To Whom It May Concern:
I am hereby officially tendering my resignation as an adult. I have decided I would like to accept the responsibilities of a 6 year old again.
I want to go to McDonald's and think that it's a four star restaurant.
I want to sail sticks across a fresh mud puddle and make ripples with rocks.
I want to think M&Ms are better than money, because you can eat them.
I want to play kickball during recess and paint with watercolors in art. Learning math and spelling was really an adventure.
I want to lie under a big oak tree and run a lemonade stand with my friends on a hot summer's day.
I want to return to a time when life was simple. When all you knew were colors, addition tables and simple nursery rhymes, but that didn't bother you, because you didn't know what you didn't know and you didn't care.
When all you knew was to be happy because you didn't know all the things that should make you worried and upset.
I want to think that the world is fair. That everyone in it is honest and good.
I want to believe that anything is possible.
Somewhere in my youth... I matured and I learned too much. I learned of nuclear weapons, war, prejudice, starvation and abused children. I learned of lies, unhappy marriages, suffering, illness, pain and death.
I learned of a world where men left their families to go and fight for our country, and returned only to end up living on the streets begging for their next meal.
I learned of a world where children know how to kill... and do.
What happened to the time when we thought that everyone would live forever, because we didn't grasp the concept of death? When we thought the worst thing in the world was if someone took the jump rope from you or picked you last for kickball?
I want to be oblivious to the complexity of life and be overly excited by little things once again.
I want to return to the days when reading was fun and music was clean. When television was used to report the news or for family entertainment and not to promote sex, violence and deceit.
I remember being naive and thinking that everyone was happy because I was. I would walk on the beach and only think of the sand between my toes and the prettiest seashell I could find.
I would spend my afternoons climbing trees and riding my bike. I didn't worry about time, bills or where I was going to find the money to fix my car.
I used to wonder what I was going to do or be when I grew up, not worry about what I'll do if this doesn't work out.
I want to live simple again. I don't want my day to consist of computer crashes, mountains of paperwork, depressing news, how to survive more days in the month than there is money in the bank, doctor bills, gossip, illness and loss of loved ones.
I want to believe in the power of smiles, hugs, a kind word, truth, justice, peace, dreams, the imagination, mankind and making angels in the snow.
I want to be 6 again.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Friday, August 01, 2008
Keep On...
Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love; The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
Do not set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.
Do not let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past nor for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live all the days of your life.
Do not give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying. It is a fragile thread that binds us to each other.
Do not be afraid to encounter risks. It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.
Do not shut love out of your life by saying it is impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give love; The fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly.
Life is not a race, but a journey to be savored each step of the way.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
How Much Does Prayer Weigh
Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face, walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries. She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they had seven children and they needed food. John Longhouse, the grocer, scoffed at her and requested that she leave his store. Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring you the money just as soon as I can." John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge account at his store.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer man that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer man said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list? Louise replied "Yes sir" "OK" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries." Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer man and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer man staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer man started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer man stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands." The grocer man gave her the groceries that he had gathered and placed on the scales and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to John as he said, "It was worth every penny of it." It was sometime later that John Longhouse discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.
Standing beside the counter was a customer who overheard the conversation between the two. The customer walked forward and told the grocer man that he would stand good for whatever she needed for her family. The grocer man said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list? Louise replied "Yes sir" "OK" he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries." Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still bowed. The eyes of the grocer man and the customer showed amazement when the scales went down and stayed down. The grocer man staring at the scales, turned slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it." The customer smiled and the grocer man started putting the groceries on the other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The grocer man stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a grocery list, it was a prayer which said: "Dear Lord, you know my needs and I am leaving this in your hands." The grocer man gave her the groceries that he had gathered and placed on the scales and stood in stunned silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a fifty-dollar bill to John as he said, "It was worth every penny of it." It was sometime later that John Longhouse discovered the scales were broken; therefore, only God knows how much a prayer weighs.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked... and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I thought it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake just for me, and I knew that little things are special things.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I believed there is a God I could always talk to.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I felt you kiss me good night, and I felt loved.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked... and wanted to say thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
What's So Great About Hugs?
There is no such thing as a bad hug!
Only good ones and great ones. They're not fattening and they don't cause cavities. They're all natural- with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, or pesticide residue. They're cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100% wholesome. And they're a completely renewable natural resource. They don't require batteries, tune-ups, or x-rays. They're non-taxable, fully returnable, and energy efficient. They're safe in all kinds of weather, in fact, they're especially good for cold or rainy days. And they're exceptionally effective in treating problems like bad dreams or the Monday blahs. Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today!
Only good ones and great ones. They're not fattening and they don't cause cavities. They're all natural- with no preservatives, artificial ingredients, or pesticide residue. They're cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100% wholesome. And they're a completely renewable natural resource. They don't require batteries, tune-ups, or x-rays. They're non-taxable, fully returnable, and energy efficient. They're safe in all kinds of weather, in fact, they're especially good for cold or rainy days. And they're exceptionally effective in treating problems like bad dreams or the Monday blahs. Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Culture
Start with a cage containing five apes.
In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long, an ape will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.
As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes an attempt with the same result - all the apes are sprayed with cold water.
Turn off the cold water.
If, later, another ape tries to climb the stairs, the other apes will try to prevent it even though no water sprays them.
Now, remove one ape from the cage and replace him with a new one. The New ape sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the other apes attack him.
After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous Newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.
Again, replace a third original ape with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four apes that beat him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape.
After replacing the fourth and fifth original apes, all the apes which have been sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the stairs. Why not? "Because that's the way it's always been around here.
" That is how organizational behavior is indoctrinated into social/corporate policy and a culture becomes entrenched".
In the cage, hang a banana on a string and put stairs under it. Before long, an ape will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana.
As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the apes with cold water. After a while, another ape makes an attempt with the same result - all the apes are sprayed with cold water.
Turn off the cold water.
If, later, another ape tries to climb the stairs, the other apes will try to prevent it even though no water sprays them.
Now, remove one ape from the cage and replace him with a new one. The New ape sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs. To his horror, all of the other apes attack him.
After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.
Next, remove another of the original five apes and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous Newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm.
Again, replace a third original ape with a new one. The new one makes it to the stairs and is attacked as well. Two of the four apes that beat him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs, or why they are participating in the beating of the newest ape.
After replacing the fourth and fifth original apes, all the apes which have been sprayed with cold water have been replaced. Nevertheless, no ape ever again approaches the stairs. Why not? "Because that's the way it's always been around here.
" That is how organizational behavior is indoctrinated into social/corporate policy and a culture becomes entrenched".
Sunday, July 27, 2008
An Afternoon in the Park
There once was a little boy who wanted to meet God. He knew it was long trip to where God lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of root beer and he started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted!
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.
She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."
By Julie A. Manhan from A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old woman. She was sitting in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to her and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer when he noticed that the old lady looked hungry, so he offered a Twinkie. She gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. Her smile was so pretty that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered a root beer. Once again she smiled at him. The boy was delighted!
They sat there all afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and he got up to leave, but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back to the old woman and gave her a hug. She gave him her biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face.
She asked him, "What did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." But before his mother could respond, he added, "You know what? She's got the most beautiful smile I've ever seen!"
Meanwhile, the old woman, also radiant with joy, returned to her home.
Her son was stunned by the look of peace on her face and he asked, "Mother, what did you do today that made you so happy?"
She replied, "I ate Twinkies in the park with God." But before her son responded, she added, "You know, he's much younger than I expected."
By Julie A. Manhan from A 3rd Serving of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Saturday, July 26, 2008
How to be Unhappy
Make little things bother you. Don't just let them, MAKE them.
Lose your perspective on things and keep it lost: don't put first things first.
Get yourself a good worry, one about which you cannot do anything.
Be a perfectionist, which means not that you work hard to do your best, but that you condemn yourself and others for not achieving perfection.
Be right. Be always right. Be the only one who is always right, and be rigid in your rightness.
Don't trust or believe people, or accept them at anything but their worst and weakest.
Be suspicious. Insist that others always have hidden motives.
Always compare yourself unfavorably to others. This guarantees instant misery.
Take personally everything that happens to you.
Don't give yourself whole-heartily to anyone or anything.
Lose your perspective on things and keep it lost: don't put first things first.
Get yourself a good worry, one about which you cannot do anything.
Be a perfectionist, which means not that you work hard to do your best, but that you condemn yourself and others for not achieving perfection.
Be right. Be always right. Be the only one who is always right, and be rigid in your rightness.
Don't trust or believe people, or accept them at anything but their worst and weakest.
Be suspicious. Insist that others always have hidden motives.
Always compare yourself unfavorably to others. This guarantees instant misery.
Take personally everything that happens to you.
Don't give yourself whole-heartily to anyone or anything.
Friday, July 25, 2008
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools;
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The Outward Expression of Simplicity
Here are 10 controlling principles for the outward expression of simplicity. They should not be viewed as laws but as one person's attempt to flesh out the meaning of simplicity in today's world.
Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Cars should be bought for their utility, not their prestige. A home should be chosen for its livability rather than how much it will impress others. Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life.
Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to distinguish between a real psychological need, such as cheerful surroundings, and an addiction--something you cannot do without, such as television, coffee, newspapers, or chocolate. If money has a grip on your heart, give some away and feel the inner release. Simplicity is freedom, not slavery. Refuse to be a slave to anything but God.
Develop a habit of giving things away. De-accumulate. Masses of things that are not needed complicate life. They must be sorted and stored and dusted and resorted and restored ad nauseam. Most of us could get rid of half our possessions without any serious sacrifice.
Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. Timesaving devices almost never save time. Most gadgets are built to break down and wear out and so complicate our lives rather than enhance them. Propagandists try to convince us that because the newest model of this or that has a new feature (trinket?) we must sell the old one and buy the new one. Such media dogma needs to be carefully scrutinized. Often "new" features are only a way of inducing us to buy what we do not need.
Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them. Share things. Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Enjoy public parks and libraries.
Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. Walk whenever you can. Listen to the birds. Marvel in the rich colors everywhere. Simplicity means to discover once again that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Ps. 24:1).
Look with a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes. They are a trap and serve to deepen your bondage. In biblical times, charging interest (not just exorbitant interest, but any interest) was viewed as unbrotherly exploitation of another's misfortune, hence a denial of Christian community. Jesus admonished His disciples to "lend . . . without expecting to get anything back" (Lk. 6:35). These words of Scripture should not be construed into some kind of universal law obligatory upon all cultures at all times. But neither should they be thought of as totally irrelevant to modern society. Behind such biblical injunctions stand centuries of accumulated wisdom. Certainly prudence as well as simplicity would demand that we use extreme caution before incurring debt.
Obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest speech (Mt. 5:37). Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing characteristics of your speech. A lack of simplicity in one area, such as speech, can undermine simplicity in another area.
Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others. This is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues for today's Christians to face, but face it we must. Do we sip our coffee and eat our bananas at the expense of exploiting Latin American peasants? In a world of limited resources, does our lust for wealth mean the poverty of others?
Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal. God give us the courage, wisdom, and strength always to hold as the number one priority of our lives to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. To do so is to live in simplicity.
Buy things for their usefulness rather than their status. Cars should be bought for their utility, not their prestige. A home should be chosen for its livability rather than how much it will impress others. Stop trying to impress people with your clothes and impress them with your life.
Reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to distinguish between a real psychological need, such as cheerful surroundings, and an addiction--something you cannot do without, such as television, coffee, newspapers, or chocolate. If money has a grip on your heart, give some away and feel the inner release. Simplicity is freedom, not slavery. Refuse to be a slave to anything but God.
Develop a habit of giving things away. De-accumulate. Masses of things that are not needed complicate life. They must be sorted and stored and dusted and resorted and restored ad nauseam. Most of us could get rid of half our possessions without any serious sacrifice.
Refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. Timesaving devices almost never save time. Most gadgets are built to break down and wear out and so complicate our lives rather than enhance them. Propagandists try to convince us that because the newest model of this or that has a new feature (trinket?) we must sell the old one and buy the new one. Such media dogma needs to be carefully scrutinized. Often "new" features are only a way of inducing us to buy what we do not need.
Learn to enjoy things without owning them. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them. Share things. Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Enjoy public parks and libraries.
Develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. Walk whenever you can. Listen to the birds. Marvel in the rich colors everywhere. Simplicity means to discover once again that "the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it" (Ps. 24:1).
Look with a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later" schemes. They are a trap and serve to deepen your bondage. In biblical times, charging interest (not just exorbitant interest, but any interest) was viewed as unbrotherly exploitation of another's misfortune, hence a denial of Christian community. Jesus admonished His disciples to "lend . . . without expecting to get anything back" (Lk. 6:35). These words of Scripture should not be construed into some kind of universal law obligatory upon all cultures at all times. But neither should they be thought of as totally irrelevant to modern society. Behind such biblical injunctions stand centuries of accumulated wisdom. Certainly prudence as well as simplicity would demand that we use extreme caution before incurring debt.
Obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest speech (Mt. 5:37). Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing characteristics of your speech. A lack of simplicity in one area, such as speech, can undermine simplicity in another area.
Reject anything that will breed the oppression of others. This is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues for today's Christians to face, but face it we must. Do we sip our coffee and eat our bananas at the expense of exploiting Latin American peasants? In a world of limited resources, does our lust for wealth mean the poverty of others?
Shun whatever would distract you from your main goal. God give us the courage, wisdom, and strength always to hold as the number one priority of our lives to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. To do so is to live in simplicity.
Adapted from Celebration of Discipline. © 1978 by Richard J. Foster. Published by Harper & Row Publishers, Inc.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
22 Thought-Provoking Questions
These are 22 questions the members of John Wesley's Holy Club asked themselves each day in their private devotions over 200 years ago.
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what I am doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Slow Dance
Have you ever watched kids
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask How are you?
do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Ever told your child, We ll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
to call and say Hi ?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain
slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly’s erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Do you run through each day on the fly
When you ask How are you?
do you hear the reply?
When the day is done,
do you lie in your bed
With the next hundred chores
running through your head?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
Ever told your child, We ll do it tomorrow
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch,
Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time
to call and say Hi ?
You’d better slow down
Don’t dance so fast
Time is short
The music won’t last
When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift....
Thrown away...
Life is not a race.
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Creed for Life
Be understanding to your enemies,
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble [or at least be sure of Who knows your next step, and have faith that He can keep you steady!].
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.
Above all, be yourself.
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble [or at least be sure of Who knows your next step, and have faith that He can keep you steady!].
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.
Above all, be yourself.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
A Story to Live By
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting in the yard and admiring the view without fussing about the weeds in the garden.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time at work. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amarillo blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what my friends would've done had they known that they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my friends and parents often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time at work. Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experiences to savor, not to endure. I'm trying to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event such as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, or the first Amarillo blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market. My theory is if I look prosperous, I can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries. I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties, but wearing it for clerks in the hardware store and tellers at the bank.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now.
I'm not sure what my friends would've done had they known that they wouldn't be here for the tomorrow that we all take for granted. I think they would have called family members and a few close friends. They might have called a few former friends to apologize and mend fences for past squabbles. I like to think they would have gone out for a Chinese dinner, or for whatever their favorite food was. I'm guessing; I'll never know.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew my hours were limited. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write one of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my friends and parents often enough how much I truly love them.
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is a gift from God.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
God’s Response To Our Negativity
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm (1:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith" God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
You say: "It's impossible" God says: All things are possible (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired" God says: I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me" God says: I love you (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on" God says: My grace is sufficient (II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm (1:15)
You say: "I can't figure things out" God says: I will direct your steps (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it" God says: You can do all things (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able" God says: I am able (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it" God says: It will be worth it (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself" God says: I FORGIVE YOU (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage" God says: I will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid" God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated" God says: Cast all your cares on ME (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith" God says: I've given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough" God says: I give you wisdom (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone" God says: I will never leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5)
Friday, July 18, 2008
Community vs Organisation
A community self-selects; an organization directs
A community looks after its own; an organization looks after its owners
A community learns; an organization trains
A community is driven by intrinsic movitation; an organization motivates extrinsically.
A community embraces diversity; an organization enforces conformity
A community values its members; an organization evaluates its employees
A community rejoices in innovation; an organization restrains any change
A community has informal leaders; an organization has formal managers
A community thrives under freedom; an organization thrives under control
A community shares problems and successes; an organization assigns problems and successes to individuals
A community looks after its own; an organization looks after its owners
A community learns; an organization trains
A community is driven by intrinsic movitation; an organization motivates extrinsically.
A community embraces diversity; an organization enforces conformity
A community values its members; an organization evaluates its employees
A community rejoices in innovation; an organization restrains any change
A community has informal leaders; an organization has formal managers
A community thrives under freedom; an organization thrives under control
A community shares problems and successes; an organization assigns problems and successes to individuals
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Mother Teresa
Once before Mother Teresa died, she was being honoured at the White House for her contributions to humanity. In her speech she said, "A country who allows abortion teaches its people how not to love."
With sober face, President Clinton kept his head bowed while she spoke. After she finished he approached the microphone and said, "It's hard to argue with a life so well lived."
Oh, that we live such consistent lives, so that the same would be said of us. Not so that we can be glorified, but so that the words of our mouths can be given full consideration because of the lives that we live.
With sober face, President Clinton kept his head bowed while she spoke. After she finished he approached the microphone and said, "It's hard to argue with a life so well lived."
Oh, that we live such consistent lives, so that the same would be said of us. Not so that we can be glorified, but so that the words of our mouths can be given full consideration because of the lives that we live.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Finding Fault
They're still laughing about this at IBM. Apparently the computer giant decided to have some parts manufactured in Japan as a trial project. In the specifications, they stated that they will only accept three defective parts per 10,000.
When the delivery came in there was an accompanying letter. "We Japanese had a hard time understanding North American business practices. But the three defective parts per 10,000 have been separately manufactured and have been included in the consignment. Hope this pleases you."
When the delivery came in there was an accompanying letter. "We Japanese had a hard time understanding North American business practices. But the three defective parts per 10,000 have been separately manufactured and have been included in the consignment. Hope this pleases you."
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Under His Wings
An article in National Geographic several years ago provided a penetrating picture of God's wings... After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.
She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live... "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;..." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you and then, be different because of it.
She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. When the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast. Because she had been willing to die, those under the cover of her wings would live... "He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;..." (Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you and then, be different because of it.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Dance Like No-one's Watching
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married. When we're married, we think things will be better when we have a baby. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough for us to relax but we know we'll be more content when they are.
After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
A great quote on this very subject comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For along time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there are always some obstacles in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one.
So stop waiting until you finish school, until you back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your new car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are on welfare, until you are off welfare, until the first or the fifteenth to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
After that we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.
The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.
A great quote on this very subject comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For along time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there are always some obstacles in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."
This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time... and remember that time waits for no one.
So stop waiting until you finish school, until you back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your new car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are on welfare, until you are off welfare, until the first or the fifteenth to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
The Piano Master
Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.
Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.
That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things.
When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part.
Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.
That's the way it is with our Heavenly Father. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful.
Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.
Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And He'll always be there to love and guide you on to great things.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Life Balance
Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air .... work, family, health, friends and spirit .... and you're keeping all of these in the air.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls -- family, health, friends and spirit -- are made of glass.
If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.
You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls -- family, health, friends and spirit -- are made of glass.
If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.
Friday, July 11, 2008
The Cross Room
The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish." The man was filled with relief. "Thank you Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered. And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Prayer of Thomas Merton
O Lord God,
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me,
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire to please You.
And I know that if I do this
You will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death
I will not fear,
for You are ever with me,
and You will never leave me
to make my journey alone.
- Amen
I have no idea where I am going.
I do not see the road ahead of me,
I cannot know for certain where it will end.
Nor do I really know myself,
and the fact that I think I am following Your will
does not mean that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You.
And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing.
I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire to please You.
And I know that if I do this
You will lead me by the right road,
though I may know nothing about it.
Therefore, I will trust You always though I may seem to be lost
and in the shadow of death
I will not fear,
for You are ever with me,
and You will never leave me
to make my journey alone.
- Amen
From "A Seven Day Journey with Thomas Merton" by Thomas Merton
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Sponges
I read quite a few years an article that that compared Christians to sponges. There were some that stayed in the bucket of water. They didn't do much except sit and soak till they fell apart. They served no purpose. Then there were those that came out of the bucket. In the beginning they prospered at their work, but then they dried up. As the dried they too fell apart. Now we have the ones that leave the bucket and start cleaning. They frequently return to the water to be washed and filled. And they continue there until their job is done. We need to provide a balance in our lives and that will cause a healthy growth. Eating food and not exercising will lead to the same end as exercising and not eating. Reaching out is as important as reaching in.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Living
When asked, this is what Erma Bombeck had to say about living life over.
If I had my life to live over...
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I'm sorrys"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.
- Erma Bombeck
If I had my life to live over...
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I'm sorrys"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.
- Erma Bombeck
Monday, July 07, 2008
Abraham Lincoln
Failed in business............................. 1831
Lost election for legislature................... 1832
Failed again in business......................... 1834
Sweetheart died................................... 1835
Nervous breakdown.................................. 1836
Lost second political race.......................... 1838
Defeated for Congress.............................. 1843
Defeated for Congress..............................1846
Defeated for Congress............................ 1848
Defeated for US Senate.......................... 1855
Defeated for Vice President.................... 1856
Defeated for US Senate.........................1858
Elected President of the United States........1860
Lost election for legislature................... 1832
Failed again in business......................... 1834
Sweetheart died................................... 1835
Nervous breakdown.................................. 1836
Lost second political race.......................... 1838
Defeated for Congress.............................. 1843
Defeated for Congress..............................1846
Defeated for Congress............................ 1848
Defeated for US Senate.......................... 1855
Defeated for Vice President.................... 1856
Defeated for US Senate.........................1858
Elected President of the United States........1860
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Commitment
In Tuesdays with Morrie (Doubleday, 1997), author Mitch Albom converses with his old college professor, who is now dying of Lou Gehrig's disease - and passing along the wisdom of his experience:
"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all....
"Say I was divorced, or living alone, or had no children. This disease - what I'm going through - would be so much harder. I'm not sure I could do it. Sure, people would come visit, friends, associates, but it's not the same as having someone who will not leave. It's not the same as having someone whom you know has an eye on you, is watching you the whole time.
"This is part of what the family is about, not just love, but letting others know there's someone who is watching out for them. It's what I missed so much when my mother died - what I call your 'spiritual security' - knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame."
He shot me a look.
"Not work," he added.
"The fact is, there is no foundation, no secure ground, upon which people may stand today if it isn't the family. It's become quite clear to me as I've been sick. If you don't have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don't have much at all....
"Say I was divorced, or living alone, or had no children. This disease - what I'm going through - would be so much harder. I'm not sure I could do it. Sure, people would come visit, friends, associates, but it's not the same as having someone who will not leave. It's not the same as having someone whom you know has an eye on you, is watching you the whole time.
"This is part of what the family is about, not just love, but letting others know there's someone who is watching out for them. It's what I missed so much when my mother died - what I call your 'spiritual security' - knowing that your family will be there watching out for you. Nothing else will give you that. Not money. Not fame."
He shot me a look.
"Not work," he added.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Ambition
A scenario, from a 1995 poll of 198 sprinters, swimmers, powerlifters and other athletes, most of them U.S. Olympians or aspiring Olympians: You are offered a banned performance-enhancing substance, with two guarantees: (1) you will not be caught, and (2) you will win. Would you take the substance? 195 athletes said yes; 3 said no.
Scenario II: You are offered a banned performance-enhancing substance that comes with two guarantees: (1) you will not be caught, and (2) you will win every competition you enter for the next five years, and then you will die from the side effects of the substance. Would you take it? More than half the athletes said yes.
Scenario II: You are offered a banned performance-enhancing substance that comes with two guarantees: (1) you will not be caught, and (2) you will win every competition you enter for the next five years, and then you will die from the side effects of the substance. Would you take it? More than half the athletes said yes.
Sports Illustrated (April 14, 1997)
Friday, July 04, 2008
Thirty-Nine Years - Too Short - Too Long - Long Enough
From 1929 to 1968 is only 39 short years. Too short to gather the fruits of your labour
Too short to comfort your parents when your brother drowns
Too short to comfort your father when mother dies
Too short to see your children finish school
Too short to ever enjoy grandchildren
Too short to know retirement
Thirty-nine years is just too short.
From 1929 to 1968 is only 39 short years, yet it's
Too long to be crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination, it's
Too long to stand in the quicksand of racial injustices, it's
Too long to receive threatening phone calls, often at the rate of forty per day, it's
Too long to live under the sweltering heat of continuous pressure, it's
Too long, 39 years is just too long.
From 1929 to 1968 is only 39 short years, yet it's Long enough.
It's long enough to journey all the way to India to learn under a great teacher how to walk through angry crowds and keep cool.
It's long enough to be chased by police dogs and lashed by the rushing waters from the fireman's hoses because you are dramatizing the fact that justice has a way of eluding me and my brother.
It's long enough to spend many days in jail while protesting the plight of others.
It's long enough to have a bomb thrown into your home.
It's long enough to teach angry violent men to be still while you pray for the bombers.
It's long enough.
It's long enough to lead many men to Christianity.
It's long enough to know it's better to go to war for justice than to live in peace with injustices.
It's long enough to know that more appalling than bigotry and hatred are those who sit still and watch injustices each day in silence.
It's long enough to realize that injustices are undiscriminating and people of all races and creeds experience its cruel captivity sooner or later.
It's long enough.
It's long enough to know that when one uses civil disobedience for his civil rights, he does not break the laws of the Constitution of the United States of America - rather he seeks to uphold the principles all men are created equal; he seeks to break down local ordinances that have already broken the laws of the Constitution of the United States.
It's long enough.
It's long enough to accept invitations to speak to the nation's leaders.
It's long enough to address thousands of people on hundreds of different occasions.
It's long enough to lead 200,000 people to the nation's capital to dramatize that all of America's people are heirs to the property of rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It's long enough to enter college at 15.
It's long enough to finish and earn several degrees.
It's long enough to earn hundreds of awards.
It's long enough to marry and father four children.
It's long enough to become a drum major for peace.
It's long enough to earn a Nobel Peace Prize.
It's long enough to give the $54,000 prize money to the cause of justice.
It's long enough to visit the mountain top.
It's certainly long enough to have a dream. When we note how much Martin Luther King packed into 39 short years, we know it's long enough for any man who loves his country and his fellow man so much that life itself has no value - unless all men can sit at the table of brotherhood as brothers.
Thirty-nine years is long enough - for any man to knowingly flirt with death each day of his life - because to spare himself heartaches and sorrow meant two steps backward for his brother tomorrow.
Martin lived for several centuries, all rolled into 39 short years.
His memory will live forever.
How wonderful it would be if we could all live as well.
Martin, like all others, would have welcomed longevity - yet when he weighed the facts, he said, "It's not how long a man lives, but how well he uses the time allotted him. "And so we salute and honor the memory of a man who lived in the confusion of injustice for all his too short, too long, long enough 39 years- "For He's Free At Last. "
Too short to comfort your parents when your brother drowns
Too short to comfort your father when mother dies
Too short to see your children finish school
Too short to ever enjoy grandchildren
Too short to know retirement
Thirty-nine years is just too short.
From 1929 to 1968 is only 39 short years, yet it's
Too long to be crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination, it's
Too long to stand in the quicksand of racial injustices, it's
Too long to receive threatening phone calls, often at the rate of forty per day, it's
Too long to live under the sweltering heat of continuous pressure, it's
Too long, 39 years is just too long.
From 1929 to 1968 is only 39 short years, yet it's Long enough.
It's long enough to journey all the way to India to learn under a great teacher how to walk through angry crowds and keep cool.
It's long enough to be chased by police dogs and lashed by the rushing waters from the fireman's hoses because you are dramatizing the fact that justice has a way of eluding me and my brother.
It's long enough to spend many days in jail while protesting the plight of others.
It's long enough to have a bomb thrown into your home.
It's long enough to teach angry violent men to be still while you pray for the bombers.
It's long enough.
It's long enough to lead many men to Christianity.
It's long enough to know it's better to go to war for justice than to live in peace with injustices.
It's long enough to know that more appalling than bigotry and hatred are those who sit still and watch injustices each day in silence.
It's long enough to realize that injustices are undiscriminating and people of all races and creeds experience its cruel captivity sooner or later.
It's long enough.
It's long enough to know that when one uses civil disobedience for his civil rights, he does not break the laws of the Constitution of the United States of America - rather he seeks to uphold the principles all men are created equal; he seeks to break down local ordinances that have already broken the laws of the Constitution of the United States.
It's long enough.
It's long enough to accept invitations to speak to the nation's leaders.
It's long enough to address thousands of people on hundreds of different occasions.
It's long enough to lead 200,000 people to the nation's capital to dramatize that all of America's people are heirs to the property of rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
It's long enough to enter college at 15.
It's long enough to finish and earn several degrees.
It's long enough to earn hundreds of awards.
It's long enough to marry and father four children.
It's long enough to become a drum major for peace.
It's long enough to earn a Nobel Peace Prize.
It's long enough to give the $54,000 prize money to the cause of justice.
It's long enough to visit the mountain top.
It's certainly long enough to have a dream. When we note how much Martin Luther King packed into 39 short years, we know it's long enough for any man who loves his country and his fellow man so much that life itself has no value - unless all men can sit at the table of brotherhood as brothers.
Thirty-nine years is long enough - for any man to knowingly flirt with death each day of his life - because to spare himself heartaches and sorrow meant two steps backward for his brother tomorrow.
Martin lived for several centuries, all rolled into 39 short years.
His memory will live forever.
How wonderful it would be if we could all live as well.
Martin, like all others, would have welcomed longevity - yet when he weighed the facts, he said, "It's not how long a man lives, but how well he uses the time allotted him. "And so we salute and honor the memory of a man who lived in the confusion of injustice for all his too short, too long, long enough 39 years- "For He's Free At Last. "
by Willa Perrier from: A 2nd Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul (c) 1995 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Loyalty to God vs. Possessions
Dan Reiland, who serves as vice-president of leadership development at INJOY (John Maxwell's organization), has shared seven warning signals that can be used to see that loyalties are shifting from God to possessions.
1. When you go from managing your money to being anxious about it.
2. When envy and jealousy creep into your life.
3. When you lose appreciation for what God has already given you.
4. When you lose the joy of cheerful giving.
5. When you seek things more than God.
6. When you think that things will make you happy.
7. When enough is not enough.
1. When you go from managing your money to being anxious about it.
2. When envy and jealousy creep into your life.
3. When you lose appreciation for what God has already given you.
4. When you lose the joy of cheerful giving.
5. When you seek things more than God.
6. When you think that things will make you happy.
7. When enough is not enough.
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
The Big Rocks in Life
One day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget.
As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?"
He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was onto him.
"Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied.
He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!"
Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!"
"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."
What are the 'big rocks' in your life? Time with your loved ones? Your faith?
Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.
As this man stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed mason jar and set it on a table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class said, "Yes." Then he said, "Really?"
He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, "Is the jar full?" By this time the class was onto him.
"Probably not," one of them answered. "Good!" he replied.
He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!" the class shouted. Once again he said, "Good!"
Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked up at the class and asked, "What is the point of this illustration?"
One eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard, you can always fit some more things into it!"
"No," the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all."
What are the 'big rocks' in your life? Time with your loved ones? Your faith?
Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all.
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
For the Garden of Your Daily Living
PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE WILL BE MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE ..... YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
1. Peace of mind
2. Peace of heart
3. Peace of soul
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness
PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love one another
NO GARDEN WITHOUT TURNIPS:
1. Turnip for meetings
2. Turnip for service
3. Turnip to help one another
TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
1. Thyme for each other
2. Thyme for family
3. Thyme for friends
WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE. THERE WILL BE MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE ..... YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Happiness
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire. The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. One of my favourite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life". This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness IS the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time....and remember that time waits for no one. So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire from work, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Study the Horse
Ancient wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount. However in organisations we often try many other strategies, including the following:
1. Changing riders
2. Buying a stronger whip
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse
4. Arranging a visit to other sites to see how they ride dead horses
5. Increasing the standards for riding dead horses
6. Creating training sessions to improve riding skills
7. Comparing the state of dead horses in today's environment
8. Changing the requirements so that the horse no longer meets the standards of death
9. Hiring an outside consultant to show how dead horses can be ridden
10. Increasing funding to improve the horses performance
11. Declaring that no horse is too dead to beat.
1. Changing riders
2. Buying a stronger whip
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse
4. Arranging a visit to other sites to see how they ride dead horses
5. Increasing the standards for riding dead horses
6. Creating training sessions to improve riding skills
7. Comparing the state of dead horses in today's environment
8. Changing the requirements so that the horse no longer meets the standards of death
9. Hiring an outside consultant to show how dead horses can be ridden
10. Increasing funding to improve the horses performance
11. Declaring that no horse is too dead to beat.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Wonder
When the wonder has gone out of a man he is dead. When all comes to all, the most precious element in life is wonder. Love is a great emotion and power is power. But both love and power are based on wonder. Plant consciousness, all are related by one permanent element, which we may call the religious element in all life, even in a flea: the sense of wonder. That is our sixth sense. And it is the natural religious sense.
- D. H. Lawrence -
Friday, June 27, 2008
Really Important Stuff My Kids Have Taught Me
1. It's more fun to colour outside the lines.
2. If you're gonna draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.
3. Keep asking why until you REALLY understand.
4. Hang on tight.
5. Even if you've been fishing for 3 hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.
6. Make up the rules as you go along.
7. It doesn't matter who started it.
8. Ask for sprinkles.
9. If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.
10. Save a place in line for your friends.
11. Sometimes you have to take the test before you've finished studying.
12. If you want a kitten, begin by asking for a horse.
13. Picking your nose when no one else is looking is still picking your nose.
14. Just keep banging until someone opens the door.
15. Making your bed is a waste of time.
16. There is no good reason why clothes have to match.
17. Even Popeye didn't eat his spinach until he absolutely had to.
18. If your dog doesn't like someone, you probably shouldn't either.
19. Toads aren't ugly, they're just toads.
20. Don't pop someone else's bubble.
21. You work so hard peddling up the hill that you hate to brake on the way down.
22. If you stand on tiptoe to be measured this year, you'll have to stand on tiptoe for the rest of your life.
23. You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game.
24. Chasing the cat is more fun than catching the cat.
25. Make your mother proud of you.
2. If you're gonna draw on the wall, do it behind the couch.
3. Keep asking why until you REALLY understand.
4. Hang on tight.
5. Even if you've been fishing for 3 hours and haven't gotten anything except poison ivy and a sunburn, you're still better off than the worm.
6. Make up the rules as you go along.
7. It doesn't matter who started it.
8. Ask for sprinkles.
9. If the horse you're drawing looks more like a dog, make it a dog.
10. Save a place in line for your friends.
11. Sometimes you have to take the test before you've finished studying.
12. If you want a kitten, begin by asking for a horse.
13. Picking your nose when no one else is looking is still picking your nose.
14. Just keep banging until someone opens the door.
15. Making your bed is a waste of time.
16. There is no good reason why clothes have to match.
17. Even Popeye didn't eat his spinach until he absolutely had to.
18. If your dog doesn't like someone, you probably shouldn't either.
19. Toads aren't ugly, they're just toads.
20. Don't pop someone else's bubble.
21. You work so hard peddling up the hill that you hate to brake on the way down.
22. If you stand on tiptoe to be measured this year, you'll have to stand on tiptoe for the rest of your life.
23. You can't ask to start over just because you're losing the game.
24. Chasing the cat is more fun than catching the cat.
25. Make your mother proud of you.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Working Together
An out-of-towner in a desolated area drove his car into a ditch. Luckily, a local farmer came to help with his big strong horse named Buddy.
He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.
Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.
Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.
Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!"
And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times. The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind. If he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"
He hitched Buddy up to the car and yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull!" Buddy didn't move.
Then the farmer hollered, "Pull, Buster, pull!" Buddy didn't respond.
Once more the farmer commanded, "Pull, Coco, pull!" Nothing.
Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Pull, Buddy, pull!"
And the horse easily dragged the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and very curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times. The farmer said, "Oh, Buddy is blind. If he thought he was the only one pulling, he wouldn't even try!"
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Value
At one time Andrew Carnegie was the wealthiest man in America. He came to America from his native Scotland when he was a small boy, did a variety of odd jobs, and eventually ended up as the largest steel manufacturer in the United States. At one time he had forty-three millionaires working for him. In those days a millionaire was a rare person; conservatively speaking, a million dollars in his day would be equivalent to at least twenty million dollars today.
A reporter asked Carnegie how he had managed to hire forty- three millionaires. Carnegie responded that those men had not been millionaires when they started working for him but had become millionaires as a result.
The reporter's next question was, "How did you develop these men to become so valuable to you that you have paid them this much money?" Carnegie replied that men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn't go into the mine looking for dirt - one goes in looking for the gold.
A reporter asked Carnegie how he had managed to hire forty- three millionaires. Carnegie responded that those men had not been millionaires when they started working for him but had become millionaires as a result.
The reporter's next question was, "How did you develop these men to become so valuable to you that you have paid them this much money?" Carnegie replied that men are developed the same way gold is mined. When gold is mined, several tons of dirt must be moved to get an ounce of gold; but one doesn't go into the mine looking for dirt - one goes in looking for the gold.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Wheat From Egyptian Tombs
A handful of wheat, five thousand years old, was found in the tomb of one of the kings of ancient Egypt. Someone planted the grains and, to everyone’s amazement, they came to life.
An enlightened person’s words are like seeds of life and energy. They can remain in the form of seeds for centuries until they are sown in the fertile soil of a receptive heart.
I used to think the words of scripture were dead and dry. But it was my heart that was barren and dead, so how could anything take root there?
An enlightened person’s words are like seeds of life and energy. They can remain in the form of seeds for centuries until they are sown in the fertile soil of a receptive heart.
I used to think the words of scripture were dead and dry. But it was my heart that was barren and dead, so how could anything take root there?
from Anthony de Mello, Song of the Bird
Monday, June 23, 2008
Power
Eternal God, you are the power behind all things:
Behind the energy of the atom, behind the heat of a million suns.
Eternal God, you are the power behind all minds:
Behind the ability to think and reason, behind the understanding of all truth.
Eternal God, you are the power behind the athlete:
Behind the burst of strength, behind the stamina and perseverance.
Eternal God, you are the power behind the cross of Christ:
Behind the weakness, the torture, and the death, behind the unconquerable love.
In you, eternal God, we have seen power at its most productive, most caring, most redemptive.
Eternal Power, we worship and adore you.
Father, source of all power:
We confess that we do not always use the power you have given us as you intend.
Sometimes we are afraid of the power we wield, and so do not use it at all:
At other times we are careless in our use of it, and harm others.
At yet other times we deliberately misuse it to achieve our own selfish ends:
We confess our misuse of our God-given powers, and ask for your wisdom and grace to use them properly in the future.
Teach us to use the power you have given to us, not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others, and for all.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory. Amen.
Behind the energy of the atom, behind the heat of a million suns.
Eternal God, you are the power behind all minds:
Behind the ability to think and reason, behind the understanding of all truth.
Eternal God, you are the power behind the athlete:
Behind the burst of strength, behind the stamina and perseverance.
Eternal God, you are the power behind the cross of Christ:
Behind the weakness, the torture, and the death, behind the unconquerable love.
In you, eternal God, we have seen power at its most productive, most caring, most redemptive.
Eternal Power, we worship and adore you.
Father, source of all power:
We confess that we do not always use the power you have given us as you intend.
Sometimes we are afraid of the power we wield, and so do not use it at all:
At other times we are careless in our use of it, and harm others.
At yet other times we deliberately misuse it to achieve our own selfish ends:
We confess our misuse of our God-given powers, and ask for your wisdom and grace to use them properly in the future.
Teach us to use the power you have given to us, not for our own benefit, but for the benefit of others, and for all.
For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory. Amen.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A Prayer for Sight
I see people, Lord, but they’re all a blur of activity ... a little like trees walking about. Go here! Go there! Do this! Do that! It’s like we are all in a frantic scramble of climb and push and shove.
I’d really like to know each person as a unique individual, Lord, not just as a consumer or competitor. But how? Too many people enter my day for me to pay attention to them all.
If I cannot truly ‘see’ everyone, Lord, may I at least see someone. Help me to see that solitary individual ... and for the rest - forgive, O Lord, forgive.
Amen.
I’d really like to know each person as a unique individual, Lord, not just as a consumer or competitor. But how? Too many people enter my day for me to pay attention to them all.
If I cannot truly ‘see’ everyone, Lord, may I at least see someone. Help me to see that solitary individual ... and for the rest - forgive, O Lord, forgive.
Amen.
From Richard Foster, Prayers from the Heart
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Exercise Calorie Chart
Beating around the bush...75
Swallowing your pride.......50
Grasping at straws.............75
Beating your own drum...100
Pushing your luck.............250
Making mountains out of molehills...500
Hitting the nail on the head...50
Turning the other cheek....75
Swallowing your pride.......50
Grasping at straws.............75
Beating your own drum...100
Pushing your luck.............250
Making mountains out of molehills...500
Hitting the nail on the head...50
Turning the other cheek....75
Friday, June 20, 2008
23rd Psalm
(by a Christian Japanese)
The Lord is my pace-setter I shall not rush
He makes me stop for quiet intervals
He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity,
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here,
His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance,
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my head with oils of tranquillity,
My cup of energy joyously overflows.
Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
And dwell in His house forever.
The Lord is my pace-setter I shall not rush
He makes me stop for quiet intervals
He provides me with images of stillness which restore my serenity,
He leads me in ways of efficiency through calmness of mind,
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here,
His timelessness, His all-importance, will keep me in balance,
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity,
By anointing my head with oils of tranquillity,
My cup of energy joyously overflows.
Truly harmony and effectiveness shall be the fruits of my hours,
For I shall walk in the pace of my Lord,
And dwell in His house forever.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Definitions which are truer than they seem!
SPONSORS: People who make television programs possible and impossible at the same time
OFFICE FILING: An orderly system of misplacing important papers
ORAL SURGERY: The hospital department where they try to talk you out of it.
PERFECTIONIST: One who takes great pains and gives them to other people
NEUROTIC: A person who worries about things that did not happen in the past instead of worrying about something that won’t happen in the future ... like normal people.
ANTIQUES: Fugitives from a junk yard with a price on their heads...
A BORE: Someone who persists in holding their own views after we have enlightened them with ours...
CONTRALTO: A sort of low music that only ladies sing.
OFFICE FILING: An orderly system of misplacing important papers
ORAL SURGERY: The hospital department where they try to talk you out of it.
PERFECTIONIST: One who takes great pains and gives them to other people
NEUROTIC: A person who worries about things that did not happen in the past instead of worrying about something that won’t happen in the future ... like normal people.
ANTIQUES: Fugitives from a junk yard with a price on their heads...
A BORE: Someone who persists in holding their own views after we have enlightened them with ours...
CONTRALTO: A sort of low music that only ladies sing.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Prayer for Quiet
I have, O Lord, a noisy heart. And entering outward silence doesn’t stop the inner clamour. In fact, it seems only to make it worse. When I am full of activity, the internal noise is only a distant rumble; but when I get still, the rumble amplifies itself. And it is not like the majestic sound of a symphony rising to a grand crescendo; rather it is the deafening din of clashing pots and clanging pans. What a racket! Worst of all, I fell helpless to hush the interior pandemonium.
Dear Lord Jesus, you once spoke peace to the wind and the waves. Speak your shalom over my heart. I wait silently… patiently. I receive into the very core of my being your loving command, ‘Peace, be still.’ Amen.
Dear Lord Jesus, you once spoke peace to the wind and the waves. Speak your shalom over my heart. I wait silently… patiently. I receive into the very core of my being your loving command, ‘Peace, be still.’ Amen.
from Richard Foster, Prayers from the Heart
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Job
Enter the first applicant.
“You understand that this is a simple test we are giving you before we offer you the job you have applied for?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what is two plus two?”
“Four.”
Enter the second applicant.
“Are you ready for the test?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what is two plus two?”
“Whatever the boss says it is.”
The second applicant got the job.
Which comes first: orthodoxy, or truth?
“You understand that this is a simple test we are giving you before we offer you the job you have applied for?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what is two plus two?”
“Four.”
Enter the second applicant.
“Are you ready for the test?”
“Yes.”
“Well, what is two plus two?”
“Whatever the boss says it is.”
The second applicant got the job.
Which comes first: orthodoxy, or truth?
from Anthony de Mello, The Song of the Bird
Monday, June 16, 2008
Get Into Some Holiday Reading!
House Construction by Bill Jerome Home
Science Education Today by I. Noah Little
Irish Flooring by Lynn O'Leum
Handel's Messiah by Ollie Luyah
Downpour! by Wayne Dwops
Unemployed by Anita Job
Off to Market by Tobias A. Pigg
The French Chef by Sue Flay
Why Cars Stop by M. T. Tank
Cloning by Ima Dubble
Catching Worms by Earl E Byrd
or how about these gripping tomes…
Popular Lawyers
Spicy Irish Cooking
How to Reduce Hyperbole by Bruce McAvaney
English Tanning Secrets
Science Education Today by I. Noah Little
Irish Flooring by Lynn O'Leum
Handel's Messiah by Ollie Luyah
Downpour! by Wayne Dwops
Unemployed by Anita Job
Off to Market by Tobias A. Pigg
The French Chef by Sue Flay
Why Cars Stop by M. T. Tank
Cloning by Ima Dubble
Catching Worms by Earl E Byrd
or how about these gripping tomes…
Popular Lawyers
Spicy Irish Cooking
How to Reduce Hyperbole by Bruce McAvaney
English Tanning Secrets
Sunday, June 15, 2008
A Powerful Church?
My critique is not of the Faith, but our version of it. We, with "our" faith, have lost our saltiness, and so, our Lord said, we are fit for nothing and should be thrown out, to be trampled underfoot by men (Matthew 5: 13). And to a degree, we have been trampled. We complain about this in mind that secular humanists and "the Liberal media" are making us victims and treating us unfairly - but fail to realise that our lack of respect merely affirms the truth of Jesus Christ's words! We deserve to be trampled when we claim of faith of such power and show so little of it in our lives.
(Yes, I am aware of "power evangelism," "power encounters," "laughing revivals," and the rest. They have their place, but isn't the power we really long to see not just a matter of shaking of a person’s limbs or emotions or vocal apparatus but rather the power to shake our selfishness, pettiness, prejudice, laziness, and fear? I am waiting for a power encounter the results not just in tongues-speaking but in sustained tithing, not just in hankering for physical healing but in sustained effort for racial healing, not just in the emotional manifestations but in better art and better ecology and more neighbourly people. That would be miraculous enough for me at this point.)
(Yes, I am aware of "power evangelism," "power encounters," "laughing revivals," and the rest. They have their place, but isn't the power we really long to see not just a matter of shaking of a person’s limbs or emotions or vocal apparatus but rather the power to shake our selfishness, pettiness, prejudice, laziness, and fear? I am waiting for a power encounter the results not just in tongues-speaking but in sustained tithing, not just in hankering for physical healing but in sustained effort for racial healing, not just in the emotional manifestations but in better art and better ecology and more neighbourly people. That would be miraculous enough for me at this point.)
Brian D McLaren, The Church on the Other Side, pp 30-31
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Mutonyms!
(Change one letter to make a new word)
REVOLTING DOOR - an entrance/exit device that pushes back with equal force against the push you apply.
AIRPORK - where pigs go to practice flying
COMPOTER - electronic device for making fruit desserts
NONSCIENCE - your reply to that nagging feeling that you're doing something you shouldn't
MOTORCYCOE - a homicidal killer on two wheels
SINONYM - euphemism for doing something bad
SINTAX - a payment made to the state to buy forgiveness
SMALLPIX - high-resolution thumbnail images
CANFERENCE - annual gathering of down-sized employees
DADGET - a device that fixes things around the house
INJEST - to eat something that tastes funny
KONGRESS - Queen Kong
INSTINCK - how a skunk finds his way home
PAPLE SYRUP - communion juice concentrate
TOFFEE BREAK - Englishman's mid-morning rest from work
WEDMASTER - person who presides over Internet marriages
REVOLTING DOOR - an entrance/exit device that pushes back with equal force against the push you apply.
AIRPORK - where pigs go to practice flying
COMPOTER - electronic device for making fruit desserts
NONSCIENCE - your reply to that nagging feeling that you're doing something you shouldn't
MOTORCYCOE - a homicidal killer on two wheels
SINONYM - euphemism for doing something bad
SINTAX - a payment made to the state to buy forgiveness
SMALLPIX - high-resolution thumbnail images
CANFERENCE - annual gathering of down-sized employees
DADGET - a device that fixes things around the house
INJEST - to eat something that tastes funny
KONGRESS - Queen Kong
INSTINCK - how a skunk finds his way home
PAPLE SYRUP - communion juice concentrate
TOFFEE BREAK - Englishman's mid-morning rest from work
WEDMASTER - person who presides over Internet marriages
Friday, June 13, 2008
Money
Some years ago a newspaper offered a prize for the best definition of money. The winning entry stated:
Hebrews 13:5
“Money is a universal provider of everything but happiness,
and a passport to everywhere but heaven.”
A budget is a mathematical computation that proves you can’t live on what you’re earning.and a passport to everywhere but heaven.”
---
---
A mission leader once said, “When I am given a large sum of money, I get rid of it as quickly as possible, lest it find a way into my heart.”---
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."Hebrews 13:5
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Justice
What's been done in the name of Jesus
What's been done in the name of Buddha
What's been done in the name of Islam
What's been done in the name of man
What's been done in the name of liberation
And in the name of civilization
And in the name of race
And in the name of peace!
Everybody loves to see justice done on somebody else."
What's been done in the name of Buddha
What's been done in the name of Islam
What's been done in the name of man
What's been done in the name of liberation
And in the name of civilization
And in the name of race
And in the name of peace!
Everybody loves to see justice done on somebody else."
- "Justice" by Bruce Cockburn
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Keep Us From Pettiness
Keep us, O God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretenses and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put in action our better impulses-straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one.
Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind.
Amen.
Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretenses and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgment and always generous.
Let us take time for all things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put in action our better impulses-straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one.
Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind.
Amen.
- Mary Stewart, Queen of Scots
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
A New Focus
So instead of loving what you think is peace, love other [people] and love God above all. And instead of hating the people you think are warmakers, hate the appetites and the disorder in your own soul, which are the causes of war. If you love peace, then hate injustice, hate tyranny, hate greed - but hate these things in yourself, not in another.
- Thomas Merton, from "New Seeds of Contemplation" -
Monday, June 09, 2008
To Do Some Work of Peace for Thee
O Lord,
open my eyes that I may see the needs of others;
open my ears that I may hear their cries;
open my heart so that they need not be without succour;
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong,
nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places.
And so open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for Thee.
Amen.
open my eyes that I may see the needs of others;
open my ears that I may hear their cries;
open my heart so that they need not be without succour;
Let me not be afraid to defend the weak because of the anger of the strong,
nor afraid to defend the poor because of the anger of the rich.
Show me where love and hope and faith are needed, and use me to bring them to those places.
And so open my eyes and my ears that I may this coming day be able to do some work of peace for Thee.
Amen.
from Prayers From the Heart, by Richard Foster
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Strange Definitions
Tautology: Saying the same thing again twice.
School Reunion: Where you meet people who used to be the same age as you.
Minor Operation: One performed on someone else.
Conscience: The small inner voice that tells you that you may be audited.
Interactive TV: When you lose the remote control.
School Reunion: Where you meet people who used to be the same age as you.
Minor Operation: One performed on someone else.
Conscience: The small inner voice that tells you that you may be audited.
Interactive TV: When you lose the remote control.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Contentment
Paradoxical as it seemed the Master always insisted that the true reformer was one who was able to see that everything is perfect as it is – and able to leave it alone.
“Then why would he wish to reform anything?” protested the disciples?
“Well, there are reformers and there are reformers: One type lets action flow through them while they themselves do nothing; these are like people who change the shape and flow of a river. The others generate their own activity; they are like people who exert themselves to make the river wetter.”
“Then why would he wish to reform anything?” protested the disciples?
“Well, there are reformers and there are reformers: One type lets action flow through them while they themselves do nothing; these are like people who change the shape and flow of a river. The others generate their own activity; they are like people who exert themselves to make the river wetter.”
from Anthony de Mello, One Minute Wisdom
Friday, June 06, 2008
Holding Fast
This Revelation was given me to teach me the wisdom of holding fast to the goodness of God. At that time our ways of praying were brought to my mind: how in ignorance of love we use many devices as we seek to petition God. I saw that it brings more glory to God, and gives him more delight if we pray to him trusting only in his goodness and clinging only to him in the power of his grace, with real understanding and unwavering love, than if we tried every device that our hearts could think of. For every device we use to help us come to God will be inadequate and will fall short of true worship; all that we need lies in his goodness, nothing is missing there.
Mother Julian of Norwich, Revelations of Divine Love
Thursday, June 05, 2008
The Rule of Silence
A nun joined a convent which had a rule of silence; she was permitted to say only two words a year. The first year she came to Mother Superior and said "Bed hard". Mother Superior thanked her and promised to get her a softer mattress. The second year the nun came to the Mother Superior and said, "Food cold". Again Mother Superior thanked her and said she would look into the matter. The third year the nun came to the Mother Superior and said "I'm leaving". Mother Superior said, "I'm not surprised. All you've done since you've arrived is complain, complain, complain."
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Philosophy
Before the visitor embarked upon discipleship he wanted assurance from the Master.
“Can you teach me the goal of human life?”
‘I cannot’
“Or at least its meaning?”
‘I cannot’
Can you indicate to me the nature of death and of life beyond the grave?
‘I cannot’
The visitor walked away in scorn. The disciples were dismayed that their Master had been shown up in a poor light. Said the Master smoothingly, “Of what use is it to comprehend life’s nature and life’s meaning if you have never tasted it? I’d rather you ate your pudding than speculated on it.”
“Can you teach me the goal of human life?”
‘I cannot’
“Or at least its meaning?”
‘I cannot’
Can you indicate to me the nature of death and of life beyond the grave?
‘I cannot’
The visitor walked away in scorn. The disciples were dismayed that their Master had been shown up in a poor light. Said the Master smoothingly, “Of what use is it to comprehend life’s nature and life’s meaning if you have never tasted it? I’d rather you ate your pudding than speculated on it.”
from Anthony de Mello, One Minute Wisdom
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
The Seven "UPS"
1. Wake Up!!
Decide to have a good day.
Psalms 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
2. Dress Up!!
...put on a smile.
James 5:13 Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
Prov. 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4. Stand Up!!
...Act on what you believe in.
Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
5. Look Up!!
...To the Lord.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
6. Reach Up!!
...For something higher.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7. Lift Up!!
...Your Prayers.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Decide to have a good day.
Psalms 118:24 This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
2. Dress Up!!
...put on a smile.
James 5:13 Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
3. Shut Up!!
Say nice things and learn to listen.
Prov. 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.
4. Stand Up!!
...Act on what you believe in.
Galatians 6:9-10 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
5. Look Up!!
...To the Lord.
Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
6. Reach Up!!
...For something higher.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
7. Lift Up!!
...Your Prayers.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Monday, June 02, 2008
History Like You've Never Heard It Before
(purported to be answers provided by sixth-graders during history tests. Probably more urban myths, but funny all the same)
1. Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies and they all wrote in hydraulics.
2. Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients.
3. Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
4. Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. He died from an overdose of wedlock.
5. Joan of Arc was burnt to a steak and was canonized by Bernard Shaw.
6. Sir Francis Drake circumcised the world with a 100-foot clipper.
7. Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was so deaf he wrote loud music.
1. Ancient Egypt was inhabited by mummies and they all wrote in hydraulics.
2. Moses led the Hebrew slaves to the Red Sea where they made unleavened bread, which is bread made without any ingredients.
3. Solomon had 300 wives and 700 porcupines.
4. Socrates was a famous Greek teacher who went around giving people advice. They killed him. He died from an overdose of wedlock.
5. Joan of Arc was burnt to a steak and was canonized by Bernard Shaw.
6. Sir Francis Drake circumcised the world with a 100-foot clipper.
7. Beethoven wrote music even though he was deaf. He was so deaf he wrote loud music.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
My Symphony
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common - this is my symphony.
- William Henry Channing -
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sin
One of the disconcerting – and delightful – teachings of the Master was: God is closer to sinners than to saints.
This is how he explained it: God in heaven holds each person by a string. When you sin you cut the string. Then God ties it up again, making a knot – and thereby bringing you a little closer to him. Again and again your sins cut the string – and with each further knot God keeps drawing you closer and closer.
This is how he explained it: God in heaven holds each person by a string. When you sin you cut the string. Then God ties it up again, making a knot – and thereby bringing you a little closer to him. Again and again your sins cut the string – and with each further knot God keeps drawing you closer and closer.
from Anthony de Mello, One Minute Wisdom
Friday, May 30, 2008
Run Through the Rain
She had been shopping with her mum. She must have been six years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout.
We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the shop. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the havens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mum, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mum asked. "Let's run through the rain!" She repeated. "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mum replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mum, let's run through the rain." "We'll get soaked if we do," Mum said. "No, we won't, Mum. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mum's arm. "This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?" "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mum paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mum said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day! To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the shop. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I get lost in the sound and sight of the havens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child come pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
Her voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in. "Mum, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mum asked. "Let's run through the rain!" She repeated. "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mum replied.
This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mum, let's run through the rain." "We'll get soaked if we do," Mum said. "No, we won't, Mum. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mum's arm. "This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?" "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!'"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mum paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If God let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mum said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.
Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories. So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories every day! To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Irrelevance
All the questions at the public meeting that day were about life beyond the grave. The Master only laughed and did not give a single answer. To his disciples who demanded to know the reason for his evasiveness he later said, “Have you observed that it is those who do not know what to do with this life who want another that will last forever?
“But is there life after death or is there not?” persisted a disciple.
“Is there life before death? – that is the question!” said the Master enigmatically.
“But is there life after death or is there not?” persisted a disciple.
“Is there life before death? – that is the question!” said the Master enigmatically.
from Anthony de Mello, S.J., Prayer of the Frog
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Wise Woman's Stone
A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation.
The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable this stone is, but I gave it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone".
The traveler left rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later, he came back to return the stone to the wise woman. "I've been thinking," he said, "I know how valuable this stone is, but I gave it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me this stone".
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Peace on Earth
One night in a dream, a man noticed a new shop in the High Street. He went in and saw an angel behind the counter. Nervously, he asked what the shop sold. “Everything your heart desires,” the angel said. “Then I want peace on earth,” cried the man. “An end to sorrow, famine and disease.”
“Just one moment,” said the angel, “You haven’t quite understood. We don’t sell fruit here... only seeds.”
“Just one moment,” said the angel, “You haven’t quite understood. We don’t sell fruit here... only seeds.”
Monday, May 26, 2008
Solving Problems
Men decide many more problems by hate, love, lust, rage, sorrow, joy, hope, fear, illusion, or some similar emotion, than by reason (veritate) or authority or any legal standards, or legal precedents, or law.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero -
Saturday, May 24, 2008
How Long, O Lord?
(an adaptation of the Thirteenth Psalm)
How long - how long O Lord how long?
Is it forever you forget?
How long - how long O Lord how long?
With sorrow is my heart beset.
O hear my prayer; consider, Lord,
My eyes grow dim with darkling death.
And those that trouble me, O Lord,
Rejoice to hear my failing breath.
But in your love and mercy, Lord,
My heart finds harborage and peace;
And in your healing grace, O Lord,
My praise and faith shall never cease.
My soul shall sing and praise my Lord
Rejoicing, raise her voice above;
For, many blessings on me You have poured,
And lit my lonely life with love.
How long - how long O Lord how long?
Is it forever you forget?
How long - how long O Lord how long?
With sorrow is my heart beset.
O hear my prayer; consider, Lord,
My eyes grow dim with darkling death.
And those that trouble me, O Lord,
Rejoice to hear my failing breath.
But in your love and mercy, Lord,
My heart finds harborage and peace;
And in your healing grace, O Lord,
My praise and faith shall never cease.
My soul shall sing and praise my Lord
Rejoicing, raise her voice above;
For, many blessings on me You have poured,
And lit my lonely life with love.
by Kerry Elizabeth Thompson
Friday, May 23, 2008
Crazy Thoughts and Sayings
- I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize.
- 99% of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
- A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
- OK, so what's the speed of dark?
- How do you tell when you're out of invisible ink?
- Hard work pays off in the future, laziness pays off now.
- I intend to live forever - so far, so good.
- If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.
- All those who believe in psychokinesis, raise my hand.
- The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.
- I almost had a psychic girlfriend but she left me before we met.
- If everything seems to be going well, you have obviously overlooked something.
- Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
- When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
- Ambition is a poor excuse for not having enough sense to be lazy.
- Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?
- A conclusion is the place where you got tired of thinking.
- The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread.
- The sooner you fall behind, the more time you'll have to catch up.
- The colder the x-ray table, the more of your body is required to be on it.
- It's a good thing we have gravity, or else when birds died they'd just stay right up there. Hunters would be all confused.
- Everyone has a photographic memory, some just don't have film.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
The Apparent Triumph of Evil
I sometimes feel appalled at the thought of the sum total of human misery all over the world at the present moment: the millions parted, fretting, wasting in unprofitable days - quite apart from torture, pain, death, bereavement, injustice. If anguish were visible, almost the whole of this benighted planet would be enveloped in a dense dark vapor, shrouded from the amazed vision of the heavens! And the products of it all will be mainly evil - historically considered. But the historic version is, of course, not the only one. All things and all deeds have a value in themselves, apart from their "causes" and "effects." No man can estimate what is really happening sub specie aeternitatis. All we do know, and that to a large extent by direct experience, is that evil labors with vast power and perpetual success - in vain: preparing always the soil for unexpected good to sprout in.
from the letters of J.R.R. Tolkien
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The source of Peace
I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it.
- Dwight Eisenhower -
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Prayer for Peace Today
Lord, hold all troops, and civilians, in your loving hand, regardless of race or creed.
Protect the weak and innocent.
Bring justice with love and love with justice.
May compassion and grace rule over might and power.
God of all nations, let YOUR kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven....
Bless Saddam Hussein, George W Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard. Build a Coalition of those willing for peace, justice and freedom for all humanity.
Disarm all those who are committed to imposing their will on others.
May Your will and grace be the only source of freedom.
In the name of that Middle Eastern Preacher I pray...
Amen.
Protect the weak and innocent.
Bring justice with love and love with justice.
May compassion and grace rule over might and power.
God of all nations, let YOUR kingdom come, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven....
Bless Saddam Hussein, George W Bush, Tony Blair and John Howard. Build a Coalition of those willing for peace, justice and freedom for all humanity.
Disarm all those who are committed to imposing their will on others.
May Your will and grace be the only source of freedom.
In the name of that Middle Eastern Preacher I pray...
Amen.
written by Gary Heard
Monday, May 19, 2008
Back In My Day
In my day, we didn't have any rocks. We had to go down to the creek and wash our clothes by beating them with our heads.
In my day, we didn't have hand-held calculators. We had to do addition on our fingers. To subtract, we had to have some fingers amputated.
In my day, we didn't have water. We had to smash together our own hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Kids today think the world revolves around them. In my day, the sun revolved around the world, and the world was perched on the back of a giant tortoise.
In my day, we didn't have virtual reality. If a one-eyed razorback barbarian warrior was chasing you with an axe, you just had to hope you could outrun him.
In my day, we didn't have hand-held calculators. We had to do addition on our fingers. To subtract, we had to have some fingers amputated.
In my day, we didn't have water. We had to smash together our own hydrogen and oxygen atoms.
Kids today think the world revolves around them. In my day, the sun revolved around the world, and the world was perched on the back of a giant tortoise.
In my day, we didn't have virtual reality. If a one-eyed razorback barbarian warrior was chasing you with an axe, you just had to hope you could outrun him.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Against War
Our lives turning
On the edge of mortality
We look into the chasm,
Then turn away and grit our teeth.
Far from here,
Or so it seems,
Evil men call us to our deaths
Halfway 'round the world.
Bloated with their own importance,
Swollen with greed
They pride themselves
On their lack of humility.
We bow our heads,
Since they will not bow theirs.
No end of sacrifice
Will suffice.
What can turn their hearts of stone?
Can anyone reach them?
What will it take
To reason with them?
Is it better ten million die
Than they admit their guilt?
Is it truly such a hard thing
To fall on their knees?
Turn the other cheek!
Sage advice from one who knew
The only answer
Is to love them.
On the edge of mortality
We look into the chasm,
Then turn away and grit our teeth.
Far from here,
Or so it seems,
Evil men call us to our deaths
Halfway 'round the world.
Bloated with their own importance,
Swollen with greed
They pride themselves
On their lack of humility.
We bow our heads,
Since they will not bow theirs.
No end of sacrifice
Will suffice.
What can turn their hearts of stone?
Can anyone reach them?
What will it take
To reason with them?
Is it better ten million die
Than they admit their guilt?
Is it truly such a hard thing
To fall on their knees?
Turn the other cheek!
Sage advice from one who knew
The only answer
Is to love them.
by Robert Bly
Saturday, May 17, 2008
BUT SIR . . .
But Sir,
I have some questions:
Why,
If we're "the good guys,"
Does this feel so wrong?
It's not what
I grew up believing.
Why must these people die
So horribly,
Then their only crime
Was being born
In the "wrong" place?
Why must good dreams of finding love,
Having babies,
Planting a garden,
Owning a little shop,
Always fall victim to the tyrant's whim?
What makes us think
War is the "right answer"
This time?
Isn't it because you're all
Playing chess with our lives?
Until we learn
Not to live
By the world's way,
We're condemned
To reap its reward.
Dear God,
I pray for us all!
I know there's got to be
A better way!
Not this--not again!
Above it all,
Satan laughs.
We shoulder our bombs
And march away.
I have some questions:
Why,
If we're "the good guys,"
Does this feel so wrong?
It's not what
I grew up believing.
Why must these people die
So horribly,
Then their only crime
Was being born
In the "wrong" place?
Why must good dreams of finding love,
Having babies,
Planting a garden,
Owning a little shop,
Always fall victim to the tyrant's whim?
What makes us think
War is the "right answer"
This time?
Isn't it because you're all
Playing chess with our lives?
Until we learn
Not to live
By the world's way,
We're condemned
To reap its reward.
Dear God,
I pray for us all!
I know there's got to be
A better way!
Not this--not again!
Above it all,
Satan laughs.
We shoulder our bombs
And march away.
by Diane CadyMiller
Friday, May 16, 2008
Are You Ready to Take on a Lone-Gun Superpower?
The world struggles to fight global warming, and its biggest polluter thumbs its nose. The world calls for an international criminal court, and "the global supercop" rejects it out of hand. Now the world wants a firm but peaceful solution in Iraq, and America is beating the drums of war.
It's the new global arrogance. The White House is right. The rest of us are wrong. And like it or not, the world gets a war.
How do we - from Tokyo and Bombay to London and Los Angeles - take a stand against Rogue Nation USA? Here's an idea: we hit the superpower with a boycott the whole world can see, and that American power can really feel. For most of us, the clear symbols of American culture gone wrong are the corporate logos that make up Brand America. So we empty the McDonald's, the Niketowns and Hollywood cinemas. We clear out Disneyland. We turn off Fox, CNN and MTV. We shut down Esso and Texaco, Gap and Starbucks.
When you make the Boycott Brand America pledge, you make a public statement. You also add your email address to our secure list, so we can build the boycott into an international outcry on par with the peace marches. Watch for days of action on oil, fast food, sweatshop labor, the media - the intensity will build with every week of the war.
We face a historic turning point - and a need for new mass actions. Don't doubt that we can turn the tide; the peace movement is already 10 million strong and growing. That's enough consumer clout to make the Brand America Boycott a challenge heard round the world.
Ready for action? From personal choice to public protest, you can build the Brand America Boycott with the power of your own imagination. Whatever you choose to do, let us know (tell sadie@adbusters.org), and watch the site for updates, jams, photos and reports. Take on the global bullies and celebrate your freedom from commercial culture.
Copy of the pledge:
Because I am one of the millions of people against the war;
And because the American government has made it clear that it won't listen to world opinion;
And because the symbols of American power are its corporations and their brands;
I hereby pledge to boycott Brand America, from the moment the war begins and to the best of my ability until the empire learns to listen.
To sign go to: http://adbusters.org/
It's the new global arrogance. The White House is right. The rest of us are wrong. And like it or not, the world gets a war.
How do we - from Tokyo and Bombay to London and Los Angeles - take a stand against Rogue Nation USA? Here's an idea: we hit the superpower with a boycott the whole world can see, and that American power can really feel. For most of us, the clear symbols of American culture gone wrong are the corporate logos that make up Brand America. So we empty the McDonald's, the Niketowns and Hollywood cinemas. We clear out Disneyland. We turn off Fox, CNN and MTV. We shut down Esso and Texaco, Gap and Starbucks.
When you make the Boycott Brand America pledge, you make a public statement. You also add your email address to our secure list, so we can build the boycott into an international outcry on par with the peace marches. Watch for days of action on oil, fast food, sweatshop labor, the media - the intensity will build with every week of the war.
We face a historic turning point - and a need for new mass actions. Don't doubt that we can turn the tide; the peace movement is already 10 million strong and growing. That's enough consumer clout to make the Brand America Boycott a challenge heard round the world.
Ready for action? From personal choice to public protest, you can build the Brand America Boycott with the power of your own imagination. Whatever you choose to do, let us know (tell sadie@adbusters.org), and watch the site for updates, jams, photos and reports. Take on the global bullies and celebrate your freedom from commercial culture.
Copy of the pledge:
Because I am one of the millions of people against the war;
And because the American government has made it clear that it won't listen to world opinion;
And because the symbols of American power are its corporations and their brands;
I hereby pledge to boycott Brand America, from the moment the war begins and to the best of my ability until the empire learns to listen.
To sign go to: http://adbusters.org/
Thursday, May 15, 2008
The Death of Democracy
The death of democracy is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference, and undernourishment.
- Robert Maynard Hutchins -
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
The Value of Action
It's the action, not the fruit of the action that's important.
You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power,
may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit.
But that does not mean you stop doing the right thing.
You may never know what results come from your action.
But if you do nothing, there will be no results.
You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power,
may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit.
But that does not mean you stop doing the right thing.
You may never know what results come from your action.
But if you do nothing, there will be no results.
- Mahatma Gandhi
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
What is TRUE LOVE?
The late Father James Keller, founder of The Christophers, put it this way:
Love delights in giving attention rather than attracting it.
Love finds the element of good and builds on it.
Love does not magnify defects.
Love is a flame that warms but never burns.
Love knows how to disagree without becoming disagreeable.
Love rejoices at the success of others instead of being envious.
Love delights in giving attention rather than attracting it.
Love finds the element of good and builds on it.
Love does not magnify defects.
Love is a flame that warms but never burns.
Love knows how to disagree without becoming disagreeable.
Love rejoices at the success of others instead of being envious.
Monday, May 12, 2008
The War Prayer
O Lord our Father, our young patriots, idols of our hearts, go forth to battle - be thou near them! . . . O Lord our God, help us to tear their soldiers to bloody shreds with our shells; help us to cover their smiling fields with the pale forms of their patriot dead: help us to drown the thunder of the guns with the shrieks of their wounded, writhing in pain; help us to lay waste their humble homes with a hurricane of fire; help us to wring the hearts of their unoffending widows with unavailing grief. . . . For our sakes who adore Thee, Lord, blast their hopes, blight their lives, protract their bitter pilgrimage, make heavy their steps, water their way with their tears, stain the white snow with the blood of their wounded feet! We ask it in the spirit of love of Him who is the Source of Love, and who is the ever-faithful refuge and friend of all who are sore beset and seek His aid with humble and contrite hearts. Amen
(written by Mark Twain)
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day brings back memories of maternal advice and admonition. Picture the scene with these famous offspring:
Alexander the Great’s mother - “How many times do I have to tell you - you can’t have everything you want in this world!”
Franz Schubert’s mother - “Take my advice son. Never start anything you can’t finish”.
Achilles’ mother - “Stop imagining things. There’s nothing wrong with your heel”.
Sigmund Freud’s mother - “Stop pestering me! I’ve told you a hundred times the stork brought you!”
Alexander the Great’s mother - “How many times do I have to tell you - you can’t have everything you want in this world!”
Franz Schubert’s mother - “Take my advice son. Never start anything you can’t finish”.
Achilles’ mother - “Stop imagining things. There’s nothing wrong with your heel”.
Sigmund Freud’s mother - “Stop pestering me! I’ve told you a hundred times the stork brought you!”
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The God of Many Names
Eternal God, we see that our understanding of you has been shaped and chiseled by the stories of many people. Indeed you are known to us by many names:
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you remind us that you are part of the human story, and have connected yourself with us in unique and surprising ways. You have allowed yourself to be shaped by our journey, connecting yourself with the lives of Moses, Elijah, and the prophets.
And you have surprised us through your interaction with and ownership of the life of Rahab the prostitute, the broken marriage of Hosea, and the deep grief of Ruth and Naomi. In succeeding generations you have touched and inhabited many lives, always adding to the story of our understanding, challenging us to accept you in the new and the old.
We confess that we find it hard to connect with their stories: you seem much more distant from us: the immediacy and intimacy of their relationship with you does not echo in our own experience. Help us to find comfort and hope from the past, rather than a prescription. You surprised Moses at the burning bush; Elijah in the whisper of a wind, Jonah inside a great fish, even Job in his deep turmoil.
Grant us a present and future understanding and expectation: grounded in the knowledge that you met others in their present and futures. Liberate us from prescription.
Encourage us to open exploration. That we might meet you afresh tonight.
Etch your name on our gathering, in our hearts we pray, and into our week.
Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, you remind us that you are part of the human story, and have connected yourself with us in unique and surprising ways. You have allowed yourself to be shaped by our journey, connecting yourself with the lives of Moses, Elijah, and the prophets.
And you have surprised us through your interaction with and ownership of the life of Rahab the prostitute, the broken marriage of Hosea, and the deep grief of Ruth and Naomi. In succeeding generations you have touched and inhabited many lives, always adding to the story of our understanding, challenging us to accept you in the new and the old.
We confess that we find it hard to connect with their stories: you seem much more distant from us: the immediacy and intimacy of their relationship with you does not echo in our own experience. Help us to find comfort and hope from the past, rather than a prescription. You surprised Moses at the burning bush; Elijah in the whisper of a wind, Jonah inside a great fish, even Job in his deep turmoil.
Grant us a present and future understanding and expectation: grounded in the knowledge that you met others in their present and futures. Liberate us from prescription.
Encourage us to open exploration. That we might meet you afresh tonight.
Etch your name on our gathering, in our hearts we pray, and into our week.
Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen
Friday, May 09, 2008
Through Violence...
Through violence you may murder a murderer, but you can't murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar, but you can't establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can't murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that..
- Dr Martin Luther King -
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Building a peaceful world
We will not build a peaceful world by following a negative path. It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it. We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but the positive affirmation of peace. We must see that peace represents a sweeter music, a cosmic melody, that is far superior to the dischords of war. Somehow, we must transform the dynamics of the world power struggle from the negative nuclear arms race, which no one can win, to a positive contest to harness humanity's creative genius for the purpose of making peace and prosperity a reality for all the nations of the world. In short, we must shift the arms race into a peace race. If we have a will - and determination - to mount such a peace offensive, we will unlock hitherto tightly sealed doors of hope and transform our imminent cosmic elegy into a psalm of creative fulfillment
- Dr Martin Luther King -
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Three Religious Truths
There are three religious truths:
1. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.
3. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store.
1. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
2. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian faith.
3. Baptists do not recognize each other in the liquor store.
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Signs of War
An anti-war rally was held in Washington, DC. on Martin Luther King Day in the USA in January 2003. A variety of the hand-made signs held were by the protesters. Here is a sample...
Bush does for Christianity what Bin Laden does for Islam.
Brains Not Bombs
George Dubya: Weapon Of Mass Distraction
Beat The Bushes For Peace
Weapons Of Mass Destruction: Look Under The Bushes
Evolve! Work For A Non-violent Future
If War Is The Answer, We're Asking The Wrong Question
Killing Innocent People Is The Problem, Not The Solution
Save America, Spare Iraq, Make Texas Take Him back
Drop Names, Not Bombs
Who Would Jesus Bomb?
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease
There Is No Path To Peace - Peace IS The Path
Justice Or Just Us?
Tame The Tyrant In The Mirror, Then The One In Iraq
Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld: Axis Of Weasel
Go Solar, Not Ballistic
Who's The Unelected Tyrant With The Bomb?
Nonviolence, Not Nonexistence
A Village In Texas Has Lost Its Idiot
How Many Lives Per Gallon?
Make Alternative Energy Not War
How Did Our Oil Get Under Their Soil?
Regime Change Begins At Home
More MPGs, Less MIAs
Put The Peace Back In
God Does Not Bless Only America
Rich Man's War Poor Man's Blood
Has Anyone Seen Our Constitution Lately?
What If God Blesses Iraq?
Born To Kill, Born To Drill
Let's Try Preemptive Peace
Our Grief Is Not A Cry For War
If You Are Not Outraged You Are Not Paying Attention
Honk If You're A Terrorist
Smart Bombs Don't Justify Dumb Leaders
We Have Guided Missiles And Misguided Men
Bush does for Christianity what Bin Laden does for Islam.
Brains Not Bombs
George Dubya: Weapon Of Mass Distraction
Beat The Bushes For Peace
Weapons Of Mass Destruction: Look Under The Bushes
Evolve! Work For A Non-violent Future
If War Is The Answer, We're Asking The Wrong Question
Killing Innocent People Is The Problem, Not The Solution
Save America, Spare Iraq, Make Texas Take Him back
Drop Names, Not Bombs
Who Would Jesus Bomb?
Stop Mad Cowboy Disease
There Is No Path To Peace - Peace IS The Path
Justice Or Just Us?
Tame The Tyrant In The Mirror, Then The One In Iraq
Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld: Axis Of Weasel
Go Solar, Not Ballistic
Who's The Unelected Tyrant With The Bomb?
Nonviolence, Not Nonexistence
A Village In Texas Has Lost Its Idiot
How Many Lives Per Gallon?
Make Alternative Energy Not War
How Did Our Oil Get Under Their Soil?
Regime Change Begins At Home
More MPGs, Less MIAs
Put The Peace Back In
God Does Not Bless Only America
Rich Man's War Poor Man's Blood
Has Anyone Seen Our Constitution Lately?
What If God Blesses Iraq?
Born To Kill, Born To Drill
Let's Try Preemptive Peace
Our Grief Is Not A Cry For War
If You Are Not Outraged You Are Not Paying Attention
Honk If You're A Terrorist
Smart Bombs Don't Justify Dumb Leaders
We Have Guided Missiles And Misguided Men
Monday, May 05, 2008
The Lesson
Then Jesus took his disciples up the mountain and gathering them around him, he taught them saying,
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the meek...
Blessed are they who mourn...
Blessed are the merciful...
Blessed are they who thirst for justice...
Blessed are you when persecuted...
Blessed are you when you suffer...
Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven...
Then Simon Peter said, 'Do we have to write this down?'
And Andrew said, 'Are we supposed to know this?'
And James said, 'Will we have a test on it?'
And Philip said, 'What if we don't know it?'
And Bartholomew said, 'Do we have to turn this in?'
And John said, 'The other disciples didn't have to learn this.'
And Matthew said, 'When do we get out of here?'
And Judas said, 'What does this have to do with real life?'
Then one of the Pharisees present asked to see Jesus' lesson plans and inquired of Jesus his terminal objectives in the cognitive domain.
And Jesus wept...
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
Blessed are the meek...
Blessed are they who mourn...
Blessed are the merciful...
Blessed are they who thirst for justice...
Blessed are you when persecuted...
Blessed are you when you suffer...
Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven...
Then Simon Peter said, 'Do we have to write this down?'
And Andrew said, 'Are we supposed to know this?'
And James said, 'Will we have a test on it?'
And Philip said, 'What if we don't know it?'
And Bartholomew said, 'Do we have to turn this in?'
And John said, 'The other disciples didn't have to learn this.'
And Matthew said, 'When do we get out of here?'
And Judas said, 'What does this have to do with real life?'
Then one of the Pharisees present asked to see Jesus' lesson plans and inquired of Jesus his terminal objectives in the cognitive domain.
And Jesus wept...
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Knowledge and Enlightenment
The poet Kabir says:
What good is it if the scholar pores over words and points of this and that but his chest is not soaked dark with love?
What good is it if the ascetic clothes himself with saffron robes but is colourless within?
What good is it if you scrub your ethical behavior till it shines, but there is no music inside?
Disciple: What’s the difference between knowledge and enlightenment?
Master: When you have knowledge, you use a torch to show the way. When you are enlightened you become a torch.
What good is it if the scholar pores over words and points of this and that but his chest is not soaked dark with love?
What good is it if the ascetic clothes himself with saffron robes but is colourless within?
What good is it if you scrub your ethical behavior till it shines, but there is no music inside?
Disciple: What’s the difference between knowledge and enlightenment?
Master: When you have knowledge, you use a torch to show the way. When you are enlightened you become a torch.
from Anthony de Mello, The Prayer of the Frog
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Astronomy and Numbers
There are 1011 stars in the galaxy. That used to be a huge number. But it's only a hundred billion. It's less than the national deficit! We used to call them astronomical numbers. Now we should call them economical numbers.
- Richard Feynman, physicist, Nobel laureate (1918-1988) -
Friday, May 02, 2008
Pun Zone (be warned)
Two aerials meet on a roof, fall in love and get married. The ceremony wasn't much but the reception was great.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Effective Prayer
Mrs. Friedman, the third grade Hebrew teacher, needed some supplies from a supply cabinet that was seldom used and was secured with a lock. She didn't know the combination, and called Rabbi Weinstein to give it a try.
Rabbi Weinstein placed his fingers on the lock's dial and raised his eyes heavenward for a moment. Then he confidently spun the dial and opened the lock.
Seeing how impressed Mrs. Friedman was with this demonstration of faith, he smiled and confided, "The numbers are written on the ceiling."
Rabbi Weinstein placed his fingers on the lock's dial and raised his eyes heavenward for a moment. Then he confidently spun the dial and opened the lock.
Seeing how impressed Mrs. Friedman was with this demonstration of faith, he smiled and confided, "The numbers are written on the ceiling."
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