Wall-E

Have you seen the movie "Wall-E"?

 

That is one of Hayden's favorites. He loves that little robot.

 

The main theme of the movie is that humans have again made a mess of the earth, but this time it is a physical mess. Humans have created so much garbage that it covers the earth, and the humans are shipped off the planet to drive around in space until robots left behind clean it all up. Thousands of years later, one lone robot is left to continue the clean-up and try to get the earth back into a suitable state for living.

 

In Genesis 6 one man caught God’s attention when the world was out of control. Out of all the people that were on the earth, only one man is mentioned as being worth saving. “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD. This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God,” from Genesis 6:8-9. Have you ever noticed that it is always the people who walk with God who find His favor? There definitely seems to be a connection to the fact that several of the great heroes of the Bible were signified as righteous men who walked with God. 

 

Noah did not try to fix or clean up the mess himself. He merely listened to God, built the ark, brought aboard the animals, and waited for the rain to start. He endured extreme ridicule as he was building the ark, too, as he talked to people about this “rain” that was coming soon. People had never seen rain before Noah’s time as the streams of the earth fed it and kept it nurtured. So, Noah endured all that was laid before him by God and just simply listened. And, since Noah listened to God, God used him to help clean up the mess that had been made on the earth. 

 

We are called to do the same as Noah. Have you ever thought that you were just too dirty or too much of a mess for God to clean up? Have you tried to clean it up yourself instead of just bringing it straight to Him? On several occasions God cleaned up much bigger messes than you and I could ever even imagine. “But”, you say, “You do not realize the things that I have done!” No, you are right.  I do not know the things that you have done. But, God does, and He loves you anyway. He does not ask you to clean up first and then come to Him. Instead, in Matthew 11 He says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

 

Jesus wants you to come to Him right now, just as you are, full of your messes, and give it all to Him. Let Him do the clean up job. It is His specialty.

The Christmas Alphabet

A is for Angels, appearing so bright, Telling of Jesus that first Christmas night.

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host."   Luke 2:13


B is for Bethlehem, crowded and old, Birthplace of Jesus by prophet foretold.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel."   Micah 5:2


C is for Cattle, their manger His bed, There in the stable where He laid His head.

"And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger."   Luke 2:7


D is for David and his ancient throne Promised forever to Jesus alone.

"He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David."   Luke 1:32


E is for East, where shone the bright star Which Magi on camels followed afar.

"Behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?"   Matthew 2:1 & 2


F is for Frankincense, with myrrh and gold, Brought by the Wise Men as Matthew has told.

"And when they had opened their treasurers, they presented unto him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh."   Matthew 2:11


G is for God, who from heaven above Sent down to mankind the Son of His love.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."   John 3:16


H is for Herod, whose murderous scheme Was told to Joseph in a nocturnal dream.

"The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt... for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."   Matthew 2:13


I is for Immanuel, "God with us," For Christ brought man back to the Father's house.

"Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."   Isaiah 7:14


J is for Joseph so noble and just, Obeying God's word with absolute trust.

"Then Joseph being raised form sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife."   Matthew 1:24


K is for King. A true king He would be, Coming in power and authority.

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, they King cometh unto thee; he is just, and having salvation."   Zechariah 9:9


L is for Love that He brought down to earth That night in the stable in lowly birth.

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him."   1 John 4:9


M is for Mary, His mother so brave, Counting God faithful and mighty to save.

"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word."   Luke 1:38


N is for Night, when the Savior was born For nations of earth and people forlorn.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night."   Luke 2:8


O is for Omega, meaning "the last;" He's eternal: present, future and past.

"I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last."   Revelation 22:13


P is for Prophets, when living on earth Foretold His redemption and blessed birth.

"I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel."   Numbers 24:17


Q is for Quickly, as shepherds who heard Hastened to act on that heavenly word.

"And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger."   Luke 2:16


R is for Rejoice. The sorrow of sin Is banished forever when Jesus comes in.

"And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth."   Luke 1:14


S is for Savior. To be this He came; The angel of God assigned Him His name.

"She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins."   Matthew 1:21


T is for Tidings related to all, Telling of Him who was born in a stall.

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people."   Luke 2:10


U is for Us, to whom Jesus was given To show us the way and take us to heaven.

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord."   Luke 2:11


V is for Virgin, foretold by the sage, God's revelation on prophecy's page.

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."   Matthew 1:23


W is for Wonderful, His works and words The King of all Kings, the Lord of all Lords.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given... and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."   Isaiah 9:6


X is for Christ. It's X in the Greek, Anointed, Messiah, mighty, yet meek.

"God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power."  Acts 10:38


Y is for Yes, called God's Yes in His Word; God's answer to all is Jesus the Lord.

"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."   2 Corinthians 1:20


Z is for Zeal as it burned in Christ's heart. Lord, by thy Spirit to us zeal impart.

"And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."   John 2:17

Things I've Learned in 39 Years Of Ministry

The following are 10 lessons I’ve learned in 39 years of ministry:

1. The goal is not to win a debate but to redeem the heart.
   
2. One’s public witness is only as authentic as one’s private integrity.
   
3. There is no greater source of wisdom than the Bible and no investment that yields greater returns than prayer.
   
4. Hate is only validated when one responds in like spirit.
   
5. Jesus should never be presented as less than he claimed to be: the way, the truth and the life.
   
6. One should live first and foremost so as to please a heavenly audience.
   
7. One’s legacy is found not in things that matter least but in people who matter most.
   
8. The generation into which I am born is my calling and it beckons me to be fully engaged.
   
9. When Jesus paused while dying on the cross to make certain his mother was cared for, he showed how to prioritize family amidst ministry.
   
10. Sermons can inspire but it is love in action that makes the most profound impact.

As I look to the next generation of ministers I am keenly aware that they will seek to touch a world that is increasingly distracted. Absolutes will be challenged as those who oppose Biblical precepts become more organized and vocal. Their strength will be in presenting not religion but a relationship with Jesus Christ.

To the generation of ministers who have served before me that includes my father and grandfather, I. C. Morris, Jr., Bobby Johnson and others less well-known but equally faithful I owe a debt of gratitude.

Love 1 Corinthians 13 Style

• If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.
  
• If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.
  
• If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.
  
• If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.
  
• Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
  
• Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the husband.
  
• Love is kind, though harried and tired.
  
• Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
  
• Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way.
  
• Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return but rejoices in giving to those who can't.
  
• Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
  
• Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust. But giving the gift of love will endure.

The Sound of a Thankful Heart

"When ye will offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving unto the Lord, offer it at your own will." - Leviticus 22:29 KJV

 I went up to thank the cooks and the workers after we had finished a wonderful Thanksgiving meal prepared by the good folks in the All-Star Movie Food Court at Disney World yesterday. After fighting crowds for 3 1/2 days and some very rude people, I wanted to make sure I expressed my gratitude for a job well done by these workers on what should have been a holiday for them. They seemed to be so appreciative that I just took the time to tell them thanks for a job well done.

It's a challenge to grow up with a thankful heart. From an early age we are exposed to a culture of complainers, gripers, grumblers, and critics. We complain about the weather, traffic, food, work, neighbors, bills, the government, church, and life in general. Worst of all, we are ungrateful toward God. It would be hard to count the number of complaints and criticisms that are daily spoken before Him and against Him. How can we, who have received so much, be thankful for so little?

One of the great indicators of true spirituality is not measured by how many times we go to church, how big our Bibles are, or how long we pray, but it is measured by the level of gratitude that is in our hearts. When we are ungrateful, the heart of God is saddened, the Holy Spirit is grieved, and the joy of the Lord is quenched within us.

Being thankful sweetens you, grumbling sours you; being thankful brings sunshine to your countenance, being ungrateful casts a shadow; being thankful brings a melody to your words, criticism makes you sound like a clanging cymbal; being thankful keeps your feet on the pathway of celebration, complaint takes you down the road of despair.

When our hearts are filled with gratefulness we may feel like our thanksgiving is inadequate, but we can be certain that our thanksgiving is always appropriate. It will gladden the heart of God to hear your heartfelt thanks being freely offered to Him today.

Once You Have

Once you have smiled at someone you can't take it back.

Once you have held the tiny hand of a new born child and the frail, weak hand of an elderly soul with his one last breath, you cannot possibly justify wasting another moment of your own life. Life is not just a beginning and an end it is how you live it in between.

Once you have stood on the edge of mentally spent, physically exhausted, and financially drained you have every right to say, "I quit!" But follow that by shouting "Now you take over God!" Then watch what He can do with spent, exhausted and drained.

Once you have seen a sunrise and a sunset , you know that God has kept His promise and has every day of your life. Have you kept yours?

Once you have said "I will" then you must follow through. "I will" is your word, not a "maybe."

Once you have more, you must give more to those who have less.

Once you have anything, you must give thanks.

Once you have nothing, you must give thanks, too. It's not just in having that we should be grateful. Just being alive is a gift, too.

Once you have stood in awe looking at the stars you realize how incredibly special you must be. For in all the universe there is only one "you." But realize that the universe is looking back in awe at you, too. All of God's creation is "Awe-some!"

Once you have heard the old man tell the story for what seems like the "hundredth" time, be happy if he lives to tell it to you a hundred more times. One day you will wish he were there to tell it again.

Once you have faith, you can never give into the power of doubt. Faith builds, doubt destroys.

Once you have love, you always will...

Becky and I wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving. Taking just a few days off. Look for this blog again on Friday. God bless you.

Cover Me and My Loved Ones

Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, began like any other day for Bethel Assembly of God deacon and Sunday school superintendent Stanley Praimnath of Elmont, Long Island. He got up early, took a shower, prayed, got ready and headed for work. The drive was uneventful. The train ride was the same. Yet, this day he would see the hand of God spare his life.

"For some particular reason, I gave the Lord a little extra of myself that morning {during prayer}," Stanley said. "I said, 'Lord, cover me and all my loved ones under your precious blood.' And even though I said that and believed it, I said it over and over and over."

When Stanley arrived at World Trade Center Tower Two, he took the elevator up to his office on the 81st floor. "I work for the Fuji Bank Limited," he said. "I'm an assistant vice president in the loans operations department. The company is located on the 79th through 82nd floors."

Stanley greeted Delise, a woman who had arrived before him. After talking briefly, he headed over to his desk and picked up his phone to retrieve his messages.

"As I'm standing there retrieving my messages, I'm looking out at the next building, One World Trade, and I saw fire falling through from the roof," Stanley said. "Now, this entire building is surrounded by glass, and you can stand up and from there you can see all the buildings, planes and everything flying at the same altitude."

As Stanley saw "fire balls" coming down, his first reaction was to think of his boss who works in that building. He decided to try to call him to see if he was OK. "I'm dialing his number, and getting no response. So, I say to Delise, the temp, 'Go, go, go -- let's get out.'"

Delise and Stanley got on the elevator and went down to the 78th floor. Some other people were there. The company's president, the CEO, the human resources director and two other men joined the group and headed down to the concourse level of Two World Trade Center.

If they had continued on and exited the building, all of their lives would have been spared. As it was, that's not the way it happened.

"As soon as we reached the concourse level, the security guard stopped us and said, 'Where are you going?' Stanley explained about seeing the fire in Tower One. According to Stanley, the guard said, "Oh, that was just an accident. Two World Trade is secured. Go back to your office."

That turned out to be fatal advice -- aside from Stanley, Delise was the only one of that group to survive.

"We were joking, and I told {Human Resources Director} Brian Thompson, 'This is a good time to think of relocating this building -- it's not safe anymore.'" Stanley headed back to his office, but before he got there, he told Delise, that with the events of the day, she should go home and relax.

Thompson went to the 82nd floor, the president and CEO went to the 79th floor and Stanley got out on the 81st floor. When Stanley got to his office, his phone was ringing. "It was someone from Chicago calling to find out if I'm watching the news," he said. He told the caller everything "was fine."

But everything wasn't fine -- far from it. As Stanley was talking, he looked up and saw United Air Lines Flight 175 heading straight for him.

"All I can see is this big gray plane, with red letters on the wing and on the tail, bearing down on me," said Stanley. "But this thing is happening in slow motion. The plane appeared to be like 100 yards away, I said 'Lord, you take control, I can't help myself here.' "

Stanley then dove under his desk. "My Testament {Bible} was on top of my desk," explained Stanley. "I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Lord was going to take care of me once I got there." As he curled into a fetal position under his desk, the plane tore into the side of the building and exploded.

Miraculously, Stanley was unhurt. However, he could see a flaming wing of the plane in the doorway of his department. He knew he needed to get out of his office and the building fast. But, he was trapped under debris up to his shoulders.

"Lord, you take control, this is your problem now," he recalled praying. "I don't know where I got this power from, but the good Lord, He gave me so much power and strength in my body that I was able to shake everything off. I felt like I was the strongest man alive."

All the while, Stanley was asking the Lord to spare his life. "I'm crying and I'm praying, 'Lord, I have things to do. I want to see my family, Lord, help me through.'"

Stanley's office resembled a battle zone -- walls flattened into dusty heaps, office equipment strewn violently, flames flickering about and rubble everywhere.

"Everything I'm trying to climb on {to get out} is collapsing and I'm going down," he said. "I'm getting cuts and bruises, but I'm saying, 'Lord, I have to go home to my loved ones, I have to make it, You have to help me.' "

Suddenly Stanley saw the light of a flashlight. For a moment, it stunned him. "What were the chances of someone bringing a flashlight to this floor?" he thought. "My first gut reaction was, 'This is my guardian angel -- my Lord sent somebody to save me!' "

Stanley began screaming, "I see the light, I see the light." But after clawing his way through the debris, he realized that he couldn't get out - all the exits were blocked and his "guardian angel" couldn't get to him--a wall was between him and the staircase. "He can't get to me and I can't get to him, and by this time I can't breathe," Stanley said. "I don't know if it was sulfur or what {burning jet fuel, perhaps}, but I can smell this thing. I got down on my knees and said, "Lord, you've got to help me. You've brought me this far, help me to get to the staircase."

But then Stanley did something surprising. While praying on his knees, he called out to the man behind the wall, "There's one thing I got to know, do you know Jesus?" The man replied he went to church every Sunday. Then they prayed together to enable them to break through the wall.

"I got up, and I felt as if a power came over me," said Stanley. "I felt goose bumps all over my body and I'm trembling, and I said to the wall, 'You're going to be no match for me and my Lord.' " Moments later, he punched his way through the wall and, with the help of the man on the other side, was able to squirm his way through the hole in the wall. "The guy held me and embraced me and he gave me a kiss and he said, 'From today, you're my brother for life.' "

But the danger wasn't over. The man on the other side of the wall, who introduced himself as Brian, was an older man and they still had 81 floors to walk down, with the building on fire and, unknown to them, in danger of collapse. "We hobbled our way down, and at every floor we stopped to see if anybody was there, but nobody was, except a man was on the floor, and his back was gone, and he was covered in blood."

Stanley asked to be allowed to carry the man out, but a security guard told him it would be better to send somebody up. When they finally made it down to the concourse, only firefighters were there. "They were saying, 'Run! Run! Run!', they were telling us to run out, but they were not concerned about themselves," he said.

Stanley and Brian would have run from the building, but now the concourse was surrounded with fire. Wetting themselves under the building's sprinkler system, they held hands and ran through the flames to safety at Trinity Church, about two blocks away. "I wanted to go to the church to thank God," Stanley explained, "As soon as I held onto the gate of that church, the building {World Trade Center Tower Two} collapsed."

Stanley and Brian made their way safely out of the danger area. Before they parted, Stanley gave his business card to Brian in hopes of contact at a later time, and said, "If I don't see you, I'll see you in heaven."

Cut and bloodied, with clothes tattered and wearing a borrowed shirt, Stanley finally made it home hours later to his wife, Jennifer, and his two girls, Stephanie, 8, and Caitlin, 4. "I held my wife and my two children and we cried," said Stanley. After thanking God for sparing his life, Stanley told God whatever he did, it will always be for His glory. "I'm so sore, but every waking moment, I say 'Lord, had you not been in control, I would not have made it.'

"For some divine reason, I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the good Lord's mighty hand turned the plane a fraction from where I was standing," said Stanley. "Because when it crash-landed, it was just 20 feet from me. I don't care who would rationalize -- what people would say now or years from now, but I know it was the handiwork of the Lord that turned that plane. My Lord Jesus is bigger than the Trade Center and His finger can push a plane aside!"

Time To Give Thanks and To Remember Others

This article was written and published by Dear Abby a number of years ago. I have kept it for awhile and thought it was worth sharing again during this Thanksgiving season.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since today is Thanksgiving, take just a moment to reflect upon all of the things for which you are thankful.

How's your health? Not so good? Well, thank God you've lived this long. A lot of people haven't. You're hurting? Thousands -- maybe millions -- are hurting even more. (Have you ever visited a veterans hospital? A rehabilitation clinic for crippled children?)

If you awakened this morning able to hear the birds sing, use your vocal cords to utter human sounds, walk to the breakfast table on two good legs, and read the newspaper with two good eyes, praise the Lord! A lot of people couldn't.

How's your pocketbook? Thin? Well, most of the world is a lot poorer. No pensions, no welfare. No food stamps, no Social Security. In fact, one-third of the people in the world will go to bed hungry tonight.

Are you lonely? The way to have a friend is to be one. If nobody calls you, pick up the phone and call someone.

Are you concerned about our country's future? Hooray! Our system has been saved by such concern. Our country may not be a rose garden, but neither is it a patch of weeds.

Freedom rings! Look and listen. You can worship at the church of your choice, cast a secret ballot, and you can even criticize your government without fearing a knock on the head or a knock on the door at midnight. And if you want to live under a different system, you are free to go. There are no walls or fences -- nothing to keep you here.

A final thought: Want an instant high? The surest cure for the holiday blues is doing something nice for someone. Why not call a person who lives alone and invite him or her to share dinner?

Better yet, call and say, "I'm coming to get you, and I'll see that you get home." (Some older people don't drive, and those who do may not like to be behind the wheel after dark.)

Try it. And let me know the results.

P.S. Special greetings to those of you in the military who wrote from remote corners of the world to tell me that you are using my prayer on this Thanksgiving Day.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
    -- LOVE, ABBY

'Twas The Night Before Thanksgiving

'Twas the night of Thanksgiving - I couldn't sleep.
I tried counting backwards, I tried counting sheep
The leftovers beckoned --- The dark meat and white,
But I fought the temptation with all of my might.

Tossing and turning with anticipation
The thought of a snack became infatuation.
So I raced to the kitchen, Flung open the door,
And gazed at the fridge full of goodies galore.

I gobbled up turkey and buttered potatoes,
Pickles and carrots, beans and tomatoes.
I felt myself swelling so plump and so round,
Till all of a sudden, I rose off the ground !!

I crashed through the ceiling. Floating into the sky...
With a mouthful of pudding and a handful of pie,
But I managed to yell as I soared past the trees ...
HAPPY EATING TO ALL! PASS THE CRANBERRIES PLEASE!

The Bag Lady and Thanksgiving

It was very cold and a light snow was falling as young Jimmy Dorche piloted his Ford Escort down the street toward the city park. Snow on Thanksgiving was a rarity in this part of the country and it caused almost as much excitement as the traditional turkey dinner, the traditional afternoon of football, or the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television. But none of these things were on 17-year-old Jimmy's mind at the moment as he carefully maneuvered his car over the blacktop. He had his own tradition to tend to and what he was looking for he would probably find in the deserted park.

Usually bustling with activity, even on cold days, the park was practically empty now. Everyone was home with friends and family enjoying their Thanksgiving turkey. Jimmy was tempted to have a bit more dinner himself, but his second helping sat on the car seat beside him along with a big hunk of Mom's homemade pumpkin pie and a Thermos bottle of hot coffee. Jimmy wouldn't succumb to temptation and eat more today.

For the past two years, Jimmy had established a tradition for himself. He had never suffered a hungry day in his life. The son of an unwed teenaged mother, he was given up for adoption as an infant and was taken in by a Christian family. When he was fifteen, to honor his Lord as well as his parents, he decided to take his second helping of Thanksgiving dinner to the park to share with a homeless man or woman.

His first year, he had found a man who had been on his own since he was thirteen. In the summer he worked odd jobs, but in winter he lived at the local rescue mission where he earned an occasional dollar by cleaning up the place. The second year, he shared his Thanksgiving dinner with an elderly man whose wife had died long before and his children had moved to another city. They never contacted their father nor offered to help him in any way. "I reckon they're ashamed of me," the rheumy old man had said.

Throughout the year, Jimmy often thought about the two men. He had gone to the mission to try to find them, but they were gone without a trace. Now Jimmy wondered who he would meet this Thanksgiving.

As soon as he arrived at the park, he saw a ragged woman sitting hunched over on the bench of one of the heavy concrete picnic tables provided by the city. She wore an old battered red coat and a dark wool cap over her matted, graying hair. Close beside her was the tattered bag that carried all her worldly possessions.

Jimmy pulled the car into a parking place and got out. He took the covered dishes and the Thermos bottle from the front seat and began walking toward the bag lady. When he stood in front of her, she jumped as if she had suddenly been awakened from dozing. She looked up at Jimmy. Suddenly her eyes brightened and she started to speak but, instead, she lowered her head and stared at the frozen ground.

"God bless you, ma'am," Jimmy said, smiling. "I have brought you some Thanksgiving dinner. Would you do me the honor of sharing it with me."

The woman looked at the food. She was very hungry -- she hadn't eaten since last night's dinner at the mission. She nodded and Jimmy served her food, uncovered the plates, put a napkin and silverware on the cold concrete picnic table, and poured her a streaming cup of coffee from the Thermos. Then he watched her as she ate. Although it was very cold in the park, he felt warm inside. The God of love was clearly at work within him. He loved his tradition and he intended to continue it -- and more -- for the rest of his life.

When the woman had finished, he cleared the table and put the dishes into a pile. He poured another cup of coffee into her Styrofoam cup and closed the Thermos. Then he reached into his wallet and pulled out a twenty dollar bill. He thrust the money into her gnarled hand. Then he reached over and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

"May God richly bless you, ma'am," he said softly. "And thank you for giving me the honor of sharing my Thanksgiving dinner with you." With that, Jimmy picked up his dishes and returned to the car.

She had stayed in the city purposely to see him grow, but remained carefully in the background and out of sight so she would not embarrass him or cause him pain. Her own life was a shambles -- time spent in state mental hospitals and, at other times, living on the streets. But she had seen him grow into manhood and was very proud of his many accomplishments. Today, she had longed to tell him who she was, but could not bring herself to do it. Instead she thanked God that He had so richly blessed her today, in spite of her trials.

Tears welled up in her eyes. She had seen her son on Thanksgiving and he had loved his mother.

"The greatest among you will be your servant."   (Matthew 23:11 NIV)

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When in sorrow,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When men fail you,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you want to be fruitful,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you have sinned,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you worry,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you are in danger,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When God seems far away,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When your faith needs stirring,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you are lonely and fearful,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you grow bitter and critical,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For Paul's secret to happiness,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For understanding of Christianity,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you feel down and out,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you want peace and rest,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When the world seems bigger than God,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you want Christian assurance,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you leave home for labor or travel,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When your prayers grow narrow or selfish,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For a great invention/opportunity,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you want courage for a task,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For how to get along with fellow men,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . When you think of investments and returns,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you are depressed,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If your pocketbook is empty,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you are losing confidence in people,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If people seem unkind,  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If discouraged about your work,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . If you find the world growing small and yourself great,   . . . . . . For dealing with fear,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For security,  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For assurance,   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For reassurance,  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

call John 14 call Psalm 27 call John 15 call Psalm 51 call Matthew 6:19-34 call Psalm 91 call Psalm 139 call Hebrews 11 call Psalm 23 call I Corinthians 13 call Colossians 3:12-17 call II Corinthians 5:15-19 call Romans 8:31 call Matthew 11:25-30 call Psalm 90 call Romans 8:1-30 call Psalm 121 call Psalm 67 call Isaiah 55 call Joshua 1 call Romans 12 call Mark 10 call Psalm 27 call Psalm 37 call I Corinthians 13 call John 15 call Psalm 126 call Psalm 19 call Psalm 34:7 call Psalm 121:3 call Mark 8:35 call Psalm 145:18

All lines to Heaven open 24 hours a day!  Feed your faith, and doubt will starve to death!

Why Do People Choose To Believe The Worst

It's amazing to me that people in and out of church are always ready to believe the worst about someone rather than give them the opportunity to prove themselves. In fact it is so infectious that usually the victims of such abuse feel they cannot even break the cycle of rejection that they are trapped in.

Let's face it the majority of people today want someone to talk about in a way that's negative and hurtful. I believe there are several reasons why:

First, it takes their minds off of their own shortcomings and failures. It sure is easy to talk about someone else and their faults than it is to deal with our own.

Second, if they can't get a break why should anyone else. It's that attitude that prevails in the world today and really controls the thinking of most individuals.

Third, it allows their opinions to be known and gives them the opportunity to express their frustrations against someone else. Often this happens because of some hurt that has been experienced along their journey in life and they want someone else to wear that label or scar just as they have had to do.

In 39 years of ministry I have been lied about, lied to, mocked, made fun of, criticized, attacked verbally, mentally, and physically, my integrity challenged, and written about negatively. Most of this came from so-called Christian people, many that I counted as friends and as church family. Some of these I never thought would ever push me away. Yet it happened. Pastors always get talked about positively or negatively, but some of the hurts I've experienced have come from people I never expected to do or think wrong of me.

And guess what...I'm not the only one. How many of you have experienced the same things over the past few months? It's a horrible thing when you are the victim of such vicious treatment.


Isn't it sad that we forget what the Bible says about such things?

Philippians 4: 8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

Before you believe the worst about somebody please obey the scripture:
-Make sure the story you've heard is true or not-just don't jump to conclusions.
-Believe the best until proven otherwise-don't base your opinions on bad reports.
-Don't take every negative thing that comes along so seriously-that's how molehills become mountains.
-Keep your own house in order-before you try to get into somebody else's house and straighten them out.

Don't choose to believe the worst first. Just trust God and ask Him to reveal to you the truth. He will if you will let Him.

I Believe In You

Bob Perks shares this thought simply entitled "I Believe In You"...

Words jump out at me. When I heard someone today say, "To begin with..." my thoughts turned to all the possibilities.

To begin with... Faith
You cannot say that you have faith if when you fall you give up. Faith means you will be given the strength to rise, or the hand to be lifted up. But don't lie there waiting. God provides for the smallest bird, but He doesn't throw the seed into the nest. They were created to fly.

To begin with... Hope
Trust that in all things there is hope. Even when we cannot see the opportunity, there it is in the out stretched hand, the listening ear, the smiling face, the sunrise.

To begin with... Love
If you cannot see love in your life perhaps you need to put life in your love. Begin by accepting who you are and all you can be. This confidence will give you the power to love outside yourself. Love is not love until it is given away. To love is to honor God.

To begin with... friendship
If you want to have friends, be one. Sometimes friendship, like love, appears one sided. Sometimes people need more than they give. Trust that in doing for another the act is the gift you give yourself.

To begin with... the Present
Where you are at the moment is a result of where you have been. We only have the past and the present. No one is guaranteed tomorrow. Learn from yesterday and begin anew with the Present.

To begin with... Loss
Succumb to the feelings of loss. The heart cannot heal until pain is acknowledged. Tears are not a sign of weakness but an acceptance of the reality, a release for the bereaved. Faith, Hope, Love and Friendship will be your strength in the Present. Even in loss there is much to be gained.

To begin with... I believe in You!

Do You Have A Monster To Hug?

One couple spent a holiday driving in the mountains. "Every time you race around one of those narrow curves," exclaimed the wife, "I just get terrified."

"Then do what I do," suggested her husband. "Close your eyes!"

We are all afraid at times, but closing our eyes may not be the best way through fear. I've found it better to open my eyes and try to experience those fears.

You've heard of facing your fears; how about embracing them?

I think one man's experience with fear can help.

In 1972 David Miln Smith had such an opportunity. Smith, an adventurer, author and professional speaker, decided to spend a night alone in the famous St. Michael's Cave on the island of Gibraltar as a test of courage. In his book HUG THAT MONSTER (Andrews and McMeel, 1996), he tells of hearing strange sounds all around him as he lay there in the pitch-black, damp, deserted cave. Most frightening was the fact that he came to believe he was not alone!

Fear became panic and he was afraid he was losing his mind. Then suddenly, as he was approaching his psychological breaking point, Smith thought to himself, "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, 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 stop to look fear in the face." But after looking it in the face, how about embracing it? Just imagine yourself putting your arms around whatever is keeping you awake in the night. Make it your friend. because it is! Whatever you fear, once faced and embraced, will actually make you a better person.

Now, do you have a monster to hug?

This Is Good

An old story is told of a king in Africa who had a close friend with whom he grew up. The friend had a habit of looking at every situation that ever occurred in his life (positive or negative) and remarking, "This is good!"

One day the king and his friend were out on a hunting expedition. The friend would load and prepare the guns for the king. The friend had apparently done something wrong in preparing one of the guns, for after taking the gun from his friend, the king fired it and his thumb was blown off. Examining the situation the friend remarked as usual, "This is good!" To which the king replied, "No, this is NOT good!" and proceeded to send his friend to jail.

About a year later, the king was hunting in an area that he should have known to stay clear of. Cannibals captured him and took him to their village. They tied his hands, stacked some wood, set up a stake and bound him to the stake.

As they came near to set fire to the wood, they noticed that the king was missing a thumb. Being superstitious, they never ate anyone that was less than whole. So untying the king, they sent him on his way. As he returned home, he was reminded of the event that had taken his thumb and felt remorse for his treatment of his friend. He went immediately to the jail to speak with his friend. "You were right," he said, "it was good that my thumb was blown off." And he proceeded to tell the friend all that had just happened. "And so I am very sorry for sending you to jail for so long. It was bad for me to do this."

"No," his friend replied, "This is good!"

"What do you mean,'This is good'? How could it be good that I sent my friend to jail for a year?"

"If I had NOT been in jail, I would have been with you." "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." (Rom. 8:28)

Situations may not always seem pleasant while we are in them, but the promise of God is clear. If we love Him and live our lives according to His precepts, even that which seems to be bleak and hopeless will be turned by God for His glory and our benefit.

Hold on, God is faithful! May God bless you this week as you seek His will in every situation.

Addendum -- Genius 50:20 (NIV)   "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

From Hood to Hero

Joseph Walker wrote this story earlier this year for his newspaper column. I thought it was appropriate to share it today in honor of our Veterans.

As a high school senior in the early 1970s, there were a lot of places I wanted to go: Europe, Hawaii, backstage at a Chicago concert, the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders locker room. But there was one place I actually had a chance of going where I definitely didn't want to go. Vietnam.

Don't get me wrong. I was as patriotic as the next guy. I loved my country. I was almost an Eagle Scout. And I could play a version of "The Star Spangled Banner" on my tuba that could bring tears to your eyes. At least, it brought tears to my band teacher's eyes.

And it wasn't that I had strong feelings one way or the other about the morality of the war. I registered for the draft like I was supposed to when I turned 18, and I wasn't thinking about burning my draft card or moving to Canada or anything like that. The fact is, I didn't know all that much about the war's political implications, and I didn't really care -- not like I cared about my '62 Caddy, my collection of Neil Diamond records and somehow getting a date with a cute little sophomore named Becky.

When it comes right down to it, I didn't want to go to Vietnam because... well, there just isn't any other way to say this -- I was scared. Scared of the jungle. Scared of the Viet Cong. Scared of napalm. Scared of Agent Orange. Scared of Russian weapons. Scared of body bags. Scared of being injured. Scared of being killed. Scared of my high draft number.

Of course, that wasn't my public position. As far as everyone else was concerned, I was just really focused on getting my college education. And doing some volunteer work for my church. And getting married and starting a family. All of which was true. But the cold, hard fact of the matter was, I was interested in those things because they were a lot less frightening than Vietnam -- notwithstanding the prospect of finals, homesickness and potty training.

So it was hard to know what to say when my high school classmate, John, told me he had joined the Marines and would likely be shipping out to 'Nam before the school year was out.

"They can't do that, can they?" I asked, worried almost as much for him as I was for me. "Don't they have to let you graduate from high school first?"

"I'm 19, almost 20," he said, shrugging his shoulders. He smiled at the puzzled look on my face. "I got held back a year," he said, smiling. "Maybe two, I don't remember." Suddenly I felt less embarrassed about how easily he had pinned me during a 9th grade wrestling tournament. It looked like man against boy, because it was.

"Look," he said, "you know I've never been much good at this school stuff. About the only thing I'm any good at is fighting in the parking lot after football games. So I figure I might as well go someplace where they don't give you detention for fighting -- they give you medals."

For the first time in the six years I had known John, I saw peace in his eyes. Peace -- because he was going to war. It didn't make sense, but then, few things did those days. I just knew that John, the parking lot warrior, had found his nobility. He was willing to go someplace and do a job that a lot of us were unwilling to do. In fact, just the thought of going there and doing that scared some of us to death.

And that made him a hero -- at least, to me.

I don't know how many hoods have become heroes in the service of their country. But every Veteran's Day I think about John and others like him who fought for peace.

For their country, and for themselves.

Sacrifice Play

In Brooklyn, New York, Chush is a school that caters to learning disabled children. Some children remain in Chush for their entire school career, while others can be main streamed into conventional schools.

At a Chush fund-raising dinner, the father of a Chush child delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all that attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he cried out, "Where is the perfection in my son Jerry?

Everything God does is done with perfection. But my child cannot understand things as other children do. My child cannot remember facts and figures as other children do. Where is God's perfection?"

The audience was shocked by the question, pained by the father's anguish and stilled by the piercing query. "I believe," the father answered, "that when God brings a child like this into the world, the perfection that He seeks is in the way people react to this child."

He then told the following story about his son Jerry:

One afternoon Jerry and his father walked past a park where some boys Jerry knew were playing baseball. Jerry asked, "Do you think they will let me play?" Jerry's father knew that his son was not at all athletic and that most boys would not want him on their team. But Jerry's father understood that if his son were chosen to play it would give him a comfortable sense of belonging.

Jerry's father approached one of the boys in the field and asked if Jerry could play. The boy looked around for guidance from his teammates. Getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We are losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him up to bat in the ninth inning

Jerry's father was ecstatic as Jerry smiled broadly. Jerry was told to put on a glove and go out to play short center field. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Jerry's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three. In the bottom of the ninth inning, Jerry's team scored again and now with two outs and the bases loaded with the potential winning run on base, Jerry was scheduled to be up. Would the team actually let Jerry bat at this juncture and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Jerry was given the bat. Everyone knew that it was all but impossible because Jerry didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, let alone hit with it. However, as Jerry stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Jerry should at least be able to make contact. The first pitch came in and Jerry swung clumsily and missed. One of Jerry's teammates came up to Jerry and together they held the bat and faced the pitcher waiting for the next pitch. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly toward Jerry.

As the pitch came in, Jerry and his teammate swung the bat and together they hit a slow ground ball to the pitcher. The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could easily have thrown the ball to the first baseman. Jerry would have been out and that would have ended the game. Instead, the pitcher took the ball and threw it on a high arc to right field, far beyond reach of the first baseman.

Everyone started yelling, "Jerry, run to first. Run to first!" Never in his life had Jerry run to first. He scampered down the baseline wide eyed and startled. By the time he reached first base, the right fielder had the ball. He could have thrown the ball to the second baseman that would tag out Jerry, who was still running. But the right fielder understood what the pitcher's intentions were, so he threw the ball high and far over the third baseman's head. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second."

Jerry ran towards second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases towards home.

As Jerry reached second base, the opposing short stop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base and shouted, "Run to third." As Jerry rounded third, the boys from both teams ran behind him screaming, "Jerry run."

Jerry ran home, stepped on home plate and all 18 boys lifted him on their shoulders and made him the hero, as he had just hit a "grand slam" and won the game for his team.

"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "those 18 boys reached their level of God's perfection."

John 3:16

In the city of Chicago, one cold, dark night, a blizzard was setting in. A little boy was selling newspapers on the corner, while other people were in and out of the cold. The little boy was so cold that he wasn't trying to sell many papers. He walked up to a policeman and said, "Mister, you wouldn't happen to know where a poor boy could find a warm place to sleep tonight would you? You see, I sleep in a box up around the corner there and down the alley, and it's awful cold in there at night. It sure would be nice to have a warm place to stay."

The policeman looked down at the little boy and said, "You go down the street to that big white house and you knock on the door. When they open the door you just say 'John 3:16' and they will let you in."

So the boy walked up the steps to the door, and knocked on the door and a lady answered. The little boy looked up and said, "John 3:16."

The lady said "Come on in, Son." She took him in and she sat him down in a split bottom rocker in front of a great big old fireplace and she went off. He sat there for a while, and thought to himself "John 3:16... I don't understand it, but it sure makes a cold boy feel warm."

Later she came back and asked him "Are you hungry?"

He said, "Well, just a little. I haven't eaten in a couple of days and guess I could stand a little bit of food."

The lady took him in the kitchen and sat him down to a table full of wonderful food. He ate and ate until he couldn't eat any more. Then he thought to himself "John 3:16... Boy, I sure I don't understand it, but it sure makes a hungry boy feel full."

She took him upstairs to a bathroom to a huge bathtub filled with warm water and he sat there and soaked for a while. As he soaked, he thought to himself, "John 3:16... I sure don't understand it, but it sure makes a dirty boy feel clean. You know, I've not had a bath, a real bath, in my whole life. The only bath I ever had was when I stood in front of that big old fire hydrant as they flushed it out."

The lady came in and got him, and took him to a room and tucked him into a big old feather bed and pulled the covers up around his neck and kissed him goodnight and turned out the lights. As he laid in the darkness and looked out the window at the snow coming down on that cold night he thought to himself, "John 3:16... I don't understand it, but it sure makes a tired boy feel rested."

The next morning she came back up and took him down again to that same big table full of food. After he ate she took him back to that same big old split bottom rocker in front of the fireplace and she got a big old Bible and sat down in front of him and she looked up as she asked, "Do you understand John 3:16?"

He said, "No, Ma'am, I don't. The first time I ever heard it was last night when the policeman told me to say John 3:16."

She opened the Bible to John 3:16 , and she began to explain to him about Jesus. Right there in front of that big old fireplace he gave his heart and life to Jesus. He sat there and thought, "John 3:16, I don't understand it, but it sure makes a lost boy feel safe."

The lady then said: "You know, I have to confess I don't I understand it either; how God would be willing to send His own Son to die for you and me, and how Jesus would agree to do such a thing. I don't understand it either, but it sure does make life worth living."

Burdens Give Us Wings

An old legend relates that long ago God had a great many burdens which He wished to have carried from one place to another on earth, so He asked the animals to lend a hand. But all of them began to make excuses for not helping: the elephant was too dignified; the lion, too proud; and so on. Finally the birds came to God and said, "If you will tie the burdens into small bundles, we'll be glad to carry them for you. We are small but we would like to help."

So God fastened upon the back of each one a small bundle, and they all set out walking across the plain to their destination. They sang as they went, and did not seem to feel the weight of their burdens at all. Every day the burdens seemed lighter and lighter, until the loads seems to be lifting the birds, instead of the birds carrying the burdens.

When they arrived at their destination, they discovered that when they removed their loads, there were wings in their place, wings which enabled them to fly to the sky and the tree tops.

They had learned how to carry their burdens, and their loads had become wings to carry them nearer to God. Burdens we carry for others may become wings of the spirit, to lift us into happiness such as we have never known.

No More Of Me

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

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

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

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

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

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

I saw me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"So what are you shopping for, sir?"

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

"Do you need something?" I asked.

"Oh, no. Here. I think I have it right here. I always carry them with me," he said. Then pulling out a hand full of papers he shuffled through them and handed me a business card that read:

"John A. Pomicter Friend to all...enemy to no one! I said a prayer today and you were the answer. Thank you!"

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

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

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

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

George Washington's Vision-A Tribute To Our Veterans

The place was Valley Forge in the winter of 1777, shortly after the signing of the "Declaration of Independence" the American forces (greatly outnumbered) were fighting a against the British (the most powerful nation in the world). Some believe that only 3% of the American people took part in the struggle for independence, and many aided the British cause by giving them housing etc. Prevalent in the hearts and minds of the American people, was apathy, self-interests, uncertainty, and fear. It is well known that George Washington was a man of prayer and great courage as he would ride and lead his own troops into battle.

THE WORDS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON (THE FATHER OF AMERICA)

"This afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes.

"By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become useless, as though it had become paralyzed.

"A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor, Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as if it had become filled with sensations, and luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarify, the mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I now began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move; all were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion.

"Presently I heard a voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn,' while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world; Europe, Asia, Africa and America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.

" `Son of the Republic' said the same mysterious voice as before, `look and learn,' At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.

"A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn,' I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them.

Again, I heard the mysterious voice say, `Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.' At this the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land. It flitted slowly over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As I continued looking I a saw bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word `Union,' bearing the American flag which he placed between the divided nation, and said, `Remember ye are brethren.' Instantly, the inhabitants, casting from them their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.

"And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn.' At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene: from each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were soon joined into one. Throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by land and sailed by sea to America. Our country was enveloped in this volume of cloud, and I saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up. As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I heard again the mysterious voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn.' When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast.

"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word Union, and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle.

"Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn.' As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious!

"Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with o loud voice" `While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last.' And taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the word `UNION,' he placed it upon the Standard while the people, kneeling down, said, `Amen.'

"The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, `Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted: three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third, but in this greatest conflict the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and the Union. With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown to me the birth, progress and destiny of the United States."

Burned Biscuits

When I was a kid, my mom liked to make breakfast food for dinner every now and then. And I remember one night in particular when she had made breakfast after a long, hard day at work.

On that evening so long ago, my mom placed a plate of eggs, sausage and extremely burned biscuits in front of my dad. I remember waiting to see if anyone noticed! Yet all my dad did was reach for his biscuit, smile at my mom and ask me how my day was at school... I don't remember what I told him that night, but I do remember watching him smear butter and jelly on that biscuit and eat every bite!

When I got up from the table that evening, I remember hearing my mom apologize to my dad for burning the biscuits. And I'll never forget what he said: "Honey, I love burned biscuits."

Later that night, I went to kiss Daddy good night and I asked him if he really liked his biscuits burned. He wrapped me in his arms and said, "Your Momma put in a hard day at work today and she's real tired. And besides - a burned biscuit never hurt anyone!"

Life is full of imperfect things.....and imperfect people. I'm not the best at hardly anything, and I forget birthdays and anniversaries just like everyone else. But what I've learned over the years is that learning to accept each others faults - and choosing to celebrate each others differences - is one of the most important keys to creating a healthy, growing, and lasting relationship.

And that's my prayer for you today. That you will learn to take the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of your life and lay them at the feet of God. Because in the end, He's the only One who will be able to give you a relationship where a burned biscuit isn't a deal-breaker!

We could extend this to any relationship. In fact, understanding is the base of any relationship, be it a husband-wife or parent-child or friendship!

"Don't put the key to your happiness in someone else's pocket - keep it in your own."

God Bless You . . . .   Now, and Always . . . .

So please pass me a biscuit, and yes, a burned one will be fine!

The Most Important Day Ever

It was the Most Important Day of second grade, and Sarah was ready.

And why not? She had been looking forward to this moment since . . . well, since the Most Important Day of first grade. But now she was older. Wiser. More aware. And she was anxious that this Most Important Day be properly observed.

So of course it was important that everything be just so. A week before The Big Day she asked if she could get her hair trimmed to a shorter, more mature length. And the night before she laid out her most stylin' school clothes, featuring khakis, a hot yellow shirt and these really neat shoes that were sort of like tennis shoes, only they weren't, and they had buckles and . . . well, you just had to see them, that's all.

Mom helped to get the day off to a great start by making Sarah's favorite French toast. Only Sarah sort of dribbled syrup on her hot yellow shirt and stylin' khakis, so she had to run upstairs to change into her second-best outfit consisting of blue jeans and a Jonas Brothers t-shirt.

Nice, but not killer.

The last-minute change put her way behind schedule, and the school bus was beginning to pull away from the curb as she rounded the corner. She dashed to catch the bus and was just reaching to pound on the door when the bus driver saw her, stopped the bus and flung open the door – right in Sarah's face. Blood dripped from her nose onto her second-best outfit, and tears streamed from her suddenly swollen eyes as the chagrined bus driver tried to comfort her.

“Maybe we should take you home, sweetheart,” she said as she dried Sarah’s tears.

“No!” Sarah insisted. “I’m OK. It’s the Most Important Day of the Year! I can’t miss it! I just can’t!”

They did their best to mop the blood off of Sarah's face and clothes, and then chugged off to school. Sarah was so excited about the day that she quickly forgot all about the morning’s calamities. When they got to school there were still a few minutes until classes were scheduled to start, so she went to her favorite swing on the playground and pumped herself to heights she had never before been able to achieve. At the apex of her swing she saw her best friend across the schoolyard. At precisely the wrong moment, she let go of the swing with one hand to wave. She flew out of the swing and landed – hard and awkwardly – on the playground sand, breaking a leg and spraining a wrist. As she lay in the sand, slowly drifting out of consciousness, she noticed a shiny object on the ground beside her. With her good hand she grabbed it. Then she blacked out.

After being summoned by the school nurse, Sarah’s Mom rushed into the sick room to pick up her daughter. She was stunned by what she saw: her sweet little second grader with her arm in a sling, her leg in a splint, a swollen nose, a black eye and blood stains on her second-best outfit. But what really troubled her was what was on Sarah's face: a big, bright smile.

“Sarah, look at you!” her mother wailed. “You're bruised and bandaged, and you've probably ruined your second-best outfit. We’re going to have to take you to the doctor and you’re going to miss the Most Important Day of second grade. Why on earth are you smiling?”

“Look, Mommy,” Sarah exclaimed, extending a still-sandy palm. “I found a quarter!”

Life, like school, can be like that. It can be tough, even painful at times. But there are always treasures in the sandbox that make the challenges worth overcoming and the pain worth enduring.

On the Most Important Day, and every day.

Some Uplifting Things to Do Today

• Smile at a stranger
  
• Drop a coin where a child can find it
  
• Learn something new and teach it to someone
  
• Tell someone you love them
  
• Hug someone
  
• Forgive someone who has wronged you
  
• Try saying "I'm sorry" when you ought to
  
• Tell a child how great they are
  
• Sing a song about Jesus to yourself
  
• Keep a promise
  
• Call someone just to say hello
  
• Try listening more than talking
  
• Stand up for what you believe in
  
• Thank God for His beautiful Creation
  
• Encourage someone who is feeling down
  
• Cherish today as if it were your last one
  
• Tell someone about Jesus

Charles Schultz's Philosophy

Note: You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read this message straight through, and you'll get the point (an awesome one) that he is trying to make!

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
   
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
   
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
   
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
   
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
   
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
   

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.

These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through life.
   
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
   
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
   
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated.
   
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
   
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.
   

Easier?


The Lesson:

The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Pass this on to those people who have made a difference in your life.

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia.