Talitha Koum

Tomorrow is not Promised

2012-01-12T17:17:00.000+08:00

Sometimes people come into your life
and you know right away that they were meant to be there,
they serve some sort of purpose,
teach you a lesson
or help figure out who you are
and who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be:
your neighbor, child, long lost friend, lover, or even a complete stranger
who, when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment that they will affect your life
in some profound way.

And sometimes things happen to you
and at the time they seem painful and unfair,
but in reflection you realize
that without overcoming those obstacles
you would have never realized
your potential strength, will power, or heart.

Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance
or by means of good or bad luck.
Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity
all occur to test the limits of your soul.

Without these small tests,
whether they be events, illnesses or relationships,
life would be like a smoothly paved straight flat road to nowhere,
safe and comfortable,
but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life
and the successes and downfalls you experience create who you are,
and even the bad experiences can be learned from,
In fact, they are probably the poignant and important ones.

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

If someone loves you,
love them back unconditionally,
not only because they love you,
but because they are teaching you to love
and opening your heart and eyes to things
you would have never seen or felt without them.

Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment
and take from it everything that you possibly can,
for you may never be able to experience it again...

Talk to people you have never talked to before,
and actually listen,
let yourself fall in love,
break free and set your sights high...

Hold your head up because you have every right too.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself...
for if you don't believe in yourself,
no one else will believe in you either.

Create your own life
and then go out and live in it!
"Live Each Day As If It Were Your Last...
Tomorrow is Not Promised"

Not Home Yet

2012-01-06T17:08:00.003+08:00

An old missionary couple had been working in Africa for years and was returning to New York to retire. They had no pension; their health was broken; they were defeated, discouraged, and afraid. They discovered they were booked on the same ship as President Teddy Roosevelt, who was returning from one of his big-game hunting expeditions.

No one paid any attention to them. They watched the fanfare that accompanied the President's entourage, with passengers trying to catch a glimpse of the great man. As the ship moved across the ocean, the old missionary said to his wife, "Something is wrong. Why should we have given our lives in faithful service for God in Africa all these many years and have no one care a thing about us? Here this man comes back from a hunting trip and everybody makes much over him, but nobody gives two hoots about us."

"Dear, you shouldn't feel that way," his wife said. "I can't help it; it doesn't seem right." When the ship docked in New York, a band was waiting to greet the President. The mayor and other dignitaries were
there. The papers were full of the President's arrival.

No one noticed this missionary couple. They slipped off the ship and found a cheap flat on the East Side, hoping the next day to see what they could do to make a living in the city.

That night the man's spirit broke. He said to his wife, "I can't take this; God is not treating us fairly." His wife replied, "Why don't you go in the bedroom and tell that to the Lord?"

A short time later he came out from the bedroom, but now his face was completely different. His wife asked, "Dear, what happened?"

"The Lord settled it with me," he said. "I told him how bitter I was that the President should receive this tremendous homecoming, when no one met us as we returned home. And when I finished, it seemed as
though the Lord put his hand on my shoulder and simply said, 'But you're not home yet!"

Reciting the Rosary

2011-11-17T17:55:00.000+08:00

Do you remember when you were a child
When your irate father raised his hand high
To punish you for some serious error,
Your mother stopped his arm ready to spank.

In the pious account that cannot mislead us,
Jesus Christ on the cross, showing John to Mary,
Said: “Here is your son!” This is why I pray,
For Mary to beseech my forgiveness
At the hour of my death.

For, when Jesus gave her this mysterious gift,
He bequeathed Christian humanity to her.
Your mother, O Lord, is all mine.

O Mother, please intercede for me.In the palm of my hand, I see my rosary, And, to me, its black beads are like seedsThat I toss up to Heaven with great hope. What a marvelous miracle!Each Hail Mary will soon fall at the feet Of the Queen of the HeavensAnd my prayers in blossom will go gently Towards the Blessed Virgin with a sweet perfume. Francois Coppee

Next on the List

2011-11-10T17:48:00.000+08:00

By Sally I Kennedy

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he
will give you everything you need. ~ Matthew 6:33

I was looking over the list, the never ending ‘To Do’ list. Crossing things off, adding things, rearranging the list according to today’s priorities. “There is no end to this list!” I grumbled to myself. There is alwaysss something next on the list.

The never-ending ‘to do’ list - how depressing that can be. A good friend of mine likes to say, “Everything that needs to get done will get done”, though I wonder sometimes. I can easily feel overwhelmed with The List, and I know that’s the time for a priority check-up.

God wants to communicate with us, and it is unlikely He is going to catch us ‘on the run’. He waits. Rick Warren says, "If you are always on the go and you can't hear God, you are facing the barrier of busyness." Oh yeah, all those things on The List.

I’ve heard it said, “Don't under estimate the value of porch sitting and rocking”. Basically, I need to make the choice to take time, to wait on God and listen to Him. It’s hard for God to download much to me when I am on the move. He is waiting, though. I need to choose, purpose, and decision what gets pushed to the top.

So maybe next on The List for me is checking my priorities, giving God the first place, and then letting everything else fall in place. It will, because it’s a promise.

Did Jesus use a modem at the Sermon on the Mount

2011-11-05T23:54:00.003+08:00

Did Jesus use a modem, At the Sermon on the Mount?
Did He ever try a broadcast fax, To send his message out?
Did the disciples carry beepers, As they went about their route?
Did Jesus use a modem, At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did Paul use a laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM?
Were his letters posted on BBS, At paul.rome.com?
Did the man from Macedonia, Send an e-mail saying "Come?"
Did Paul use a laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM?

Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea?
And a satellite guidance tracking system, To show him where to be?
Did he write the law on tablets, Or are they really on CD?
Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea?

Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree?
Or was it a hologram, or technical wizardry?
Can you download the live action video clip, To play on your pc?
Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree?

Have the wonders of this modern age, Made you question what is true?
How a single man, in a simple time, Could offer life anew?
How a sinless life, a cruel death, Then a glorious life again,
Could offer more to a desperate world, Than all the inventions of man?

If in your life, the voice of God, Is sometimes hard to hear.
With other voices calling, His doesn't touch your ear.
Than set aside your laptop and modem, And all your fancy gear.
And open your Bible, open your heart, and let your Father draw near.

The Story of Pearls

2011-11-02T11:16:00.000+08:00

Pearls are a product of pain. When a grain of sand pierces the shell of an oyster, all the otherwise dormant resources within the tiny oyster respond to the foreign irritant by caring for that sensitive spot. Over time, the sand particle is covered by healing fluids, and the wound becomes a pearl.

That's true for you, too. When hardships invade your life, allow God's Spirit to shape your response. Don't be bitter. Don't rush ahead of His plan. Rest in Him. Allow Him time to turn that irritation into an opportunity for your growth - and watch a beautiful pearl emerge from your set of circumstances.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:2-4 (KJV)

DEVELOP THE RIGHT (SELF) ATTITUDE

2011-10-30T21:39:00.000+08:00

Here are 10 suggestions to help you develop and maintain a healthy self-image. Read them slowly. Meditate on them regularly.

1. Hate your sin, but never hate yourself.

2. Be quick to repent.

3. When God gives you light, walk in it.

4. Stop saying negative things about yourself. God loves you and it's wrong to hate what He loves. He has great plans for you, so you're in conflict with Him when you speak negatively concerning your future.

5. Never be afraid to admit that you've made a mistake and don't always assume that when things go wrong, it must be 'my fault'.

6. Don't meditate excessively on what you've done, right or wrong; both of these activities keep your mind on you! Center your thoughts on Christ.

7. Take good care of yourself physically. Make the best of what God gave you to work with, but don't be obsessed with your appearance.

8. Never stop learning but don't allow your education to become a point of pride. God doesn't use you because of what's in your head: He uses you because of what's in your heart.

9. Realize that your talents are a gift, not something you have manufactured yourself; never look down on people who can't do what you do.

10. Don't despise your weaknesses they keep you dependent on God.

OVER OR AROUND

2011-10-26T08:44:00.000+08:00

By Sally I Kennedy

The river was higher than usual. A great amount of rainfall through the year had caused it to swell its banks. This fall the water wasn’t gurgling and bubbling along, rather it was churling and rushing in a steady rapid flow.

The small part of the river I could see from the window had some pretty good-size boulders. There were other rocks, all sizes from the tiny chips at the river bottom to the massive stones. Whenever the river water came to one of these rocks, it didn’t stay there. The rock didn’t prevent the water from continuing on.

The river rolled over pebbles and smaller rocks. It went around boulders and larger rocks. Sometimes additional waters came alongside and joined with the water at the rock, supporting it to move past the obstacle.

When we encounter formidable roadblocks in our lives, it is important to carry on. There is always a way. We know that the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He does not want to sort of mess up our lives, he wants to totally wreck them and ultimately separate us from God.

But God is life. John 10:10 talks about the abundant, over-the-top life that Jesus brings to us. Sometimes we go it alone, other times we need help and support from a family member, close friend, prayer partner, bible study group etc. But always we need the guidance of our friend, the Holy Spirit.

The river water did not encounter a deterrant and say, “oh no! I am stuck here. What am I going to do?.” One way or another, over or around, it kept persevering. There is always a solution, always a way….over or around, with God.

Contemplation

2011-10-10T21:36:00.000+08:00

By Rene and Nena Lagdameo

I. Let us come into our hearts,

His favorite resting place, His temple dear.

Let us come where He awaits -

the Father, Saviour, Sanctifier.

Let us come to the Trinity, our Family, our Lord, our God.

Let us come to Jesus Christ, our King!

II. For He is there to gaze at you, to love you.

He is there to show your sins, to pardon you.

He is there to show your wounds, your hurts, to heal you,

to give His peace, Jesus Christ our King.

III. So, let us come to simply be with Him in silence.

Let's adore Him, love Him, rest in Him in silence.

Let us thank Him, plead to Him in silence.

Contemplate, gaze at Him in silence.

IV. Let us learn to simply pray in silence.

Let's be alert, awake, aware, attentive,

let us learn to humbly bow in silence.

Be still, listen now in silence.

V. For he is there to wait for us to be like Him.

To surrender, to say yes to Him, to trust Him.

To fill us with His heavenly gifts of love and peace.

He is there, be with Him, in silence.

VI. He thought of you, and loved you from eternity...

He willed you, formed you, moulded you, He needs you...

to bring His love and peace to those around...

who walk the earth in loneliness and fear.

VII. To heal them, to forgive them, to love them...

to make them know His love through those who serve...

to call them, too, to use them for others near...

till all the world is one with Him forever.

VIII. O, brother, sister, come and gaze at His self-sacrifice...

Gaze at His love throughout His earthly life unto the Cross.

He left the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, to nourish us...

to be with us, to lead us on, to Heaven.

IX. O brother, sister, He who totally gave His life that you may live,

Can you not fully give it back for Him to use...?

To serve Him with the Gifts He gave that others, too,

May live for Him, Jesus Christ, our King!

Today's Reading - PHILIPPIANS 4:12-14, 19-20

2011-10-09T17:06:00.000+08:00

Brothers and sisters, I know what it is to be in want and what it is to have plenty. I am trained for both: to be hungry or satisfied, to have much or little. I can do all things in him who strengthens me.

However you did right in sharing my trials. God himself will provide you with everything you need, according to his riches, and show you his generosity in Christ Jesus. Glory to God, our Father, forever and ever: Amen.

Today's Reading - PHILIPPIANS 4:6-9

2011-10-02T17:08:00.000+08:00

Brothers and sisters, do not be anxious about anything. In everything resort to prayer and supplication together with thanksgiving and bring your requests before God. Then the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will keep your hear ts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, fill your minds with whatever is truthful, holy, just, pure, lovely and noble. Be mindful of whatever deserves praise and admiration. Put into practice what you have learned from me, what I passed on to you, what you heard from me or saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.

Piano Concert

2011-09-25T08:56:00.000+08:00

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy quietly got up and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage.

In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was mesmerized.

That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Feel His loving arms around you. Know that His strong hands are there helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't call the equipped, he equips the called. And He will always be there to love and guide you on to great things!

Good Mother of God

2011-09-17T23:16:00.000+08:00

Good Mother of God, treasure of mercy and grace,
You are our refuge and our hope,
Protect us, O Mary, and have mercy on our deceased.

Although you are far away from us, O Virgin Mary,
May your intercession accompany and save us.

From Him who raised you above all creatures,
And took flesh from you,
Obtain forgiveness for us sinners, forever.

You are our mother, our hope, our glory and our refuge,
Intercede for us to your Son,
And ask him to forgive us our sins through His mercy.

Desert us not, O Good Mary, O full of all grace,
Save all of your servants,
So that we may thank you forever more.

Your Cross

2011-09-08T23:14:00.000+08:00

The young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he said. "I have too heavy a cross to bear."

The Lord replied, "My son, if you can't bear its weight, just place your cross inside this room. Then, open that other door and pick out any cross you wish."

The man was filled with relief. "Thank you, Lord," he sighed, and he did as he was told.

Upon entering the other door, he saw many crosses, some so large the tops were not visible. Then, he spotted a tiny cross leaning against a far wall. "I'd like that one, Lord," he whispered

And the Lord replied, "My son, that is the cross you just brought in."

When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are coping with. You may consider yourself far more fortunate than you imagined. YOUR CROSS Whatever your cross, whatever your pain. There will always be sunshine after the rain. Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall, But God's always there.

God Said NO

2011-09-03T07:59:00.000+08:00

I asked God to take away my habit.

God said, No.
It is not for me to take away,
but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.

God said, No.

Patience is a byproduct of tribulations;
it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness..

God said, No.
I give you blessings;
Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.

God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares
and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own,
but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.

God said, No.
I will give you life,
so that you may enjoy all things.

I asked God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said... Ahhhh,
finally you have the idea.

Are You Waiting to be Called?

2011-08-25T22:59:00.000+08:00

Back when the telegraph was the fastest method of long-distance communication, a young man applied for a job as a Morse Code operator. Answering an ad in the newspaper, he went to the office address that was listed.

When he arrived, he entered a large, busy office filled with noise and clatter, including the sound of the telegraph in the background. A sign on the receptionist's counter instructed job applicants to fill out a form and wait until they were summoned to enter the inner office.

The young man filled out his form and sat down with the seven other applicants in the waiting area. After a few minutes, the young man stood up, crossed the room to the door of the inner office, and walked right in.

Naturally the other applicants perked up, wondering what was going on. They muttered among themselves that they hadn't heard any summons yet.

They assumed that the young man who went into the office made a mistake and would be disqualified.

Within a few minutes, however, the employer escorted the young man out of the office and said to the other applicants, "Gentlemen, thank you very much for coming, but the job has just been filled."

The other applicants began grumbling to each other, and one spoke up saying, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. He was the last to come in, and we never even got a chance to be interviewed. Yet he got the job. That's not fair!"

The employer said, "I'm sorry, but the last several minutes while you've been sitting here, the telegraph has been ticking out the following message in Morse Code: 'If you understand this message, then come right in. The job is yours.' None of you heard it or understood it. This young man did. The job is his."

We are so busy living in a world that is full of noise and clatter, like that office. People are distracted and unable to hear the still, small voice of God as He speaks in creation, in the Scriptures, and in the life and work of Jesus Christ.

So I ask you, as I ask myself, "Are you listening, or are you waiting to be called? Do you hear the Lord when he speaks to you?

Today's Reading - Romans 11:33-36

2011-08-21T08:38:00.002+08:00

Brothers and sisters, how deep are the riches, the wisdom and knowledge of God! His decisions cannot be explained, nor his ways understood!

Who has ever known God's thoughts? Who has ever been his adviser? Who has given him something first, so that God had to repay him?

For everything comes from him, has been made by him and has to return to him. To him be the glory forever!

Amen.

A Big God

2011-08-18T22:53:00.000+08:00

This is a story about a little girl who, on the way home from church, turned to her mother and said, "Mommy, the Preacher's sermon this morning confused me."

The mother said, "Oh! Why is that?

The girl replied, "Well, he said that God is bigger than we are. Is that true?"

"Yes, that's true," the mother replied.

"He also said that God lives within us. Is that true too?"

Again the mother replied, "Yes."

"Well," said the girl. "If God is bigger than us and He lives in us, wouldn't He show through?"

Read this again.........Think.....

A Child's Angel

2011-08-08T22:51:00.000+08:00

Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God:

They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?

Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you.

But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy.

Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy.

And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?

Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.

And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?

Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.

I've heard that on earth there are bad men. Who will protect me?

Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.

But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.

Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you.

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly:

Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.

Your angel's name is of no importance, you will call your angel: Mommy

Waltz In

2011-06-26T22:31:00.000+08:00

By Sally I Kennedy

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence... Hebrews 4:16

I was praying, simple conversation with God, and found myself asking for something. Again. I thought, “I am constantly making requests! Wouldn’t you think the Lord would get sick of that? I just waltz in, any time of the day or night I feel like it, and pray. I thank Him and praise Him; often do ask for something and assume He is listening."

Many years ago, as a mom of young children, I would try to stop and listen to my kids when they would come to me to ask, or tell, me something. I usually did, but not always. Our Father God made us for fellowship with Him. And yes, He is thrilled and delighted for us to come to Him, with requests, conversation, thanks, or just come to enjoy His presence.

Among the thousands of promises in the Bible are those which declare God hears us, and answers. A few are:

Jeremiah 33:3  Call to me and I will answer you
Psalm 17:6  I call to you, God, and you answer me. Listen to me now, and hear what I say. Psalm 6:9  The Lord has heard my cry for help; the Lord will answer my prayer.
Psalm 91:15  They will call to me, and I will answer them.

There’s never a time the Lord won’t stop and give us His full attention. In fact, He is just waiting for us to 'waltz in'.

That's good news.

The Silversmith

2011-06-20T22:28:00.000+08:00

Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to study the scriptures. While reading the third chapter of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse:

"And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver (Malachi 3:3)"

One lady proposed to visit a silversmith, and report to them on what he said about the subject. She went accordingly, and without telling the object of her errand, begged the silversmith to tell her about the process of refining silver.

After he had fully described it to her, she asked, "But Sir, do you sit while the work of refining is going on?"

"Oh, yes madam," replied the silversmith; "I must sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured."

The lady at once saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression, "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." God sees it needful to put His children into a furnace; His eye is steadily
intent on the work of purifying, and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for us. Our trials do not come at random, and He will not let us be tested beyond what we can endure.

Before she left, the lady asked one final question, "When do you know the process is complete?"

"Why, that is quite simple," replied the silversmith. "When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished."

What's in Your Sponge?

2011-06-13T22:25:00.001+08:00

There are 5 sponges laying on your kitchen counter top. Each member of your family has been cleaning up different areas of your home, but all the sponges look the same. You are curious as to what was cleaned in your home, but you can't tell by looking...they all look the same....so what do you do?

You squeeze each sponge to see what comes out. As you squeeze the first sponge, you see that cola comes out, and so you decide that someone cleaned the kitchen with that one. Upon squeezing the second sponge, you find tub and tile cleaner - that one was used to clean the bathroom.

Next, in the third sponge, you find motor oil -- hubby was cleaning the garage!

In the fourth sponge, baby powder puffs out when it is squeezed -- yep the baby's nursery was done with that one!

And finally, in the last one, is floor wax -- that was the one you used on the hall floor!

As you lay the last one down, you look again at their similarity - and they all look the same until they're squeezed.

Christians are the same way. As life squeezes us, different things come out - anger from one, a need for revenge from another, tears from one, remorse from yet another - also greed, untruth, lust - and finally, from one saint, pours forth the love of Christ.

Just like the sponge, we can only squeeze out what is put in - stay in the Word daily, and be in continuous prayer, so that when life puts the squeeze on you (and it WILL), Jesus, and Jesus ALONE will shine forth from you!

Have a blessed, squeaky clean day!

Quick Charge

2011-05-10T08:41:00.000+08:00

By Sally I. Kennedy

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live
your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the
faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:6,7

I forgot to charge the cell phone. As I grabbed it on my way out the door, I happened to notice the battery was way down. So I went back and plugged it in, hoping for a quick charge. I planned to fully charge it when I got back to my office.

Wonder of wonders the cell phone charged up quickly, at least enough for me to use it for awhile. Kinda reminded me of days when I either don’t have time, or haven’t taken the time, to recharge my spiritual battery. Those days I need a stop-gap measure, a quick charge to get
me through. Things like, a Christian song playing on my iPod while I’m getting ready to leave the house, especially tunes that include Bible verses. Or a Bible teaching CD in my car on the way to pick up kids. Or a short prayer I send up while I’m on my way to a meeting. Or a calendar in the kitchen with a bible verse for each day of the year.

Just a thought, something of the LORD to focus me on Him- not on me, not on my circumstances; on Him.

It is just that, a quick charge, and it doesn’t take the place of one- on-one time with the Lord in prayer and meditation and reading His word. But sometimes it is just what works for the moment, a quick charge.

Thank you, Lord, for quick charges that focus us on You.

POEM BASED ON THE LORD'S PRAYER

2011-05-02T08:40:00.000+08:00

By Arlene Spanos

Heavenly Father above, Creator of love
Holy and Sacred is Your name
Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done
As in heaven be it on earth the same

Show me the way to reflect your love each day
Only You can help me understand and see
Help my pride erase to give others grace
Just as you have given grace to me

And this I pray, please keep evil away.
So though tempted I will not do wrong.
Help me be humble and true, more loving like You
And to be faithful my whole lifelong.

Forever you reign, in your glorious domain
Your Sovereign Power will never end.
I long to bring honor to You in all I say and do
In the Name of my Lord Jesus I pray. Amen.

My Business Loss

2011-04-27T08:35:00.000+08:00

By Bo Sanchez

Many years ago, I lost a lot of money in a businesses venture.

It was a big loss for me. At that time, I lost almost my entire net worth. I was tempted to mope, to sulk, to carry a heavy burden for a long time.

Actually, I allowed myself to grieve for awhile—which was very healthy. But I decided not to grieve for too long, or I would be stuck forever.

After some time, I declared, "God has something better for me."

I chose to smile. I chose to look at the brighter side. I chose to believe that better businesses would come my way. In fact, I began declaring the unbelievable. I said, "I'll earn ten times what I lost!"

Later that week, a friend asked me, "Is it true that you lost a lot of money in that business?"

I said, "Yes, I did."

"It happens to you too, huh? And I thought people like you are exempt from these things. So why are you smiling?"

"Because I believe God is redirecting me to a better business. And I know that I'll earn ten times what I lost."

It was a big claim and some friends couldn't understand why I was so relaxed.

But a few years later, what I declared happened.

I started new businesses and I began to earn ten times what I lost. What I lost—my savings for years—I earned in a few months. Today, my new businesses are multiplying.

I ask myself sometimes, "What if I didn't fail in that business? I would still be stuck in that business! I wouldn't have the new business that I have now."

And imagine if kept moping and sulking—would I have seen the new opportunities around me? Imagine if I kept mourning my loss—would I have had the energy to venture into something new?

Friend, don't focus at the problems in your life.

Don't focus on what you loss.

Instead, focus on two things: look at what you still have and look at the new things that God will give you.

And be grateful.

Easter

2011-04-24T08:20:00.000+08:00

"I do not mind telling you that within me I find the Easter message and the reality of the Resurrection more beautiful and glorious than the Christmas scene. Christmas tells us that Jesus was born; that He was born for the humiliation of suffering and death and atonement. But Easter is the radiant and glory-filled celebration of Christ's mighty triumph over the grave and death and hell! When Easter comes, our voices are raised in the triumphant chorus: The three sad days had quickly sped; He rises glorious from the dead! There is the real beauty! This is more than the beauty of color; more than the beauty of outline or form; more than the beauty of physical proportion. In the living Christ is the perfection of all beauty; and because He lives, we too shall live in the presence of His beauty and the beauties of heaven, forever!" - A.W. Tozer

Three Bullets

2011-04-07T08:45:00.001+08:00

There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat.

He had an old rifle and three bullets. So, he decided that he would go out hunting and kill some wild game for dinner. As he went down the road, he saw a rabbit. He shot at the rabbit and missed it. The rabbit ran away.

Then he saw a squirrel and fired a shot at the squirrel and missed it.
The squirrel disappeared into a hole in a cottonwood tree.

As he went further, he saw a large wild "Tom" turkey in the tree, but he had only one bullet remaining.

A voice spoke to him and said, "Pray first, aim high and stay focused." However, at the same time, he saw a deer which was a better kill. He brought the gun down and aimed at the deer, but then he saw a rattlesnake between his legs about to bite him so he naturally brought the gun down further to shoot the rattlesnake.

Still, the voice said again to him, "I said, 'Pray, Aim high and Stay focused.'" So, the man decided to listen to God's voice.

He prayed, then aimed the gun high up in the tree and shot the wild turkey.
The bullet bounced off the turkey and killed the deer.

The handle fell off the gun and hit the snake in the head and killed it. And when the gun had gone off, it knocked him into a pond.

When he stood up to look around, he had fish in all his pockets, a dead deer and a turkey to eat for his family.

The snake (Satan) was dead simply because the man listened to God.

Moral of the story:

Pray first before you do anything, aim and shoot high in your goals, and stay focused on God.
Never let others discourage you concerning your past. The past is exactly that, "the past."

Live every day one day at a time and remember that only God knows our future and that He will not put you through any more than you can bear.

Do not look to man for your blessings, but look to the doors that only He has prepared in advance for you in your favor.

Wait, be still and patient; keep God first and everything else will follow.

Waiting

2011-03-21T23:29:00.001+08:00

By Sally I Kennedy

`Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

The pelican duo paddled in place, bobbing in the canal. They were waiting in anticipation, expecting that scraps would be soon be swept from the fish cleaning board into the water. It was just a matter of time.

There's a waiting room in our local hospital where people can stay if a family member is having surgery. Minutes can masquerade as hours, and hours like days, while waiting for results of the operation.

I have found that waiting is not easy and can be frustrating, even confusing. And it seems to go on, and on, sometimes. Occasionally our hands are tied,; we have to wait because of circumstances. Times when a course to pursue is not plain, waiting is necessary for clarity. While trying to sort it all out and allow it to unfold, we sit in that waiting zone.

The waiting place, not usually where we choose to be. It's not forever, though, and it is for a season, a reason, a purpose. It's possible to wait with positive expectation, anticipating things working out for the best. God knows, and He has all things in His hands, especially His children. That is, good news.

I wait for you, oh Lord; you will answer, oh Lord my God.
Psalm 38:15

This is What Love is All About

2011-01-20T13:48:00.001+08:00

It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 am, When an elderly gentleman in his 80's, arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.

I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would to able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound. While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation I asked him if he had a doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease.

As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now. I was surprised, and asked him. "And you still go every morning, even though
she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said. "She doesn't know me, but I still know who she is."

I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, "That is the kind of love I want in my life."

True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.

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

The Bible and The Coal Basket

2011-01-16T21:12:00.001+08:00

The story is told of an old man who lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning, Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading from his old worn-out Bible.

His grandson who wanted to be just like him tried to imitate him in any way he could. One day the grandson asked, "Papa, I try to read the Bible just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Bible do?" The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and said, "Take this coal basket down to the river and bring back a basket of water." The boy did as he was told, even though all the water leaked out before he could get back to the house.

The grandfather laughed and said, "You will have to move a little faster next time," and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again.

This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was "impossible to carry water in a basket," and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, "I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You can do this. You're just not trying hard enough," and he went out the door to watch the boy try again. At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would leak out before he got far at all. The boy scooped the water and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty.

Out of breath, he said, "See Papa, it's useless!"

"So you think it is useless?" The old man said, "Look at the basket." The boy looked at the basket and for the first time he realized that the basket looked different. Instead of a dirty old coal basket, it was clean. "Son, that's what happens when you read the Bible. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, it will change you from the inside out.

That is the work of God in our lives.

To change us from the inside out and to slowly transform us into the image of His son.

Take time to read a portion of God's word each day.

TOP TEN REASONS TO BELIEVE IN THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

2010-12-14T23:40:00.000+08:00

1. The Credibility of Its Founder: Peter spoke for Jesus' closest followers when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

2. Reliability of Its Book: The integrity of this historical and geographical record is supported by archeology. The Bible continues to speak not only with spiritual power but with convincing prophetic accuracy.

3. Explanations for Life: It is the Christian faith that reflects a caring attention to detail so evident in the species and ecosystems of the natural world. It is Christ who clothed himself in our humanity to feel what we feel and then to suffer and die in our place.

4. Its Continuity with the Past: The Christian faith offers continuity with our deepest ancestral roots. Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, and Solomon.

5. Its Foundational Claim: The first Christians were witnesses. They risked their lives to tell the World that with their own eyes they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them 3 days later.

6. Its Power to Change Lives: Not only were the first disciples dramatically changed but so were their worst enemies. Paul was transformed from a killer of Christians into one of their chief
advocates (Galatians 1:11-24)

7. Its Analysis of Human Nature: The Bible says that society's real problems are problems of the heart. In an age of information and technology, failures of character have scandalized institutions of the family, religion, and the arts.

8. Its View of Human Achievement: Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We have conceived technologies that will deliver us from the oppressive slavery of work. Yet we are as close as ever to what the New Testament describes as the end times. (Matthew 24:5-31)

9. Its Impact on Society: From roof tops to necklaces to earrings, we see the sign of the cross, bearing visible witness to Christ's death. Social relief agencies have been fueled by the direct or residual values of The Bible.

10. Its Offer of Salvation: No other faith offers everlasting life as a gift to those who trust the One who has overcome death for them. No other system offers assurance of forgiveness and adoption into the family of God.

So Far Away

2010-12-05T23:35:00.000+08:00

By Sally I. Kennedy

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. Mark 11:22

“Trust in God; trust also in me”. John 14:1

“They’re so far away. Things seem to be going from bad to worse. My daughter has jumped out of the frying pan into the fire. I know God can take care of her and the children, but…….”

This was a friend, calling recently to ask for prayer for her children. She had worked herself into a tizzy worrying about her family. They were able to email, send pictures, and talk which was so
wonderful. The thousand mile distance separating them, however, overrode all that at the moment. She was missing them. She wanted to ‘fix’ things that were going awry in their lives as well.

The reality is we have no control over people, places or things- whether we’re physically there or not. Yet when we’re together and can talk face to face, hug, or perhaps hold the kids on our lap we sometimes have more calmness of mind in a rough situation.

Sue went on to say she’d been thinking about it quite a bit and thatshe had faith, but did she have trust? She had faith that God could be with her family and take care of them, but did she trust that He would?

The Bible has about 400 verses about faith, approximately 160 concerning trust.

Faith…….Trust.

Like faith is a gift and trust is a decision. Quite a vast difference. There’s a drawing I‘ve seen with a child swinging, a large hand holding the long ropes that hold up the board. Underneath are these words, “TRUST. Do I, really?”

When a situation seems difficult and ‘so far away’, I hope to remember; faith and trust.

Prayer: I have faith in You, Lord. Please increase my faith, and help me to trust You more. In Jesus’ name, amen.

2 Corinthians 5:7 We live by faith, not by sight.

Matthew 17:20 He replied, " I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

Mark 11:22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered.

Luke 17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

Hebrews 2:13 And again, "I will put my trust in him." And again he says, "Here am I, and the children God has given me."

John 14:1 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.

Romans 4:5 However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness.

Psalm 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust
in the name of the Lord our God.

Health Check Up by God

2010-11-30T22:42:00.000+08:00

I went to the Lord's Clinic to have my routine check-up and I confirmed I was ill.

When Jesus took my blood pressure, He saw I was low in tenderness.

When He read my temperature, the thermometer registered 40 degrees of anxiety.

He ran an electrocardiogram and found that I needed several "love bypasses" since my arteries were blocked with loneliness and could not provide for an empty heart.

I went to orthopedics, because I could not walk by my brother's side and I could not hug my friends, since I had fractured myself when tripping with envy.

He also found I was short-sighted, since I could not see beyond the shortcomings of my brothers and sisters.

When I complained about deafness, the diagnostic was that I had stopped listening to Jesus' voice talking to me on a daily basis.

For all of that, Jesus gave me a free consultation thanks to Hismercifulness, so my pledge is to, once I leave this clinic, only takethe natural remedies He prescribed through his words of truth:

* Every morning take a full glass of gratitude.
* When getting to work, take one spoon of peace.
* Every hour, take one pill of patience, one cup of brotherhood and
one glass of humility
* When getting home, take one dose of love
* When getting to bed, take two caplets of clear conscience

Do not give in to sadness or desperation for what you are going through today.

God knows how you feel...

God knows exactly and with perfection what is being allowed to happen to you in your life at this precise moment.

God's purpose for you is simply perfect.

He wants to show you things that only you can understand by living what you are living, and by being in the place you are now.

May God give you...
* For every storm, a rainbow
* For every tear, a smile,
* For every care, a promise,
* And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share,
For ever sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.

Recipe for Miracles

2010-11-24T16:30:00.000+08:00

Ingredients:
1 part of knowing who you are
1 part of knowing who you aren't
1 part of knowing what you want
1 part of knowing who you wish to be
1 part of knowing what you already have
1 part of choosing wisely from what you have
1 part of loving and thanking for ALL you have

Instructions:
Combine ingredients together gently and carefully, using faith and vision.
Mix together with strong belief of the outcome until finely blended.

Use thoughts, words and actions for best results.

Bake until Blessed.

Give thanks again.

Yield: Unlimited service

Blackbirds

2010-11-13T07:41:00.000+08:00

Blackbirds
By Marion Smith

Recently, as I sat on my back porch, I noticed a large flock of blackbirds in the backyard. They were flying from the trees to the ground and back again. While on the ground, they scurried around looking for food. They would hunt and peck, hunt and peck, hunt and peck. Finally one of them noticed the bird feeder filled with delicious sunflower seeds. This particular bird flew to the feeder, taking his fill, and not moving for a very long time. I am not sure if this bird signaled the others, or they just noticed him in their field of visionn, but in just a moment others had joined him. They filled each available perch on the feeder while twenty or more sat on the fence, looking as if they were waiting their turn. Some flew to the ground and ate the seed which spilled over from the feeder as the birds on the perches munched away.

It is this way for many people They flit here and there, looking for something to satisfy them. They think they've discovered it, so they perch for awhile and digest the activity they've pursued. Hopefully, someone they know or encounter will have found the true source of satisfaction(a personal relationship with Jesus). The opportunity for sharing the gospel will arise, and the "flitting" person will have spiritual food for thought, or perhaps a salvation experience!

Also,the Bible is just like that full bird feeder- it is just waiting for people to come and feast.When this occurs, they will no longer be satisfied to hunt and peck, and hunt and peck for fulfillment. They will share the good news and their friends will want to come to the table, also, for the feast which has been prepared for them.

Say the Rosary Worthily

2010-11-08T00:39:00.002+08:00

{A reminder to myself }

After you have invoked the Holy Spirit, in order to say your Rosary well, place yourself for a moment in the presence of God and make the offering of the decades in the way I will show you later.

Before beginning a decade, pause for a moment or two, depending on how much time you have, and contemplate the mystery that you are about to honor in that decade. Always be sure to ask, by this mystery and through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, for one of the virtues that shines forth most in this mystery or one of which you are in particular need.

Take great care to avoid the two pitfalls that most people fall into during the Rosary. The first is the danger of not asking for any graces at all, so that if some good people were asked their Rosary intention they would not know what to say. So, whenever you say your Rosary, be sure to ask for some special grace or virtue, or strength to overcome some sin.

The second fault commonly committed in saying the Rosary is to have no intention other than that of getting it over with as quickly as possible. This is because so many look upon the Rosary as a burden, which weighs heavily upon them when it has not been said, especially when we have promised to say it regularly or have been told to say it as a penance more or less against our will.

It is sad to see how most people say the Rosary. They say it astonishingly fast, slipping over part of the words. We could not possibly expect anyone, even the most important person, to think that a slipshod address of this kind was a compliment, and yet we imagine that Jesus and Mary will be honored by it!

Small wonder, then, that the most sacred prayers of our holy religion seem to bear no fruit, and that, after saying thousands of Rosaries, we are still no better than we were before.

Saint Louis Marie de Montfort,
The Admirable Secret of the Rosary, # 127

Spiritual Housekeeping

2010-11-04T18:25:00.000+08:00

I do not know about you but I don't like cockroaches. We had them in a house that we bought in Long Island. I did not know anything about hiring exterminators so I decided to get rid of them myself. I bought a sprayer and bought some chemicals to kill them. To measure the chemicals I took a measuring spoon and wired it to the outside of the sprayer. I did this to make sure that I didn't make a mistake and use the measuring spoon again in the house. How could I ever clean it well enough to use it again safely for cooking?

Imagine going in your china closet, getting one of your best crystal glasses, and then using it to measure chemicals to kill the bugs around your house. Then let's imagine that you take it in the house and wash it. Would you dare to use it again? Of course not! It would be contaminated with a toxic film invisible to your eye that might poison anyone who used this glass.

Now imagine that your soul and mine are like this glass. It has been so easy for me to fall victim to the attractive but false temptations of our contemporary world. For example, power, money, liquor, sex, and possessing more and more material possessions are alluring. These are played up so seductively on television and in the media. These can become our golden calves, our false idols! Who has time for God or Church? Perhaps unwittingly or even deliberately I have filled up my glass with these toxins that may kill my soul and potentially others whom I know and love. We call these toxins sin. This mix more importantly is toxic to God and poisons our relationship with Him. The worst of these is so strong that it totally poisons our relationship with God.

Imagine that we determine to do better and try to rid ourselves of these toxins. Can you or I wash the glass of our soul clean enough by ourselves? It would be like trying to wash the lethal chemicals out of our glass with household soap.

Let's assume, however, that we turn to Our Savior, Jesus Christ, and ask Him with a contrite heart to wash our glass. Is there a sin that He cannot forgive? His Mercy is boundless. He died to redeem us of our sins and is prepared always to forgive us.

How can we avoid refilling the glass to the brim with another toxic brew? This also is very difficult to do by ourselves. No matter how I have tried to do this the devil always seems to find a way to slip a temptation in my life when I am weak. My glass, you see, is terribly weak and fragile. The toxins once again begin to fill my glass.

Imagine that Christ not only cleans our glass but also puts a protective substance in the glass that makes it difficult for the devil to introduce any more toxins. Is this possible? The answer is yes. We call this protection grace. The Sacraments are the greatest source of this protection. The more grace that we have in our glass the stronger that this protection is. The greatest of the Sacraments is the Communion. We have the blessing and privilege to be able to receive Our Divine Savior, Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity, in Communion. The grace that He brings surpasses all human understanding. Communion is the food of Eternal Life. Jesus Himself, who suffered and died for us on the Cross, gives Himself willingly, joyfully, lovingly, mercifully, to us. This protection increases the more frequently that we receive Communion. The devil, compared to Christ, is a grain of sand. When Christ fills our soul there is no room for the toxins that the devil seeks to tempt us with. May we get in the habit of receiving Jesus in the Communion as often as we can to take full advantage of this protection.

When Christ has cleaned and filled the glass of our soul whom do you imagine others see when they look at us? My we pray that they no longer see us - - but only see Jesus Christ Himself!

The Onion

2010-10-29T06:24:00.000+08:00

I was an onion before Christ set me free.
Layers upon layers of iniquity.
An ugly old onion whose fragrance was strong;
That my Jesus bought and loved all along.

Unknown to me what He was going to do.
Of what He was planning, I had not a clue.
Pulling each layer off one by one.
In order to make me more like Jesus the Son.

The first layer wasn't so bad.
I saw all the sins that I knew I had.
They were easy to fix, just change the way I talk.
And learn more of how He wanted me to walk.

Reading His Word, and learning again;
How to put aside my life of sin.
But the next layer was pulled which hurt more.
He was getting closer to the core.

Unknown what He would find there.
I simply gave it to Him in prayer.
As another layer was removed, He started to cry;
Pulling this layer brought pain to my Father on High.

And I was crying over the sadness I felt;
The brokenness and all of the guilt.
Past memories that I thought were gone;
They were buried under layers disguised in a fragrance so strong.

As onions peel more and more;
And they put tears in our eyes as we get close to the core;
So my Father wept over my pain;
Giving me a balm of comfort and strength to sustain.

"No More Layers." I would scream.
As He continued to peel them off of me.
"I'll have nothing left my Lord, what will I do?
I'll be nothing but a worthless core to you. "

But He just said "Trust me," and continued to peel
I was sure He was blinded to my pain that was so real.
Year after year I shrunk more and more;
Until all that was left of this onion was a core.

It was then that I began to understand;
As the Lord embraced me in His loving hand.
He said, now and only now can you be;
The creation that will minister before me.

Clothed with the righteousness only from above;
Gone are your layers of self so you can be filled with my love.
He took my layers of sin, hurt and pain;
And clothed me with love, truth and mercy in His name.

Yes, we are all onions, learning with each day;
How to overcome as each layer is taken away.
Some layers tear and pull at our heart;
While others grieve us to our innermost part.

But we are nothing but an ugly onion without Christ.
Layers upon layers of pride, sin and strife.
Only God can take those layers away.
And clothe us with His righteousness in that final day.

Our Lives

2010-10-22T23:17:00.000+08:00

As we look back over our lives, it is not too difficult to see that what we went through was for a purpose and helped to prepare us for some valuable work in life. Everything in our lives can help make us of some use in the world. Each person's life is like the pattern of a mosaic. Each thing that happens to us is like one tiny stone in the mosaic, and each tiny stone fits into the perfected pattern of the mosaic of our life, which has been designed by God.

Prayer for Guidance and Protection to Those I Love

2010-10-12T23:13:00.000+08:00

O heavenly Father, our protector and guide, You are the greatest Friend and joy we have! To be able to come to You in prayer like this is the most beautiful part of our lives!

It is not for myself that I want to pray today, dear Father, but for those who are near and dear to me and about whom I worrying. You know what they are facing, dear Father. And You know most of all the deepest reasons why these things have come upon them!

And You know how I want to help. Truly I think it would be easier if I could only face what they are facing. But You know how helpless we are to help another even though we know what is just and right.

Only You are left, dear Father. Do be with them in all things at all times. Protect them from enemies and evil, my Father. Forgive them their sins and put love of others in their hearts.

O do make them happy in their lives at home, dear Father, and help them live as You wouldst have them live. Above all, put love in their hearts for You.

And thank You, my Father, for Your goodness to them and to me. Thank You for Your love and guidance and protection! May we honor you all the days of our lives. And be happy and uplifted even as I feel right now!

Amen.

To The Woman Who Intercedes

2010-10-06T00:51:00.000+08:00

To the Woman Who Intercedes

To the woman who intercedes.
The only one who can speak with the authority of a mother.

To the woman who is infinitely rich.
Because she is infinitely poor.

To the woman who is infinitely high.
Because she is infinitely descending.

To the woman who is infinitely great.
Because she is also infinitely small.
Infinitely humble.
A young mother.

To the woman who is infinitely young.
Because she is also infinitely mother.

To the woman who is infinitely joyful.
Because she is also infinitely sorrowful.

To the woman who is all Greatness and all Faith.
Because she is also all Charity.

To the woman who is all Faith and all Charity.
Because she is also all hope.

To the woman who is infinitely above us.
Because she is infinitely among us.

To the woman who is with us.
Because the Lord is with her.

To the woman who intercedes.
Because she is blessed among all women.
And because Jesus, the fruit of her womb, is blessed.

Charles Péguy (d. 1914), French poet

Why did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

2010-09-30T07:18:00.000+08:00

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? I never noticed this....

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because.....

The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!'

Does Prayer Change Things?

2010-09-23T19:30:00.000+08:00

They say that prayer changes things, but does it REALLY change anything?
Oh yes! It really does!

Does prayer change your present situation or sudden circumstances?
No, not always, but it does change the way you look at those events.

Does prayer change your financial future?
No, not always, but it does change who you look to for meeting your daily needs.

Does prayer change shattered hearts or broken bodies?
No, not always, but it will change your source of strength and comfort.

Does prayer change your wants and desires?
No, not always, but it will change your wants into what God desires!

Does prayer change how you view the world?
No, not always, but it will change whose eyes you see the world
through.

Does prayer change your regrets from the past?
No, not always, but it will change your hopes for the future!

Does prayer change the people around you?
No, not always, but it will change you - the problem isn't always in others.

Does prayer change your life in ways you can't explain?
Oh, yes, always! And it will change you from the inside out!

So does prayer REALLY change ANYTHING?
Yes! It REALLY does change EVERYTHING!

IF A CHILD LIVES WITH CRITICISM

2010-09-17T09:24:00.000+08:00

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn

If children live with hostility, they learn to fight

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive

If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves

If children live with ridicule, they learn to be shy

If children live with jealousy, they learn what envy is

If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty

If children live with tolerance, they learn to be patient

If children live with encouragement, they learn to be confident

If children live with praise, they learn to appreciate

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves

If children live with acceptance, they learn to find love in the world

If children live with recognition, they learn to have a goal

If children live with sharing, they learn to be generous

If children live with honesty and fairness, they learn what truth and justice are

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselvesand in those around them

If children live with friendliness, they learn that the world is a nice place in which to live

If children live with serenity, they learn to have peace of mind.

What are your children living with?

Good Morning!

2010-09-10T07:22:00.000+08:00

When I say good morning I mean to say:

G-od
O-ffers us His
O-utstanding
D-evotion to

M-ake us
O-bedient &
R-eady for a
N-ew day with Him.
I-nspire others please, and
N-ever forget
G-od loves you!

Be Humble

2010-09-02T00:06:00.000+08:00

Last Sunday's first reading from Sirach reminded me to be humble. Too many times we let pride and ego get into ourselves and in the end lose sight of God's plans.

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29

My son, perform your tasks in meekness; then you will be loved by those whom God accepts. The greater you are, the more you must humble yourself; so you will find favor in the sight of the Lord. For great is the might of the Lord; he is glorified by the humble.

The affliction of the proud has no healing, for a plant of wickedness has taken root in him. The mind of the intelligent man will ponder a parable, and an attentive ear is the wise man's desire.

Directions to Heaven

2010-08-29T07:15:00.001+08:00

Make a Right onto "Believeth Blvd."

Keep straight and go through the Green Light, which is Jesus Christ.

From there, you must turn onto the "Bridge of Faith," which is over troubled water.

When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight.

You are on the "King's Highway" - Heaven-bound.

Keep going for three miles: One for the Father, One for the Son, and One for the Holy Ghost.

Then exit off onto "Grace Blvd."

From there, make a Right turn on "Gospel Lane."

Keep Straight and then make another Right on "Prayer Blvd."

As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on "Temptation Ave."

Also, avoid SIN STREET because it is a DEAD END.

Pass up "Envy Drive," and "Have Avenue."

Also, pass "Hypocrisy Street," "Gossiping Lane" and "Backbiting Blvd."

But you have to go down "Long-suffering Lane", "Persecution Blvd.," and "Trials and Tribulations Ave."

But that's all right, because VICTORY Blvd. is straight ahead!

God Bless.

The Son

2010-08-23T07:03:00.000+08:00

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again.

Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Easter morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told every one of his father's love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was
no longer with him, the boy's life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.

As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored.

He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation.

With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter Day, the day he had received his greatest gift.

The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the greatest collection." The auction began with a painting
that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.

"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son.

Let's forget it and go on to the good stuff." More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer.

"Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke.

"Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what's going on here!" The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son, gets it all!"

Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter Day, the message is still the same-the love of a Father - a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his life
rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever takes the Son gets it all.

God is Always Near

2010-08-18T07:58:00.000+08:00

One thing can always cheer me
When I'm feeling sad and low
When I tired of daily trials
That I have to undergo,
When those who should
Seem closest, seem like
People I don't know,
One thing can always cheer me
I know that God is near me.

One thing can always cheer me
When I do not understand
How pain and sadness
In our lives
Can get so out of hand,
When the best of human efforts
Doesn't meet the days demands,
One thing can always cheer me
I know that God is always near me.

One thing can always cheer me
More than anything I've known
And show me I will never
Have to struggle on my own
For no matter what might happen
I will never be alone
The thing that will always cheer me
Is just knowing God is near me.

Our lives are in God's loving
Hands, in everything we do
He is with us constantly,
He always sees us through.
And if our faith is strong enough
We'll never walk alone,
For with His great and perfect love
He takes care of His own.

Bud to Bloom

2010-08-10T06:47:00.002+08:00

By Marion Smith

The Magnolia tree is always attractive, for it is deciduous, never losing its glossy green leaves. It displays its most magnificent splendor, however, when its flowers are in full bloom. A couple of months ago I took a closer look at this tree. The flower buds were in tight coils- just waiting to unfold. It would take a little more warm weather and sunlight before this happens.

A person starts out like the Magnolia bud- tight- and into himself. However, when the loving warmth of our savior, Jesus Christ, and His glorious lights invade the heart, there is a change. He will open us up in a beautiful manner, just as the Magnolia bud will do.

The bud is so tight- all wrapped up in itself. When it develops, the beauty it has kept from others will emerge. The same is true of a person. Without God each one is self centered- drawing
tightly into himself. With Christ, he unfolds, ready to give, share and love in the same way that God has done for him.

In 2 Corinthians 8 the apostle Paul addresses the subject of how generous giving glorifies the Lord. In chapter 9 he discusses a cheerful giver and how, when Christ truly enters our heart, He gives us the correct desire and attitude about giving.

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the unfolding Magnolia blossom. May our hearts be open enough to Christ that our giving of time, talent and finances reflect Him, and all He gave for us.

The Monkey with the Wooden Apples

2010-07-15T21:28:00.000+08:00

There once was a happy monkey wandering the jungle, eating delicious fruit when hungry, and resting when tired. One day he came upon a house, where he saw a bowl of the most beautiful apples. He took one in each hand and ran back into the forest.

He sniffed the apples and smelled nothing. He tried to eat them, but hurt his teeth. They were made of wood, but they were beautiful, and when the other monkeys saw them, he held onto them even tighter.

He admired his new possessions proudly as he wandered the jungle. They glistened red in the sun, and seemed perfect to him. He became so attached to them, that he didn't even notice his hunger at first.

A fruit tree reminded him, but he felt the apples in his hands.

He couldn't bear to set them down to reach for the fruit. In fact, he couldn't relax, either, if he was to defend his apples. A proud, but less happy monkey continued to walk along the forest trails.

The apples became heavier, and the poor little monkey thought about leaving them behind. He was tired, hungry, and he couldn't climb trees or collect fruit with his hands full. What if he just let go?

Letting go of such valuable things seemed crazy, but what else could he do? He was so tired. Seeing the next fruit tree, and smelling it's fruit was enough. He dropped the wooden apples and reached up for his meal. He was happy again.

Letting Go Of Wooden Apples

Like that little monkey, we sometimes carry things that seem too valuable to let go. A man carries an image of himself as "productive" - carries it like a shiny wooden apple. But in reality, his busyness leaves him tired, and hungry for a better life. Still, letting go seems crazy. Even his worries are sacred apples - they prove he's "doing everything he can." He holds onto them compulsively.

This is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even, feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully will God identify us with our Faith & and God's commandments? ? Have you obeyed them ? but we have always searched after vain pleasures to make us happy , Yet they don't always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them.

How else could the story end?

The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples.

I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we receive anything , Ask God & He will give you more greater riches.

Thank You Father

2010-07-10T21:32:00.000+08:00

Dear God:

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,

I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears, I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves, I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,

I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,

I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief,

I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.

I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because Father, you haven't given up on me.

Bird's Nest

2010-07-06T21:13:00.002+08:00

Joshua 1:9 do not be dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with you anywhere you go.

Recently I discovered a Blue Jay nest in a tree in our front yard. I enjoyed watching the mother glide into the tree with food in beak, ready to nourish her little ones. Two days ago I heard a faint peeping from another tree out front. I walked close to the tree, peered up into the branches, and sure enough- another nest with baby birds. These fledglings were Cardinals; undistinguishable by themselves, but unmistakable as the brilliant red feathered father and the less glamorous mother swooped in and out of the tree .Each of these sets of bird parents had to build a nest and then nurture their young.

God has called us to build our relationship with Him and nurture it to maturity.

Just as the birds intertwined twigs, leaves, grasses and roots to weave their nest, so Christians must build a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must nurture this relationship, feeding it with God’s Word, developing it through prayer, and promoting it with Christian fellowship, church attendance and, if possible, Bible studies.

I am thankful for the beauty of nature that has unfolded before my very eyes here in my own front yard. I am thankful, also, for the privilege to build and nurture my own personal relationship with God. I pray, that as you are nourished and grow in the faith,you can leave the nest and soar to great spiritual heights- serving God on your entire journey.

The Many Names of Christ

2010-06-30T21:25:00.000+08:00

To the ARTIST He is the One Altogether Lovely.
To the ARCHITECT He is the Chief Corner Stone.
To the BAKER He is the Living Bread.
To the BANKER He is the Hidden Treasure.
To the BIOLOGIST He is the Life.
To the BUILDER He is the Sure Foundation.
To the CARPENTER He is the Door.
To the DOCTOR He is the Great Physician.
To the EDUCATOR He is the Great Teacher.
To the ENGINEER He is the New and Living Way.
To the FLORIST He is the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.
To the GEOLOGIST He is the Rock of Ages.
To the HORTICULTURIST He is the True Vine.
To the JUDGE He is the Righteous Judge, Judge of All Men.
To the JEWELER He is the Pearl of Great Price.
To the LAWYER He is the Counselor, the Lawgiver, the Advocate.
To the NEWSPAPER He is the Good Tidings of Great Joy.
To the OCULIST He is the Light of the Eyes.
To the PHILANTHROPIST He is the Unspeakable Gift.
To the PHILOSOPHER He is the Wisdom of God.
To the PREACHER He is the Word of God.
To the SCULPTOR He is the Living Stone.
To the SERVANT He is the Good Master.
To the STATESMAN He is the Desire of All Nations.
To the STUDENT He is the Incarnate Truth.
To the THEOLOGIAN He is the Author and Finisher of our Faith.
To the TOILER He is the Giver of Rest.
To the SINNER He is the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the
World.
To the CHRISTIAN He is the Son of the Living God, the Savior, the
Redeemer and the Lord.

A Business Person's Greatest Reward

2010-06-24T17:58:00.000+08:00

A BUSINESS PERSON'S GREATEST REWARD
By Francis Kong

One night a wife found her husband standing over their newborn baby's crib. Silently she watched him. As he stood looking down at the sleeping infant, she saw on his face a mixture of emotions: disbelief, doubt, delight, amazement, enchantment, skepticism.

Touched by this unusual display and the deep emotions it aroused, with eyes glistening she slipped her arms around her husband.

"A penny for your thoughts," she whispered in his ear.

"It's amazing!" he replied. "I just can't see how anybody can make a crib like that for only P450.00! (Made in China !)"

It's amazing to see how certain people cannot detach themselves from the business life they live even when they are alone with their family.

Last Saturday was no ordinary Saturday for me.

There was no speaking engagement for me on that day and that is very rare.

Weekends are the first to go in my calendar. Business companies would invite me to do out-of-town talks for their people and schools would invite me to do parenting or faculty development seminars and I enjoy doing it. But last Saturday got me doing something else. I had to do a "superman act." I had to stand as one of the primary sponsors in two weddings that were just two hours apart. And that's not the only challenge I had. I had to show up in both wedding receptions notwithstanding the fact that one was in the Ortigas area and the other one in Ermita! Somehow God is merciful. Things turned out right.

It was stressful but it was fun.

I did it not because I had to do it but because I wanted to. The parents of the newly wed couples are dear friends of mine. Both Romy and Tenny Menorca as well as Guillermo and Rebecca Go are very dear to me.

The two weddings featured a lot of contrasts. One was held in a Catholic church the other one Evangelical. One was heavy in ceremony while the other one was deep in Scriptures. The Menorca 's have wonderful sons (no daughters) while the Co's have wonderful daughters
(no sons). One wedding motif required male sponsors to wear the traditional Barong while the other one was strictly coat and tie. You should know that by now, I have developed the wonderful skill of changing clothes inside my car on my way to different functions and occasions.

Now let me tell you what I saw common with the two weddings.

Both weddings were beautiful.

Both wedding receptions were grand and majestic.

You should have seen both the newly-wed couples, they look stunning.

You should have seen the parents, they all looked so proud and happy.

Both weddings packed a lot of joyful tears and merry laughter.

But the one most important common thing I see in both weddings is this: that the kids and their parents are close to each other and they love each other deeply.

Now this is the business person's greatest reward: to have a successful family and to be able to support the children and usher them not just down the aisle but down the path of having their own successful families as well.

So many business people I know are not blessed with this kind of success.

They rush down the aisles of career or business accomplishments and many of them actually achieved their goals only to turn around and see that the roads getting there have been littered with a lot of family casualties along the way. The most tragic moment comes to a person's life when that which one thinks would deliver the ultimate success leads to disappointment and defeat.

You know you're there when this haunting thought nags you: "Is this all there is to it?" But here is how to avoid them:

The warning signs are clear when you hear yourself saying, "But I'm doing this for the family!" You have to stop for a while and seriously ask yourself whether you are indeed doing it for the family or are you doing it for yourself?

Another warning sign is this. You begin to miss your kid's ball games, their recitals, their plays... their birthdays... and you're not interested in attending those corny parenting activities in school.

Now be careful! The "Red Alert Warning"... "Code Red"... comes when you begin to say, "I deserve some happiness of my own...." This is extremely dangerous. This is when stupid decisions are made and you begin to dig a hole that will only get deeper and deeper.

We always pay for the choices we make.

You can fail in your business and you can fail in your career but if you have a successful family then you are still successful.

Take care of your family. Make sure that they are your partners in what you do. Share with them your victories as well as your defeats; your joys as well as your regrets. Be a significant part of their lives and make them conscious of their spiritual walk as well. While I was sitting there listening to the priest and the pastor delivering their message they were both correct when they said, "Unless the Lord builds the house the laborers build in vain."

My last piece of advice is this. Perhaps this is the strongest piece.

The best thing you can do for your kids is to love their mother.

Bring Those Babies to Church!

2010-06-11T09:34:00.000+08:00

My heart goes out to the parents of small children. I know first hand the kind of problems they face. Training up a toddler in the way he should go is a constant job, a continuous battle, seven-day-a- week task, not to mention an awesome responsibility. After six days of their whining chorus at home and three hours of embarrassment while shopping, the last thing some young mothers want to face is an hour of agony and humiliation at church.

Many young mothers have asked herself, “Why do I keep bringing them to church?” As she enters the auditorium she utters a silent prayer that the kids will be good and the sermon short. The service begins. While mother is picking up toys, drying eyes, wiping noses, swatting, scolding, trying to sing, listen, and pray, the toddler is pouring juice on her dress.

To the toddler, church is an exciting adventure. Songbooks are a challenge to take, stuffed toys make great missiles to launch over four or five rows, and the collection plate would make a great hat.

Young parents take heart! Let me assure you of this:

1. Your children do not disturb others nearly as much as you think they do.

2. If people without children are determined to sit at the back of the church, then they deserve any distraction they get.

3. Most people really do understand your plight and remember back to the days when their children were infants and toddlers.

4. Remember that you are both wanted and needed in the worship service.

5. Have faith that the hand, which now hurls crayons, will one day spread the seeds of the Kingdom.

Whitecaps

2010-06-03T17:30:00.003+08:00

Whitecaps
By Marion Smith

Create in me a clean heart, O God

The wind was blowing with a blustery intensity and the white caps formed their frothy displays as the ocean waves rolled onto the shore. There were several rows of whitecaps - each breaking at different times, giving the waves a beautiful display of white frothy topping. These peaks were so bubbly and foamy as they rolled onto the beach and remained there for a few moments before they dissipated.

Then the pull of the ocean sucked the water back unto itself. All the whitecaps looked so pure white and clean. That was, until they made that final roll into shore. On that final roll I got a close up look at the tiny bubbles; they were not all pearly white as I had first thought. Some were very yellow- dingy and ugly. I was surprised that my “up close” view was so different from my “far away” view.

I wondered if Christians aren’t similar to the whitecaps. All Christians have accepted Jesus as their Savior, but are they all allowing Him to be their Lord ? Some Christians may be like that yellow foam- they look good from a distance - attending church or Bible study, doing good works, keeping their vocabulary acceptable and displaying other outward signs of Christianity. But there are inside - things only God sees- (prayer life, intentions of the heart, and one’s personal relationship with God through Jesus) which are most important. To be fully pure and white, like part of the foam I watched rolling in, we must have that personal relationship going and growing
all the time.

So, the whitecaps remind me of Christians - some lacking,perhaps, in purity and whiteness upon an inspection of the heart, and others who are sparking in cleanness through and through.

Lord, I pray I am part of the “white froth” in the whitecaps of your kingdom. If any traces of the yellow froth are in my heart or in my life, I pray you would create in me a clean heart. How about you?

A Matter of Expedience

2010-06-01T08:25:00.000+08:00

A MATTER OF EXPEDIENCE
From Joe Gatuslao

"And when Pharaoh saw the rain, the hail, and the thunder had ceased,
he sinned yet more; and he hardened his heart, he and his servants. So
the heart of Pharaoh was hard; neither would he let the children of
Israel go, as the Lord had spoken by Moses". -- (Exodus 9:34)

When the luxury liner Titanic first struck an iceberg, men who had been cursing and rolling dice at the gaming tables suddenly fell to their knees in repentant prayer. In a few moments the captain of the ship came on the intercom assuring everyone that the accident was not serious. Survivors related that these same men got up and returned to their cursing and gambling. Obviously their repentance was only for expediency.

Pharaoh had the same attitude. When God sent a plague of hail on the land (vv. 23-24), Pharaoh was ready to admit that he had sinned and that he and his people were wicked (v. 27) In an apparent change of heart, he really agreed to let the Israelites go. As soon as the hail ceased, however, he hardened his heart and reneged on his agreement.

Many people still use religion the same way. They promise to go to church every Sunday, give ten percent of their income and cease their evil habits, if only God would deliver them from some difficult problem. But when the crisis is over, so is their commitment. God is not deceived. He may get these people out of trouble, but unless they keep their promises greater judgment may come upon them later. God wants to do so much more for than offer a quick fix for a temporary problem. He wants to give you a long term relationship that will bring you eternal joy and fulfillment. God never play games with you. All His promises are "Yes", and in Him "Amen."

We must deal sincerely with God..

What a Difference!

2010-05-25T09:32:00.000+08:00

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!
By Marion Smith

Matthew 5:16 - In the same way, let your light shine before men

The new stained glass windows in our church are exquisite. Each Sunday I admire their majestic beauty. The colors glow so vibrantly and the pictures depict one wonderful biblical scene or another.

Recently, when I attended an evening service, I saw things from a new perspective. When I walked toward the church my eyes were drawn to the round stained glass window high upon the building. The stars were shining and the moon was full, but their beauty was not as amazing as the sight of the stained glass window illuminated by the interior lights of the church. The glow was intense and it was a truly beautiful sight.

When I entered the church I settled in the pew and glanced at the side stained glass windows. They were dark and forlorn, showing no beauty at all.T he magnificent colors and the story told with each window were obliterated from my sight.

Of course! There was no light shining through them ! I knew they were compiled of many beautiful pieces of cut glass , perfectly fitted together to depict a special Bible story. But knowing what compiled them and seeing their beauty display (in the daylight) were two different things .

Likewise, a person can have a colorful and well put together life. But if Jesus doesn't live within them, they will not have the proper light to shine through them to illuminate their assets.

The Little Cross I Wear

2010-05-17T22:40:00.000+08:00

The Little Cross I Wear
By Arlene Spanos

The little cross I wear is a symbol of
God’s mercy, grace and His amazing love.

It’s not a fashion statement nor a good luck charm.
It is not for superstition to keep me from harm.

It symbolizes the sacrifice Jesus made to save me
By giving up His life on the cross at Calgary.

He alone accomplished what I could never do
He took my sins away so I could start my life new.

I’m so grateful for what He did for me.
He removed my shame and has set me free.

It reminds me to walk by faith for all my days,
And to follow and imitate Him and all of His ways.

I accepted His grace and I’ve asked Him to be
Lord of my life and hope others too will see.

This little cross represents my devotion and love,
For my Wonderful Savior and Father above.

It helps me think of my blessings each day.
And remember God’s grace in the words that I say.

It’s my reminder to aspire to be humble and true.
And consider His mercy in everything that I do.

This cross represents the commitment I’ve made
Because of the ransom that Jesus has paid.

So whenever I look at or touch my cross,
I think of my Lord, and thank Him I am not lost.

27 INDICATIONS THAT WE NEED REVIVAL

2010-05-10T09:41:00.000+08:00

1.. When we do not love Him as we once did.

2.. When earthly interests and occupations are more important to us than eternal ones.

3.. When we would rather watch TV and read secular books and magazines than read the Bible and pray.

4.. When we have little or no desire for prayer.

5.. When we would rather make money than give money.

6.. When our Christianity is joyless and passionless.

7.. When we know truth in our heads that we are not practicing in our lives.

8.. When we make little effort to witness to the lost.

9.. When we have time for sports, recreation, and entertainment, but not for Bible study and prayer.

10.. When we do not tremble at the Word of God.

11.. When we seldom think thoughts of eternity.

12.. When we are more concerned about our jobs and careers than about the Kingdom of Christ and the salvation of the lost.

13.. When Christian husbands and wives are not praying together.

14.. When our children are growing up to adopt worldly values, secular philosophies and ungodly lifestyles.

15.. When we watch things on TV and movies that we would not show in church.

16.. When our prayers lack fervency.

17.. When our hearts are cold and our eyes are dry.

18.. When our singing is half-hearted and our worship lifeless.

19.. When we aren't seeing regular evidence of the supernatural power of God.

20.. When we are bored with worship.

21.. When we are more concerned about what others think about us than what God thinks about us.

22.. When we are making little or no difference in the secular world around us.

23.. When we are unmoved by the thought of our neighbors, business associates and acquaintances going to hell.

24.. When we have ceased to weep and mourn and grieve over our sin.

25.. When we aren't exercising faith and believing God for the impossible.

26.. When the fire has gone out in our hearts, our marriages and our church.

27.. When we are blind to the extent of our need and don't think we need revival.

A Trick

2010-05-01T07:45:00.000+08:00

A young man, a student in one of our universities, was one day taking a walk with a professor, who was commonly called the students' friend, from his kindness to those who waited on his instructions.

As they went along, they saw lying in the path a pair of old shoes, which they supposed to belong to a poor man who was employed in a field close by, and who had nearly finished his day's work.

The student turned to the professor, saying: "Let us play the man a trick: we will hide his shoes, and conceal ourselves behind those bushes, and wait to see his perplexity when he cannot find them."

"My young friend," answered the professor, "we should never amuse ourselves at the expense of the poor. But you are rich, and may give yourself a much greater pleasure by means of the poor man. Put a coin into each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch how the discovery affects him."

The student did so, and they both placed themselves behind the bushes close by.

The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes. While putting on his coat he slipped his foot into one of his shoes; but feeling something hard, he stooped down to feel what it was, and found the coin.

Astonishment and wonder were seen upon his countenance. He gazed upon the coin, turned it round, and looked at it again and again. He then looked around him on all sides, but no person was to be seen. He now put the money into his pocket, and proceeded to put on the other shoe; but his surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

His feelings overcame him; he fell upon his knees, looked up to heaven and uttered aloud a fervent thanksgiving, in which he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread, whom the timely bounty, from some unknown hand, would save from perishing.

The student stood there deeply affected, and his eyes filled with tears."Now," said the professor, "are you not much better pleased than if you had played your intended trick?"

The youth replied, "You have taught me a lesson which I will never forget. I feel now the truth of those words, which I never understood before: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

How to be a Godly Employee

2010-04-26T07:33:00.003+08:00

1. Trust in God only.

Trust in no one but GOD. People will disappoint you. God created you and has a wonderful plan for your life. He is too good to do wrong, and too wise to make a mistake. Let His peace abide in you. (Proverbs 3 :5-6)

2. Worship God only.
Don't make your career, your company, or your boss a god. If you do, you will provoke Him to jealously and will end up fighting Him. In fact, He may hinder you from achieving what you want until you are broken of the idolatry. (Exodus 20:5).

3. Use God's Name Reverently.
Don't swear!! Clean words come out of a clean heart! If your co- workers know that you are a Christian, but they hear the Lord's Name used in vain, or cursing and swearing from your mouth, you will give the appearance of being a hypocrite. (Matthew 15:17-19).

4. Work Six Days and Rest on the Seventh.
Before you beg for more vacation time, ask yourself a few questions, "Do you honor the Sabbath?" God has already given you 52 days of time off that equates to seven weeks. "Are your expectations for work, vacation, and retirement realistic?" By resting one day a week, you can avoid burnout. (Genesis 3:17-19).

5. Respect and Obey Your Boss.
You should respect and obey your boss, because you don't know what it's like to be in their shoes. Plus, your ultimate boss is the Lord. Serve Him faithfully on the job, and He will bless you. However, if your boss commands you to do something illegal or immoral, you must make a stand and obey God rather than man. (Ephesians 6:5-8).

6. Protect and Respect Human Life.
Emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual manipulation, abuses and violence have no place in the workplace... or any place. You do not have the right to use and abuse your boss, co-workers, employees, customers, or suppliers. (1 Thessalonians 3:1-2).

7. Be True to Your Spouse.
If you are not getting the kind of attention that you feel you deserve at home, it's common to seek it with someone at work. Honor your wedding vows by avoiding company romances! They are very tempting, very real, and very common. They are also very wrong and very destructive. (Matthew 19:8-9).

8. Do Not Take What Belongs to Others.
Stealing at work can take many forms. You can choose to steal materials, money, time, productivity , and joy from your employer and others. Do not remove your integrity by stealing. (II Corinthians 7:1-2).

9. Do Not Lie About Others.
Do not fabricate stories about your boss, co-workers, and spread gossip for the sake of company politics. You are here to be the salt and the light, not the pepper and the darkness!! Truth always rises to the surface, and eventually you will be ashamed and rebuked if you lie. (II Peter 2: 10-13 ).

10. Be Satisfied With What You Have.
Contentment doesn't mean that you cannot pursue God-given goals, but it does mean that you are content with what He has provided you with, day after day. Contentment is a rare quality in today's culture, but it is extremely liberating! Materialism, striving for rank , backstabbing, and discontent lead to emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual bondage. (I Timothy 6:6-11).

God Answers Prayer

2010-04-21T19:49:00.000+08:00

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know - God answers prayer,
I know not when He sends the word
That tells us fervent prayer is heard.
I know it cometh -- soon or late:
Therefore we need to pray and wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought.
I leave my prayers with Him alone,
Whose will is wiser than my own.

Lord let me capture the pure spirit of a loving child when I speak Your name.

Let me pray as a child prays, asking little for myself, much for other souls and for Your beautiful world.

Protect me, sleeping and waking, from evil.

Lead me by the hand to good works.

Let me praise You in simple words and in glorious silence through all the days and the nights of my life.

Amen.

Darkness

2010-04-17T08:14:00.002+08:00

Dear Lord,

These couple of months have been nothing but darkness for me at work. I had always ask You "Why me?", hoping for an answer. There were times of tears, anger, rejection. These led me to stupid thoughts of depression, suicide, or just running away.

I told myself "Perhaps this is my cross during Lent period, and after this it will be ok". Well, just couple of days ago, I was hit with another round of bad news. I'm so tired Lord, so tired. What is in store for me? What is the lesson to learn? I'm so confused.

Sometimes I will say to You that I will take up this as a passage of my journey, but the mind can be so weak at times! Halfway through, i feel like giving up. My faith, my flame, is it still burning? It is like a lit candle out in the open - subject to the wind, the rain. It can be extinguished anytime now.

God, I always give praise for the good things that happened in my life. I now pray for guidance in times of bad. I thank you for letting me this path, as I try to mold and transform into a different being. Add value? Perhaps. But as I walk to this journey, Lord, please protect this fragile little candle from being extinguished. Thank you Lord for listening to my prayer.

Amen.

Closed Door

2010-04-01T13:04:00.000+08:00

We need to learn to praise the Lord as much for a closed door as we do an open door. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything over there for us. If he didn't close the wrong door, we would never find the right door.

God directs our path through the closing and opening of doors. Once a door closes, it forces you to change your course. Another door closes, it forces you to change your course again. Then, finally, you find the open door and you walk right into your blessing.

The Lord directs our paths through the opening and closing of doors, but instead of praising him for the closed door (which keeps us out of trouble); we get upset because we "judge by the appearances. "

You have an ever-present help in the time of trouble that is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of you, He can spot trouble down the road and set up a roadblock or detour accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom, we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour sign. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying, "Lord, how could You have done this to me?"

We have got to realize that the closed door can be a blessing. Didn't He say that no good thing would He withhold from them that love Him?

If you get terminated from your job, praise God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves: it might be another job, it might be school.

If that man or woman won't return your call, it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

One time, a person had a bank they had been in business with for many years tell them "No!" to a $10,000 loan. The Lord put in their spirit to call another bank. That bank gave them $40,000 at a lower interest rate than the first bank was offering.

We can sometimes trap ourselves in doubt and discouragement through judging by appearances. Be grateful for the many times our Father has closed doors to us just to open them in the most unexpected places.

The Lord won't always say in spoken words: "Go to the left, now to the right" ...sometimes He will just close the doors that are wrong for you.

God Bless You Always!

Beautitudes of Marriage

2010-03-28T08:41:00.000+08:00

Blessed are the husband and wife who continue to be affectionate, considerate, and loving after the wedding bells have ceased ringing.

Blessed are the husband and wife who are as polite and courteous to one another as they are to their friends.

Blessed are they who love their mates more than any other person in the world, and who joyfully fulfill their marriage vow of a lifetime of fidelity and mutual helpfulness to one another.

Blessed are they who attain parenthood, for children are a heritage of the Lord.

Blessed are they who remember to thank God for their food before they partake of it, and who set apart some time each day for the reading of the Bible and for prayer.

Blessed are those mates who never speak loudly to one another, and who make their home a place "where seldom is heard a discouraging word."

Blessed are the husband and wife who faithfully attend the worship service of the church, and who work together in the church for the advancement of Christ's kingdom.

Blessed are the husband and wife who can work out the problems of adjustment without interference from relatives.

Blessed is the couple which has complete understanding about financial matters, and have worked out a perfect partnership, with all money under the control of both.

Blessed are the husband and wife who humbly dedicate their lives and their homes to Christ, and who practice the teachings of Christ in the home by being unselfish, loyal and loving.

J.E.S.U.S. C.H.R.I.S.T.

2010-03-21T01:37:00.001+08:00

J esus, Son of God Eternal
E verlasting Lord is He,
S avior of a world of sinners,
U niversal King to be,
S ought us, brought us victory.

C hrist is due all adoration,
H umbly born to save our race,
R uler of the whole creation
I ntercedes and gives us grace,
S aves us from sin's condemnation,
T ruly worthy of all praise!

How do I Prepare Myself to Pray the Rosary?

2010-03-15T23:12:00.000+08:00

How do I Prepare Myself to Pray the Rosary?

Pope John Paul II wrote that the fullest kind of prayer occurs not when we talk, but when we let God be present to us. Let yourself begin each Rosary by experiencing a real thirst for the contemplation of Christ through Mary in a moment of silence.

Then and only then, meditate on each mystery announced by the Word of God by entering Mary's heart: this is the reality of realities.

Remember to offer your intentions to Mary. Jesus gave the Blessed Virgin to us as mother. Who is more able to intercede with her Son? If she intercedes with her Son, he can only fulfil her prayers and consequently grant our own prayers through her.

Six Panel Door

2010-03-10T09:40:00.002+08:00

Amos 5:4 the Lord says "Seek Me and live"

We custom built the home where we now reside, and most of the lumber items were those we selected . We chose six panel doors for some exterior and the majority of the interior doors.

Six panel doors are available in solid wood, steel and fiberglass. They all have the same purpose- to open and shut; to let in or keep out. You may choose a variety of finishes - pre painted or stained colors, or in natural wood which you may paint yourself.

As I lay on the sofa one evening , I happened to look at the front door. From this angle something on the door attracted my attention. I saw that the upper half of the raised portion of the door formed a perfect cross. The top four recessed panels made the cross very prominent. I immediately thought of Calvary and the cross which Jesus was nailed to. I looked and looked again, wondering why I never had noticed this obvious sight before. I have sanded and painted many a door, even painting the “cross” section first, I remembered. Where were my spiritual eyes? Obviously clouded over with a very thick veil !! I will never again look at a six panel door without first seeing the cross and remembering Jesus, before reaching for the knob.

I wonder how many more visible signs of Jesus- His love and sacrifice- are all around us. When will we open my eyes to them ? I am sure there are many let's look forward with great anticipation to the revealing of them in God’s own timing.

This is a personal meeting with God

2010-02-27T07:01:00.000+08:00

This is a personal meeting with God” When you receive him, tell him: Lord, I hope in you: I adore you, I love you, increase my faith. Be the support of my weakness: You, who have remained defenceless in the Eucharist so as to be the remedy for the weakness of your creatures. (The Forge, 832)

I will not surprise anyone if I say that some Christians have a very poor concept of the holy Mass. For them it is a purely external rite, if not a mere social convention. This is because our poor hearts are capable of treating the greatest gift of God to man as routine. In the Mass, in this Mass that we are now celebrating, the most Holy Trinity intervenes, I repeat, in a very special way. To correspond to such great love, we must give ourselves completely, in body and in soul. We hear God, we talk to him, we see him, we taste him. And when words are not enough, we sing, urging our tongue — Pange, lingua! — to proclaim to all mankind the greatness of the Lord.

To “live” the holy Mass means to pray continually, and to be convinced that, for each one of us, this is a personal meeting with God. We adore him, we praise him, we give thanks to him, we atone for our sins, we are purified, we experience a unity with Christ and with all Christians. (Christ is passing by, nn. 87-88)

The Burden

2010-02-20T09:57:00.001+08:00

I thank you Lord for giving me the chance to read through this article. It really made my month easier, and a reminder to trust you and leave my burdens for you to handle. Thank you Lord, Amen.

***********************************************************

"Why was my burden so heavy?" I slammed the bedroom door and leaned against
it. Is there no rest from this life? I wondered. I stumbled to my bed and dropped onto it, pressing my pillow around my ears to shut out the noise of my existence.

"Oh God," I cried, "let me sleep. Let me sleep forever and never wake up!"

With a deep sob I tried to will myself into oblivion, then welcomed the blackness that came over me.

Light surrounded me as I regained consciousness. I focused on its source: the figure of a man standing before a cross.

"My child," the person asked, "why did you want to come to Me before I am ready to call you?"

"Lord, I'm sorry. It's just that... I can't go on. You see how hard it is for me. Look at this awful burden on my back. I simply can't carry it anymore."

"But haven't I told you to cast all of your burdens upon Me, because I care for you? My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

"I knew You would say that. But why does mine have to be so heavy?"

"My child, everyone in the world has a burden. Perhaps you would like to try a different one?"

"I can do that?"

He pointed to several burdens lying at His feet. "You may try any of these."

All of them seemed to be of equal size. But each was labeled with a
name.

"Why there's Joan's!" I said. Joan was married to a wealthy businessman. She lived in a sprawling estate and dressed her three daughters in the prettiest designer clothes. Sometimes she drove me to church in her Cadillac when my car was broken.

"Let me try that one." How difficult could her burden be? I thought.

The Lord removed my burden and placed Joan's on my shoulders. I sank to my
knees beneath its weight. "Take it off!" I said. "What makes it so heavy?"

"Look inside."

I untied the straps and opened the top. Inside was a figure of her Mother-in-law, and when I lifted it out, it began to speak.

"Joan, you'll never be good enough for my son," it began. "He never should have married you. You're a terrible mother to my grandchildren. .."

I quickly placed the figure back in the pack and withdrew another. It was
Donna, Joan's youngest daughter. Her head was bandaged from the surgery that had failed to resolve her epilepsy.

A third figure was Joan's brother. Addicted to drugs, he had been convicted of killing a police officer.

"I see why her burden is so heavy, Lord. But she's always smiling and helping others. I didn't realize..."

"Would you like to try another?" He asked quietly.

I tested several. Paula's felt heavy: She was raising four small boys without a father. Debra's did too: a childhood of sexual abuse and a marriage of emotional abuse. When I came to Ruth's burden, I didn't even try. I knew that inside I would find arthritis, old age, a demanding full-time job, and a beloved husband in a nursing home.

"They're all too heavy, Lord." I said. "Give back my own."

As I lifted the familiar load once again, It seemed much lighter than the others.

"Lets look inside." He said.

I turned away, holding it close. "That's not a good idea," I said.

"Why?"

"There's a lot of junk in there."

"Let Me see."

The gentle thunder of His voice compelled me. I opened my burden.

He pulled out a brick.

"Tell me about this one."

"Lord, You know. It's money. I know we don't suffer like people in some countries or even the homeless here in America. But we have no insurance, and when the kids get sick, we can't always take them to the doctor. They've never been to a dentist. And I'm tired of dressing them in hand-me- downs. "

"My child, I will supply all of your needs... and your children's. I've given them healthy bodies. I will teach them that expensive clothing doesn't make a person valuable in My sight."

Then He lifted out the figure of a small boy. "And this?" He asked.

"Andrew..." I hung my head, ashamed to call my son a burden. "But, Lord, he's hyperactive. He's not quiet like the other two. He makes me so tired. He's always getting hurt, and someone is bound to think I abuse him. I yell at him all the time. Someday I may really hurt him...."

"My child," He said, "if you trust Me, I will renew your strength. If you allow Me to fill you with My Spirit, I will give you patience."

Then He took some pebbles from my burden.

"Yes, Lord," I said with a sigh. "Those are small. But they're important. I hate my hair. It's thin, and I can't make it look nice. I can't afford to go to the beauty shop. I'm overweight and can't stay on a diet. I hate all my clothes. I hate the way I look!"

"My child, people look at your outward appearance, but I look at your heart. By My Spirit you can gain self-control to lose weight. But your beauty should not come from outward appearance. Instead, it should come from your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in My sight."

My burden now seemed lighter than before.

"I guess I can handle it now." I said.

"There is more." He said. "Hand Me that last brick."

"Oh, You don't have to take that. I can handle it."

"My child, give it to Me." Again His voice compelled me. He reached out His hand, and for the first time I saw the ugly wound.

"But, Lord, this brick is so awful, so nasty, so.....Lord! What happened to Your hands? They're so scarred!" No longer focused on my burden, I looked for the first time into His face. In His brow were ragged scars --as though someone had pressed thorns into His flesh.

"Lord," I whispered. "What happened to You?"

His loving eyes reached into my soul.

"My child, you know. Hand Me the brick. It belongs to Me. I bought it."

"How?"

"With My blood."

"But why, Lord?"

"Because I have loved you with an Everlasting Love. Give it to Me."

I placed the filthy brick into His wounded palm. It contained all the dirt and evil of my life: my pride, my selfishness, the depression that constantly tormented me.

He turned to the cross and hurled my brick into the pool of blood at it's base. It hardly made a ripple.

"Now, My child, you need to go back. I will be with you always. When you are troubled, call to Me and I will help you and show you things you cannot imagine now."

"Yes, Lord, I will call on You."

I reached to pick up my burden.

"You may leave that here if you wish. You see all these burdens? They are the ones that others have left at My feet. Joan's, Paula's, Debra's, Ruth's..... When you leave your burden here, I carry it with you. Remember, My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

As I placed my burden with Him, the light began to fade. Yet I heard Him whisper, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you."

A peace flooded my soul.

Unconditional Acceptance

2010-02-15T09:17:00.004+08:00

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree. The last class I had to take was Sociology. The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with. Her last project of the term was called "Smile." The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing special play time with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch...an overwhelming
feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible "dirty body" smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was "smiling." His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance. He said, "Good day" as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally deficient and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, "Coffee is all Miss" because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it-the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue eyed gentleman's cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Thank you." I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, "I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope." I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son.

When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, "That is why God gave you to me, Honey. To give me hope." We held hands for a moment and at that time we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love. I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand. I turned in "my project" and the instructor read it. Then she looked up at me and said, "Can I share this?" I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class. She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God, share this need to heal people and be healed. In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my husband, son, instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn: UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Much love and compassion is to each and every person who may read this and learn how to LOVE PEOPLE AND USE THINGS - NOT LOVE THINGS AND USE PEOPLE.

Who Should Read the Bible

2010-02-12T23:14:00.001+08:00

The Young - To learn how to live.

The Old - To know how to die.

The Ignorant - For wisdom.

The Learned - For humility.

The Rich - For compassion.

The Poor - For comfort.

The Dreamer - For enchantment.

The Practical - For counsel.

The Weak - For strength.

The Strong - For direction.

The Haughty - For warning.

The Humble - For exaltation.

The Troubled - For peace.

The Weary - For rest.

The Doubting - For assurance.

The Sinner - For salvation.

The Christian - For guidance.

Brownie Crumbs

2010-02-06T07:31:00.000+08:00

Mrs. Baughman was my 6th grade Sunday School teacher. One morning, she brought a pan of brownies to our class. As the goodies sat over by her chair, she gave each child a slip of paper marked with a household expense: house payment, utility bill, phone bill, entertainment, etc.

My slip had a car payment. Before long, Mrs. Baughman picked up the tray of brownies and began naming the expenses written on the papers. As we gave her our expenses, she redeemed each one for a brownie.

"Car payment" she announced. I jumped up to get my brownie from the pan. Finally the last brownie had disappeared.

But one boy named Donald still held his unredeemed slip. "God!" called Mrs. Baughman. Donald came forward hoping the teacher had one more brownie hidden some where.

With a knife Mrs. Baughman scraped the crumbs from the bottom of the pan into Donald's napkin. He got a pretty raw deal, I thought -just crumbs.

"The brownies represent your money", the teacher explained to us. "If you don't give God his share right away, He probably won't get anything except maybe the crumbs."

I never forgot that illustration. The day my friend Donald got only the brownie crumbs, even as a child I learned that God should have the first right to everything I have.

In the years since Mrs. Baughman class I have struggled with giving and priorities, But whenever I recall the "Crummy Sunday School Lesson", I know who should and must always come first in my life!

Parable of the Pencil

2010-01-31T21:52:00.000+08:00

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him intothe box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.

And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.

Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.

Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.

And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

Choking on Wealth

2010-01-23T07:23:00.000+08:00

CHOKING ON WEALTH
Contributed by Melodie Davis

We are not accustomed to thinking of wealth as a problem. Poverty, yes, sure, it is a problem. But money solves problems, right? The answer of course is "not necessarily. " A new book titled Choking on the Silver Spoon by Gary W. Buffone (Simplon Press) reminds us that it is good for our children if they don't have too much wealth handed to them.

This is a column of honest sharing about a subject most of us prefer to remain private about. By not talking about money, we miss out on mutual accountability as well as practical ideas and insights from others.

Actually, I have severe misgivings myself about writing too openly about money: I don't want to offend anyone, don't want to appear judgmental of others, and I'm apprehensive about revealing private money decisions. But oftentimes it is only through gut level sharing that we make progress in dealing with potential problems.

The other thing that gives me pause is that the things North Americans think of as a necessity, others in the world view as an enormous luxury.

The day I first read about the "Choking" book, I was hit by several close-at-hand examples. My youngest (senior in high school) daughter's jaw dropped after she received two e-mails from two different girls she had met at Girl's State, (a mock-government type conference, an experience paid for by a local civics club, perhaps I should add).

One girl was telling her what she got for Christmas: a brand new Mercedes.

Then the second girl e-mailed that she had received a brand new convertible BMW.

A quick search of the web reveals prices on those vehicles to be something around $30-
50,000. That seems like a good example of "spoiling" your child in a world where so many need so much. The next day my daughter told me, "You know, I think I would be embarrassed to drive either of those cars to school."

Early this year, we got a car for my second daughter as an early college graduation present even though she doesn't graduate until next year, because now is when she really "needs" it living in an off campus apartment. But she says she's almost embarrassed to tell her friends what she got. (The car, by the way, is a used Dodge Stratus in the $3,000 range, but I realize that even that modest price is way beyond the reach of many families. Perhaps others also think this is
spoiling our child.)

While we believe in making our children work hard for what they get, including paying 75 percent of their own college expenses, and initially we thought we would just "loan" them money for a car when they got out of college, we then decided rewarding them for successful completion of four years of college with a $3,000 car was probably not too extravagant in this day. (If the college junior doesn't complete college, she will need to repay part of the cost of the car!)

Again, I share these private family expenses and decisions so that we don't get caught on the runaway affluence train where it looks like we're depriving our kids if we don't do things other parents are "supposedly" doing.

The author of Choking on the Silver Spoon says we shouldn't give our kids more material comfort that they absolutely need. They will be more ambitious if they have to work for some of what they get. We can learn to say "no"-to set limits on what we give. Buffone says kids need to learn the law of reciprocity - that there are results when we put forth effort. He also challenges parents to practice what we preach because kids learn most of all from our example.

Money itself, of course, is not the problem. Like the Good Book puts it, "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6:10). The recent film trilogy based on Lord of the Rings also portrays this masterfully. The "ring" can be symbolic for many kinds of power, but as a symbol of the grip that money exerts on us, the image of Frodo striving to escape its powerful lure is a useful picture to keep in front of us as we teach our kids that it is not good for everything to be handed to them.

The Adoration of the Magi

2010-01-19T08:52:00.000+08:00

Having sighted the divinely-moving star, the Magi followed its radiance; and holding it as a lamp, by it they sought a powerful King; and having reached the Unreachable One, they rejoiced, shouting to Him: Alleluia!

The sons of the Chaldees saw in the hands of the Virgin Him Who with His hand made man. And knowing Him to be the Master, even though He had taken the form of a servant, they hastened to serve Him with gifts, and to cry to Her Who is blessed:

Rejoice, Mother of the Unsetting Star:
Rejoice, dawn of the mystic day!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst extinguish the furnace of error:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst enlighten the initiates of the Trinity!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst banish from power the inhuman tyrant:
Rejoice, Thou Who didst show us Christ the Lord, the Lover of mankind!
Rejoice, Thou Who redeemest from pagan worship:
Rejoice, Thou Who dost drag us from the works of mire!
Rejoice, Thou Who didst quench the worship of fire:
Rejoice, Thou Who rescuest from the flame of the passions!
Rejoice, guide of the faithful to chastity:
Rejoice, gladness of all generations!
Rejoice, O Bride Unwedded!

Having become God-bearing heralds, the Magi returned to Babylon, having fulfilled Thy prophecy; and having preached Thee to all as the Christ, they left Herod as a babbler who knew not how to sing: Alleluia !

Akathist Hymn
Attributed to Romanos the Melodist (+ 560)

A Little Bit of Shade

2010-01-15T08:27:00.001+08:00

by Sally I Kennedy

The Lord watches over you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand
~ Psalm 121:5

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.
~ Psalm 36: 7

Sometimes our summers (and falls!) are cookers. I have always been impressed by the difference just a little bit of shade makes. In the heat of the day, simply moving under a tree instantly creates a more comfortable feeling. There’s less glare; it feels cooler.

There are many references in the Bible about being, hiding, and taking refuge, under the “shadow” of His wings. I have pondered that, from time to time, and never gotten a totally satisfactory answer.

One thing for sure, is that a shadow, of a tree for example, provides shade. During times of intense heat (trouble), the shadow (shade) carries relief. It provides a respite.

I love all the Psalms, and chapter 121 is no exception. In verse 5 it says, “The Lord watches over you, the Lord is your shade at your right hand.”

What better place to catch our breath than in the shadow of God, or in the shadow of His wings? We can cool off, regather our wits, and get back out there.

Sometimes it’s good to remember that a bit of shade is just the ticket, especially when the shade is from the shadow of our Heavenly Father.

GUIDANCE

2010-01-10T11:29:00.000+08:00

When I meditated on the word guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end ofthe word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite
uncomfortable and jerky.

When one person relaxes and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other.

My eyes drew back to the word guidance. When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i." God, "u" and "I" dance. God, you, and I dance. This statement is what guidance means to me.

As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life.

Once again, I became willing to let God lead.

The Story behind Praying Hands

2010-01-02T10:23:00.001+08:00

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy.

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring in the mines. They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg.

Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you." All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ...no ...no ...no."

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look ... look what four years in the mines have done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return
your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum in the world, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one - no one - ever makes it alone!

Double Rainbows

2009-12-31T10:16:00.000+08:00

By Sally I. Kennedy

I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. ~ Genesis 9:13 ~

We were on our way to a business meeting. The morning was dismally gray and rush hour traffic was still bumper-to-bumper on the interstate. Christy was despondent. She shared with me how it seemed that her life was falling apart around her even as she was living it. I was listening, yet in my mind, I was trying to formulate words of encouragement for her.

Then we saw it! Right there in front of us. Double rainbows. Stretching all the way from far left to far right in the sky, one directly over the other. What a sight! Not just one, but two, with a messages proclaiming the gift of comfort and hope that God gives us because of His presence and His word.

Rainbows speak of a promise God gave a long time ago. After the flood that destroyed nearly all life (chapters 6-9 in the book of Genesis), God made a covenant, with Noah and his descendants, for all generations to come. The Lord said, ‘Never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth. This is the sign of the covenant....I have set my rainbow in the clouds....whenever it appears...I will remember the everlasting covenant I have established between me and all life on
the earth.’

Rainbows are the colors of God’s love. God is light, and it’s like His love and light are beautifully magnified and reflected, through the cloud moisture, into a visible arc of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet.

Do rainbows talk to us today? They did the talking for me that day my friend needed a good word! And each time we see one - or two! - we can be reminded of the faithfulness of God towards us. That is good news.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the visible signs You give us to help recall Your word and Your faithfulness. I praise you, Lord, for Your unending glory and goodness. Amen.

I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

2009-12-27T09:23:00.000+08:00

I refuse to be discouraged, to be sad or to cry.

I refuse to be downhearted and here's the reason why:

I have a God who is almighty; who is sovereign and supreme;

I have a God who loves me, and I am on his team.

He is all wise and powerful; Jesus is His Name; though everything else is changeable, My God remains the same.

I refuse to be defeated.

My eyes are on my GOD.

He has promised to be with me, as through this life I trod.

I am looking past my circumstances, to heaven's throne above.

My prayers have reached the heart of God.

I am resting in His love.

I give thanks to Him in everything.

My eyes are on His face.

The battle is His; the victory is mine; He will help me win the race.

I repeat, I'M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED!"

You have just taken a dose of encouragement. God's love to you.

THE CHRISTMAS TEN COMMANDMENTS

2009-12-24T13:53:00.000+08:00

1. Thou shalt give thy heart to Christ. Let Him be at the top of thy Christmas list.

2. Thou shalt prepare thy soul for Christmas. Spend not so much on gifts that thy soul is forgotten.

3. Thou shalt not let Santa Claus replace Christ, thus robbing the day of its spiritual reality.

4. Thou shalt not burden the shop girl, the mailman, and the merchant with complaints and demands.

5. Thou shalt give thyself with thy gift. This will increase its value a hundred fold, and he who receiveth it shall treasure it forever.

6. Thou shalt not value gifts received by their cost. Even the least expensive may signify love, and that is more priceless than silver and gold.

7. Thou shalt not neglect the needy. Share thy blessings with many who will go hungry and cold unless thou are generous.

8. Thou shalt not neglect thy church. Its services highlight the true meaning of the season.

9. Thou shalt be as a little child. Not until thou has become in spirit as a little one art thou ready to enter into the kingdom of Heaven.

10. Thou shall not forget to share your joy, peace and faith with those around you.

Who Started Christmas?

2009-12-23T17:49:00.000+08:00

This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row after row of toys and everything else imaginable. And after hours of hearing both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.

She was feeling what so many of us feel during the holiday season time of the year. Overwhelming pressure to go to every party, every housewarming, taste all the holiday food and treats, getting that perfect gift for every single person on our shopping list, making sure we don't forget anyone on our card list, and the pressure of making sure we respond to everyone who sent us a card.

Finally the elevator doors opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated, "Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and shot."

From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice respond, "Don't worry we already crucified him." For the rest of the trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.

Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just think of how different this whole world would be.

Faith?

2009-11-16T18:36:00.000+08:00

I found this short article from Herald Malaysia online. Time and again it serves a reminder what faith actually means, especially in our country where we seemed to lose our courtesy and other key values, and where religion is expressed without tolerance to the other faiths.

***************************************************

True faith lies within. What is expressed without (from the outside) means nothing if there is no enlightenment within.

Self-righteousness in any religion and culture causes pain and conflict. And doing all this in the Name of God, mocks God.

One of the biggest problems we have today is, quite many religious people (including us Catholics, of course) practise the vertical form of spirituality.

We forget that there is a horizontal dimension to spiritual practices, and that happens to be a very crucial component.

It’s all about: how we treat our neighbour, how we relate to another, how we forgive the offender, how we serve and love those around us, how much help we render to those in need.

If praying 100 times a day don’t make us more compassionate and grace-filled, then we pray in vain.

For me, true faith is not about how we address God: Kyrie, Dominus, Allah, Lord, Yahweh, El-Shaddai... (and I suspect God doesn’t really care either). It's not how we address God that really matters. No, but what really matters is, how we address another person: brother, sister, friend, fellow-human being.

All beautiful, all worthy of respect, all children of the same God.

Cast Out the Net

2009-11-13T00:18:00.000+08:00

Very early in life (almost from birth) we are trained to be successful according to the world's definition of success. We are driven by goals and accomplishments from the day we take our first steps and ride our first bike. As we grow older, we are pressured to accumulate knowledge and "things" in order to prove our success.

In our Christian walk, Jesus calls us to a new definition of success - one determined not by what we accomplish, but by our obedience. The disciples walked and talked with Jesus, but they still faced many challenges with faith and obedience. One morning after fishing all night without a catch, Jesus called from the shore. John 21:6 "He said, 'Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some {fish}.' When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish."

The disciples were successful that morning. But we must understand that the large number of fish did not define their success. They would have been successful even if the nets remained empty. They were successful the moment they were obedient and threw out the net. One thousands years earlier, King Saul was told to "attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them," (1 Samuel 15:3). But Saul allowed the Amalekite king and the best livestock to survive. He tried to cover His disobedience by saying the calves and lambs were for a sacrifice to God. "But Samuel replied: 'Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22).

In any task we undertake for God, it's easy to become discouraged by our apparent lack of success. We often feel inadequate - and those feelings increase when our goals seem to be elusive. But we must remember, the outcome of the task is secondary to our obedience. God doesn't need our "fish" - He wants our devotion and trust. He desires that we love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Let's take our eyes off the accomplishment of the "catch" and what we can produce. Rather, let's focus on walking each step according to His leading. Let's concentrate all our effort on obeying His call to cast out the net. Amen!

Always There

2009-11-09T07:29:00.001+08:00

Hello God, I called tonight

To talk a little while..

I need a friend who'll listen

To my anxiety and trial...

You see, I can't quite make it

Through a day just on my own...

I need your love to guide me,

So I'll never feel alone.

I want to ask you please to keep,

My family safe and sound.

Come and fill their lives with confidence

For whatever fate they're bound.

Give me faith, dear God, to face

Each hour throughout the day,

And not to worry over things

I can't change in any way.

I thank you God, for being home

And listening to my call,

For giving me such good advice

When I stumble and fall.

Your number, God, is the only one

That answers every time.

I never get a busy signal,

Never had to pay a dime.

So thank you, God, for listening

To my troubles and my sorrow.

Good night, God, I love You, too,

And I'll call again tomorrow!

We Lose Our Standard

2009-11-05T19:00:00.000+08:00

by Max Lucado

When I was nine years old I complimented a friend's model airplane. He curtly replied, "I stole it." He could tell that I was stunned because he asked, "Do you think that I was wrong?" When I told him I did, he answered simple, "It may be wrong for you. It's not wrong for me. I didn't hurt anyone when I stole the plane. He knew the owner. He is rich. I'm not. He can afford one. I can't."

What do you say to that arguement? If you don't believe in life beyond the rafters, you have little to say. If there is no ultimate good behind the world, then how do we define "good" within the world? If the majority opinion determines good and evil, what happens when the majority is wrong? What do you do when majority of kids say in a certain group it's all right to steal or raid or even fire pistols from a vehicle?

The hedonist's world of no moral absoultes works find on paper and sounds great in a college philosophy course, but in life? Ask the father of three children whose wife abandoned him, saying "Divorce may be wrong for you, but it's OK for me." Or get the opinion of the teenage girl, pregnant and frightened, who was told by her boyfriend, "If you have the baby, it's your responsibility." Or the retirees ripped off their pension by a huckster who believed anything is right if you don'y get caught.

A godly view of the world, on the other hand has something to say to my childhood thief. Faith challenges those with cricket brains to answer to a higher standard than personal opinion: "You may think it's right. Society may think it's OK. But the God who made you said, "You shall not steal" -- and He wasn't kidding.

By the way, follow the godles thinking to its logical extension, and see what you get. What happens when a sociery denies the importance of right and wrong? Read the answer on a prison wall in Poland " I freed Germany from the stupid and degrading fallacies of conscience and morality."

Who made the boast? Adolf Hitlet. Where are the words posted? In a Nazi death camp. Visitors read the claim and then see the results: a room stuffed with thousands of pounds of women's hair, rooms filled with pictures of castrated children and gas ovens that served as Hitler's final solution. Paul described it best : "their foolish minds were filled with darkness" (Romans 1:21)

"Come on Max, you're going too far. Isn't it a stretch to state that what began as a stolen model plane will conclude in a holocaust?"

Most of the time it won't. But it could, and what is there to stop it? What dike does the God-denying thinker have to stop the flood? What anchor will the secularist use to keep sociery from being sucked out to sea? If a society deletes God from the human equation what sandbags will they stack against the swelling tide of barbarism and hedonism?

As Dotoevsky said, " If God is dead, then everything is justifiable."

DRY AND BRITTLE BRANCHES

2009-11-03T09:52:00.000+08:00

DRY AND BRITTLE BRANCHES
By Marion Smith

John 15:5 - I am the vine, you are the branches

With the drought situation in the Atlanta area this year, the trees and shrubs in our yard have taken quite a beating. As I was strolling in our yard with my grandson yesterday, we investigated a part of the yard I usually avoid. Many dogwood trees had seeming dead and useless branches- dry, brittle looking and void of leaves. As I pulled one down to snap it off, I had a surprise. It wasn’t quite as dead as I had thought. I pulled and twisted, but right where the branch met the trunk of the tree, there was life. I was unable to snap the branch as I had intended, and now I would have to get a saw to finish the job.

Sometime our lives seem so dry and brittle..don;t you think? Sometimes I feel parched for strength, peace, and understanding, and I feel so brittle I could just snap and break! But Jesus is the Living Water and if we stay connected to Him we will receive spiritual living water and not wither up. Sometimes, when the valley we are in is very deep and we are not even able to pray, our friends may be the ones who hold us up in prayer to God. Sometimes Christian music will be the source of nourishment, manybe we can just call out the name- “Jesus”- and sometimes God just drops a happy surprise right in our laps to give us a great big laugh! (Laughter truly is such a wonderful thing!)

We may not be as spiritually dead as we think, you know. From all appearances, the dogwood branch(someone feeling lost) was a goner. But! No—there was life left in it… right close to the trunk(Jesus). If you are feeling dry and brittle- ready to snap - remember, God loves you and will see you through your difficult time.

Ask Him..O.K.?

DID JESUS USE A MODEM AT THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT?

2009-10-31T07:46:00.000+08:00

* I love this *

Did Jesus use a modem, At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did He ever try a broadcast fax, To send his message out?

Did the disciples carry beepers, As they went about their route?

Did Jesus use a modem, At the Sermon on the Mount?

Did Paul use a laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM?

Were his letters posted on BBS, At paul.rome.com?

Did the man from Macedonia, Send an e-mail saying "Come?"

Did Paul use a laptop, With lots of RAM and ROM?

Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea?

And a satellite guidance tracking system, To show him where to be?

Did he write the law on tablets, Or are they really on CD?

Did Moses use a joystick, At the parting of the Sea?

Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree?

Or was it a hologram, or technical wizardry?

Can you download the live action video clip, To play on your pc?

Did Jesus really die for us, One day upon a tree?

Have the wonders of this modern age, Made you question what is true?

How a single man, in a simple time, Could offer life anew?

How a sinless life, a cruel death, Then a glorious life again,

Could offer more to a desperate world, Than all the inventions of
man?

If in your life, the voice of God, Is sometimes hard to hear.

With other voices calling, His doesn't touch your ear.

Than set aside your laptop and modem, And all your fancy gear.

And open your Bible, open your heart, and let your Father draw near.

Tomorrow

2009-10-27T09:32:00.000+08:00

TOMORROW
Contributed by Melanie Schurr

There is a song by the popular music group Fleetwood Mac entitled, "Don't Stop Thinking About Tomorrow." This sentiment is quite contrary to how our current generation often lives, since most of us tend to exist solely for today, the here and now.

Without concern for what tomorrow may hold, many live their lives as if they are walking along a narrow trail in a dense forest. On such a path, one cannot see what dangers lurk or stand before them. All that can be seen is the beauty and pleasure within the immediate visual realm. If one is not careful, a seemingly unassuming path can lead right off a deadly cliff.

In the Bible, we are told not to give too much worry for tomorrow, but, in the same breath, it is certainly not our Heavenly Father's intention for us to be ignorant about one's future either. For
decisions we make today can determine where we will spend our eternity.

Do you desire to spend your eternity with God, to partake of the salvation only His Son Jesus Christ can offer? If so, then don't just live for today, lift your head up, see the big picture, and, as the song goes, "don't stop thinking about tomorrow."

Call on Christ. He will answer.

Holding Pattern

2009-10-14T08:31:00.000+08:00

Many times God will allow a painful situation or a painful circumstance in our life to "swallow us up." This season in our spiritual growth is a holding pattern. We can't move to the left or the right. All we can do is sit, like Jonah sat in the belly of that great fish, so God can have our undivided attention and speak to us. God put Jonah in a holding pattern because He needed to speak to his heart. Jonah was all alone. There were no friends to call, no colleagues to drop by, no books to read, no food to eat, no interference, and no interruptions. He had plenty of time to sit,
think, meditate, and pray.

When we're deep down in the midst of a difficult situation, God can talk to us. When He has our undivided attention, He can show us things about ourselves that we might not otherwise have seen.

A Few of God's Holding Patterns:

1. When you are sick in your physical body and you have prayed but God has not healed you yet, you are in a holding pattern

2. When you are having problems with your children and you have put them on the altar, but God has not delivered them yet, you are in a holding pattern.

3. When you have been praying for the salvation of a loved one and they have not been saved yet, you are in a holding pattern.

4. When you are in a broken relationship and you have given it over to God, but it has not been restored yet, you are in a holding pattern.

5. When the doors slam shut before you can knock on them, you are in a holding pattern.

When we are deep in the belly of a difficult situation, there are no interruptions. God has our undivided attention. All we can do is sit, think, meditate, and pray. We cannot run from God because there are no Mountains that are high enough, valleys low enough, rooms that are dark enough, or places that are hidden enough from Him. We must remember to praise Him while we're waiting and remember three things:

1. The pattern has a purpose.

2. The pattern has a plan.

3. The pattern has a process.

So stop struggling and start listening, praying and trusting. He'll keep you right where you are until you can clearly hear Him say, "I love you."

Prayer : Father, forgive my unbelief. I know You Love me and will turn anything around to benefit me. You have planned nothing for me but victories and I am ready to receive them regardless of how difficult the path. Amen.

The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor. The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything.

The Water

2009-10-10T09:27:00.000+08:00

It was one of the hottest days of the dry season. We had not seen rain in almost a month. The crops were dying. Cows had stopped giving milk.

The creeks and streams were long gone back into the earth. It was a dry season that would bankrupt several farmers before it was through. Every day, my husband and his brothers would go about the arduous process of trying to get water to the fields. Lately this process had involved taking a truck to the local water rendering plant and filling it up with water. But severe rationing had cut everyone off. If we didn't see some rain soon...we would lose everything.

It was on this day that I learned the true lesson of sharing and witnessed the only miracle I have seen with my own eyes.

I was in the kitchen making lunch for my husband and his brothers when I saw my six-year old son, Billy, walking toward the woods. He wasn't walking with the usual carefree abandon of a youth but with a serious purpose. I could only see his back. He was obviously walking with a great effort...trying to be as still as possible. Minutes after he disappeared into the woods, he came running out again, toward the house. I went back to making sandwiches; thinking that whatever task he had been doing was completed. Moments later, however, he was once again walking in that slow purposeful stride toward the woods.

This activity went on for an hour: walk carefully to the woods, run back to the house. Finally I couldn't take it any longer and I crept out of the house and followed him on his journey (being very careful not to be seen...as he was obviously doing important work and didn't
need his Mommy checking up on him). He was cupping both hands in front of him as he walked; being very careful not to spill the water he held in them...maybe two or three tablespoons were held in his tiny hands. I sneaked close as he went into the woods. Branches and thorns slapped
his little face but he did not try to avoid them. He had a much higher purpose. As I leaned in to spy on him, I saw the most amazing site. Several large deer loomed in front of him. Billy walked right up to them. I almost screamed for him to get away. A huge buck with elaborate antlers was dangerously close. But the buck did not threaten him...he didn't even move as Billy knelt down. And I saw a tiny fawn laying on the ground, obviously suffering from dehydration and heat
exhaustion, lift its head with great effort to lap up the water cupped in my beautiful boy's hand.

When the water was gone, Billy jumped up to run back to the house and I hid behind a tree. I followed him back to the house; to a spigot that we had shut off the water to. Billy opened it all the way up and a small trickle began to creep out. He knelt there, letting the drip, drip slowly fill up his makeshift "cup," as the sun beat down on his little back. And it came clear to me. The trouble he had gotten into for playing with the hose the week before. The lecture he had received about the importance of not wasting water. The reason he didn't ask me to help him.

It took almost twenty minutes for the drops to fill his hands. When he stood up and began the trek back, I was there in front of him. His little eyes just filled with tears. "I'm not wasting," was all he said. As he began his walk, I joined him...with a small pot of water from the kitchen. I let him tend to the fawn. I stayed away. It was his job. I stood on the edge of the woods watching the most beautiful heart I have ever known working so hard to save another life. As the
tears that rolled down my face began to hit the ground, they were suddenly joined by other drops...and more drops...and more. I looked up at the sky.

It was as if God, himself, was weeping with pride. Some will probably say that this was all just a huge coincidence. That miracles don't really exist. That it was bound to rain sometime. And I can't argue with that...I'm not going to try. All I can say is that the rain that came that day saved our farm...just like that actions of one little boy saved another.

Place Everything in God's Hands

2009-10-05T09:08:00.000+08:00

As well as having given you abundant and effective grace, the Lord has given you a brain, a pair of hands and intellectual powers so that your talents may yield fruit. God wants to work miracles all the time - to raise the dead, make the deaf hear, restore sight to the blind, enable the lame to walk... - through your sanctified professional work, which you will have turned into a holocaust that is both pleasing to God and useful to souls.

(The Forge, 984)

Your boat — your talents, your hopes, your achievements — is worth nothing whatsoever, unless you leave it in Christ’s hands, allowing him the freedom to come aboard. Make sure you don’t turn it into an idol. In your boat by yourself, if you try to do without the Master, you are — supernaturally speaking — making straight for shipwreck. Only if you allow, and seek, his presence and captaincy, will you be safe from the storms and setbacks of life. Place everything in God’s hands. Let your thoughts, the brave adventures you have imagined, your lofty human ambitions, your noble loves, pass through the heart of Christ. Otherwise, sooner or later, they will all sink to the bottom together with your selfishness.

(Friends of God, 21)

Do You Appreciate Your Priest?

2009-10-03T22:21:00.000+08:00

PALENCIA, Spain, SEPT. 18, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Year for Priests isn't just an internal celebration among the clergy, but rather an opportunity for all the faithful to assess their appreciation for the priesthood, says Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of Palencia.

"Do we appreciate the priesthood and love our priests?" the bishop asked in a posting on the Web site of his dioceses.

To answer this question, the bishop composed -- "with a bit of humor" -- the following test titled "Priestly Appreciation." The test is complete with instructions to evaluate your answers and your level of appreciation for the priesthood.

* * *

1. Have you prayed recently for your parish priest, your bishop or the Pope?

a. I don't even know their names.

b. At Mass there is usually prayer for them, and I add myself in that petition.

c. I do so every day in my personal prayer.

2. Have you disclosed your conscience to a priest, trusting that he can help you in your problems?

a. Each one has to solve his problems.

b. "Four eyes see more than two." It is always good to listen to and accept the advice of someone who can help us.

c. The greatest help I have received from a priest has been when his advice was joined to God's forgiveness in the sacrament of confession.

3. When I hear among my friends comments criticizing priests ...

a. I followed their lead, so as not to stand out.

b. I tuned out, and pretended to think of something else.

c. I said what I thought, giving witness to my faith.

4. I see in a priest ...

a. A "relic" of the past.

b. A "professional" of religion.

c. A minister of God; "another Christ" among us.

5. How many times have you invited the parish priest to your home?

a. The priest is only called when someone has died.

b. When grandmother is with us, he usually brings Communion.

c. Several times. I was delighted when he told us the story of his vocation at the dinner table.

6. When you hear a priest give a homily ...

a. I listen, if he has good oratorical skills.

b. I listen, I am interested in the topic he is addressing.

c. I see him as an instrument through which God is speaking to me.

7. When a collection is taken up for seminaries ...

a. I think, "Priests" are always begging.

b. I say to myself, there are collections for so many things! One more!

c. I collaborate gladly, because I believe no vocation should be frustrated because of lack of financial means.

8. When I see an elderly priest in the Church or on the street ...

a. I think the Church is on the decline.

b. I hope he says the Mass quickly.

c. I thank God for his fidelity and for all the good he might have done.

9. When I see a young priest at the altar ...

a. I mistrust his lack of experience. What is he going to say to me?

b. I observe what he does and "classify" him.

c. I thank God for his vocation and pray intensely for him.

10. How would you react if your son said he wants to be a priest?

a. I would ask him if he's gone mad, and I would remind him that we must take into consideration what others might think.

b. I would ask him to give it considerable thought and to have a university degree first.

c. It would give me one of the greatest joys of my life, and I would support him fully.

11. Have you asked a child, adolescent or young man about the possibility of being a priest some day?

a. I don't get into jams. Let everyone live his life.

b. I am of the opinion that all vocations must be appreciated, even if they are different from our own.

c. Yes, I have thought of someone specifically, and I pray for him ... One of these days, "I will let him know."

12. What do you think of the expression of the Saintly Curé d'Ars: "The priest is the love of Jesus' heart"?

a. I think it is a disembodied spiritualism.

b. I think that can only be said of a saintly priest.

c. I believe it is exactly so, though "they have this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Corinthians 4:7).

* * *

Guide to evaluating the results:

If the letter "a" appears in the majority of your answers, I am surprised that this test reached your hands. But, I thank God that this happened so that I can tell you as the priest that I am, that God loves you the point of folly and that he expects from you an answer of love.

If you have responded to the majority of questions with the letter "b," I would like to tell you that you are not enjoying the treasures that God is offering you through the priesthood.

But if the letter "c" is yours, then I ask you not to cease to pray to God for the sanctification of priests and for the increase of priestly vocations, because I am very sure that God is going to listen to you.

Why God Gave Us Friends

2009-09-30T21:36:00.000+08:00

GOD knew that everyone needs
companionship and cheer,
He knew that people need someone
whose thoughts are always near.

He knew they need someone kind
to lend a helping hand.
Someone to gladly take the time
to care and understand.

GOD knew that we all need someone
to share each happy day,
to be a source of courage
when troubles come our way.

Someone to be true to us,
whether near or far apart.
Someone whose love we'll always
hold and treasure in our hearts.

That's Why GOD Gave Us Friends

Today's 2nd Reading and Own Reflection

2009-09-27T08:23:00.001+08:00

JAMES 5:1-6

Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries. Your wealth has rotted away, your clothes have become moth-eaten, your gold and silver have corroded, and that corrosion will be a testimony against you; it will devour your flesh like a fire. You have stored up treasure for the last days. Behold, the wages you withheld from the workers who harvested your fields are crying aloud; and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. You have lived on earth in luxury and pleasure; you have fattened your hearts for the day of slaughter. You have condemned; you have murdered the righteous one; he offers you no resistance.

The Difference Between Strenght and Courage

2009-09-26T08:50:00.000+08:00

It takes strength to be firm.

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)

Jesus in the House

2009-09-19T08:21:00.000+08:00

One day he decided to invite the Lord to come home and stay with him. When the Lord arrived, this young man offered him the very best room in the house. The room was upstairs and at the end of the hall. "This room is yours, Jesus! Stay as long as you like and you can do whatever
you want to in this room, remember Jesus, its all yours."

That evening after he had retired for the night there came a loud knocking at the front door. The young man pulled on his robe and made his way downstairs. When he opened the door he found that the devil had sent three of his demons to attack the man. He quickly tried to close the door but one of the demons kept sticking his foot in.

Sometime later, after a great struggle, he managed to slam the door shut and returned to his room totally exhausted.

Can you believe that," the man thought. Jesus is upstairs in my very best room sleeping while I am down here battling demons. Oh, well, maybe he just didn't hear. He slept fitfully that night. The next day thing went along as normal and, being tired as he was, the young man retired early that evening. Along about midnight, there came such a terrible ruckus at the front door that the young man was sure that whatever it was would tear the door down. He stumbled down the stairs once again and opened the door to find that were dozens of demons now trying to get into his beautiful home.

For more than three hours he fought and struggled against the demons from hell, and finally overtook them enough to shut the door against their attack. All energy seemed to fail him. He really didn't understand this at all. Why won't the Lord come to my rescue? Why does he allow me to fight all by myself? I feel so alone. Troubled, he found his way to the sofa and fell into a restless sleep.

The next morning he decided to inquire of the Lord about the happenings of the last two evenings. Quietly he made his way to the elegant bedroom where he had left Jesus. "Jesus," he called as he tapped at the door. "Lord, I don't understand what is happening. For the last two nights I have had to fight the demons away from my door while you laid up here sleeping. Don't you care about me? Did I not give you the very best room in the house?"

He could see the tears building in Jesus' eyes but continued on, "I just don't understand, I really thought that once I invited you in to live with me that you would take care of me and I gave you the best room in my house and everything. What more can I do?"

"My precious child," Jesus spoke so softly. "I do love and care for you. I protect all that you have released into my care. But, when you invited me to come here and stay, you brought me to this lovely room and you shut the door to the rest of your house. I am Lord of this room but I am not Master of this house.

I have protected this room and no demon may enter here."

"Oh, Lord, please forgive me. Take all of my house -- it is yours. I am so sorry that I never offered you all to begin with. I want you to have control of everything." With this he flung open the bedroom door and knelt at Jesus' feet. "Please forgive me Lord for being so selfish."

Jesus smiled and told him that He had already forgiven him and that He would take care of things from now on. That night as the young man prepared for bed he thought, I wonder if those demons will return, I am so tired of fighting them each and every night. But, he knew that Jesus said that he would take care of things from now on.

Along about midnight the banging on the door was frightening. The young man slipped out of his room in time to see Jesus going down the stairs. He watched in awe as Jesus swung open the door, no need to be afraid.

Satan stood at the door, this time demanding to be let in. "What do you want, satan?" the Lord asked. The devil bowed low in the presence of the Lord, "So sorry, I seem to have gotten the wrong address." And with that, he and the demons all ran away.

There is a moral to this tale. Jesus wants all of you, not just a part. He will take all that you give Him, but nothing more. How much of your heart have you given to the Lord? Are you keeping a portion of it away from Him?

Perhaps the attacks are coming more and more each day. Why not let the Lord fight the battles for you? He is always victorious. I have found that God made man simple, all of man's complexities are of his own devising.