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

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.

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!