Tuesday, December 27, 2011
What is your garden?
"The many great gardens of the world, of literature and poetry, of painting and music, of religion and architecture, all make the point as clear as possible:
The soul cannot thrive in the absence of a garden. If you don’t want paradise, you are not human; and if you are not human, you don’t have a soul."
- Thomas Moore
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Whisper
The Whisper
Recently, I heard a touching story which illustrates the power that words have to change a life -- a power that lies right in the hands of those reading this article. Mary had grown up knowing that she was different from the other kids, and she hated it. She was born with a cleft palate and had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose, and garbled speech. With all the teasing, Mary grew up hating the fact that she was "different". She was convinced that no one, outside her family, could ever love her ... until she entered Mrs. Leonard's class.
Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face, and shiny brown hair. While everyone in her class liked her, Mary came to love Mrs. Leonard. In the 1950's, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary's case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another "difference" to point out, she would cheat on the test each year. The "whisper test" was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger, and then repeat something which the teacher whispered. Mary turned her bad ear towards her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew that teachers would often say things like, "The sky is blue," or "What color are your shoes?" But not on that day. Surely, God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard's mouth that changed Mary's life forever. When the "Whisper test" came, Mary heard the words: "I wish you were my little girl."
Dads, I wish there was some way that I could communicate to you the incredible blessing which affirming words impart to children. I wish, too, that you could sit in my office, when I coun- sel, and hear the terrible damage that individuals received from not hearing affirming words--particularly affirming words from a father. While words from a godly teacher can melt a heart, words from a father can powerfully set the course of a life.
If affirming words were something rarely spoken in your home growing up, let me give you some tips on words and phrases that can brighten your own child's eyes and life.These words are easy to say to any child who comes into your life. I'm proud of you, Way to go, Bingo ... you did it, Magnificent, I knew you could do it, What a good helper, You're very special to me, I trust you, What a treasure, Hurray for you, Beautiful work, You're a real trooper, Well done, That's so creative, You make my day, You're a joy, Give me a big hug, You're such a good listener, You figured it out, I love you, You're so responsible, You remem- bered, You're the best, You sure tried hard, I've got to hand it to you, I couldn't be prouder of you, You light up my day, I'm praying for you, You're wonderful, I'm behind you, You're so kind to your (brother/sister), You're God's special gift, I'm here for you.
John Trent, Ph.D.,Vice President of Today's Family, Men of Action
Saturday, December 10, 2011
THE BEST GIFTS THIS SEASON:
To a Friend - Loyalty
To an Enemy - Forgiveness
To your Boss - Service
To your Child - A good example
To your Father - Honor
To your Mother - Gratitude and Devotion
To your Spouse - Love and Faithfulness
To Yourself - Respect
To All Men - Charity
To God - Your Life!!
-- Author Unknown
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Love in a Look
Transparent, pure, and warm,
And I'll not ask to touch thy face,
Or fold thee with mine arm.
For in thine eyes a girl doth rise,
Arrayed in candid bliss,
And draws me to her with a charm
More close than any kiss.
A loving-cup of golden wine,
Songs of a silver brook,
And fragrant breaths of eglantine,
Are mingled in thy look.
More fair they are than any star,
Thy topaz eyes divine --
And deep within their trysting-nook
Thy spirit blends with mine.
Henry Van Dyke
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Three engineers and Three accountants
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Not for the squeamish!
Not for the squeamish!
scroll down
further down
Saturday, October 29, 2011
The Valley of Vision
Lord, HIGH AND HOLY, MEEK AND LOWLY,
Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.
Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the corwn,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is a place of vision,
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STRENGTH AND COURAGE
It takes courage to be gentle.
It takes strength to stand guard.
It takes courage to let down your guard.
It takes strength to conquer
It takes courage to surrender.
It takes strength to be certain.
It takes courage to have doubt.
It takes strength to fit in.
It takes courage to stand out.
It takes strength to feel a friend's pain.
It takes courage to feel your own pain.
It takes strength to hide feelings.
It takes courage to show them.
It takes strength to endure abuse.
It takes courage to stop it.
It takes strength to stand alone.
It takes courage to lean on another.
It takes strength to love.
It takes courage to be loved.
It takes strength to survive.
It takes courage to live.
"....as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage...." (Joshua 1:5b-6a)
-- Author Unknown
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Thoughts on Pain...
There's something else invaluable about pain. It can make you more sensitive, more compassionate, more understanding, and more creative.
Beethoven, for instance, composed one of his greatest oratorios after he became deaf. John Milton wrote one of his greatest poems after he became blind. Walter Scott wrote "The Lay of the Last Minstrel" after he was kicked by a horse and confined to his house for many days.
Those who have given the world the most are often those who have suffered the most. This is because those who have suffered the most tend to understand life and people the most.
One of my favorite stories is told about Renoir, the famous French painter. Apparently, when he was older, he suffered greatly from arthritis, but he kept
painting anyhow. On one occasion his friend, Matisse, said to him, "Renoir, why do you keep painting when you are in so much pain?"
Renoir simply replied, "The pain passes, but the beauty remains."
When it comes to your pain, if you invest it wisely by using it to help yourself grow and reach out to nurture other hurting people, your pain, too, will pass, but the beauty of what you have done will remain forever.
Remember, it's one thing to hurt. It's another thing to allow your pain to hurt you. Accept your hurt as an opportunity to heal, to grow, and to become a more understanding, sensitive, compassionate, real, and creative person. It has been costly. Don't waste it. Invest it wisely in your own growth and in the enrichment of other people's lives as well.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Take time
Take time to think – it is the source of power.
Take time to play – it is the secret of perpetual youth.
Take time to read – it is the fountain of wisdom.
Take time to dream – it is hitching your wagon to a star.
Take time to pray – it is the greatest power on earth.
Take time to love and be loved – it is a God-given privilege.
Take time to be friendly – it is the road to happiness.
Take time to laugh – it is the music of the soul.
Take time to give – it is too short a day to be selfish.
Take time to work – it is the price of success.
Old English Prayer
A Franciscan Benediction
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Top Ten Reasons Eve Was Created
Top Ten Reasons Eve Was Created
10. God was worried that Adam would frequently become lost in the garden because he would not ask for directions.
9. God knew that one day Adam would require someone to locate and hand him the remote.
8. God knew Adam would never go out and buy himself a new fig leaf when his wore out and would therefore need Eve to buy one for him.
7. God knew Adam would never be able to make a doctor's, dentist, or haircut appointment for himself.
6. God knew Adam would never remember which night to put he garbage on the curb.
5. God knew if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle the pain and discomfort of childbearing.
4. As the Keeper of the Garden, Adam would never remember where he left his tools.
3. Apparently, Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.
2. As the Bible says, It is not good for man to be alone!
1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched his head, and said, "I can do better than that.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Irish Blessing
May the God of the rising sun stir you up,
May the God of morning sky send you on your way,
May the God of noon-day stillness renew your strength,
May the God of afternoon bring you home,
May the God of sunset delight your eye,
May the God of twilight calm your nerves,
And may the God of dusk bring you peace.
And may God bless you,
The rising and the setting sun,
The Alpha and the Omega,
The Beginning and the end,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Fr. Andrew Greeley
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Pencil
A PENCIL MAKER TOLD THE PENCIL 5 IMPORTANT LESSONS JUST BEFORE PUTTING IT IN THE BOX.
1.) EVERYTHING YOU DO WILL ALWAYS LEAVE A MARK .
2.) YOU CAN ALWAYS CORRECT THE MISTAKES YOU MAKE.
3.) WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS WHAT IS INSIDE OF YOU.
4.) IN LIFE, YOU WILL UNDER GO PAINFUL SHARPENINGS, WHICH WILL ONLY MAKE YOU BETTER.
5.) TO BE THE BEST PENCIL, YOU MUST ALLOW YOURSELF TO BE HELD AND GUIDED BY THE HAND THAT HOLDS YOU.
We all need to be constantly sharpened. This parable may encourage you to know that you are a special person, with unique God-given talents and abilities. Only you can fulfill the purpose which you were born to accomplish. Never allow yourself to get discouraged and think that your life is insignificant and cannot be changed and, like the pencil, always remember that the most important part of who you are, is what's inside of you and then allow yourself to be guided and sharpened by the hand of God.
"God doesn't change us so He can love us, He loves us so He can change us" - Phil. 1:
Rosemary Westbrook
Friday, August 26, 2011
Prayer Before a Hurricane
By Rick Hamlin, August 25, 2011
Lord, your world is a mighty thing.
The winds can blow
The rain can come down in torrents,
The land can flood.
To know you, Lord, is to know your power
And to remember your love
Which is more powerful.
We watch for the approaching storm.
We look at the images on TV, the web, the news.
We tune into experts who tell us when to go
Or where to stay.
We dash out to buy.
We empty supermarket shelves.
We board up, we batten down.
We want to be prepared
Even if we’re not sure for what.
We wonder if our fears have gotten the worst of us.
We know the alarmists have had a field day
But maybe they were right.
Unless there’s something bigger than fear
And bigger than winds and rain.
Finally all we can do is wait
Because to wait is to trust
And to trust is to know that in this world
There is no power that can separate us
From the power that is greater than us.
All will be well, we pray.
All will be well.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
She Walks in Beauty by George Gordon
She Walks in Beauty
by George Gordon (Lord Byron)
1
She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that's best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes:
Thus mellow'd to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.
2
One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impair'd the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o'er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.
3
And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Dog called Faith
He of course could not walk when he was born.
Even his mother did not want him.
His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'.
But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him.
She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself..
She named him 'Faith'.
In the beginning,
she put Faith on a surfboard
to let him feel the movement.
Later she used peanut butter
on a spoon as a lure and reward
for him for standing up and jumping around.
Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk.
Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle,
Faith learned to balance on his hind legs
and to jump to move forward.
After further training in the snow,
he could now walk like a human being.
Faith loves to walk around now.
No matter where he goes, he attracts people to him.
He is fast becoming famous
on the international scene and
has appeared on various newspapers and TV shows.
There is now a book entitled
'With a Little Faith' being published about him..
He was even considered
to appear in one of Harry Potter movies.
His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world
to preach that even
without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'.
In life there are always undesirable things,
so in order to feel better
you just need to look at life from another direction.
I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone
and that everyone will appreciate
and be thankful for each beautiful day.
Faith is the continual demonstration
of the strength and wonder of life .
Monday, August 8, 2011
Three Trees
Three Trees
Once there were three trees on a hill in a woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said "Someday I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems. I could be decorated with intricate carving and everyone would see the beauty." Then the second tree said "Someday I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of the world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."
Finally the third tree said. "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time and people will always remember me."
After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. When one came to the first tree he said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter. and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest.
At the second tree a woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree, I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship. When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened because he knew that if they cut him down his dreams would not come true. One of the woodsman said, "I don't need anything special from my tree so I'll take this one and he cut it down."
When the first tree arrived at the carpenters, he was made into a feed box for animals. He was then placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for. The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.
The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then one day, a man and women came to the barn. She gave birth and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.
Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe. The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "peace" and the storm stopped.
At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the king of kings in it's boat.
Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets as the people mocked the man who was carrying it. When they came to a stop, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it."
The moral of this story is that when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
57 Cents
(Based on a true story as told by Dr. Russell H. Conwell)
[Edited for factual clarity]
A sobbing little girl stood near a small church from which she had been turned away because it was too crowded. "I can't go to Sunday School," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her by the hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The pastor told her, "We should some day have a room big enough for all who should come."
The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus.
A few weeks later the girl suddenly took ill and died. At the funeral, the girl's father took the kind-hearted pastor aside who had befriended their daughter. He quietly told him that their little girl had been saving money for the church. Quite surprised, the pastor was even more taken aback when the girl's father handed him what she had saved - 57 cents in pennies. For two weeks she had been running errands and saving her pennies in a little bank for the church.
The pastor was amazed at the love demonstrated by this little girl and tearfully shared this story at his church the following week. The trustees of the church were so moved by the actions of this girl that one of them proposed buying a new plot of land for the church that would allow it to grow considerably. Only a few days earlier a new church building seemed like only a distant possibility. But now, spurred on by this girl's actions, all of a sudden it seemed like something to attain for. The building fund, started by this little girl, quickly began to grow.
The pastor shared the story of the girl with the owner of the plot of land. The owner was so moved that he sold the property for only $10,000 with the first payment to be just 57 cents. Due to the growth of the building fund, in just a short while the church was able to buy this property free-and-clear.
The girl's unselfish love had paid large dividends. When you are in the city of Philadelphia, look up Temple Baptist Church, with a seating capacity of 3,300, and Temple University, where hundreds of students are trained. Have a look, too, at the Good Samaritan Hospital (Temple University Hospital) and at a Sunday School building which houses hundreds of children and adults, so that no child in the area will ever need to be left outside during Sunday school time. In one of the rooms of this building may be seen the picture of the sweet face of the little girl whose 57 cents, so sacrificially saved, made such remarkable history.
Alongside of it is a portrait of her kind pastor, Dr. Russel H. Conwell, author of the book, "Acres of Diamonds." - a true story.
Goes to show WHAT GOD CAN DO WITH 57 cents.
Monday, July 25, 2011
My Luve by Robert Burns
O my luve is like a red, red rose,
That's newly sprung in June:
O My luve is like the melodie,
That's sweetly played in a tune.
As fair art thou, my bonie lass,
So deep in luve am I;
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
Till a' the seas gang dry.
Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,
And the rocks melt wi' the sun,
And I will luve thee still, my dear,
While the sands o' life shall run.
And fare thee weel, my only luve!
And fare thee weel a while!
And I will come again, my luve,
Tho' it were ten thousand mile.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Life by Mother Teresa
Life is a beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is life, fight for it!"
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
The Quarrel of the Tools
The Carpenter's tools had a conference. Brother Hammer was in the chair. The meeting had informed him that he must leave because he was too noisy.
"All right, I will leave, but if I leave Brother Screw must go also. You have to turn him around again and again to get him to go anywhere."
Brother Screw replied, "If you like I will go, but Brother Plane must leave as well. All of his work is on the surface. There is never any depth to it."
To this Brother Plane answered, "Well Brother Rule will also have to withdraw if I do, he's always measuring people as though he were the only one who is ever right."
Brother Rule then complained against Brother Sandpaper, saying "I just don't think he should be allowed to remain; he's rough and always rubs people the wrong way."
In the midst of this discussion the Master Carpenter came in and began to work on a pulpit from which to preach his Gospel. As he worked, he used the screw, the sandpaper, the hammer, the plane, the rule, the saw and all the other tools. When the day's work was over, Brother Saw arose and said to the other tools, "How wrong we were to criticize,each other when the Craftsman used each of us equally for the task that each one is designed to do. We must remember to be more careful in finding fault with one of His tools."
Be careful my Brothers and Sisters in Christ. We each have a task to do and it's' not quite like each others. Be of good courage. Let's do our bit as God has given it to us not to criticize what your neighbor is doing. If it is from God it all fits in to help one another and bring others to our Savior Jesus Christ.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Best single Ad
This has to be one of the best singles ads ever printed. It is reported to have been listed in the Atlanta Journal.
SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me... Call (404) 875-6420 (404) 875-6420 (404) 875-6420 (404) 875-6420 and ask for Annie, I'll be waiting.....
Over 150 men found themselves talking to the Atlanta Humane Society about a lab puppy that needed a home.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Affliction
Affliction is one of God’s medicines. By it He often teaches lessons which would be learned in no other way. By it He often draws souls away from sin and the world, which would otherwise have perished everlastingly. Health is a great blessing, but sanctified disease is a greater. Prosperity and worldly comfort, are what all naturally desire; but losses and crosses are far better for us, if they lead us to Christ. Thousands at the last day will testify with David, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted.” (Psalm. 119:71).
~ J.C. Ryle
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Kissing
The sound of a kiss is not so loud as that of a cannon, but its echo lasts a great deal longer. ~Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., The Professor at the Breakfast-Table
A man's kiss is his signature. ~Mae West
When I kiss you, I can taste your soul. ~Carrie Latet
Happiness is like a kiss - it feels best when you give it to someone else. ~Author Unknown
A kiss without a hug is like a flower without the fragrance. ~Proverb
Give me a kisse, and to that kisse a score;Then to that twenty, adde a hundred more;
A thousand to that hundred; so kisse on,
To make that thousand up a million;
Treble that million, and when that is done,
Let's kisse afresh, as when we first begun.
~Robert Herrick, "To Anthea (III)"
Soul meets soul on lovers' lips. ~Percy Bysshe Shelley, Prometheus Unbound
Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves. ~Albert Einstein