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."
Friday, July 25, 2008
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
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
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
http://www.pbase.com/paulthedane/noahs_ark
Saturday, July 19, 2008
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.'
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.'
Friday, July 4, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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...............
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.....................
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.....................
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