HANDBOOK 2010 Author Unknown

Health:
1.      Drink plenty of water.
2..      Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3.      Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants..
4..      Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy
5.      Make time to pray.
6.      Play more games
7.      Read more books than you did in 2009 .
8.      Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
9.      Sleep for 7 hours.
10.    Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily.. And while you walk, smile.

Personality:
11.    Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12.    Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present Moment.
13.    Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14.    Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15.    Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16.    Dream more while you are awake
17.    Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need...
18.    Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19.    Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20.    Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21.    No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22.    Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23.    Smile and laugh more.
24.    You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree..

Society:
25.    Call your family often.
26.    Each day give something good to others.
27.    Forgive everyone for everything..
28.    Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of  6.
29.    Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30.    What other people think of you is none of your business.
31.    Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:
32.    Do the right thing!
33.    Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34.    GOD heals everything.
35.    However good or bad a situation is, it will change..
36.    No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37.    The best is yet to come..
38.    When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39.    Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.

A PRAYER AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI by Diana Macalintal

Lord, at times such as this,
when we realize that the ground beneath our feet
is not as solid as we had imagined,
we plead for your mercy.

As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving,
fragile planet we call home.
Yet you have promised never to forget us.

Do not forget us now.

Today, so many people are afraid.
They wait in fear of the next tremor.
They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.
They roam the streets in shock at what they see.
And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief
and the names of missing dead.

Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist.

Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.

Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar,
as the poorest on this side of the earth
find only misery upon misery.
Move us to act swiftly this day,
to give generously every day,
to work for justice always,
and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.

And once the shaking has ceased,
the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,
and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings,
let us not forget that we are all your children
and they, our brothers and sisters.
We are all the work of your hands.

For though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be tossed to the ground,
your love shall never leave us,
and your promise of peace will never be shaken.

Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
now and forever. Amen.

Copyright © 2010, Diana Macalintal. Permission is given to reprint for
non-commercial use.

THE TEACUP Author Unknown

There was a couple who used to go to England to shop in the beautiful stores. They both liked antiques and pottery and especially teacups. This was their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.

One day in this beautiful shop they saw a beautiful teacup. They said, "May we see that? We've never seen one quiet so beautiful." As the lady handed it to them, suddenly the teacup spoke, "You don't understand," it said, "I haven't always been a teacup."

"There was a time when I was red and I was clay. My master took me and rolled me and patted me over and over and I yelled out, 'Let me alone,' but he only smiled, 'Not yet.'

"Then I was placed on a spinning wheel," the teacup said, "and suddenly I was spun around and around and around. 'Stop it! I'm getting dizzy!' I screamed. But the master only nodded and said, 'Not yet.'

"Then he put me in the oven. I never felt such heat. I wondered why he wanted to burn me, and I yelled and knocked at the door. I could see him through the opening and I could read his lips, as he shook his head, 'Not yet!'

"Finally the door opened, he put me on the shelf, and I began to cool. 'There that's better,' I said. And he brushed and painted me all over. The fumes were horrible; I thought I would gag. 'Stop it, stop it!' I cried. He only nodded, 'Not yet.'

"Then suddenly he put me back into the oven, not like the first one. This was twice as hot and I knew I would suffocate. I begged. I pleaded, I screamed. I cried. All the time I could see him through the opening nodding his head saying, 'Not yet!'

"Then I knew there wasn't any hope. I would never make it. I was ready to give up. But the door opened and he took me out and placed me on the shelf. One hour later he handed me a mirror and said, 'Look at yourself.' And I did. I said, 'That's not me; that couldn't be me.
It's beautiful. I'm beautiful.'

"'I want you to remember, then,' he said, 'I know it hurts to be rolled and patted, but if I had left you alone, you'd have dried up. I know it made you dizzy to spin around on the wheel, but if I had stopped, you would have crumbled. I knew it was hot and disagreeable in the oven, but if I hadn't put you there, you would have cracked.

"'I know the fumes were bad when I brushed and painted you all over, but if I hadn't done that, you never would have hardened; you would not have had any color in your life. And if I hadn't put you back in the second oven, you wouldn't survive for very long because the hardness would not have held.

"'Now you are a finished product. You are what I had in mind when I first began you.'"

Jeremiah 18:6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel."

IT IS ALL IN THE RESUMES Author Unknown

TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph
The Woodcrafter' s Carpenter Shop
Nazareth 25922

FROM: Jordan Management Consultants
Jerusalem 26544

RE: Personnel Evaluations

Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests, and we have not only run the results through our computers, but also arranged personal interviews for each
of them with our psychologist and vocation aptitude consultant. It is the opinion of the staff that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capacity. We have summarized the findings of our study below:

Simon Peter is emotional, unstable and given to fits of temper.

Andrew has absolutely no quality of leadership.

The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interests above Company loyalty.

Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale.

We believe it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau.

James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddeus, definitely have radical leanings. Additionally, they both registered high scores on the manic depressive scale.

However, one of the candidates shows great potential. He's a man of ability and resourcefulness; he is a great networker; has a keen business mind; and has strong contacts in influential circles. He's highly motivated, very ambitious and adept with financial matters. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your Controller and Chief Operating Officer.

All the other profiles are self-explanatory. We wish you the utmost success in your new venture.

What if Jesus had chosen the twelve based on the modern methods of leadership selection? Most of them would have never had a chance to participate. Jesus chooses people not for who they are, but for what they can become in Him. Aren't you glad that when Jesus looked at you, He didn't take you for what you were (a sinner); but He took you for what you could be? Jesus sees the potential in all of us, and has called us to be disciples. Jesus is still saying, "Follow Me!"

TOMORROW 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.

A GOOD STRETCH Author Unknown

My strength is made perfect in weakness. — 2 Corinthians 12:9

Physical therapy is a painful necessity after knee-replacement surgery. Part of my routine involved my therapist pulling my knee back into a bent position and holding it taut. "Good stretch?" Mason would ask encouragingly. "No," I winced, "not that good!"

I soon learned, however, how important it is to stretch one's muscles and joints — sometimes causing discomfort — to gain full range of motion.

That wasn't the first time I've been "stretched" outside my comfort zone. God has sometimes urged me to share my faith with someone I didn't know very well, or to give an offering that was far beyond what I usually give or to confront someone about a situation.

Abraham's life illustrates the importance of faith when God asks us to move beyond our comfort zone. "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called . . . He went out, not knowing where he was going" (Heb. 11:8).

While we stretch our spiritual muscles, we may feel discomfort. But God assures us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). Our adequacy — our sufficiency — is found in Him (3:5).

When you boldly step out in faith and obedience to God, you may be surprised at how a "good stretch" can strengthen your spiritual life! — Cindy Hess Kasper

To stretch our faith, to take the risk,

God says we will succeed

If we but ask Him for the strength And grace that we will need. — D. De Haan

GLIMPSES THROUGH LIFE'S WINDOWS Author Unknown

"The Changed Cross" is a poem that tells of a weary woman who taught that the cross she must bear surely was heavier than those of other people, so she wished she could choose another person's instead. When she went to sleep, she dreamed she was taken to a place where there were many different crosses from which to choose. There were various shapes and sizes, but the most beautiful one was covered with jewels and gold. "This I could wear with comfort," she said. So she picked it up, but her weak body staggered beneath its weight. The jewels and gold were beautiful, yet they were much too heavy for her to carry.

The next cross she noticed was quite lovely, with beautiful flowers entwined around its sculptured form. Surely this was the one for her. She lifted it, but beneath the flowers were large thorns that pierced and tore her skin.

Finally she came to a plain cross without jewels or any carvings and with only a few words of love inscribed on it. When she picked it up, it proved to be better than all the rest, and the easiest to carry. And as she looked at it, she noticed it was bathed in a radiance that fell from heaven. Then she recognized it as her own old cross. She had found it once again, and it was the best of all, and the lightest for her.

You see, God knows best what cross we need to bear, and we never know how heavy someone else's cross may be. We envy someone who is rich, with a cross of gold adorned with jewels, but we do not know how heavy it is. We looked at someone whose life seems so easy and who carries a cross covered with flowers. Yet if we could actually test all the crosses we think are lighter than ours, we would never find one better suited for us than our own.

ROUGH WATERS By Sally I. Kennedy

He..rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. Luke 8:25

Recently my husband was in Marathon, ‘the heart of the beautiful Florida Keys’, for a fishing trip with some guys. He said it was windy and really rough out. I could picture the boat getting slammed with the waves. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t have even left the dock in this kind of weather, but the men were only there a brief time (so they ‘had to do it’).

According to my husband, an experienced fisherman, calm waters are usually close in to shore, near the land which protects it. The rougher waters are out farther, in between the shallow and the deep, over the reefs. The depth of the water, however, isn’t what matters in how rough it is. Interestingly, more fish are usually caught in these rougher waters.

This particular day they were offshore about nine miles. The men got a banner catch that day, a bull dolphin and some schoolies. A marlin even took the bait, which is rare for this time of year.

I doubt anyone wants to get banged up and bruised from the ‘rough waters’ we all encounter in life. Nor be nervous, or afraid, to say nothing of perhaps not being able to ‘fish’.

The rough waters we have can be calmed by the protective shore of Jesus, who is always there. He spoke to the elements in nature, and they obeyed. He can also speak to our hearts, and supernatural calm can replace our rough waters.

That is good news.

WHY GOD GAVE US FRIENDS Author Unknown

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

TRAPPED By Sally I. Kennedy

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4) Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:5) To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life. (Revelation 2:7)

It was irresistable. Too warm and sunny, too lovely an afternoon to not take a few minutes to sit outside on the back porch where we were staying. I moved the rocker over to get a better view of the moss-covered towering oaks.

A cat crawled into a space under the house. Bees busied themselves around a clematis vine. I heard a faint buzzing. Another mosquito? Thought I'd cleared out the corner of the porch of those pesky critters.

The hum persisted. Turning around, I spied a glint of green. Near the sliding door was a glass bottle. It looked antique-y. The glass stopper had a green bee, or fly perched on top.

I picked it up, an saw that there were legs about ½ inch high to keep the bottle barely off the ground. It also had a fake bottom - a large hole with a lip around the inside of it. Inside were a couple dead flies, and another flying frantically around the top trying to get out.

Apparently the insects entered from underneath. They could leave the same way they came in, but it looked as if for some reason they didn't do that. They would continue towards the stopper, which was a dead end.

Sometimes we feeled trapped. We try and escape pressures of the world, panic or just give up from the stress, yet sometimes the way out is available. Jesus overcame the world and all its trappings (John 16:33) and He has told us that we can too.

We are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37). Our Saviour rose from the dead and transcended circumstances; we can too b/c our lives are hidden IN Him (Colossians 3:1-3).

Let's start living out the truth, above our circumstances. We are not trapped. We are more than conquerors in Him who gave His life for us and saved us.

This is good news!

CHANGE By Sally I. Kennedy

"I am the Lord, I change not". Malachi 3:6

Standing in the "family photo hall", it was fun showing the kids pictures of their mom when she was a teenager. I asked them to guess at who some of the others were, aunts and uncles, cousins. I showed them my grandma in her first bathing suit ( a long one-piece, wool) and my mom driving her first car ( a model-T). They were intently trying to put all of this together, when we came to what looks like another old-timey photograph. I've always loved this picture of Ben and me, taken not long after we were married at the county fairgrounds. It was at a booth where they provide the costumes of your choice.

The five year old was excited because he knew that he knew who that was. He planted his feet firmly, and with great confidence, stated, "It's George Washington!"

I laughed so hard I almost fell over. Then I realized of course they had never seen their grandpa when his hair was brown, and he'd changed. Oh boy, have we changed. Looking through the hall montage renewed that reality! I laughed again, thinking, "No wonder they don't recognize who these people are in earlier photos!"

Later I was telling my husband about it, and I got to thinking, change is part of life. Everything and everyone is continually and constantly changing in some way.

Except God, and His unchanging Word. He is the only constant, consistent, unchanging holy One.

In the first chapter of James, the Word says, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Thomas Chisholm, who penned the words for the wonderful hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness *, was born in a log cabin in Kentucky. The song "was simply the result of the author's morning by morning realization of God's personal faithfulness" . Great is Thy faithfulness, oh God, my Father; there is no shadow of turning with thee. Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not. As Thou has been, Thou forever will be.

"He is the living God, and he will endure forever." (Daniel 6:26). Yes, there is no turning, no changing with the Lord God. He is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

That is good news.

WHAT HAPPENS IN HEAVEN Author Unknown

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received."

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them."

I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the acknowledgment Section," my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed "How is it that? There's no work going on here?" I asked.

"So sad," the angel sighed. "After people receive the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments.

"How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked.

"Simple," the angel answered. "Just say, "Thank you, Lord."

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. "If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

"And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity."

Also ....

"If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day.

"If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation .. you are ahead of 700 million people in the world.

"If you can attend a church meeting without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world.

"If your parents are still alive and still married . you are very rare.

If you can hold your head up and smile, you are not the norm, you're unique to all those in doubt and despair."

OK, what now? How can I start?

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings, and if you want, pass this along to remind everyone else how blessed we all are.

Attn: Acknowledge Dept.: Thank You Lord! "Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with."

LIFE'S STORM Author Unknown

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: Fasten Your Seat Belts. Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.

Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke ..

The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as if it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw our plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all l known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don't worry!

IMPOSSIBLE By Sally I. Kennedy

“For nothing is impossible with God." Luke 1:37

Kids were climbing all over the large half-grapefruit. Others were swarming onto the waffles with butter and sticky syrup. Starfruit, kiwi, and orange slices garnished the ‘plate’. A bunch of children climbing on fruit and waffles. Impossible. Impossible! Unless, of course, it is a play area with equipment created to look edible.

It’s true that ‘nothing is as it seems’, and ‘there’s always a bigger picture’. Recently I’ve heard many stories from and about persons who are in ‘impossible’ situations, all different kinds.

If you happen to fall into that category today, or you know someone who does, it’s good to remember the Hope of a great God-promise, that’s given twice in the book of Luke. The Message says, "No chance at all," Jesus said, "if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it." (Luke 18:27)

No matter what things look like, you and God are an overwhelming majority. And nothing is impossible with God.

That is good news.

GOD SAID Author Unknown

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I'm a Healer?

If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that I'm a Deliverer?

If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?

If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I'm a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I'm forgiving?

If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?

If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?

If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?

If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went through?

If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?

If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?

If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?

If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?

THANK YOU, GOD!

SHELL SEEKERS By Marion Smith

The tide rolled back early that morning. As the waves receded into the deep, they left a fresh array of shells on the newly exposed beach. The display was plentiful, and the "shell seekers" were out in force. These are the people who collect shells;and they were ready to “check out” this new array of shells. They searched the sand...heads bent... looking for new shells to add to their collection.They were intent on the task at hand, and did not let other surrounding events distract them. They would gather their finds in a baggie or pail, and return to their homes after they were satisfied with their finds.

Getting into God’s Word should be just like that for the Christian. We should wake up after a refreshing nights’ sleep and be willing to search the beaches of Gods Word, looking for something new or reinforcement of some previous truths we have gleaned.We should be intent on our quest and not be distracted by phone calls, daily duties or wandering of the mind. We can gather the insights from God and store them in our mind and heart, ready to use them when needed. No, they will not be on display as some shells are on coffee tables or nic nak shelves, but they will be readily seen through the actions of our lives.

It is not always possible for us to go “gathering” early in the morning, but when we are, God’s prizes are there for the taking.

CLOSE YOUR EYES Author Unknown

I recently took my mother-in-law to the orthopedic surgeon for an examination. One of the tests was for her to shut her eyes and try to walk a few steps. She was aware her balance was off, but she did as the doctor asked, anyway. She knew that he was asking her to do something important, and she had confidence that he would catch her when she began to sway and fall.

Do we act with the same trust and faith in God as she had done with the doctor? When He asks us to do something we know will be uncomfortable or scary, am we obedient? Do we have faith that He will be there to catch us? That He will not let us fall flat on our faces? That His everlasting arms are big enough to hold us through the
frightening times of life?

I pray we would have that type of an obedient spirit, and have that much faith. God tells us in the Bible He will never leave or forsake us - and His promises are true! He has proved them over and over to us, time and again throughout the ages as well as with me on a personal level. Thank you, dear Lord, for you promises. Especially the one that says you will always be with us.

A TRICK Author Unknown

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.'"

ARTIST'S TOUCH By Marion Smith

Genesis 1:26 And God said "Let us make humankind in our image

In April,1999, my daughters and I had the marvelous opportunity to fly to Paris for one week. We took a day trip to Montmarte, France where we visited the Basilica du Sacre Cour and then purchased some art work.

The artists were side by side in the town square, stroking their canvases with great intent and also selling their finished paintings. I was intrigued as I watched one artist working at his easel. He would take a dab of this color, then that color, and apply them to the canvas. He would blend moist paints on the canvas and then paint harsh looking lines here and there. Next he would stroke some soft, but long strokes, sweeping them across the picture with a great flair. He would stand back, viewing the canvas from his own perspective. He would see what was needed for his creation. If he saw something unappealing he would just paint right over it with another color-
obliterating it completely!

God is our master artist. We are the canvas. He brings light and beautiful color into our existence, with strokes of His love. He is the one creating a masterpiece of art in our lives. He is making us into the image of his beautiful and sinless son, and I am thankful. He touches us with dabs of color-allowing us to enjoy each one and then blending them into happy memories. We have joyful experiences, His abiding love, and His open invitation to a relationship with Him. He also draws straight lines for us to follow – His way - the way of truth and light. He blends our talents with those of other believers to work together as the “Body of Christ.”

Shadows may appear on our lives, just as they do on the artists’ canvas. They can vary from small sadness’ to times of overwhelming grief or fear. God’s master hand is upon us at these times also.

The most wonderful thing God does is to “paint over” or whitewash all our sins. They become completely obliterated. The wrongs we’ve done and other grievances we have committed against God - He is ready, willing and able to wash all of them out of His mighty sight when we ask Jesus to forgive our sins. Isn’t that the most wonderful news?

I am so thankful I am the canvas and God is the artist in my life. I know He will keep working on “this piece of art” until the day I am called home to be with Him eternally. Only then will my painting be perfected- better than a Monet or Van Gough - ready to be framed and presented to the king of kings!

MEMO FROM GOD Author Unknown

I am God. Today I will be handling all of your problems. Please remember that I do not need your help. If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do not attempt to resolve it. Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. It will be addressed in My time, not
yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold on to it or remove it. Holding on or removal will delay the resolution of your problem. If it is a situation that you think you are capable of handling, please consult me in prayer to be sure that it is the proper resolution. Because I do not sleep nor do I slumber, there is no need for you to lose any sleep. Rest my child. If you need to contact me, I am only a prayer away.

Be happy with what you have:

Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed to lie in.

Should you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair: There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work, think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone badly, think of the person who has never known what it's like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking, "What is my purpose?", be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember: things could be worse. You could be them!

LETTER IN THE NIGHT Author Unknown

One day a woman named Louise fell asleep in her bed and dreamed a very fitful dream. She dreamed that someone in Hell wrote a letter to her, and it was to be delivered to her by a messenger.

The messenger passed between the lakes of burning fire and brimstone that occupies Hell and found his way to the door that would lead him to the outside world.

Louise dreamed that the messenger walked to her house, came inside, and gently but firmly woke Louise. He gave her the message, saying only that a friend had written it to her from Hell.

Louise, in her dream with trembling hands, took the letter and read:

My Friend,
I stand in Judgment now,
And feel that you're to blame somehow.
Never did you point the way.
You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim;
You could have led me safe to Him.
Though we lived together on the earth,
You never told me of the second birth,
And now I stand this day condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.
You taught me many things, that's true.
I called you "friend" and trusted you,
But I learn now that it's too late,
You could have kept me from this fate.
We walked by day and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the Light.
You let me live, and love, and die,
You knew I'd never live on high.
Yes, I called you "friend" in life,
And trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet on coming to the end,
I cannot, now, call you "My Friend."
Marsha

After reading the letter, Louise awoke. The dream was still so real in her mind and sweat dropped from her body in pools. She swore she could still smell the acrid smell of brimstone and smoke from her room.

As she contemplated the meaning of her dream, she realized that as a Christian, she had failed in her duty to "go out to all the world and preach the gospel." As she thought of that, she promised herself that the next day, she would call Marsha and invite her to church with her.

The next morning she called Marsha, and this was the conversation:

"Hello Bill, is Marsha there?"

"Louise, you don't know?"

"No, Bill, know what?"

"Marsha WAS KILLED LAST NIGHT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I thought you knew."

Fellow Christian, is this your testimony? Are you witnessing to your friends that you are with everyday? Or will there be friends of yours in Hell, asking you why you did not tell them about JESUS?

As your friend. . .

If you don't know Jesus, here's how:

If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 - 10)

If you have not done so, just pray this prayer:

"Dear God, I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is your son and that He died on the cross for my sins. Jesus, forgive me of my sins and come into my heart and become my personal Lord and Savior. In Jesus's name, Amen."

BUBBLE LIGHTS By Marion Smith

Have you ever seen bubble lights on a Christmas tree? This year we placed bubble lights on ours. How I enjoy watching the bubbles go up the glass tube, each color making its own joyful statement! The dictionary defines the word joy as "glad feeling or happiness", and that is how I respond when those lights work as they were intend to. Funny that those little tubes of colored fluid, with the bubbles surging through them, can bring out a feeling of happiness within me, but the truth is- they do. They just put a song in my heart and a smile on my face! Joy is an inner celebration that God loves us. Nothing on the outside can change that fact, and I believe true joy finds its source in Christ. The Bible speaks of joy in many places. Psalm 100 says to "shout for joy." And each place in Scripture which refers to dancing has to do with rejoicing- Ps. 30;11, Luke 15:25, 2 Samuel 2:14,16 and Psalm 149:3.

Next time you see bubble lights (it will probably be around Christmastime! ) watch them jump for joy ! Those little bubbles will bring a touch of joy to your life, and maybe remind you that Psalm 16:11 says, "In Your (God's) presence is fullness of joy".

THE LAME AND THE STRAGGLER By Sally I. Kennedy

It was morning, still early enough for there to be little traffic on our street. From the kitchen window, I spied a dramatic sight. A flock of ibis were touring for food. Our grass must have tasty bugs; they busily absorbed themselves with their meal.

Their slender stork-like legs are so graceful. One bird seemed to be balleting through breakfast; a leg was held out continually. Actually it was dangling, I then noticed, obviously broken or perhaps the ibis was lame, perhaps hurt. This didn’t deter him from hanging right in there with the group. He pretty much kept up with the rest of the company.

The straggler was out in the street, while the rest were diving and pecking into the lawn. Then he was off by himself toward the front, as they headed out to the next spot. He was with the crowd, yet he was on the fringes.

I don’t know much about bird behavior, but perhaps these beautiful birds stick together for a reason. We need each other; no man’s an island.

We need each other, and we need God. The Bible says, “Love God, and love others.” (Matt.22) How simple; how perfect.

Lord, thank You for the thoughts and words You brought to mind today through your creations in nature. Help me be aware of You in everything, Lord, and to have a grateful heart for loving You, and loving others. In Jesus’ name, amen.