I am sending this to you to see how many actually read their e-mail/bulletin/inbox.
Your response will be interesting.
Pay attention to what you read.
After you have finished reading it, you will know the reason it was sent to you.
Here goes:
People
come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that 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 a 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.
Some 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.
Be lieve 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, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime. =)
Send this to every friend that you have on-line,
including the person who sent it to you.
0 Replies - you may need to work on your 'people skills'
2 Replies - you are nice but probably need to be more outgoing
4 Replies - you have picked your friends well
6 Replies - you are downright popular
8 Replies or More - you are totally awesome (and that's probably why you're on MY
list)
I wonder what mine will be.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
reason.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Albert Schweitzer
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Akeela & Bee
Saturday, January 5, 2008
guidelines from God
Effective Immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines
1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?
2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all... God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.
3. TRUST ME:
Once you've given your burdens to Me,
quit trying to take them back. Trust in
Me. Have the faith that I will take care of
all your needs, your problems and your trials.
Problems with the kids? Put them on My list.
Problem with finances? Put it on My list.
Problems with your emotional roller coaster ?
For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.
4. LEAVE IT ALONE:
Don't wake up one morning and say,
"Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think
I can handle it from here." Why do you think
you are feeling stronger now? It's simple.
You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking
care of them. I also renew your strength
and cover you in my peace. Don't you
know that if I give you these problems back,
you will be right back where you started?
Leave them with Me and forget about
them. Just let Me do my job.
5. TALK TO ME:
I want you to forget a lot of things.
Forget what was making you crazy.
Forget the worry and the fretting because
you know I'm in control. But there's one
thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't
forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU!
I want to hear your voice. I want you to
include Me in on the things going on in your life.
I want to hear you talk about your friends
and family. Prayer is simply you having
a conversation with Me. I want to be your
dearest friend.
6. HAVE FAITH:
I see a lot of things from up here that you
can't see from where you are. Have faith in
Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me;
you wouldn't want the view from My eyes.
I will continue to care for you, watch over you,
and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me.
Although I have a muc h bigger task than you,
it seems as if you have so much trouble just
doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?
7. SHARE:
You were taught to share when you were
only two years old. When did you forget?
That rule still applies. Share with those who are
less fortunate than you. Share your joy with
those who need encouragement. Share your
laughter with those who haven't heard any in
such a long time. Share your tears with those
who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith
with those who have none.
8. BE PATIENT:
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime
you could have so many diverse experiences.
You grow from a child to an adult, have children,
change jobs many times, learn many trades,
travel to so many places, meet thousands
of people, and experience so much. How can
you be so impatient then when it takes Me
a little longer than you expect to handle
something on My to-do-list? Trust in My
timing, for My timing is perfect. Just
because I created the entire universe in
only six days, everyone thinks I should
always rush, rush, rush.
9. BE KIND:
Be kind to others, for I love them just
as much as I love you. They may not dress
like you, or talk like you, or live the same way
you do, but I still love you all. Please try
to get along, for My sake. I created each
of you different in some way. It would be
too boring if you were all identical.
Please, know I love each of your differences.
10. LOVE YOURSELF:
As mu ch as I love you, how can you not
love yourself? You were created by me for
one reason only -- to be loved, and to love
in return. I am a God of Love. Love! Me.
Love your neighbors. But also love yourself.
It makes My heart ache when I see you
so angry with yourself when things go
wrong. You are very precious to me.
Don't ever forget......
Note: I received this from a friend and I have
no idea who wrote it, but I was so touched
by it, that I had to share it with you.
Touch someone with your love.
Rather than focus upon the thorns of life,
smell the roses and count your blessings!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Christmas Pageant
for five years but hadn't been blessed with a baby.
I decided to do some serious praying and promised God
that if he would give us a child,
I would be a perfect mother,
love it with all my heart
and raise it with His word as my guide.
God answered my prayers
and blessed us with a son.
The next year God blessed us with another son.
The following year,
He blessed us with yet another son.
The year after that we
were blessed with a daughter.
My husband thought we'd been blessed right into poverty.
We now had four children,
and the oldest was only four years old.
I learned never to ask God for anything unless I meant it.
As a minister once told me,
"If you pray for rain, make sure you carry an umbrella."
I began reading a few verses of the Bible to the children
each day as they lay in their cribs.
I was off to a good start.
God had entrusted me with four children and I didn't want to disappoint Him.
I tried to be patient the day the children smashed two dozen eggs on the kitchen floor searching for baby chicks.
I tried to be understanding, when they started a hotel for
homeless frogs in the spare bedroom, although it took me nearly two hours to catch all twenty-three frogs.
When my daughter poured ketchup all over herself and rolled up in a blanket to see how it felt to be a hot dog, I tried to see the humor rather than the mess.
In spite of changing over twenty-five thousand diapers,
never eating a hot meal
and never sleeping for more than thirty minutes at a time,
I still thank God daily for my children.
While I couldn't keep my promise to be a perfect mother -
I didn't even come close...
I did keep my promise
to raise them in the Word of God.
I knew I was missing the mark just a little when I told my daughter we were going to church to worship God,
and she wanted to bring a bar of soap along to "wash up" Jesus, too.
Something was lost in the translation when I explained that
God gave us everlasting life,
and my son thought it was generous of God to give us his "last wife."
My proudest moment came during the children's Christmas pageant.
My daughter was playing Mary,
two of my sons were shepherds
and my youngest son was a wise man.
This was their moment to shine.
My five-year-old shepherd had practiced his line,
"We found the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes."
But he was nervous and said,
"The baby was wrapped in wrinkled clothes."
My four-year-old "Mary" said,
"That's not 'wrinkled clothes,' silly. That's dirty, rotten clothes."
A wrestling match broke out between Mary and the shepherd
and was stopped by an angel, who bent her halo and lost her left wing.
I slouched a little lower in my seat when Mary dropped the doll representing Baby Jesus, and it bounced down the aisle crying,
"Mama-mama."
Mary grabbed the doll, wrapped it back up and held it tightly as
the wise men arrived.
My other son stepped forward wearing a bathrobe and a paper crown, knelt at the manger and announced,
"We are the three wise men, and we are bringing gifts of gold,
common sense and fur."
The congregation dissolved into laughter,
and the pageant got a standing ovation.
"I've never enjoyed a Christmas program as much as this one,"
laughed the pastor, wiping tears from his eyes.
"For the rest of my life, I'll never hear the Christmas story without thinking of gold, common sense and fur."
"My children are my pride and my joy and my greatest blessing," I said as I dug through my purse for an aspirin.
Jesus had no servants,
yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree,
yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines,
yet they called Him Healer.
Had no army,
yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles,
yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime,
yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb,
yet He lives today.
Feel honored
to serve such a Leader
who loves us.
God is like. . .
A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God.
Here are some of the results: scroll down.
God is like.
BAYER ASPIRIN
He works miracles.
God is like.
a FORD
He's got a better idea.
God is like.
COKE
He's the real thing.
(This is great)
God is like.
HALLMARK CARDS
He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like.
TIDE
He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
God is like.
GENERAL ELECTRIC
He brings good things to life.
God is like.
SEARS
He has everything.
God is like.
ALKA-SELTZER
Try Him, you'll like Him
God is like.
SCOTCH TAPE
You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
God is like.
DELTA
He's ready when you are.
God is like.
ALLSTATE
You're in good hands with Him.
God is like.
VO-5 Hair Spray
He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like.
DIAL SOAP
Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
(that one is my favorite)
God is like .
the U.S. POST OFFICE
Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
God is like.
Chevrolet. . . .the heart beat of America
God is like
Maxwell house. . .
Good to the very last drop
God is like.
B o u n ty . . . .
He is the quicker picker upper. . can handle the tough jobs. . .and He won't fall apart on you
Why Do Families (And The World) Lack So Much Love?
...Mostly, it's because Husbands Don't Love Enough
Two days ago, I had an ecumenical meeting with the President Gloria and various religious leaders in the country (even Muslim leaders). That was where I spoke to Bishop Ruben Abante, the head of the Alliance of Baptist Churches in the Philippines. We were talking about how to solve the problems of the world. Naks.
That was when Bishop Ruben gave me a word about families that blew my mind.
He said, "Brother Bo, the Bible says in Ephesians 5:25, 'Husbands, love your wives, and wives submit to your husbands.' Have you ever wondered why the Bible doesn't say, 'Wives, love your husbands?'"
"Why?" I asked.
The Bishop explained to me that the responsibility to love the family rests on the husband's shoulder. The wife and the kids are only to respond to that love. In the same way that the Bible says in 1 John 4:9 (my life verse) "We love because He first loved us," we respond to God's love
for us.
That was powerful. I began to reflect on all the broken families I've counselled through the past 28 years of my life. Most of them (not all) were broken because the father didn't love enough. And as I reflect on all the broken people I've counselled, I can see the same pattern. In most of these individuals (again, not all), I see the lack of a loving father in that person's life.
Fathers, you have a pivotal role in the life of your wife and children. You are to aggressively, assertively, deliberately love them-and they will respond.
But the good Bishop was not finished. He said, "Why didn't God say, 'Husbands, submit to your wife?'"
"Why?" I asked again.
He said that once that love is there, submission is the natural response. He asked, "Why is there so rebellion and disobedience among children today?" He explained that kids need to see their mother submit to their father as a model to follow. (We didn't have time to talk about situations where the man of the house doesn't love. Should the wife still submit? That difficult question I hope to answer it in another article.)
But let me share with you my experience.
I love my wife. I do it aggressively, assertively, and deliberately. And she submits to my leadership. I have a vision for the family and I'm bringing my family to that vision-and she supports me.
But what does that mean in daily life?
That I'm king and she's my slave?
Gosh, you should visit my home.
Because I love her, I want to serve her. And because she follows already my general direction, I realize that 90% of life's decisions are about the trivial stuff. Because I love her, it's my joy to say, "Yes" to her. So in reality, I follow her 90% of the time! She isn't my slave. She
is the queen I pamper.
That, my friends, is marital headship-submission in daily life.
May your families be filled with love.
Husbands, take responsibility in filling your family with love.
Wives, support and submit to your husband.
And together, we can fill the world with God's love.
Coffee & Life
A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.
Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups - porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking, some
expensive, some exquisite - telling them to help themselves to hot coffee.
When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said:
'If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.
While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.
What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.
Now if LIFE is COFFEE, then the JOBS, MONEY and POSITION in society are the CUPS. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, but the quality of Life doesn't change and sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee in it.
So, don't let the cups drive you... enjoy the coffee instead.
Husbands & Wives
Wife: Honey..... What are you looking for?
Husband: Nothing.
Wife: Nothing...?? You've been reading our marriage certificate for an hour??
Husband: I was just looking for the expiration date.
Wife: Do you want dinner?
Husband: Sure, what are my choices?
Wife: Yes and No.
Wife: You always carry my photo in your briefcase to the office. Why?
Hubby: When there is a problem, no matter how impossible, I look at your picture and the problem disappears.
Wife: You see how miraculous and powerful I am for you?
Hubby: Yes, I see your picture and say to myself, "What other problem can there be greater than this one?"
Girl: When we get married, I want to share all your worries, troubles and lighten your burden.
Boy: It's very kind of you, darling, but I don't have any worries or troubles.
Girl: Well that's because we aren't married yet.
Son: Mom, when I was on the bus with Dad this morning, he told me to give up my seat to a lady.
Mom: Well, you have done the right thing.
Son: But mum, I was sitting on daddy's lap.
A newly married man asked his wife, "Would you have married me if my father hadn't left me a fortune?"
"Honey," the woman replied sweetly, "I'd have married you, NO MATTER WHO LEFT YOU A FORTUNE"
Father to son after exam: "Let me see your report card."
Son: "My friend just borrowed it. He wants to scare his parents."
Girl to her boyfriend: One kiss and I'll be yours forever.
The guy replies: Thanks for the early warning.
A wife asked her husband: "What do you like most in me, my pretty face or my sexy body?"
He looked at her from head to toe and replied: "I like your sense of humor."
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