... Good Friends Are Good Medicine Our news is constantly filled with the reality of death and dying. And each of us, if we live long enough, experiences the loss of persons we loved. Children ages eight through ten were asked what they thought about death, and these are some of their answers:" ... you die, God takes care of you like your mother did when you were alive-only God doesn't yell at you all the time" (Beth, 9)" When you die, they bury you in the ground and your soul goes to heaven, but your body can't go to heaven because it's too ... Good Friends Are Good Medicine Our news is constantly filled with the reality of death and dying. And each of us, if we live long enough, experiences the loss of persons we loved. Children ages eight through ten were asked what they thought about death, and these are some of their answers:" ...

... Ten Reasons to Believe 1. A Public Execution Assured His Death During the Jewish Feast of Passover, Jesus was swept away by an angry crowd into a Roman hall of justice. As He stood before Pilate, the governor of Judea, religious leaders accused Jesus of claiming to be the king of the Jews. ... Jesus ' inner circle defected and betrayed Him, the other apostles ran for their lives. Even Peter, who earlier had insisted that he was ready to die for his teacher, lost heart and denied that he even knew Jesus. But the apostles went through a dramatic change. Within a few weeks, they were ... broke the legs of the two criminals. But when they came to Jesus they did not break His legs, because from experience they knew He was already dead. As a final precaution, however, they thrust a spear into His side. It would take more than resuscitation for Him to ever trouble them again. ...

... as long as I can remember, and I'm kind of set in my ways" Some people ARE afraid of dying. Others are not concerned about their death. but they worry about how they're going to get there. Will illness linger? Or will it be sudden? I can't even guess how or when I ... die, but knowing my life will end has actually helped me to live more passionately. I think others have discovered the same phenomenon. Journalists Bill and Judith Moyers documented death and dying in the U.S. They discovered that many terminal patients they interviewed actually began to live with joy and passion only after they learned they ... Passionate Living One man quipped:" It's not that I'm afraid of dying. It's just that I've been alive for as long as I can remember, and I'm kind of set in my ways" Some people ARE afraid of dying. Others are not concerned about their death. but they worry about how they're ...

... " No !" the dying man cried." Renounce Satan ," the preacher thundered again." No !" the dying man repeated." You're on your death bed, Jack ," the minister pleaded." There's no hope for you at all. Why won't you renounce Satan ?"" Because ," the dying man said ... Going Up? A preacher once visited a dying man in a last ditch effort to win him over to God." Renounce Satan ," the preacher shouted." No !" the dying man cried." Renounce Satan ," the preacher thundered again." No !" the dying man repeated." You're on your ... follow Jesus-it describes an attitude toward Jesus. Man's sin was paid for by the blood of Jesus. Satan was defeated when Christ rose from the dead. Anyone who accepts this accepts that Jesus as Lord. It's just that simple. No person can save himself without Jesus, though a surprising number try. ...

... me to wait until you asked, and now that you have asked" Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said," Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that ... will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family" Phyllis Cross said," Then you will never die because that will never happen ," and curtly walked out of the room. Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say," God ... hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: 2" In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you, I will ...

... 2-4 You are loved! Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with you." He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to ... the worst of times." We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on god who can raise the dead. 2 Corinthians 1: 8, 9 ... is an eternal life to come." Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later" Romans 8: 18" He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns ...

... Cross -every hurt, misunderstanding, past grievance, long-held bitterness; old, hanging-on hate; every fear, fault and failure. Let each die a proper death -at the Cross. Then arise with new determination to welcome a new season of your life, one that's alive with the hope of the victorious Lord who lives ... them to the Cross -every hurt, misunderstanding, past grievance, long-held bitterness; old, hanging-on hate; every fear, fault and failure. Let each die a proper death -at the Cross. Then arise with new determination to welcome a new season of your life, one that's alive with the hope of the victorious ... " Prayer:" Lord, my yard's in bad shape; I need Your help. I WILL pick up the rake, begin to gather all the dead" stuff" that needs discarded in my life; I WILL bag it and bring it to You, and by Your grace, begin to live daily a ...

... and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. There was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that ?" The ... oil, and then returned to the church. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the minister that her daddy had died that afternoon. Did he die in peace ?" he asked. Yes, when I left the house about two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me how much he ... me, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. There was something strange about his death. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the chair beside the bed. What do you make of that ...

... were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships" blasted" to the bottom of the ocean by the ... and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves ... returning home to find his wife dead and his children gone. A few weeks later he died from exhaustion and a broken heart. Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education. ...

... Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets" She concluded her speech by courageously singing" The Rose" She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in ... happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor everyday. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If ... are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability ...

... Live The Answers As I looked up at my Mom ’ s picture hanging above my desk today, I realized that it is now almost 15 years since her death. Thankfully, over the years the pain and sense of loss have eased while the memories of her life and her love have remained. I can still feel her presence as I write this. I am sure that she is not only smiling down on me from her picture on the wall, but from ... God? I think my Mother knew this as she battled cancer in her final years and faced death at such an early age. She blessed us all with her love, her joy, and her gentle laughter right up until her dying day. I only hope and pray that I can live my own answers as beautifully and wonderfully as she lived hers. May all of you lovingly live your own answers then in this life and in the next.~Joseph J. ...

... How To Have A Life Of Joy Do you know how to have a life of joy? A businessman on his deathbed called his friend and said," Bill, I want you to promise me that when I die you will have my remains cremated"" And what ," his friend asked," do you want me to do with your ashes ?" The businessman said," Just put them in an envelope and mail them as taxes to the government and write ... Born in 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia, she felt called as a teenager to move to Calcutta, India. Some months later she saw a sight that completely revolutionized her life. Shortly after moving to Calcutta she spotted a homeless, dying woman lying in the gutter, being eaten by rats. After seeing that, compassion compelled her to beg an abandoned Hindu temple from the government and convert it into a crude, make-shift hospital for the dying." Nobody should die alone ...

... heart softened and the more his heart softened, the more joy he began to experience; a different kind of joy than he had known before. They lived happily for years until one winter the old man fell ill and was near death. As his breathing grew labored, his son sat on the bedside and asked:" Grandfather, is there anything I can get for you ?"" No one can bring me what I most need at this hour"" Please Grandfather ... with his father in a cottage deep in the forest. His father worked him hard from sunrise to sunset and still almost every evening he would hear his father say the same thing:" Poor me! Poor me! I will die a sad old man because you are a fool and will never amount to anything" But the boy was not a fool He showed a lot of wisdom for his age and had a generous heart. One day, after helping an old ...

... Love Without Measure Freda Bright says," Only in opera do people die of love" It's true. You really can't love somebody to death. I've known people to die from no love, but I've never known anyone to be loved to death. We just can't love one another enough. A heart-warming story tells of a woman who finally decided to ask her boss for a raise in salary. All day she felt nervous and apprehensive. Late in the afternoon she ... Love Without Measure Freda Bright says," Only in opera do people die of love" It's true. You really can't love somebody to death. I've known people to die from no love, but I've never known anyone to be loved to death. We just can't love one another enough. A heart-warming story tells of a woman who finally decided to ask her boss for a raise in salary. All day she felt nervous and apprehensive. Late in the afternoon she ...

... first got married, I wanted to show my love to my new wife. I was drawn to romantic stories like one from the time of Oliver Cromwell in England where a young soldier had been tried in military court and sentenced to death. He was to be shot at the" ringing of the curfew bell" His fiancιe climbed up into the bell tower. Several hours before curfew time and tied herself to bell's huge clapper. At curfew time, when only muted sounds ... ," Curfew shall not ring tonight" That must be love, I thought! That was the kind of commitment I needed to make! I wanted to give my all. To tie myself to the bell for her. To die, if necessary, for her. To sacrifice myself on the altar of true love! I wanted her to know that I'd give it all up for her. But she never wanted me to die for her. Never! Clean the ...

... Beyond Death A sick man turned to his doctor, as he was leaving the room after paying a visit, and said," Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side" Very quietly the doctor said," I don't know"" You don't know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side ?" The doctor was holding the handle of the door, on the other side of ... came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said," Did you notice that dog? He had never been in this room before. He did not know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened he sprang in without fear. I know little of what ...

... grow and prosper. Even in their seemingly bad actions they have good intentions for us. When an Eagle grows old, his feathers become weak and cannot take him as fast as they should. When he feels weak and about to die, he retires to a place far away in the rocks. While there, he plucks out every feather on his body until he is completely bare. He stays in this hiding place until he has grown new feathers, then he can ... to get it. No matter the obstacle, the eagle will not move his focus from the prey until he grabs it. Have a vision and remain focused no matter what the obstacle and you will succeed. Eagles do not eat dead things. They feed only on fresh prey. Vultures eat dead animals, but eagles will not. Steer clear of outdated and old information. Always do your research well. Eagles love a the storm. When clouds gather, the eagles ...

... , recording his notes from the surgery," .damaged aorta, damaged pulmonary vein, widespread muscle degeneration. No hope for transplant, no hope for cure. Therapy: painkillers and bed rest. Prognosis :," here he paused," death within one year" He stopped the recorder, but there was more to be said." Why ?" he asked aloud." Why did You do this? You've put him here; You've put him in this pain; and You've ... join him here, and they will know peace, and My flock will continue to grow" The surgeon's tears were hot, but his anger was hotter." You created that boy, and You created that heart. He'll be dead in months. Why ?" The Lord answered," The boy, My lamb, shall return to My flock, for he has done his duty: I did not put My lamb with your flock to lose him, but to retrieve ...

... that I shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. I need to be able to throw something back. Age 70: I learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die. Age 75: I learned that children and grandparents are natural allies. Age 80: I learned that even suffering has its gifts. Age 85: I learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision ... , I don't have to be one. Isn't it true? If we're not learning, we're not improving. If we're not improving, we're not growing. And if we're not growing, we're not living. Some people worry about dying. I am more concerned with living-as well and as fully as possible. Learn-improve-grow-live. Learn as if you might live forever and you'll live as if you might die tomorrow.~Steve Goodier~ ...

... Why ’ s there action everywhere? It is then you feel like screaming:" Doesn ’ t anybody care ?" When you think of all the pleasures you and he had often shared, You are filled with sudden anger -for his death you weren ’ t prepared. All those dreams of pleasant leisure as you reach your senior years: All those plans of fun together, just bring on a flood of tears. When your head ’ s upon your pillow, and you ... remember years ago when my husband and I lost a dear one. He was like a son-our only child. He had lived with us since he was ten. He drowned at the age of twenty. Too young to die! I remember how we felt. We were angry. We looked out at the world. It was still" going around !" Cars were still driving. People were still laughing. Stores were still selling things. The grass was still ...

... it becomes clear that God designed us to live in love, joy, goodness, and oneness with Him. When we live in and choose these things we come alive with energy and vitality. When we don't we grow closer to death with each passing day. The rewards for choosing love, joy, and oneness with God are immediate and glorious too. Everything inside of us becomes better and everything in our lives becomes better. We become blessed rather than stressed. We ... there are as well. Faith and oneness with God on the other hand tend to produce a calmness that keeps our strength and zest for living high. Pessimism, despair, complaining, and self-pity all make us feel like we are dead inside, but optimism, enthusiasm, cheerfulness, and merriment all make us feel like we could live forever. When all this is taken together then it becomes clear that God designed us to live in love, joy, goodness, and ...

... cynic might have predicted. It did not end there, though. The story swept through Holland, and in shame for the killing of that righteous man, the Dutch passed a law that no person should ever again be put to death for his or her religious beliefs. It was the first such law in Europe. Holland became a haven for all kinds of Christian fugitives, including the Puritans, who fled there before taking ships to the New World. [By Jan ... , a shriek. Dirk whirled to see a jagged black hole with his pursuer's head and flailing arms at its center. Dirk was safe. Free. But he also faced a question. Was it Christ-like to leave a man to die? How could a Christian live with that cry ringing in his ears? On the other hand, how many people could he reach with his ministry after he'd been burned at the stake? Didn't he have an obligation to stay alive for ...

... my friends are my most precious asset" I had a friend who felt that way. I sat next to Hal's" death-bed" and thought about the fact that I had known him for over twenty years. Hal knew he was dying and that these next few days would be his last. I held his hand. We spent time reminiscing about his long and fruitful career as a church pastor. We talked about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I ... that in the end, only your relationships will matter. Tend them well" Writer Og Mandino put it this way:" Beginning today ," he said," treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again" At the end of a long life, my ...

... greater than the need for postage stamps-a need to feel connected to other people. And it was a need that could not be met by a stamp machine. When Harry Truman was thrust into the U.S. presidency at the death of Franklin Roosevelt, a colleague and friend-Congressman Sam Rayburn of Bonham, Texas-gave Truman some fatherly advice. Rayburn said," Harry, from here on out, you're going to have lots of people around you. They'll ... Washington D.C" some of them argued." Why would you want to go to Bonham ?"" Because ," the congressman replied," Bonham is a place where people know it when you're sick, and where they care when you die" Rayburn had a need greater than good medical assistance. He needed friends. Someone to ask how his grandchildren were doing. Someone to sit by him and stop by his home. Someone to care. A few close friends meant more ...

... in a hot tub after aerobic exercising. Neither is it the contented tired you feel as you sip lemonade on the porch swing after gardening all day. It's more of a crash and burn, hit-the-wall, feel like you're dead or dying exhaustion. I imagine it's the way the coyote feels who not only chased the roadrunner all day but was also pulled through a wringer, hurled off a cliff, blown up with dynamite, run over by a truck, squeezed through a ... you relax in a hot tub after aerobic exercising. Neither is it the contented tired you feel as you sip lemonade on the porch swing after gardening all day. It's more of a crash and burn, hit-the-wall, feel like you're dead or dying exhaustion. I imagine it's the way the coyote feels who not only chased the roadrunner all day but was also pulled through a wringer, hurled off a cliff, blown up with dynamite, run over by a truck, squeezed ...

... suffering that the people there were going through. It was rather the peaceful smiles of love, kindness, and happiness that they shared with the Sisters and with each other. These people had nothing. Many were on the verge of death. Yet, they knew the simple truth that so many of us here are still learning: Joy is Free. The truth is God loves you and wants you to be happy right now. He wants His light to brighten you, ... damaged our world. Every story seemed to point once again to the old adage that money can ’ t buy happiness. Hearing them made me think of a documentary I saw many years ago on Mother Teresa ’ s home for the dying in Calcutta. What struck me the most when I watched it wasn ’ t the grinding poverty there. It wasn ’ t the sickness and suffering that the people there were going through. It was rather the peaceful smiles of love, ...

... more sin you get into, however, the more numb you become to its sting. In the excitement of the moment, you ignore the still small voice of God warning you of danger and encouraging you to choose life instead of death. [Youth Talks by Wayne Rice (wayne @uyt.com)-from Keith Todd] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ... . Securing the bucket in his truck, he then scooped Sammy and his stringer of fish into the back-seat of his patrol car. Spinning a U-turn on the gravel road, he sped off to the hospital, but Sammy was already dead. What the sheriff had discovered was that Sammy had been fishing with baby rattlesnakes. Sammy's deadly bait brought him a good morning's fishing but cost him his life. Had Sammy stopped fishing after that first sting, he could have been saved ...

... there doing all that she could with a heart full of love and a soul full of goodness. She did all of this too while her health continued to grow worse and worse. My friend, however, is not afraid of death. She has told me several times that she believes it will only be like a brief sleep and then she will awaken in Paradise. I am sure as well that she will fit right in there, because she already has a lot ... Paradise Within My good friend and neighbor is dying. She has battled more health problems through the years than anyone should have to endure. Now as she approaches her 57th birthday she knows that it will probably be her last. She has started giving away a lot of her things so her loving husband won ’ t be stuck with her" Junk" as she says. She has already given me several books, containers, clothes for my daughter, and a beautiful ...

... , that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why ' Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth ... Irish Wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good ...

... Words To Live By I sat next to the bed of old man, a friend for over twenty years, and held his hand. Hal was dying. We both knew these next few days would be his last. We spent time reminiscing about his long and fruitful career as a church pastor. We talked about old friends. We chatted about his family. And I listened as he offered sage wisdom and advice to a member of a" younger generation" At ... in the end, only your relationships will truly matter. Tend them well" Writer Og Mandino puts it this way:" Beginning today ," he said," treat everyone you meet as if he or she were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do so with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again" At the end of a long life, ...

... you beyond it. If you want to do something truly great with your life then start living it now. It is never too late to love and it is never too late to live. Life might be the leading cause of death in this world, but if you are not living then you are already dead. Before your own alarm sounds then make sure that you truly live every minute of your life. Before your own clock stops make sure that you choose and ... love, joy, and oneness with God every second that you can. Your time is in your hands. Make the most of it.~Joseph J. Mazzella~[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool @wirefire.com)-{ used with permission}] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me. Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me! I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from this battlefield, He will promote me to a captain. I am a soldier, in the Army, I'm marching, claiming victory. I will not give up. I will ... have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire. I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity. I will either retire in this Army or die in this Army; But, I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or pushed out. I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. If my God needs, me, I am there. ...

... like a skyscraper against the sunlit sky, his frame blocking the powerful illuminating rays. No one stepped forward to accept the giant's dare. Seasoned, hardened men of war cowered and wished for the bosoms of their wives and children. Death was upon them and Goliath was ready to drink blood. Suddenly a red haired boy, barely weighing 90 pounds, bravely steps forward. He is a shepherd boy of 9 or 10, and his only weapon is a crude slingshot containing ... words are cut short as his brains blood pumps from the hole between his eyes. The armies watched in terror and amazement as Goliath staggers, then falls to his knees." You dog, he screams at David ", and collapse dead on the ground. This day, the character of a new King is forged on the battlefield, the character of King David of Israel. Life often faces us with challenges. Sometimes they overwhelm you, and you don't feel capable of ...

... The professor made his choice. sausages! He sent word to Bismarck, along with a pair of sausages, that one sausage was safe to eat. The other had been poisoned with trichinae, which would cause a slow and lingering death, or at least long invalidism. He informed the prince that he should choose which sausage to eat and said he would eat the other one. Bismarck reasoned that a man might die with some sort of honor on a dueling field, ... never by food poisoning. He sent the message back," His highness has destroyed the sausages and asks that you be his guest at dinner this evening. After due consideration he feels he may have been slightly in error. He believes an agreement can be reached" One of the most important trips a person ever takes is" to meet someone halfway" Bismarck met his adversary halfway and chose to bring something useful from his conflict. When others ruffle our feathers, we ...

... looking for trouble-( everyone has 20 / 20 hindsight). The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. It is much easier to be critical than correct. Feed your faith and doubt will starve to death. It is no crime not to be perfect. If others have messed up, you don't need to remind them. No man knows less than the man who knows it all. Patience carries a lot of 'wait. One who lacks ... the darkness of sin, the light of God's grace shines in. Enthusiasm for Christ is contagious-has anyone caught it from you? Be as patient with others as God has been with you. It is better by far to die for something, than to live for nothing. The God who sends you free will also sustain you. It's always darkest before the dawn. To change your outlook, remember God's looking out for you. Confession of sin is not an ...

... Calvary Summary ONE MAN WAS DYING TO SIN ONE MAN WAS DYING IN SIN ONE MAN WAS DYING FOR SIN ONE MAN WAS DYING IN REBELLION ONE MAN WAS DYING IN REPENTANCE ONE MAN WAS DYING IN REDEMPTION ONE MAN LOST HIS LIFE ONE MAN FOUND HIS LIFE ONE MAN GAVE HIS LIFE Addendum-Luke 23: 39-43 (NIV)" 39) One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: 'Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us! ' 40) But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God, ' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? 41) We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong ' 42) Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom ' 43) Jesus answered him, 'I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise" [Anonymous ( ...

... he keeps trying to get it. Well, we Christians kind of do the same thing. We know that we are" born again" and that God has separated us from our sins, but we still like to dabble with sin and play with it despite the fact that it hurts! So we continue to hit a wall in our relationship with Jesus simply to touch that sin one more time. Yet all we're doing is hurting ourselves. Sin always leads to death! Whether it be death in relationships, goals, or even physical death it always leads to death! We don't have time to play games with Jesus. Today is the day to serve Jesus; to come back if we're straying, and to get ourselves back on God's perfect track. Who are you serving today? Jesus alone, or are you dabbling with the devil too? Jesus said," No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one ...

... the one thing that surprises you most about mankind ?" He answered:" That they get bored with being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long to be children again. That they lose their health to make money and then lose their money to restore their health. That by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present, such that they live neither for the present nor the future. That they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had never lived" His hands took mine and we were silent. After a long period, I said," May I ask you another question ?" He replied with a smile." As a Father, what would you ask your children to do for the coming years ?"" To learn that they cannot make anyone love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved. To learn that it takes years to build ...

... "" Oh, we've been down this road before, Bob. This same old familiar .if you believe it, you can achieve it stuff"" Yes, we have been. It's an all too familiar road. The road of unhappiness and regret that makes a sharp turn onto" I had my chance" Highway. It intersects with" It's my lot in life" Road and suddenly comes to a halt at" I can't do it" because it's a dead end" He sat down." I've been there myself many times. I am sorry to say I take a tour of those same places every now and then even today. But I never get as far as the dead end road"" Why ?"" I believe"" Oh, yes. We are back there again"" The hour I first believed"" What's that ?"" A line from" Amazing Grace" I've heard that song a thousand times ...

... weary soul who saw it. It must have given shelter to singing birds and shade to tired children too. From the holes in it I would guess that it gave more than one meal to a hungry insect during the hot Summer months. Now it was ending its life at its most beautiful with its radiant red adding to the glorious painting from God that covers the mountains during Autumn here. I knew too that its work wasn ’ t done yet, because in death it would return to the soil and help God to bring about new life next Spring. My little leaf reminded me too of all the good I can do in my own short life here. If one, red leaf can do so much for this world then how much more can one human life do? I am going to do my best then to live my own life well. I am going to do all I can to give hope to the weary, to ...

... 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my hips with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy. Now .go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to. not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting? Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round Or listened to rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight Or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down Don't dance so fast Time is short The music won't last. Do you run through each day on the fly? When ...

... On Tuesday the same people all said 'God help us all ' while thinking 'Thou shall not kill. On Monday people argued with their kids about picking up their room. On Tuesday the same people could not get home fast enough to hug their kids. On Monday people picked up McDonalds for dinner. On Tuesday they stayed home. On Monday people were upset that their dry cleaning was not ready on time. On Tuesday they were lining up to give blood for the dying. On Monday politicians argued about budget surpluses. On Tuesday grief stricken they sang 'God Bless America. On Monday we worried about the traffic and getting to work late. On Tuesday we worried about a plane crashing into your house or place of business. On Monday we were irritated that our rebate checks had not arrived. On Tuesday we saw people celebrating people dying in the USA. On Monday some children had solid families. On Tuesday they were orphans. On Monday the ...

... Finding A Way To Help A funny story going around concerns itself with two hunters who were out in the woods when one of them collapsed. He didn't seem to be breathing and his eyes were glazed. The other pulled out his phone and called emergency services. He gasped to the operator:" My friend is dead! What can I do ?" The operator in a calm, soothing voices replied:" Take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead" There was a silence, then a shot was heard. Back on the phone, the hunter said," Ok, now what ?" With friends like that. On the other hand, have you ever wanted to help but didn't know what to do? A friend once told me a beautiful story of how ordinary people found a simple way to help. He was enjoying the scenic view atop Casper Mountain, a favorite spot for visitors to Casper ...

... When Others Grieve People should never have to suffer loss alone. Yet, how do you comfort those who hurt? I think that offering genuine comfort to another is one of the most important things we can do for others. And sometimes one of the most difficult. Experts tell us, among other things, to simply say," I'm sorry" or" I love you" They warn us against trying explain away the death or loss; against theologizing or philosophizing about it. Often, the less said, the better, so long as you are present, you care and you listen. American poet Edgar Guest told of a neighbor by the name of Jim Potter. Mr. Potter ran the drug store in the neighborhood where Edgar Guest lived. Their relationship was cordial, if not deep. Mostly they smiled and exchanged greetings when they happened to see one another. One tragic night the poet's first-born child died. He felt crushed ...

... on the trees transform into glorious golds, radiant reds, and outrageous oranges. Beautiful burgundies and browns soon appear too, as well as yellows that shine like the sun itself. This time of the year always gives me a hint of what Paradise itself must be like. It really amazes me then that the phrase" the Autumn of our lives" is always said with such fear. The very mention of it stirs up images of aging, illness, and approaching death. I guess so many are afraid of that last leaf falling that they fail to see the beautiful Spring that awaits them. I think the Autumn of your life should instead be embraced with joy. It should be the peak of a beautiful, colorful, and well-lived life. It should be full of choosing love, sharing happiness, and helping others. It should be filled with making yourself a better person and the world a better place. It should be overflowing with ...

... And It Came To Pass As I stared out the rear window of the bus, I thought, 'What if I die? This may be my last night ever! ' My son suggested we take an all-night bus through the Peruvian Andes down to the coast. I was prepared to be driven over high mountain passes and on winding roads. We live in the Rocky Mountains of western United States. But I was not prepared for roads so narrow that the bus had to stop and let on-coming traffic around; or the high speed at which the bus rounded hairpin curves; or roads that were unpaved for long stretches, no guardrails and almost vertical slopes just inches from our speeding wheels. Nor was I prepared to ride in something that passed anything slower than the speed of sound-even around blind mountain curves. I thought that perhaps I could sleep during the trip, but the excitement and anxiety of what reminded me of an amusement park ...

... days! In the next article ('The Ways of the Comforter ' ), we discuss practical ways in which we can become genuine comforters of those who are afflicted. Prayer: Lord Jesus, we acknowledge that we too are" miserable comforters". We do not even attain the level of Job's three friends. Teach us to comfort others, as You have comforted us. Empower us by Your Holy Spirit, Your Comforter, whom You made available to us through Your death on the Cross. 2. THE WAYS OF THE COMFORTER A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (Job 6: 14, NIV) Job in his affliction called his three friends," miserable comforters" (Job 16: 2). But when we look at what they did on Job's behalf (see previous article, 'Miserable Comforters ), we see that they went far beyond our feeble efforts to ...

... afraid Samson had long hair and was a womanizer Rahab was a prostitute Jeremiah and Timothy were too young David had an affair and was a murderer Elijah was suicidal Isaiah preached naked Jonah ran from God Naomi was a widow Job went bankrupt John the Baptist ate bugs Peter denied Christ The Disciples fell asleep while praying Martha worried about everything The Samaritan woman was divorced-more than once Zaccheus was too small Paul was too religious Timothy had an ulcer... AND Lazarus was dead! No more excuses now. God can use you to your full potential. Besides, you aren't the message-you are the messenger. Dear God, I have a problem-it's me. God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts. Growing old is inevitable... growing UP is optional. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted. Do the math. Count your blessings. Faith is ...

... that he had taken a razor blade and cut his wrists. He said," You know what, Mr. Schlatter, as I lay there with my life running out of my body, I suddenly remembered that dumb quote you made me write 20 times one day.` There is no failure except in no longer trying ' Then it suddenly made sense to me. As long as I was alive, I wasn't a failure, but if I allowed myself to die, I would most certainly die a failure. So with my remaining strength, I called for help and started a new life" At the time he had heard the quotation, it was a pebble. When he needed guidance in a moment of crisis, it had become a diamond. And so it is to you I say, gather all the pebbles you can, and you can count on a future filled with diamonds. [By John Wayne Schlatter, A 2nd ...

... Fear of flying has kept many people home. One woman reminds me that her terror of riding in airplanes actually has biblical roots." We should be wary of flying ," she asserts." In the Bible, Jesus says, 'LO .I'll be with you always "! Other common fears have kept countless people from enjoying life fully. Some of the greatest fears we share are a fear of becoming incapacitated, a fear of financial ruin, fear of abandonment and fear of death. Fear may be the most powerful enemy of humanity. And it is an enemy all of us are intimately acquainted with. As James Bell writes," Fear is an insidious virus. Given a breeding place in our minds .it will eat away our spirit and block the forward path of our endeavors" Or, like someone else said," Fear is called the little death-it kills in tiny pieces" I received a letter from a woman who learned an important ...

... and see His perfect love already proven, already given. I need to visit the cross each day. I also need to visit the empty tomb each day as well. Why? To remind me that life has victory that is full and eternal. Some days, victory is hidden beneath a vail of pain or sorrow just as it was that first Easter. But, when I look at the tomb and realize that the very same power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in me (Eph 1: 18-20 ), victory becomes a tangible hook on which to hang my hat. The day-to-day battles may be won or lost, but by visiting the tomb I can't deny that I am, and forever will be, victorious in Christ. Visit the cross and the empty tomb? No need not to. God already paid for the tour! Act now and, as an added bonus, receive a cruise to eternity! Talk about ...

... of their lives !" Probably not. His resources are as immeasurable as the universe, and all our needs combined scarcely begin to tap into His reserves. The dailiness of life is part of our problem, not one of His. Bible students recall how the Lord fed Israel with manna -the original angel food -six days a week for forty years during Israel's wilderness wanderings. God's people received a lasting illustration of the sufficiency of the Lord for every day. The movie" Dead Poets Society" introduced the Latin expression" carpe diem" to most of us." Seize the day" became the watchword for everyone committed to making the most of each moment. Once we realize that life is a gift from a good God, and not our right nor an entitlement, we're able to treasure each day and make the most of it. David said," This is the day the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it ...

... Say," AWE" Albert Einstein said that wonder is the source of all true art and all science." He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed" During our recent visit to Peru, we were amazed at the magnificent Incan architecture. Their precise stonework has withstood the centuries, though earthquakes have toppled other buildings all around. We were enthralled by the terraces the Incan people built on the sides of Andean mountains to grow crops. They created perhaps the finest irrigation system the world had known at the time. At Nazca we looked in wonder at the so-called" Nazca Lines"-a series of lines and pictures the ancient Nazca people drew in the desert sand many hundreds of years ago. Archaeologists are still bewildered by the significance of these lines, yet we were thrilled to gaze in awe at this ...

... Love and respect everyone. Be kind. Even when life is scary or confusing, take courage and be of good cheer, for I'm always with you. And learn how to be quiet, so that you can hear My still, small voice. I don't like to shout. Leave the world a better place by living your life with dignity and gracefulness, for you are My own child. Hold back nothing from life, for the parts of you that can die surely will, and the parts that can't, won't. So don't worry, be happy. (I stole that last line from Bobby McFerrin, but Who gave it to him in the first place ?) Simple stuff now. Why do you keep making it so complicated? It's like you're always looking for an excuse to be upset. And I am very tired of being your main excuse. Do you think whether you call Me God, or Yahweh, or Jehovah, ...

... realized how impossible it was to do so. Noticing the younger preacher's inability to unfold the rosebud while keeping it intact, the older preacher began to recite the following poem. UNFOLDING THE ROSEBUD It is only a tiny rosebud, A flower of God's design; But I cannot unfold the petals With these clumsy hands of mine. The secret of unfolding flowers Is not known to such as I. GOD opens this flower so sweetly, When in my hands they fade and die. If I cannot unfold a rosebud, This flower of God's design, Then how can I think I have wisdom To unfold this life of mine? So I'll trust in Him for His leading Each moment of every day. I will look to Him for His guidance Each step of the pilgrim way. The pathway that lies before me, Only my Heavenly Father knows. I'll trust Him to unfold the moments, Just as He unfolds the rose. [Author Unknown- ...

... prosthetic hand. A vet is the career quartermaster who watches the ribbons and medals pass him by. A vet is the three anonymous heroes in The Tomb Of The Unknowns, whose presence at the Arlington National Cemetery must forever preserve the memory of all the anonymous heroes whose valor dies unrecognized with them on the battlefield or in the ocean's sunless deep. A vet is the old guy bagging groceries at the supermarket-palsied now and aggravatingly slow-who helped liberate a Nazi death camp and who wishes all day long that his wife were still alive to hold him when the nightmares come. A vet is an ordinary and yet extraordinary human being, a person who offered some of his life's most vital years in the service of his country, and who sacrificed his ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. A vet is a soldier and a savior and a sword against the darkness, and he is nothing more that the finest, greatest testimony ...

... that Christ rose on that morning, Giving meaning to life everywhere? Christ is God. He descended from heaven To live humbly on earth as a man. He suffered, and died as a criminal, To fulfill God's redemption plan. Can we know of the depth of Christ's suffering? Can we fathom His anguish and pain? 'Twas for us He was tortured, forsaken, Went to Hell, then ascended again. What if Jesus had failed in His mission To die for the sins of all men? There would not be a reason for Easter. There'd be nothing to celebrate then. While we celebrate this Easter season, Keep in mind this wee bit of advice: Let's take time on this happy occasion To thank God for His Great Sacrifice.-Helen Dowd-[ by Helen Dowd Copyright 2004, (helendowd @shaw.ca)-used with permission] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... about tough times in the process. First, I was thankful that we received much-needed moisture. Sure, it came all at once, but after the summer's drought it was needed more than ever. There is usually some good in every problem. Look for it. Second, I was thankful I was able to work. I had good health and the fresh air probably did me more good than a typical sedentary day. Be thankful you can solve problems! Only dead people are without difficulties. I was also thankful that the snow was temporary. Problems may come, but it helps to remember that they almost always pass, too. Months from now your problem may be no more than a distant memory. Finally, I was thankful for neighbors who helped one another clear a road to their homes. Adversity brought us together. Too many weeks had passed without much more contact than a nod or a wave-but those days we talked ...

... rejected; The one thing that provides a doorway to joy, peace and contentment, the one thing so closely linked to love and faith. We have a future and a promise. God has a plan for our good. He ’ s preparing a place just for us. He ’ s promised to come back for us. We, more than all others, have the greatest reason to bubble over with this most joyous anticipation. It is because of the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus ’ that we have been given yet another wonderful gift from the hand of God Himself. That gift is hope.-Glenn A. Hascall-[ by: Glenn A. Hascall Copyright 2004 (cmi @prairieweb.com)-submitted by Glenn Hascall] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... before God and with others. We can be honest with God in the presence of others while being connected to the great line of faithful witnesses who have said these words before. In addition, we get to say many of these Psalms from a first person perspective, driving home the point that these are not just community truths, they are personal realities as well." The Lord is MY shepherd. he leads ME. even though I walk through the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. .your rod and your staff comfort ME"" Your hand will guide ME, your right hand will hold Me fast. you created MY inmost being; you knit Me together in MY mother's womb. Search ME, O God, and know MY heart" These incredibly honest and personal words from Psalms 23 and 139 are just a small taste of what the Psalms offer us. This God-approved songbook allows us to personally worship. The Psalms ...

... . In other words, when life got hard, it killed off those who didn't make needed changes. The key to survival is often about" change" And what about us? What about you and me? It's good to accept ourselves as we are, but when an unhealthy attitude or a destructive behavior gets in the way, when we wish we could change something about ourselves, we had better change. People who embrace change thrive; those who resist it die. If you have been waiting for a sign to make that needed change, this may be it. I am convinced that it is never too late to be the person you might have been. It's never too late to be happy. It's never too late to do something different or to do something better. It's never too late to change a habit. It's never too late to live. Begin making that necessary change today. Then tomorrow, and every tomorrow thereafter ...

... more Heaven to Earth before I leave Earth for Heaven. It doesn ’ t matter if you have 60 years, 40 years, 20 years, or 6 months left. You can still make it the best, most glorious, and most loving time of your life. The longest life here is still very short indeed. Do all you can then to live it in laughter, love, happiness, joy, goodness, and oneness with God. Then when you die and get to see God ’ s smiling face you will know that your next billion years will be your best billion years.~Joseph J. Mazzella~[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool @wirefire.com)-{ used with permission}] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... you will find his that mercies are" new every morning ," because of his great faithfulness. HERE ARE A FEW TO GET YOU STARTED: Psalm 23: 1-4-The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Isaiah 57: 15-For this is what the high and lofty One says-he who lives forever, whose name is holy:" I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite ...

... Not Perfect I was looking out on the woods that surround my house today as I walked through the melting snow. It seemed so strange to see how the trees looked in the middle of winter. Their black, gray, and brown trunks were twisted, wet, and gnarled. They were full of chipped bark and dead limbs. They seemed almost ugly and as far from perfect as you could get. Still, I knew that in just a few months they would be alive again with bright, green leaves and in a few months after that they would be full of beautiful colors that would delight the heart and uplift the soul. Thinking about this made me smile and reminded me that you don't have to be perfect in order to live a blessed life. God knows that I am far from perfect myself. I make mistakes every single day of my life. I am still a gnarled, empty, tree trunk much of the ...

... of these can counteract all the evil in the world. For every good deed, there is one evil deed. Man alone has the power to control the balance between good and evil, but because the lessons of love are not taught often enough, the power is too often abused. When you enter someone's life, whether by plan, chance or coincidence, consider what your lesson will be. Will you teach love or a harsh lesson of reality? When you die, will your life have resulted in more loving or more hurting? More comfort or more pain? More joy or more sadness? Each one of us has the power over the balance of the love in the world. Use it wisely !" Don't miss an opportunity to nudge the world's scale in the right direction! Pass this lesson of love on to those you love and those you have hurt, and those that have hurt you, hopefully with each person that receives this ...

... Expectant Father" His chance came and he, too, was ready! When your chance comes, will you be ready? Hockey superstar Wayne Gretzky was always ready. He broke almost every record imaginable and is known as the greatest hockey player of all time. Gretzky is not particularly big for his sport-he stands at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs in at 170 pounds. He never skated particularly fast, his shot was not high-powered and he often placed dead last on regular strength tests administered to his team. So what made" The Great One" so great? He was ready. Gretzky attributes his stardom to practice and preparation. He practiced stick handling in the off-season with a tennis ball, as the ball was harder to control than a puck. In practice he innovated. He practiced bouncing the puck off the sideboards to his teammates until that technique became a regular part of his play. Then he worked on bouncing the ...

... No One To Phone One afternoon after the death of her grandfather, Carol lay huddled on her bed, sobbing forlornly. Her mother sat beside her and asked," What's the matter, honey ?"" I miss my grandpa, and I miss talking to him about my problems ," the girl said." I know, dear ," sympathized her mother." I miss him too. But can't you talk to me ?" Carol shook her head vehemently." Why not ?" her mother persisted." Because you're what we talked about ," sobbed Carol. Children may not always confide in their parents. And adults may choose not to confide in many of their friends and family. But it is important to have someone with whom we can be emotionally intimate. Tragically, it has been estimated that the majority of men, and many women, have nobody they could phone at 2: 00 in the morning if their lives fall apart. ...

... a Christian. The Holy Spirit went on to show me that if I clothed myself every day with the new spiritual self, which is ever in the process of being renewed and remolded into fuller and more perfect knowledge of the One who created me, that I was and will be no longer the ugly duckling but the beautiful swan. The new spiritual self make me special in God's sight. I can be beautiful because of what the Lord has done for me. Dying, rising again, and He will be coming back for me if I don't go to Him before He comes back. How beautiful the swans were and how beautiful God's Word is. Now I can honestly say," Thank you Father for creating me"" In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you" Colossians 3: 10 (NLT) ...

... is a hard thing to see. We identify so strongly with our things even, feeling pain when our cars are dented. How much more powerfully will God identify us with our Faith & and God's commandments ?? Have you obeyed them? but we have always searched after vain pleasures to make us happy, Yet they don't always feed our souls, do they? And we become tired of defending them. How else could the story end? The monkey might be found dead of hunger, under a beautiful tree, with fruit within reach, but still grasping his wooden apples. I chose to end it with him letting go, because only with open hands can we receive anything, Ask God & He will give you more greater riches. [Author Unknown-from 'E-Mail Ministry ' (emailministry @emailministry.org)] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... the top 8 %of the world's wealthy. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness.. you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the world. If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death .you are more blessed than three billion people in the world. If your parents are still alive and still married. you are very rare,. If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful. you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not. If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder. you are blessed because you can offer healing touch. If you can read this ...

... have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on. When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of ...

... the dream switched to being the high school football star. That was followed by being on my own in college. Next came having a great career and high paying job. Getting rich and having that big house followed it. After that was the dream of raising a family. Then there was retiring and finally enjoying my life. Each dream postponed my happiness a little further down the road. Finally I realized that if I kept going this way, I would be dead before I was happy. That is when I came to see that it would be a lot better to be happy now than to live with this disease. Life I knew would always have fresh problems and frustrations, but I thought it would be a lot better to meet them with a happy heart and loving soul rather than waiting for life to be perfect. These days I am in remission. I still have occasional flare ups of" And then I ’ ll be ...

... TEACHER Many years ago I had a teacher whose husband unexpectedly died suddenly of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there. With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said," Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important. Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is God's way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day ...

... you are forever. You cannot possibly go through a day without thinking about them. Their beautiful spirit gently nudges your heart each time you hear their name. The very thought of them stirs within your soul like the sweet fragrance of a thousand roses. Loved ones who have passed on, having given their lives to you, having stayed in bloom through a life time of eternal Spring, are like these Lilacs. Although my heart is saddened having discovered that they are dying, I will not remember them that way. I will forever see a thousand blooms each time I think of them. In the coldest, darkest days of the winter of my life, the memory of them will get me through it all. Even the slightest fragrance, a wisp of" almost there again ," will bring a smile to my face and my heart will pound remembering the love. Oh, God thank you not only for the beauty of the people you ...

... took the opportunity to ask for details about my love life, which was seriously lacking at the time. The event was excruciating. Though I enjoy single-hood in the main, there have been times when I've worked myself into a mad frenzy looking for someone to fill a void I thought I couldn't satisfy on my own. Someone, anyone with a pulse would do. Over the years, I dated quite a few guys I liked-I was even engaged once but" till death do we part" seemed a very long time. I always ended up alone again. So holidays, especially with the Aunt Nells of the family, can weaken my confidence, leaving me a little bereft. One day, noting my frustration surrounding the holidays, a friend of mine suggested we try something different on the next such occasion." How` bout you and I go down to a homeless shelter and help out? Then maybe we'll be grateful for what we ...

... some very difficult times recently. Like most of you, finances, health and work related stress has been piling up on me. Just this week I found out my new car has a major oil leak and of course the warranty just ran out. For the first time ever, my main computer crashed. My repair man called me and said, I have good news and bad news"" Tell me the bad news ," I said." Your computer is dead"" what's the good news ?" I asked." You can go shopping. I love to shop ," he said. I do, too when I have the money. Major car repairs, a computer crash, increased health concerns .I won't ask," What else can happen ?" because now I am in the" Poor me !" mode. You know what that means. If I get a hang nail, if I stub my toe, if I spill my ...

... on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with, out in the woods. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit the target. Getting a little discouraged, he headed back to dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let fly, hit the duck square in the head, and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to see his sister watching. Sally had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day grandma said," Sally, let's wash the dishes" But Sally said," Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen today, didn't you Johnny ?" And then she whispered to him," Remember, the duck ?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go ...

... Reach Up" Ye, though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil" The journey each of us walks is not always a meadow full of flowers. Sometimes it is a journey up a mountain, loose rocks and steep inclines. We so often loose sight of the beautiful scenery because of our attempts to hold on. We have to struggle with many things in this world that makes us feel alone. Arthritis grips us tight and wrenches pain from within. Diabetes cuts our feelings ulcerates our skin. Cancer files away at the cells of our body and leaves us weak. Blindness takes away our vision and paints our world black. Mental disabilities hold our thoughts and leave us in a lonely room. Cruelty of others cuts our hearts and leaves us empty. We were born to celebrate, to reach up and believe. We were born to rejoice, to lift our hands to life. We were ...

... away because it 'was too crowded." I can't go to Sunday School ," she sobbed to the pastor as he walked by. Seeing her shabby, unkempt appearance, the pastor guessed the reason and, taking her hand, took her inside and found a place for her in the Sunday School class. The child was so touched that she went to bed that night thinking of the children who have no place to worship Jesus. Two years later, this child lay dead in one of the poor tenement buildings and the parents called for the kindhearted pastor, who had befriended their daughter, to handle the final arrangements. As her little body was being moved, a worn and crumpled purse was found which seemed to have been rummaged from some trash dump. Inside was found 57 cents and a note scribble in childish handwriting which read," This is to help build the little church bigger so more children can go to Sunday school ," For two ...

... My Nanny There is an old Cherokee expression that goes," When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice" Well, I know one Italian lady who lived up to that Cherokee saying. My grandmother or Nana came into this world in Italy right after the turn of the 20th century. In 1914 when she was only 8 years old her family braved German U-boat attacks to travel to America. There she grew up, married, and lovingly raised four sons. Then she helped to raise me and my brothers as well. I can still remember coming home after school to my Nanny ’ s old house. The dinners always smelled so wonderful. She always gave me a big Italian hug before dinner too with a smile on the side and a kiss for dessert. In the summers she would take her cooking skills across the road to work ...

... Someone Else Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else. Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list," Let Someone Else do it" Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results;" Someone Else can work with that group" It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference. Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too ...

... or with flying geese. These geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Basic Truth #4-We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind. Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot, and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group. Final Truth-If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other, protect one another and sometimes make new friends who seem to be going in our direction. [Author Unknown-from 'Aiken Drum ' (Inspiretoday @topica.com)] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... do ," Mom said." No we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning ," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm." This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet ?"" Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said," If God can get us through this, He can get us through anything !" The entire crowd stopped dead silent, the sound of the rain was nearly deafening. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. ...

... The Danger Zone Anger is just one letter short of danger-it seems to be as true in English as well as in practice. Dr. Bedford Williams at Duke University has determined that students who score high on a" hostility test" are in far greater danger of dying young than their peers. In fact, those who are prone to anger are in greater physical danger than those who smoke, have high blood pressure or even high cholesterol. Not that we should never be angry. It is a normal part of life. We all get" worked up ,"" overheated" or just plain" hopping mad" at times. Those closest to us know it best. (Just ask my kids !) One little boy said about his mother:" When she starts to act real weird, you have to look scared and serious. Don't giggle. When mommies are mad, they get madder when you giggle" The good news ...

... card-in the one direction that saved her life and that of her daughter. The passing bus did not create the wind. On the contrary, the wind came from the opposite direction. I have no doubt it was a breath from God protecting them both. But the awesomeness of this miracle is that she never knew. As we continued back to work, I wondered how God often acts in our lives without our being aware. The difference between life and death can very well be a little thing. Comment: Miracles often blow unseen through our lives. [Author Unknown-from Douglas B. Boebinger] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... looking. When you have nothing important or interesting to say, don't let anyone persuade you to say it. Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. If someone remembers your suit and not your smile, you didn't smile enough. The surest way to make yourself happy is to make someone else happy. Be smarter than people. just don't tell them so. Beginning today, treat everyone you meet as if they were going to be dead by midnight. Extend to them all the care, kindness, and understanding you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again." Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condem not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven" [Author Unknown-submitted by Lady Millie, via Aiken @AikensLaughs.com] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... : 16) W ondering what to do? Take Vitamin W." What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God ?" (Micah 6: 8) e X hausted? Take Vitamin X." Exercise thyself rather unto godliness" (1 Timothy 4: 7) Y earning for hope? Take Vitamin Y." Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you art with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me" (Psalm 23: 4) Z apped? Take Vitamin Z." Zealous for good deeds" (Titus 2: 14) [Author Unknown-from 'E-Mail Ministry ' (EMailMinistry @yahoogroups.com)] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... " So why do so many of us choose to consciously preserve and revisit toxic feelings that detract from our happiness? Perhaps we fool ourselves into thinking we can inflict some sort of pain on the person who wronged us. In fact, holding on to a grudge is like holding on to a hot stone. It doesn't hurt the stone or the person who gave it to us; it only hurts the one holding it. Carrying a grudge is like being stung to death by one bee. It doesn't matter how justified the bitter feelings are or how right we are. Holding on to a grievance turns pain into suffering. In a peculiar way it empowers the wrongdoer to hurt us again and again. So start out this New Year by giving yourself a great gift. Muster the good sense and strength to root out and release deep-seated and long-held resentments. If you can, forgive and forget. But all that's really necessary is a firm decision ...

... Biker Chick (Testimony) Hi! My name is Frannie. As a young girl I was abused by a father who did not know the meaning of love. In an attempt to find love I joined a motorcycle club and became a drug-addict, biker chick, and strip dancer. I had two obsessions in life-to find love, and to hate my father. When I learned he was dying, I told my mother that I would spit on his grave and laugh at him in hell. I developed panic attacks. A neighbor took me to church with her. I sat there in my biker garb and heard about Jesus ' love for me. The next thing I knew I was at the altar crying tears of sorrow and asking Jesus to heal me. That was thirteen years ago and I have never looked back. I am free of panic attacks and my dad and I are reconciled. I am now riding to Heaven ...

... 3 of the world does not have access to even one. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 500 million people around the world. If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest or torture of death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world. If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head 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 someplace, you are among the top 8 %of the worlds wealthy. If your parents are still married and alive, you ...

... All that changed, however, as I was driving home alone one night shortly after my Mom died. It was dark and raining outside. I was struggling to keep the car on the road while at the same time struggling to hold the tears back in my eyes. I remember almost going off the road twice as I blinked back the salty water that was burning my eyes and blurring my vision. My hands shook, my heart hurt, and my soul felt dead. Finally I could do it no longer. I stopped, pulled over, lay my head on the steering wheel, and cried. I cried until the tears couldn ’ t fall anymore. I cried until the pain that I was holding onto so strongly finally fled my heart. After that night I realized something. Big boys do cry. In fact, it is the biggest hearts that cry the most. I realized too that it is our tears that can release ...

... " Bent"" But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners" Romans 5: 8 (NLT) Matchbox 20 had a hit song called" Bent" Radio stations still play it, just not quite as much. In this particular song, Rob Thomas-the lead singer and songwriter for the band-manages to capture the emotion behind what seems to be a universal problem. Here are a few lines: If I fall along the way Pick me up and dust me off And if I get too tired to make it Be my breath so I can walk Can you help me-I'm bent I'm so scared that I'll never Get put back together. I started out clean but I'm jaded Just phoning it in Just breaking the skin Shouldn't be so complicated. Can you identify? No matter how hard you try, you seem to keep messing up? When you step ...

... . This is a tough decision, despite the fact that those who are not SAHMs think it is an easy one. It involves much more than just" staying home". It involves a major lifestyle change, often a major financial challenge, and invariably a drastic personal esteem change, isolation, adjustment and struggle. This beatitude, of course, refers to the fact, that we as Christians are fully aware of the mercy shown to us by God through the death and resurrection of Jesus. And, because we are aware of this and are grateful for this, we seek to show mercy to others. As SAHMs, we have made the conscious decision to show this mercy first and foremost in our own homes with our own children and our spouses. Some days that mercy is not sending our child to boarding school because it has been a horrendous day. Mercy might exhibit itself by not yelling and berating when we discover the crayon mural ...

... can be taken away from a man but one thing. The last of the human freedoms-to choose once attitude in any given set of circumstances to choose one` s own way.~Viktor Franki Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.~George Eliot Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair but manifestations of strength and resolution.~Kahil Gibran Let us be kinder to one another.~Aldous Huxley (on his death bed) When strangers start acting like neighbors communities are reinvigorated.~Ralph Nadar It is better to give and receive.~Bernard Gunther No joy can equal the joy of serving others.~Sai Baba Shall we make a new role of life from tonight? Always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary.~Sir James M Barrie I was a thief, said the last kind word to Christ. Christ took the kindness and forgave the theft.~ ...

... she meets. Since she and her husband Sean moved here a few years ago they have made our neighborhood, our community, and our lives so much better. This is all the more amazing considering that the whole time I have known her Kai has been racked by terminal illnesses that have battered every part of her except her spirit. In the book" Tuesday ’ s With Morrie" author Mitch Albom writes about his visits to an old, college professor who is dying and how much he learned about living from him. I think that my Wednesday afternoons with Kai have done the same for me. Kai has taught me so much about how to be a more loving human being through her words and through her life. I couldn ’ t have asked for better knowledge or a greater gift than that. I thank God everyday for Kai and Sean and all the wonderful people He has brought into my life over the years. I know too ...

... Can You Say," Awe "? Albert Einstein said that wonder is the source of all true art and all science." He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed" I remember standing in rapt awe when I gazed upon the wonders of the ancient Incan city of Machu Picchu in Peru. That amazing city was built above the clouds, and it was more than the high altitude that took my breath away. Can you say," Awe "? I'm reminded of the little girl who rode a train with her mother. Looking out the window, she exclaimed," Look! A horse !" And a moment later," Look! Houses !" She gave every indication of keeping this up, so her embarrassed mother apologized to the man next to her." I'm sorry my daughter is going on like this ...

... Disguised Blessings There is a place where modern technological conveniences go to die. My place. During the past week alone we have sent our van's fuel pump to the automotive afterlife, our washing machine to laundry Valhalla and our home computer through those big Windows in the sky. They join the lifeless metallic bodies of our dishwasher, our microwave oven and our food processor, all of which have given up the electronic ghost during the last few months. If there were laws against appliance abuse, I'd be public enemy number one. Thankfully, we do better with living things-not counting household plants, flowers, grass and tomatoes. Our five children somehow manage to survive-even thrive-despite all the bad feng shui and negative karma. They are all healthy, happy and well-adjusted, give or take the occasional drama major. And that, after all, is what really matters. At least, that's what my wife Anita said. ...

... , Jesus. John 17: 23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17: 23 He is the exact representation of my being. Heb 1: 3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8: 31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Co 5: 18, 19 Jesus died so that we could be reconciled. 2 Cor 5: 18, 19 His death was my ultimate expression of love for you. 1 John 4: 10 I gave up everything that I loved to gain your love. Romans 8: 31, 32 If you receive the gift of my Son you receive me. 1 John 2: 23 And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8: 38, 39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15: 7 I have always been Father, and ...

... turn onto the Bridge of Faith, which is over troubled water. When you get off the bridge, make a Right turn and Keep Straight. You are on the King's Highway-Heaven-bound. Then exit off onto Grace Blvd. From there, make a Right turn on Gospel Lane. Keep Straight and then make another Right on Prayer Road. As you go on your way, Yield Not to the traffic on Temptation Ave. Also, avoid SIN Street because it is a DEAD END. Pass up Envy Drive, and Hate Avenue. Also, pass Hypocrisy Street, Gossiping Lane, and Backbiting Blvd. However, you have to go down Long-suffering Lane, Persecution Blvd. and Trials and Tribulations Ave. But that's all right, because VICTORY Street is straight ahead! AMEN! © By James Cruz As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Please send these directions to your friends so they won't get lost. [By: ...

... hours rather than minutes. Furthermore, a father has the added worry of what the lateness means in terms of dollars. If a kid is five hours late, the father is frantic, mainly about what might have been done to the family car. Parents worry because they know bad things can and sometimes do happen to kids. It's something that most kids haven't clued into. Every kid in the world thinks he is almost immortal, if not actually too cool to die. My daughter naively thinks that she can take care of herself. I tell her that the only reason she believes this is that she isn't familiar with some of the truly evil things lurking out there in the dark. I never tell her that the reason I know about those things is because I used to be one of them. When I was a teenager, I had a curfew. It was 11 p.m, the local curfew for juveniles. I never kept it ...

... sometimes she would not. As she got worse and worse I would often just sit with her and hold her hand. Words were no longer needed. Her body may have given out and her memory may have left her, but in those moments I felt connected to her soul. I knew that her spirit would soon pass from this world, but I also knew that the love we had shared would live on in my heart always. Even now years after her death I still feel that connection. I still feel that love. It reminds me everyday that we are all one family in this world. We are all Children of God. We are all here to love each other, to help each other, and to grow in oneness with each other. We are here to build bridges to each other ’ s hearts and to find connections to each other ’ s souls. Don ’ t be afraid to love others then. Don ...

... if you can" So, my friend, Put down anything that may be a burden to you right now. Don't pick it up again until after you've rested a while. Here are some great ways of dealing with the burdens of life: Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. Always read stuff that'll make you look good if you die in the middle of it. Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker. If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply be kind to others. Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg ...

... for blessed-with a happiness produced by the experience of God ‘ s favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His matchless grace. Well, the last one certainly seems to apply when we are mourning. But, how do SAHMs mourn? Unless they have lost a child or a spouse or someone else dear to them during their time as a SAHM, can this beatitude apply? Certainly! We know from psychologists that certain life events are stressors. Marriage, death in the family, divorce, moving and job changes are all at the top of the stressor list. Wait a minute-" job changes "??? What bigger job change is there for a woman that to go from a" working" woman to a SAHM? Whether the job was a daily grind or a high power career, there are certain things attached to working that are not (or seem not to be) replaced when we become SAHMs. From personal experience I ...

... ever after ?"" We've been fighting for the world's championship ever since ," he said. That must have been the same couple who seemed to always be in conflict, but had a habit of calling a truce at bedtime. Every evening they knelt together and asked for strength to fight one more round. They often wondered why they remained together. One night, while kneeling, she said to him," Why don't we just ask God to strike one of us dead tonight, then this marriage would have peace at last .and I could go live with my sister" All relationships experience conflict. Marriages, friendships, parents and children. But too many unfortunate souls, like this couple, seem to be unable to resolve their differences. Their relationship dries up, becomes brittle and breaks apart like a old and valuable photograph left in the hot sun. A union that once seemed a work of art eventually resembles a discolored and crumbling canvass. ...

... man urged," my child is still alive" A moment or two later he pleaded," Hurry, my friend, my child is still breathing" A little later he said," Hurry, my friend, my child is still warm" When they got to the hospital, the young girl was gone." This is a terrible task for me ," the distraught man said to the reporter." I must go tell her father that his child is dead. He will be heartbroken" The reporter was amazed. He looked at the grieving man and said," I thought she was YOUR child" The man replied," No, but aren't they all our children ?" I think that is one of the great questions of our age. Aren't they all our children? It is a question that deserves an answer. Aren't they all our children? Those who live under our roof and those who reside with another family? ...

... billions of nobodies that make a society social, a religion practcal, and a life liveable. Without the nobodies who live their faiths everyday, work their jobs with pride and conscience, and really try to" love their neighbor as themselves ," no society could survive and no great cause could prevail. The truth is that nobody is a nobody in God's eyes. Everybody is a somebody. In fact, everybody is a somebody special. God wouldn't send His Son to die for a bunch of nobodies. Neither would he entrust a mission so great to nobodies. We are all somebody special. In the church that I pastor there is a plaque that someone donated. I often read it when I think I am the" World's Greatest Nobody" The familiar quotation reads:" I am only one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do I ought to do and what I ought to do, by ...

... certainly important, sometimes a risk is called for. As the late William Arthur Ward wisely said: To laugh is to risk appearing a fool. To weep is to risk appearing sentimental. To reach out for another is to risk involvement. To expose feelings is to risk revealing your true self. To place you ideas, your dreams, before a crowd is to risk rejection. To love is to risk not being loved in return. To live is to risk dying. To hope is to risk disappointment. To try is to risk failure. But risks must be taken, because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing. Those who risk nothing, do nothing, have nothing, and become nothing. They may avoid present suffering and sorrow, but they will not learn, feel, change, grow, love, or live. Chained by their fear, they are slaves who have forfeited their freedom. Only a person who ...

... I picked it up, I realized it was a bookmark and when I turned it over, in small print this is what was on the other side: The Lord is my shepherd: I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me: Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. That was a pivotal point for me. It broke my mood, and for some odd reason ...

... the power of COMMUNICATION. When we learn to communicate openly and honestly, life changes. To love someone is to communicate with them. Let the people you love know that you love them and appreciate them. Never be afraid to say those three magic words:" I Love You" Never let an opportunity pass to praise someone. Always leave someone you love with a loving word-it could be the last time you see them! If you were about to die but could make telephone calls to the people you loved, who would you call, what would you say and. why are you waiting? The seventh secret? the power of COMMITMENT. If you want to have love in abundance, you must be committed to it, and that commitment will be reflected in your thoughts and actions. Commitment is the true test of love. If you want to have loving relationships, you must be committed to loving relationships. When you ...

... 19 Horses One rich man owned 19 horses when he died. In his last will and testament he had written that upon his death, half the horses he owned should go to his only son; one fourth to the village temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The village elders could not stop scratching their heads. How can they give half of the 19 horses to the son? You cannot cut up a horse. They puzzled over this dilemma for more than two weeks and then decided to send for a wise man who was living in a neighboring village. The wise man came riding on his horse and asked the villagers if he can be of any help to them. The village elders told him about the rich man's last will and testament which stated that half of the (19) horses must be given to his only son, one fourth must go to the temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The wise ...

... with each passing day. Finally there came a point when I knew it was time to let him go. His days here on Earth may have been short by our standards, but every single one of them was full of love. A person who didn ’ t own dogs once asked me why I would put myself through such pain. Why would I bring dogs into my home knowing that eight, ten, or fifteen years later I would be losing them to death? I couldn ’ t answer him at the time, but looking back on Buddy ’ s years with us I think I can now. A dog ’ s love is unconditional. It is pure. It is strong. It is blessed. It gives us such great happiness. It reminds us of what God ’ s love for us must be like. It shows us what our own love is capable of becoming. A dog ’ s love makes us better. ...

... a Power hard to describe. Second stop, Presbyterian hospital .cancer wing. First you need to understand how hospitals work with the sick. If possible, patients are sent home for the holidays. The ones remaining in the hospital live too far, are too ill, or have no support from family or friends. About 1 / 2 of the cancer wing was deserted. We visited the staff and gave them candy and our little Christmas canes, then we visited the dying and ill. How can one describe being humbled? The patients asked for our prayers. We visited with every patient in the wing. We left the patients with a smile. When we left the hospital, we had nothing else left to give, but we received much. Our emotions were drained, we were exhausted, in tears but felt elevated to a 'high ' impossible to describe. We all thought" But for the grace of God. Last stop. We ...

... A Sure Cure for Stress When you're pooped, uptight and frazzled and your plagued by anxiousness, there's a simple diagnosis. You are suffering from stress. You are taxed by unmet deadlines. You are driven by demands. You're a mess of frayed emotions like some stretch-out rubber bands. It's a low-grade chronic sickness that will leave you nearly dead, if you don't address the symptoms. First of all, go straight to bed. When you wake up, eat your breakfast. Spend some time with God in prayer. Let the Lord review your date book. Offer up your angst and cares. Take a walk or jog three miles. Don't neglect your exercise. Watch your diet. Drink much water. Boycott burgers, Cokes and fries. Make the most of meals with family. Share your feelings. Make amends. View each day as priceless treasure. Count your blessings. Laugh with friends. Learn the art of saying" Sorry ...

... ? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse, cook dinner and sew on a button all at the same time? Or is it heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your child disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the first time? Is it the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a school-shooting, a fire, a car accident, a baby dying? I think so. This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the mothers who wanted to but just couldn't. This is for reading" Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then reading it again." Just one more time" This is for all the mothers who mess up. Those who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair and ...

... . In the background is a family graveyard with fresh flowers placed everywhere. The sun is shining through the trees and glistening off the stones with a glorious light. In the front of the picture in the shade of the trees is my daughter. She is holding her 2 year old cousin in her arms and gently kissing her on the cheek. This single picture holds so much. There is beautiful nature, flowers, sunshine, and trees. There is life, death, remembrance, and the promise of an even greater life after this one. There is renewal, youth, and growing up. There is hugs, kisses, joy, and laughter. There is family, caring, and sharing. There is wonderful togetherness. There is light, shadow, happiness and sadness. Most of all, though, there is love. There is love for those who have passed and for those who remain. There is love for life and ...

... monster looks like, I will hug it" That simple, almost silly thought brought great relief to his restless mind. He soon fell into a deep and peaceful sleep until morning. He learned that embracing his fear, literally or figuratively, allowed him to subdue it. We each have our nights of fear, don't we? We all encounter monsters of some sort. We may fear spiders or insects, heights or crowds, abandonment or loneliness, the future or death. And most of us are occasionally visited by shadows of these monsters in the dark of night. The next time you're afraid, try" hugging the monster" Face it and embrace it. It's hard to feel afraid of something you're hugging! And you just might be surprised at how quickly it slips away and at how confident you begin to feel. That beautiful spirit Eleanor Roosevelt said," You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you ...

... . I know a few people, however, who go beyond being just a morning or an evening person. These people may get tired and need naps just like the rest of us, but even when their energy is low their love is still high. They are Heavenly persons. They care, they laugh, and they smile even through the worst pains and challenges. They face life without fear. They share love with no thought of reward. And they meet death with a faith and peace that passes all understanding. They give all their days here to bring Heaven closer to Earth. They spend their whole lives showing the rest of us how to live in love and oneness with God. The good news is that whether you are a morning person, an afternoon person, or an evening person you can be a Heavenly person too. You can choose love. You can choose joy. You can choose oneness with God every single day ...

... inadvertently wrote Alfred's obituary. For the first time, Alfred Nobel saw himself as the world saw him –" the dynamite king ," the great industrialist who had made an immense fortune from explosives. This, as far as the general public was concerned, was the entire purpose of his life. None of his true intentions surfaced. Nothing was said about his work to break down the barriers that separated persons and ideas. He was, quite simply, a merchant of death, and for that alone would he be remembered. Alfred read the obituary with horror. He felt that the world must know the true meaning and purpose of his life. He resolved to do this through his last will and testament. The final disposition of his fortune would show the world his life's ideals. And at that time came into being yearly prizes for chemistry, physics, medicine, literature – and the famous Nobel Peace Prize. If you were to read your ...

... columns and books, visited prisons, taught in schools, and ministered everywhere for the love of God from the streets of Indianapolis to the hills of West Virginia. It was these mountains and their people that touched his heart the most deeply, though, and I am happy that he was able to end his work on Earth here. He did the very best work he could every single day. Even though his body aged, wore down, and finally surrendered to death, his spirit never did. Father Ed may have left us now, but his work goes on. The work we do for the love of God never ends, but thankfully God ’ s love for us never ends either. God ’ s love not only produces the best work but also the best people. Father Ed was one of them. Thinking of Father Ed reminds me that we are more than just these bodies that carry us around. We are spirits dancing ...

... Feeling More Thankful A man lay in a hospital bed worried about whether he would live or die. He called his pastor to come pray for him. He told her that if he got well, he'd donate $20, 000 to the church. The pastor prayed and the man eventually DID get well and returned home. But no check came to the church. So the pastor paid him a visit." I see you're doing quite well now ," she observed." I was just wondering about the promise you made"" What promise ?" he asked." You said you'd give $20, 000 to the church if you recovered"" I did ?" he exclaimed." That goes to show you just how sick I really was !" It is easy to give thanks-or to show it-when we feel grateful. But gratitude is not a feeling we can manufacture. Nor are we born feeling grateful. Children ...

... they do for a living, he is quick to reply," She makes drugs and I sell them" I believe it was Lord Byron who said," Always laugh when you can. It is cheap medicine" And they're finding that to be true-quite literally. A woman diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis wrote to me and talked about how painful the disease had become. Debra said that no drugs would touch the devastating pain." At times I prayed to die because I did not think I could go on this way ," she said. But in two and a half years she weaned herself from most of her medication, which had reached a high of 21 pills a day. This is how she did it." I began seeing a doctor who gave me the most important prescription that I ever could have received ," she said." He excused himself from the room. I watched him walking back and forth in the hall ...

... can afford. When you are on retirement, that is all that you can afford. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. Laugh so much that you can be tracked in the store by your distinctive laughter. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be alive while you are alive, don't put out a mailbox on the highway of death and just wait in residence for your mail. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it is family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge. Cherish your health. If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. Don't take guilt trips. Go to the mall, the next county, foreign country, but not ...

... call" life "? I want to be as ready as possible for whatever may lie ahead. I try to prepare myself for the future in several ways: Intimacy: I need some caring people in my life. Work & Finance: I like to work hard, pay my way and help others where possible. Spiritual Life: When I am spiritually centered and at peace, I can handle most things. Service to Others: A lake with no outlet becomes a dead sea. It's true with people, too. Mind and Body: Exercising my body as well as my mind helps them both work better. Attitude Adjustments: I really can control my outlook and attitudes. Emotions: I can also control my reactions, including anger. Relationships: I need to make sure my relationships are healthy. As long as we are alive, our journey is not over. And in large part, the success of our voyage will be determined by ...

... will not question my love. And my children will never fear that their parent will not come home. I choose gentleness. Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle. If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise. If I clench my fist, may it be only in prayer. If I make a demand, may it be only of myself. I choose self-control. I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy. I will be impassioned only by my faith. I will be influenced only by God. I will be taught only by Christ. I choose self-control. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. To these I commit my day. If I succeed, I ...

... it's the quality and meaning that matter. Not the years in a life, but the life in the years. When asked what he wanted to be remembered for when his life was over, Leo Buscaglia replied," I want to be remembered as somebody who lived life fully and with passion. I've been asked to write my epitaph and I have always thought that the perfect one for my tombstone would be, 'Here lies Leo who died living" I want to die living. And I want to be remembered as one who lived with purpose, joy and verve. I want to spend my time learning what goes into a whole and happy life, then building that life the best I can. Sociologist Tony Campolo told about a study in which fifty people over the age of 90 were asked to reflect upon their lives." If you had it to do over again ," they were asked," what would you do differently ?" Though ...

... sad. To have you come visit, would have made me so glad. But you said," No time. I'm too busy living" You thought all along that I'd be forgiving. You took it for granted that I'd understand That you couldn't bother to come hold my hand. Well, now I've passed on. It's too late, my friend. Your teardrops and flowers will not make amends. I can't see your bouquets, folks, now that I'm dead. I won't see the gravestone that's placed at my head. I can't hear the eulogy the preacher is saying. I won't know the cost for my funeral they're paying. I don't care at all who shows up at my grave. It won't make a difference if a big wake they gave. The flowers, the gravestone, the praises, the cost: These mean nothing at all. On me they're now lost. So you who are living, please heed what ...

... My little singers are helping me to remember something very important as well. They are reminding me that I still have my own song to sing in this world. I still have a lot of joy left to spread. I still have a lot of love left to share. I still have a lot of life left to live. I still have a lot of goodness and oneness with God left to give to everyone I meet. I don ’ t want to die full of regret because my music was still inside of me. I may just be one, little bird singing in this vast world, but I am going to keep chirping away. I know that if you take away just one bird the song of life becomes less. I know too that if you add just one more singer this glorious song becomes so much more. I will be happy then to be a part of God ’ s choir of joy here on Earth ...

... allies. Age 46 I've learned that singing" Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours. Age 49 I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone. Age 50 I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. Age 52 I've learned regardless of the relationship with parents, you miss them a lot after they die. Age 53 I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. Age 58 I've learned if you want to do something good for your children, improve your marriage. Age 61 I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62 I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. Age 64 I've learned if you pursue happiness, it will ...

... Mushrooms I never liked mushrooms when I was a boy. There seemed something strange about them. They grew in clumps of dead leaves, on rotting tree trunks, and in moldy basements. Their white, fleshy texture seemed almost ghostly as well. In addition, I had been warned a hundred times not to eat any wild ones because they might be poisonous. This didn ’ t put me in a mood to taste them then when I saw my Grandma getting ready to put them on a pizza one day. I did, however, work up my courage and ate a raw one while she was spreading the sauce. It tasted just like it looked: musky, bland, and unwholesome. I spit it back out right away and from then on I picked the mushrooms out of anything I ate without tasting them. It wasn ’ t until I was an adult that I was pressured into trying mushrooms again. This time, though ...

... Second Father My father died, when I was five. It was hard on us all. With time the wounds healed. My brother, who is eight years older than me, began to watch over my mother and me. Taking on many more responsibilities than was expected of him, I remember he made sure the trash was taken out, and the yard mowed. He did this on his own, without being told to do so. Because of my father's death, my mother was forced to get a full time job. My brother took it upon himself, to get up early every morning. He would get me up for school, and make me breakfast. While I was eating he would lay out my clothes, make my bed, and gather my school books up. Hand in hand we would walk to the bus stop. As we waited, he would play games my father used to play with me. He did ...

... that it is our own caring souls that God uses to help heal the world. It may open us up to more pain and suffering, but God always gives us the strength, love, and goodness to handle it. It may give us a few more tears, but God makes sure that most of them are ones of joy, compassion, and kindness. It is far better to have wet eyes and a warm, loving heart than dry eyes and be dead on the inside. Don ’ t be scared to let your eyes go moist then. Those tears will clear your vision to see God ’ s spirit in everyone you meet. Those tears will open your heart to all the love that God wants to bless you with. Those tears will strengthen your soul so that you can bring joy, compassion, and healing to all those around you. God gave you tears to ease your pain and tears to express your joy. ...

... Meanings Standing for what you believe in, Regardless of the odds against you, and the pressure that tears at your resistance,. means courage. Keeping a smile on your face, When inside you feel like dying, For the sake of supporting others,. means strength. Stopping at nothing, And doing what's in your heart, You know is right,. means determination. Doing more than is expected, To make another's life a little more bearable, Without uttering a single complaint,. means compassion. Helping a friend in need, No matter the time or effort, To the best of your ability,. means loyalty. Giving more than you have, And expecting nothing, But nothing in return,. means selflessness. Holding your head high, And being the best you know you can be, When life seems to fall apart at your feet, Facing each difficulty with the confidence, That time will bring you better ...

... those who have tried-for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. You can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. Addendum-1 Peter 4: 8" Above everything, love one another earnestly, because love covers over many sins" [Source unknown-Ed: Anon.] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... was in for a surprise. Teddy's first grade teacher wrote," Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners. He is a joy to be around ," His second grade teacher wrote," Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle" His third grade teacher wrote," His mother's death had been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken" Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote," Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class" By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas ...

... " Whatever the monster looks like, I will hug it" That simple, almost silly thought brought great relief to his restless mind. He soon fell into a deep and peaceful sleep until morning. He learned that embracing his fear, literally or figuratively, allowed him to subdue it. We each have our nights of fear. We each encounter monsters of some sort. We may fear spiders or insects, heights or crowds, abandonment or loneliness, the future or death. And most of us are occasionally visited by shadows of these monsters in the dark of night. The next time you're afraid, try" hugging the monster" Face that fear head-on, whatever it is, and embrace it. You may be surprised at how quickly it slips away and at how confident you begin to feel.Like that beautiful spirit Eleanor Roosevelt said," You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you stop to look fear in the ...

... thing that you're planning to? Who ever thought that you couldn't climb Up with the sun to heights sublime? Who has advised you to check your pace, Give up your struggle and lose the race, Crawl off discouraged and hide your face? Nobody but you. You are the one who has done it all-Deserted your castles and let'em fall, Smothered the spark of ambition fire. Shut off the current and cut the wire. How do you know the die is cast? How do you know when the crowd goes past Who'll be the leader, and who'll be the last? How do you know? Life is not merely a game of chance, And you're not the victim of circumstance. Nothing too hard for a man to do, Wishes it more than a miser's wealth, More than an invalid longs for his health. Works for it, prays for it-night and day, Feels that no price is too great ...

... are loved is the greatest happiness of existence. And happiness seems to be something that is in short supply for too many of us! My friend reminded me that it is never enough just to love; we must also express it. What good are our affectionate feelings toward others if we don't find ways to let them know? George William Childs put it like this:" Do not keep the alabaster box of your love and friendship sealed up until your friends are dead. Fill their lives with sweetness. Speak approving, cheering words while their ears can hear them and while their hearts can be thrilled and made happier. The kind things you mean to say when they are gone, say before they go" Happiness. may be just a phone call away.~Steve Goodier~[ by: Steve Goodier Copyright 2008 (LifeSupport @yahoogroups.com)-{ used with permission}] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... his greatest works after becoming deaf. Sir Walter Raleigh wrote the History of the World during a thirteen year imprisonment. If Columbus had turned back, no one could have blamed him, considering the constant adversity he endured. Of course, no one would have remembered him either. Abraham Lincoln achieved greatness by his display of wisdom and character during the devastation of the Civil War. Luther translated the Bible while enduring confinement in the Castle of Wartburg. Under a sentence of death and during twenty years in exile, Dante wrote the Divine Comedy. John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress in a Bedford jail. Finally, consider a more recent example. Mary Groda-Lewis endured sixteen years of illiteracy because of unrecognized dyslexia, was committed to a reformatory on two different occasions, and almost died of a stroke while bearing a child. Committed to going to college, she worked at a variety of odd jobs to save money, graduated with her high school equivalency at eighteen ...

... than me who are already way more mellow than I will ever be. Maybe it is that I just don ’ t have as much room for those things inside me anymore. When life squeezes you what is on the inside comes out. If you are full of sour grapes then you will give the world vinegar. If you are full of good fruits then you will give the world orange juice. Maybe my good fruits are finally ripening while my sour grapes are dying on the vine. Maybe I am finally gardening my soul the way that God wants me to. One thing I do know, however, is that the more you fill your heart, soul, and mind with love and thankfulness the less room there is for anything else. The more you love God, yourself, and others the less room there is for anger and hate. The more you thank God for your life and every good thing in it the less room ...

... I love my son, Jesus. John 17: 23 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17: 26 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1: 3 He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8: 31 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5: 18-19 Jesus died so that I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5: 18-19 His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. I John 4: 10 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8: 38-39 Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15: 7 I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3: 14-15 My question is. Will you be my child? John 1: 12-13 I am waiting for you. Luke 15: 11-32 [ ...

... it: The" Law of the Garbage Truck ” I started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people a work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said," I'm not going to do anymore" I began to see garbage trucks. Like in the movie" The Sixth Sense ," the little boy said," I see Dead People" Well, now" I see Garbage Trucks" I see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. One of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being ...

... condemnation to worsen the feelings that they have. God is a God of love and compassion who wishes to forgive and restore all who come to Him. Never allow the enemy to make you feel as if you are beyond redemption. God is able to turn your mess into a miracle. I hope the following story will minister to you if you are having trouble forgiving yourself, or feel as if God will never forgive you of your past mistakes. A woman is dying of Aids. A minister is summoned. He attempts to comfort her, but to no avail." I am lost ," she said." I have ruined my life and every life around me. Now I'm going painfully to hell. There is no hope for me" The minister saw a framed picture of a pretty girl on the dresser." Who is this ?" he asked. The woman brightened." She is my daughter, the one beautiful thing in ...

... and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives. Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying. [Author Unknown-from 'Aiken Drum ' (Aiken @AikensLaughs.com)] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... , until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until fall, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, And dance like no one's watching. God has given each of us a" gift" that we are to use to glorify His name! Do you know yours ??? [Author Unknown-from 'E-Mail Ministry '] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights ...

... then you still have hope. If you give people the benefit of a doubt, then you still have hope. If you still offer your hand in friendship to others that have touched your life, then you still have hope. If receiving an unexpected card or letter still brings a pleasant surprise, then you still have hope. If the suffering of others still fills you with pain and frustration, then you still have hope. If you refuse to let a friendship die, or accept that it must end, then you still have hope. If you look forward to a time or place of quiet and reflection, then you still have hope. If you still buy the ornaments, put up the Christmas tree or cook the turkey, then you still have hope. If you still watch love stories or want the endings to be happy, then you still have hope. If you can look to the past and smile, then you still ...

... when sleep dims my eyes, I say to myself, Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf? The reason I know my Youth has been spent, Is my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went! But really I don't mind, when I think with a grin, Of all the places my get-up has been. I get up each morning and dust off my wits, Pick up the paper and read the obits. If my name is missing, I'm therefore not dead, So I eat a good breakfast and jump back into bed. The moral of this as the tale unfolds, Is that for you and me, who are growing old. It is better to say" I'm fine" with a grin, Than to let people know the shape we are in. [Author Unknown, 'andychaps_the-funnies ' (Andychap @aol.com)] Inspirational Messages SkyWriting.Net All Rights Reserved. ...

... a telephone call from the man's wife. She said," You prayed for my husband. He had cancer" Compolo thought when he heard her use the past tense verb that his cancer had been eradicated! But before he could think much about it she said," He died" Compolo felt terrible. But she continued," Don't feel bad. When he came into that church that Sunday he was filled with anger. He knew he was going to be dead in a short period of time, and he hated God. He was 58 years old, and he wanted to see his children and grandchildren grow up. He was angry that this all-powerful God didn't take away his sickness and heal him. He would lie in bed and curse God. The more his anger grew towards God, the more miserable he was to everybody around him. It was an awful thing to be in his presence. But the lady told Compolo, ...

... me last night. God must have let him sneak down the rainbow bridge while I slept. There he was in my dream, young and healthy again. He was so full of energy and love. I smiled as he ran around me and barked in pure happiness. It was so good to see him again. It filled my heart with love. It made my soul dance with joy. It helped my mind to see clearly once again that there is no death and that life and love go on forever. After I woke up I stayed awake for a long time remembering every moment of this dream. I knew that it was more than just the longings of my heart. I knew that it was my old friend ’ s way of telling me that we will be seeing each other again. My house is still a bit quieter now, but my heart no longer is. I know that one day I will be hearing a ...

... Health Insurance Have you noticed how health insurance is like a hospital gown: every time you turn around, you find something that isn't covered? But health researchers are discovering what many people have known all along-that getting healthy is about more than medicine and treatment. It also involves a healthy outlook on life. Various studies have validated the mind / body connection. Cancer is often diagnosed within months of the death of one's spouse. People who are cynical or angry have been shown to be more prone to heart attacks than those with a more positive outlook. And former Saturday Evening Post editor Norman Cousins has demonstrated for years how humor, laughter and hope can aid the healing process. Not only is a healthy mental outlook necessary, but a healthy spiritual outlook seems to be equally important. Noted psychologist Carl Jung (1865-1961) made a telling observation about the connection between one's mental health and spiritual outlook." During the past 30 years ...

... I am filled with delight at the gentle humor and cheerfulness in her voice. Her care and compassion for everyone around her are an inspiration. She is always doing good. She makes sure her friends get to the doctor and to Church. She helps in her community in countless ways. And she does it all with a joyful smile on her face. Her faith and love for God are amazing too. She has lost brothers, sisters, and her husband to death. She has watched her friends, children, and grandchildren deal with health problems. She has faced health difficulties in her own life as well. Through it all, however, her belief in God ’ s love and care have never wavered. When I called her on her last birthday she told me again how awesome God was and how good God had been to her and her family. Whenever I need a shining example to show me how to live my own life ...