ARE YOU REASON, A SEASON, OR A LIFETIME?

Pay attention to what you read. After you read this, you will know the reason it was sent to you! People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person. When someone is in your life for a REASON. . . It is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to
provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are!They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part, or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to
bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered. And now it is time to move on. Then people come into your life for a SEASON. Because your turn has come to
share, grow, or learn. They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season. LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons: things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant. Thank you for being a part of my life.
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been wronged.
Dance like no one is watching.
Sing like you love the song.
Stop here and just SMILE

You Deserve Love
 

You Deserve Love
While listening to my great Aretha Franklin CD selections (thanks Babs), I'm motivated to write you today about that "R" word.....relationships.

You can't make someone love you. How many times have you...I mean how many people have you known that sit and wait in vain, have rapped on the door and tapped on the window pane, did "drive-bys" wondering if he or she was home, charged up the credit cards, phone calls in the middle of the night, rearranging their life, changing their hair, can't eat, sleep or work...you know all that crazy stuff hoping love would be returned? If the one you love can't return the love, get a clue and move on with your life. If you've got to convince someone to see and honor your goodness and love....then it's not worth it. Your heart is going to end up in the Heartbreak Hotel or the Y-Tell Motel.

Like Aretha sings, "you're still a rose, you still got the power." You're not responsible for someone else's immaturity, addictions, temper, lack of faith, low self-esteem or inner turmoil. Maybe it's the sign...he's not the one....she's not the one. If someone is trying to hold onto broken pieces of a relationship or if it's all ONE-sided, is that really love? Or is it desperation, afraid to be alone, afraid you can't love or be loved again, or is it a fear of what people will think or is it time for you to heal and deal with your own issues?

All relationships have thorns but the rose is what makes it beautiful to behold. The rose makes it easier to endure the thorns in life. If the rose is gone and only the thorns remain, it's time to reevaluate your life.

Love should not need convincing. Love should not be a battle. Love should not be competition (sitting on the Jerry "Swinger" show). Love should not have you sitting by the phone waiting, waiting, waiting. Love is kind. Love forgives. Love affirms. Love responds. Love serves. Love communicates. Love encourages. Love is a decision. Love heals. Love pays attention. Love is present. Love remembers. Love listens. Love cares. Love answers the phone! Love comes home! You deserve love!

By Jewel Diamond Taylor

Are You a Pack Rat
 

CASTING OFF THE OLD
By Sandra Clifton

"Lord, open the windows of heaven and let Your blessings roll in!" This was the prayer of my husband, Terry, and me during a rather long and financially bleak season after the tragic events of September 11, 2001.

We studied our 10-year-old file cabinet, which was so stuffed with former free-lance art and writing projects that there was little to no room for anything new. The promise of new projects was there; they just hadn't come in yet. We needed to clear some space for them.

So we rolled up our sleeves, plopped down on the floor and began the task of sorting and combing through old papers and files. Most of the old was just taking up space. We agreed to toss EVERYTHING-with the exception of things near and dear to us, things that could be merged with others things, and things misfiled.

Noon came. When we got up from the floor for lunch, we were shocked to discover that in spite of our valiant efforts to purge, we seemed to have more of the old than we'd had before!

"Something's definitely wrong with this picture," said Terry, slipping and sliding across the floor, his foot making contact with my "regroup" and "rename" files.

Often I sense the Lord is smiling about the situations we get ourselves into. In this case, I perceived that He was laughing. Here we were praying for Him to open the windows of heaven, yet how would we have seen the blessings amid the clutter and old stuff stacked around us?

Working on the purge project with my husband made me realize how easy it is-instead of getting rid of the old-to merely rename and refile it! Old grudges are a good example. The anger we feel (initially filed under "Anger") becomes "Wounds Caused to the Innocent." We build a case (and a file) and hold onto all the negatives ("I'm a victim!" "I've always been a failure!" "People are always that way!") and the file cabinet within us grows, bulging with old stuff, leaving no room for the new that God wants to bring in.

The remedy, Jesus said, for such things as grudges and anger, is reconciliation, forgiveness and letting go (see Matt. 5:21-24; 6:14-15; Eph. 4:31-32; Col. 3:12-13). Perhaps in yielding our lives each day to the Spirit of the Lord and "casting all [our] care upon Him" (1 Pet. 5:7), we can not only let go of what ails us, but we can let God in to do His work and His will-which is always great-for our lives.

The word for "casting" in the Greek refers to the act of humbling oneself and trusting everything to God. The use of the present progressive ending "-ing" shows that this act of trusting God is to be an ongoing, daily activity-a regular part of the way we live. God wants us to rely on Him for everything.

As a pack rat in rehabilitation, I invite you to join me today in letting go of what is overtaking you-and turn to God, who is over all things (see Col. 1:17; 2:9-10). Jesus Christ, the Way Maker, has already made a way for you and me to walk in victory, past the rubble and blockades of past hurts and failures-by His work on the cross.

You can make a fresh start by casting off the "old stuff" and letting Him work a miracle to bring fresh blessings to your life. Today is a new beginning, and there is a window of heaven open just for you.

Ask the Lord to reveal to you anything you need to release. Let go of it and yield yourself totally to Him. Continue to pray that the faith of those persecuted around the world for Christ's sake, would not waiver, but be strengthened. (Rom. 12:1-2; I John 3:22-23)

Desiderata
 

I didn't see this anywhere yet, so I had to add it. It is framed and hangs on my wall...I absolutely LOVE IT!

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it's a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantement, it is as perrenial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

"Desiderata" was written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945). In 1956, the rector of St. Paul's Church in Baltimore, Maryland, used the poem in a collection of mimeographed inspirational material for his congregation. Someone who subsequently printed it asserted that it was found in Old St. Paul's Church, dated 1692. The year 1692 was the founding date of the church and has nothing to do with the poem.

All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten
 

I thought this was especially important in light of recent discussions. It happens to be onne of my favorites.

~Kel

++++++++++++

from "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten" by Robert Fulghum

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in Kindergarten. Wisdom is not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sandpile at Sunday School. These are the things I learned:

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands, and stick together.

Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrafoam cup: The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hampsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrafoam cup -- they all die. So do we.

And remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned -- the biggest word of all -- LOOK.


Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all -- the whole world -- had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it's still true, no matter how old you are -- when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

I like the following quote:

"No man/woman is worth your tears because the only one who is will never make you cry."

(A little contradictory but you get the point :) )

Tug of War
 

TUG-OF-WAR

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida. A little boy decided
to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to
dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes,
socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as
he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the
shore His mother in the house was looking out the window saw the two as they
got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water,
yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy
became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late.
Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother
grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.
That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much
stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.
A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took
aim and shot the alligator.

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.
His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal, and, on
his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his
flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter
who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his
scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said
to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I
have them because my
Mom wouldn't let go."

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not
from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But the scars of a painful
past, some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But,
some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst
of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches
that God loves you. You are a child of God. He wants to protect you and
provide for you in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous
situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget
that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and
if you have the scars of His love on your arms be very, very grateful. He
did not and will not - let you go. …--author unknown to me


“The sheep that are My own hear and are listening to My voice; and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages. [To all eternity they shall never by any means be destroyed.] And no one is able to snatch them out of My hand. My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all [else]; and no one is able to snatch [them] out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are One.” John 10:27-30 AMP

Judging Others
 

Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
...
1 Samuel 16:7


Last week, I went to Wal-mart. At the checkout, the cashier noticed my nails. She went off. She could not believe they were mine... Oh, how pretty, I'm so lucky ... and so on, and so on, and so on.

Then, she started getting down on herself. Mine won't grow.. I've done everything... I hate my stupid nails, etc. We chatted for a while about nail care, I paid my bill and left.

Later, I thought: I should have showed her my thumbnail on my left hand.

At the base, down near the skin, it was cracked and splintered; In a word: broken. Instead of having the manicurist clip it off, I asked her to paint over it and hide it. The cashier couldn't see that.

All she saw were my other nails, which I'd just gotten done. Had she peered closer, she would have seen the imperfection I was trying to hide.

What looks good isn't always good.

So often, we look at others and compare ourselves to them. And often, "Oh she's 25 and she's done this, "have it all " and we begin to get down on ourselves.

We find any number of ways to compare ourselves to the next sister and Stop!

There's a saying that the grass is always greener on the other side. Well, their water bill is higher too. And guess what? You can have green grass too.

You can't have what somebody else has if you're not willing to go
through what they went through.

Stop comparing yourself to others. Love yourself. Each of us has our own thorns. Be it weight, single-parenting, job dissatisfaction,
husband problems, financial distress, children woes, overworked/underpaid issues, loneliness, confusion, self doubt, etc.

You've got to love yourself and if you can't do that right now, at
least quit comparing yourself to others, because you don't know what they are going through.

Someone will always be prettier. They will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house.

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances. Think about it. The prettiest sister in the world can have Hell all up in her heart. The richest sister you know - she's got the car, the house, the clothes - might be lonely.

So, again, love you. And let Christ be your barometer. Mirror Him. He's the only standard, and even when you come up short, He will not leave you or forsake you.

Overlooking Offenses
Jul 13, 2002


"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." Proverbs 19:11

I have a friend who tells a story of a lesson the Lord taught him through his wife. It seems that every time he and his wife would get in the car to travel somewhere, his wife had a strong need to direct his driving. She would tell him where to turn and when to turn, even in their own subdivision. It was such a horrible habit that it drove my friend crazy and became the source of many an argument. Finally, one day my friend concluded that the Lord was trying to teach him something through this experience. He decided he would let go of his need to be free from this correction. He began to affirm his wife and even thank her for her input. It was excruciatingly painful to do this from where he sat.

A few months passed. He let go of the entire situation and actually got to a place where it just didn't matter to him anymore. An interesting thing happened a few months later. One day his wife looked at him and said, "John, I just realized that I have been directing your driving all these years and now realize why I do that. It goes back to my childhood when I had to direct my younger brothers and sisters. I am so sorry I have been doing that." My friend nearly fell out of his seat!

Whenever we work close to another person, whether in an office or home, small offenses can become the source of great conflict. Resentment and irritability soon follow. God brings these "offenses" into our lives to develop character qualities in us. He uses individuals in our lives to accomplish his goal of making us more Christlike. So the next time you complain or resist a habit or action from someone close to you, ask God if it has been placed there to develop some quality in you.

Pride is the root source of the need to change another person. A man's wisdom gives him patience-to let go of little offenses. This is where spiritual maturity is seen in the day-to-day activity of life. Is there someone close to you who has some habit you really want to change? Give up that desire to the Lord. Who knows, He may even change it after you let go of the need to change it.

I'm Glad You're In My Dash
 

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. (1934-1998)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth...
And now 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 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?

How Do You Walk Away ????
 

REALIZEhttp://www.annegeddes.com/images/_po...evdek1314n.jpg

To realize
the value of ten years:

Ask a newly divorced couple.


To realize
the value of four years:

Ask a graduate.


To realize
the value of one year:

Ask a student who has failed
a final exam.


To realize
the value of nine months:

Ask a mother who gave birth
to a stillborn.


To realize
the value of one month:

Ask a mother who has given
birth to a premature baby.


To realize
the value of one week:

Ask an editor of a weekly
newspaper.


To realize
the value of one hour:

Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.


To realize
the value of one minute:

Ask a person who has missed the
train, bus or plane.


To realize
the value of one second:

Ask a person who has survived an
accident.


To realize
the value of one millisecond:

Ask a person who has won a silver medal
in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more
when you can share it
With someone special.


To realize the
value of a friend:

Lose one.
http://www.annegeddes.com/images/_po...wlekc1232t.jpg

Re: How Do You Walk Away ????
 

you're really telling it like it is.....Oh this is the story of my life..walking away from those relationships that I both love/hurt over.
The safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God. Hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:D :D :D :D

PUMPKIN

Never looked at it like this before . . . . . . .

A woman was asked by a co-worker, "What is it like to be a Christian?"

The co-worker replied, "It is like being a pumpkin.

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.

He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc., and then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

This was passed on to me from another pumpkin.

Now, it is your turn to pass it to a pumpkin. I like this enough to send it to all the pumpkins in my patch.

Heavenly Peace
 

Heavenly Peace

I traveled so far that I lost my way.
I asked for guidance but my friends had nothing to say.
I was feeling desperate, alone and so scared.
It seemed to me that no-one cared.

Finally, I gave up and knelt to the ground.
I was convinced that love was nowhere around.
Quietly, the tears fell from my eyes.
Suddenly Someone heard my silent cries.

My soul was filled with such a sweet peace,
The chaos inside of me suddenly ceased.
My eyes were crying no more tears.
Gone from my heart was all worry and fear.

My Lord had reached down and touched my soul.
I knew at that moment I could reach my goal.
Although the road ahead will at times be unsteady,
With help from the Lord, I know I am ready.

I asked Him to go with me each step of the way.
He promised to be with me each hour of each day.
He promised to always be by my side
To protect, heal and love, support and to guide.

His love fills my heart; He’s my best friend.
My Lord will be with me all the way to the end.
--by Julie Cromer


"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at
all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of
you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:
Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The
Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in
everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. And the peace of God,
which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble,
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from
me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God
of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:4-9 NIV

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with
hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
NIV

Get Rid of the Frogs
 

Get Rid of the Frogs

"When shall I intreat for thee, and for thy servants, and for thy
people, to destroy the frogs from thee and thy houses?"

-- (Exodus 8:9)

Have you ever wrestled with one of those problems that stubbornly
refuses to go away? It seems to be immune to all solutions. You swat at
the thing in every conceivable way, but instead of being eliminated, it
expands and multiplies until it's wildly out of control.

An Egyptian pharaoh faced just that kind of problem, the Bible tells us,
thousands of years ago. He was in a hot dispute with God over the future
of the Israelites, and as a result of that dispute, he woke up one
morning to find his country swarming with frogs. Slimy, smelly,
hopping-all-over-the-place frogs.

It was a serious problem. I'm not talking about a frog or two in the
front yard. I mean frogs were everywhere--in their beds, on their
tables. Big old frogs in the ovens. Little bitty frogs in the bread
dough and the drinking water. Frogs. Frogs in your hair. Frogs in places
you wouldn't even want to think about!

Then God made a move. He sent His man Moses in to Pharaoh to ask, "When
shall I entreat the Lord to get these frogs out of here?"

Do you know what Pharaoh said?

"Tomorrow." Can you imagine that? He could have said, "Right now!
Today!" But instead he decided he'd spend one more night among the
frogs.

You say, "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard. Why in the world
would he do it tomorrow?" I don't know. Probably for the same reason you
want to wait until tomorrow to get saved or healed or prosperous.

Here's what I want you to notice. When Moses asked Pharaoh that question
and he answered, "Tomorrow," Moses said, "All right. So that you know
there's a God in heaven, BE IT DONE UNTO YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR WORDS."

Let me ask you this: How long are you willing to let that persisting
problem harass you? When are you going to get rid of the frogs in your
life? Do you realize they'll stay around as long as you'll let them?
They'll be there until you finally make a quality decision to go with
the Word of God and get them out.

Why don't you do it today?

Everything I need To Know About Life. . .
 

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark. Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you're stressed, float a while.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting. :D

Dear GOD
 

Dear God,

I'm writing to say I'm sorry
For being angry yesterday
When you seemed to ignore my prayer
And things didn't go my way

First, my car broke down
I was very late for work
But I missed that awful accident
Was that your handiwork?

I found a house I loved
But others got there first
I was angry, then relieved
When I heard the pipes had burst!

Yesterday, I found the perfect suit
But the color was too pale
Today, I found the suit in black
Would you believe, it was on sale!

I know you're watching over me
And I'm feeling truly blest
For no matter what I pray for
You always know what's best!

I have this circle of E-mail friends,
Who mean the world to me;
Some days I "send" and "send",
At other times, I let them be.

When I see each name download,
And view the message they've sent;
I know they've thought of me that day,
And "well wishes" were their intent.

I am so blessed to have these friends,
With whom I've grown so close;
So this little poem I dedicate to them,
Because to me they are the "Most"!

So to you, my friends, I would like to say,
Thank you for being a part;
Of all my daily contacts,
This comes right from my heart.

God bless you all is my prayer today,
I'm honored to call you "friend";
I pray the Lord will keep you safe,
Until we write again.

God Bless You
:)

The Race
 

"QUIT! GIVE UP! YOU'RE BEATEN!" They shout and plead,
There's just too much against you now, this time you can't succeed.
And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face,
My downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene.
For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being.
A children's race, young boys, young men; now I remember well.
Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope. Each thought to win that race.
Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son.
And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire.
To win, to be the hero there, was each young boy's desire.
And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd,
Was running near the lead and thought, "My dad will be so proud."

But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip,
The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace,
And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn't win it now.
Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow.
But as he fell, his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win that race!"

He quickly rose, no damage done - behind a bit, that's all,
And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself to catch up and to win,
His mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quite before with only one disgrace.
I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race.
But, in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face
That steady look that said again, "Get up and win the race."

So, he jumped up to try again. Ten yards behind the last.
If I'm to gain those yards, he thought, I've got to run real fast.
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten,
But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye.
There's no sense running anymore - three strikes and I'm out - why try?
The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had flew away.
So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way.

I've lost, so what's the use, he thought, I'll live with my disgrace.
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face.
"Get up," an echo sounded low. "Get up and take your place.
You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race."

With borrowed will, "Get up," it said, "You haven't lost at all,
For winning is not more than this, to rise each time you fall."
So up he rose to win once more. And with a new commit,
He resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn't quit.

So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been.
Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win.
Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he'd rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place.
Head high and proud and happy; no falling, no disgrace.
But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place,
The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race.

And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud;
You would have thought he'd won the race, to listen to the crowd.
And to his Dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well."
"To me you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell."

And when things seemed dark and hard and difficult to face,
The memory of that little boy - helps me in my race.
For all of life is like that race, with ups and down and all,
And all you have to do to win - is rise each time you fall.
"Quit!" "GIVE UP, YOU'RE BEATEN." They still shout in my face.
But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!"

Comfort Zone
 

I use to have a Comfort Zone
Where I knew I couldn't fail
The same four walls of busy work
Were really more like jail.

I longed so much to do the things
I'd never done before,
But I stayed inside my Comfort Zone
And paced the same old floor

I said it didn't matter,
That I wasn't doing much
I said I didn't care for things
Like diamonds, furs and such

I claimed to be so busy
With the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for
Something special of my own.

I couldn't let my life go by,
Just watching others win.
I held my breath and stepped outside
And let the change begin.

I took a step and with new strength
I'd never felt before,
I kissed my Comfort Zone "goodbye"
And closed and locked the door.

If you are in a Comfort Zone,
Afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were
At one time filled with doubt.

A step or two and words of praise,
Can make your dreams come true.
Greet your future with a smile,
Success is there for you!

Quater Life Crisis
 

GREETINGS SORORS and SISTERFRIENDS....
I've been away for quite some time - work, school, life etc. has just kept me busy.. you know how that goes.. Although I've never been a frequent poster I just wanted to add a little something to this post...

I don't know who wrote this and just as I was about to post it I noticed the link to the website at the bottom.... Unfortuneatly it's not in English... anywho, enjoy!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
They call it the "Quarter-life Crisis."

It is when you stop going along with the crowd and start realizing that there are many things about yourself that you didn't know and may not like. You start feeling insecure and wonder where you will be in a year or two, but then get scared because you barely know where you are now.

You start realizing that people are selfish and that, maybe, those friends that you thought you were so close to aren't exactly the greatest people you have ever met, and the people you have lost touch with are some of the most important ones. What you don't recognize is that they are realizing that too, and aren't really cold, catty, mean or insincere, but that they are as confused as you.

You look at your job... and it is not even close to what you thought you would be doing, or maybe you are looking for a job and realizing that you are going to have to start at the bottom and that scares you.


Your opinions have gotten stronger. You see what others are doing and find yourself judging more than usual because suddenly you realize that you have certain boundaries in your life and are constantly adding things to your list of what is acceptable and what isn't. One minute, you are insecure and then the next, secure. You laugh and cry with the greatest force of your life. You feel alone and scared and confused. Suddenly, change is the enemy and you try and cling on to the past with dear life, but soon realize that the past is drifting further and further away, and there is nothing to do but stay where you are or move forward.


You get your heart broken and wonder how someone you loved could do such damage to you. Or you lie in bed and wonder why you can't meet anyone decent enough that you want to get to know better. Or maybe you love someone but love someone else too and cannot figure out why you are doing this because you know that you aren't a bad person. One night stands and random hook ups start to look cheap. Getting wasted and acting like an idiot starts to look pathetic.

You go through the same emotions and questions over and over, and talk with your friends about the same topics because you cannot seem to make a decision. You worry about loans, money, the future and making a life for yourself... and while winning the race would be great, right now you'd just like to be a contender!

What you may not realize is that everyone reading this relates to it. We are in our best of times and our worst of times, trying as hard as we can to figure this whole thing out.


by ?

quarterlifecrisis.com

The Emperor's Seeds
 

The Emperor's Seeds

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose His successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day.
He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." The kids were shocked! But the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed one very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next
emperor!"

One boy named Ling was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home and excitedly told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it carefully. Every day he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, 4 weeks, 5 weeks went by. Still nothing.

By now, others were talking about their plants but Ling didn't have a plant, and he felt like a failure. Six months went by; still nothing in Ling's pot.

He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot but his Mother said he must be honest about what happened. Ling felt sick to his stomach, but he knew his Mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace.

When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful-in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other kids laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today, one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!" When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling," he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down.

He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds, which would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers. When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

If you plant honesty, You will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, You will reap friends.
If you plant humility, You will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, You will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, You will reap harmony.
If you plant hard work, You will reap success.
If you plant forgiveness, You will reap reconciliation.
If you plant openness, You will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, You will reap inner strength.
If you plant faith, You will reap miracles.

But If you plant dishonesty, You will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, You will reap loneliness
If you plant pride, You will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, You will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, You will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, You will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, You will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, You will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, You will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, You will reap guilt.

So be careful what you plant now, it will determine what you will reap tomorrow.

Windshield message from a child:

One rainy afternoon I was driving along one of the main streets of town, taking those extra precautions necessary when the roads are wet and slick. Suddenly, my son Matthew spoke up from his relaxed position in the front seat. "Mom, I'm thinking of something." This announcement usually meant he had been pondering some fact for a while, and was now ready to expound all that his seven-year-old mind had discovered. I was eager to hear. "What are you thinking?" I asked. "The rain;" he began, "is like sin, and the windshield wipers are like God wiping our sins away." After the chill bumps raced up my arms I was able to respond. "That's really good, Matthew." Then my curiosity broke in. How far would this little boy take this revelation? So I asked... "Do you notice how the rain keeps on coming? What does that tell you?" Matthew didn't hesitate one moment with his answer: "We keep on sinning, and God just keeps on forgiving us." I will always remember this whenever I turn my wipers on.

Sometimes we need a quick reminder to slow down the do some things for ourselves. Here are 36 things we can do to help give us a better quality of life. While we might not be able to accomplish all of these things at one time, choose a few (or perhaps just one) to get yourself started. No one can care for you like you can care for yourself!


36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

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.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often
too many.)
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects
over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. 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. 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. (Try to read your Bible every day - make it a priority)
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**
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Just Because
 

Just because no one has been fortunate enough to realize what a gold mine you are, doesn?t mean you shine any less.
Just because no one has been smart enough to figure out that you can?t be topped, doesn?t stop you from being the best.
Just because no one has come along to share your life, doesn?t mean that day isn?t coming.
Just because no one has made this race worth while, doesn?t give you permission to stop running.
Just because no one has realized how much of a woman you are, doesn?t mean they can affect your femininity.
Just because no one has come to take the loneliness away, doesn?t mean you have to settle for a lower quality.
Just because no one has shown up who can love you on your level, doesn?t mean you have to sink to theirs.
Just because you deserve the very best there is, doesn?t mean that life is always fair.
Just because God is still preparing your king, doesn?t mean that you?re not already a queen.
Just because your situation doesn?t seem to be progressing right now, doesn?t mean you need to change a thing. Keep shining, keep running, keep hoping, keep praying, and keep being exactly what you are already... COMPLETE!
________
VAPIR ONE VAPORIZER

How long can I wait!!
 

I wrote this at one turbulent time in my life obviously before I found Mr. Right and married him!!!!!:p :p

HOW LONG CAN I WAIT

How long can I wait
for you to get your priorities straight
It doesn't make sense when you say you care but you can't get be there
this I ask how long can I wait
for you to have a change of faith
beautiful, sweet, and smart...I've been told I am a thousand times
but why do I keep trying to change your dumb-as$ mind.
you yourself see these qualities of me like everyone else
but toward being with me you still rebell.
Now I feel silly asking myself what do I see in you
your qood qualities compared to mine equal few
So again why in the hell am I waiting on you
could it be your looks, the parties, the wine money or the romantic sex.
Although this is not all that I seek you gave it generously to me
I know that all of this blinded me to see that you're really not the one for me
and once I let go and God sees
He'll provide the real Superman thats already waiting to pamper me!!!!

-written in 1999 by me...dayum I felt like I was writing a song for Mary J. Blige.-

It's Your Pearl
 

Thought for Today:

IT'S YOUR PEARL!


When something irritates you, how do you handle it?
Do you take it personal?
Do you stay in peace?
Do you take action?
Do you speak up?
Do you sit down?
Do you feel overwhelmed?
Or do you feel like you can overcome it?

When an irritation like a foreign substance gets inside an oyster, it produces a secretion. After months the secretion hardens and evolves into a pearl. Man dives dangerously in the deep seas seeking pearls. They are valuable sought after treasures. People actually pay for this "irritation"
that evolved into a pearl. When an irritation gets inside your spirit and life, you can either allow it to eat you up and develop ulcers, hypertension, back ache, head ache, stomach ache, heart ache or you can gain a pearl of wisdom from the experience. You can develop a new insight,
faith and a life lesson from your setbacks and pain. This pearl of great price that you've gained was once an irritation, an unwelcome intrusion into your life but now you see it differently. You come out of the depths of the
sea of despair, depression and discouragement. You can come out of the dark pool of water and rise to the surface and see the light. It's your pearl.
Turn your pain into pearls. --by Jewel Diamond Taylor


"We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all
things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those
who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. For
those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also
destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image
of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the
firstborn among many brethren. And those whom He thus foreordained, He also
called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made
righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He
justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and
condition or state of being]. What then shall we say to [all] this? If God
is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our
side?] He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up
for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all
[other] things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is]
God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who
shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will
God, Who acquits us?] Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the
Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the
right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? Who shall ever
separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and
tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or
destitution or peril or sword?
36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long;
we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these
things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him
Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death
nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and
threatening nor things to come, nor powers, Nor height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:28-39 AMP

Be Thankful
 

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pains of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world.

If you can express your beliefs without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed that almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head 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 worlds wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive, you are very, very rare.

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 God's healing touch.

If you own just one Bible, you are abundantly blessed. 1/3 of the world does not have access to even one.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world that cannot read anything at all.

LOVING BACK WILL TEACH YOU


Everything happens for a reason. Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness, and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they may be, life would be like a smoothly paved, straight, flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and comfortable, but dull and utterly
pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the success and downfalls you experience, help to create who you are and who you become. Even the bad experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn about trust and the importance of being cautious when you open your heart.

If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally, not only because they love you, but because in a way, they are teaching you to love and how to open your heart and eyes to things.--author unknown to me


"Don't just pretend that you love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Stand on the side of the good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other." Romans 12:9-10 NLT

LORD'S BASEBALL GAME!



Bob and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs. They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.

The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.

The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at what Satan throws. The bases were now loaded.

The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said, "He sure doesn't look like much!" Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!


The Lord's team won. The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why. The Lord explained, "If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but, only My Grace can get you Home.

"For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

"Once you make a decision...Never look back."

This is my mom's e-mail signature and it is the sho nuff truth FOR ME. :D

How to Change Your Mind


ACCEPTANCE
Accept what you feel without judgment or criticism. Your feelings are telling you something, learn how to listen.

WILLINGNESS
Be willing to change. Be willing to learn. Be willing to act. Be willing to listen. Be willing to be wrong.

FORGIVENESS
Give up what happened in the past for a change in the present.

CREATE
Look at what you do moment by moment, day by day. If what you are doing is not getting you what you want, STOP DOING IT! Create something new by doing a new thing.

What you focus on will become your reality.
Change your mind ...Change your Life



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http://www.innervisionsworldwide.com...hment.htm#time

HC I love this! - BE ENCOURAGED
 

The Silent Years
=================

There are times when God will speak to you and then be silent
for an extended period of time. Silence does not mean you have
been forsaken by God. It simply means that God has spoken,
and now is the time to allow the word that He spoke to germinate
and come to pass.

Silence is not the same as peace. Silence is the absence of
noise, but peace is the presence of God! While you are going
through "silent years," you should focus on inner peace.

Inner peace produces outward confidence in the face of negative
circumstances so that we can go forward in the assurance that
even though tribulation is coming against us, we are more
than conquerors over it!

The Greek word for peace actually describes a spiritual
equilibrium no matter whatever may seek to upset us. The
biblical meaning of peace never denotes the absence of trouble.
Peace is not the absence of negatives but the presence of
positives. God's peace is inward and spiritual and never
predicated by contrary circumstances or negative events.

Poverty, sickness, death nor debt can override internal peace!

Silent years should indicate a time of reflection, introspection
and listening. The quieter we become, the more we hear.
However, we cannot rush the silent years.

Silent years are times of transition. Transition is always
uncomfortable and appears to last forever. We must ENDURE the
silent years! Whenever you see the word endure, it means that
there is no short cut through it. It must be endured.
You cannot circumvent what must be endured.

We are told to ENDURE unto the end. (Matt. 24:13)
We are told to ENDURE persecution and tribulation. (II Th. 1:4-10)
We are told to ENDURE hardness. (II Tim. 2:1-3)
We are told to ENDURE affliction. (II Tim. 4:5)
We are told to ENDURE chastening. (Heb. 12:7)

The key to being able to ENDURE is to see the END (ENDure).

Now, here are some things for you to question during the silent
years:

Is my life really submitted to God?
Am I submitted at home, work, church and to the government?
Have I learned my lesson?
What is God trying to teach me?
Am I humble enough to be teachable?
Has the fruit of patience been sufficiently developed in me?
Do I still have an appetite for the world in me?
Did I properly respond to the last thing God told me to do?
Have I attained a deeper faith?
Is my attitude right toward God and others?
Am I harboring unforgiveness?
What am I becoming?
Have I sufficiently developed and matured as a person?
Have I taken the time to minister to the Lord? (Acts 13:2)

During your silent years you should:

1. Practice and develop your gifts. Study.
2. Clarify. Define goals. Reorder priorities.
3. Serve (even while you are hurting).
4. Trust God.
5. Pray

Your silent years should change your life! You should come out
as a new person! When you come out, you should have a new level
of:

1. Knowledge
2. Responsibility
3. Authority/Power
4. Faith
5. Trust

Remember, problems never come to last, they only come to pass!

Happiness
 

I'll be happy when...
We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are. After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, when we are able to go on a nice vacation or when we retire. The truth is there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges.

It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with .. and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting ...
Until your car or home is paid off.
Until you get a new car or home.
Until your kids leave the house.
Until you go back to school.
Until you finish school.
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married.
Until you get a divorce.
Until you have kids.
Until you retire.
Until summer..
Until spring.
Until winter.
Until fall.
Until you die.

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt, and, dance like no one's watching.

This is somehting that I wanted to share especially since at this very minute are country is in a difficult position. I pray that every soldiers family be at peace with their place in this world and know that God will keep them and Bless them!!!

PEACE
 

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you . . ." (John 14:27).

There are times in our lives when our peace is based simply on our own ignorance. But when we are awakened to the realities of life, true inner peace is impossible unless it is received from Jesus.

When our Lord speaks peace, He creates peace, because the words that He speaks are always "spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63). Have I ever received what Jesus speaks? ". . . My peace I give to you . . ." -- a peace that comes from looking into His face and fully understanding and receiving His quiet contentment.

Are you severely troubled right now?

Are you afraid and confused by the waves and the turbulence God sovereignly allows to enter your life?

Have you left no stone of your faith unturned, yet still not found
any well of peace, joy, or comfort?

Does your life seem completely barren to you?

Then look up and receive the quiet contentment of the Lord Jesus. Reflecting His peace is proof that you are right with God, because you are exhibiting the freedom to turn your mind to Him.

If you are not right with God, you can never turn your mind anywhere but on yourself. Allowing anything to hide the face of
Jesus Christ from you either causes you to become troubled or gives you a false sense of security.

With regard to the problem that is pressing in on you right now, are you "looking unto Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and receiving peace from Him? If so, He will be a gracious blessing of peace exhibited in and through you. But if you only try to worry your way out of the problem, you destroy His effectiveness in you, and you deserve whatever you get.

We become troubled because we have not been taking Him into account. When a person confers with Jesus Christ, the confusion stops, because there is no confusion in Him. Lay everything out before Him, and when you are faced with difficulty, bereavement, and sorrow, listen to Him say, "Let not your heart be troubled . . ." (John 14:27).

RELEASE, RELEASE, RELEASE

Lightening your load also means knowing when to release things. One of the most dangerous things is to be shackled to your past. We all make mistakes, we all have regrets, but we must learn how to move beyond them. Life is too short to allow yourself to be an inmate in the prison of bad choices and weak decisions. The prison of previous mistakes comes with jailers of guilt and regret. Together they hold you captive, torturing you with images of what you could have been and what you could have accomplished had you not done this or that or the other.

What's unfortunate is that most of us don't realize that the key to release ourselves is within our own hands. Often, we are our own wardens, prolonging the sentence. Actually, many times we are the judge, jury, and prosecutor, giving ourselves a life sentence of misery, mourning and regret. What we
need to realize is that there is only one Judge, and He is forgiving.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God for He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:7 NKJV)

Yes, we all make bad choices at one time or another, but all we need to remember is that if we ask the Lord for His forgiveness, He will be merciful and release us from our sins. So if our Father releases us from our sins,
why do we remain in the self-imposed shackles of our past? Let us lift up our voices in repentance, and the walls of our prison cells will fall away.

I'm not saying you can just walk away from your mistakes. Sometimes there are consequences that we have to live with. However, when we make a bad choice, we need just to apply the three Rs: We need to repent, try to rectify the situation, and take responsibility for our deeds. But once we do
that, we need to move beyond the guilt. --by T.D. Jakes (Maximize The Moment
- God's Action Plan for Your Life)


"THE SPIRIT of the Lord God is upon me, ecause the Lord has anointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the
prison and of the eyes to those who are bound, To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord [the year of His favor] and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, To grant [consolation and joy] to those who mourn in Zion--to give them an ornament (a garland or diadem) of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment [expressive] of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit--that they may be called oaks of righteousness
[lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:1-3 AMP

No sure if this should go here, but...
 

I stumbled across my middle school's website and ran across this poem that was posted on the Special Education Teacher's page.

I just felt like sharing it.


Kids Who Are Different

Here’s to the kids who are different
The kids who don’t get all A’s
The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers
And noses that go on for days

Here’s to the kids who are different
The kids they call crazy or dumb
The kids who don’t fit, with the guts and the grits
Who dance to a different drum

Here’s to the kids who are different
The kids with the mischievous streak,
For when they have grown, as history’s shown
It’s their difference that makes them unique

You Let the Devil. . .
 

YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT BUT YOU LET HIM LEAVE HIS BAGS!!!!

You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful, and angry
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of financial debt, but you still can't control the desire to spend on frivolous things
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You said, I forgive you, but you can't seem to forget and have peace with that person
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You told your unequally yoked mate that it was over, but you still continue to call
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You got out of that horribly oppressive job, but you're still trying to sabotage the company after you've left
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You cut off the affair with that married man/woman, but you still lust after him/her
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You broke off your relationship with that hurtful, abusive person, but you are suspicious and distrusting of every new person you meet
(you let the devil leave his bags)

You decided to let go of the past hurts from growing up in an unstable family environment, yet you believe you are unworthy of love from others and you refuse to get attached to anyone
(you let the devil leave his bags)

WHEN YOU PUT THE DEVIL OUT, PLEASE MAKE SURE HE TAKES HIS BAGS, TOO!!

Keep Running
 

Usually two people start out together. One pulls ahead, the other drops to the rear. In some cases, the one in the lead can reach back and pull the other up to speed. In most cases, the one who reaches back gets slowed down, sometimes to a halt. Find your center and stay grounded in it. Know that you can still love a person who is running behind you, but if he/she starts walking, it is your responsibility to yourself to keep running.

The Holy Alphabet



Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!