Random Good Thoughts
 

There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams and hug them for real!

When the door of happiness closes, another opens; but often times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.
Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.
Go for someone who makes you smile, because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.

Dream what you want to dream;
Go where you want to go;
Be what you want to be,
Because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.

May you have enough happiness to make you sweet,
Enough trials to make you strong,
Enough sorrow to keep you human,
Enough hope to make you happy.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

Worry is negative energy that blocks insight and inspiration and
blinds us to the evidence of God's endless giving. No matter how bad things appear, God is always preparing you for something
better.

-Susan L. Taylor

Wisdom
 

1. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.

2. Dear God, I have a problem, it's me.

3. Growing old is inevitable, growing UP is optional.

4. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.

5. Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted.

6. You do the math. Count your blessings.

7. Faith is the ability to not panic.

8. Laugh every day, it's like inner jogging.

9. If you worry, don't pray. If you pray, don't worry.

10. As a child of God, prayer is kind of like calling home everyday.

11. Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.

12.THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS IN YOUR HOME ARE THE PEOPLE.

13. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still; God wants us to be still so He can untangle the knot.

14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.

15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.

16. We do not remember days, but moments. Life is moving too fast -- so enjoy your precious moments.

17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it, otherwise it's just hearsay.

18. It's all right to sit on your pity pot every now and again. Just be sure to FLUSH when you are done.

19. Surviving and living your life successfully requires courage. The goals and dreams you're seeking require courage and risk taking. Learn from the turtle, it only makes progress when it sticks out it's neck. ------"We are continually faced with great opportunities disguised as insolvable problems."

20. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.

"Trust God even when the pieces don't seem to fit."

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

A Prayer for When Life Doesn't Make Sense

Dear all-knowing, all-loving Father,

I am facing one of the hardest battles of my faith. You don't make sense to me right now, Father. I don't understand why things happen that you could prevent. My mind and my heart cry out for reasons and answers, yet I know that may not be for me to know right now.

Everyone around me thinks I am crazy to remain faithful to you, but I know that it is my only choice. Either you are God in control of the universe or you are not God at all. I believe that you love me and want what is best for me, even when it doesn't feel that way.

Give me strength and grace to fight this battle. Help me to focus on you, remember your love, and take the next step.

In your Almighty name,
Amen

Here are my top three favorites:

1. "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is though EVERYTHING is a miracle."

2. "Stop telling God how big your storm is. Start telling your storm how big GOD is!"

3. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Phillipians 4:13

One Liners
 

>1. Give God what's right -- not what's left.
2. Man's way leads to a hopeless end -- God's way leads to an endless hope.
>3. A lot of kneeling will keep you in good standing.
>4. He who kneels before God can stand before anyone.
>5. In the sentence of life, the devil may be a comma --but never let him be the period.
>6. Don't put a question mark where God puts a period.
>7. Are you wrinkled with burden? Come to the church for a face-lift.
>8. When praying, don't give God instructions -- just report for duty.
>9. Don't wait for six strong men to take you to church.
>10. We don't change God's message -- His message changes us.
>11. The church is prayer-conditioned.
>12. When God ordains, He sustains.
>13. WARNING: Exposure to the Son may prevent burning.
>14. Plan ahead -- It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
>15. Most people want to serve God, but only in an advisory position.
>16. Suffering from truth decay? Brush up on your Bible.
>17. Exercise daily -- walk with the Lord.
>18. Never give the devil a ride -- he will always want to drive.
>19. Nothing else ruins the truth like stretching it.
>20. Compassion is difficult to give away because it keeps coming back.
>21. He who angers you controls you.
>22. Worry is the darkroom in which negatives can develop.
>23. Give Satan an inch & he'll be a ruler.
>24. Be ye fishers of men -- you catch them & He'll clean them.
>25. God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
>26. Read the Bible -- It will scare the hell out of you.

To my GC peeps!
 

Father,

I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now. I am asking You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.

Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed sense of your power through them.

Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, guidance, and strength as they learn submission to Your leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You.

Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage.

Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it and break its hold over my friend's life.

Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support them.

Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.

I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.....Amen!



:)

Ladies, sorry for crashing your board - but this is one of the most beautiful threads I've ever seen on ANY message board!! I am a better person for reading it.

May the Lord bless you real good!!

You're not crashing. Anyone is welcome here. I am glad you were blessed by reading it. I get blessed anytime I read it as well.

I'm Worth A Lot
 

A wonderful message for single women. And for married women to pass onto their single friends, enjoy it... In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman he was pursuing the question" What kind of man are you looking for?" She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking "Do you really want to know?" Reluctantly, he said "Yes."

She began to expound... "As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household with out the help of any man...or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask "What can you bring to the table?" The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money. She quickly corrected his thought and stated "I am not referring to money. I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life." He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.

She said "I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple minded man.

I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked...believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.

I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman but strong enough to keep me grounded.

I am looking for someone whom I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive...he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a help mate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said "You are asking a lot." She replied "I'm worth a lot."

-Author Unknown

I LOVE this one
 

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

Happy moments, praise God.

Difficult moments, seek God.

Quiet moments, worship God.

Painful moments, trust God.

Every moment, thank God.

A PARTY


http://www.promiseofgod.com/directions/

Stepping Into The Jordan
 

CBN.com -
Are you at a crossroads? Have you been spinning your wheels too long? We want to see God move in our lives. If we don't take a step of faith, we are going to stagnate and die. We are like our nation right now. We are at a crossroads.

I am reminded of several stories in the Bible and how God moved for them.

1 Kings 4:1-7 is about the widow and the oil. The widow was told to collect the pots. She was asked to trust God for her needs. If we trust Him and have faith, He will supply our needs. God will provide! What do we have? God will add to it to supply the remainder of what we need.

I Kings 17:13-16 tells another example of a widow who was asked by Elijah to bake a cake for him. She only had enough for one more cake. We must trust God that He is going to supply our needs.

John 6:9-13 reminds us of how God multiplied the loaves and fishes. He can take our meager bit and multiply it.

Joshua 3:15,16 speaks of our need to step out by faith. The children of Israel had to step into the Jordan before God moved on their behalf. We've got to step out by faith so that we can let God work.

"…the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river's edge, the water began piling up…".

Deuteronomy 1:21, 27-32 exhorts us to be like Joshua and Caleb. The spies saw giants in the land, but Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report.

It took the Israelites 40 years to make an eleven-day journey to Canaan. We don't want to have the wilderness mentality that keeps us in bondage! We need to let go and let God! We need to take that step of faith and step into the Jordan. God will give you the peace and provide. We need to trust Him and He'll take care of the rest.

A word of prophecy was given at a prayer meeting recently. It said, "Put your hand in the hand of the Shepherd… It is a season of growth. It is a season of challenge. It is not a season of pulling back. You are at a time now where I am challenging you to grow, to trust me, to put your faith in me. I have never let you down and I will not let you down now."

Let's face it. We can't, but God can! Let's not limit God. Let us step into the Jordan!

If you are impatient, sit down quietly and talk with Job.
If you are just a little strong-headed, go and see Moses.
If you are getting weak-kneed, take a good look at Elijah.
If there is no song in your heart, listen to David.
If you faith is below par, read Paul.
If you are getting lazy, watch James.
If you are losing sight of the future,
Climb up the stairs of Revelation and get a glimpse of
The promised land.
--Charles E. Fuller

What Do You Have Tied Up?

The question I'm hoping you are asking yourself is "What do I have tied up that Jesus wants to use?" You remember the story in Luke 19 where Jesus sent two disciples to get a donkey for him to ride into Jerusalem. He told them where that donkey would be, and he instructed them to untie it and bring it to him.

When they started to untie it, as Jesus told them to do, the owners of that donkey asked them what they were doing. Well, wouldn't you if that was your donkey? I can also imagine that they were a little perturbed to see two strangers taking their prized colt, evidently a young colt, since it had never been ridden. Can you put yourselves in their shoes? I wonder if they screamed at the disciples: "Why are you untying our colt?" I wonder if they were upset?

At any rate, when the disciples explained that Jesus had requested to use this colt, this one particular colt, it seemed to put an end to the entire discussion. Without another question, they gave the colt to the disciples for Jesus to use. I have to believe they knew who Jesus was. Perhaps they had heard him speak; maybe they'd seen him heal someone or cast out a demon. Their willingness to let go of a valuable possession so unquestioningly leads me to believe that Jesus was someone they knew about, someone they respected, perhaps even loved. I don't believe they would have so easily let that donkey go if they hadn't met Jesus.

You know, when you've met Jesus, when he has touched your life, when you've been transformed by his saving grace, it's not a matter of giving anything up or sacrificing. It is, instead, a deep desire to give him anything you've got that he wants. The greatest joy of your heart is to give back to the One who has given so much for you.

There should be no hesitation on our part to untie anything we have and allow Jesus to use it. But often I find myself in selfish mode, do you? I think in terms of my time or my money or my things, and I don't want to untie them. Just recently as I was traveling a situation arose where I didn't want to untie my time; I didn't want someone to intrude on my plans for my time. That old selfish nature comes to the surface easily.

But the Spirit of God convicted me and I was reminded again that it isn't my time, because I belong to Jesus and everything I have is his. One of the prayers I regularly pray is that God will make me to see that I am possessionless and positionless. In reality, I own nothing; I am a steward of God's gifts and will be accountable to him for all that has been entrusted to me. When we really come to see that, it isn't so hard to untie whatever it is that Jesus asks for, because it doesn't belong to us anyway.

What do you have tied up? What are you clinging to that God wants to use? You're missing a great blessing by hanging on to it.

Seeing Life from God's View
 

How you define life determines your destiny. The way you view life is your life metaphor. It's your description of how life works and what you expect from it; it influences your life more than you realize and determines your expectations, values, relationships, goals, and priorities.

To fulfill the purposes God has for you, you will have to base your view on the biblical metaphors of life. These are: Life is a test, life is a trust, and life is a temporary assignment.

Life is a test.
God continually tests people's character, faith, obedience, love, integrity, and loyalty. Character is both developed and revealed, and all of life is a test. When you understand that life is a test, you realize that every day is important. God wants you to pass the tests of life, so he never allows the tests to be greater than the grace he gives you to handle them.

Life is a trust.
We are to be stewards of whatever God gives us. All we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands. If you treat everything as a trust, God promises three rewards in eternity: affirmation, promotion, and celebration.

Life is a test and a trust; the more God gives you, the more responsible he expects you to be.

The $20 bill
 

A well-known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20.00
bill.
In the room of 200, he asked, Who would like this $20 bill?
Hands started going up. He said, I am going to give this $20 to one of
you but first, let me do this. He proceeded to crumple the $20 dollar
bill up. He then asked, Who still wants it? Still the hands were up in
the air.

Well, he replied, What if I do this, and he dropped it on the ground and
started to grind it into the floor with his shoe. He picked it up, now
crumpled, and dirty. Now, who still wants it? Still the hands went
into the air.

"My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what
I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in
value.
It was still worth $20. Many times in our lives, we are dropped,
crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the
circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless.
But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose
your value."

"Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to
those who love you. The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or
whom we know, but by WHO WE ARE."

You are special - Don't EVER forget it. If you do not pass this on, you
may never know the lives it touches, the hurting hearts it speaks to, or
the hope that it can bring. Count your blessings, not your problems.
Never be afraid to try something new.

And always remember...Amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the
Titanic.

Get on the bike.....AND PEDAL!
 

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

But later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just
when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but
predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "PEDAL! "

I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure, and when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.

I gained love, peace, acceptance and joy; gifts to take on my journey, My Lord's and mine. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd
wreck it; but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, knows how to jump to clear high rocks, knows how to fly to shorten, scary passages. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore, He just smiles and says... "PEDAL!"

BRING JOY

Bring joy to every moment, whatever the moment may be. Rather than taking your cue from the circumstances you find, set out to inject your own living joy into the places you go and the things you do. There is always room for real, sincere joy, even in the most difficult of situations. And it is in those difficult situations that a grateful, joyful, positive heart can make the biggest difference.

Others may judge a particular task to be dreary, tedious, or tiresome, but that's just their opinion. When you approach that same task with joy and enthusiasm, you can add enormous value.

There's no need to wait for joy to come to you. You're perfectly capable of spreading it yourself, far and wide. During work and during play, when times are easy and when things are difficult, bring joy. If there's a reason for it, if there's no reason for it, even if there are reasons not to, bring joy.

Bring joy to every moment, and that is where you will know it.

-- Ralph Marston

Encourage, Love & Forgive
 

Encourage, Love & Forgive

There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself. Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is or not at who made you do it. She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.

For many women, this is a scary thing because often times they don't want to know the truth about themselves. Virtuous women know what I mean. As women, we have a tendency to water one another down. Maybe it makes us feel good or look better than the next woman. Or maybe we just don't know how to tell that woman how we admire her. In reality, we really need to look at ourselves and the pain we project towards other women.

Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life? Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up. Before you make this mistake, take a close look. A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom. Someone who has been chosen by God to go through.

Think of all the great women in the bible, Mary Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, The woman with an issue of blood, and Esther, to name a few. Mary was a prostitute. A very uneasy woman. But, by the time God was done with her, she was His closest follower. Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man.

By the time God was done with her, she married one of the wealthiest men in the land.

Have you ever admired the strength of a single mother? Or have you made up your mind that it's too bad she had children on her own. A single mother knows no bounds when it comes to her children. She is strong and durable. Single mothers are strong, not because she has to be, but because it comes naturally for her to protect the extensions of her very being. Her love for her children is like that of fuel to a car. Most mothers keep their tanks full because they understand that, if it runs low, you could jeopardize the car and have problems in the long run. Other women only fill it when it is needed. Their cars usually break down.

Have you ever wondered why some women are not approachable? Or have you made up your mind that she is just mean. A quiet woman is a smart woman. She is valuable. She doesn't go off half-cocked and she won't be the one to argue with you over nothing. She just may even let you go on "setting her straight" and politely back out without a fight. She doesn't let many in her world. After all, she has probably been through the fire and had to rebuild.

So why let just anyone in? This is usually the woman that only has "small talk" and knows her place, which is away from all the unnecessary things in life.

Have you ever wondered why that woman is so loud? Well, hey she has a lot to say. These are usually our younger women who have to learn refrain. They are eager and unsettled. They do before they think, and they do not think before they talk. They just go.

Have you ever wondered about that woman who appears to have everything, yet is still very unhappy? Well, she doesn't have everything. She doesn't have personal validation. This is something that cannot be bought. This is something developed over many mistakes and challenges that have taught lessons of the unbearable.

Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up. Before you wonder, "What's up with her?" ask yourself, "What's up with me?" Why do I beat down another woman to build myself up? That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, step-mother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, co-worker, etc. That woman could just be me.

Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death. Let's build and encourage each other as did Ruth and Naomi.

Be Happy Right Now Where You Are!
 

Perhaps you have said, "I will surely be happy when…." Or "I will be glad when…."

We spend a lot of our lives looking forward to some event or the completion of some project that is to make us happier than we have ever been before. In doing so, however, we miss a tremendous amount of joy that the Lord has for us each day.

The Apostle Paul reminded us in Philippians (which was written while Paul was in prison, not the type of prison we have now, but a dungeon) that we should "Rejoice in the Lord always." He also said, "In everything, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." (1 Thessalonians 5:18) Have you ever thought that being unthankful for everything is to be out of the will of God?

Perhaps you are going through an experience right now that is not of your liking. The natural tendency is to say, "I will surely be happy when this trial is over!" But the right Christian attitude is the attitude of gratitude! Job could say, in the midst of it all, "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) While Job was not comfortable in his trial, he was content that God knew what was happening and that He had a purpose for the trial.

Since "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28), :) we can give thanks for the current good thing that is happening in our lives.

As Habakkkuk said, "Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

the U in JesUs
 

The U in JesUs

Before U were thought of or time had begun, God even stuck U in the name of His Son.

And each time U pray, you'll see it's true You can't spell out JesUs and not include U.

You're a pretty big part of His wonderful name, For U, He was born; that's why He came.

And His great love for U is the reason He died. It even takes U to spell crUcified.

Isn't it thrilling and splendidly grand He rose from the dead, with U in His plan?

The stones split away, the gold trUmpet blew, And this word resUrrection is spelled with a U.

When JesUs left earth at His upward ascension, He felt there was one thing He just had to mention.

"Go into the world and tell them it's true That I love them all - Just like I love U."

So many great people are spelled with a U,

Don't they have a right to know JesUs too?

It all depends now on what U will do, He'd like them to know, But it all starts with U.

Will yoU pass it on?

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

Have you ever felt like there were people in your life that should not be
there? There may be someone who likes you (for you) and likes the things
that you do and project. There are those who like you, but don't like the
things that you are trying to do - or just don't like things about you.
There are also those who don't like you, but like what you stand for, like
what you are doing in your works or your life. And then, there are those
who just don't like you at all. Think about it. Think about everyone who
you surround yourself with and think which one of those four examples do
they fit in. Think long and hard now, and don't try to fit them in more
than one category. Be honest with yourself. Even if you THINK they are your
friend, best friend, family member, WHATEVER, don't fake. Put them in the
category that they truly belong.

Now, think about you being a bus driver. Think about what a bus driver
does and what the bus driver's purpose is. A bus driver drives a bus.
Think of this bus as your life and you are still the driver. Now, on a
bus, people get on and people get off. (You feel where I'm going here ).
Think about the reason people get on and get off. Now, people get off a
bus, why? Because they have reached their destination. Right before they
reach their destination, they ring a bell. Feel me.... Remember, you are
the bus driver and when that person RIDING YOUR BUS rings the bell, you have two choices....To either STOP and let them off....(keep up with me
now), or you can STOP the bus...and beg them to stay on. But remember,
that bell rang TELLING YOU THAT IT WAS TIME TO GET OFF....Right.....

Here is your lesson....Again, the bus driver - YOU...the bus - YOUR
LIFE... the riders...THOSE GOING ALONG FOR THE RIDE...the bell signaling the stop....JESUS and your SPIRIT telling you - IT'S TIME FOR THAT RIDER TO GET OFF THE BUS (out your life)....

BOTTOM LINE...when the bell rings...stop the bus....let that rider/hater
off, shut the door (move on) and pull away....THE GOOD THING IS....there are plenty of bus stops down the road and people will always, always, get on your bus to ride...the key is knowing when to let them off.....

Get them off your bus people....it's your journey.

My aunt gets a lot of these little messages and sends them to me. I thought this one was really cute,so,I wanted to share it with you all.


Lunch with God

A little boy wanted to meet God. He knew it was a long trip to where God
lived, so he packed his suitcase with Twinkies and a six-pack of Root
beer and started his journey.
When he had gone about three blocks, he met an old man. He was sitting
in the park just staring at some pigeons. The boy sat down next to him
and opened his suitcase. He was about to take a drink from his root beer
when he noticed that the old man looked hungry, so he offered him a
Twinkie.
He gratefully accepted it and smiled at him. His smile was so pleasant
that the boy wanted to see it again, so he offered him a root beer.
Again, he smiled at him. The boy was delighted! They sat there all
afternoon eating and smiling, but they never said a word.
As it grew dark, the boy realized how tired he was and got up to leave,
but before he had gone more than a few steps, he turned around, ran back
to the old man and gave him a hug. He gave him his biggest smile ever.
When the boy opened the door to his own house a short time later, his
mother was surprised by the look of joy on his face. She asked him,
"What did you do today that made you so happy?"
He replied, "I had lunch with God." And before his mother could respond,
he added, "You know what? He's got the most beautiful smile I've ever
seen."
Meanwhile, the old man, also radiant with joy, returned to his home.
His son was stunned by the look of peace on his face and asked, "Dad,
what did you do today that made you so happy?" He replied, "I ate
Twinkies in the park with God." And before his son responded, he added,
"You know, he's much younger than I expected."
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a
listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all
of which have the potential to turn a life around.
People come into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.
Embrace all equally.
Send this to people who have touched your life in a special way. Let
them know how important they are...(Have lunch with God!)
And... Thanks for touching my life

No Anxiety
 

No Anxieties

"In heaven I'll have no anxieties."

"Why?"

"I won't have to worry about how I'll pay my bills next month, next year."

"Why?"

"My needs will be met."

"But, why?"

"Uh-h-h...."

"Will all the food you need for the next year sitting all at once on the
table in front of you?"

"No"

"So, why won't you have anxieties?"

"B-b-because..... God w-w-will provide."

"So, you will trust Him then?"

"Yes."

"So...does something happen to God when you go to heaven that makes Him
more able?"

!!!!!!KEEP YOUR EYES OFF THE STORM!!!!
 

Praise the Lord

Matthew 14

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?


Many of times we sink so down in our situation is because we are continually looking at the problems we face. We focus to much on the problems and not on the Solution. Peter had faith at the begining when he step out of the Boat his eyes were focusing on the Lord. But when he begin to see the wind and the waves begin to roar up.. that when he lost his faith..

And that how we are today we start off with great faith..but all of the sudden when , children, spouses, love ones, jobs, Financial, sickness, start to come or mess up.. to etc..etc..etc..we get into this panic stage and we forget who holds all the power in his hand.. God can speak a word to your situation.. and it will turn around for you.

the point is.. Don't worry when you feel trouble arising.. stay focus on God. You can't handle it. it's to big, you can tame it, because it stubbon,..etc..etc.. Pray about it and give to the Lord.. Leave it in his hands. I know its hard.. But you can trust God. God will never let you down. nor will he forsake you. Keep your eyes on the solutions which is Jesus. and not the problem.

Trusting God is one of our biggest fears.. We don't want to give the Problem to the Lord.. and let him work it out. When we try to do it on our own .. we will fail. and start sinking.. Like Peter.. God came right in when he was drowing...God don't want us to get into a habit to where the only time we call him when we are drowing in situation.

When you see trouble comes, Give it to the Lord right then.. I don't care if you feel the devil on the back of your heal trying to pull you down.. Keep your eyes on the Lord.Keep praying, keep fasting, keep studying your word.. keep going to church.... the Lord see and he know each and everyone of our struggle. God is our deliverer

!!!!!!KEEP YOUR EYES OFF THE STORM!!!!

"Women are like tea bags. You never know their TRUE strength until they get in hot water." :D

Never a Sunset Without a Sunrise
 

A WORD WITH YOU
By Ron Hutchcraft
#4367 - "Never a Sunset Without a Sunrise"
Jeremiah 31:3-4

The sun never sets without it rising again. That's not just
meteorology. It's theology. It's a spiritual fact of life, and an emotional fact, that it's real
easy to forget when it's been dark for a while. But the sunrise principle is the basis
for hope when things around you seem hopeless. Key word: "seem."

In fact, God has a hope-filled promise for us today in our word for today from the Word
of God in Jeremiah 31:3-4. He says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have
drawn you with loving-kindness. I will build you again and you will be rebuilt ... again
you will take up your tambourines and go out and dance with the joyful." God's people had
been plundered, relocated, wounded, with most of what they cared about destroyed. They
hadn't seen the sun for a long time. But God says, "It's not over, kids. The sun's going to
come up again, no matter how dark it looks. Yes, things are in ruins - but I am going to
build you again - and when I get to restoring what you've lost, you will be rebuilt!"

That may well be what He's trying to say to you right now. Yes, the sun went down, and
it's been a long night. But it's not a permanent night - there's no such thing! There's no
such thing as a sunset without a sunrise. And God promises one! He's the great Restorer,
who promises in Joel 2:25: "I will restore to you the years that the locusts have eaten"
(KJV). Yes, that relationship has ended. Yes, you are financially broke. Yes, there has
been a major setback or failure or loss. But it isn't the whole book, my friend - this is
a chapter in the book. And the author has much more to write.

My friend, Audrey, has pretty much defined her past year by unresolved grief over the
death of her closest friend. But last week we walked through Isaiah 61, which promises the
Lord will "bind up the brokenhearted, and proclaim ... release from darkness for the
prisoners ... He bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness
instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair." And with a
cleansing flood of tears, she let it all go and traded her despair for praise, her ashes for
beauty, and the sun has come up again.

It won't always be like this - unless you decide to make it always be like this. My
prayer for you is Paul's prayer for his friend in Romans 15:13 - "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." He's going to rebuild you, and you will be rebuilt! You will
dance again! There's no denying that your sun went down and it got dark. But, remember,
there's never a sunset without a sunrise!

FULL or LESS
 

Thought for Today:

FULL OR LESS


Every day and in every way you choose to be powerless or powerful.

If you want to create more uncertainty and powerlessness in your life
then...
wait
disregard
delay
take no action
despair
neglect
worry
become apathetic
procrastinate
frustrate
hold back

If you want to grow, expand and create power in your life then...
be persuasive
be patient
be gentle
be strong
be teachable
be accepting
be resilient
be kind
be punctual
be forgiving
gain knowledge
be prayerful
speak up
discipline yourself
be active
be consistent
live with integrity
be sincere
be proactive
be different
be helpful
believe in God's unseen hand in all that you do, say and think
--by Jewell Diamond Taylor

A few kind words
 

1.) You cannot fix the problem if you’re consumed with fixing the blame.

2.) Don’t be surprised when God allows pain in your life. Pain is a fuel for passion – it energizes us with an intensity to change that which we don’t normally possess.

3.) Relationships are what matter most in life.

4.) Love cannot be learned in isolation.

5.) Choose to encourage rather than criticize.

6.) Every time you forget that character is one of God’s purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances.

7.) Christ-likeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality. God created your uniqueness, so he doesn’t want to destroy it.

8.) The Holy Spirit releases his power the moment you take a step of faith. Obedience unlocks God’s power.

9.) Every behavior is motivated by a belief, and every action is prompted by an attitude. Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts.

10.) The best way to become a “doer of the Word” is to always write out an action step as a result of your reading or studying or reflecting on God’s word.

11.) You’ll never know that God is all you need until God is all you’ve got.

12.) Your focus will determine your feelings. Don’t give in to short-term thinking.

13.) We learn real peace by choosing to trust God in circumstances in which we are tempted to worry or be afraid. Patience is developed in circumstances in which we’re forced to wait and are tempted to be angry or have a short fuse.

14.) There is a purpose behind every problem.

15.) God is faithful

Always There To Catch You
 

Psalm 94:17-19

Movies wouldn't be nearly as exciting without those stunt men. You know those high-priced stars aren't going to take all the risks that give the viewer those big thrills. Every once in a while, a script will call for a man to fall off a building or a cliff. And that star says, "I'm outta here, folks." But later the viewer will see a man hurtling through the air backwards, and you know it isn't a dummy because his arms are flailing. Or maybe some might argue that the stunt man is a dummy for taking a plunge like that. But it sure looks like we won't be seeing that falling man again. Oh, but appearances aren't everything. No! It looks like he's headed for a crash, but he's actually headed for a net!

That man going over the edge, arms flailing, out of control - that could be a picture of David's condition in our word for today from the Word of God. It's in Psalm 94 beginning at verse 17. In fact, it could be a picture of your condition right now.

David says, "Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' Your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought joy to my soul." The Psalmist has good news for those of us who may be feeling like we're close to the edge, or even over the edge. There's a net there to catch you - the Lord's "support," His "love," and His "consolation." If you belong to the Father through Jesus, there is always, always someone there to catch you.

David was falling, he said. Slipping, anxious, feeling like he was going down. Maybe some feelings you can relate to. And remember this was the one that was called the man after God's own heart. I don't think it's that God was angry with him, but He allowed His man to be pushed right to the breaking point. Now, you have this ironclad guarantee from your Heavenly Father that, though He may allow you to be pushed to the breaking point, He will never allow you to be pushed beyond the breaking point. In God's own words in I Corinthians 10:13, "He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear."

Now, God will allow you seasons of desperation because He can do so much with us in our desperate times. Desperation drives us to release all our earth-idols and cling just to Him. Faith grows only when it is stretched, sometimes to the breaking point. But then, in just the last minute, God will bring you the specific encouragement you need - just in time to break your fall. And He knows just what kind of customized encouragement you need for a moment like this.

Because God sometimes waits to bring an answer, it looks to us like an answer isn't coming. Wrong! When that stunt man is falling, oh, it looks like he's headed for a crash when he's actually headed for a net. So are you. That's why you can experience peace when everything you depend on is shaking, hope when everything feels hopeless, and buoyancy when it feels like you're sinking. Your Heavenly Father will not let you crash. He is always there to catch you!

Have you ever
told yourself that you loved him/her.

Now remember how much you wanted
to act like you were in a movie, and
yell to everyone in the football stadium
"I love (fill in the name)!"

You told family and friends how perfect he/she was...
You told your boys/girls how he/she
was just what you were looking for.

Well, I told GOD I love Him today.

And He said to me, "How much do you love Me?
You haven't told anyone how good I've been to you.
You haven't shared how perfect My love is.
You haven't spread the good news that I
am always there to listen to your problems.

You haven't told your family how I helped
you pay your bills when you didn't have a
high paying job, or how I got you a better one.

You didn't tell your boys/girls how I took
away that addiction that would have cost
you not only your job, but that woman/man
that was just what you were looking for.

So how much do ! you really love Me?"

So, I said I would share with my friends
and family (for starters) just how
wonderful,
perfect,
understanding,
patient,
loving,
unselfish,
considerate
and forgiving
GOD really is.

He has blessed me with a family that loves
me, and friends in which I can confide.
But even more than that He has saved me
from a destruction I couldn't even see coming.
He gave to me the peace of knowing Him
and He has never broken a promise.

Truly He is the best thing that has ever
happened to me. And I stand in my stadium
today to yell to all "I love GOD!"

BE BLESSED TODAY & SHARE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

When was the last time you
told God you Love Him?

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh." (2 Corinthians 10:3)

Do you know why so many believers are losing the battles in their lives?

They're fighting the wrong enemy!

They've been deceived into believing that just because a person said or did something to hurt them, that person is the one they need to fight. But they're wrong.

You see, the Bible says we don't wrestle with flesh and blood. And since people are definitely flesh and blood, they're never the source of our problem.

You just don't know what So-and-so did to me!"

It doesn't matter. If you waste your time fighting So-and-so, your real enemy will get away scot-free.

Who is that real enemy? Look at Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Satan and his demons. They are your lifelong enemies! They are behind every personal affront you encounter.

The people who hurt you and persecute you are only Satan's tools. When he wants to strike out at you, he uses them to get the job done.

Remember this: Persecution is not the manifestation of another person's hate for you. It's a manifestation of Satan's fear of you. When you get into the Word and start swinging it around--using it like the sword of the Spirit it is--he gets scared. So he looks for some person he can send in there to stop you.

Next time someone hurts you, don't let yourself get sidetracked into fighting them. Bind the spirit behind them. Put flesh and blood battles behind and war with the weapons of the Spirit. Zero in on Satan with authority and the Word of God and bring your real enemy down!

Scripture Study: Ephesians 6:10-18

Grocery list

Louise Redden, a poorly dressed lady with a look of defeat on her face,
walked into a grocery store. She approached the owner of the store in a
most humble manner and asked if he would let her charge a few groceries.
She softly explained that her husband was very ill and unable to work, they
had seven children and they needed food.

John Longhouse, the grocer scoffed at her and requested that she leave his
store.

Visualizing the family needs, she said: 'Please, sir! I will bring
you the money just as soon as I can."

John told her he could not give her credit, as she did not have a charge
account at his store. Standing beside the counter was a customer who
overheard the conversation between the two.

The customer walked forward and told the grocer that he would stand good
for whatever she needed for her family.

The grocer said in a very reluctant voice, "Do you have a grocery list?

Louise replied, "Yes sir"

"O.K." he said, "put your grocery list on the scales and whatever
your grocery list weighs, I will give you that amount in groceries."

Louise, hesitated a moment with a bowed head, then she reached into her
purse and took out a piece of paper and scribbled something on it. She
then laid the piece of paper on the scale carefully with her head still
bowed The eyes of the grocer and the customer showed amazement when the
scales went down and stayed down. The grocer, staring at the scales, turned
slowly to the customer and said begrudgingly, "I can't believe it."

The customer smiled and the grocer started putting the groceries on the
other side of the scales. The scale did not balance so he continued to put
more and more groceries on them until the scales would hold no more. The
grocer stood there in utter disgust. Finally, he grabbed the piece of paper
from the scales and looked at it with greater amazement. It was not a
grocery list, it was a prayer, which said: Dear Lord, you know my Needs
and I am leaving this in your hands."

The grocer gave her the groceries that he had gathered and stood in stunned
silence. Louise thanked him and left the store. The customer handed a
fifty-dollar bill to the grocer and said, "It was worth every penny of
it." Only God Knows how much a prayer weighs.

The Pearls
 

The cheerful girl was almost 5. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them: a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil. "Oh please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the eyes of her little girl's face. "A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I’ll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday a week later, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. She wore them everywhere - Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night when he finished the story, he asked Jenny, "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, Daddy. You know that I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess --the white horse from my collection. The one with the pink tail. Remember, Daddy? The one you gave me. She's my favorite."

"That's okay, Honey. Daddy loves you. Good night."

And he brushed her cheek with a kiss. About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again,

"Do you love me?"
"Daddy, you know I love you."
"Then give me your pearls."

"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is so beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you” And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.

"What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace.

With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, Daddy. It's for you." With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's kind daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime-store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure.

So it is with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasure.

Isn't God good? YES!
Are you holding onto things which God wants you to let go of.
Are you holding on to harmful or unnecessary partners, relationships, habits and activities which you have come so attached to that it seems impossible to let go?

Sometimes it is so hard to see what is in the other hand, but do believe this one thing ..................

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

Re: The Pearls
 

I have read this story before but these last few lines are so true!!!

Blessings in Disguise

If you look at your problems as problems, they will
continue to hold you down. See them instead as
blessings in disguise, and that is what they will
truly become.

If you treat the challenges as excuses for failure,
you'll have plenty of excuses but not much else.
Approach those challenges instead as pathways to
success, and that is precisely what they will be.

There is more than enough richness in life for all
those who are willing to recognize it. That richness
most often comes wrapped in challenge so as to keep
its value intact.

For if the good things in life had no cost at all,
they would not be worth very much. It is the effort,
the discipline, the commitment to overcome any
challenge, that makes a dream worth reaching.

So whatever stands in the way of your dream is really
a blessing in disguise. For when you work your way
through it, you arrive at the place you most want to
be.

-- Ralph Marston

Just when you think you have it all figured out, something will show up to make you doubt yourself. At the precise moment when you think that your troubles are over and that things are finally going your way, things will appear to turn around and head in the other direction.

On the very day that you are feeling up, happy, ready to go, you will get news that will knock the wind right out of your sails. Life is just like that don't take it personally.

When bad times show up in the middle of good times, just sit down, get quiet, remember the truth about who you are, and pray. All things really do work together for your good.

Just because things take a curve does not mean they are not on track!

The curve could very well be a part of the process! Life always brings us what we are divinely entitled to, and sometimes it will not look the way we want it to look.

Sometimes we are being tested.

At other times we are simply being called on to SURRENDER, TO BE PATIENT, AND HAVE LOTS & LOTS OF FAITH!

From: Faith in the Valley
By: Iyanla Vanzant, Esq.

God's Plan
 

Your Past Is Not Your Future
 

YOUR PAST IS NOT YOUR FUTURE
By Lisa Bevere

The apostle Paul had a great plan for fulfilling his destiny. In his letter to the Philippians, he outlined it. He wrote: "One thing I do: FORGETTING what is BEHIND and STRAINING toward what is AHEAD, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14, NIV).

Paul knew what many of us need to learn -- that when we stretch back and try to make sense of all that has happened in the past, we are bound to be frustrated. Constantly replaying, reviewing and rewinding, we build different scenarios of what might have been. It's like trying to walk forward while looking backward.

We think, "If only I had done this or that, things would have been different." Yes, it is true; things would have been different. But you didn't do it differently, and thinking about it now can't change it then. Your past, no matter how tragic or terrible, is gone. You can never reach back into it and change it.

Even the wonderful parts of your past are gone. Don't try to live in them and allow them to drain your life in the present. It will only waste your time and energy.

God never goes back, although He is the only one who can. He goes forward. He is always looking ahead and moving beyond the present. He tells us, "'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland'" (Is. 43:18-19).

God enjoys turning our wastelands into fertile plains. He has a plan for irrigating our arid land.

Those who look back say, "Tomorrow will be like today, because today was like yesterday." This is not how God views things. He never measures what WILL be by what HAS BEEN. He knows an important truth -- that your past is not your future.

In fact, He says in His Word that He has "'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jer. 29:11). He does not outline the plans for you or promise that you will know them. He only assures you that He knows the plans and they are good.

Dare to believe when you cannot see or understand. Decide to trust God for the future instead of wondering about it or assuming it will be bad. Knowledge does not require faith; not knowing does. God challenges us simply to trust Him and His Word.

My husband, John, always shares this truth: "Only one person can get you out of the will of God -- you!" No man, woman, minister, ministry, parent, spouse or friend can do it. Only you.

When you set yourself in agreement with God's will and plan for your life instead of dwelling on the past, the opinions of men, women, organizations and devils no longer matter. It does not matter how many times those around you have failed. It does not matter how many times you've failed. God never has.

And if God is for you, who can be against you? (See Rom. 8:31.) Decide today to trust Him, and watch His purposes prevail in your life.




Stop telling God you've got big problems.

Tell your problems you've got a BIG GOD!