Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

Merry Christmas Everyone...
Luke 2 The Birth of Jesus
1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

The True Meaning Of Christmas

Jesus Christ was born this day
So many years before
He came a servant to the lost
Though he was Lord of Lords

We celebrate this joyous time
Reflecting on His birth
Not born in a mansion, but a stable
As if He had no worth

He came so He could identify
With the human heart of man
And gave His life as a sacrifice
Offering a better plan

A plan that reconciles us back
To our loving Father God
Bringing hope and redemption from
Sins ruling iron rod

For this is the only reason that we
Should celebrate this day
To become focused on anything else
Would take the meaning away

So let’s arise with joy in our hearts
And share it with everyone
The meaning of Christmas will always be
The birth of Jesus – God’s son

© By M.S.Lowndes

Christmas...

10 Relationship Tips
for the Holidays
by Pam Farrel

C – Center your heart on the deeper meaning of the holidays. This will help everyone become easier to get along with because the heart of the holiday will remain intact.

H – Hear what your friends and family are voicing as their stress, and listen carefully to them—a gift that will lower their stress.

R – Reach out as a family to help others in order to keep the proper perspective on what is really important in life.

I – Invest in memories, not material goods. Make time for family baking, tree decorating, or board games.

S – Speak your love in words. The best gift you can give is for a person to hear their value and worth from your lips.

T – Take time for romance. The greatest gift you can give your children is a happy marriage.

M – Make time to reach out to extended family. Visit or call grandparents, aunts, and uncles.

A – Assume nothing; ask those who are celebrating with you what their expectations are, and communicate the plan clearly so people feel informed.

S – Stay flexible. Don’t be a Christmas boss, ordering family around. Instead slow the pace, gather consensus, and give options so that you create an environment of connecting and sharing.

Excerpted from Simplify Your Holidays © 2008 Marcia Ramsland. Published in Nashville, Tennessee by Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

I'll Be There...

Out of the Darkness

If your life has been affected by suicide, please consider making a donation. Copy and Paste the link below.


http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.home

Colored People

Colored People
by DC Talk

Pardon me, your epidermis is showing, sir
I couldn't help but note your shade of melanin
I tip my hat to the colorful arrangement
Cause I see the beauty in the tones of our skin

We've gotta come together
And thank the Maker of us all

CHORUS:
We're colored people, and we live in a tainted place
We're colored people, and they call us the human race
We've got a history so full of mistakes
And we are colored people who depend on a Holy Grace

A piece of canvas is only the beginning for
It takes on character with every loving stroke
This thing of beauty is the passion of an Artist's heart
By God's design, we are a skin kaleidoscope

We've gotta come together,
Aren't we all human after all?

[CHORUS]

Ignorance has wronged some races
And vengeance is the Lord's
If we aspire to share this space
Repentance is the cure

Well, just a day in the shoes of a color blind man
Should make it easy for you to see
That these diverse tones do more than cover our bones
As a part of our anatomy

We're colored people, and they call us the human race
We're colored people, and we all gotta share this space
We're colored people, and we live in a tainted world
We're colored people, every man, woman, boy, and girl

Word of God Speak...

Children

"Children are one third of our population and all of our future." ~ Select Panel for the Promotion of Child Health, 1981.



Last week while conferencing neglect & abuse cases at juvenile Ct, I was asked by a friend "Why are you out here doing this? You are so busy & have a lot to do, can't someone cover this for you?" My answer was simply "Because it's that important." Our children ARE our future. Please invest in them. If you see a child in need, please don't be afraid to reach out. You may be just the help they need. ~ Monica Meredith Robinson

Beauty Tips

BEAUTY TIPS
(Encouragement for true beauty)
by Audrey Hepburn






For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
Walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
People, even more than things, have to be restored,
renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed.
Never throw out anybody. Remember: if you ever need a helping hand,
you’ll find one at the end of your arm.
As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands.
One for helping yourself, the other for helping others.

http://www.howtoencourage.com/article_inspiring_stories.html

Music of My Heart

1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.



Music Of My Heart -
by Nicole C Mullins






I'm not ashamed to tell the whole world,
Without you, I'm nothing at all,
That I have strings in need of mending
I'm not in tune in certain parts
So strum the chord to mercy
Restore my soul completely
Lay your hand upon me
And this instrument will breathe

[Chorus]
'Cause you're the music of my heart
The melody within my soul
The song that holds me in the dark
The fire that warms me when I'm cold
The symphony that calms my fear
The lyric that I long to hear
The masterpiece, the work of art
Complete before I start
The music of my heart

Creator of all that is lovely,
Write a tune upon my heart
And when you finish will you play me
Like a beautiful guitar?
Strum the chords of mercy
Restore my soul completely
Bring life unto me
And this instrument will sing

[Repeat Chorus]

Every single light's full of love divine
Write me like a valentine

[Repeat Chorus]

The music of my heart

Confucious

Confucius was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher, whose teachings and philosophy have deeply influenced Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Taiwanese and Vietnamese thought and life. His philosophy emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity. This list looks at some of his greatest quotations – all of which are as applicable to us today as they were when he wrote them in the fourth century BC.




1. Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.

2. Ignorance is the night of the mind, but a night without moon and star.

3. It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.

4. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in getting up every time we do.

5. What the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.



6. They must often change who would be constant in happiness or wisdom.

7. I am not one who was born in the possession of knowledge; I am one who is fond of antiquity, and earnest in seeking it there.

8. If a man takes no thought about what is distant, he will find sorrow near at hand.

9. Learning without thought is labor lost; thought without learning is perilous.

10. Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.



11. The cautious seldom err.

12. The superior man cannot be known in little matters, but he may be entrusted with great concerns. The small man may not be entrusted with great concerns, but he may be known in little matters.

13. The superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions.

14. Things that are done, it is needless to speak about…things that are past, it is needless to blame.

15. Virtue is not left to stand alone. He who practices it will have neighbors.



16. What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.

17. When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it – this is knowledge.

18. With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow – I have still joy in the midst of these things. Riches and honors acquired by unrighteousness are to me as a floating cloud.

19. Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established.

20. To go beyond is as wrong as to fall short.

reference - http://listverse.com/2009/02/27/top-20-wise-quotes-of-confucius/

Pressure Cooker

by Nicole Johnson - Women of Faith

My grandmother’s pressure cooker rattled and sputtered on the stove like a steaming spitting monster and I was afraid of it. For good reason, I was told. My grandmother wanted to be sure I wouldn’t get too close to it, but there wasn’t much chance of that. I always gave that pot a wide berth, going out of my way to stay away from its strange rattling and spewing. While I loved the green beans that came out of it, saturated with the flavor of onion and bacon, I wasn’t crazy about the pot.

My mother never used a pressure cooker, so I never had a chance to reevaluate my relationship with the strange, unpredictable, dangerous thing. I thought pressure cookers to be outdated as a mode of cooking, long ago giving way to more conventional methods of steaming and microwaving. In fact, if you’re younger than me, which now more than half the population is (I don’t know this to be fact at all but so it seems) you might not even know what a pressure cooker is.

Well. . .they are still out there. (Jaws music is playing in my head)

But they have come a long way, baby. They no longer throw off those sweaty boiling tears as they cook, and they have become much more well-behaved, even sophisticated and quiet. I know this because I recently looked up my old enemy.


Pressure Cooker

When liquid inside the pot boils, it is trapped inside the pot. Having no release, the steam builds up pressure. The pressure of the trapped steam creates the PSI or pound of force per square inch, which all pressure cookers use to do their job. The pressure cooker works alone, but fast. Very efficient, it can take a pot full of meat or vegetables and get them cooked in no time, but what goes on inside the pot still seems a little unpredictable and dangerous.

This is like my life. Some women are crock-pots; some women are traditional stove top soup pots… I am a pressure cooker. I work alone and I’m quite efficient, but I build up a lot of steam inside on a daily basis. Left unattended, it’s possible I can explode (or break down in tears)—leaving the remains of whatever was in the pot on the walls, in the corners and on the ceiling of the kitchen. Oopsie. So I have to watch my life carefully, like that old, dangerous pot: I can’t overfill it, or let it get too hot, and I have to make sure nothing is blocking the release valve that lets the steam escape in healthy ways.

Laughter is one of the good release valves on my pressure cooker, and I value it immensely. Time spent with God, reading and in prayer, keeps my life from getting too hot. I have to work to keep my priorities simple or I find I have overfilled my pot.

Lord, give us wisdom to manage the pressure in our lives. Show us how to keep from exploding or boiling over or turning everything on the inside into mush.

Dinner is ready!

International Day of Peace, September 21

"Peace is one of humanity's most precious needs. It is also the United Nations' highest calling." ~ U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon




The International Day of Peace ("Peace Day") provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date. It was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981 to coincide with the opening of the General Assembly. The first Peace Day was celebrated in September 1982.

In 2002 the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.

Since its inception, Peace Day has marked our personal and planetary progress toward peace. It has grown to include millions of people in all parts of the world, and each year events are organized to commemorate and celebrate this day. Events range in scale from private gatherings to public concerts and forums where hundreds of thousands of people participate.

Anyone, anywhere can celebrate Peace Day. It can be as simple as lighting a candle at noon, or just sitting in silent meditation. Or it can involve getting your co-workers, organization, community or government engaged in a large event. The impact if millions of people in all parts of the world, coming together for one day of peace, is immense.

International Day of Peace is also a Day of Ceasefire – personal or political. Take this opportunity to make peace in your own relationships as well as impact the larger conflicts of our time. Imagine what a whole Day of Ceasefire would mean to humankind.

CHECK OUT - http://internationaldayofpeace.org/about/background.html

Humility...

"I claim to be a simple individual liable to err like any other fellow mortal. I own, however, that I have humility enough to confess my errors and to retrace my steps." ~ Mohandas Gandhi




Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...




photo - http://en.bestpicturesof.com

A Modern View of the 23 Psalm

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!
I shall not want = That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!
For His name sake = That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's Testing!
I will fear no evil = That's Protection!
For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing !
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!
Forever = That's Eternity!

Face it, the Lord is crazy about you.

We will never forget...

I cannot believe that the purpose of life is to be "happy." I think the purpose of life is to be useful, to be responsible, to be compassionate. It is, above all, to matter and to count, to stand for something, to have made some difference that you lived at all. ~ - Leo C. Rosten

As I read this quote, I think of all the police officers and fire fighters that gave the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11/01... they made a difference with their lives.
To all the people that placed American flags on their homes in the aftermath of that horrific day... they stood for something.
To all the innocent victims that had no idea what that day held in store for them... the world had compassion.



We will never forget.

Perception...

THE SITUATION




In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.


About 4 minutes later:

The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

At 6 minutes:

A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

At 10 minutes:

A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.

At 45 minutes:

The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

After 1 hour:

He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.


No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C. Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

This experiment raised several questions:

*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?

*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?

*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?


One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . ..

How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?



Enjoy life NOW .. It has an expiration date

Freedom to Dance and Sing

"May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us." ~ Mother Teresa



1 Corinthians 12 - Concerning Spiritual Gifts
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

My House

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself."
— C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)





photos - http://www.pbase.com/ricspix/image/6446130 & http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_Neuschwanstein.jpg

Strength

"When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn."

-Harriet Beecher Stowe

from http://www.beliefnet.com

The Sound of Silence

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls. ~ Mother Teresa

The Goat

I took my granddaughter to Henry's Ark today. Henry's Ark is a huge animal rescue facility that the owners operate as a petting zoo. It is wonderful!

Anyway, while we were there today, we happened on a pregnant goat. We fed her quite a bit. However, whenever we tried to feed the other animals - bunny rabbits, geese, ducks, sheep, turkeys, emus, etc - this little goat kept biting me to bring my attention back to her. I fussed at her.



My granddaughter wanted to know why this goat was being so mean. I told her that she was pregnant and that she was really hungry because of it. Well, she turned around and looked in my eyes and said, "You better tell her you're sorry!" Tell HER I'm sorry - she's been biting me for the last half hour!

My granddaughter explained to me that I shouldn't have fussed at the goat if she was only being mean because she was hungry. Hmmm... Wise beyond her years, I think.

So often we fuss at people without knowing their story. Maybe if we took a little time to find out what makes people "cranky", we would be more accepting of them.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. ~ Matthew 7:12

GRACE and MERCY

"MERCY is not getting what you deserve and GRACE is getting what you don't deserve."
~ Pastor Deke Rigor
08/27/11 Sermon
Shepherdsville Christian Church
Saturday Night Contemporary Service




photo - http://media.photobucket.com/image/grace%20of%20god/knightjuliet/WInd.jpg?o=11

I Will Stand by You...

I know a lot of songs are written for the secular world, but I like to take a slant on them and find the spiritual meaning to them. This one for instance by Rascal Flatts...

I Won't Let Go

It’s like a storm
That cuts a path
It breaks your will
It feels like that
You think you're lost
But you're not lost
On your own
You're not alone

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go



It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh, it finds us all
But we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh, but when it rains

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let you fall



Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I won't let you down
It won't get you down
You're gonna make it
Yeah, I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I won't let go



Oh I’m gonna hold you
And I won't let go
Won't let you go
No, I won't

Comfort

"When I'm near the end of my rope... when I feel I can't take another breath... when I can't stop the tears, I turn to my Lord for comfort."




Psalm 145:18 (NIV)
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.


photo - http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/teardrop.html

Show'em What Your WORTH

Firework - Cast of GLEE

Do you ever feel like a plastic bag
Drifting through the wind wanting to start again?
Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards, one blow from caving in?
Do you ever feel already buried deep?
6 feet under screams but no one seems to hear a thing
Do you know that there's still a chance for you
'Cause there's a spark in you

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July



'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe




You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow
Maybe your reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will glow
And when it's time, you'll know

You just gotta ignite, the light, and let it shine
Just own the night like the 4th of July



'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe



Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through

'Cause baby you're a firework
Come on, show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby, you're a firework
Come on, let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, Oh, Oh"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe, awe, awe



Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

Venting...

Have you ever heard of the following stress relief technique?

If someone makes you super mad or hurts your feelings really bad, you should write them a letter telling them exactly how you feel - not worrying about hurting their feelings - BUT throw the letter away instead of MAILING IT!

I've done this, and it really does make you feel better!

The reason I bring this up is because I heard a song the other day on the radio by Taylor Swift called "MEAN". (I don't think she got the memo on throwing the letter away instead of mailing it!) Anyway, it made me remember the above technique and I just wanted to share it with you. Hopefully, it can become a stress-reliever for you, too.

And, just in case you're curious. Here's the song...



"Mean" by Taylor Swift

You, with your words like knives
And swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again
Got me feeling like a nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard
Calling me out when I'm wounded
You picking on the weaker man

Well you can take me down with just one single blow
but you don't know, what you don't know...

Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides
And your wildfire lies and your humiliation
You have pointed out my flaws again
As if I don't already see them
I walk with my head down
Trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again

I bet you got pushed around
Somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now
Cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know, what you don't know...

Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar
Talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion
But nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing
But all you are is mean

All you are is mean
And a liar, and pathetic, and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean

But someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean, yeah yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

Someday I'll be living in a big ol' city
And all you're ever going to be is mean, yeah yeah
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever going to be is mean
Why you gotta be so mean?

Turn on the Light

It doesn't matter how long we may have been stuck in a sense of our limitations. If we go into a darkened room and turn on the light, it doesn't matter if the room has been dark for a day, a week, or ten thousand years -- we turn on the light and it is illuminated. Once we control our capacity for love and happiness, the light has been turned on. - Sharon Salzberg

Change

Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be. ~ John Wooden

Two by Two

Matthew 6:7Then he called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two with power over evil spirits. 8He told them, "You may take along a walking stick. But don't carry food or a traveling bag or any money. 9It's all right to wear sandals, but don't take along a change of clothes.



Imagine having so much faith in God that you leave on your journey with nothing but "the shirt on your back"! Sometimes we are afraid to go out on a limb for God because we don't think we can do what is required of us. But, if we are to be honest with ourselves, when we don't follow-through with God's plan for us, we are limiting Him, not us. If God leads us on a journey, He will give us the ability to fulfill the obligation.

So, don't be afraid to pursue new and unfamiliar adventures. God will be with you every step of the way.

Charity...

"Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead."
— Mother Teresa (A Simple Path: Mother Teresa)



I'm sure there are a lot of wonderful charities in your area. The following are great organizations in my county and surrounding counties:

The Shepherd's Shelter Inc - http://www.shepherdsshelter.org
Hope for Pets Inc - http://www.hopeforpets.org
Ronald McDonald House - http://www.rmhc.org
Home of the Innocents - http://www.homeoftheinnocents.org
Citizens Foster Care Review Board - Kentucky Cabinet


It fulfills me to volunteer with several of these places - along with my home church. I hope you take an opportunity to enrich your life with a charity close to your home.

Philippians 2:1-4
If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

Jesus Loves the Little Children

Jesus calls the children dear,
“Come to me and never fear,
For I love the little children of the world;
I will take you by the hand,
Lead you to the better land,
For I love the little children of the world.”

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.



Jesus is the Shepherd true,
And He’ll always stand by you,
For He loves the little children of the world;
He’s a Savior great and strong,
And He’ll shield you from the wrong,
For He loves the little children of the world.

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.



I am coming, Lord, to Thee,
And Your soldier I will be,
For You love the little children of the world;
And Your cross I’ll always bear,
And for You I’ll do and dare,
For You love the little children of the world.

Jesus died for all the children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in His sight,
Jesus died for all the children of the world.



Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Fruit is Good for the Soul

Am I perfect? Nope, but...

Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)
22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

In other words...

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such there is no law.

If I keep practicing these; I know I will be pleasing God.

Strength

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~Henry S. Haskins



Gather your strength through our Lord, Jesus Christ...
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
So we say with confidence,
“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?”
Hebrew 13:5b-6

You are not alone...

“That's the thing about depression: A human being can survive almost anything, as long as she sees the end in sight. But depression is so insidious, and it compounds daily, that it's impossible to ever see the end. The fog is like a cage without a key.” ~ Elizabeth Wurtzel

Someone very close to me is going through a very dark time right now. I started this blog because of the way depression has changed my life. I know what this person is going through - many other people may not. Mental illness - clinical depression - is real... you cannot snap out of it. A person cannot stop having suicidal thoughts because it's inconvenient.

I am going to take this opportunity to once again post some facts about depression on this site because when I originally put them here I wasn't posting this blog on facebook. My hope is to educate at least one more person about clinical depression.

Depressive disorders affect approximately 18.8 million American adults or about 9.5% of the U.S. population age 18 and older in a given year. This includes major depressive disorder, dysthymic disorder, and bipolar disorder.

The rate of increase of depression among children is an astounding 23%

54% of people believe depression is a personal weakness.

41% of depressed women are too embarrassed to seek help.

80% of depressed people are not currently having any treatment.

92% of depressed African-American males do not seek treatment.

15% of depressed people will commit suicide.

Depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020 -- and studies show depression is a contributory factor to fatal coronary disease.

Depression results in more absenteeism than almost any other physical disorder and costs employers more than US$51 billion per year in absenteeism and lost productivity, not including high medical and pharmaceutical bills.

*All information taken from http://www.upliftprogram.com/depression_stats.html

If you or someone you know is suffering from depression, please know that you are not alone... and please seek help - today.

Change...

Some People Change
by Montgomery Gentry

His old man was a rebel yeller:
Bad boy to the bone.
He'd say: "Can't trust that other fella,"
He'd judge 'em by the tone of their skin.
He was raised to think like his Dad:
Narrow mind full of hate.
On the road to no-where fast,
Till the Grace of God got in the way.
Then he saw the Light an' hit his knees an' cried an' said a prayer:
Rose up a brand new man; left the old one right there.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.

She was born with her mother's habit:
You could say: "It's in her blood."
She hates that she's gotta have it:
As she fills her glass up.
An she'd love to kill that bottle,
But all she can think about,
Is a, a better life, a second chance,
An' everyone she's letting down.
She throws that bottle down.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.

Thank God for those who make it:
Let them be the Light.

Here's to the strong; thanks to the brave.
Don't give up hope: some people change.
Against all odds, against the grain,
Love finds a way: some people change.
Some people change.



Never give up hope... on yourself or anyone else - especially God. There's a different life on the other side of the bridge.

Fishin'

My grandkids and I have recently started walking at night after the sun goes down. (Actually, I walk and they ride in the stroller.) Anyway, it's amazing to me how much I have begun looking forward to these little trips of ours.
My granddaughter is 4 years old - my grandson is 2, and they both pretty much talk non-stop the whole time we are out. It's the THINGS we talk about that make these walks so precious to me. I've learned that my granddaughter has quite a crush on a little boy at daycare, and that my grandson thinks sweat is GROSS!
I hope that the memories we are making are as precious to them as they are to me!




Just Fishin'
by Trace Adkins

I’m lost in her there holdin’ that pink rod and reel
She’s doin’ almost everything but sittin’ still
Talkin’ ‘bout her ballet shoes and training wheels
And her kittens
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

I say, “Daddy loves you, baby” one more time
She says, “I know. I think I got a bite.”
And all this laughin’, cryin, smilin’ dyin’ here inside’s
What I call, livin’

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we could fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She’s already pretty, like her mama is
Gonna drive the boys all crazy
Give her daddy fits
And I better do this every chance I get
‘Cause time is tickin’
(Yeah it is)

And she thinks we’re just fishin’ on the riverside
Throwin’ back what we could fry
Drownin’ worms and killin’ time
Nothin’ too ambitious
She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’

She ain’t even thinkin’ ‘bout
What’s really goin’ on right now
But I guarantee this memory’s a big’in
And she thinks we’re just fishin’
Yeah, aww, she thinks we’re just fishin’
We ain’t only fishin’
(This ain’t about fishin’)

Life is short. Take the time to take your little ones "fishin".

Aesop's Fable

The Father and His Sons

A FATHER had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. When they had done so, he placed the bundle into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it. He next opened the bundle, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon which they broke them easily. He then addressed them in these words: "My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this bundle, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks."



United We Stand - Divided We Fall

16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. - 1 John 3:16-18

FEAR

"Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives. To experience adventure or to be limited by the fear of it." ~ — Judy Blume (Tiger Eyes)

“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

Vacation Bible School

I just spent this past week with a wonderful group of kids at Vacation Bible School. It was amazing! I love being around children and being a part of the process that brings them closer to Jesus. It's a great experience to see their eyes light up when they learn for the first time that they are "priceless" to God!

On Monday we learned about the Egyptians and the Israelites. (Their story is in Exodus.) The following is what the children were taught about each of these groups:

Egyptians
Smart in math and science
Great teachers, schools
Rich
Good soil for farming
Plenty of food
Plants to make paper, baskets, etc

Israelites
Slave
Had to work hard
Lives made bitter
Used by Egyptians

Then we asked the kids which group they would want to belong to? Of course, most wanted to be with the Egyptians... until we told them that the Egyptians worshiped false gods and the Israelites worshiped God.

But how could the Israelites worship God when their lives were so horrible, we asked?



Well, during VBS, we collected money every day for the Joplin, MO tornado victims. On that first day, we asked our class what they were thankful to God for in their lives. Then, we asked them, if they woke up tomorrow morning and a devastating tornado came through our town, would you still have things you would be thankful for to God?

Of course the kids were able to list things like FAMILY, FRIENDS, etc. After we did this exercise, they were able to understand why the Israelites could still be able to love, trust and follow God even in their despair.

What are you thankful for today?


Photo - http://sarabe3.tripod.com/israeliteimages.html

Need or Want?

Remember - The good Lord may not provide us with everything we WANT, but through each of us working together for HIS glory - He supplies us with everything we NEED. Have you been a representative for Christ today?

The Pursuit of Happiness

"The chances are that you have already come to believe that happiness is unattainable. But men have attained it. And they have attained it by realizing that happiness does not spring from the procuring of physical or mental pleasure, but from the development of reason and the adjustment of conduct to principles." ~ How to Live on 24 Hours a Day by Arnold Bennett

Advise for the Slightly Twisted Mind...

I received these gems of advise from a dear friend of mine. I hope you enjoy them...

* Accept the fact 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 something and never see that person again, it was probably worth it..

* Never buy a car you can't push.

* 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.

* 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 make only 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.

I sincerely hope you enjoy all the detours of your life!


Photo - http://www.flickr.com/photos/

All the People...

What if...

What if, when we were growing up, we all had been taught "Jesus Loves the Little Children" the following way? Would the world be a kinder - more accepting - place today?

Jesus loves all the people
Every person in the world
Red and yellow, black and white
Each is precious in His sight
Jesus loves all the people
in the world



We should love all the people
All the people in the world
With our hearts and with our minds
We should each be colorblind
Spreading love to all the people
in the world

It's not too late to teach this version to our children and grandchildren... take the opportunity everyday to spread God's love.

Photo - http://www.desicomments.com/desi/hearts/

Prayer...

"Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts."
— Mother Teresa

Prayer
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

"Near Living"

Did you ever wonder why it takes a "near death" experience (of yours or someone close to you) to make you realize that you are only "near living"? Life can be so rich, so adventurous, so amazing... and, yet, we tend to go day-to-day just existing.

Our pastor had a "near death" experience while on vacation recently. He shared this ordeal with the congregation last Sunday. It moved many of us to change the way we view our lives and how we live them.

I felt compelled to share his message with you...

True Love

"God made the world for the delight of human beings-- if we could see His goodness everywhere, His concern for us, His awareness of our needs: the phone call we've waited for, the ride we are offered, the letter in the mail, just the little things He does for us throughout the day. As we remember and notice His love for us, we just begin to fall in love with Him because He is so busy with us -- you just can't resist Him. I believe there's no such thing as luck in life, it's God's love, it's His."
— Mother Teresa




Matthew 10:30
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

God Bless America

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." ~ Taken from the Declaration of Independence, this sentence has been called "one of the best-known sentences in the English language" and "the most potent and consequential words in American history".*



Happy 235th Birthday America!

*Wikipedia
Photo - http://photobucket.com/images/usa%20flag/

I Saw God Today...

Hopefully my arm will be back to normal in a couple of weeks (from the torn rotator cuff surgery), and I'll be able to type up to speed soon. Until then, I hope you guys are enjoying the stuff that I'm "copying and pasting" to this site...

I Saw God Today Lyrics
Artist(Band):George Strait

Just walked down the street to the coffee shop,
Had to take a break,
I've been by her side for eighteen hours straight,
saw a flower growing in the middle of the sidewalk,
pushing up through the concrete,
Like it was planted right there for me to see,

The flashing lights,
The honking horns,
All seem to fade away,
but in the shadow of the hospital,
at 5:08,
I saw God today

I've been to church,
I've read the book,
I know He's there,
But I don't look,
near as often as I should,

His fingerprints are everywhere,
I just slow down to stop and stare,
open my eyes and then I swear,
I Saw God Today


Saw a couple walking by,
they were holding hands,
and she had that glow,
Ya, I couldn't help,
but I noticed that she was starting to show,
stood there for a minute,
taking in the sky,
lost in that sunset,
a splash of amber melted in to shades of red,

I've been to church,
I've read the book,
I know He's there,
but I don't look,
near as often as I should,

His fingerprints are everywhere,
I just slow down to stop and stare,
open my eyes and man I swear,
I Saw God Today



Got my face pushed up against the nursery glass,
she's sleeping like a rock,
my name on her wrist,
wearing tiny pink socks,
she's got my nose,
she's got her Mama's eyes,
my brand new baby girl,
she's a miracle,
I Saw God Today