Author Unknown
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.
When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."
What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.
So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.
Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think of your life as the house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board or erect a wall, build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.
The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project, do it to the best of your ability."
Friday, September 28, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Struggle
A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On that day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole.
Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck. Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance. Leave no room for regrets.
-Author Unknown
Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck. Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly.
What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.
Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If we were to go through our life without any obstacles, we would be crippled. We would not be as strong as what we could have been. Give every opportunity a chance. Leave no room for regrets.
-Author Unknown
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
One Minute Can Change A Life
He almost killed somebody, but one minute changed his life. The beautiful story comes from Sherman Rogers' old book, FOREMEN: LEADERS OR DRIVERS? In his true-life story, Rogers illustrates the importance of effective relationships.
During his college years, Rogers spent a summer in an Idaho logging camp. When the superintendent had to leave for a few days, he put Rogers in charge.
"What if the men refuse to follow my orders?" Rogers asked. He thought of Tony, an immigrant worker who grumbled and growled all day, giving the other men a hard time.
"Fire them," the superintendent said. Then, as if reading Rogers' mind, he added, "I suppose you think you are going to fire Tony if you get the chance. I'd feel badly about that. I have been logging for 40 years. Tony is the most reliable worker I've ever had. I know he is a grouch and that he hates everybody and everything. But he comes in first and leaves last. There has not been an accident for eight years on the hill where he works."
Rogers took over the next day. He went to Tony and spoke to him. "Tony, do you know I'm in charge here today?" Tony grunted. "I was going to fire you the first time we tangled, but I want you to know I'm not," he told Tony, adding what the superintendent had said.
When he finished, Tony dropped the shovelful of sand he had held and tears streamed down his face. "Why he no tell me dat eight years ago?"
That day Tony worked harder than ever before -- and he smiled! He later said to Rogers, "I told Maria you first foreman in deese country who ever say, 'Good work, Tony,' and it make Maria feel like Christmas."
Rogers went back to school after that summer. Twelve years later he met Tony again. He was superintendent for railroad construction for one of the largest logging companies in the West. Rogers asked him how he came to California and happened to have such success.
Tony replied, "If it not be for the one minute you talk to me back in Idaho, I keel somebody someday. One minute, she change my whole life."
Effective managers know the importance of taking a moment to point out what a worker is doing well. But what a difference a minute of affirmation can make in any relationship!
One minute. Have you got one minute to thank someone? A minute to tell someone what you sincerely like or appreciate about her? A minute to elaborate on something he did well? One minute. It can make a difference for a lifetime.
by: Steve Goodier -- from 'ONE MINUTE CAN CHANGE A LIFE' Steve can be contacted at LifeSupport@yahoogroups.com
During his college years, Rogers spent a summer in an Idaho logging camp. When the superintendent had to leave for a few days, he put Rogers in charge.
"What if the men refuse to follow my orders?" Rogers asked. He thought of Tony, an immigrant worker who grumbled and growled all day, giving the other men a hard time.
"Fire them," the superintendent said. Then, as if reading Rogers' mind, he added, "I suppose you think you are going to fire Tony if you get the chance. I'd feel badly about that. I have been logging for 40 years. Tony is the most reliable worker I've ever had. I know he is a grouch and that he hates everybody and everything. But he comes in first and leaves last. There has not been an accident for eight years on the hill where he works."
Rogers took over the next day. He went to Tony and spoke to him. "Tony, do you know I'm in charge here today?" Tony grunted. "I was going to fire you the first time we tangled, but I want you to know I'm not," he told Tony, adding what the superintendent had said.
When he finished, Tony dropped the shovelful of sand he had held and tears streamed down his face. "Why he no tell me dat eight years ago?"
That day Tony worked harder than ever before -- and he smiled! He later said to Rogers, "I told Maria you first foreman in deese country who ever say, 'Good work, Tony,' and it make Maria feel like Christmas."
Rogers went back to school after that summer. Twelve years later he met Tony again. He was superintendent for railroad construction for one of the largest logging companies in the West. Rogers asked him how he came to California and happened to have such success.
Tony replied, "If it not be for the one minute you talk to me back in Idaho, I keel somebody someday. One minute, she change my whole life."
Effective managers know the importance of taking a moment to point out what a worker is doing well. But what a difference a minute of affirmation can make in any relationship!
One minute. Have you got one minute to thank someone? A minute to tell someone what you sincerely like or appreciate about her? A minute to elaborate on something he did well? One minute. It can make a difference for a lifetime.
by: Steve Goodier -- from 'ONE MINUTE CAN CHANGE A LIFE' Steve can be contacted at LifeSupport@yahoogroups.com
Two Wolves
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all.
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy,sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
- Author Unknown
One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy,sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
- Author Unknown
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Touchstone
When the great library of Alexandria burned, the story goes, one book
was saved. But it was not a valuable book; and so a poor man, who
could read a little, bought it for a few coppers.
The book wasn't very interesting, but between its pages there was
something very interesting indeed. It was a thin strip of vellum on
which was written the secret of the "Touchstone"!
The touchstone was a small pebble that could turn any common metal
into pure gold. The writing explained that it was lying among
thousands and thousands of other pebbles that looked exactly like it.
But the secret was this: The real stone would feel warm, while
ordinary pebbles are cold.
So the man sold his few belongings, bought some simple supplies,
camped on the seashore, and began testing pebbles.
He knew that if he picked up ordinary pebbles and threw them down
again because they were cold, he might pick up the same pebble
hundreds of times. So, when he felt one that was cold, he threw it
into the sea. He spent a whole day doing this but none of them was the
touchstone. Yet he went on and on this way. Pick up a pebble. Cold -
throw it into the sea. Pick up another. Throw it into the sea.
The days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months. One day,
however, about mid afternoon, he picked up a pebble and it was warm. He
threw it into the sea before he realized what he had done. He had
formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea that
when the one he wanted came along, he still threw it away.
So it is with opportunity. Unless we are vigilant, it's asy to fail to
recognize an opportunity when it is in hand and it's just as easy to throw it away.
was saved. But it was not a valuable book; and so a poor man, who
could read a little, bought it for a few coppers.
The book wasn't very interesting, but between its pages there was
something very interesting indeed. It was a thin strip of vellum on
which was written the secret of the "Touchstone"!
The touchstone was a small pebble that could turn any common metal
into pure gold. The writing explained that it was lying among
thousands and thousands of other pebbles that looked exactly like it.
But the secret was this: The real stone would feel warm, while
ordinary pebbles are cold.
So the man sold his few belongings, bought some simple supplies,
camped on the seashore, and began testing pebbles.
He knew that if he picked up ordinary pebbles and threw them down
again because they were cold, he might pick up the same pebble
hundreds of times. So, when he felt one that was cold, he threw it
into the sea. He spent a whole day doing this but none of them was the
touchstone. Yet he went on and on this way. Pick up a pebble. Cold -
throw it into the sea. Pick up another. Throw it into the sea.
The days stretched into weeks and the weeks into months. One day,
however, about mid afternoon, he picked up a pebble and it was warm. He
threw it into the sea before he realized what he had done. He had
formed such a strong habit of throwing each pebble into the sea that
when the one he wanted came along, he still threw it away.
So it is with opportunity. Unless we are vigilant, it's asy to fail to
recognize an opportunity when it is in hand and it's just as easy to throw it away.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Freedom of Simplicity
By Bo Sanchez
Happiness is not found outside of you. It doesn't come from cars, clothes, cash, or Caribbean cruises. Happiness is found within. But how can you find it if you don't have the simplicity of time and space to discover the most important things in your life? How can you search the depths of your soul if you are too busy impressing others, acquiring wealth, protecting your properties, and paying your debts?
Simplicity is not about the external either: living in a doghouse, eating in Hepatitis joints, wearing rags. Let me define what it is: Simplicity is living from the core of your being.
A TREASURE MAP OF HAPPINESS
Simplicity will point to you where and what and who the gold is in your life. Let me share with you the seven powerful lessons I've learned on simple living:
1. LIVE ON LESS, AND DELIGHT IN THEM MORE
Some take their pleasure dining in classy restaurants, trips to Europe, and owning the latest home theatre-equipment. I've chosen the simple path: If I can simply be with my wife, or take a quiet stroll under a canopy of stars, or play with a child, or read a good book in my home, or laugh with friends over a pizza, I consider myself richly blessed. Focus on what you have and not on what you don't have.
2. STOP RUNNING AND WALK INSTEAD
Here's the truth: The person who has covered the greatest distance does NOT win, but the one who has most enjoyed the journey does. Stop running around chasing your own tail! Get off your hurried pace and learn to breathe. Replace doing with being. Learn to say no to invitations, appointments, and commitments, activities and events that will rob you of your focus. Learn to say "yes" to rest, to tranquility, to quietness.
3. YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR WEALTH
I own very few things today. Because I am more than the brand of my watch, the logo of my shoes, the name of my car. I believe that if in my soul I deeply respect and value myself, people around me will sense that, and they too, will value and respect me-whether I'm wearing Armani or not. You are more than your wealth.
4. AVOID BUYING ON CREDIT
I don't believe in borrowing from credit cards. (For convenience, I use one card but I pay the whole amount at the end of each month.) If I need something really bad, I save up for it. Sometimes, at midpoint, I realize I don't really need the darn thing and give up the whole idea. The only exception I feel we should enter into a credit is when buying a non-depreciating item, such as housing or land. I believe we should always live within our earning capacity.
Proverbs 22:7 says, "Those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders."
5. GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
If I content myself with P250 shirt instead of P4,000 Lacoste, I can help others more. Trust me, there is immense pleasure! You will find that the empty thrill of owning a diamond ring on your finger pales in comparison to the joy of handling a piece of bread to an orphan child. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8) The Old Testament of tithing, or giving 10% of your income is a good guideline to follow. The New Testament challenges us to give with a cheerful heart. (When you're cheerful, you may give more than 10%!) Make it a habit.
6. SAVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
Saving is essential to being good stewards of the money that God "lends" to us. Saving is an important way of providing for our future-both for our needs and to be generous to others. I recommend that you save at least 10% of your income. I can almost hear you now: "Bo, that's impossible!" Oh yeah? Well, how did you live three years back when your salary was one-half its present amount?" Sacrifice. Many of our needs are actually wants. Is cable TV a need? Will you suddenly die if you can't watch CNN or HBO? Are those new golf clubs essential to your existence? Invest in time deposits, long-term stocks and housing.
7. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET
Make a list of all your monthly expenses, according to categories. Make also a list of irregular expenses-those that don't come monthly. Set up another savings account for these expenses and put in a little money each month. To differentiate this from the savings account, we call ours "freedom account" because it frees us from worrying about them when they suddenly attack. And stick to your budget!
ONE LAST WORD BEFORE WE CLOSE
BALANCE.
Don't take living simply to the extremes! Living simply doesn't mean living in deprivation. There are special days when my wife and I eat in a fancy restaurant. Or, when we splurge into a vacation. Very rare, yes, but my point is that you take living simply NOT as a rigid goal - but as a happy process towards the goals of generosity, inner peace and holiness.
Happiness is not found outside of you. It doesn't come from cars, clothes, cash, or Caribbean cruises. Happiness is found within. But how can you find it if you don't have the simplicity of time and space to discover the most important things in your life? How can you search the depths of your soul if you are too busy impressing others, acquiring wealth, protecting your properties, and paying your debts?
Simplicity is not about the external either: living in a doghouse, eating in Hepatitis joints, wearing rags. Let me define what it is: Simplicity is living from the core of your being.
A TREASURE MAP OF HAPPINESS
Simplicity will point to you where and what and who the gold is in your life. Let me share with you the seven powerful lessons I've learned on simple living:
1. LIVE ON LESS, AND DELIGHT IN THEM MORE
Some take their pleasure dining in classy restaurants, trips to Europe, and owning the latest home theatre-equipment. I've chosen the simple path: If I can simply be with my wife, or take a quiet stroll under a canopy of stars, or play with a child, or read a good book in my home, or laugh with friends over a pizza, I consider myself richly blessed. Focus on what you have and not on what you don't have.
2. STOP RUNNING AND WALK INSTEAD
Here's the truth: The person who has covered the greatest distance does NOT win, but the one who has most enjoyed the journey does. Stop running around chasing your own tail! Get off your hurried pace and learn to breathe. Replace doing with being. Learn to say no to invitations, appointments, and commitments, activities and events that will rob you of your focus. Learn to say "yes" to rest, to tranquility, to quietness.
3. YOU ARE MORE THAN YOUR WEALTH
I own very few things today. Because I am more than the brand of my watch, the logo of my shoes, the name of my car. I believe that if in my soul I deeply respect and value myself, people around me will sense that, and they too, will value and respect me-whether I'm wearing Armani or not. You are more than your wealth.
4. AVOID BUYING ON CREDIT
I don't believe in borrowing from credit cards. (For convenience, I use one card but I pay the whole amount at the end of each month.) If I need something really bad, I save up for it. Sometimes, at midpoint, I realize I don't really need the darn thing and give up the whole idea. The only exception I feel we should enter into a credit is when buying a non-depreciating item, such as housing or land. I believe we should always live within our earning capacity.
Proverbs 22:7 says, "Those who borrow are slaves of moneylenders."
5. GIVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
If I content myself with P250 shirt instead of P4,000 Lacoste, I can help others more. Trust me, there is immense pleasure! You will find that the empty thrill of owning a diamond ring on your finger pales in comparison to the joy of handling a piece of bread to an orphan child. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8) The Old Testament of tithing, or giving 10% of your income is a good guideline to follow. The New Testament challenges us to give with a cheerful heart. (When you're cheerful, you may give more than 10%!) Make it a habit.
6. SAVE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN
Saving is essential to being good stewards of the money that God "lends" to us. Saving is an important way of providing for our future-both for our needs and to be generous to others. I recommend that you save at least 10% of your income. I can almost hear you now: "Bo, that's impossible!" Oh yeah? Well, how did you live three years back when your salary was one-half its present amount?" Sacrifice. Many of our needs are actually wants. Is cable TV a need? Will you suddenly die if you can't watch CNN or HBO? Are those new golf clubs essential to your existence? Invest in time deposits, long-term stocks and housing.
7. BUDGET, BUDGET, BUDGET
Make a list of all your monthly expenses, according to categories. Make also a list of irregular expenses-those that don't come monthly. Set up another savings account for these expenses and put in a little money each month. To differentiate this from the savings account, we call ours "freedom account" because it frees us from worrying about them when they suddenly attack. And stick to your budget!
ONE LAST WORD BEFORE WE CLOSE
BALANCE.
Don't take living simply to the extremes! Living simply doesn't mean living in deprivation. There are special days when my wife and I eat in a fancy restaurant. Or, when we splurge into a vacation. Very rare, yes, but my point is that you take living simply NOT as a rigid goal - but as a happy process towards the goals of generosity, inner peace and holiness.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Just for Laughs - Kids in Church
3-year-old Reese:
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."
A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."
One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl
replied,
"Because people are sleeping."
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus!"
A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"
A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
"Our Father, Who does art in heaven,
Harold is His name.
Amen."
A little boy was overheard praying:
"Lord, if you can't make me a better boy, don't worry about it.
I'm having a real good time like I am."
After the christening of his baby brother in church,
Jason sobbed all the way home in the back seat of the car.
His father asked him three times what was wrong.
Finally, the boy replied,
"That preacher said he wanted us brought up in a Christian home,
and I wanted to stay with you guys."
One particular four-year-old prayed,
"And forgive us our trash baskets
as we forgive those who put trash in our baskets."
A Sunday school teacher asked her children as they
were on the way to church service,
"And why is it necessary to be quiet in church?" One bright little girl
replied,
"Because people are sleeping."
A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin 5, and Ryan 3.
The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake.
Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson.
"If Jesus were sitting here, He would say,
'Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.'
Kevin turned to his younger brother and said,
"Ryan, you be Jesus!"
A father was at the beach with his children
when the four-year-old son ran up to him,
grabbed his hand, and led him to the shore
where a seagull lay dead in the sand.
"Daddy, what happened to him?" the son asked.
"He died and went to Heaven," the Dad replied.
The boy thought a moment and then said,
"Did God throw him back down?"
A wife invited some people to dinner.
At the table, she turned to their six-year-old daughter and said,
"Would you like to say the blessing?"
"I wouldn't know what to say," the girl replied.
"Just say what you hear Mommy say," the wife answered.
The daughter bowed her head and said,
"Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?"
Thursday, September 20, 2007
P.U.S.H.
....PUSH
A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room
filled with light, and God 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.
So, 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 with all of his might. Each night the man
returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had
been spent in vain.
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan)
decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "You
have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved."
Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and
that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the
man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time,
giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough." That's what
the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and
to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.
"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service,
putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all
this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is
wrong? Why am I failing?"
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 of 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 sinewy and brown, your hands are callused
from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through
opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which
you used to have. True, 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. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will 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 just
a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith
that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the
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 your money is "gone" and the bills are due ... just P.U.S.H!
When people just don't understand you ... just P.U.S.H.!
P= Pray
U= Until
S= Something
H= Happens
Pass this on to all the loved ones and friends who may need it;
they may get it just in time.
Truly, great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and
impossible to forget!
warm regards!
A man was sleeping one night in his cabin when suddenly his room
filled with light, and God 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.
So, 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 with all of his might. Each night the man
returned to his cabin sore and worn out, feeling that his whole day had
been spent in vain.
Since the man was showing discouragement, the Adversary (Satan)
decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the weary mind: "You
have been pushing against that rock for a long time, and it hasn't moved."
Thus, he gave the man the impression that the task was impossible and
that he was a failure. These thoughts discouraged and disheartened the
man. Satan said, "Why kill yourself over this? Just put in your time,
giving just the minimum effort; and that will be good enough." That's what
the weary man planned to do, but decided to make it a matter of prayer and
to take his troubled thoughts to the Lord.
"Lord," he said, "I have labored long and hard in your service,
putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all
this time, I have not even budged that rock by half a millimeter. What is
wrong? Why am I failing?"
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 of 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 sinewy and brown, your hands are callused
from constant pressure, your legs have become massive and hard. Through
opposition you have grown much, and your abilities now surpass that which
you used to have. True, 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. That you have done. Now I, my friend, will 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 just
a simple obedience and faith in Him. By all means, exercise the faith
that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves the
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 your money is "gone" and the bills are due ... just P.U.S.H!
When people just don't understand you ... just P.U.S.H.!
P= Pray
U= Until
S= Something
H= Happens
Pass this on to all the loved ones and friends who may need it;
they may get it just in time.
Truly, great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and
impossible to forget!
warm regards!
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
A Beautiful Story
After 21 years of marriage, my wife wanted me to take
another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I
love you but I know this other woman loves you and
would love to spend some time with you.
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my
MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the
demands of my work and my three children had made it
possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner
and a movie.
"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is
the type of woman who suspects that a late night call
or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I
would like that very much."
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up
I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I
noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our
date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had
curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had
worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She
smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.
"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my
son, and they were impressed, "she said, as she got
into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our
meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm
as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I
had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large
print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes
and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic
smile was on her lips
"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you
were small," she said.
"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the
favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation -
nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent
events of each other's life. We talked so much that we
missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go
out with you again, but only if you let me invite
you." I agreed.
"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got
home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have
imagined," I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart
attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a
chance to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of
a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I
had dined.
An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I
wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I
paid for two plates - one for you and the other for
your wife. You will never know what that night meant
for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying
in time: "I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the
time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more
important than God and your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till "some other time."
another woman out to dinner and a movie. She said I
love you but I know this other woman loves you and
would love to spend some time with you.
The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my
MOTHER, who has been a widow for 19 years, but the
demands of my work and my three children had made it
possible to visit her only occasionally.
That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner
and a movie.
"What's wrong, are you well," she asked? My mother is
the type of woman who suspects that a late night call
or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.
"I thought that it would be pleasant to spend some
time with you," I responded. "Just the two of us."
She thought about it for a moment, and then said, "I
would like that very much."
That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up
I was a bit nervous. When I arrived at her house, I
noticed that she, too, seemed to be nervous about our
date. She waited in the door with her coat on. She had
curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had
worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary. She
smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's.
"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my
son, and they were impressed, "she said, as she got
into the car. "They can't wait to hear about our
meeting". We went to a restaurant that, although not
elegant, was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm
as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I
had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large
print. Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes
and saw Mom sitting there staring at me. A nostalgic
smile was on her lips
"It was I who used to have to read the menu when you
were small," she said.
"Then it's time that you relax and let me return the
favor," I responded.
During the dinner, we had an agreeable conversation -
nothing extraordinary, but catching up on recent
events of each other's life. We talked so much that we
missed the movie.
As we arrived at her house later, she said, "I'll go
out with you again, but only if you let me invite
you." I agreed.
"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got
home. "Very nice. Much more so than I could have
imagined," I answered.
A few days later, my mother died of a massive heart
attack. It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a
chance to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of
a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I
had dined.
An attached note said: "I paid this bill in advance. I
wasn't sure that I could be there; but nevertheless, I
paid for two plates - one for you and the other for
your wife. You will never know what that night meant
for me. I love you, son."
At that moment, I understood the importance of saying
in time: "I LOVE YOU!" and to give our loved ones the
time that they deserve. Nothing in life is more
important than God and your family. Give them the time
they deserve, because these things cannot be put off
till "some other time."
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Lessons on Life
Lessons on Life
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in
summer, and the youngest son in the fall.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted.
The second son said no it was covered with green buds and full of promise.
The third son disagreed; he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
Moral:
Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Don't judge life by one difficult season.
Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later.
Monday, September 17, 2007
SAND and STONE
TWO FRIENDS WERE WALKING
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:
"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE ".
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"
THE FRIEND REPLIED
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT."
LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BLESSINGS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON, AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY
TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.
SEND THIS PHRASE TO THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER
FORGET. I JUST DID.
IF YOU DON'T
SEND IT TO ANYONE,
IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A
HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE
FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS.
TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!
DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE
WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE !
AND IF I HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK,
THEN I KNOW MY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE
THROUGH THE DESERT.
DURING SOME POINT OF THE
JOURNEY, THEY HAD AN
ARGUMENT; AND ONE FRIEND
SLAPPED THE OTHER ONE
IN THE FACE.
THE ONE WHO GOT SLAPPED
WAS HURT, BUT WITHOUT
SAYING ANYTHING,
WROTE IN THE SAND:
TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE.
THEY KEPT ON WALKING,
UNTIL THEY FOUND AN OASIS,
WHERE THEY DECIDED
TO TAKE A BATH
THE ONE WHO HAD BEEN
SLAPPED GOT STUCK IN THE
MIRE AND STARTED DROWNING,
BUT THE FRIEND SAVED HIM.
AFTER HE RECOVERED FROM
THE NEAR DROWNING,
HE WROTE ON A STONE:
"TODAY MY BEST FRIEND
SAVED MY LIFE ".
THE FRIEND WHO HAD SLAPPED
AND SAVED HIS BEST FRIEND
ASKED HIM, "AFTER I HURT YOU,
YOU WROTE IN THE SAND AND NOW,
YOU WRITE ON A STONE, WHY?"
THE FRIEND REPLIED
"WHEN SOMEONE HURTS US
WE SHOULD WRITE IT DOWN
IN SAND, WHERE WINDS OF
FORGIVENESS CAN ERASE IT AWAY.
BUT, WHEN SOMEONE DOES
SOMETHING GOOD FOR US,
WE MUST ENGRAVE IT IN STONE
WHERE NO WIND
CAN EVER ERASE IT."
LEARN TO WRITE
YOUR HURTS IN
THE SAND AND TO
CARVE YOUR
BLESSINGS IN STONE.
THEY SAY IT TAKES A
MINUTE TO FIND A SPECIAL
PERSON, AN HOUR TO
APPRECIATE THEM, A DAY
TO LOVE THEM, BUT THEN
AN ENTIRE LIFE
TO FORGET THEM.
SEND THIS PHRASE TO THE PEOPLE YOU'LL NEVER
FORGET. I JUST DID.
IF YOU DON'T
SEND IT TO ANYONE,
IT MEANS YOU'RE IN A
HURRY AND THAT YOU'VE
FORGOTTEN YOUR FRIENDS.
TAKE THE TIME TO LIVE!
DO NOT VALUE THE THINGS
YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE, BUT VALUE
WHO YOU HAVE IN YOUR LIFE !
AND IF I HAPPEN TO GET IT BACK,
THEN I KNOW MY PLACE IN YOUR LIFE
Thursday, September 13, 2007
God Always sends a Rainbow after the rain.
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, there will always be sunshine, after the
rain ....
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always ready,
To answer your call ...
He knows every heartache, sees every tear, A word from His lips,
can calm every fear ...
Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night, But suddenly vanish,
in dawn's early light ...
The Savior is waiting, somewhere above, To give you His grace,
and send you His love...
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain, "God always sends rainbows ....
after the rain ... "
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
An inspiration I
This is a reflection reading from the devotional Sabbath for September 12, 2007
A working man was invited to an antique shop where he admired a work of art that cost half-a-year’s salary. He worked hard for six months, going on overtime work and getting a second job, stopped his vices, and made a dramatic change in his lifestyle to save the amount of money he needed to buy the genuine artifact. When he had saved enough money, he went back to the shop and found the expensive antique; he bought it and went home.
In his home, the man placed his new treasure on a special spot. Each time a guest came for a visit, the costly antique easily caught attention and was greatly admired. But his house was rather unkempt and as the days passed, the obra maestra became more and more like a sore thumb inside his disheveled abode. The beautiful antique made him see how ugly his dwelling place was. The following happened:
Day One: General House Cleaning
Day Two: House Repainting
Day Three: Furniture Repair Works
Day Four: Floor Polishing
Day Five: Installation of Curtain Rods and Putting Curtains
Day Six: Other Interior Renovation
Day Seven: House Re-warming
His house became a place worthy of the great treasure.
The man is you. The man is me. The house is our hearts. The Priceless Treasure is Jesus.
St. Paul reminds us, as he reminded the Colossian through his letter read today, to make our hearts worthy of the Lord. The truth of our welcoming Jesus in our hearts is proven by the changing of our life according to His own. Genuine discipleship cannot leave us to the old lifestyle we had before we met, loved, and followed the Lord. If our discipleship is true, we will see whatever is dirty in our hearts and we will clean it, we will recognize what is ugly in our life and we will change it with what is worthy of Jesus, our Lord and Master. Beware: Jesus changes us; we do not change Him. Think twice before you bring Him home. Your home will never be the same again. But you cannot be any richer! You will have in your life the Source of every good gift.
Fr. Bobby T.
_________________________________
I was strucked by todays devotional, the analogy is similar to the way I'm living my life. It is not enough that we believe, more importantly that our beliefs move us into action, to do what must be done. Take charge of our life and make it worthy in God's sight.
A working man was invited to an antique shop where he admired a work of art that cost half-a-year’s salary. He worked hard for six months, going on overtime work and getting a second job, stopped his vices, and made a dramatic change in his lifestyle to save the amount of money he needed to buy the genuine artifact. When he had saved enough money, he went back to the shop and found the expensive antique; he bought it and went home.
In his home, the man placed his new treasure on a special spot. Each time a guest came for a visit, the costly antique easily caught attention and was greatly admired. But his house was rather unkempt and as the days passed, the obra maestra became more and more like a sore thumb inside his disheveled abode. The beautiful antique made him see how ugly his dwelling place was. The following happened:
Day One: General House Cleaning
Day Two: House Repainting
Day Three: Furniture Repair Works
Day Four: Floor Polishing
Day Five: Installation of Curtain Rods and Putting Curtains
Day Six: Other Interior Renovation
Day Seven: House Re-warming
His house became a place worthy of the great treasure.
The man is you. The man is me. The house is our hearts. The Priceless Treasure is Jesus.
St. Paul reminds us, as he reminded the Colossian through his letter read today, to make our hearts worthy of the Lord. The truth of our welcoming Jesus in our hearts is proven by the changing of our life according to His own. Genuine discipleship cannot leave us to the old lifestyle we had before we met, loved, and followed the Lord. If our discipleship is true, we will see whatever is dirty in our hearts and we will clean it, we will recognize what is ugly in our life and we will change it with what is worthy of Jesus, our Lord and Master. Beware: Jesus changes us; we do not change Him. Think twice before you bring Him home. Your home will never be the same again. But you cannot be any richer! You will have in your life the Source of every good gift.
Fr. Bobby T.
_________________________________
I was strucked by todays devotional, the analogy is similar to the way I'm living my life. It is not enough that we believe, more importantly that our beliefs move us into action, to do what must be done. Take charge of our life and make it worthy in God's sight.
Now That's GOD!
I heard a story of a man on business whom I will never know, but I know God wanted me to hear his story.
He was head of security at a company that had invited the remaining members of a company who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their office space.
With his voice full of awe, he told the stories of why these people were alive and their counterparts were dead.
All the stories were just little things. .
You might know about the head of the company who got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning.
He took the various means to get to work, but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive.
So, Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me... I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.
May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things.
A Tiny Voice Inside
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for...
THAT'S GOD... He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call or letter from them...
THAT'S GOD... there is no such thing as "coincidence."
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford…
THAT'S GOD... He knows the desires of your heart...
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it...
THAT'S GOD... He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day...
Do you think that this E-Mail was sent to you by chance?
I was thinking of You!
Please pass this along and share the Power of God...
In all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
This message was sent to me by a close friend and please pass it on to all of your good friends.
Keep this going for an eternity.
NOW THAT'S GOD!!
Keep smiling……. It’s one of the best advertisements for God… it makes people wonder what you’ve got…..
He was head of security at a company that had invited the remaining members of a company who had been decimated by the attack on the Twin Towers to share their office space.
With his voice full of awe, he told the stories of why these people were alive and their counterparts were dead.
All the stories were just little things. .
You might know about the head of the company who got in late that day because his son started kindergarten.
Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.
The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning.
He took the various means to get to work, but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot. He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive.
So, Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me... I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.
May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things.
A Tiny Voice Inside
Have you ever been just sitting there and all of a sudden you feel like doing something nice for someone you care for...
THAT'S GOD... He talks to you through the Holy Spirit.
Have you ever been thinking about somebody that you haven't seen in a long time and then next thing you know you see them or receive a phone call or letter from them...
THAT'S GOD... there is no such thing as "coincidence."
Have you ever received something wonderful that you didn't even ask for, like money in the mail, a debt that had mysteriously been cleared, or a coupon to a department store where you had just seen something you wanted, but couldn't afford…
THAT'S GOD... He knows the desires of your heart...
Have you ever been in a situation and you had no clue how it is going to get better, but now you look back on it...
THAT'S GOD... He passes us through tribulation to see a brighter day...
Do you think that this E-Mail was sent to you by chance?
I was thinking of You!
Please pass this along and share the Power of God...
In all that we do, we should totally give HIM thanks and our blessings will continue to multiply.
This message was sent to me by a close friend and please pass it on to all of your good friends.
Keep this going for an eternity.
NOW THAT'S GOD!!
Keep smiling……. It’s one of the best advertisements for God… it makes people wonder what you’ve got…..
Monday, September 10, 2007
A quick and (true) story
Here's a quick (and true) story that really spoke to me and I thought you'd appreciate it:
Long after the crowd had left and the cameras had moved, a lone runner entered the stadium to complete the 26-mile-long marathon in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Injured earlier in the race during a fall, he stumbled along, more than an hour after the others had finished. Hurling himself to the finish line, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania finished dead last. But before you judge him as a loser, take careful heed of the words he uttered when asked why he did not quit earlier when he had been injured:
"My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."
Long after the crowd had left and the cameras had moved, a lone runner entered the stadium to complete the 26-mile-long marathon in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Injured earlier in the race during a fall, he stumbled along, more than an hour after the others had finished. Hurling himself to the finish line, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania finished dead last. But before you judge him as a loser, take careful heed of the words he uttered when asked why he did not quit earlier when he had been injured:
"My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."
The Awesomeness of GOD!!
IN CHEMISTRY...HE
TURNED WATER TO WINE
IN BIOLOGY...
HE WAS
BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.
IN PHYSICS...
HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN
IN ECONOMICS...
HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN
(not...INCLUDING the WOMEN and CHILDREN)
WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;
IN MEDICINE...
HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,
IN HISTORY...
HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;
IN GOVERNMENT.. .
HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;
IN RELIGION...
HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;
SO.
WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!
JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;
HE IS WORTHY.
THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL, THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN, AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER. REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.
AMEN
IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!
The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet
He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. send this to all
On your buddy list .. if not just ignore it.
If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said ... "If you deny me
before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven."
God's Blessing is Over Flowing!
Have A Blessed Day
and pass this on.
The Next Person Just Might Need It!
TURNED WATER TO WINE
IN BIOLOGY...
HE WAS
BORN WITHOUT THE NORMAL CONCEPTION.
IN PHYSICS...
HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF GRAVITY WHEN HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN
IN ECONOMICS...
HE DISPROVED THE LAW OF DIMINISHING RETURN BY FEEDING 5000 MEN
(not...INCLUDING the WOMEN and CHILDREN)
WITH TWO FISHES & 5 LOAVES OF BREAD;
IN MEDICINE...
HE CURED THE SICK AND THE BLIND WITHOUT ADMINISTERING A SINGLE DOSE OF DRUGS,
IN HISTORY...
HE IS THE BEGINNING AND THE END;
IN GOVERNMENT.. .
HE SAID THAT HE SHALL BE CALLED WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, PRINCE OF PEACE;
IN RELIGION...
HE SAID NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM;
SO.
WHO IS HE?
HE IS JESUS!
JOIN ME AND LET'S CELEBRATE HIM;
HE IS WORTHY.
THE EYES BEHOLDING THIS MESSAGE SHALL NOT BEHOLD EVIL, THE HAND THAT WILL SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYBODY SHALL NOT LABOR IN VAIN, AND THE MOUTH SAYING AMEN TO THIS PRAYER SHALL SMILE FOREVER. REMAIN IN GOD AND SEEK HIS FACE ALWAYS.
AMEN
IN GOD I'VE FOUND EVERYTHING!
The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet
He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
If you believe in God and in Jesus Christ His Son .. send this to all
On your buddy list .. if not just ignore it.
If you ignore it, just remember that Jesus said ... "If you deny me
before man, I will deny you before my Father in Heaven."
God's Blessing is Over Flowing!
Have A Blessed Day
and pass this on.
The Next Person Just Might Need It!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Don't save it for the funeral
An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death's agony, he suddenly
smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up
the stairs. He had lived a simple life. He had not asked for much. But
if there is one thing he had always wanted it is his favorite
chocolate chip cookies.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed.
Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom,
and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping
the railing with both hands.
With labored breath, he leaned against the doorframe, gazing into the
kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself
already in heaven: There, spread out on the kitchen table, were
literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.
"No…no…no…this could not be heaven or was it heaven?" the old man
thought to himself. Or was it merely one final act of heroic love from
his devoted wife seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table.
His aged and withered hand made its way to a cookie at the edge of the
table, when his wife suddenly smacked it with a spatula.
"Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral."
The question is, "Why save the good for the funeral when it should
have been shared and enjoyed beforehand by the living?" Isn't it a
shame that flowers are given when they could no longer be seen and
words are said when they can no longer be heard.
• "What a wonderful friend she was."
• "He meant so much to me."
• "He was a good man…"
And then some comments reflect the realization that when we had our
chance, we never express our feelings adequately to those we love
while they were alive.
• "I never got the chance to tell him how much I appreciated what he
had done for me."
• "I hope she realizes how much I love her."
The good things you want to do and the good words you want to say,
don't save it for the funeral. Do it and say it now.
I learn so many important life lessons every time I go to a funeral.
Parties? Well, I enjoy them too but the reality is that there is not
so much to learn. So given a choice I would rather attend a funeral
than a party and learn more things about live and living.
And while we are on the subject matter, do not save the best for last.
It does not make sense.
We keep our best china waiting for those special guests to come when
the most special people are with us every day of our lives. We store
our favorite watch wanting to wear it on that special occasion and we
fail to realize that the best time of our life does not belong to the
past and neither is it in the future, it's in the here and now. We
stock and safety-vault the best of our jewelry planning to wear them
for that special occasion but all these does not make sense.
You do not save the best for last; you save the best for now. If your
best is not now then your life is not exactly fulfilling isn't it? You
never know when your best would be but you can always make today the
best it could be.
If someone means something special to you, don't save it for the
funeral. Share it with them now! And do yourself a favor. Bring out
those beautiful and expensive china, wear that expensive watch. Open
the safe vault and enjoy those things for after all they are just
things aren't they?
Here's the catch. Use them for the people you love. You want to be
your best for them.
Honor them by being making the here and now the best moment of your
life and share it with your loved ones.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need
money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's
watching. Live today as if there's no more tomorrow not in a spirit of
carefree abandon or recklessness but in celebration of life as a gift
from the Author of Life.
So spend today wisely and cheerfully.
Don't save it for the funeral
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE) By Francis J. Kong
Philippine Star, Sunday, September 2, 2007
smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up
the stairs. He had lived a simple life. He had not asked for much. But
if there is one thing he had always wanted it is his favorite
chocolate chip cookies.
He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from the bed.
Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of the bedroom,
and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping
the railing with both hands.
With labored breath, he leaned against the doorframe, gazing into the
kitchen. Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself
already in heaven: There, spread out on the kitchen table, were
literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies.
"No…no…no…this could not be heaven or was it heaven?" the old man
thought to himself. Or was it merely one final act of heroic love from
his devoted wife seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table.
His aged and withered hand made its way to a cookie at the edge of the
table, when his wife suddenly smacked it with a spatula.
"Stay out of those," she said. "They're for the funeral."
The question is, "Why save the good for the funeral when it should
have been shared and enjoyed beforehand by the living?" Isn't it a
shame that flowers are given when they could no longer be seen and
words are said when they can no longer be heard.
• "What a wonderful friend she was."
• "He meant so much to me."
• "He was a good man…"
And then some comments reflect the realization that when we had our
chance, we never express our feelings adequately to those we love
while they were alive.
• "I never got the chance to tell him how much I appreciated what he
had done for me."
• "I hope she realizes how much I love her."
The good things you want to do and the good words you want to say,
don't save it for the funeral. Do it and say it now.
I learn so many important life lessons every time I go to a funeral.
Parties? Well, I enjoy them too but the reality is that there is not
so much to learn. So given a choice I would rather attend a funeral
than a party and learn more things about live and living.
And while we are on the subject matter, do not save the best for last.
It does not make sense.
We keep our best china waiting for those special guests to come when
the most special people are with us every day of our lives. We store
our favorite watch wanting to wear it on that special occasion and we
fail to realize that the best time of our life does not belong to the
past and neither is it in the future, it's in the here and now. We
stock and safety-vault the best of our jewelry planning to wear them
for that special occasion but all these does not make sense.
You do not save the best for last; you save the best for now. If your
best is not now then your life is not exactly fulfilling isn't it? You
never know when your best would be but you can always make today the
best it could be.
If someone means something special to you, don't save it for the
funeral. Share it with them now! And do yourself a favor. Bring out
those beautiful and expensive china, wear that expensive watch. Open
the safe vault and enjoy those things for after all they are just
things aren't they?
Here's the catch. Use them for the people you love. You want to be
your best for them.
Honor them by being making the here and now the best moment of your
life and share it with your loved ones.
Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need
money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's
watching. Live today as if there's no more tomorrow not in a spirit of
carefree abandon or recklessness but in celebration of life as a gift
from the Author of Life.
So spend today wisely and cheerfully.
Don't save it for the funeral
BUSINESS MATTERS (BEYOND THE BOTTOM LINE) By Francis J. Kong
Philippine Star, Sunday, September 2, 2007
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