal with the busyness and confusion that is life in our culture today. I crave peace, not for a time of quiet reflection and prayer, but to run away from a world that seems more unfamiliar with each passing day. Part of that is due, admittedly, to my aging eyes and ears. And sometimes, these are unhealthy symptoms of withdrawal. But I'm encouraged to consider that my thirst for peace and quiet is a healthy sign, as well.
Before knowing Christ as Lord, I was incredibly content with the growing and swirling chaos of American life. This world fit me like a glove! But since becoming a Christian, the things of this world no longer hold such attraction; serving a God of peace, not confusion, has created in me a longing for the well-ordered life I'm sure awaits us in eternity.
As I mature, I realize that my quiet time alone with God is precious, and I must guard it zealously. For the peace He brings prepares me to step out each day into a noisy world I have no choice but to confront. For, living in this world are billions of people who do not know the peace that passes all understanding, and I have promised to participate in His great commission to reach them. There is no turning back.
And it is better to light a single candle of hope, then to be content with the darkness.
I have no idea if this is a true story or not, but I like it.
As I came out of the supermarket that sunny day, pushing my
cart of groceries towards my car, I saw an old man with the hood
of his car up and a lady sitting inside the car, with the door open.
The old man was looking at the engine. I put my groceries
away in my car and continued to watch the old gentleman from
about twenty five feet away.
I saw a young man in his early twenties with a grocery bag
in his arm, walking towards the old man. The old gentleman
saw him coming, too, and took a few steps towards him. I saw
the old gentleman point to his open hood and say something.
The young man put his grocery bag into what looked like a
brand new Cadillac Escalade and then turn back to the old man
and I heard him yell at the old gentleman saying, 'You shouldn't
even beallowed to drive a car at your age.' And then with a wave
of his hand, he got in his car and peeled rubber out of the parking lot.
I saw the old gentleman pull out his handkerchief and mop
his brow as he went back to his car and again looked at the engine.
He then went to his wife and spoke with her and appeared to tell
her it would be okay.
I had seen enough and I approached the old man. He saw me
coming and stood straight and as I got near him I said, 'Looks like
you're having a problem.'
He smiled sheepishly and quietly nodded his head. I looked
under the hood myself and knew that whatever the problem was,
it was beyond Me. Looking around I saw a gas station up the road
and told the old man that I would be right back. I drove to the
station and went inside and saw three attendants working on cars.
I approached one of them and related the problem the old man
had with his car and offered to pay them if they could follow me back
and help him.
The old man had pushed the heavy car under the shade of a tree
and appeared to be comforting his wife. When he saw us he
straightened up and thanked me for my help. As the mechanics
diagnosed the problem (overheated Engine) I spoke with the old gentleman.
When I shook hands with him earlier, he had noticed my Marine Corps
ring and had commented about it, telling me that he had been a
Marine too. I nodded and asked the usual question, 'What outfit did you
serve with?' He said that he had served with the first Marine Division
at Tarawa, Saipan, Iwo Jima and Guadalcanal. He had hit all the big
ones and retired from the Corps after the war was over.
As we talked we heard the car engine come on and saw the mechanics
lower the hood. They came over to us as the old man reached for his
wallet, but was stopped by me and I told him I would just put the bill on
my AAA card... He still reached for the wallet and handed me a card that
I assumed had his name and address on it and I stuck it in my pocket. We
shook hands all around again and I said my goodbye's to his wife.
I then told the two mechanics that I would follow them back up to the
station. Once at the station I told them that they had interrupted their
own jobs to come along with me and help the old man. I
said I wanted to pay for the help, but they refused to charge me.
One of them pulled out a card from his pocket looking exactly like the
card the old man had given to me. Both of the men told me then,
that they were Marine Corps Reserves. Once again we shook hands
all around and as I was leaving, one of them told me I should look at
the card the old man had given to me. I said I would and drove off.
For some reason I had gone about two blocks when I pulled over and
took the card out of my pocket and looked at it for a long time. The name
of the old gentleman was on the card in gold leaf and under his name was 'Congressional Medal of Honor Society.'
I sat there motionless looking at the card and reading It over and over.
I looked up from the card and smiled to no one but myself and
marveled that on this day that four Marines had all come together,
because one of us needed help. He was an old man all right, but it
felt good to have stood next to greatness and courage and an honor
to have been in his presence. Remember, OLD men like him gave you
FREEDOM for America . Thanks to those who served...and those who
supported them.
America is not at war. The U.S. Military is at war. America is at the
Mall. If you don't stand behind our troops, PLEASE feel free to stand
in front of them! Remember, freedom isn't free, thousands have paid
the price so you can enjoy what you have today
G U I D A N C E
This is amazing that someone even thought of this!
Dancing With God
When I meditated on the word Guidance,
I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word.
I remember reading that 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 that, 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.
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 are upon you on this day and everyday.
May you abide in God, as God abides in you.
Dance together with God, trusting God to lead
and to guide you through each season of your life.
This prayer is powerful and there is nothing attached.
If God has done anything for you in your life,
please share this message with someone else.
There is no cost but a lot of rewards;
so let's continue to pray for one another.
And I Hope You Dance !
God Loves Whom He Treasures
John 10:28
Think about the most valuable gift you've been given.
A watch from a grandfather.
A new car.
A diamond necklace or bracelet.
An electronic gadget.
If you get something really valuable as a gift—what do you do with it? You protect it. You keep it safe. You might even buy insurance for it.
Did you know that if you are a believer, you are God's most precious treasure. And because you're God's treasure, guess what?
God doesn't lose what He treasures. This tells you once you've put your faith in Him, He keeps you. In the gospel of John, Jesus said that not only are you kept safe in Jesus hands, but you're kept safe in God's hands as well. Jesus also said that all those who have been given to Him by God—those who choose to put their faith in Jesus—will never be lost. They won't be cast out. They won't be forgotten.
This is how much Jesus loves you. Maybe today you're feeling down or discouraged. Know this. You're safe and secure in the arms of Jesus. HE loves you unconconditionally. Despite what you've done for Him or what you will do.
Romans 8:38-39 says that nothing can separate you from God's love. Nothing.
This is my sermon for the day! Let it minister to you in person, and when it has; endeavor to share with others!
You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren, 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California.
In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:
People ask me, What is the purpose of life?
And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.
I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity..
We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.
I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life..
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.
And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems:
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.
Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72.
First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.
Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.
Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.
That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD...
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD..
If you do not pass it on, nothing will happen. But it will just be nice to pass it on to a friend....just like I have done.
God's Blessings
HE ARRIVED THIS MORNING, WE HAD PRAYER; SPENT SOME TIME JUST TALKING, AND HE HELD ME FOR AWHILE BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A BAD MORNING.. THEN, HE WAS ON HIS WAY TO YOUR PLACE.
When He gets to your PC, escort Him to the next stop. Please don't allow Him to sleep on your PC. The message He is carrying is very important and needs to go round. May God bless you as you do this- AMEN.
`
Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
Love the people who treat you right.
Forget about the ones who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy.
They just promised it would be worth it.
Friends are like balloons.
Once you let them go, you can't get them back..
So I'm gonna tie you to my heart so I never lose you.
`
Our weakness is His Strength
As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles; an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life.
But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all.
I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened.
My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise.
My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness, and wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world, as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.
And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles.
Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'
May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through!
God determines who walks into your life ...it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go..'
When there is nothing left but God that is when you find out that God is all you need.
Take 60 seconds and give this a shot! All you do is simply say the following small prayer for the person who sent you this.
Father, bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their life be full of your peace, prosperity and power as he/she seeks to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.
Send this on to five other people, including the one who sent it to you.
Within hours you caused a multitude of people to pray for other people.
Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life. I chose more than five...you can too
`
Concentrate on this Sentence
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.' Something good will happen to you today; something that you have been waiting to hear.
There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.
`
Stop and Tell God Thank You
DEAR GOD:
I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive. I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.
I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.
I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.
God is just so good and he's good all the time.
`