MY 10 RESOLUTIONS Author Unknown

This coming year, I have decided that with God's help, I shall:-

Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude.

Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts.

Give up worry . . . trust divine providence.

Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope.

Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness.

Give up hatred . . . return good for evil.

Give up anger . . . practice patience.

Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity.

Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is around me.

Give up gossiping . . . control my tongue.

TIPS FOR SECURE INTERNET BANKING TRANSACTIONS

Here are a few tips to ensure the security of your internet banking transactions:

1. Do not click on web links embedded in emails or pop-ups in unfamiliar web sites. These may lead to malicious web sites designed to trick you into revealing personal and financial information.

2. Be skeptical of unsolicited e-mails, especially those that concern personal / account information. Delete suspicious emails or email attachments without opening them, even if they seem to have originated from someone you know.

3. Install the latest patches on your operating system, web browser, and anti-virus programs to safeguard your computer from attacks. Securely manage your password by:
• Using a password that is easy for you to remember but hard for others to guess.
• Keeping your password confidential at all times by not writing it down or divulging to anyone.
• Disabling the "save and remember the password" browser feature.
• Changing of your password if you think it has been compromised.

NO MORE WITH ME Author Unknown

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I don't mean to hold you up," he said as he struggled to get off the escalator.

I'll admit to it. There have been times when walking or driving behind an older person I've gotten impatient and upset. I've huffed and zoomed around them because I was in a hurry to get nowhere. Perhaps I'm more aware of it now because I see myself there one day soon. Today I saw myself in this old man's shoes and it caused me to slow down, stop and ask for his forgiveness.

He was about five or six people ahead of me. I was in a hurry and saw him as an obstacle. I've seen people get off the end of an escalator and stop dead in their tracks, gather their things and suddenly there's a pile up of angry people behind them. You can't stop an escalator full of people behind you. Like the Energizer bunny, they keep on goin'.

This man was well aware of the challenge. He tried desperately to step aside. Fumbling with his small packages, struggling to gain his footing, you could see how troubling this was for him. "I'm sorry. Please forgive me! I don't mean to hold you up," he said as he struggled to get off the escalator.

I suddenly saw this in a whole new light. It was like I was watching my future. I felt sorry for him. I felt sick to my stomach because this man was apologizing to everyone, when we should have been helping him and calming his fears.

One by one, people zipped around him. I heard a few angry comments whispered as one lady passed by him.

I saw me.

By the time I got to him he was just about steady on his feet.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know there was more," he said.

"No, sir. No more with me," I said. This really hit me hard. I realized right then how sad it was that the world was in such a hurry. That, of course, included me. But...no more with me. Count me out.

This wonderful man paid his dues. For whatever time he had spent on this earth, he most likely walked many rough roads and too many important miles. Now he should be apologizing for moving slower?

My heart ached as I looked into his eyes. I wished that I could see what he had seen all those years. His face weathered from life itself, was creased and wrinkled. The small soft pockets under his eyes and the gentle lines that curved up and around them told me he had many happy moments, too. Those were traces left behind from laughter and a smiling, happy man.

"My friend, can I help you with those things?" I asked.

Hesitant at first, he finally said, "Well, yes, thank you!"

I placed my hand under his left arm and walked with him a safe distance away from the rush of people.

"So what are you shopping for, sir?"

"Oh, just a little something for my neighbor. She's a young mother raising kids on her own. She's always so nice to me. I thought a box of candy for Mother's Day..." he said, stopping suddenly as he searched his inside pocket of his sport coat.

"Do you need something?" I asked.

"Oh, no. Here. I think I have it right here. I always carry them with me," he said. Then pulling out a hand full of papers he shuffled through them and handed me a business card that read: "John A. Pomicter Friend to all...enemy to no one! I said a prayer today and you were the answer. Thank you!"

"That's for you," he said. "Thanks for stopping to help an old man."

"My friend, you helped me. I discovered that I was unhappy with the world and I was part of the problem. Now I'll be part of the solution. No more with me!"

"Then this was meant to be," he said smiling.

"You know God sends me gifts every day and always at least one special person. You were my gift for today! Let's go get some chocolates, my friend."

GREAT GOLF SHOT By Marion Smith

Every once in a while I hit a great golf shot. I feel so good as the ball flies down the fairway, arching beautifully before landing in the perfect spot. Or perhaps I sink that long putt that no one would have thought possible .”Yes, I would say to myself…those shots are in me, but they only seem to come out once in awhile!”

There is something else within me, and He is the Holy Spirit. God gave Him to live within my heart when I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. He produced fruit in my life- love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. I am now wondering if this beautiful fruit of the Spirit only comes out of me once in awhile—just like that good golf shot! I hope not! I pray this fruit would constantly be evident in my life, showing others (and reminding myself) there IS something special about a person when she (or he) is indwelled by the Holy Spirit.

If you are a Christian, you too have the fruit of the Spirit. Is it ripe and ready to be shared with others?

THE STORY OF THE ALMONDS By Alan Bates

I woke up shivering on the morning of Thanksgiving Day 1969. I'd pulled a canvas tarp over me while laying on a hay bail in a barn just off the road I was hitchhiking on, north of Sacramento going north to Oregon . Freeway 5 was closed for repairs so I found myself on some country road in the middle of no where. I couldn't sleep with all those roosters crowing in my ear so I quietly sneeked back to the road with my friend Tom. We saw the sun come up to another clear crisp chilly California sunny day. The road was completely deserted of cars for a long time until a black man in a white pick up finally came by and graciously pulled over to pick us up. He headed north to the freeway and let us off at the first off ramp, again in the middle of no where.

We stood there on the side of the freeway for a long time watching the sun slowly rise in the sky and feeling our tongues slowly swell with thirst and hunger. Why was I doing this?

It must've been noon with the sun high and the air hot and dry. I thought, "I must be out of God's will. Nobody has come down this road to pick us up."

I said, "Why don't we test God to see what His will is. You stand on one side of the road and I'll stand on the other. The one who gets the first ride, that's the way we're suppose to go."

But then my heart smote me. I hadn't come this far to go back. I knew it was for God that I'd come this far. How could I be so unresolute? I wasn't anywhere near dead yet. I sure was in pain though, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain.

Then I said, "Why don't we go over to that almond grove and see if we can get something to eat?" Tom agreed. So we jumped the fences and started going from tree to tree. Not one almond! I saw another grove on the other side of the drainage ditch and said, "Let's try over there." I found one hanging on a tree and another on the ground, but nothing else. So we gave up.

We jumped the fences back to the road and stood there quiet, thinking, praying. No traffic. I thought about all the early settlers, our forefathers who had walked into this land a hundred years ago. I thought about the early saints and Israelites who'd persevered though their wildernesses.

Finally it came to me I shouldn't just be dependent on some driver who might pass by.

If God wants me to go to Oregon I could walk just like all those who've paved this road before me. So I said to Tom, "Let's walk to a better place to hitchhike." I could see a long way. I didn't see a better place to hitchhike. But any place was better than here.

So we started walking through what felt like the Sahara desert. The sun baking down on our skin, the dry wind, the thirst, and the breeze of the cars going by. I didn't even turn to the traffic any more, I just put out my left arm, thumb up.

I was looking down at the gravel and sand I was walking on just putting one foot in front of the other. Then I saw a pebble that looked strangely different than the others and stopped to look at it. Tom caught up and said, "What are you looking at?" I bent down and picked up an almond just laying there along the side of the road.

We joked and rejoiced and said grace and very carefully divided it up savoring every morsel. Then we started stepping down the road again. Again and again we stopped and stooped to pick up more almonds until we started putting them in our pockets.

Then a white station wagon pulled over in front of us and we ran up to it.

The couple inside offered us a ride and said to get in the back seat. When we got in we saw the floor covered with almonds! They were almond growers who had just harvested. They said, "Help yourself."

They gave us a ride to a perfect place to hitchhike. We'd hardly got out of the car before someone else stopped and gave us a ride all the way to the front door of the commune we were going to in central Oregon , 10 miles off the freeway. We ate Thanksgiving dinner with them and slept under warm blankets that night.

Just before I woke up the next morning I heard a voice asking me, "Where were the almonds?" I said, "Lord, not on the trees, but on the road." Then was opened to me even further the scripture in Matthew 6:31 - 33, "... Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?'. For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. ..."

27 INDICATIONS THAT WE NEED REVIVAL Author Unknown

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.

CHRISTMAS POEM Arlene Spanos


T'was eight centuries before Christ's birth and all around the Earth,
People did not really understand what their souls were worth.

The world then was in peril, there was distress and gloom.
Far and wide you could find so much destruction and doom.

God promised that a Savior would surely one day come.
Folks were deluded and lost - they were deaf, blind and dumb.

The Holy Bible told us about His ancestral line,
He would be the King of Kings, completely divine.

The angels told Mary that she would be the one.
To give birth to God's child, His only begotten Son.

The prophesies gave us the details of His birth,
T'was certain He would come to transform all the Earth.

He'd be born of a virgin, laid in a manger with hay
Then His hands and feet pierced on His final day.

The Lord had a mighty purpose for which He came.
God would be among us - Immanuel would be His name.

Mankind would then learn about peace, hope, and joy.
It would all come about in this small baby boy.

He was a humble servant, He showed us pure love.
He taught us about our Heavenly Father above.

His wisdom was divine, far beyond what any had known.
Many followed and believed Him, the crowds had really grown.

The Prince of Peace was amazing; He was a beacon of light.
He was holy and reverent as He taught us wrong from right.

He came to restore us and taught us to all share
And to help one another; He taught us to care.

He was the Counselor, Comforter, Redeemer and Friend.
He was fair and righteous; His rule never will end.

Folks were amazed and confused with all that went on.
They didn't understand.....until He was gone.

Though He was perfect and sinless, He never even told a lie,
He was mocked, and beaten, then crucified to die.

He was God as a man to His last dying breath.
Then He rose from the dead with His power over death.

He was goodness and grace and He came to relieve...
The wretched grasp of Satan.. to all who believe.

Upon Him all of our sins would be laid.
The full account of our debts had been paid.
This all really happened, it isn't just folklore.
He told us of Heaven and showed us there's more.

We call Him Jesus and He lives still today.
He is Lord of all Lords and He leads the way.

We celebrate this and all that it means
With songs and displays of Nativity scenes.

His Amazing Grace is the actual reason.
That we recognize and rejoice this season.

So again this year we celebrate His birth.
Merry Christmas to all and to all Peace on Earth!

TODAY'S QUOTE: from ARISTOTLE


The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom. - Aristotle

IN EVERYTHING I GIVE By Irene Budzynski

The night shift had finally ended. It was one of the worst nights I could remember in 10 years. No matter what I had done, it didn't seem as if I had accomplished anything of value. The hospital was unusually full, and the patients especially needy. Eight hours weren't enough time to get all my tasks completed, so I'd stayed an extra hour to finish. I drove home crying in frustration, nerve fibers stretched to maximum exhaustion.

Too tired to walk into the house, I sat on the front porch well past the hour of dawn's coolness and rocked in the wicker chair, oblivious to the weight-bearing heat on my skin. Devoid of energy, there was nothing left for me to do but to allow the sun's rays to warm me, wishing I was one of those people who didn't get so emotionally involved with my patients. I gripped the rounded curves of the oversized arms and pushed myself back and forth, chanting, "Why, why?" with the creaking rhythm.

My heart had been torn to shreds by a gentle giant whose illness I couldn't stop, whose pain I couldn't halt. Cancer had been invading his body cell by cell and all the years of training and experience and all the magical pills and potions couldn't stop it. Isaiah was dying. Nature was taking its course, and man had no power to reverse it.

A look of wide-eyed surprise and stiffening of his body were the only clues that he was suffering. He'd clutch his stomach and call out, "Lord, take it away. Please, Lord, take it away." The prescribed medication wasn't touching the racking pain rolling in waves through his system. Helplessly I gripped his hand and prayed aloud with him until the bout of agony had ended. The night crept along, second by second, as Isaiah waited for the next attack to render him helpless, knowing that death, ever vigilant, lurked in the shadows.

When I turned him to his side to make him more comfortable, swaddled with pillows, he squeezed my fingers and repeated, "Oh, God is so good. God is so good. Thank you, miss. Thank you."

When he had an episode of heavy bleeding from his wounds, he was bathed, dressings were changed, and his linens were replaced, but still he didn't complain. When asked what could be done for him, he replied, "I just want to sit and talk to my Master. I need to talk to my Master right now." He lay back, eyes closed, and murmured prayers of worship.

During brief interludes of respite we held hands, patient and nurse, the words spilling over from my heart. My tears fell on my lap as I leaned over Isaiah to fix yet another bleeding wound, reminded of someone else who had suffered over 2,000 years ago. Had the women of Jerusalem felt this same anguish? Had they railed about their own impotence as did I?

I was the silent witness to Isaiah's Calvary. Nursing care could temporarily beat back the discomfort, but he alone would walk the final walk with God. To be in communion with his Creator in preparation for their meeting was a sacred rite that couldn't be trespassed upon by mere mortals.

Before I left him to the care of the day shift, I tiptoed into his room and kissed both his cheeks. Words were unnecessary, but I wanted to open my heart.

"You are one of the bravest people I know, Isaiah. You have every right to whine to God about your situation, but, you pray for Him to be with you and to hold you in His arms while you suffer. You have opened a window for me and through it I have seen a glimpse of what it must have been like for Jesus. You are my hero."

A tear rolled down his face and he gripped my hands. "I am looking forward to seeing you in heaven," he whispered. Nodding my head, I left his side.

Safe on my porch, I asked for forgiveness for all the times I had complained about insignificant problems in my life, for my doubting and questioning. Then I prayed for grace to walk my walk with the same dignity and faith as did Isaiah. Rising from the chair, I felt the peace that comes when one has witnessed the work of God, and I gave praise.

"Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your request known to God." (Phil 4:6)

NEW SEAT BELT LAW (from Sheryl Apuhin)

The national Highway Safety Council has done extensive testing on a newly designed seat belt. Results show that accidents can be reduced by as much as 45% when the belt is properly installed. Correct installation is illustrated below.......

ALPHABETS OF HAPPINESS Author Unknown


* A--Accept *
Accept others for who they are and for the choices they've made even if you have difficulty understanding their beliefs, motives, or actions.

*B--Break Away *
Break away from everything that stands in the way of what you hope to accomplish with your life.

*C--Create *
Create a family of friends whom you can share your hopes, dreams, sorrows, and happiness with.

*D--Decide *
Decide that you'll be successful and happy come what may, and good things will find you. The roadblocks are only minor obstacles along the way.

*E--Explore *
Explore and experiment. The world has much to offer, and you have much to give. And every time you try something new, you'll learn more about yourself.

*F--Forgive *
Forgive and forget. Grudges only weigh you down and inspire unhappiness and grief. Soar above it, and remember that everyone makes mistakes.

*G--Grow *
Leave the childhood monsters behind. They can no longer hurt you or stand in your way.

*H--Hope *
Hope for the best and never forget that anything is possible as long as you remain dedicated to the task.

*I--Ignore *
Ignore the negative voice inside your head. Focus instead on your goals and remember your accomplishments. Your past success is only a small inkling of what the future holds.

*J--Journey*
Journey to new worlds, new possibilities, by remaining open-minded. Try to learn something new every day, and you'll grow.

*K--Know *
Know that no matter how bad things seem, they'll always get better. The warmth of spring always follows the harshest winter.

*L--Love *
Let love fill your heart instead of hate. When hate is in your heart, there's room for nothing else, but when love is in your heart, there's room for endless happiness.

*M--Manage *
Manage your time and your expenses wisely, and you'll suffer less stress and worry. Then you'll be able to focus on the important things in life.

*N--Notice *
Never ignore the poor, infirm, helpless, weak, or suffering. Offer your assistance when possible, and always your kindness and understanding.

*O--Open *
Open your eyes and take in all the beauty around you. Even during the worst of times, there's still much to be thankful for.

*P--Play *
Never forget to have fun along the way. Success means nothing without happiness.

*Q--Question *
Ask many questions, because you're here to learn.

*R--Relax *
Refuse to let worry and stress rule your life, and remember that things always have a way of working out in the end.

*S--Share *
Share your talent, skills, knowledge, and time with others. Everything that you invest in others will return to you many times over.

*T--Try *
Even when your dreams seem impossible to reach, try anyway. You'll be amazed by what you can accomplish.

*U--Use *
Use your gifts to your best ability. Talent that's wasted has no value. Talent that's used will bring unexpected rewards.

*V--Value *
Value the friends and family members who've supported and encouraged you, and be there for them as well.

*W--Work *
Work hard every day to be the best person you can be, but never feel guilty if you fall short of your goals. Every sunrise offers a second chance.

*X--X-Ray *
Look deep inside the hearts of those around you and you'll see the goodness and beauty within.

*Y--Yield *
Yield to commitment. If you stay on track and remain dedicated, you'll find success at the end of the road.

*Z--Zoom *
Zoom to a happy place when bad memories or sorrow rear a ugly head.

LET US SEEK GOD'S GUIDANCE By Helen Steiner Rice

As the threatening "Clouds of Chaos"
Gather in man's muddled mind;
While he searches for an answer
He alone can never find;
May God turn our vision skyward
So that we can see above ...
The gathering clouds of darkness,
And behold God's brightening love.

For today we're facing problems
Man alone can never solve,
For it takes much more than genius
To determine and resolve,
The conditions that confront us
All around on every side,
Daily mounting in intensity
Like the restless, rising tide.

But we'll find new Strength and Wisdom
If instead of proud resistance ...
We humbly call upon the Lord
And seek Divine Assistance;
For the spirit can unravel
Many tangled, knotted threads
That defy the skill and power
Of the world's best hands and heads.

For the plans of growth and progress
Of which we all have dreamed,
Cannot survive materially
Unless the spirit is redeemed.
So as another Year dawns,
Let us seek the Lord in prayer
And place our future hopes and plans
Securely in God's care.

6 REASONS WHY MAHIRAP MAINLOVE SA HEARTTHROB by SRCT (me)

http://sheryl1979.blog.friendster.com/category/love/
posted on: Tuesday, February 6th, 2007

1. Andami mong kaagaw. It’s simply the law of demand and supply. Since kokonti na lang naman talaga ang masasabing heartthrob sa mundo, talaga namang marami kang kaagaw sa atensyon ng man of your dreams mo. Upto what extent ba ang kaya mong gawin para mapansin ng prince charming mo?

2. Always busy ang line ni Lord pagdating sa kanya. Kasi naman, lahat na lang yata ay nagdadasal na mapansin ng Prince Charming mo. Paano iyan, hindi naman pwedeng lahat pagbigyan ni Lord ano?! Or baka naman ito talaga ang reason why ang kadalasang nagiging playboy ay ang mga heartthrobs. kasi para mapagbigyan lahat? arrgg!!!

3. Easy to get or pakipot? Pag napansin ka na ng love mo, malaking sakit sa ulo. Kasi naman, kapag pakipot ka, baka bigla kang iwan sa ere. Sa dami nga naman kasi ng babaeng naghahabol sa kanya, baka magbago ang isip at maghanap ng iba. Pag sinagot mo naman agad, baka sabihin niya easy to get ka. Remember, easy to get, easy to forget?

4. Andaming nagpi-prayer rally against you. Kahit si Cinderella, grabe muna ang inabot from her stepsisters/stepmother before siya uli natagpuan ni Prince Charming, di ba? Hindi pa kayo nagfi-first monthsary, kabi-kabila na ang nagdadasal na magbreak kayo. Remember, the ‘yong mga dati niyang nakarelasyon na nakikipagbalikan sa kanya? Pati na rin ‘yong nag-aambisyon na makarelasyon niya in the future. Carry mo ba iyan?

5. Kahit ayaw mo, nakaka-insecure. Admit it, kahit feeling mo ay secured ka na sa sarili mo at sa feelings niya, minsan hindi mo pa rin maiwasang mainsecure at magselos lalo na at sangkaterbang chikababes ang dumidisplay sa love mo. Paano ka kaya magiging cool niyan kung maya’t maya, may dumidikit na mga girls sa Prince Charming mo?

6. Ang hirap mangarap nang gising. Wala eh, kung talagang inlove ka na at talagang walang pag-asa, mangarap ka na lang nang gising. Just make sure hindi masyadong OA ang Ninoy Aquino-pose mo at pakitikom na rin ng bibig. Mahirap na at baka pasukan ng langaw ang bunganga mo sa sobrang pagdi-daydream.

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.?

Marion Smith noles65@aol.com
comments and feedback welcome

MAYBE Author Unknown

Maybe God wanted us to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.

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

Maybe the best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

Maybe it is true that we don't know what we have got until we lose it, but it is also true that we don't know what we have been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they will love you back. Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart; but if it does not, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

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

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

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

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

Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person, too.

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

Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.

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

When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you are the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.

MY LIFE by Arlene Spanos

My life is a special gift from God given just to me.
I'm one of a kind because He made me, exclusively!

He planned me to be who I am for I am His design.
Everything He does is right and good because He is divine.

He has a purpose just for me and that's why I was sent.
I'm not here by chance or from some fluke accident.

Some say we're the result of evolution, but I say that's absurd.
Because I trust God completely and I take Him at His Word.

He has given me many blessings and has many more to give.
He helps me take the high road for a better way to live.

He made me just right because everything He does is good.
He equipped me well with special gifts to be all that I could.

I know He watches over me all day and through the night.
I rely upon Him always to help me do what's right.

He gives me joy and passion and love right to my core.
Patience, strength and courage, He's given me and more.

He knows my heart and my mind and what I'm all about.
He knows my deepest secrets and He knows when I have doubt.

And when I'm facing troubles, have grief or feel pain,
I know He's there to help me and more blessings I will gain.

He provides comfort and assurance whenever I feel low.
I know He cares about me just because He loves me so.

I trust He gives me all I need because He knows what's best.
And when I grow tired and weary, it's Him that gives me rest.

I look to Him to guide me, where He leads me I shall go.
And when He gives me instructions, I never will say "no".

At times I sense His disapproval yet I feel His mighty love.
Sometimes I know He holds me back, some times a gentle shove.

He is wonderful and righteous; and He gratifies my soul.
He is sovereign and I'm so glad that He is in control

Through all my joys and sorrow, I put my life into His hands.
Because He has all things worked out within His mighty plans.

I long so much to make the most of all He has given me.
Until the time He calls me home to be with Him eternally.

DO YOU HAVE SCARS by Bo Sanchez

Most of you know I’m a recovering porn addict. I was addicted to it for years—and it almost destroyed me. Today, God has healed me and continues to heal me.

More than my writing or preaching, I think one of the greatest things I’ve ever done for others is to share my scars to them. It gives people hope that they too can be healed and change their life.

It’s like the vegetables I eat. (Be patient with my analogy.) My friend tells me I’m like a goat. Because everyday, he sees me munching on raw salad. Specifically, raw green “organic” vegetables.

Here’s something you may not know about organic: They’re physical appearance won’t be perfect. They’ll have pockmarks. Flaws. Blemishes. Why? Because they don’t have insecticides to protect them from bugs. Some people who don’t know this will choose the “perfect” veggies. The ones with no defects. No wounds. No scars.

A pity. Because their perfection is fake. They don’t have scars because they’re covered with a truckload of chemicals. A few of them may even be poisonous. They keep out the enemy, but they also make the veggie very unhealthy.

You know what? I’ve met people who don’t seem to have any defects. No scars on the outside. At least, they make it appear as if they have no scars. But it’s not true. Their real scar is their pretending to have no scars. It makes them inorganic. It makes them plastic.

Dear friend, give hope. Share your scars to others.

May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez

WASH DAY Author Unknown

Monday
Wash Day
Lord, help me wash away all my selfishness and vanity, so I may serve
you with perfect humility through the week ahead.

Tuesday
Ironing Day
Dear Lord, help me iron out all the wrinkles of prejudice I have
collected through the years so that I may see the beauty in others.

Wednesday
Mending Day
O God, help me mend my ways so I will not set a bad example for
others.

Thursday
Cleaning Day
Lord Jesus, help me to dust out all the many faults I have been hiding
in the secret corners of my heart.

Friday
Shopping Day
O God, give me the grace to shop wisely so I may purchase eternal
happiness for myself and all others in need of love.

Saturday
Cooking Day
Help me, my Savior, to brew a big kettle of brotherly love and serve
it with clean, sweet bread of human kindness.

Sunday
The Lord's Day
O God, I have prepared my house for you. Please come into my heart so
I may spend the day and the rest of my life in your presence.

THE JOY OF SECOND CHANCES By Shari Smyth

Whitney and I had been separated for eight months. Now we were on a first date, tentatively, fearfully moving toward reconciliation. We were at the Billy Graham Crusade in Nashville's Adelphia Stadium, waiting for the program to start. Side by side, we sat in silence on a hard bench, feeling the pain of our fractured marriage. Daylight thinned to dusk.The lights popped on over the football field, shining on the distant platform under the gigantic scoreboard. Empty folding chairs waited for the legendary evangelist and his team.

A memory bright as the lights flooded my mind. I was sixteen, my whole life stretching out ahead of me, sitting in a stadium in Philadelphia listening to Billy Graham. His message has stirred my devout teenage heart: I would serve God always and never stray, I vowed. And, at the end, when hundreds streamed forward to the strains of "Just As I Am," I was filled with happiness for them and for me.

Now as a silver-haired, slightly stooped Billy Graham rose to speak, my marriage lay broken.Though I'd served God, I'd also strayed at times. Instead of the years stretching lightly ahead of me, I felt weighted by the passage of time.

The sermon ended. The crowd of thousands shifted in their seats to pray. The choir began singing "Just As I Am," and tears ran down my cheeks. How I wished I could go back and do it over! Whitney reached for my hand, his grip strong and reassuring.

As I watched the hundreds streaming forward, something stronger than happiness lifted my burden: It was the joy of second chances, the joy of a sinner saved by grace -- again and again and again.

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