Father's Love Letter

My Child…
You may not know me, but I know everything about you…Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up…Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways…Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered…Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image…Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being…Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring…Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived…Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation…Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book…Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live…Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made…Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb…Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born…Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me…John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love…1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you…1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child and I am your father…1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could…Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father…Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand…James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs…Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope…Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love…Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore…Psalm 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing…Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you…Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession…Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul…Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things…Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me…Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart…Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires…Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine…Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager…2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles…2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you…Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart…Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes…Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth…Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus…John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed…John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being…Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you…Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled…2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you…1 John 4:10
I have up everything I loved that I might gain your love…Romans 8:31-32
If you received the gift of my son Jesus, you received me…1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again…Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen…Luke 15:7
I have always been Father, and will always be Father…Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…Will you be my child?...John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you…Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Father. Almighty God

Your Choice

You must learn that you cannot be loved by all people. You can be the finest apple in the world, ripe, juicy, sweet, and succulent and offer yourself to all.
But you must remember that there will be people who do not like apples.
You must understand that if you are the world's finest apple and someone you love does not like apples, you have the choice of becoming a banana.
But you must be warned that if you choose to become a banana, you will be a second rate banana. But you can always be the finest apple.
You must realise if you choose to be a second rate banana, there will be people who do not like bananas.
Furthermore, you can spend your life trying to become the best banana, which is impossible if you are an apple.
Or you can seek again to be the finest apple.

"I Am Afraid"

A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said, "Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side."
Very quietly the doctor said, "I don't know."
"You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?"
The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of which came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness.
Turning to the patient, the doctor said, "Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing: I know my Master is there, and that is enough. And when the door opens, I shall pass through with no fear, but gladness."

Look Closer

What do you see nurse, what do you see?
What are you thinking when you look at me,
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit with far away eyes,
Who dribbles her food, and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice: "I do wish you'd try."
Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,
Who, quite unresisting, lets you do as you will
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you're thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still,
As I move at your bidding, as I eat at your will,
I'm a small child of ten, with a father and mother,
And brothers and sisters, who love one another,
A girl of sixteen, with wings on her feet,
Dreaming that son a lover she'll meet;
A bride soon a twenty my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound together with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown up and gone;
But my man stays beside me to see I don't mourn;
AT fifty once more babies play 'round my knee;
Again we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all busy, wit young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love I have known.
I'm an old woman now, and nature is cruel,
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles, grace and vigor depart,
There is a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.
I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I'm loving and living all over again.
I think of the years, all too few and gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
But a crabby old woman, look closer, see me.

by Phyllis McCormack

36 Stress Reducers for Christians

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)
7. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
8. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
9. Take one day at a time.
10. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you to do and let go of the anxiety.
11. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K. M. S. (Keep Mouth Shut) This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough exercise.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write thoughts and inspirations down.
22. Everyday, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until its time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus!"
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but yourself not at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36. Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.
** God has a way of turning things around for you **

- Author Unknown

I May Never See Tomorrow

I may never see tomorrow; there's no written guarantee
And things that happened yesterday belong to history.
I cannot predict the future, I cannot change the past.
I have just the present moments. I must treat it as my last.

I must use this moment wisely for it soon will pass away,
and be lost forever, as part of yesterday.
I must exercise compassion, help the fallen to their feet
Be a friend unto the friendless, make an empty life complete.

The unkind things I do today may never be undone.
And friendships that I fail to win may nevermore be won.
I may not have another chance on bended knees to pray,
and I thank God with a humble heart for giving me this Day.

Author Unknown

God's Holding Pattern

Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up. This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us. God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interference's, an no interruptions. He had plenty of time to sit, think, meditate, and pray. When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.
A Few Of God's Holding Patterns:
1.When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed, but God has not healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern.
2.When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern.
3.When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern.
4.When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern.
5.When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.
When we are deep in the belly of difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. We cannot run from God because there are no mountains that are high enough, valleys that are low enough, rivers that are wide enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden enough from Him. We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting and remember three things:
1. The pattern has a purpose.
2. The pattern has a plan.
3. The pattern has a process.
So, stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, "I love you."
Prayer: Father, forgive my unbelief. I know you love me and will turn anything around to benefit me. You have planned nothing for me but victories, and I am ready to receive them regardless of how difficult the path. Amen.

- Author Unknown

Prayer for the Working Person

Lord Jesus, as I enter this work place, I bring your presence with me. I speak Your peace, Your grace, and Your perfect order into the atmosphere of this office. I acknowledge Your accomplished within these walls. Lord Jesus, I thank you for the gifts you have deposited in me. I do not take them lightly but commit to using them responsibly and well. Give me a fresh supply of truth and beauty on which to draw as I do my job. Anoint my creativity, my ideas, my energy, so that even my smallest task may bring You honour.
Lord, when I am confused, guide me. When I am weary, energize me. Lord, when I am burned out, infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.
May the work that I do and the way I do it, bring hope, life, and courage to all that I come in contact with today. And Oh Lord, even in this day's most stressful moments, may I rest in You. In the mighty Name that is above all Names, in the Matchless Name of my Lord and Saviour Jesus, I pray, Amen.

- Author Unknown

Words to Live By

1. Anger is a condition in which the tongue works faster than the mind.
2. You can't change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying over the future.
3. Love ......and you shall be loved.
4. God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him.
5. All people smile in the same language.
6. A hug is a great gift..one size fits all. It can be given for any occasion and it's easy to exchange.
7. Everyone needs to be loved...especially when they do not deserve it.
8. The real measure of a man's wealth is what he has invested in eternity.
9. Laughter is God's sunshine.
10. Everything has beauty but not everyone sees it.
11. It's important for parents to live the same things they teach.
12. Thank God for what you have, TRUST GOD for what you need.
13. If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow, you have no today to be thankful for.
14. Happy memories never wear out.... relive them as often as you want.
15. Home is the place where we grumble the most, but are often treated the best.
16. Man looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks within.
17. The choice you make today will usually affect tomorrow.
18. Take time to laugh for it is the music of the soul.
19. If anyone speaks badly of you, live so none will believe it.
20. Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping your gears.
21. Love is strengthened by working through conflicts together.
22. The best thing parents can do for their children is to love each other.
23. Harsh words break no bones but they do break hearts.
24. To get out of a difficulty, one usually must go through it.
25. We take for granted the things that we should be giving thanks for.
26. Love is the only thing that can be divided without being diminished.
27. Happiness is enhanced by others but does not depend upon others.
28. You are richer today if you have laughed, given or forgiven.
29. For every minute you are angry with someone, you lose 60 seconds of happiness that you can never get back.
30. Do what you can, for who you can, with what you have, and where you are.
31. THE BEST GIFTS TO GIVE
... To your friend - loyalty;
... To your enemy - forgiveness;
... To your boss - service;
... To a child - a good example;
... To your parents - gratitude and devotion;
... To your mate - love and faithfulness;
... To all men and women - charity; and
... To your God - your life.

- Author Unknown

I Love to Live

Today, dear Lord, I'm 80 and there's much I haven't done.
I hope, dear Lord, you let me live until I'm 81.
But then, if I haven't finished all I want do do,
Would you please let me stay awhile, until I'm 82?
So many places I want to go, so very much to see,
Do you think that You could manage to make it 83?
The world is changing very fast, there is so much in store,
I'd like it very much to live until I'm 84.
And if by then I were still alive, I'd like to stay 'til 85!
More plans will be up in the air, so I'd really like to stick
And see what happens to the world when I turn 86.
I know, dear Lord, it's much to ask, (and it must be nice in heaven)
But I'd really like to stay, until I'm 87.
I know by then I won't be fast, and sometimes will be late,
But it would be pleasant to be around in 88.
I will have seen so many things, and had a wonderful time,
So I'm sure that I'll be willing to leave at the age of 89...maybe.
Just one more thing I'd like to say, dear Lord, I thank you kindly
But if it's okay with You, I'd love to live past 90.

- Author Unknown

God's Positive Answers

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 91:15)
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)

15 Questions God Won't Ask...

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove, but will ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2. God won't ask the square footage of your house, but will ask how many people you welcomed into it.
3. God won't ask about the fancy clothes you had in your closet, but will ask how many of those clothes helped the needy.
4. God won't ask about your social status, but will ask what kind of class you displayed.
5. God won't ask how many material possessions you had, but will ask if they dictated your life.
6. God won't ask what your highest salary was, but will ask if you compromised your character to obtain that salary.
7. God won't ask how much overtime you worked, but will ask if you worked overtime for your family and loved ones.
8. God won't ask how many promotions you received, but will ask how you promoted others.
9. God won't ask what your job title was, but will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
10. God won't ask what you did to help yourself, but will ask what you did to help others.
11. God won't ask how many friends you had, but will ask how many people to whom you were a true friend.
12. God won't ask what you did to protect your rights, but will ask what you did to protect the rights of others.
13. God won't ask in what neighbourhood you lived, but will ask how you treated your neighbours.
14. God won't ask about the colour of your skin, but will ask about the content of your character.
15. God won't ask how many times your deeds matched your words, but will ask how many times they didn't.

What is invited in...

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No", she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in.
"We do not go into a House together," they replied.
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?" Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success..."

The Giver's Big Hands

A young boy went to the local store with his mother. The shop owner, a kindly man, passed him a large jar of suckers and invited him to help himself to a handful. Uncharacteristically, the boy held back. So the shop owner pulled out a handful for him.
When outside, the boy's mother asked why he had suddenly been so shy and wouldn't take a handful of suckers when offered.
The boy replied, "Because his hand is much bigger than mine!"

What Cannot Be Done

You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage-payer.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatreds.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence.
You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could -- and should -- do for themselves.

- Abraham Lincoln

Refuse to be Discouraged

I refuse to be discouraged,
To be sad, or to cry;
I refuse to be downhearted,
And here's the reason why:

I have a God who's mighty-
Who's sovereign and supreme;
I have a God who loves me,
And I am on His team.

He is all-wise and powerful-
Jehovah is His name;
Though everything is changeable,
My God remains the same.

My God knows all that's happening-
Beginning to the end;
His presence is my comfort;
He is my dearest Friend.

When sickness comes to weaken me-
To bring my head down low,
I call upon my mighty God;
Into His arms I go.

When circumstances threaten
To rob me of my peace,
He draws me close unto His breast
Where all my strivings cease.

When my heart melts within me,
And weakness takes control,
He gathers me into His arms-
He soothes my heart and soul.

The great "I AM" is with me-
My life is in His hand;
The "God of Jacob" is my hope;
It's in His strength I stand.

I refuse to be defeated-
My eyes are on my God;
He has promised to be with me
As through this life I trod.

I'm looking past all my circumstances
To Heaven's throne above;
My prayers have reached the heart of God-
I'm resting in His love.

I give God thanks in everything-
My eyes are on His face;
The battle's His, the vict'ry mine;
He'll help me win the race.

The 23rd Channel

The T V is my shepherd, I shall not want.
It makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the faith.
It destroys my soul. It leads me in the
path of sex and violence for the sponsor's sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of Christian
responsibilities, there will be no interruption
for the T V is with me.
Its cable and remote control, they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial
for me in the presence of my worldliness.
It anoints my head with humanism
and consumerism, my coveting runneth over;
Surely, laziness and ignorance shall follow me all
the days of my life and I shall dwell
in the house watching T V Forever..

God's Rainbow

The falling rain dissolves into mist
And the thunder begins to die
As the sporadic lightning fades
An arch of colours pours from the sky

Rainbow appears after mighty storms
When things look their worst
Just when the skies are darkest grey
Out of the heaven does the rainbow burst

God first sent the rainbow to Noah
As a sign that His word is true
The rainbow's eternal message
Still speaks to me and you

The rainbow is a sign of God's promise
That He will guide us through any storm
That He will ease all our troubles
No matter what their form

When you feel battered by life's storms
When you are filled with doubt and dismay
Just remember God's rainbow is coming
For its blessing your have only to pray.

Miracle

Sometimes we get discouraged
When thing don't turn out right,
We struggle so to work it out
With all of our fleshly might,
When we're backed up in a corner
And nothing's worked we've tried,
We know the only hope for us
Is a miracle from God
Friend, I don't know why it is
But this I surely know,
The miracle you need will come
When to Him you go
He'll work His will in perfect time
So that when you tell the story,
There'll be no doubt to all who hear
That the Lord gets all the glory

Darlen Blackmon

Heart Gifts

It's not the things that can be bought
that are life' richest treasure,
It's just the little "heart gifts"
that money cannot measure.

A cheerful smile, a friendly word,
a sympathetic nod
Are priceless little treasures
from the storehouse of our God...

They are the thing that cannot be bought with silver or with gold
For thoughtfulness and kindness
And love are never sold...

They are the pricelss thing in life for which no one can pay,
And the giver finds rich recompense in giving them away.

Helen Steiner Rice

What is Life?

Life is a challenge... Meet it.
Life is a gift... Accept it.
Life is an adventure... Dare it.
Life is a sorrow... Overcome it.
Life is a tragedy... Face it.
Life is a duty... Perform it.
Life is a game... Play it.
Life is a mystery... Unfold it.
Life is a song... Sing it.
Life is an opportunity... Take it.
Life is a journey... Complete it.
Life is a promise... Fulfill it.
Life is a beauty... Praise it.
Life is a struggle... Fight it.
Life is a goal... Achieve it.
Life is a puzzle... Solve it.
Life is a love... LOVE IT!

None Of These People Were Perfect and God Still Met Them Where They Were

Moses stuttered.
David's armour didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the School of fig-tree pruning...
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer,
So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worry-wart.
Mary was lazy.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
so did Peter, Paul-
So hang in there...God still loves you… in fact He loves you so much He won't leave you the way you are.
"Being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" - Philippians 1:6

Depends on the Hands

A basketball in my hands is worth about $19. A basketball in Michael Jordan's hands is worth about $33 million. It depends whose hands it's in
A baseball in my hands is worth about $6. A baseball in Mark McGuire's hands is worth $19 million. It depends whose hands it's in
A tennis racket is useless in my hands. A tennis racket in Roger Federer's hands is a Wimbledon Championship. It depends whose hands it's in.
A rod in my hands will keep away a small, wild animal. A rod in Moses' hands will part the mighty sea. It depends whose hands it's in.
A sling shot in my hands is a kid's toy. A sling shot in David's hands is a mighty weapon. It depends whose hands it's in.
Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in my hands is a couple of fish sandwiches. Two fish and 5 loaves of bread in God's hands will feed thousands. It depends whose hands they're in.
Nails in my hands might produce a birdhouse. Nails in Jesus Christ's hands will produce salvation for the entire world. It depends whose hands they're in
So put your concerns, your worries, your fears, your hopes, your dreams, your families and your relationships in God's hands because...
It depends whose hands they're in.

Seven Keys for Joyful Living

are some thoughts for finding and experiencing joy in your life.
Know your purpose. Nothing will bring you joy more than knowing what it is that you are about on this earth. Not knowing brings sadness, wondering, fear and lack of fulfillment. Above all, find out what your unique purpose is here on this earth - then fulfill it! As you do, you will experience joy!
Live purposefully. This is a follow up to number one. It is one thing to know your purpose, but then you need to live according to that purpose. This is a matter of priorities. Let your actions and schedule reflect your purpose. Don't react to circumstances and let them cause you to live without your purpose fully in sight. Living without your purpose will cause frustration. Living purposefully will bring you deep satisfaction and joy!
Stretch yourself. Don't settle into the status quo. That will leave you unfulfilled. Always look to stretch yourself. Whatever you are doing, stretch yourself to do more! Stretching yourself will break the limits you have set for yourself and will cause you to find joy in your expanded horizons!
Give more than you take. It brings happiness to accumulate. It brings joy to give away. Sure, getting the car you worked hard for will bring you a sense of satisfaction and even happiness. But it won't bring you joy. Giving something away to the less fortunate will bring you deep, abiding joy.
Surprise yourself, and others too. The words here are spontaneity and surprise! Every once in a while, do the unexpected. It will cause everybody to sit back and say, "Wow, where did that come from?" It will put a little joy in your life, and theirs.
Indulge yourself sometimes. Too much indulgence and you are caught in the happiness trap. Looking for the next purchase, celebration, etc. to bring you a little "happiness high." But if you will allow yourself an infrequent indulgence as a reward for a job well done and a life well lived, you will appreciate the indulgence and experience the joy of it.
Laugh a little - no, a lot! Most people are just too serious. We need to laugh a little - no, a lot! Learn to laugh daily, even if you have to learn to laugh in bad situations. This life is to be enjoyed! The next time you go to the movie rental store, get a comedy and let loose! Let yourself laugh!
Joy can be yours!

by Chris Widener

Love the Opportunity

Somebody said you have to love what you do, but that's not necessarily true. What is true is that you have to love the opportunity. The opportunity to build life, future, health, success and fortune. Knocking on someone's door may not be something you love to do, but you love the opportunity of what might be behind that door.
For example, a guy says, "I'm digging ditches. Should I love digging ditches?" The answer is, "No, you don't have to love digging ditches, but if it is your first entry onto the ladder of success, you say, 'I'm glad somebody gave me the opportunity to dig ditches and I'm going to do it so well, I won't be here long.'"
You can be inspired by having found something even though you are making mistakes in the beginning and even though it is a little distasteful taking on a new discipline that you haven't learned before. You don't have to love it, you just have to learn to appreciate America, appreciate opportunity and appreciate the person who brought you the good news; that found you.
Appreciate the person who believed in you before you believed in yourself, appreciate the person who said, "Hey, if I can do it, you can do it."
If you will embrace the disciplines associated with the new opportunity you will soon find that your self-confidence starts to grow, that you go from being a skeptic to being a believer. And soon when you go out person to person, talking to people, you will find it to be the most thrilling opportunity in the world. Every person you meet - what could it be? Unlimited! Maybe a friend for life. The next person could be an open door to retiring. The next person could be a colleague for years to come. It's big time stuff. And sometimes in the beginning when we are just getting started we don't always see how big it is.
So, before you are tempted to give up or get discouraged, remember all success is based on long term commitment, faith, discipline, attitude and a few stepping stones along the way. You might not like the stone you are on right now, but it's sure to be one of the stones that lead to great opportunities in the future.

by Jim Rohn

The Law of Correspondence

Your outer world is a reflection of your inner world; it corresponds with your dominant patterns of thinking.
This is an extraordinary principle. It explains most happiness and unhappiness, most success and failure, most greatness and meaninglessness in life. After years of study in this area, I still stand in awe before this powerful law, like standing and looking out over the vastness of the Grand Canyon.
Just think! Your outer world reflects your inner world in every way. Nothing can happen to or for you in the long term until and unless it corresponds to something inside of you. If you want to change or improve anything in your life, you must begin by changing the inner aspects of your mind.
Sometimes this is called the "mental equivalent." Your greatest responsibility in life is to create within yourself the mental equivalent of what you want to experience on the outside. The fact is that you cannot achieve it on the outside until you have first created it on the inside.
It is as though your life is a 360-degree mirror. Wherever you look, there you are. Your relationships for example, always reflect back to you the kind of person you are on the inside. Your attitude, your health and your material conditions are a reflection of the way you think most of the time.
This is hard for most people to accept. Most people think that the problems in their lives are caused by other people and circumstances. They are shocked and angered to be told that they are the primary architects of everything that happens to them. They want others to change. They want the world to change. But they do not want to change themselves.
The Law of Correspondence is a foundation principle of virtually all religions and schools of thought. It is really great news. It is the key to personal freedom and happiness. It is the high road to great success and fulfillment.
There is only one thing in the world that you can control, and that is the way you think. However, when you take complete control over your thinking, you take control over all the other aspects of your life. By thinking and talking only about what you want, and by refusing to think or talk about what you don't want, you become the architect of your own destiny.

by Brian Tracy

Distractions Kill Time

Distractions are the "little things" that undermine success. Like termites, most of them are small and unnoticed until, after a while, they have undone us.
Distractions "kill time." Common examples are unscheduled or poorly managed errands, watching TV to "relax," and crises that erupt because of poor planning or lack of preparation. Distractions are all the little frustrations, irritations and annoyances that rob us of joy and waste our time. They are the result of poor management, and like a poorly managed business, the cost mounts up over time.
High achievers to do not tolerate distractions! Most people believe, "That's how life is, there's nothing I can do about it." Highly successful people, however, know that an investment in getting organized, learning to say "NO!" to distractions, and setting clear boundaries in their lives, will pay rich dividends for years to come.
Time is your most valuable resource, and one that to a remarkable degree is yours to invest exactly as you choose. You don't need a broker, an agent, or a license to manage your days. All that is required are focus, discipline and desire! Someone has wisely said that, "How we spend our days, is how we spend our lives." Invest well, and reap the profits every day of your life!

by Phil Humbert

Today (edited)

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can grumble about my health ... or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work ... or I can rejoice that I have a job to go to.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy ... or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework ... or I can appreciate that I have a place to call home.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped ... and may God help me to shape it correctly.
Have a GREAT DAY ... unless you have other plans... and I hope you only have plans for a GREAT DAY!

- Author Unknown

He Had a Year To Do It In

He had a year to do it in,
So brushed the thought away:
A chap with half his energy
Might do it in a day.
A year...? ‘Twas too ridiculous,
As everyone should find;
However, he would get it done,
And have it off his mind.

But not today. A few months hence
Would suit him better still.
Meanwhile, a far less irksome job
Might occupy his skill.
He would not let the matter pass
Entirely from him ... no;
And doubtless he might take it up,
In...say...a month or so.

He had six months to do it in,
For six long months had flown,
Well, why should that alarm a chap
With vigour like his own?
The job, whence once embarked upon
Would soon be rattled through;
However, he would think of it
In ... say, a week or two.

He had three months to do it in:
“Oh bother,” was his cry,
“This thing hangs on me like a weight
Each day that passes by.
Let’s see ... three months ... ah. That’s enough,
But just to clear the doubt
I’ll make arrangements for a start,
Before the month is out.”

He had a week to do it in,
And care was in his glance:
“It’s hard,” he cried, “that flight of time
Won’t give a chap a chance!”
He still delayed; the swift week passed,
As weeks will ever run,
And though a year was given him,
The task was still undone!

- Anonymous

Our Debt

All of us are in debt...We are indebted to our parents because they were responsible for bringing us into the world. Next, we're indebted to the doctors, nurses, aides, orderlies, and other hospital personnel for the parts they played in making our arrival a safe and healthy one.
We're indebted to the educational structure where we learned reading, writing and arithmetic, which are critical to our lives...
We are in debt to all the pastors, priests and rabbis who taught us the essence of life by instructing us in the character qualities that are important to us, regardless of our chosen field of endeavor--athletics, medicine, education, business, or government.
We certainly owe a debt to people whose messages have been encouraging as well as informative and instructional. We are deeply in debt to public servants who commit their lives to service through appointed or elected offices...
The list is endless...We have a heavy debt, and one way to repay that debt is to regularly express thanks and gratitude to the men and women who make our lives worth living...Thank a lot of people, and you will accumulate many friends and enjoy life more.

by Zig Ziglar

The Ant Philosophy

Over the years I've been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept - the ant philosophy. I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy, and here is the first part: ants never quit. That's a good philosophy. If they're headed somewhere and you try to stop them, they'll look for another way. They'll climb over, they'll climb under, they'll climb around. They keep looking for another way. What a neat philosophy, to never quit looking for a way to get where you're supposed to go.
Second, ants think winter all summer. That's an important perspective. You can't be so naive as to think summer will last forever. So ants are gathering in their winter food in the middle of summer.
An ancient story says, "Don't build your house on the sand in the summer." Why do we need that advice? Because it is important to be realistic. In the summer, you've got to think storm. You've got to think rocks as you enjoy the sand and sun. Think ahead.
The third part of the ant philosophy is that ants think summer all winter. That is so important. During the winter, ants remind themselves, "This won't last long; we'll soon be out of here." And the first warm day, the ants are out. If it turns cold again, they'll dive back down, but then they come out the first warm day. They can't wait to get out. And here's the last part of the ant philosophy. How much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that he possibly can. What an incredible philosophy, the "all-that-you-possibly-can" philosophy.
Wow, what a great seminar to attend - the ant seminar. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can.

by Jim Rohn

The Best Insurance Policy?

My friend, author and speaker Alan Proctor, says, "Many people insist on waiting for someone to do for them before they take a similar action for the benefit of the other person." Alan then teaches, "But wouldn't doing something for them first increase the chances of that goodwill being returned?"
Absolutely. In fact that's one of those immutable laws of life that successful people understand and embrace. And one of the most effective ways of working with this law is what I call the "Thank You In Advance." It may be the best insurance policy you can buy, and it doesn't cost even one cent to purchase.
Thank people "before" they do something for you.
"I really appreciate your taking the time to..." This is great insurance that they'll make the time to do whatever you want done. I learned years ago while listening to a tape by Zig Ziglar that a tip to a waitperson used to be paid "before" the meal was even served. The word "tip", t- i-p, actually meant "to insure promptness."
Insurance, right? Or extortion, depending upon how you look at it. :-). I prefer insurance.
An example of a proper time to thank someone is "before" they start on the assignment, task or whatever. "Thank you Mary - I know you're going to do your typically excellent job." Maybe, when talking to your prospect on the telephone, "before" you launch into your reason for calling. "Mr. Smith, thank you for taking a quick moment to speak with me - I realize you're very busy." Or, the hotel manager you need to inform about a particular challenge with the hotel: "Ms. Jackson, I appreciate your helping me with this unfortunate situation."
And, the mechanic who's about to work on your car: "Mr. Davis, thank you in advance for fixing this thing. Wow, do I depend on you to keep this car working right!"
Will thanking a person in advance ever not work? Of course, because people are people and not everyone will be responsive the first time. Then you might have to use some of the other WINNING WITHOUT INTIMIDATION principles and strategies we discuss every week. The fact is, though, it works much more often than not, and over time you'll find this to be both a very pleasant and very effective way of working effectively with others.
One very important point: This must be done with sincerity. Otherwise, it'll come off as manipulative or overbearing. Just reflect for a moment about what you're most grateful for with this person, go with that feeling, and say "thank you"...in advance.

by Bob Burg

The Weed Garden

Once there was a man who owned a small plot of ground. One day he said to himself what shall I do with this land, why let it stand idle? He decided I will plant a garden and I will be diligent and work hard and when harvest comes the land will yield a great portion of fruit. So he sowed some seed and watered and worked the piece of land.
Eventually one day it began to grow, the man was so excited. He was encouraged to work all the harder. Every day he went into the field planting, watering, pruning and chasing away the birds and animals that would devour his work.
As time went on sometimes he would be discouraged. He would look at his garden and think to himself "for all the labour I do the growth looks so sparse". Still he continued to do his job, because that's what you do with a garden. One day he looked in his garden and he saw a small healthy looking plant he had not seen before. It was a small weed. Soon the weed grew and multiplied. The man went to his garden and he was amazed at the growth and strength of this plant. It seemed to do all that you would want a plant to do and it required no help.
The man began to watch its growth every day with a new fever of enthusiasm. Every morning he would race to his field and see the progress. "Wow!" he thought, "Yesterday there was a few and now there are many." Day after day the garden looked fuller and fuller. He stopped worrying about the labour he used to do "I've worked long enough" he thought "Now it's time to see some real growth." Sometimes he would take a walk and see his neighbour’s gardens. "Ha, they look so small. If they had half the gardening sense I do they'd really have something going." Finally in time the big day came. It was time for harvest. The man went to his garden to gather his rewards. There it was a beautiful field of green. All those old weak plants he used to work with were long since gone. He thought "well let's get with it."
He went to his plants and began to examine each one closely. Hmm no fruit on the leaves, hmm no fruit on the stock. Let's pull one up and see what's there. He dug, and tugged and pulled. Out it came, he looked at the roots, nothing there either. He stopped and sat a minute. "What's happening" he thought. Then in shock he realized his plight, "They bear no fruit!" For all their growth, the weeds were worthless. He lamented "They looked so great, Oh how they grew and flourished all season".
The man sat and moaned, what could he now do, harvest was over.

Receive It?

My one and a half year old daughter has picked up a new phrase "I can't" which really means I won't. Often times in our lives we are called upon by the Lord to display a commitment that doesn't say I can't but how can I? I read this story in our local newspaper a few years ago. In the seaside town of Provincetown, MA, on Cape Cod a man and his wife were sitting on their porch over looking the ocean when the man noticed a disturbance in the water just a few feet from their house. At first he assumed it was a school of blues that had travelled to close to shore and were in a feeding frenzy. But upon closer examination he noticed it was actually one large fish, a shark perhaps, since they are not uncommon in these waters. But as he stared he made out the distinct shape of a large Tuna with it's characteristic forked tail. Knowing that these fish weigh hundreds of pounds and can fetch thousands of dollars, he wondered how he might catch it. He returned to his porch and found an old rope from a lobster pot. He fashioned the rope into a lasso and set out for the water. On his second attempt he was able to throw the lasso around the forked tail of the Tuna and drag it into shore. A few phone calls later and the fish was off to market. How diligently we seize the opportunities that God sends our way in large amount will determine what we accomplish while on this earth and what praise we will receive from His lips in heaven. (source unknown)

Discipline

We must face the fact that many today are notoriously careless in their living. This attitude finds its way into the church. We have liberty, we have money, we live in comparative luxury. As a result, discipline practically has disappeared. What would a violin solo sound like if the strings on the musician's instrument were all hanging loose, not stretched tight, not "disciplined"?

A.W. Tozer in Men Who Met God

Concentration

Lanny Bassham, Olympic gold-medalist in small-bore rifle competition, tells what concentration does for his marksmanship: "Our sport is controlled nonmovement. We are shooting from 50 metres - over half a football field - at a bull's eye three-quarters the size of a dime. If the angle of error at the point of the barrel is more than .005 of a millimeter (that is five one-thousandths), you drop into the next circle and lose a point. So we have to learn how to make everything stop. I stop my breathing. I stop my digestion by not eating for 12 hours before the competition. I train by running to keep my pulse around 60, so I have a full second between beats - I have gotten it lower, but found that the stroke-volume increased so much that each beat really jolted me. You do all of this and you have the technical control. But you have to have some years of experience in reading conditions: the wind, the mirage. Then you have the other 80% of the problems - the mind.

Sports Illustrated, August 2, 1976, pp. 31-35

Price of Undiscipline

Coleridge is the supreme example of tragedy of indiscipline. Never did so great a mind produce so little. He left Cambridge University to join the army; he left the army because he could not rub down a horse; he returned to Oxford and left without a degree. He began a paper called "The Watchman" which lived for ten numbers and then died. It has been said of him, "he lost himself in visions of work to be done, that always remained to be done. Coleridge had every poetic gift but one--the gift of sustained and concentrated effort." In his head and in his mind he had all kinds of books, as he said, "completed save for transcription." But the books were never composed outside of Coleridge's mind, because he would not face the discipline of sitting down to write them out. No one ever reached any eminence, and no one having reached it ever maintained it, without discipline.

Wm. Barclay, The Gospel of Matthew, p. 280

No Loose Strings

We must face the fact that many today are notoriously careless in their living. This attitude finds its way into the church. We have liberty, we have money, we live in comparative luxury. As a result, discipline practically has disappeared.
What would a violin solo sound like if the strings on the musician's instrument were all hanging loose, not stretched tight, not "disciplined"?

- A.W. Tozer in Men Who Met God

Practice

When Polish pianist Ignace Jan Paderewsky played before Queen Victoria, he won her enthusiastic approval. "Mr. Paderewsky," she exclaimed, "you are a genius."
Paderewsky shook his head. "Perhaps, Your Majesty, but before that I was a drudge," he replied, alluding to the number of hours he spent practicing every day.

Disciplines

If you aren't practicing, someone else is. In the 1880s a young man who was an earnest Christian found employment in a pawnshop. Although he disliked the work, he did it faithfully "as unto the Lord" until a more desirable opportunity opened for him. To prepare himself for a life of Christian service, he wrote on a scrap of paper the following resolutions: "I do promise God that I will rise early every morning to have a few minutes--not less than five--in private prayer. I will endeavor to conduct myself as a humble, meek, and zealous follower of Jesus, and by serious witness and warning I will try to lead others to think of the needs of their immortal souls. I hereby vow to read no less than four chapters in God's Word every day. I will cultivate a spirit of self-denial and will yield myself a prisoner of love to the Redeemer of the world." That young man was William Booth, who later led thousands to Christ and founded the Salvation Army.

The Cracked Pot

A water bearer in India had two large pots, each hung on each end of a pole which he carried across his neck. One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master's house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.
For a full two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and a half pots full of water to his master's house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments, perfect to the end for which it was made. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do.
After two years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you." "Why?" asked the bearer. "What are you ashamed of?" "I have been able, for these past two years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master's house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don't get full value from your efforts," the pot said.
The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, "As we return to the master's house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path." Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wild flowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some.
But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again it apologized to the bearer for its failure. The bearer said to the pot, "Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of your path, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you've watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master's table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house."
Each of us has our own unique flaws. We're all cracked pots. But if we will allow it, the Lord will use our flaws to grace His Father's table. In God's great economy, nothing goes to waste. So as we seek ways to minister together, and as God calls you to the tasks He has appointed for you, don't be afraid of your flaws. Acknowledge them, and allow Him to take advantage of them, and you, too, can be the cause of beauty in His pathway. Go out boldly, knowing that in our weakness we find His strength, and that "In Him every one of God's promises is a Yes."

Things We'll Never Understand

Did you ever wonder why? Some comedian has said:
You tell a man there's 400 billion stars and he'll believe you, but tell him a bench has wet paint and he has to touch it? Why?
Why is it called a hamburger when it's made out of beef? Why do you put suits in garment bags and put garments in suitcases? Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle? Why isn't there mouse-flavored cat food?
Why do they lock gas station bathrooms -- are they afraid someone is going to sneak in there and clean them?
If man evolved from monkeys and apes, why do we still have monkeys and apes? Why are there five syllables in the word monosyllabic? When two airplanes almost collide, why do they call it a near miss -- it sounds like a near hit to me?
Why do banks charge you a non-sufficient funds fee on money they know you don't have? Why do you drive in a parkway and park in a driveway? Why are they called apartments when they're stuck together? Why are they called buildings when they are already finished? Shouldn't we call them builts? If the black box flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn't the whole airplane made out of that stuff?
Why? Probably the most asked and least-answered question in the English language.
At human birth the brain weighs, on average, 14 ounces. It usually reaches its maximum size at age 15 (proving the size of the brain has nothing to do with intelligence level). At its maximum size, the brain weighs an average of 46 ounces, slightly less than three pounds. In liquid measurement, that's about a big gulp from the soda machine at the local gas station. There is no way for medical professionals to prove this, but the old theory was that we only used about 10 percent of our brain capacity. If that were true and we only start out with a big gulp in the first place, we're down to about a quarter-pounder with cheese by the time we're done. And we think that with our quarter-pounder with cheese, we're going to comprehend the infinite, decipher the mysteries of the millenniums, we're going to answer all the questions? Right!
Isn't it logically impossible that we as finite creatures could ever fully understand the infinite?

Taking a Risk

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk their loss.
To love is to risk not being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk failure.
But risks must be taken.
Because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.
If you risk nothing and do nothing, you dull your spirit.
You may avoid suffering and sorrow,
But you cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, and live.
Chained by your attitude, you are a slave.
You have forfeited your freedom.
Only if you risk are you free.

Sponges

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

Portrait of a Friend

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Count Your Blessings

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

God Knows

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

Forgive Me When I Whine

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

$20 Note

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

The Dash Between the Years

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

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

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

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

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

- The Dash © 1999 by Linda Ellis

A Lesson In Heart

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

- Stan Frager

Learning to Think

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

I Believe

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

by Brian Tracy

P.U.S.H.

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

Four Ways To Master Change

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

by Sheila Murray Bethel

The Building Of A Railway Bridge Of Life

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

Giving People A Fine Reputation To Live Up To

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

by Chip Eichelberger

Badly Fed

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

Well Fed

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

The Best Translation Of The Bible

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

Simple Way to Learn

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

Explorer or Tourist

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

Bothered by Scripture

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

Reading the Bible Like Taking Vitamins

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

Destroy the Truth

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

The Best Way To Lose Your Marbles

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

Turning Liabilities into Assets

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

by Zig Ziglar

Great Achievements

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

Some People are Like Potatoes

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

The Flip Side

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

Something to Ruminate Upon

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

Who am I?

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

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

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

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

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

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

by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Characteristics of Bad Communication

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