Sponges

There are 5 sponges laying on a kitchen counter top. Each member of your family has been cleaning up different areas of your home, but all the sponges look the same. You are curious as to what was cleaned in your home, but you can't tell by looking...they all look the same....so what do you do? You squeeze each sponge to see what comes out.
As you squeeze the first sponge, you see that cola comes out, and so you decide that someone cleaned the kitchen with that one.
Upon squeezing the second sponge, you find tub and tile cleaner -- that one was used to clean the bathroom.
Next, in the third sponge, you find motor oil -- someone was cleaning the garage!
In the fourth sponge, baby powder puffs out when it is squeezed -- yep, the baby's nursery was done with that one!
And finally, in the last one, is floor wax -- that was the one that was used on the hall floor.
As you lay the last one down, you look again at their similarity -- and they all look the same until they're squeezed.
Christians are the same way.
As life squeezes us, different things come out -- anger from one, a need for revenge from another, tears from one, remorse from yet another -- also greed, untruth, lust -- and finally, from one saint, pours forth the love of Christ.
Just like the sponge, we can only squeeze out what is put in -- stay in the Word daily, and be in continuous prayer, so that when life puts the squeeze on you (and it WILL), Jesus, and Jesus ALONE will shine forth from you!

Portrait of a Friend

I can't give solutions to all of life's problems, doubts, or fears.
But I can listen to you, and together we will search for answers.

I can't change your past with all it's heartache and pain, nor the future with its untold stories.
But I can be there now when you need me to care.

I can't keep your feet from stumbling.
I can only offer my hand that you may grasp it and not fall.

Your joys, triumphs, successes, and happiness are not mine;
Yet I can share in your laughter.

Your decisions in life are not mine to make, nor to judge;
I can only support you, encourage you, and help you when you ask.

I can't prevent you from falling away from friendship, from your values, from me.
I can only pray for you, talk to you and wait for you.

I can't give you boundaries which I have determined for you,
But I can give you the room to change, room to grow, room to be yourself.

I can't keep your heart from breaking and hurting,
But I can cry with you and help you pick up the pieces and put them back in place.

I can't tell you who you are.
I can only love you and be your friend.

Count Your Blessings

Something to ponder....
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep...you are richer than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare, even in the United States and Canada.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder...you are blessed because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

God Knows

When you are tired and discouraged from fruitless efforts...
God knows how hard you have tried.
When you've cried so long and your heart is in anguish...
God has counted your tears.
If you feel that your life is on hold and time has passed you by...
God is waiting with you.
When you're lonely and your friends are too busy even for a phone call...
God is by your side.
When you think you've tried everything and don't know where to turn...
God has a solution.
When nothing makes sense and you are confused or frustrated...
God has the answer.
If suddenly your outlook is brighter and you find traces of hope...
God has whispered to you.
When things are going well and you have much to be thankful for...
God has blessed you.
When something joyful happens and you are filled with awe...
God has smiled upon you.
When you have a purpose to fulfill and a dream to follow...
God has opened your eyes and called you by name.
Remember that wherever you are or whatever you are facing...
GOD KNOWS

Forgive Me When I Whine

Today, upon a bus,
I saw a girl with golden hair.
I envied her, she seemed so gay,
And I wished I was as fair.
When suddenly she rose to leave,
I saw her hobble down the aisle.
She had one leg and used a crutch.
But as she passed, she gave a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.
The lad who sold it had such charm.
I talked with him, he seemed so glad.
If I were late, it'd do no harm.
And as I left, he said to me,
"I thank you, you've been so kind.
It's nice to talk with folks like you.
You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 eyes, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,
I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play.
He seemed not to know what to do.
I stopped a moment and then I said,
"Why don't you join the others dear?"
He looked ahead without a word.
And then I knew he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.
I have 2 ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.
With eyes to see the sunset's glow.
With ears to hear what I'd know.
Oh, God, forgive me when I whine
I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.

$20 Note

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 note.
In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this $20 note?" Hands started going up. He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this."
He proceeded to crumple the note up. He then asked, "Who still wants it?" Still the hands were up in the air. "Well," he replied, "what if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.
He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty.
"Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air. "My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God's eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him.
Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us, "as the apple of His eye."
THOUGHT: The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we are but by WHOSE WE ARE!

The Dash Between the Years

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning ... to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the "dash" between those years. (1900-1970)

For that "dash" represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars...the house...the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our "dash".

So think about this long and hard
Are there things you'd like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what's true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show our appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we've never loved before
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read
With your life's actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your "dash"?

- The Dash © 1999 by Linda Ellis

A Lesson In Heart

Sarah, is my little 10 year old daughter who was born with a muscle missing in her foot and wears a brace all the time.
She came home one beautiful spring day to tell me she had competed in "field day". That's where they have lots of races and other competitive events. Because of her leg support, my mind raced as I tried to think of encouragement for my Sarah, things I could say to her about not letting this get her down. But before I could get a word out, she said, "Daddy, I won two of the races!"
I couldn't believe it! And then Sarah said, "I had an advantage."
Ahh. I knew it. I thought she must have been given a head start... some kind of physical advantage. But again, before I could say anything, she said, "Daddy, I didn't get a head start... My advantage was I had to try harder!"

- Stan Frager

Learning to Think

The proud father brought home a backyard swing set for his children and immediately started to assemble it with all the neighborhood children anxiously waiting to play on it.
After several hours of reading the directions, attempting to fit "bolt A" into "slot B", etc., he finally gave up and called upon an old handyman working in a neighboring yard.
The old-timer came over, threw the directions away, and in a short while had the set completely assembled.
It's beyond me," said the father, "how you got it together without even reading instructions."
"To tell the truth," replied the old-timer, "I can't read, and when you can't read, you've got to think."

I Believe

I believe every person has within themselves inexhaustible reserves of potential they have never even come close to realizing.
I believe each person has far more intelligence than they have ever used.
I believe each person is more creative than he or she has ever imagined.
I believe the greatest achievements of your life lie ahead of you.
I believe the happiest moments of your life are yet to come.
I believe the greatest successes you will ever attain are still waiting for you on the road ahead.
And, I believe through learning and application of what you learn, you can solve any problem, overcome any obstacle and achieve any goal that you can set for yourself.

by Brian Tracy

P.U.S.H.

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might. This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing it with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.
Seeing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man's weary mind, "You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn't budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it." This gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These troubled thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man.
"Why kill myself over this?" he thought. "I'll just put in my time,
The Lord responded compassionately, "My friend, when I asked you to serve Me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to Me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so? Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through position you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven't moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in My wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock."
At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and Faith in Him... By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves mountains.
When everything seems to go wrong, ...Just P.U.S.H.!
When the job gets you down, ...Just P.U.S.H.!
When people don't react the way you think they should, ...Just P.U.S.H.!
When money is short and bills are due, ...Just P.U.S.H.!
When people just don't understand you, ...Just P.U.S.H.!
When the pressure at school is too much, ... Just P.U.S.H.!
P.U.S.H --- "PRAY UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS!!"

Four Ways To Master Change

We are living in an exciting age of unprecedented change. Today's accelerated rate of change presents us with unique challenges and opportunities. When change brings success, keep your ego from getting out of hand. When the change is negative, use your sense of humor to get through it. Once you learn to handle change, you can take your skills, talents, and abilities and help others change.
Let's look at four ways to enhance your mastery of change.
NO. 1 DON'T FIGHT IT. The natural tendency is to protect what you know and value, what has become familiar and comfortable. Unfortunately the world will change with or without you. So you must adapt again and again. You make your life so much more complicated when you fight the change. You cause yourself stress and can actually become ill. Remember the old Serenity Prayer: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.
NO. 2 YOU DON'T HAVE TO LIKE THE CHANGE. No one ever said you have to like the changes you are experiencing. However, you do have to understand them so you can progress.Study, explore, and read everything you can about the current matters that affect your perception and handling of change. Life is not always about "liking". It is about doing the best you can, with what you you've got and getting on with it--right now!
NO. 3 KNOW WHAT TO DEFEND AGAINST CHANGE. There are some things we should resist changing because change does not always translate into better. Change for the sake of change alone can destroy valuable situations, assets, and relationships. Many values deserved to be defended. Ask yourself what you will change and what you will defend.
NO. 4 HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOR. Humor can give you a momentary "emotional vacation." A sense of humor can conquer pretense, and diffused anger and hostility. It can take an impossible situation and change it into an acceptable one. The old axiom, "if you take yourself too seriously, no one else will," is key. The most effective people are spontaneous and can use humor to express their feelings, and to encourage others.
When you set out to be a change master and to make a difference in this world, there is no guarantee that it will be easy. By learning about change, serving others and helping them to learn to change, you will indeed be making a difference.

by Sheila Murray Bethel

The Building Of A Railway Bridge Of Life

Have you ever compared being the best we can be in life to the building of a bridge? A railway bridge?
If you leave out a centre section, and that section is over a river, the train is going to go right smack into the river no matter how well all the rest of the span is built. This can be compared to all the tools and systems that, in business, we need to build a solid, permanent, cohesive, and long-term, results-achieving sales organization.
If you don't get from one side of the river to the other, whatever the reason, it doesn't make any difference how good some parts of the bridge are.
The tools can be world class and still be useless. In other words, the best tools in the world, if they are not fit into a system and if people are not taught how to use those tools, are essentially useless.
What does being the best we can be have to do with bridges and trains? As a leader, you are the train. The locomotive. You are responsible for pulling the rest of the train. Furthermore, you are pulling, much of the time, not just leading by brute force. Leaders have the ability to move (or motivate) the rest of train and in the process gain great momentum.
It is imperative that as leaders, we teach people how to build their own bridges so that the train can continue on its course.
The reason leaders seem to work so little, or work so easily, is that they do not use brute force unless they must take a stand for a value or principle. They may have, early in their careers, attempted to lead by brute force, but they quickly learned that they burned themselves out if they continued on that path.
Some people, run around trying to figure out what to do first, totally unaware that his/her fundamental need, in the beginning, should have been to sit down and draw up a plan. Instead, they have gone running off and think that taking "action" is something that will get them recognition.
Just because something is easy to do does not make it the smart thing to do. It just makes it easy. And possibly even fun, at least for a while.
Taking action and getting no results is silly and counter- productive. If what you are doing is not working, take a moment to stop and look at what you are doing and, if necessary, find another path. Surely there is a roadmap to follow. Just keep building relationships, like building bridges. You have to build the whole bridge to make it work. Stick around to complete the task. Build relationships, help people get what they want and you will get everything you ever dreamed of!
by Jan Ruhe

Giving People A Fine Reputation To Live Up To

Ever since I read the classic 'How to Win Friends and Influence People' the strategy of "giving people a fine reputation to live up to" has fascinated me. I believe that people will rise up to the expectations you set for them. And consequently, people will fall to the level you "crush" them to by your consistently finding fault and dwelling on the negative.
One strategy that has worked very well with Madison you can try with your kids. Creating rituals at bed time are very important as you know - dinner, play, tickle attack, bubble bath, brush the teeth, read or tell them special stories/dance and sing their favorite songs, rub their head and back etc.
Since she was very young I recap her entire day and ask her questions about what happened. We would look at all the fun things she/we did, how well she performed and behaved, what she learned today - new tasks or words, phrases and concepts, recently we began going over any "time-outs" she had and why they happened, and finally what she had to look forward to tomorrow and how well she will do. I do my best to use the best words, volume, tonality, pacing, facial expressions, touch, and physiology to make it compelling. Adding in the senses of smell, taste, temperature etc. helps too.
We believe this ritual has made getting her to bed much easier and has planted seeds deep within her that grow a little more each day. We will strive to live up to the positive expectations that people have of us, especially those closest to us.

by Chip Eichelberger

Badly Fed

"Do Not Feed The Dingoes" This sign is posted in Ormiston National Park. Most tourist probably think it's there to protect humans. The thought being, 'if you're close enough to feed a dingo you could be in a position of real danger.' Not True! The sign is posted to protect the dingoes. Each autumn, when the feeding tourists have long since departed, the park service must carry off the remains of dead dingoes who became so dependent on tourists that they were no longer able to gather food for themselves. We can become like the Ormiston Dingoes if we depend on others to spiritually feed us. Each day we must gather spiritual nutrients for ourselves from God and His Word.

Well Fed

Several years ago a man wrote to the editor of the British Weekly, reporting that he couldn't remember any sermons he'd ever heard preached in church, and questioning whether they were really necessary. "I have been attending church services for the past thirty years and have heard probably 3,000 sermons," he wrote. "To my consternation I discovered that I cannot remember a single sermon!" There were many letters to the editor in response, but this one settled the issue: "I have been married for thirty years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals - mostly of my wife's cooking. Suddenly, I have discovered that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet, I have received nourishment from every single one of them. I have the distinct impression that without them, I would have starved to death long ago."

The Best Translation Of The Bible

The story is told of four ministers discussing the pros and cons of various Bible translations and paraphrases. Eventually each stated which version, in his opinion, is the best. The first minister said he used the King James because the Old English style is beautiful and produces the most reverent picture of the Holy Scriptures. The second said he preferred the New American Standard Bible because he felt it comes nearer to the original Greek and Hebrew texts. The third minister said his favorite was the paraphrased Living Bible because his congregation was young, and it related to them in a practical way. All three men waited while the fourth minister sat silently. Finally he said, "I guess when it comes to translations and paraphrased editions of the Bible, I like my Dad's translation best. He put the Word of God into practice every day. It was the most convincing translation I've ever seen."

Simple Way to Learn

In one of his Just-So Stories, Rudyard Kipling pulled together all of the interrogative pronouns of the English language in a bit of poetic doggerel, and these probing pronouns will open up any subject thoroughly: I keep six honest serving men (They taught me all I knew); Their names are What and Why and When And How and Where and Who.

Explorer or Tourist

There is a basic difference between an explorer and a tourist. The tourist travels quickly, stopping only to observe the highly noticeable or publicized points of interest. The explorer, on the other hand, takes his time to search out all that he can find. Too many of us read the Bible like a tourist and then complain that our devotional times are fruitless. It is necessary that we take time to explore the Bible. Notable nooks and crannies will appear as we get beneath the surface.

Bothered by Scripture

Mark Twain once said: "Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture which they cannot understand; but as for me, I have always noticed that the passages in Scripture which trouble me most are those which I do understand."

Reading the Bible Like Taking Vitamins

Some seem to expect the Word of God to hit them like a jolt of adrenaline each time they read or study it. Although the "jolt" may hit us periodically, the benefits of the Word of God act more like vitamins. People who regularly take vitamins do so because of their long-term benefits, not because every time they swallow one of the pills, they feel new strength surging through their bodies. They have developed a habit of consistently taking vitamins because they have been told that, in the long haul, vitamin supplements are going to have a beneficial effect on their physical health, resistance to disease and, general well-being The same is true of reading the Bible. At times it will have a sudden and intense impact on us. However, the real value lies in the cumulative effects that long-term exposure to God's Word will bring to our lives.

Destroy the Truth

It is told that many years ago, while on a visit to England, a wealthy businessman was fascinated by a powerful microscope. Looking through its lens to study crystals and the petals of flowers, he was amazed at their beauty and detail. He decided to purchase a microscope and take it back home. He thoroughly enjoyed using it until one day he examined some food he was planning to eat for dinner. Much to his dismay, he discovered that tiny living creatures were crawling in it. Since he was especially fond of this particular food, he wondered what to do. Finally, he concluded that there was only one way out of his dilemma he would destroy the instrument that caused him to discover the distasteful fact. So he smashed the microscope to pieces!
Sometimes it is easier to destroy the truth than face it.

The Best Way To Lose Your Marbles

I turned the dial up into the phone portion of the band on my ham radio in order to listen to a Saturday morning swap net. Along the way, I came across an older sounding chap, with a tremendous signal and a golden voice.
You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whoever he was talking with, something about "a thousand marbles."
I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital." He continued, "let me tell you something Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles."
"You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years. Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me Tom, I'm getting to the important part. It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays.
I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy. So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round-up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here in the shack next to my gear. Every Saturday since then, I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight."
"Now let me tell you one last thing before I sign-off with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time."
You could have heard a pin drop on the band when this fellow signed off. I guess he gave us all a lot to think about.
I had planned to work on the antenna that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few hams to work on the next club newsletter. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you and the kids to breakfast."
"What brought this on?" she asked with a smile.
"Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together with the kids. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles."

Turning Liabilities into Assets

A group of villagers in the Orient decided that a towering hill with a bamboo thicket on top had to be leveled so that the ground could be used for farming purposes. That same hill in the USA would have required the aid of giant earth moving equipment to level the ground, but the Oriental mind didn't see things quite that way.
Thousands of people who lived in the immediate area got together and started removing the hill basket by basket of dirt. They handed down the baskets from top to bottom, and in some cases the lines were two miles long. For many days it seemed as though nothing was happening; the hill was not disappearing. But over a period of time, due to incredible teamwork and the commitment of thousands of people, the hill was leveled to a beautiful, flat farming area.
By their example, the Orientals demonstrated that when we are confronted with seemingly impossible tasks, if we break them down into small segments - or one basket at a time - we can literally accomplish the impossible and move mountains. The villagers took a liability and turned it into an asset. Think about it. Examine your liabilities - maybe you can convert them to assets, even if it's just a basket at a time.

by Zig Ziglar

Great Achievements

One of my Pastor friends forwarded this wonderful comparison to me and I have edited to my own circumstance. The world is under the impression that earthly authority will make a heavenly difference. It won't - and to prove this point, take this quiz.
• Name the ten wealthiest people in the world.
• Name the last ten Heisman trophy winners.
• Name the last ten winners of the Miss America contest.
• Name eight people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
• How about the last ten Academy Award winners for best picture.
• The last decade's worth of World Series winners?
How did you do?
I could name at least one in every category, but I didn't do particularly well. Perhaps with some exceptions you may have done a lot better, but statistically speaking none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
Surprising how quickly we forget, isn't it? And what were mentioned above were no second-rate Achievements. These are the "Best of the Best" in their fields. But do you know something; the applause will soon fade away, awards will become tarnished, achievements will be forgotten, and accolades and certificates are usually buried with their owners.
Now here is another quiz. See how you do on this one:
• Think of 3 people you enjoy spending time with.
• Name 10 people who have taught you something worthwhile.
• Name 5 friends who have helped you in a difficult time.
• List a few teachers who have aided your journey through school.
• Name half-a-dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
This one I could complete in my sleep! The lesson? The people who make a difference are not necessarily the famous ones or the ones with the credentials, they are the ones with the concern.

Some People are Like Potatoes

1. Some people are very bossy and like to tell everyone what to do, but of course they do not wish to soil their hands. You might call that type "Dick Tater."
2. Some people never seem to be motivated to participate. They are content to watch while others do. They are "Speck Taters."
3. Some people never do anything to help, but they are gifted at finding fault with the way others do things. They might be called "Comment Taters."
4. Some people are always looking for ways to cause problems. They look or others to agree with them. You call them "Aggie Taters."
5. Then there are those who always say they will, but somehow never get around to, doing anything. They are "Hezzie Taters."
6. Some people put on a front and act like they are someone they are not. They are "Emma Taters."
7. Still, there are those who live what they talk. They are always prepared to stop what they are doing to lend a hand. They bring real sunshine into others' lives. You might call them "Sweet Taters."

The Flip Side

I am thankful :
For the teenager who is watching t.v., because that means he is at home and not on the streets.
For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.
For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that i have been surrounded by friends.
For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
For my shadow that watches me, because it means I am out in the sunshine.
For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means i have been capable of working hard.
For the alarm that goes of in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive.
And finally... For too much e-mail, because it means I have friends who are thinking of me.

Something to Ruminate Upon

Here are seven questions aimed at identifying your passions, which is an interesting corollary to your gifting:
1.What one subject can you enjoy talking about for many hours?
2.Do any of your hobbies involve working a lot with other people?
3.What specific concerns preoccupy your mind, breaking into whatever else you're thinking about?
4.What do you most enjoy doing for others?
5.Let's pretend you've reached the end of your life, and you're in heaven looking back on it. What's the one thing you want to be most happy about having done or having been?
6.What group of people have you come to care about the most? (You define the categories, whatever way you want. Go with your first instincts.) Who do you most want to help, enable, or reach?
7.Now, write down at least five of your life experiences that most gave you a sense of fulfillment and/or growth. (Don't think about them until later - just write them down for now.) If more experiences come to mind, just keep listing them until you exhaust yourself. You'll sort them out later.

Who am I?

Who am I? They often tell me
I would step from my cell's confinement
calmly, cheerfully, firmly,
like a squire from his country-house.

Who am I? They often tell me
I would talk to my warders
freely and friendly and clearly,
as though it were mine to command.

Who am I? They also tell me
I would bear the days of misfortune
equably, smilingly, proudly,
like one accustomed to win.

Am I then really all that which other men tell of?
Or am I only what I know of myself,
restless and longing and sick, like a bird in a cage,
struggling for breath, as though hands were compressing my throat,
yearning for colours, for flowers, for the voices of birds,
thirsting for words of kindness, for neighbourliness,
trembling with anger at despotisms and petty humiliations,
tossing in expectation of great events,
powerlessly trembling for friends at an infinite distance,
weary and empty at praying, at thinking, at making,
faint, and ready to say farewell to it all?

Who am I? This or the other?
Am I one person today, and tomorrow another?
Am I both at once? A hypocrite before others,
and before myself a contemptibly woebegone weakling?
Or is something within me still like a beaten army,
fleeing in disorder from victory already achieved?

Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine.
Whoever I am, thou knowest, O God, I am thine.

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Characteristics of Bad Communication

1. Truth - You insist that you are "right" and the other person is "wrong".
2. Blame - You say that the problem is the other person's fault.
3. Martyrdom - You claim that you're an innocent victim.
4. Put-down - You imply that the other person is a loser because he or she "always" or "never" does certain things.
5. Hopelessness - You give up and insist there is no point in trying.
6. Demandingness - You say that you're entitled to better treatment but you refuse to ask for what you want in a direct, straightforward way.
7. Denial - You insist that you don't feel angry, hurt or sad when you really do.
8. Passive Aggression - You pout or withdraw or say nothing. You may storm out or slam doors.
9. Self-Blame - Instead of dealing with the problem, you act as though you are an awful, terrible person.
10. Helping - Instead of hearing how depressed, hurt or angry the other person feels, you try to "solve the problem" or "help" him or her.
11. Sarcasm - Your words or tone of voice convey tension or hostility which you aren't openly acknowledging.
12. Scapegoating - You suggest that the other person has "a problem" and that you're sane, happy and uninvolved in the conflict.
13. Defensiveness - You refuse to admit any wrong-doing or imperfection.
14. Counterattack - Instead of acknowledging how the other person feels, you respond to their criticism by criticizing them.
15. Diversion - Instead of dealing with how you both feel in the here-and-now, you list grievances about past injustices.