CONTENTED LIVING By Fr. John Catoir

The famed German writer Goethe offered a list of nine requisites for contented living. They are as timely now as they were when he wrote them 200 years ago.

"Health enough to make work a pleasure. Wealth enough to support your needs. Strength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them.

"Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them. Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor.

"Love enough to move you to be useful to others. Faith enough to make the real things of God. Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future."

Goethe showed wisdom in these thoughts, perhaps especially in the use of the word "enough." Often we seek something more, when contentment could come with gratitude for having enough.

There is great gain in godliness with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

"Grace me with contentment , Jesus, for after all I do have everything in You. "

THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH Author Unknown

One day, while I was driving my car down the highway to go to and serve in an out-of-town Christian Life Program sponsored by Couples for Christ, I encountered a signpost on the side of the road that reads: "Dangerous Curve Ahead." Instantly I was faced with making a decision.

One, I could observe the warning and decrease my speed. Two, I could ignore the sign and just cruise along. Or, three, I could defy the warning and speed up. Whatever response I had chosen to take, however, I would not have changed the truth of the sign. The truth is: the curve still remained dangerous. And it was for my own good that I should heed the warning and be guided accordingly.

Jesus promised to send us a Helper, a Guide. The One who is going to guide us in all truths. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth.

The Holy Spirit helps us to discern what is true and what is not, what is foolish and what is wise, what is safe and what is dangerous. Our day is full of decisions, big and small ones. But His holy prompting will be there to give us the wisdom we need to make righteous decisions. What is most important is for us to be sensitive to His holy guidance. After all, what He just wants from us is a listening heart and a renewed mind.

Have faith, therefore, that when you're inundated with difficulties and cares, and you know not where to go, the Holy Spirit will always be there sitting by your side to guide you as you drive along through life. The road may be winding or straight, rough or smooth, wet or dry, yet you can be certain that He is a trustworthy guide. Don't forget, He placed those signposts on the road of life.

THE QUESTION By Carl Holmes

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:15)

It was an all too familiar scene, anxious relatives, angry mobs and people who wanted to know what was going on all gathered together to hear the news. Word had spread quickly that a ferry full of passengers on the way to Egypt had sunk and that people were being rescued, but they the odds of survival were grim at best. The only thing that brought calm to the crowd was the voice of the man who said he had the names of people who had been rescued so far. As he announced the names, one by one, some people grieved, others rejoiced and others just got increasingly angry.

Death came to approximately 950 people that day. They had very little warning, and even less time to get into the lifeboats and increase the likelihood that they would be rescued. Strangely enough, we all are going to have an experience just like this one day. If you are a believer then you know that you will one day be joined with God our Father. But did you also know that when the rapture comes God will call out names, one by one, of who gets to go to heaven, and who will be eternally separated from God our father, and us?

My question to you today is this, what are you doing today to make sure that your best friends, your family, your neighbors are all in that book? When God calls out the names from the Book of Life and you are on it your reward will be great in heaven. If He does not call out the names of our family we will mourn. I do not want to mourn for a lost child, friend, or colleague. I want to hear the sweet, calming voice of God my Father saying "welcome home my child" to everyone I know.

THE QUESTION By Carl Holmes

"And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Rev 20:15)

It was an all too familiar scene, anxious relatives, angry mobs and people who wanted to know what was going on all gathered together to hear the news. Word had spread quickly that a ferry full of passengers on the way to Egypt had sunk and that people were being rescued, but they the odds of survival were grim at best. The only thing that brought calm to the crowd was the voice of the man who said he had the names of people who had been rescued so far. As he announced the names, one by one, some people grieved, others rejoiced and others just got increasingly angry.

Death came to approximately 950 people that day. They had very little warning, and even less time to get into the lifeboats and increase the likelihood that they would be rescued. Strangely enough, we all are going to have an experience just like this one day. If you are a believer then you know that you will one day be joined with God our Father. But did you also know that when the rapture comes God will call out names, one by one, of who gets to go to heaven, and who will be eternally separated from God our father, and us?

My question to you today is this, what are you doing today to make sure that your best friends, your family, your neighbors are all in that book? When God calls out the names from the Book of Life and you are on it your reward will be great in heaven. If He does not call out the names of our family we will mourn. I do not want to mourn for a lost child, friend, or colleague. I want to hear the sweet, calming voice of God my Father saying "welcome home my child" to everyone I know.

THE BEST YET TO COME By Bo Sanchez

Two years ago, Yane's husband, Beni, without warning, lost his job. It was doubly painful because it was a great job. For 6 years, Beni enjoyed working in a multinational distribution company for skincare products. But because of a reorganization that happened in the company (which is happening in many companies nowadays), he was "redundated" .

Yane decided to tell her two small children, Gabriel (then age 6), and Marga (then age 4) about the sad news, carefully choosing the words she'd use to put it to them. "Kids, we have to take better care of our things… and not waste our money because …Daddy doesn't have a job anymore."

Little Gabriel said, "You mean Daddy was fired?" Yane was surprised at the bluntness of his words. "Now where did you learn that word?!" Her son said matter-of-factly, "From Peter Parker - Spiderman."

But yes, redundated was just a fancy word for "Get out, we don't need you here anymore." Losing a job is always painful, even if it goes with a "separation pay" or a "redundancy package". While Yane was thankful for the windfall, part of her was anxious, wondering how long their family was going to have to live off the separation package.

The first few months were OK; Beni got an average of two invitations per week to come for interview. But as the months stretched to a year — and then more, the invitations got fewer and far between.

During the almost two years of her husband's joblessness, Yane was going through her own anxiety. As a mother to two growing schoolchildren, she saw their savings getting smaller. (As a contingency measure, she moved out of her 8-yr old job to accept a higher-paying one.)

But aside from the dwindling funds, she was also worried about Beni's self-esteem. It wasn't that he wasn't trying; it was apparent thatthere just weren't enough job opportunities for middle-aged men with his background and experience. There were actually two jobs that he accepted, but both were short-lived. Call it a conflict of personalities or a clash of styles, but he couldn't see himself working there long-term. Anguished, Beni would walk out the door again.

And their marriage started to suffer too, since she was the one who was now earning for the family. "Will my husband's ego take this for long?" she asked herself many, many times. As each month passed, she was getting more and more worried for Beni.

Yane began questioning God, "Lord, I don't understand what else you're trying to teach us! How else should we pray? What else should we pray for?"

That was when Yane realized that their prayer had to be more specific.

So she gathered her two kids around her and said, "Let's pray for Daddy, that he would find a good job with a good boss – someone like his first boss in his former company."

And so that became the family's specific prayer. "Lord, please help Daddy get a boss that is as good and kind as his first boss in his old company, in Jesus name."

One day, about a year ago from today, Yane came home from work and saw the kids and her husband in a huddle. "What's all this about?" she asked.

She heard her kids whisper excitedly, "Show it to her now!"

Beni handed her a brown envelop.

Yane thought it was something from the kids' school.

But no. As she slowly pulled out the paper from the envelope, she read the name of a company…then her husband's job title… then his salary… At these, she merely nodded in satisfaction.

But when she got to the bottom of the paper, she was shocked. For there was a signature. It was that of Beni's favourite boss!

To her kids' astonishment, Yane began to cry and laugh at the same time. She could hardly believe it! Like a child, she jumped up and down with joy, much to the kids' amusement who jumped and laughed along with her.

Gabriel asked his mother, "Mom, why are you crying and laughing at the same time?"

Yane saw a great opportunity to explain, "I'm crying because I'm so happy, son. Remember how you prayed for a good boss for Daddy? Look at this name," she pointed to the paper she was holding. "We were merely asking for a boss that would be like Daddy's old boss. But no, God gave your Daddy exactly the same boss! He answered our prayers!"

That was when Gabriel began to sob.

"Why are you crying?" Yane asked.

"Because I'm so happy too," the little boy said, as the entire family embraced each other.

When Yane shared me this story, I knew I had to share it with you.

Because all of us go through many hardships and losses.

We lose our jobs, we lose our loved ones, we lose our money, we lose our friends… And sometimes, we wait and wait for the pain to go away, for the loss to be recovered. Sometimes, we wait for a long time. (Yane and Beni had to wait for two long years.)

But in the end, I believe that God has prepared the very best blessing for you.

BEING FED By Marion Smith

The bulldozer was plowing through a strip of land between the north and south highway U.S.1 in Delray Beach. Toppled Australian pines were piled in a heap, waiting to be hauled away. The black soil was churning as the blade of the dozer forged ahead at a slow speed. There were about 50 white birds on the scene, hunting and pecking in a furious manner. They were so intent on the job at hand, I was afraid the blade would wipe some of them out ! Their long legs took them here and fro, as the bent their long necks to the ground. Their pointed bills moved rapidly along the ground gathering whatever nourishment was available for them in the soil.

My husband said the bulldozer was unearthing a multitude of hidden bugs and grubs, a veritable feast for these birds. That blade churning the earth was making a hidden banquet available for this flock of fortunate feathered ones.

There are times when I need God's Word and His plan to be dug up and places before me. This need is filled when I attend church, because I always walk away feeling full and satisfied. The minister, prayer leader, choir, and hymns are like the bulldozer. They turn up and bring to the surface all of God's good nibbles for me to partake in. The unearth many truths of the scripture using song, sermon and prayer, and I partake of all that has been made available to me during the service. Just like the birds kept their beak to the ground, I keep my heart open and close to the source of nourishment.

There are many ways to receive the Word of God, but this is the one way God brought to my mind as I saw that bulldozer at work amid the flock of hungry birds.

BIRDS AND WINGS Author Unknown

An old legend says that God first created birds without wings. Sometime later, God made wings and said to the birds, "Come, take up these burdens and bear them." The birds hesitated at first, but soon obeyed. They tried picking up the wings in their beaks, but found them too heavy. Then they tried picking them up wit their claws, but found them too large. Finally one of the birds managed to get the wings hoisted onto its shoulders where it was possible to carry them.

To the amazement of the birds, before long the wings began to grow and they soon had attached themselves to the bodies of the birds. One of the birds began to flap his wings and others followed his example. Shortly afterwards, one of the birds took off and began to soar in the air above.

What had once been a heavy burden now became the very thing that enabled the birds to go where they could never go before...and at the same time, truly fulfill the destiny of their creation. The duties and responsibilities you count as burdens today may be part of God's destiny for your life, the means by which your soul is lifted up and prepared for eternity.

Don't be afraid of pressure. Remember that pressure is what turns a lump of coal into a diamond.

You know the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:3,4

MOBILITY by Marion Smith

We live in a mobile society. Modern transportation is so advanced, we take this mobility for granted. Everything seems to be something we can pick up and take with us. I have even seen vans for a mobile pet doctor, a mobile tree surgeon and a mobile chiropractor. They are all available to provide front door service whenever you call them. Cell phones are commonplace now, and often I see people at the grocery store with a phone to their ear, not to speak of the ones talking in their cars. Even meals are mobile, with fast food delivery available. Our society is mobile, with people being transferred from one side of the country to another, never really having an opportunity to "set down" roots in any one town.

On the move - that's what we are, and thankfully, there is Someone willing and able to go with us.

There is a prayer of Solomon in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 6, where herestore our relationship with Him, no matter where we are.

How wonderful it is that God has told us in the Bible -Romans 8:35- that nothing can separate us from His love. Neither life or death, angels or demons, fears or worries, nor heights or depths. He is a underscores the fact that God is ready to hear us, forgive us and mobile God, and He is with us constantly, no matter our location. How blessed we are, people of this world, that we have a loving and available heavenly father who is mobile. If you are not traveling with Him, reach out to Him today.

MOBILITY by Marion Smith

We live in a mobile society. Modern transportation is so advanced, we take this mobility for granted. Everything seems to be something we can pick up and take with us. I have even seen vans for a mobile pet doctor, a mobile tree surgeon and a mobile chiropractor. They are all available to provide front door service whenever you call them. Cell phones are commonplace now, and often I see people at the grocery store with a phone to their ear, not to speak of the ones talking in their cars. Even meals are mobile, with fast food delivery available. Our society is mobile, with people being transferred from one side of the country to another, never really having an opportunity to "set down" roots in any one town.

On the move - that's what we are, and thankfully, there is Someone willing and able to go with us.

There is a prayer of Solomon in the Bible, 2 Chronicles 6, where herestore our relationship with Him, no matter where we are.

How wonderful it is that God has told us in the Bible -Romans 8:35- that nothing can separate us from His love. Neither life or death, angels or demons, fears or worries, nor heights or depths. He is a underscores the fact that God is ready to hear us, forgive us and mobile God, and He is with us constantly, no matter our location. How blessed we are, people of this world, that we have a loving and available heavenly father who is mobile. If you are not traveling with Him, reach out to Him today.

THE WOODPECKER STORY by Marie B. Corn

As my husband and I were working inside, we heard something hit the window. Looking out and seeing nothing, we stepped outside and there on the front porch was the still body of a woodpecker -- a beautiful yellow-bellied sapsucker. He had flown into the window, and, we presumed, broken his neck. My husband picked him up for a moment and stroked the red cap on his head and laid him back down.

Just then, I saw an eye blink. I was holding a utility cloth in my hand, and I picked him up and covered him, all but his head. His heart was racing wildly, and I felt just a twitch of his foot. I realized that this now helpless creature, if only knocked out, could revive at any moment and give me quite a pecking.

Instinctive caution urged me to leave the bird there and hope he would come around, and that was my plan, that is, until I saw the neighbor's big black cat approaching in his most stealthy stalking mode.

I took the bird inside and found a box with a lid -- if he revived and got loose in the house he probably would kill himself trying to get out.

I placed the bird-in-the- box in a quiet place and went about my work. About half an hour later, I walked close enough to the box to detect any activity, but there was none. Then my husband came in and spoke to me. Suddenly, there was scratching and a flurry inside the box that made me fear the lid would not remain closed.

We took the box outside, and carefully began to open the lid. As it opened an inch or so, the bird burst out and flew vigorously away to resume his place in God's grand scheme of things.

As I saw that cat approaching earlier, I remembered 1 Peter 5:8: "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour"

That little bird, in his natural healthy state, would never fall prey to the cat, but he was knocked out.

My thoughts went back 34 years to a time in my life when I was spiritually "knocked out," I was dead in my sin and as helpless to ward off the attacks of the enemy of my soul as that little bird lying on my porch.

Then a wonderful, loving Savior reached down and picked me up. He sheltered me and let me know I was loved and protected -- I only needed to trust Him. He didn't put me in a box, but he gave me strength and the desire to "vigorously fly away" spiritually to take my place in His wonderful design for my life in His kingdom.

COPING WITH STRESS Author Unknown

A lecturer, when explaining stress management to an audience, raised a glass of water and asked, "How heavy is this glass of water?" Answers called out ranged from 20g to 500g.

The lecturer replied, "The absolute weight doesn't matter. It depends on how long you try to hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that's not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I'll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you'll have to call an ambulance.

In each case, it's the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes."

He continued, "And that's the way it is with stress management. If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on."

"As with the glass of water, you have to put it down for a while and restbefore holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

"So, before you return home tonight, put the burden of work down. Don't carry it home. You can pick it up tomorrow. Whatever burdens you're carrying now, let them down for a moment if you can."

So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while.

Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

* Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.

* Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

* Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

* Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.

* If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.

* If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

* It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others.

* Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

* Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

* Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.

* The second mouse gets the cheese.

* When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

* Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.

* You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person.

* Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

* We could learn a lot from crayons... Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colors, but they all have to live in the same box.

*A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

ANOTHER NAME By Sally I. Kennedy

....how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Matthew 18:21

My sister was named for our aunt. She never liked her name very much. When she began writing, she changed the spelling of her name from the male version to the female, but ended up going back to the original. Performers usually take a stage name. Many authors have a pseudonym. Some people add a name, like at confirmation.

God has many names which describe facets of His character. Jehovah Rapha (The Lord who heals) and Jehovah Jireh, (The Lord our provider) are a couple. He has another name I have given Him. Jehovah the God of Another Chance.

The other day on the phone I got my feelings hurt by a candid comment. He apologized, wanted another chance to rephrase what he’d said. I was quickly weighing the pros and cons, while that little voice inside was saying, “YES, give him another chance.”

How many times in just one day do I want somebody else to allow me another chance? For something I have done - or not done. Mahatma Ghandi is quoted as saying, “If we practice an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, soon the whole world will be blind and toothless.”

In the Bible there is an account of Peter asking Jesus just how many times he should forgive someone. Peter thought he was being so magnanimous by offering to do that not once, not twice, but seven times. Seven is a number symbolic of perfect, complete, or whole, so Peter felt sure he was being more than generous. Jesus gently
corrected his thinking when He said not seven times, but seventy times seven. In other words, no number large enough to express how many times.

The Lord is always willing to forgive us when we mess up and make mistakes. There is no set time when He says, “That’s it! No more chances for you!” Yes, He has many names, including The God of ALWAYS Another Chance.

I HAVE MOVED!!!!!! Author Unknown

Can't remember if I told you all, but:

I have moved out from 1 Beggars Alley, located at 2 Poverty Lane at the corner of Bleak and Buster Circle. As of today, I have a brand new home.

My new address is: Living Well on 3 Abundance Drive, located at the corner of Blessings Street and Prosperity Peak. No longer! will I allow my self to travel on Begging Peter to pay off Paul route, located at a dead end intersection called I Don't Have, it connects with Borrowers Junction.

I no longer hang out at Failure's Place, near Excuses Avenue, next to Procrastination Point. I've moved on to an Upscale community called Higher Heights with unlimited potential and opportunities for me to succeed.

Look at me. Each day that I'm awake, I am thankful to be a product of my new environment. All my clothes are tailor made. I'm dressed in life's finest. Let me introduce you to all of them: Divine Favour, Conceive, Believe, Act on Faith, Be Persistent, and Always be Prepared to Achieve.

Life is good because God is good! Care to change your address? There are many vacancies!

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS
I AM WELL BLESSED AND SO ARE YOU!!!!!

'DON'T TELL GOD HOW BIG YOUR STORM IS, TELL YOUR STORM HOW BIG OUR GOD IS'

HOW TO PRAY FOR YOUR CHILD Author Unknown

1. Pray NOTHING hinders your child from accepting Christ as his/her personal Savior early in life. (Matthew 19:14)

2. Pray your child learns to know God and will have a deep desire to do God's will for his/her life. (Psalms 119:27,30,34, 35).

3. Pray child hears stories from the Bible that will be a basis for his/her decisions throughout life. (Ecclesiastes 12:1, Psalms 71:17).

4. Pray child will-develop a keen sense of right and wrong and that he/she will truly abhor evil and cling to that which is good. (Psalms 139:23-4).

5. Pray child will increase in wisdom (mentally) and in stature (physically) and in favor with God (spiritually) and man (socially). (Luke 2:52). This prayer covers his/her total development to his/her full potential.

6. Pray that child will develop a thankful heart and a positive mental attitude. (Psalm 126:2-3, Romans 8:31)

7. Pray that God protect child from Satan and his/her wiles in every area of his/her life. (John 17:55, Psalm 121)

8. Pray that God would destroy the enemies in his/her life whether they be weaknesses, lying, selfishness etc. (Psalms 120:2; 140).

9. Pray that God would make him/her successful in the work God has for him/her to do. (Psalm 118:25, 139:9-10)

10. Pray he/she have a strong sense of belonging to a family that is loving and dwells together in unity (Psalms 133, Colossians 3:12-14).

11. Pray he/she will respect authority. (Romans 13:1, Ephesians 6:1-4). 12. Pray that his/her entire life will be a testimony of the greatness and love of Christ. (Phillippians 2:15-16 Thess 5:2-3)

If you pray one of these a month, you will have your child covered for a year!

THRILLS,CHILLS AND PAIN PILLS By Rhonda Rhea

Thrills. We tend to get them in different places, according to our personalities, likes and individual pain tolerances. Personally, I get a real charge from a lengthy shopping trip (ooh, did I say "charge"?). My husband would rather smash his thumb with a large hammer than have to make a trip to the mall. On the other hand, he loves a long bike trip on a nature trail. Heat, bugs, poison ivy and straining muscles I don't even have? Just bring me the hammer. And a large dose of a strong pain reliever. Thrills may vary from person to person and from hammer to hammer, but there is only one who should thrill us to our very soul.

Only Jesus should be the absolute thrill of our lives. I love the hymn that includes the words: All that thrills my soul is Jesus He is more than life to me Several times a day I have to ask myself if he really is more than life to me. From the shoe sale at the mall to the scenic nature trail, he is the Maker, the reason for it all, he is all of life. No, he's MORE than life. How easily life can become more to me than my Savior. I wish I didn't have to admit what a spiritual wimp I can become at even the slightest distraction. Colossians 1:17 reminds me that he is more than life--whether I recognize it or not. "And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." He IS life. And he is the only one who can direct us to live our lives in the right way. "It is God who directs the lives of his creatures; everyone's life is in his power" (Job 12:10, GNT).

Know what's funny? Life in his power is the only place to find real thrills. Maybe someday I'll write my own hymn about it. It could go something like this: He is my trip to the mall for a giant shoe sale He is my husband's bike ride on a long nature trail He is the most magnificent deep soul-thriller And oh so much better than any goofy pain-killer. Find your every thrill and your very life in the power of the Savior. When he is all that thrills your soul, you'll never need a hammer for anything body-related.

THE WATERING HOLE By Sally I Kennedy

“.... how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13

Here in sunny south Florida we have had the most beautiful winter. It has been cool, clear, and purely delightful. However it has been majorly dry. This morning I saw one of the squirrels, who nests high up in one of the coconut palms, coming towards the wood deck.

On the decking, there’s a defunct jacuzzi under an old canvas cover, which is so stretched it has pockets that hold water. Around dusk, both the doves and the squirrels apparently regard this as their watering hole. As this little squirrel approached, he peered into what was a pitiful tiny bit of a pool. He bent over and drank what he could. Could be my imagination, but it seemed to me he acted disappointed as he went off in search of water in some other spot.

In our country we are fortunate to usually be able to access water through faucets in our homes. Occasions such as hurricanes, water mains bursting and bacteria entering, have all brought to my attention how precious drinking water becomes when it can’t be taken for granted.

We can live without food, but not without water. Jesus said we can have ‘living water’ (John 4). Spiritually speaking, we can’t live without that kind of water, either. How fortunate we are to have free access to that ‘water’, the gift of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ.

I am so very grateful I can keep on drinking at this wonderful watering hole of living water, that our loving heavenly father has provided for all of us.

HOPE Author Unknown

If you can look at the sunset and smile, then you still have hope.

If you can find beauty in the colors of a small flower, then you still have hope.

If you can find pleasure in the movement of a butterfly, then you still have hope.

If the smile of a child can still warm your heart, then you still have hope.

If you can see the good in other people, then you still have hope.

If the rain breaking on a roof top can still lull you to sleep, then you still have hope.

If the sight of a rainbow still makes you stop and stare in wonder, then you still have hope.

If the soft fur of a favored pet still feels pleasant under your fingertips, then you still have hope.

If you meet new people with a trace of excitement and optimism, then you still have hope.

If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope.

If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope.

If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope.

If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope.

If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope.

If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you still have hope.

If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope.

If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope.

If you can look to the past and smile, then you still have hope.

If, when faced with the bad, when told everything is futile, you can still look up and end the conversation with the phrase... "yeah....BUT. ." then you still have hope.

Hope is such a marvelous thing. It bends, it twists, it sometimes hides, but rarely does it break. It sustains us when nothing else can.

It gives us reason to continue and courage to move ahead, when we tell ourselves we'd rather give in.

Hope puts a smile on our face when the heart cannot manage.

Hope puts our feet on the path when our eyes cannot see it.

Hope moves us to act when our souls are confused of the direction.

Hope is a wonderful thing, something to be cherished and nurtured, and something that will refresh us in return.

And it can be found in each of us, and it can bring light into the darkest of places.

Never lose hope.

PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE By Paul Bradshaw

Short Interview with Rick Warren, (PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE)

You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren,

'Purpose Driven Life' author and pastor of Saddleback Church in California.

In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren, Rick said:

People ask me, What is the purpose of life? And I respond: In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.

One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.

I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.

We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.

Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.

The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.

We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character, in Christ likeness.

This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay, getting cancer.

I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.

Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.

No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.

And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for.

You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.

If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, 'which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.

We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her.

It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.

You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.

Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.

It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease.

So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence. He gave me two different passages that helped me decide what to do, II Corinthians 9 and Psalm 72

First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit. We made no major purchases.

Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.

Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.

Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.

We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?

Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism? Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?

When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.

That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.

DISCOVERED by Melanie Schurr

I recently "discovered" a profound musical talent named Andrea Bocelli. As reality has it, Mr. Bocelli, an Italian born tenor who is said to have the voice of an angel, has been around for many years, and I don't know how his beautiful voice could have escaped my ears for so long, but, well, such was my loss!

In my admitted ignorance, I called my mother to tell her about Andrea, knowing how she appreciates her own Italian heritage, as well as good classical music. However, much to my chagrin, when I called mom, she replied, "Oh! Of course I know who he is! I have loved his music for years!"

"You have?" I said as I felt my own excitement quickly drain from me.

Mom then went on to list a few of her favorite Bocelli songs; even going so far as to inform me of several CD's of his she now owns, which is quite shocking to me since my seventy-five year old mother has never even warmly embraced such modern technology as a personal computer, DVD player, etc.

After I hung up the phone and allowed all of this new information to digest, I couldn't help but also relate the issue to those individuals who walk the earth and go about their daily lives totally oblivious to God. Just as I missed out on this musical experience; proudly thinking I was "in the know," how many people are missing out on their very salvation because they think they know everything there is to know?

Prayer: "Heavenly Father, please forgive me for ignoring your Divine presence. I want to know You and Your will for my life. Come in to my heart, dear God, and let me know the depth of your love. This I ask in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen."

HAPPINESS IS THE WAY Author Unknown

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when?

Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, or a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have and treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one.

So, stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Work like you don't need money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

And dance like no one's watching.

God has given each of us a "gift" that we are to use to glorify His name! Do you know yours???

DEBT: IT'S A SPIRITUAL ISSUE By Rubel Shelly

My friend David has a simple little ditty about debt that everybody needs to commit to memory: WHEN YOUR OUTGO EXCEEDS YOUR INCOME, YOUR UPKEEP WILL BE YOUR DOWNFALL. It's straightforward, honest, and insightful about the unpleasant life situation of too many people -- probably all of us at one time or another.

The inability to handle money is as much a spiritual problem as one's mishandling of alcohol. It may even be more socially respectable. After all, let somebody mention "living paycheck to paycheck" or confess "being in debt up to my eyeballs" and somebody will likely laugh and say, "Let me tell you the mess *I'm* in. You won't believe this . . ." Is fiscal irresponsibility really so trivial?

According to the Nilson Report, Americans are using their credit cards quite freely. The average cardholder's outstanding balance is $4,400 -- up 123 percent in a decade which saw personal income rise a smaller 72 percent. (Since most households have more than one credit card, $4,400 may not be a fair estimate of total family debt on high-interest credit cards!) The United States government recently reported that personal savings have fallen to the lowest monthly level in our history. Meanwhile, more and more state governments are pumping money into TV ads to ask citizens to buy lotto tickets. It's bizarre, don't you think?

Maybe debt is the "respectable addiction" of this generation. Credit card companies mail out an estimated 3.3 billion credit card solicitations per year.

Tension rooted in debt will set you against your mate. It will distract you from your children. It will disrupt your spiritual life and become a barrier between you and God.

The Bible says: "Don't run up debts, except for the huge debt of love you owe each other" (Romans 13:8, *The Message*).

Sell an asset or create an extra stream of income to pay off the debt you already have. You'll be amazed by just writing down every dime you spend for a few weeks -- and eliminating the foolish and unnecessary impulse buying that drains so many pocketbooks.

Believe it or not, abusing credit is sinful -- just like abusing alcohol.

And it is a spiritual victory to ask and receive God's help in bringing it to an end.