God's Pharmacy

A friend sent this to me. It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... all before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best &more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...

God left us great clues as to what foods help what part of our body!


God's Pharmacy! Amazing!

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye... and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. All o f the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.

Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.

Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.

A Christmas Miracle

Three years ago, a little boy and his grandmother came to see Santa
At the Mayfair Mall in Wisconsin. The child climbed up on his lap,
holding a picture of a little girl. "Who is this?" asked Santa, smiling. "Your friend? Your sister?'" "Yes, Santa,' he replied. "My sister, Sarah, who is very sick," he said sadly.

Santa glanced over at the grandmother who was waiting nearby, and
saw her dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "She wanted to come with me to see you, oh, so very much, Santa!" the child exclaimed.
"She misses you," he added softly.

Santa tried to be cheerful and encouraged a smile to the boy's face,
asking him what he wanted Santa to bring him for Christmas.
When they finished their visit, the Grandmother came over to help
the child off his lap, and started to say something to Santa, but
halted.

"What is it?" Santa asked warmly.


"Well, I know it's really too much to ask you, Santa, but ..." the
old woman began, shooing her grandson over to one of Santa's elves to collect the little gift which Santa gave all his young visitors.
"The girl in the photograph... my granddaughter well, you see ...
she has leukemia and isn't expected to make it even through the
holidays," she said through tear-filled eyes. "Is there any way, Santa . any possible way that you could come see Sarah? That's all she's asked for, for Christmas, is to see Santa."


Santa blinked and swallowed hard and told the woman to leave
information with his elves as to where Sarah was, and he would see
what he could do. Santa thought of little else the rest of that afternoon.

He knew what he had to do.
"What if it were MY child lying in that hospital bed, dying," he
thought with a sinking heart, "This is the least I can do."


When Santa finished visiting with all the boys and girls that
evening, he retrieved from his helper the name of the hospital where Sarah was staying. He asked the assistant location manager how to get to Children's Hospital.


"Why?" Rick asked, with a puzzled look on his face.


Santa relayed to him the conversation with Sarah's grandmother
earlier that day. "C'mon.....I'll take you there." Rick said softly.
Rick drove them to the hospital and came inside with Santa.
They found out which room Sarah was in. A pale Rick said he would wait out in the hall.

Santa quietly peeked into the room through the half-closed door and
saw little Sarah on the bed.


The room was full of what appeared to be her family; there was the
Grandmother and the girl's brother he had met earlier that day.
A woman whom he guessed was Sarah's mother stood by the bed, gently pushing Sarah's thin hair off her forehead.


And another woman who he discovered later was Sarah's aunt, sat in a chair near the bed with a weary, sad look on her face. They were talking quietly, and Santa could sense the warmth and closeness of the family, and their love and concern for Sarah.


Taking a deep breath, and forcing a smile on his face, Santa entered
the room, bellowing a hearty, "Ho, ho, ho!" "Santa!" shrieked little
Sarah weakly, as she tried to escape her bed to run to him, IV
tubes intact. Santa rushed to her side and gave her a warm hug.
A child the tender age of his own son -- 9 years old -- gazed up at
him with wonder and excitement.


Her skin was pale and her short tresses bore telltale bald patches
from the effects of chemotherapy. But all he saw when he looked at her was a pair of huge, blue eyes. His heart melted, and he had to force himself to choke back tears.


Though his eyes were riveted upon Sarah's face, he could hear the
gasps and quiet sobbing of the women in the room. As he and Sarah began talking, the family crept quietly to the bedside one by one, squeezing Santa's shoulder or his hand gratefully, whispering "Thank you" as they gazed sincerely at him with shining eyes.

Santa and Sarah talked and talked, and she told him excitedly all
the toys she wanted for Christmas, assuring him she'd been a very good girl that year.


As their time together dwindled, Santa felt led in his spirit to pray for
Sarah, and asked for permission from the girl's mother. She nodded in agreement and the entire family circled around Sarah's bed, holding hands.

Santa looked intensely at Sarah and asked her if she believed in
angels. "Oh, yes, Santa... I do!" she exclaimed.


"Well, I'm going to ask that angels watch over you." he said. Laying
one hand on the child's head, Santa closed his eyes and prayed. He
asked that God touch little Sarah, and heal her body from this disease.

He asked that angels minister to her, watch and keep her. And when
he finished praying, still with eyes closed, he started singing, softly,
"Silent Night, Holy Night.... all is calm, all is bright..."

"The family joined in, still holding hands, smiling at Sarah, and
crying tears of hope, tears of joy for this moment, as Sarah beamed
at them all.


When the song ended, Santa sat on the side of the bed again and held
Sarah's frail, small hands in his own. "Now, Sarah," he said authoritatively, "you have a job to do, and that is to concentrate on getting well. I want you to have fun playing with your friends this summer, and I expect to see you at my house at Mayfair Mall this time next year!"


He knew it was risky proclaiming that to this little girl who had
terminal cancer, but he "had" to. He had to give her the greatest
gift he could -- not dolls or games or toys -- but the gift of HOPE.

"Yes, Santa!" Sarah exclaimed, her eyes bright. He leaned down and
kissed her on the forehead and left the room.


Out in the hall, the minute Santa's eyes met Rick's, a look passed
between them and they wept unashamed.


Sarah's mother and grandmother slipped out of the room quickly and
rushed to Santa's side to thank him.


"My only child is the same age as Sarah," he explained quietly.
"This is the least I could do." They nodded with understanding and hugged him.


One year later, Santa Mark was again back on the set in Milwaukee
for his six-week, seasonal job which he so loves to do. Several weeks
went by and then one day a child came up to sit on his lap.

"Hi, Santa! Remember me?!" "Of course, I do," Santa proclaimed (as
he always does), smiling down at her. After all, the secret to being a "good" Santa is to always make each child feel as if they are the "only" child in the world at that moment.


"You came to see me in the hospital last year!" Santa's jaw dropped.
Tears immediately sprang in his eyes, and he grabbed this little
miracle and held her to his chest. "Sarah!" he exclaimed. He scarcely
recognized her, for her hair was long and silky and her cheeks were
rosy -- much different from the little girl he had visited just a year before.

He looked over and saw Sarah's mother and grandmother in the sidelines smiling and waving and wiping their eyes.

That was the best Christmas ever for Santa Claus.

He had witnessed --and been blessed to be instrumental in bringing
about -- this miracle of hope. This precious little child was healed.
Cancer-free. Alive and well. He silently looked up to Heaven and
humbly whispered, "Thank you, Father. 'Tis a very, Merry Christmas!"

If you believe in miracles you will pass this on...I did!

ONLY FOR LOVE

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years, the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.



Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks. "Why do you not at least dispose of 'The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"


The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes I could use a pair of new boots. His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."


Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?


So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".


In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.


By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife exhausted from their grief huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered,"We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.


And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand. The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll a t the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them.


Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.


Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.


Bedded down about the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.


At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay amon g them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife. Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift ~


Because of love ~ only because of love.


Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy, And again the peace of love filled their hearts.





This is a true story.

A Stunning Testimony

I think this should be passed on, you never know when
you are going to be used by God for a time such as this.

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't 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

My 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 this: 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.
Psalm 136:1

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from
extinction We didn't pass it to our children in the
bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed
on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our
sunset years telling our children and our children's
children what it was once like in the United States where
men were free."

Ronald Reagan

A Different Christmas Poem

The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light, I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight. My wife was asleep, her head on my chest, My daughter beside me, angelic in rest. Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white, Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe, Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.

My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep, Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep. In perfect contentment, or so it would seem, So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near, But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear. Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the Sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow. My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear, And I crept to the door just to see who was near.

Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night, A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight. A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old, Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold. Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled, Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.

"What are you doing?" I asked without fear, "Come in this moment, it's freezing out here! Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve, You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!" For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift, Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..

To the window that danced with a warm fire's light Then he sighed and he said "Its really all right, I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night." "It's my duty to stand at the front of the line, That separates you from the darkest of times.

No one had to ask or beg or implore me, I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me. My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December," Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers." My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ', And now it is my turn and so, here I am.

I've not seen my own son in more than a while, But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile. Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag, The red, white, and blue... An American flag. I can live through the cold and the being alone, Away from my family, my house and my home.

I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet, I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat. I can carry the weight of killing another, Or lay down my life with my sister and brother... Who stand at the front against any and all, To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall."

" So go back inside," he said, "harbor no fright, Your family is waiting and I'll be all right." "But isn't there something I can do, at the least, "Give you money," I asked, "or prepare you a feast? It seems all too little for all that you've done, For being away from your wife and your son."

Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret, "Just tell us you love us, and never forget. To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone, To stand your own watch, no matter how long. For when we come home, either standing or dead, To know you remember we fought and we bled. Is payment enough, and with that we will trust, That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.."

PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many People as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these Festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people Stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

LCDR Jeff Giles, SC,USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC,Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iran

Under the weather -

I haven't posted in a couple of weeks as I have been fighting a cold and working almost 6 days every week.

Last week I taught a Girl Scout Troop how to make cards and these cards will be sent to Carol Hart for the prison ministry. I wanted to send them for the troops, but we missed the deadline.

Hallie and Taylor not only did a great job on the cards, but they also won a prize from the blizzard of cards contest on www.cardsforheros.org site. They received their package and was so excited to get it. We will be starting on Valentine and Love cards when they come over tomorrow.

more to come.....................................

Proud of my granddaughters

This is posted on the www.cardsforheros.org site.

I would also like to thank Hallie...
November 1st, 2008

A snail-mail card from a soldier in Iraq, dated 23 Oct 08:
First and foremost, I want to thank you for all of the cards you sent. Believe me, they’ll be put to good use. It’s a wonderful gesture and all the troops and I greatly appreciate it.

I would also like to thank Hallie for the beautiful card she created. She’s the same age as my oldest daughter.

Well, God bless and take care. Keep up the good wor. You’re doing wonders. Thank you.SSGT I.P.

Those who follow the Homefront Blog will remember Hallie, who was one of our recent Featured stampers!! Here is a link to it.

God and the spider

During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire he had lost touch with his comrades.
Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction. Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, "Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen."

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, "Well, I guess the Lord isn't going to help me out of this one." Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

"Hah, he thought. "What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor."

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout and could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand. To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

"Lord, forgive me," prayed the young man. "I had forgotten that in you a spider's web is stronger than a brick wall."

We all face times of great trouble. When we do, it is so easy to forget what God can work in our lives, sometimes in the most surprising ways. And remember with God, a mere spider's web becomes a brick wall of protection.

Lord, I thank you for all our Military, and their families. I Pray for your Brick wall of protection,to protect them everyday!!!Amen

My first Card for the SOF Challenge

I combined 2 challenges - the Ugly challenge and Vintage Lace. Sorry its crooked - but it is straight in real life.

To the powerful women I know - Keep the faith!!!

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning,
Satan shudders & says...


'Oh crap....she's awake!!'

Time Flies

I can't believe it has been 2 weeks since I last logged on and blogged. I don't know where the time has gone.

I have been working on getting my Christmas cards designed as well as looking to possibly buy a house. Don't have a concrete design just yet but I did receive my order from Oh My Crafts and I really like their site. They are affordable and for the most part the shipping although a little slow was fine.

Received my UGLY paper from Colourful for the SOF challenge - boy are they UGLY papers but I think very manageable and can't wait for the instructions so I can get crafting.

Gotta pick up some cardstock and get cut for the SOF starting next week.

BBL

Remembering

Today is a day that I don't think any person alive will forget. To those who lost family and friends - whether in NY, DC or PA - my heart and prayers go out to you. We will remember those people always.

For the men and women who are currently or have fought for our country and our freedom - I thank you and your families and friends for the sacrifices you are all making to honor and serve.
My hats off to you.

I am getting prepared for the October Stamping Week at www.twopeasinabucket.com.

Please feel free to join us as we have 2 weeks of stamping fun. All my cards and challenges will be sent to www.cardsforheros.org.

Emergency Telephone Numbers

These are more effective than 911
When -

You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip , phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small comp ared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

ALTERNATE NUMBERS

For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

ALL THESE NUMBERS MAY BE PHONED DIRECTLY. NO OPERATOR ASSISTANCE IS NECESSARY. ALL LINES TO HEAVEN ARE AVAILABLE 24 HOURS A DAY. FEED YOUR FAITH, AND DOUBT WILL STARVE TO DEATH

A new way to look at a deck of cards

Here is a new way to look at a deck of cards!!

It was quiet that day, the guns and the mortars, and land mines for some reason hadn't been heard. The young soldier knew it was Sunday, the holiest day of the week. As he was sitting there, he got out an old deck of cards and laid them out across his bunk. Just then an army sergeant came in and said, 'Why aren't you with the rest of the platoon?' The soldier replied, 'I thought I would stay behind and spend some time with the Lord.

' The sergeant said, 'Looks to me li ke you're going to play cards.' The soldier said, 'No, sir. You see, since we are not allowed to have Bibles or other spiritual books in this country, I've decided to talk to the Lord by studying this deck of cards.' The sergeant asked in disbelief, 'How will you do that?'

'You see the Ace, Sergeant? It reminds me that there is only one God.

The Two represents the two parts of the Bible, Old and New Testaments

The Three represents the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost.

The Four stands for the Four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

The Five is for the five virgins there were ten but only five of them were glorified.

The Six is for the six days it took God to create the Heavens and Earth.

The Seven is for the day God rested after making His Creation.

The Eight is for the family of Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives -- the eight people God spared from the flood that destroyed the Earth.

The Nine is for the lepers that Jesus cleansed of leprosy He cleansed ten, but nine never thanked Him

The Ten represents the Ten Commandments that God handed down to Moses on tablets made of stone.

The Jack is a reminder of Satan, one of God's first angels, but he got kicked out of heaven for his sly and wicked ways and is now the joker of eternal hell.

The Queen stands for the Virgin Mary.

The King stands for Jesus, for he is the King of all kings.

When I count the dots on all the cards, I come up with 365 total, one for every day of the year. There are a total of 52 cards in a deck; each is a week - 52 weeks in a year.

The four suits represent the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.

Each suit has thirteen cards -- there are exactly thirteen weeks in a quarter.

So when I want to talk to God and thank Him, I just pull out this old deck of cards and they remind me of all that I have to be thankful for.

The sergeant just stood there. After a minute, with tears in his eyes and pain in his heart, he said, 'Soldier, can I borrow that deck of cards?'

Please let this be a reminder and take time to pray for all of our soldiers who are being sent away, putting their lives on the line fighting

Prayer for the MilitaryLord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them. Bless them and their families. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Amen.

WHITE LIE CAKE

Have you ever told a white lie? You are going to love this, especially all of those who bake for church events.

Alice Grayson was to bake a cake for the Baptist Church Ladies' Group in Tuscaloosa , but forgot to do it until the last minute. She remembered the morning of the bake sale and after rummaging through cabinets, found an angel fo od cake mix & quickly made it while drying her hair, dressing, & helping her son pack for Scout camp.

When Alice took the cake from the oven, the center had dropped flat and the cake was horribly disfigured. She thought, "Oh dear, there is not time to bake another cake."This cake was important to Alice because she did so want to fit in at her new church and in her new community of friends.

So, being inventive, she looked around the house for something to build up the center of the cake.Alice found it in the bathroom - a roll of toilet paper. She plunked it in and covered it with icing. Not only did the finished product look beautiful, it looked perfect.

Before she left the house to drop the cake by the church and head for work, Alice woke her daughter Amanda and gave her some money and specific instructions to be at the bake sale the moment it opened at 9:30 and to buy the cake and bring it home

.When Amanda arrived at the sale, she found the attractive, perfect cake had already been sold. She grabbed her cell phone and called her mom.Alice was horrified - she was beside herself. Everyone would know! What would they think? She would be ostracized, talked about, and ridiculed!

All night, Alice lay awake in bed thinking about people pointing fingers at her and talking about her behind her back.The next day, Alice promised herself she would try not to think about the cake and would attend the fancy luncheon/bridal shower at the home of a fellow church member and try to have a good time.

Alice did not want to attend because the hostess was a snob who more than once had looked down her nose at Alice because she was a single parent and not from the founding families of Tuscaloosa but, having already RSVP'd, she couldn't think of a believable excuse to stay home.

The meal was elegant, the company was definitely upper crust old South and,to Alice 's horror, the cake in question was presented for dessert! Alice felt the blood drain from her body when she saw the cake!

She started out of her chair to tell the hostess all about it, but before she could get to her feet, the Mayor's wife said, "What a beautiful cake!"

Alice still stunned, sat back in her chair when she heard the hostess (who was a prominent church member) say, "Thank you, I baked it myself."

Alice smiled and thought to herself, "God is good."

George Jones Song

I didn't know this song existed. Get some kleenex before you click the link.

http://home.comcast.net/~singingman7/TNOTW.htm

Noah's Ark

I have collected Noah's ark statues and pictures for years. This was sent to me in an email and I thought I would share

http://www.pbase.com/paulthedane/noahs_ark

The Mayonnaise Jar and 2 Cups of Coffee

When things in your lives seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things--your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions--and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.The sand is everything else--the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.'Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first--the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked."It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPPED

For those who are unaware, at a military theater theNational Anthem is played before every movie.

From a Chaplain in Iraq :

I recently attended a showing of'Superman 3' here at LSA Anaconda ( Balad Airport inIraq , north of Bagdad ). We have a large auditorium weuse for movies, as well as memorial services and otherlarge gatherings.As is the custom back in the States, we stood andsn apped to attention when the National Anthem beganbefore the main feature.

All was going as planneduntil about three-quarters of the way through when TheNational Anthem music stopped. Now, what wou ld happenif this occurred with 1,000 18-22 year-olds back inthe States? I imagine there would be hoots, catcalls,laughter, a few rude comments, and everyone would sitdown and call for a movie. Of course, that is, if theyhad stood for the National Anthem in the first place.

Here, the 1,000 soldiers continued to stand atattention, eyes fixed forward. The music started again. The soldiers continued to quietly stand atattention. And again, at the same point, the musicstopped. What would you expect to happen? Even here I would imagine laughter, as everyone finally sat down and expected the movie to start. But here, you could have heard a pin drop .

Every soldier continued to stand at attention. Suddenly there was a lone voice, then a dozen, and quickly the room was filled with the voices of a thousand soldiers, finishing where the recording leftoff: 'And the rockets red glare, the bombs burstingin air, gave proof through the night that our flag wasstill there. Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave'.

It was the most inspiring moment I have had here in Iraq . I wanted you to know what kind of soldiers are serving you here. Remember them as they fight for you! Pass this along as a reminder to others to be ever in prayer for all our soldiers serving us here, at home and abroad. For many have already paid the ultimate price.

Written by: Chaplain Jim Higgins

Forgiveness part 2

“People insulted Christ, but….Het Let God…..Take Care of Him (I Peter 2:23 NCV)

A little boy who had been rude to his mother started sneaking off upstairs. “Where are you going, young man?” she asked. “To my room to talk to God.” He replied. “Isn’t there something you want to tell me first?” she said. “Nope.” He said “You’ll just get mad. God will forgive me and forget about it.”

Long after you think you’ve forgiven someone, you can still be harboring hard feelings. Here are some clues that you’ve still got work to do: you get angry thinking about what happened; you give the offender the cold shoulder; you rehearse the incident mentally and in conversation; you seize every opportunity to remind the offender of what they did. Refusing to forgive and forget is just another way of justifying an unforgiving attitude.

The Bible says there are two things God won’t share: (1) His glory See (Isa 42:8); (2) His right to settle scores. He said “Vengeance is mine, I will repay” (Rom 12:19). Don’t usurp His authority by trying to get even; take your hands off the situation and let Him work it out. When “People Insulted Christ….he did not insult them in return….Het let God….who judges rightly, take care of him.” A grudge shackles you to the offender, and you become the hostage!

Dwelling on something your parents did, or on how an associate took credit for your work, or on what someone said about you, makes you, not them miserable. You walk around in turmoil and they don’t even know you are upset! Why give someone that kind of control over your life?: What’s important is what happens in you, not to you. So forgive, forget and move on.

more to come...............

Forgiveness

I have been battling with forgiveness for a couple of months now. So when I ran across this bible study - it started to open my eyes and more importantly my heart. This was written by my pastor and I thank God daily for his belief in God and his conviction to teach only the word.

How heavy is a glass of water? It depends on how long you have to carry it. A minute is no problem and after an hour your arm might start to ache. But after 24 hours you'll probably be in bad shape! In each instance the glass weighs exactly the same, but the longer you carry it the heavier it feels. And its the same with a grudge, it can get so heavy it stops you from living. People will hurt you; that the reality of sharing this planet with others. Sometimes it is intentional, other times they have no idea they upset you, far less broken your heart. Does that mean that you should go around pretending nothing's wrong? No, the first step is to confront your feelings. And when the hurt is deep, its even harder to forgive. And when the hurt is deep, its even harder to forgive. That’s when you need to pray “Lord, change my heart and heal me.” Jesus said, “Pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:28 NIV) When you do that something unexpected happens; your heart softens and you start seeing them through God’s eyes instead of your raw emotions. Jesus said: “If you have anything against someone, forgive – only then will your heavenly father…wipe your slate clean.” When you sow un-forgiveness you reap un-forgiveness – even from God.

Isaac is a prime example of practicing forgiveness. During a drought he dug wells that his enemies moved in and claimed. But instead of retaliating, he moved on and dug new ones. As a result God filled Isaac’s empty wells and promised to bless him, and his children too! (Gen 26:22-23). And he fills the emptiness in your life, when you forgive those who hurt you.

more to come.....................

For all the RAK-a-teers

Special Rak for all the Rak-a-teers

So many of you have expressed an interest in how to organize your paper piles. I thought I would share how I corral and manage all my papers. Feel free to email me with any questions -

Planner

Since I am not an 8-5 schedule every minute type of person, I have the Franklin Covey planner called Simplicity. This planner has a 2 page monthly calendar as well as daily pages. The daily pages has a place for Today's Schedule, What I need to do, Daily notes and A blank column.

The additional sections I have set up according to my needs - I have my "Brain Dump - aka master running to do list, budget (where I keep a bill tracker) a snapshot from the Change your life challenge - which is an organizing site that helps you change your life in 70 days. As I was working towards becoming a PO, I worked with various sites and groups. Then I have my web log where I log the website URL, login and password information as well as any comments about the site. and finally my address book.

In the address section I have 3 sheets of paper for each letter. The first is a white page (like in the phone books) I list all my family and friends information. Then there are the yellow pages - this is where I have the plumber, doctor, dentist - any professional that I would use. When I had the kids at home they were listed according to their profession - doctor and dentist were under "D" making it easier for everyone to locate if needed. The last page is for things that did not fit into the other tabs. For instance - under "P" I have listed my printer's name and the cartridges they take. Since I have 2 printers - I get them confused as to which ink goes with which one. Another example – “W” I have my wish list – since I am on a budget, I list some of the things I would like to have (but don’t necessarily need) and then when the extra is there I can try to purchase one or two of the items. Behind each grand childs letter I have their current sizes and what they are currently into. For example – my grandson is now into John Deere things – so I changed his from “Cars to John Deere”. Makes gift shopping easier. I also use the last column on the planner page for random bits of inspiration.

ALL THINGS ARE WRITTEN IN PENCIL – Life changes and so do appointments, etc. and it is easier to erase a penciled in appointment than an ink one.

Notebooks:

Firstly let me start by saving these ideas are not original to me. I have combined resources from the web, personal friends and clients and was able to develop a system that works for me. I am not saying my way is the right way – just that it has worked for me for years.
First thing I did was to decide that I wanted to go with a notebook storage system and not a typical filing cabinet. At the time I didn’t have a file cabinet but had tons of notebooks that I had collected through the years.

Plus I had already purchased the Easy Organizer and the Easy Bill Paying System from Maria at http://www.getorganizednow.com/ . So continuing with the notebooks seemed the most logical.

I sat on my patio one morning very early with a cup of coffee, pad and pencil and I started thinking about (1) the types of categories for the notebooks I wanted and (2) how I wanted them to work for me – not me work for them as some of the organizing sites tend to do.

I determined I wanted the following categories:

Kitchen
Tax Preparation
Easy Bill Paying System
Holiday Planner
Craft and decorating Projects (now split into multiple notebooks)
Warranties and Manuals
Easy Organizer
Household Organizer
Address/Phone Directory
Professional Organizers Guide (also from http://www.getorganizednow.com/)
www. Getorganizednow.com moderator manual. I am a moderator on her site.
Career Planning
Prayer
Sprit Lifters

These are not in order of importance – just reading them off as I type. Depending on your family needs, careers and affiliations you may want others. Some suggestions would be a PERSONAL notebook for each child which could display all their artwork, awards and certificates, report cards and other important documents. Memories of your MOM AND DAD, EDUCATION, ORGANIZATIONS – ones that you belong to and their rules and minutes from meetings, etc. , PROPERTY, LEGAL ISSUES, DECORATING, WEDDING PLANNER, STUDENT LOANS. The list goes on and on – again depending on your personal needs.

The next step I took was to determine how I wanted each book to work for me. So I set up a list of questions:

Purpose of each notebook
Contents of each notebook
Long term goals
Future additions


Now that you have the basics – l will start with my kitchen notebook. **As my children grew and married I made them some of these notebooks also so that they can have a jump start on organizing and some of their favorite recipes.

The Purpose of this notebook – to corral all those loose recipes and papers pertaining to food preparation, storage, grocery shopping, etc. This assisted me in the planning, storing, shopping, preparing and overall healthy eating habits.

Contents:

Pencil pouch/sheet protector for holding pens, pencils, unclipped coupons, sale flyers for the week, etc.
Recipes – these are set up according to type – chicken, beef, pork, desserts, salads, vegetables, etc.
Weekly Menu planner – I don’t use this much anymore since I am an empty nester and can eat when I want. Before I used it to plan a least a weeks but preferred a month’s worth of meals so that who ever came home first – knew what was for dinner and if they needed to do any prep work for me.
Once a month cooking – this is when I would go to Sam’s and stock up. I would brown ground beef and put into individual plastic bags for quick spaghetti sauce. Taco or whatever. Other things that I could pre-make and freeze.
Master grocery List – There are many that you can get already set up by searching the web for them . I made my own based on the store where I shop and the items I buy.
Pantry, freezer and refrigerator inventory. I hate hearing the phrase “We have nothing to eat” or seeing the kids stand with either the cupboard door or refrigerator door open staring into space. I created a master list of what was in the cabinets (and on what shelf) as well as what I had in the freezer and refrigerator. As we finished eating a particular item – it was added to the grocery list (or checked off if it was on the master list).
General information – weights, measurements, substitution tips, and any other pertinent kitchen information.

Long Term Goal –

The main goal was to reduce the “what’s for dinner” and “there is nothing to eat in this house” stresses.
A functional system for creating and preparing nutritional meals that my family will eat that are manageable with my food budget.

Future additions

Price comparison book – at one point there were 3 grocery stores within a block radius. So it was no problem doing the comparison shopping and getting the best deals at each one.
System to track grocery expenses and wasters – for example when I opened a jar of salsa, I need to know the last use date is so that we finish it before it expires and I end up tossing a full or almost full jar. Therefore tossing money out with the garbage.


More to come………………………

God's Cake

GOD'S CAKE

This is about the best thing I've ever read as an explanation. We all wonder many times over WHY? Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.

‘‘Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers. 'Yuck' says her daughter. “How about a couple raw eggs?” Gross, Mom!' 'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?' 'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes, all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake! God works the same way.

Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

God is crazy about you. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, He'll listen. He can live anywhere in the universe, and He chose your heart.

Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.

JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER........................

Just a Simple Soldier
He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.

Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.

And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.

But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.

He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life.

He held a job and raised a family,
Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth,
Their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing,
And proclaim that they were great.

Papers tell of their life stories
From the time that they were young
But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?

Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?

The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.
While the ordinary Soldier,

Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.
It's so easy to forget them,

For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,
It is not the politicians

With their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom
That our country now enjoys.

Should you find yourself in danger,
With your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out,
With his ever waffling stand?

Or would you want a Soldier--
His home, his country, his kin,
Just a common Soldier,
Who would fight until the end.

He was just a common Soldier,
And his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us
We may need his like again.

For when countries are in conflict,
We find the Soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles
That the politicians start.

If we cannot do him honor
While he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.

Perhaps just a simply headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."

Pets

To be posted VERY LOW on the refrigerator door - pet nose height

.Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sle ep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years --canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'niture.

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, they are an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: Dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
1. Eat less
2. Don't ask for money all the time
3 Are easier to train
4. Normally come when called
5. Never ask to drive the car
6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends
7. Don't smoke or drink
8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions
9. Don't want to wear y our clothes
10. Don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and...
11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children!

WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE THIS.

There is a God in the Post Office This is one of the kindest things I've ever experienced. I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service.

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her.

I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words: Dear God ,Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her. You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office.

A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had. Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, 'To Meredith , 'in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, 'When a Pet Dies.'

Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope.

On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note: Dear Meredith,Abbey arrived safely in heaven.Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don't need our bodies in heaven, I don't have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you. I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I'm easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,God

This will give you chills

AFTER A FEW OF THE USUAL SUNDAY EVENING HYMNS, THE CHURCH'S PASTOR SLOWLY STOOD UP, WALKED OVER TO THE PULPIT AND, BEFORE HE GAVE HIS SERMON FOR THE EVENING, HE BRIEFLY INTRODUCED A GUEST MINISTER WHO WAS IN THE SERVICE THAT EVENING.

IN THE INTRODUCTION, THE PASTOR TOLD THE CONGREGATION THAT THE GUEST MINISTER WAS ONE OF HIS DEAREST CHILDHOOD FRIENDS AND THAT HE WANTED HIM TO HAVE A FEW MOMENTS TO GREET THE CHURCH AND SHARE WHATEVER HE FELT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE SERVICE.

WITH THAT, AN ELDERLY MAN STEPPED UP TO THE PULPIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK. 'A FATHER, HIS SON, AND A FRIEND OF HIS SON WERE SAILING OFF THE PACIFIC COAST ,' HE BEGAN. 'WHEN A FAST APPROACHING STORM BLOCKED ANY ATTEMPT TO GET BAC K TO THE SHORE. THE WAVES WERE SO HIGH, THAT EVEN THOUGH THE FATHER WAS AN EXPERIENCED SAILOR, HE COULD NOT KEEP THE BOAT UPRIGHT AND THE THREE WERE SWEPT INTO THE OCEAN AS THE BOAT CAPSIZED.'

THE OLD MAN HESITATED FOR A MOMENT, MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH TWO TEENAGERS WHO WERE, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE SERVICE BEGAN, LOOKING SOMEWHAT INTERESTED IN HIS STORY. THE AGED MINISTER CONTINUED WITH HIS STORY, 'GRABBING A RESCUE LINE, THE FATHER HAD TO MAKE THE MOST EXCRUCIATING DECISION OF HIS LIFE: TO WHICH BOY WOULD HE THROW THE OTHER END OF THE LIFE LINE. HE ONLY HAD SECONDS TO MAKE THE DECISION.

THE FATHER KNEW THAT HIS S ON WAS A CHRISTIAN AND HE, ALSO, KNEW THAT HIS SON'S FRIEND WAS NOT. THE AGONY OF HIS DECISION COULD NOT BE MATCHED BY THE TORRENT OF WAVES. AS THE FATHER YELLED OUT, 'I LOVE YOU, SON!' HE THREW OUT THE LIFE LINE TO HIS SON 'S FRIEND. BY THE TIME THE FATHER HAD PULLED THE FRIEND BACK TO THE CAPSIZED BOAT, HIS SON HAD DISAPPEARED BENEATH THE RAGING SWELLS INTO THE BLACK OF NIGHT. HIS BODY WAS NEVER RECOVERED.

BY THIS TIME, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE SITTING UP STRAIGHT IN THE PEW, ANXIOUSLY WAITING FOR THE NEXT WORDS TO COME OUT OF THE OLD MINISTER'S MOUTH.

'THE FATHER,' HE CONTINUED, 'KNEW HIS SON WOULD STEP INTO ETERNITY WITH JESUS AND HE COULD NOT BEAR THE THOUGHT OF HIS SON'S FRIEND STEPPING INTO AN ETERNITY WITHOUT JESUS.. THEREFORE, HE SACRIFICED HIS SON TO SAVE THE SON'S FRIEND. ' HOW GREAT IS THE L OVE OF GOD THAT HE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR US. OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SACRIFICED HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WE COULD BE SAVED.

I URGE YOU TO ACCEPT HIS OFFER TO RESCUE YOU AND TAKE A HOLD OF THE LIFE LINE HE IS THROWING OUT TO YOU IN THIS SERVICE.' WITH THAT, THE OLD MAN TURNED AND SAT BACK DOWN IN HIS CHAIR AS SILENCE FILLED THE ROOM.

THE PASTOR AGAIN WALKED SLOWLY TO THE PULPIT AND DELIVERED A BRIEF SERMON WITH AN INVITATION AT THE END. HOWEVER, NO ONE RESPONDED TO THE APPEAL.

WITHIN MINUTES AFTER THE SERVICE ENDED, THE TWO TEENAGERS WERE AT THE OLD MAN'S SIDE. 'THAT WAS A NICE STORY,' POLITELY STATED ONE OF THEM,'BUT I DON'T THINK IT WAS VERY REALISTIC FOR A FATHER TO GIVE UP HIS ONLY SON'S LIFE IN HOPES THAT THE OTHER BOY WOULD BECOME A CHRISTIAN.' 'WELL, YOU'VE GOT A POINT THERE,' THE OLD MAN REPLIED, GLANCING DOW N AT HIS WORN BIBLE. A BIG SMILE BROADENED HIS NARROW FACE. HE ONCE AGAIN LOOKED UP AT THE BOYS AND SAID, 'IT SURE ISN'T VERY REALISTIC, IS IT?

BUT, I'M STANDING HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU THAT STORY GIVES ME A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT MUST HAVE BEEN LIKE FOR GOD TO GIVE UP HIS SON FOR ME.

YOU SEE... I WAS THAT FATHER AND YOUR PASTOR IS MY SON'S FRIEND.'

A great example of why we should be kind and patient.

'Some people!' snorted a man standing behind me in the long line at the grocery store. 'You would think the manager would pay attention and open another line, 'said a woman. I looked to the front of the line to see what the hold up was and saw a well dressed, young woman, tryin g to g et the machine to accept her credit card. No matter how many times she swiped it, the machine kept rejecting it.

'It's one of them welfare card things. Damn people need to get a job like everyone else,' said the man standing behind me. The young woman turned around to see who h ad mad e the comment. 'It was me,' he said, pointing to himself.

The young lady's face began to change expression. Almost in tears, she dropped the welfare card onto the counter and quickly walked out of the store. Everyone in the checkout line watched as she began running to her car. Never looking back, she got in and drove away.

After developing cancer in 1977 and having had to use food stamps; I had learned never to judge anyone, without knowing the circumstances of their life. This turned out to be the case today.

Several minutes later a young man walked into the store. He went up to the cashier and asked if she had seen the woman. After describing her, the cashier told him that she had run out of the store, got into her car, and drove away.

'Why would she do that?' asked the man. Everyone in the line look ed around at the fellow who had made the statement. 'I made a stupid comment about the welfare card she was using. Something I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry,' said the man.

'Well, that's bad, real bad, in fact. Her brother was killed in Afghanistan two years ago. He had three young children and she has taken on that responsibility. She's twenty years old, single, and now has three children to support,' he said in a very firm voice.

'I'm really truly sorry. I didn't know,' he replied, shaking both his hands about. The young man asked, 'Are these paid for?' pointing to the shopping cart full of groceries. 'It wouldn't take her card,' the clerk told him.

'Do you know where she lives?' asked the man who had made the comment.

Yes, she goes to our church.

'Excuse me,' he said as he made his way to the front of the line. He pulled out his wallet, took out his credit card and told the cashier, 'Please use my card. PLEASE!' The clerk took his credit card and began to ring up the young woman's groceries.

Hold on,' said the gentleman. He walked back to his shopping cart and began loading his own groceries onto the belt to be included. 'Come on people. We got three kids to help raise!' he told everyone in line. Everyone began to place their groceries onto the fast moving belt. A few customers began bagging the food and placing it into separate carts.

'Go back and get two big turkeys,' yelled a heavyset woman, as she looked at the man. NO,'
yelled the man. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks. The entire store became quiet for several seconds. 'Four turkeys,' yelled the man. Everyone began laughing and went back to work. When all was said and done, the man paid a total of $1,646.57 for the groceries.

He then walked over to the side, pulled out his check book, and began writing a check using the bags of dog food piled near the front of the store for a writing surface. He turned around and handed the check to the young man. 'She will need a freezer and a few other things as well, ' he told the man.

The young man looked at the check and said, 'This is really very generous of you.'

'No,' said the man. 'Her brother was the generous one.'

Everyone in the store had been observing the odd commotion and began to clap. And I drove home that day feeling very American. We live in the Land of the free, because of the Brave! Remember our Troops of Yesterday and Today !

Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear. - Mark Twain

GOD'S BUSY

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist and a member of the ACLU.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him, knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold.

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence.

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the heck is the matter with you? Why did you do that?"

The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So, He sent me."

THIS IS GOOD. KEEP IT GOING

Stay focused (Conclusion)

Focused people do not hide their weaknesses or excuse them, instead they focus on their strengths. There is a story about a couple who decided to build a farm. They began to argue. The wife wanted to build the house first. The husband wanted to build the barn first in order to house the animals. They went back and forth until finally the man said - "Look, we have to build the barn first-because the barn will enable us to build the house, the garage, the silo, the kids swing set, and everything else." When you focus on putting first things first, every thing else is more likely to fall into place. (The moral of this - the farm was a working farm where the animals were the main source of money. By building shelter for them, their feed, the equipment needed to and meeting the needs of the animals - the farm would prosper.)

What you commit yourself to, will change what you are and make you a completely different person. The future conditions you, not the past. What you commit yourself to become, determines what are you are - more than anything that ever happened to you yesterday.

What are your commitments? Where are you going? What are you going to be? Anthony Campolo says "Show me someone who hasn't decided and I will show you someone that has no identity, no personality and no direction." Focusing on our weakness instead of our strengths is like having a handful of coins, a few made of gold and the rest of tarnished copper. We set aside the gold coins and spend our time shining the copper ones in hopes of making them more valuable. No matter how long you spend removing the tarnish - they will never be as valuable as the gold ones.

bbl later on how to apply this to your every day life........

UNITED STATES MAP

A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.'

After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.'

Stay Focused - Continued

When it comes to staying focused, keep in mind:

1. Focused people always look for a better way. What got you where you are most likely will not get you where you need to be, A family who moved into a new neighborhood got a late start one morning, As a result the 6 year old missed the school bus. Though it would make him late for work, the father agreed to take the child to school if she gave him directions to get there. After 20 minutes of going in circles, they finally reached the school. By this time he was angry and the dad asked why she drove him all over the place when the school was so close to their home. She replied " We went the way the bus does - that's the only way that I know how to get to school".

2. Focused people concentrate a little harder and a little longer. Hall of fame baseball player Hank Aaron said "What separates a superstar from the average ball player is that he concentrates just a little bit longer." Focused thinking is the ability to remove distractions and mental clutter so that you can concentrate with clarity.

3. Focused people make COMMITMENTS, not excuses. A sign on the desk of an officer in the Pentagon reads "The secrecy of my job does not permit me to know what I am doing." Its a cute joke, but not so cute when its true. When you don't know why you're doing, you become frustrated and end up failing.

Notice too:

1. Focused people don't live in the past. Too many of us yearn for the past and get stuck in it. Instead we need to learn from the past and let go of it, Elbert Hubbard wrote "A retentive memory may be a good thingm but the ability to forget is a token of greatness." Successful people forget they are running a race. They can't afford to look behind. Their eyes are on the finish line. They're too big to let little things disturb the,. If anyone does them wrong, they consider the source and keep cool. Its only the small people who cherish revenge. Be a good forgetter.

2. Focused people don't think about the difficulties, but the rewards. If you dwell on the difficulties for too long, you'll start to develop self pity instead of self-discipline. As a result you will accomplish less and less. By focusing on results you will stay encouraged.

3. Focused people choose their friends carefully. There are 5 types of people you will encounter in your life:

(a) refreshers - these are people who strenghten and energize you.
(b) refiners - these are people who sharpen you and clarify your vision.
(c) Reflectors - these are people who mirror your energy, neither adding or subtracting from it.
(d) Reducers - these are people who try to diminish your goals and efforts to their comfort level
(e) Rejectors - these are people who don't understand you or what your can do.

So our goal is to remain focused and you will stay grounded. The praise of others is less likely to go to your head and the negative impact of your critics will be minimized.

Stay Focused

Philippians 3:15

You become effective by becoming selective. Its human nature to get distracted. We are like gyroscopes, spinning around at a frantic pace but not getting anywhere. Without a clear purpose or goals you will continue to change direction, jobs, relationships, churches, friends, etc., and all the while hoping that each change will settle the confusion or fill the emptiness in your heart. You think “this time it will be different.”, but it doesn’t solve the real problem – lack of focus.

The power of focus can be seen in light. With a magnifying glass the rays of the sun can set paper on fire. But when light is focused even more – it becomes a laser beam, it can cut through steel. NOTHING IS MORE POTENT THAN A FOCUSED LIFE. So if you want your life to have impact, focus it! Stop dabbling. Stop trying to do it all. Do Less, Turn away even from good activities and do only that which matters most.

However, never confuse activity with productivity. The first law of success in this day when so many things are clamoring for our attention is CONCENTRATION – to bend our energies to one point and to go directly to that point, neither looking to the left or to the right. Does focus come easily or naturally? No it is a discipline that must be practiced every day.

Focus does 3 things for you.

It keeps you on target. We find ourselves pulled in a dozen different directions, spending much of our time and energy on things that we don’t really care about. Author Don Marquis put it this way – “Ours is a world where people don’t know what they want, and are willing to go through hell to get it”.

It increases your energy. Attempting everything , like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you. Focus gives you energy. Admiral Richard Byrd, the Polar explorer said “Few men come anywhere near exhausting the resources dwelling in them. There are deep wells of strength that are never used.” One of the reasons that these wells go untapped is lack of focus. The mind doesn’t reach toward achievement until it has clear objectives.

It lifts you. It has been said that the world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows where he or she is going. Just knowing what she you want to do and making an effort to pursue it, distinguishes you from almost everyone else. Just by striving to become better than you are, you become elevated – even ig you don’t accomplish what you desire, and even if others don’t step aside for you. By trusting God and aiming higher, you move to a higher level.

More to come……..

When your huts on fire......

The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed feverishly for God to rescue him. Every day he scanned the horizon for help, but none seemed forthcoming.

Exhausted, he eventually managed to build a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements, and to store his few possessions. One day, after scavenging for food, he arrived home to find his little hut in flames, with smoke rolling up to the sky.

He felt the worst had happened, and everything was lost. He was stunned with disbelief, grief, and anger. He cried out, "God! How could you do this to me?" Early the next day, he was awakened by the sound of a ship approaching the island!

It had come to rescue him! "How did you know I was here?" asked the weary man of his rescuers. "We saw your smoke signal," they replied.

The Moral of This Story: It's easy to get discouraged when things are going bad, but we shouldn't lose heart, because God is at work in our lives, even in the midst of our pain and suffering.

Remember that the next time your little hut seems to be burning to the ground. It just may be a smoke signal that summons the Grace of God.

P.S. You may want to consider passing this on, because you never know who feels as if their hut is on fire today.

History Lesson

History Mystery Have a history teacher explain this----- if they can.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head Now it gets really weird.

Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln .

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln , was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln , was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Now hang on to your seat. Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln ' made by 'Ford.'

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

And here's the kicker...

A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe , Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.

Creepy huh? Send this to as many people as you can, cause: Hey, this is one history lesson most people probably will not mind reading!

Devotion for the Day

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets.
So, he decided that he would go out hunting
and kill some wild game for dinner.

As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit.
He shot at the rabbit and missed it.
The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel but missed it.
The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree,
but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said,
"Pray first, aim high, and stay focused.

However, at the same time, he saw a deer
which was a better kill.

He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer.
But, then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him
so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him,
"I said, 'Pray, Aim high, and Stay focused."

So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.
He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree,
and shot the wild turkey.

The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer.

The handle fell off the gun, hit the snake in the head, and killed it.

And, when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood up to look around,
he had fish in all his pockets,
a dead deer, and a turkey for his family to eat.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because
the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything,
aim and shoot high in your goals,
and stay focused on God.

Never let others discourage you concerning your past.
The past is exactly that, "the past."

Live every day one day at a time,
and remember that only God knows our future,
and that He will not put you through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessings,
but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance
for you in your favor.

Wait, be still, and patient: keep God first,
and everything else will follow.

Pass this on in order that someone else might be blessed.

FROM ONE FRIEND TO ANOTHER ...

Don't worry about tomorrow, God is already there!!!

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS ...

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry twice."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19 Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33 Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before. GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU.
"If God is for us, who can be against us?"
(Romans 8:31)

Easter Trilogy

Another email I received - a little late - but the message is not

http://wandascountryhome.com/trilogy/

This was a recipe that was shared on 2Peas.

Resurrection Rolls
1 roll refrigerator crescent rolls
large marshmallows
melted butter sugar & cinnamon mixture

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Give each child (or child at heart) a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Give each person a marshmallow. This represents Jesus (white = purity).

Have the child dip the marshmallow in melted butter. This represents the embalming oils that were put on Jesus.

Then dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon & sugar mix. This represents the spices used to annoint the body of Jesus.

Now wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll ( not like a typical crescent roll up; bring the three corners up to the top and pinch together to seal the marshmallow inside. This is kinda tricky as it gets buttery and slippery.)

This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body in cloths after his death.

Place the rolls on a cookie sheet and put in the oven at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

The oven represents the tomb - pretend like it was 3 days (it will seem like it to a 3 year-old!)

Take the rolls out and let them cool slightly. (Careful, they can be very hot inside!)

Then give the children their rolls and when they cut or bite into them - they are empty! This represents the empty tomb -

Jesus is not there, he has risen! (The marshmallow blows up and melts into the crescent roll as it bakes, forming the empty roll!