Motivational Message...

[AngelsKiss]

Ok, so I got this, this morning and thought I would share it with you. It's a nice motivational message. I get them from time to time so this thread will be used for this purpose.

Tuesday, October 5, 2004

You can fret about what life hands you. Or you can put your energy into doing something positive and meaningful with it.

You can complain about the weather, and your complaints will not bring about a single ray of sunshine. Or you can adjust your actions to suit the conditions, and move positively forward no matter what.

You can worry about what others think of you. Or you can give life to the best that you expect of yourself.

You can curse the setbacks. Or you can find in them the motivation and the means to reach ever higher.

You can wait and wait for the perfect opportunity, until everything is lined up just right. Or you can move ahead with what's available here and now, even though it may not be perfect.

If you wait around for life to hand you all the good things you want, you're likely to be terribly disappointed. Yet when you take what you have and run with it, life will get better and better.

QUOTE OF THE MONTH

"If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all."

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Additional quote:

"If your head is always looking down at your feet, you won't see the hands extended to help you over the obstacles you face." - BCK

[AngelsKiss]

Additional quote:

"If your head is always looking down at your feet, you won't see the hands extended to help you over the obstacles you face." - BCK

Thats a good one Mr. BCK :)

[AngelsKiss]

Here are 2 beautiful motivational messages. Make sure you have your speakers or headset on so you can listen to the music as you read. It's good for meditation.

Pathways to Peace (http://www.pathways-to-peace.com/)

Interview with God (http://www.theinterviewwithgod.com/)

[BlackCryptoKnight]

"If you get up everytime after you fall down, your legs will be so much stronger and well developed." - BCK

[Cocoa]

Everytime you look in the mirror, recognise that special person looking back at you. JCB.

[Greatis]

It's funny after all the oppression I have been thru at work I have come up with basically the following conclusion for my day back after being sick. I am enjoying it so far. Stron words Angel.

[AngelsKiss]

"To grow as an individual, I believe we need to embrace the 2 Cs which are interrelated...challenge and change. However, the only way to succeed at both is to always keep our Father involved at all times." - AK

[AngelsKiss]

Daily Word (http://www.unityonline.org/read_daily_dailyword.htm)

[AngelsKiss]

Let it go for 2004/2005...by T. D. Jakes


There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk.

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.

When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left. The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made manifest that they were not for us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with us. [1 John 2:19]

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead.

You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it.

Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!!

If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to ..LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ... LET IT GO!!!

If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth...LET IT GO!!!

If someone has angered you ... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge .. LET IT GO!!!

If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction ... LET IT GO!!!

If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents ... LET IT GO!!!

If you have a bad attitude...LET IT GO!!!

If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better... LET IT GO!!!

If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new level in Him... LET IT GO!!!

If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship....LET IT GO!!!

If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves...LET IT GO!!!

If you're feeling depressed and stressed .... LET IT GO!!!

If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handle yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to... LET IT GO!!!

Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a new thing for 2004!!! LET IT GO!!!

Get Right or GET Left .. think about it, and then LET IT GO!!!

[BlackCryptoKnight]

"Extending a helping hand and pulling up a fallen brother/sister helps to make your hands even stronger" - BCK

[AngelsKiss]

Reason, Season, Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you 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 peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people involved; and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships, and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

(Author unknown)

[AngelsKiss]

Prayer Online (http://www.dailyprayeronline.com/#)

:eusa_pray

[AngelsKiss]

To realize
The value of a sister
Ask someone
Who doesn't have one.
To realize
The value of ten years:
Ask a newly
Divorced couple.
To realize
The value of four years:
Ask a graduate.
To realize
The value of one year:
Ask a student who
Has failed a final exam.
To realize
The value of nine months:
Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.
To realize
The value of one month:
Ask a mother who has
Given birth to a premature baby.
To realize
The value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize
The value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to Meet.
To realize
The value of one minute:
Ask a person
Who has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realize
The value of one-second:
Ask a person
Who has survived an accident.
To realize
The value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has
Won a silver medal in the Olympics.
To realize the value of a friend:
Lose one.
Time waits For no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.
:)
:)

[BlackCryptoKnight]

If you're still breathing, you have a chance to make things better. - BCK

"While there's life, there's hope."

[AngelsKiss]

THE ROOM

17-year-old Brian Moore had only a short time to write something for a class. The subject was what Heaven was like. "I wowed 'em," he later told his father, Bruce. "It's a killer. It's the bomb. It's the best thing I ever wrote." It also was the last. Brian's parents had forgotten about the essay when a cousin found it while cleaning out the teenager's locker at Teary Valley High School. Brian had been dead only hours, but his parents desperately wanted every piece of his life near them-notes from classmates and teachers, his homework.

Only two months before, he had handwritten the essay about encountering Jesus in a file room full of cards detailing every moment of the teen's life. But it was only after Brian's death that Beth and Bruce Moore realized that their son had described his view of heaven. "It makes such an impact that people want to share it. You feel like you are there." Mr. Moore said.

Brian Moore die d May 27, 1997, the day after Memorial Day. He was driving home from a friend's house when his car went off Bulen-Pierce Road in Pickaway County and struck a utility pole. He emerged from the wreck unharmed but stepped on a downed power line and was electrocuted.

The Moores framed a copy of Brian's essay and hung it among the family portraits in the living room. "I think God used him to make a point. I think we were meant to find it and make something out of it, " Mrs. Moore said of the essay. She and her husband want to share their son's vision of life after death. "I'm happy for Brian. I know he's in heaven. I know I'll see him.

Brian's Essay: The Room...

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by
author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from
floor to ceiling and seemingly endless in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I have liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching.

A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I have betrayed." The titles ranged from the mundane to the outr ight weird. "Books I Have Read,"
"Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed at." Some
were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've yelled at my brothers."

Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents.

Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped. I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my years to fill each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "TV Shows I have watched", I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of shows but more by the vast time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my
body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me.

One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one
must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In insane frenzy I yanked
the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw
it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was
brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle
and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could
count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I
began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt. They started in my stomach
and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame,
from the overwhelmig shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my
tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it
up and hide the key. But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him.

No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His
response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

[Pondadat]

That was interesting and special.

[Cocoa]

ALWAYS HAVE A DREAM

Forget about the days when it's been cloudy, but don't forget your hours in the sun.
Forget about the times you've been defeated, but don't forget the victories you've won.
Forget about the mistakes that you can't change now, but don't forget the lessons.
Forget about the misfortunes you've encountered, but don't forget the times your luck has turned.
Forget about the days when you've been lonely, but don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen
Forget about the plans that didn't seem to work out right, but don't forget to always have a dream.

[AngelsKiss]

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words. Choose your words, for they
become actions. Understand your actions, for they become habits. Study
your habits, for they will become your character. Develop your character, for it becomes your destiny."

- Anonymous

[AngelsKiss]

Although this is address to ladies I believe it goes for ever one.

Woman to woman encouragement....

God grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the ONE I can, and the wisdom to know it's "ME".

Someone will always be prettier. They will always be smarter. Their house will be bigger. They will drive a better car. Their children will do better in school. And their husband will fix more things around the house.

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances. Think about it. The prettiest woman in the world can have hatred in her heart. And the most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children. And the richest woman you know -- she's got the car, the house, the clothes --might be lonely. And the word says if I have not Love, I am nothing.

So, again, love you. Love who you are right now and let God be your barometer. Mirror Him. Look in the mirror in the morning and see how much of God you see. He's the only standard; and even when you come up short, he will not leave you or forsake you. Smile and may God continue to bless you.

"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed!"

"The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor."

"The one who kneels to God can stand up to anything."

"Winners make things happen. Losers let things happen."

Be Blessed ladies and encourage other women. To the world you might be one person, but to one person you just might be the world.

[AngelsKiss]

This morning when I wakened,
And saw the sun above,
I softly said, "Good morning, Lord,
Bless everyone with love."

And, right away I thought of you,
And said a loving prayer,
That He would bless you specially,
And keep you free from care.

I thought of all the happiness
A day could hold in store.
I wished it all for you because
No one deserves it more.

[AngelsKiss]

Malachi 3:3 says:

"He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."


This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has His eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

"Life is a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can only spend it once."

GOD GIVES HIS BEST TO THOSE WHO LEAVE THE CHOICE TO HIM


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/17/17_1_12v.gif

[AngelsKiss]

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted an old friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her.

Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights ocused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle,Twinkle Little Star."

At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is
hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful.

The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You
may hear the voice of the Master,whispering in your ear,"Don't quit. Keep
playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands
are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces.

Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped; rather, He equips the 'called.'

Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things
you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along.

May God bless you and be with you always!

Quote of the Day "Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was." - Richard L. Evans

[Christiangirl]

Angel Kiss thank you very much for your messages they are wonderful again thank you very much

[Gwadinka]

AngelsKiss, I am not really the sensitive type of girl,at least I don't like to show it. Anyway, you have touched me and your text is really amazing and encouraging to people like me, who are often deterred by life.Thanx a lot

[AngelsKiss]

Christiangirl & Gwadinka...you are both welcome :)



A minister passing through his church

in the middle of the day,

Decided to pause by the altar

and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,

a man came down the aisle,

The minister frowned as he saw

the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby

and his coat was worn and frayed,

the man knelt, he bowed his head,

Then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,

each noon time came this chap,

each time he knelt just for a moment,

A lunch pail in his lap.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,

with robbery a main fear,

He decided to stop the man and ask him,

"What are you doing here?"

The old man said, he worked down the road.

Lunch was half an hour.

Lunchtime was his prayer time,

For finding strength and power.

"I stay only moments, see,

because the factory is so far away;

as I kneel here talking to the Lord,

This is kinda what I say:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,

HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP

AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,

BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM

CHECKING IN TODAY."

The minister feeling foolish,

told Jim, that was fine.

He told the man he was welcome

To come and pray just anytime.

Time to go, Jim smiled, said "Thanks."

He hurried to the door.

The minister knelt at the altar,

he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,

and met with Jesus there.

As the tears flowed, in his heart,

he repeated old Jim's prayer:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,

HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP

AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I

THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed

that old Jim hadn't come.

As more days passed without Jim,

he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,

learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,

But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,

Brought changes in the ward.

His smiles, a joy contagious.

Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand

why Jim was so glad,

when no flowers, calls or cards came,

Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,

He voiced the nurse's concern:

No friends came to show they cared.

He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke

up and with a winsome smile;

"the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,

that in here all the while everyday at noon

He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see,

He sits right down, takes my hand,

Leans over and says to me:

"I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,

HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,

SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,

AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.

ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,

I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY,

AND SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS

CHECKING IN TODAY."

[AngelsKiss]

"Don't let your worries get the best of you. Remember, Moses started out as a basket case"

Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited - until you try to sit in their pews.

Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors

It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.

The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes and
sand gnats come close

When you get to your wit's end, you'll find God lives there.

People are funny, they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.

Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn't belong.

If the church wants a better preacher, it only needs to pray for the one it has.

God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?

Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

Peace starts with a smile.

I don't know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?

A lot of church members who are singing "Standing on the Promises" are just
sitting on the premises.

We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges

Be ye fishers of men. You catch them - He'll clean them.

Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.

Don't put a question mark where God put a period.

Don't wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.

Forbidden fruits create many jams.

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

God grades on the cross, not the curve

God loves everyone, but probably prefers "fruits of the spirit" over "religious nuts!"

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

He who angers you, controls you!

If God is your Copilot - swap seats!

Prayer: Don't give God instructions -- just report for duty!

The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.

We don't change the message, the message changes us.

You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to ......... discourage him.

The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails = 4 given.

[Nastro]

" Don't strive for what you were, strive for what you want to become."

[shakeri]

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
Its our light,not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves,who am i to be brilliant,confident,talented and fabulous?
The question is,who are you not to be?
Who are you is a unique individual,endowed with unique gifts.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
You were born to manifest your unique gifts and talents.
These gifts and talents are not in some of us;they are in everyone,and as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear and insecurity,our presence automatically liberates and influences others.
Consciously choose each day to step into your power..


Nelson Mandela's speech-1994

[AngelsKiss]

THANKS TO GOD

Hello God,
I called tonight
To talk a little while
I need a friend who'll listen
To my anxiety and trial.
You see, I can't quite make it
Through a day just on my own...
I need your love to guide me,
So I'll never feel alone.
I want to ask you please to keep
My family safe and sound.
Come and fill their lives with confidence
For whatever fate they're bound.
Give me faith, dear God, to face
Each hour throughout the day,
And not to worry over things
I can't change in any way.
I thank you God for being home
And listening to my call,
For giving me such good advice
When I stumble and fall.
Your number, God, is the only one
That answers every time.
I never get a busy signal,
Never had to pay a dime.
So thank you, God, for listening
To my troubles and my sorrow.
Good night, God, I love You too,
And I'll call again tomorrow!

[AngelsKiss]

THE DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there maybe in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexation to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always, there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideas; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with GOD, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful, strive to be happy.

[AngelsKiss]

THANK YOU LORD

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

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

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

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

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

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

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

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refriger ator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep .. you are richer than 75% of this world."

"If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy."

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

Also

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

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

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

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

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

"Ok, what now? How can I start? "

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

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

ATTN: Acknowledgement Department - Thank You Lord!

"Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with."

[AngelsKiss]

~ DADDY'S EMPTY CHAIR ~

A man's daughter had asked the local minister to come and pray with her father. When the minister arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows. An empty chair sat beside his bed. The minister assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit.

"I guess you were expecting me, he said.

'No, who are you?" said the father.

The minister told him his name and then remarked, "I saw the empty chair and I figured you knew I was going to show up,"

"Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?"

Puzzled, the minister shut the door.

"I have never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man.

"But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At church I used to hear the pastor talk about prayer, but it went right over my head."

I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Johnny, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus.

Here is what I suggest." "Sit down in a chair; place an empty chair in front of you, and in faith see Jesus on the chair.

It's not spooky because he promised, 'I will be with you always'. "Then just speak to him in the same way you're doing with me right now."

"So, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."

The minister was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old man to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and 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 he loved me and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But 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 minister wiped a tear from his eye and said, "I wish we could all go like that."

[Master E]

AK that was great :icon_eek: I wana shed a few tears but man a thug suh yuh naggo simi du dat

[Chicokid]

THE DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there maybe in silence. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexation to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always, there will be greater or lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideas; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with GOD, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its shams, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful, strive to be happy.


I remember singing this song at High School graduation in 2002. It was done by the graduating class that included me :) Several persons talk out most parts with the chorus being the "You are a child of the universe....." which everyone sang.

PS: Never put away for tomorrow that can be done today :)

[Manu]

Truly a Kiss from an Angel.....God's gift to us all!

[AngelsKiss]

Thanks Emanuel:)


Who took your place?

One day, a man went to visit a church.

He got there early, parked his car, and got out.

Another car pulled up and the driver got *out and said,"I always park there!

You took my place!" The visitor went inside for *Sunday School, found an empty seat and sat down.

A young lady from the church *approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the sanctuary and sat down.

Another member walked up to him and said, *"That's where I always sit! You took my place!"

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still He said nothing.

Later as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood up, and his appearance began to change.

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.

Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?"

The visitor replied, as his hat became a crown of thorns, and a tear fell from his eye, "I took your place."

[AngelsKiss]

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... while we have it... it's best we love it.... and care for it... and fix it when it's broken...... and heal it when it's sick.

This is true. for marriage..... and old cars.... and children with it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with.

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special..... and so, we keep them close!

TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK ON THAT DAY.

1... God won't ask what kind of car you drove. He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2... God won't ask the square footage of your house, He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3... God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet, He'll ask how many you helped to clothed.

4... God won't ask what your highest salary was. He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5... God won't ask what your job title was. He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of our ability.

6... God won't ask how many friends you had. He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7... God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived, He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8... God won't ask about the color of your skin, He'll ask about the content of your character.

9... God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation! He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.

10.. God won't have to ask how many people you shared this with, He already knows your decision.

[Chicokid]

AK, I like all of your motivational messages. Keep them comming :)

[Manu]

Angel thanks alot....hope they inspire you as well!

[AngelsKiss]

This reminds me of somthing I wrote in a card to a very good friend of mine which goes something like this:

Often time we think of Angels as invisible people sent by God to protect us, not realising that the people here on earth who love and take care of us the way you do, are the actual Angels. Thanks for being my Angel.

__________________________________________________ _______________


This was written by a Hospice of Metro Denver physician

I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted to share it with my family and dearest friends.

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over.

Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay. When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel. At that moment, everything came into focus for me the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying "I don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now.

So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me." I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee.

She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little. She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there. I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road.

As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me want to cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong. Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

[Leina]

This reminds me of somthing I wrote in a card to a very good friend of mine which goes something like this:

Often time we think of Angels as invisible people sent by God to protect us, not realising that the people here on earth who love and take care of us the way you do, are the actual Angels. Thanks for being my Angel.

__________________________________________________ _______________


This was written by a Hospice of Metro Denver physician

I just had one of the most amazing experiences of my life, and wanted to share it with my family and dearest friends.

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over.

Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart" building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay. When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel. At that moment, everything came into focus for me the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying "I don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now.

So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me." I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee.

She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little. She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there. I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road.

As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me want to cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong. Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

Psalms 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

i am at a loss for words, i don't know what to say that was so touching

[AngelsKiss]

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago

I came upon a sign that read

Heavens Grocery Store.

When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide

And when I came to myself

I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels.

They were standing everywhere

One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care."

Everything a human needed was in that grocery store

And what you could not carry you could come back for more

First I got some Patience.

Love was in that same row.

Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.

And Charity of course I would need some of that too.

I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost

It was all over the place.

And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.

My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace,

And then I chose Salvation for Salvation was for free

I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,

For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in,

For I knew when I stepped outside

I would run into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful, the last things on the shelf.

Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?"

He smiled and said "Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?"

"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."


Originated in the Netherlands

[AngelsKiss]

Tell the World for Me

"We love, because God first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Some 14 years ago, I stood watching my university students file into the classroom for our opening session in the theology of faith. That was the day I first saw Tommy. He was combing his hair, which hung six inches below his shoulders. My quick judgment wrote him off as strange -- very strange.

Tommy turned out to be my biggest challenge. He constantly objected to, or smirked at the possibility of an unconditionally loving God. When he turned in his final exam at the end of the course, he asked in a slightly cynical tone, "Do you think I'll ever find God?"

"No," I said emphatically.

"Oh," he responded. "I thought that was the product you were pushing."

I let him get five steps from the door and then called out. "I don't think you'll ever find him, but I am certain he will find you." Tommy shrugged and left. I felt slightly disappointed that he had missed my clever line.

Later I heard that Tommy had graduated, and I was grateful for that. Then came a sad report: Tommy had terminal cancer. Before I could search him out, he came to me. When he walked into my office, his body was badly wasted, and his long hair had fallen out because of the chemotherapy. But, his eyes were bright and his voice, for the first time, was firm.

"Tommy! I've thought about you so often. I heard you were very sick," I blurted out.

"Oh, yes, very sick. I have cancer. It's a matter of weeks."

"Can you talk about it?"

"Sure. What would you like to know?"

"What's it like to be only 24 and know that you're dying?"

"It could be worse," he told me, "like being 50 and thinking that drinking booze, seducing women and making money are the real 'biggies' in life." Then, he told me why he had come.

"It was something you said to me on the last day of class. I asked if you thought I would ever find God and you said no, which surprised me. Then you said, 'But, he will find you.' I thought about that a lot, even though my search for God was hardly intense at that time."

"But, when the doctors removed a lump from my body and told me that it was malignant, I got serious about locating God. And when the malignancy spread into my vital organs, I really began banging against the bronze doors of heaven. But, nothing happened. Well, one day I woke up, and instead of my desperate attempts to get some kind of message, I just quit. I decided I didn't really care about God, an afterlife, or anything like that."

"I decided to spend what time I had left doing something more important. I thought about you and something else you had said: 'The essential sadness is to go through life without loving. But, it would be almost equally sad to leave this world without ever telling those you loved that you loved them.'

So, I began with the hardest one...my Dad."

Tommy's father had been reading the newspaper when his son approached him.

"Dad, I would like to talk with you."

"Well, talk."

"I mean, it's really important."

The newspaper came down three slow inches. "What is it?"

"Dad, I love you. I just wanted you to know that."

Tommy smiled at me as he recounted the moment. "The newspaper fluttered to the floor. Then, my father did two things I couldn't remember him doing before. He cried and he hugged me. And then, we talked all night, even though he had to go to work the next morning."

"It was easier with my mother and little brother," Tommy continued.

"They cried with me, and we hugged one another, and shared the thing we had been keeping secret for so many years. I was only sorry that I had waited so long. Here I was, in the shadow of death, and I was just beginning to open up to all the people I had actually been close to."

"Then one day, I turned around and God was there. He didn't come to me when I pleaded with him. Apparently he does things in his own way and at his own hour. The important thing is that you were right. He found me even after I stopped looking for him."

"Tommy," I practically gasped, "I think you are saying something much more universal than you realize. You are saying that the surest way to find God is not by making him a private possession or an instant consolation in time of need, but rather by opening to love."

"Tommy," I added, "could I ask you a favor? Would you come to my theology-of-faith course and tell my students what you just told me?"

Though we scheduled a date, he never made it. Of course, his life was not really ended by his death, only changed. He made the great step from faith into vision. He found a life far more beautiful than the eye of humanity has ever seen, or the mind ever imagined.

Before he died, we talked one last time. "I'm not going to make it to your class," he said.

"I know, Tommy."

"Will you tell them for me? Will you . . . tell the whole world for me?"

"I will, Tommy. I'll tell them."


by: John Powell

[AngelsKiss]

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE AN ANGEL BY YOUR SIDE

May you always have an angel by your side
Watching out for you in all the things you do
Reminding you to keep believing in brighter days
Finding ways for your wishes and dreams
To take you to beautiful places

Giving you hope that is as certain as the sun
Giving you the strength of serenity as your guide
May you always have love and comfort and courage
And may you always have an angel by your side

May you always have an angel by your side
Someone there to catch you if you fall
Encouraging your dreams
Inspiring your happiness
Holding your hand and helping you through it all

In all of our days, our lives are always changing
Tears come along as well as smiles
Along the roads you travel,
May the miles be a thousand times more lovely than lonely,
May they give you the kind of gifts that never, ever end:

Someone wonderful to love
And a dear friend in whom you can confide
May you have rainbows after every storm
May you have hopes to keep you warm
And may you always have an angel
By your side...

Emilia Larson

[AngelsKiss]

Thursday, June 2, 2005

What's right

Think about what's right with life. Think about the good and valuable
things that you sometimes forget to even notice.

Think about the positive possibilities that are real and present in this
very moment. Think about all the worthwhile things you can do with this day
that is yours right now.

Think of how you can take action and cause good things to happen. Think of
how you can set an ambitious goal and work with persistence to reach it.

Think of all the good people who quietly and reliably work to make this
world a better place. Think of how great you feel when you give of yourself
to others.

Think of the opportunities you have to live a life that is filled with
richness. Think of how fortunate you are to be able to experience and
appreciate the beauty in this world.

Think about what's right, what's good, what's valuable and fulfilling. For
the more you focus your thoughts on the good things, the more abundant they
will become.

-- Ralph Marston

Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow


Yesterday I met a stranger...

Today this stranger is my friend. Had I not taken the time to say
hello, or return a smile, or shake a hand, or listen, I would not
have known this person. Yesterday would have turned into today and
our chance meeting would be gone.
Yesterday I hugged someone very dear to me. Today they are gone...
and tomorrow will not bring them back. Wouldn't it be nice if we
all knew tomorrow would be here? But we don't, so take the time
TODAY to give a hug, a smile, an "I love you"...

JUST FOR TODAY,

...smile at a stranger
...listen to someone's heart
...drop a coin where a child can find it
...learn something new, then teach it to someone
...tell someone you're thinking of them
...hug a loved one
...don't hold a grudge
...don't be afraid to say "I'm sorry"
...look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are
...don't kill that spider in your house, he's just lost so show him
the way out
...look beyond the face of a person into their heart
...make a promise, and keep it
...call someone, for no other reason than to just say "hi"
...show kindness to an animal
...stand up for what you believe in
...smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind
...use all your senses to their fullest
...cherish all of your TODAYS

Taken from The Daily Motivator

[chany86]

mmmm, Good ole TD Jakes in the morning...that was goood. u have ne of his Woman thou Art Loosed messages. just the short ones like the one on Let it Go AK?

[chany86]

i start my day singing this prayer chorus:

"i will cast, all my cares upon you
I lay all of my burdens,
down at ure feet
And any time, i dont know
what to do
i will cast, all my cares upon you"

that perks me rite up and reassures my trust in God

[Manu]

Taken from a Song by Kirk Franlyn:

You have the power
To make the Seasons change
The rivers flow for you
The wind whispers your name
For me You left Your throne
And traded crown for thorns instead
I'm saved withing...not by Your Skin
But because Your blood was red

Really touching words for me....

[nuhsenutten]

never let ur problems get u down
u have to stay focused and hold ur ground

bounty killer

[AngelsKiss]

Making the Most out of Life

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating,
somewhere in the mountain:"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO,
but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world,
create more love in your heart.
If you want more blessings from those around you,
improve your ability to bless.
This relationship applies to everything,
in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it."


YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE.
IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!

[Ricky]

Making the Most out of Life

A son and his father were walking on the mountains.
Suddenly, his son falls, hurts himself and screams:
"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"
To his surprise, he hears the voice repeating,
somewhere in the mountain:"AAAhhhhhhhhhhh!!!"

Curious, he yells: "Who are you?"
He receives the answer: "Who are you?"
Angered at the response, he screams: "Coward!"
He receives the answer: "Coward!"
He looks to his father and asks: "What's going on?"

The father smiles and says: "My son, pay attention."
And then he screams to the mountain: "I admire you!"
The voice answers: "I admire you!"
Again the man screams: "You are a champion!"
The voice answers: "You are a champion!"

The boy is surprised, but does not understand.
Then the father explains: "People call this ECHO,
but really this is LIFE.
It gives you back everything you say or do.
Our life is simply a reflection of our actions.

If you want more love in the world,
create more love in your heart.
If you want more blessings from those around you,
improve your ability to bless.
This relationship applies to everything,
in all aspects of life;
Life will give you back everything you have given to it."


YOUR LIFE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE.
IT'S A REFLECTION OF YOU!

True AK, thanks 4 that :eusa_clap

[AngelsKiss]

A timely reminder to us all ...

THANK YOU LORD

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

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

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world. Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them." I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

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

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

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

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

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

"If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep .. you are richer than 75% of this world."

"If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy."

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

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

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

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

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

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

ATTN: Acknowledgement Department - Thank You Lord!

[AngelsKiss]

It's funny how kids seem to know what many of us adults either do not know or have forgotten...that it is the little things in life that tells us what loves is and it sure does not have any thing to do with diamonds or material things.

BTW...if any of you are interested, Dr. Leo Buscaglia is a wonderful writer. His book... Living, Loving and Learning is an excellent read.

AK

__________________________________________________ ______________

What does Love mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined.

See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."


Rebecca- age 8

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."

Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."

Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."

Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."

Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"

Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."

Bobby - age 7 (Wow!)

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,"

Nikka - age 6 (we need a few million more Nikka's on this planet)

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."

Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."

Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."

Clare - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."


Elaine-age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."

Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."


Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."


Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." (what an imagination)

Karen - age 7

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."

Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."


Jessica - age 8

And the final one -- Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.

Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said,

"Nothing, I just helped him cry"

When there is nothing left but God, that is when you find out that God is all you need.

[AngelsKiss]

36 CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

1. Pray
2. Go to bed on time.
3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.
4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.
5. Delegate tasks to capable others.
6. Simplify and unclutter your life.
7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.
8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.
10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.
12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.
13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.
14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.
15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.
16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.
17. Get enough rest.
18. Eat right.
19. Get organized so everything has its place.
20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.
21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.
22. Every day, find time to be alone.
23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.
24. Make friends with Godly people.
25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.
26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."
27. Laugh.
28. Laugh some more!
29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.
30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).
31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).
32. Sit on your ego.
33. Talk less; listen more.
34. Slow down.
35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.
36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Prayer is so simple.
It is like quietly opening a door and slipping into the very presence of God.
There, in the stillness, to listen for His voice, perhaps in petition or only to listen, it matters not.
Just to be there, in His presence, Is prayer.

[AngelsKiss]

Check out this link:

The Flame of Hope (http://i.euniverse.com/funpages/cms_content/2529/4candles.swf)

[Manu]

I need some motivation right about now....I'm at my lowest.....:( :icon_cry:

[Gwadinka]

What is good is almost always hard to get, so if you think what you're doing is tough, just think of your happiness when you'll achieve it.

[Gwadinka]

Man is an apprentice, pain is his/her master and no one knows himself/herself before he/she suffered.

It may not be as pretty as the original L'homme est un apprenti, la douleur est son maitre et nul ne se connait tant qu'il n'a pas souffert.
Anyway it's by a French playwright, Alfred de Musset.

[samurailos]

Well i'd say
Just keep in mind that though you may be different and not as rich or good looking as some ppl, your still special in your own way and with hope and courage you can achieve success.

[AngelsKiss]

I don't know who wrote this but it's useful advise.

Peace of Mind

If you were to ask your neighbor,
"What would give you peace of mind?" he might tell you,
"A vacation in Bermuda!" or
"An extra hundred grand would give me peace!", or
"A new Ferrari would make me content!"

But going places - and getting stuff - is usually a temporary solution ...

Let's say you buy a lottery ticket and by some miracle you win your dream Ferrari.
Today you are content.
Tomorrow you are saying,
"If I could just catch that little punk who scratched it in the car park!"

Peace of mind rarely comes from getting more stuff.
Getting more stuff usually leads to wanting even more stuff!

Peace of mind starts with being grateful for what you have right now.

GRATITUDE is POWER, and here's why ...

When you are thankful for what you have - for the friends you have, and for the things you've got, you attract more good people and good things.

People who always complain about what they DON'T HAVE, stay stuck.
Complainers attract more things to complain about!

It is a law of life.
It's hard to explain, but you can observe it around you.
We get more of what we dwell upon.

That's why all the spiritual masters have taught the same lesson ...
"Start by being thankful. Be happy with what you have now, and more will come your way."

It's practical advice.
IN A NUTSHELL
Every time you say a silent "thank you" you become more peaceful - and more powerful.

[AngelsKiss]

As I was returning to the office today, I saw a young lady in a motorised wheel chair. She had no legs and a stump for a hand that she was using to steer the chair. She literally had to bend over so she could reach the steering bar. I had to turn to my friends and say, here we are complaining about our lot in life and we have so much to be thankful for.

A favourite saying on mind is that it could be worst. After seeing that today I am remind that I have to give thanks to God for all He has done for me. I have 2 hands and feet, things we tend to take for granted.

[Nastro]

Never Strive for excellence as in a room full of excellent people you are just ordinary. Be Outstanding!!!! and even the excellent will marvel.

[Manu]

Never Strive for excellence as in a room full of excellent people you are just ordinary. Be Outstanding!!!! and even the excellent will marvel.

This is a good one....I like it...I like it alot...I'ma subscribe to it :eusa_clap

[AngelsKiss]

Today . . .

Today before you think of saying an unkind word
Think of someone who can't speak
Before you complain about the taste of your food
Think of someone who has nothing to eat

Before you complain about your husband or wife
Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion
Today before you complain about life
Think of someone who went too early to heaven

Before you complain about your children
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren
Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep
Think of the people who are living in the streets
Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet
And when you are tired and complain about your job
Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another
Remember that not one of us are without sin and we all answer to one maker
And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down
Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around

Life is a gift
Live it.
Enjoy it..
Celebrate it..
And fulfill it..
Have a wonderful day

[jerry]

I really like this one angel kiss, i will definitely will remember this!!!

[babyj]

With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm! consider Emily.

[Manu]

With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm! consider Emily.


He'll always be in the vessel...but what good is His presence if we don't acknowledge Him?

[babyj]

Well ur right about that Manu.

[AngelsKiss]

Now if all mankind could focus on unity perhaps we wouldn't have so much strife and wars:

Colours (http://www.spiritisup.com/colors1.swf)

[Jae]

Now if all mankind could focus on unity perhaps we wouldn't have so much strife and wars:

Colours (http://www.spiritisup.com/colors1.swf)

That was so beautiful. :icon_mrgr :icon_mrgr

[Sexysophie]

U must really be an angel or at least for today because u just brightened my day.

[AngelsKiss]

$ 20.00

Sometimes we just need to be reminded!


A well-known speaker started off his seminar by

holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked,

"Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you

but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"

And he dropped it on the ground

and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.

No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it

because it did not decrease in value.

It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives,

we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt

by the decisions we make and

the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened or

what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased,

you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know,

but by WHO WE ARE.

You are special- Don't EVER forget it."

[AngelsKiss]

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/16/16_5_26.gif

Life lessons

There once was a bunch of tiny frogs,who arranged a running competition.

The goal was to reach the top of a very high tower.

A big crowd had gathered around the tower to see the race and cheer on the contestants.

The race began.

Honestly...No one in the crowd really believed that the tiny frogs would reach the top of the tower.

You heard statements such as:

"Oh, WAY too difficult!!!" They will NEVER make it to the top!!!"

or:

"Not a chance that they will succeed. The tower is too high!!!"

The tiny frogs began collapsing. One by one...Except for those, who in a fresh tempo, were climbing higher and higher.

The crowd continued to yell, "It is too difficult!!! No one will make it!!!"

More tiny frogs got tired and gave up...But ONE continued higher and higher and higher.

This one wouldn't give up!!!

At the end everyone else had given up climbing the tower. Except for the one tiny frog who, after a big effort, was the only one who reached the top!

THEN all of the other tiny frogs naturally wanted to know how this one frog managed to do it?

A contestant asked the tiny frog how he had found the strength to succeed and reach the goal?


It turned out...That the winner was DEAF!!!

The wisdom of this story is:


NEVER listen to other people's tendencies to be negative or pessimistic... Because they take your most wonderful dreams and wishes away from you...the ones you have in your heart!!!

Always think of the power words have. Because everything you hear and read will affect your actions!!!


Therefore:

ALWAYS be...POSITIVE!!!

And above all:

Be DEAF when people tell YOU that you can not fulfill your dreams!!!


Always think:

God and I can do this!!!


http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_33_5.gif

[acidblade]

A well-known speaker started off his seminar

by holding up a $20.00 bill. In the room of 200, he asked,

"Who would like this $20 bill?"

Hands started going up.

He said, "I am going to give this $20 to one of you

but first, let me do this.

He proceeded to crumple up the $20 dollar bill.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"

Still the hands were up in the air.

Well, he replied, "What if I do this?"

And he dropped it on the ground

and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now crumpled and dirty.

"Now, who still wants it?"

Still the hands went into the air.

My friends, we have all learned a very valuable lesson.

No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it

because it did not decrease in value.

It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives,

we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt

by the decisions we make and

the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless.

But no matter what has happened or

what will happen, you will never lose your value.

Dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased,

you are still priceless to those who DO LOVE you.

The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we

know,

but by WHO WE ARE.

You are special- Don't EVER forget it."

[Chicokid]

Just a quote:

The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary

Remember that ;)

[AngelsKiss]

I got this in my email from a friend and I thought I would share it. I figure we could all take some time and say this prayer for our loved ones and friends and even ppl we do not know:


This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, he saw me, and he asked:

My child, what is your greatest wish for today? I responded:

"Lord please, take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much". The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but not its end.

[AngelsKiss]

There is no difficulty that enough love will not conquer, no disease that enough love will not heal, no door that enough love will not bridge, no wall that enough love will not throw down, no sin that enough love will not redeem...

It makes no difference how deeply seated may be the trouble, how hopeless the outlook, how muddled the tangle, how great the mistake. A sufficient realization of love will dissolve it all.

If only you could love enough, you could be the happiest and most powerful being in the world...”

Emmet Fox, 1886-1951
Irish-born Author and Metaphysicist

[Jae]

KEEP UR FEARS TO YOURSELF, BUT SHARE YOUR COURAGE WITH OTHERS.
- Robert Louis Stevenson.

[Chicokid]

HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

Another of my favourites

[AngelsKiss]

I just received this and I had to share it. I can only hope we will all pay attention to the message, it is very powerful and true.


What Katrina Can Teach Us
By Max Lucado

Who would have thought we would ever hear this phrase spoken on a radio news report in America: "Today, about 25,000 refugees were moved from the Superdome in New Orleans to the Astrodome in Houston."

For days, we've watched the tragedy continue to unfold in Mississippi and Louisiana and, if you are like me, you've wrestled with feelings of shock and disbelief...

A city sitting in twenty feet of water. Citizens hacking their way onto roofs and helicopters hovering over neighborhoods. Optimistic rescuers, opportunistic looters, grateful people, resentful people-we have seen it all...

What is going on here? 9/11, Iraq, tsunami, Katrina. And I didn't mention nor intend to minimize Hurricanes Dennis and Ivan and Emily.

Jesus criticized the leaders of his day for focusing on the weather and ignoring the signals: "You find it easy enough to forecast the weather-why can't you read the signs of the times?" Matthew 16:2-3 (MSG).

What are we to learn from all of this? Is God sending us a message? I think so. And, I think we'd be wise to pay attention. There are some spiritual lessons that I think God would want us to learn through this tragedy. The first lesson we see is...

I. The Nature of Possessions: Temporary

As you've listened to evacuees and survivors, have you noticed their words? No one laments a lost plasma television or submerged SUV. No one runs through the streets yelling, "My cordless drill is missing" or "My golf clubs have washed away." If they mourn, it is for people lost. If they rejoice, it is for people found.

Could Jesus be reminding us that people matter more than possessions?

We see an entire riverboat casino washed up three blocks and placed on top of a house in a neighborhood. You see demolished $40,000 cars that will never be driven again, hidden in debris. And in the background of our minds we hear the quiet echoes of Jesus saying, "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

Through Katrina, Christ tells us: stuff doesn't matter; people do. Understand the nature of possessions.

Be equally clear on:

II. The Nature of People: Sinners and Saints

We see the most incredible servants and stories of selflessness and sacrifice. We see people of the projects rescuing their neighbors, we see civil servants risking their lives for people they've never seen. My wife Denalyn and I toured a shelter supervised by one of our neighbors here in San Antonio, Texas. We met a family of some twenty cousins and siblings. One six-year-old girl told Denalyn about the helicopter man who plucked her off a third story porch and lifted her to safety.

That child will never know who that man is. He'll never seek any applause. He saved her life... all in a day's work. We saw humanity at its best. And we saw humanity at its worst.

Looting. Fighting. We heard stories of rapes and robberies. Someone said, "The heavens declare the glory of God but the streets declare the sinfulness of man." The video footage in New Orleans has confirmed the truthfulness of that quote. Can you imagine not being able to sleep in the Superdome for fear that someone might try to rape your daughter if she went to the restroom in the middle of the night?

We are people of both dignity and depravity. The hurricane blew back more than roofs; it blew the mask off the nature of mankind. The main problem in the world is not Mother Nature, but human nature. Strip away the police barricades, blow down the fences, and the real self is revealed. We are barbaric to the core.

...And when the Katrina's of life blown in, our true nature is revealed and our deepest need is unveiled: a need deeper than food, more permanent than firm levees. We need, not a new system, but a new nature. We need to be changed from the inside out.

Which takes us to the third message of Katrina:

III. The Nature of God's Grace: Inside Out

Much discussion revolves around the future of New Orleans. Will the city be restored? Repaired? How long will it take? Who will pay for it? One thing is for certain: someone has to clean her up.

No one is suggesting otherwise. Everyone knows, someone has to go in a clean up the mess. That is what God offers to do with us. He comes into sin-flooded lives and washes away the old. Paul reflected on his conversion and he wrote: "He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5). Our sins stand no chance against the fire hoses of God's grace.

But he does more than cleanse us; he rebuilds us. In the form of his Holy Spirit, God moves in and starts a complete renovation project. "God can do anything, you know-far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us." (Ephesians 3:20 MSG).

And what we can only dream of doing with New Orleans, God has done with soul after soul, and he will do so with you, if you let him.

The most disturbing stories from the last week are of those who refused to be rescued. Those who spent their final hours trapped in attics and rooms regretting the choice they'd made. They could have been saved. They could have gotten out... but they chose to stay. Many paid a permanent price.

You don't have to pay that price. What rescuers did for people on the Gulf Coast, God will do for you. He has entered your world. He has dropped a rope into your sin-swamped life. He will rescue, you simply need to do what that little girl did, let him lift you out.

...I urge you to do what that little girl told us she did. When the rescuer appeared on her porch, she grabbed him, closed her eyes, and held on. That's all you need to do. And if you never have, and would like to, I urge you to reach for the hand of your rescuer, Jesus Christ.

Your Redeemer lives, too. This hurricane was his tool to get your attention. Trust in Him while you still can.

[Chicokid]

This is a very powerful message and I do hope we all pay serious attention to it :eusa_pray

[bernie]

yes....yes....this is good stuff. lemmi read again......

[acidblade]

click link http://i.euniverse.com/funpages/cms_content/2529/4candles.swf

[Chicokid]

If the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail

Not sure who's the author of this one

[AngelsKiss]

Phil. 4:13:

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me."

A young man who had been raised as an atheist was training to be an Olympic diver. The only religious influence in his life came from his outspoken Christian friend. The young diver never really paid much attention to his friend's sermons, but he heard them often.

One night the diver went to the indoor pool at the college he attended. The lights were all off, but as the pool had big skylights and the moon was bright, there was plenty of light to practice by. The young man climbed up to the highest diving board and as he turned his back to the pool on the edge of the board and extended his arms out, he saw his shadow on the wall.

The shadow of his body was in the shape of a cross. The man felt a strange feeling, like someone was speaking to him. Instead of diving, he knelt down and finally asked God to come into his life. As the young man stood, a maintenance man walked in and turned the lights on. The pool had been drained for repairs.

[AngelsKiss]

The 'L I T T L E' things .


As you might know, the head of a company survived 9/11 because his son started kindergarten.

Another fellow was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts.

One woman was late because her alarm clock didn't go off in time.

One was late because of being stuck on the NJ Turnpike because of an auto accident.

One of them missed his bus.

One spilled food on her clothes and had to take time to change.

One's car wouldn't start.

One went back to answer the telephone.

One had a child that dawdled and didn't get ready as soon as he should have.

One couldn't get a taxi.

The one that struck me was the man who put on a new pair of shoes that morning, took the various means to get to work but before he got there, he developed a blister on his foot.

He stopped at a drugstore to buy a Band-Aid. That is why he is alive today.

Now when I am stuck in traffic, miss an elevator, turn back to answer a ringing telephone... all the little things that annoy me. I think to myself, this is exactly where God wants me to be at this very moment.

Next time your morning seems to be going wrong, the children are slow getting dressed, you can't seem to find the car keys, you hit every traffic light, don't get mad or frustrated; God is at work watching over you.

May God continue to bless you with all those annoying little things and may you remember their possible purpose.

[AngelsKiss]

It is the end of another week and most of us are saying TGIF. So here is a reminder as we go about our lives...remember it is important to not only love ourselves but to love each other. It is thru love that we can make the world a more beautiful place.

Love Is (http://www.riversongs.com/flas1/greatest.html)

Peace be with you all!

[AngelsKiss]

The Carpenter's House

'An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.

He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by. The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work. He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter. "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."

What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently. Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best. At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, then we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build. Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity. The plaque on the wall says, "Life is a do-it-yourself project." Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.'

I agree that having a good attitude is more important than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than success, than what other people think or say or do. It will make or break a business or home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past...we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the string we have, and that is our attitude. Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our attitudes.

What attitude will you choose to have Today and Everyday?

[acidblade]

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken, probably more than once, and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your
best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.

You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose
someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like
you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a
minute of happiness you'll never get back

[acidblade]

Have you ever wondered which hurts the most?
Saying something and wishing you hadn't?, or
Saying nothing and wishing you had?

I guess the most important things are the hardest things to say.Don't
be afraid to tell someone you love them. If you do, they might break
your heart...if you don't, you might break theirs.


Have u ever decided not 2 become a couple because you were so afraid of
losing what you already had with that person?

Your heart decides whom it likes and whom it doesn't.
You can't tell your heart what to do. It does it on its own........when
you least suspect it, or even when you don't want it to.

Have you ever wanted to love someone with everything you had, but that
other person was too afraid to let you?

Too many of us stay walled up because we are too afraid to care too
much...for fear that the other person does not care as much, or even at
all.

Have you ever denied your feelings for someone because your fear of
rejection was too hard to handle?

We tell lies when we are afraid... afraid of what we
don't know, afraid of what others will think, afraid of what will be
found out about us.But every time we tell a lie, the thing we fear
grows
stronger.

Life is all about risks and it requires you to jump.

Don't be a person who has to look back and wonder what they would have
done, or could have had.

* What would you do if every time you fell in love you had to say
good-bye?

*What would you do if every time you wanted someone they would never be
there?

*What would you do if your best friend died tomorrow and you never got
to tell them how you felt? (even if it is that you don't care
anymore)*What would you do if you loved someone more than ever and
you couldn't have them? *What would you do if you never got the chance
to say I am friends with all of my family and they know I love them?*

People live, but people die. I want to tell you that
you are a friend.

If you died tomorrow (God Forbid)you would be in my heart.
Would I be in yours?

If you care about me as much as I care about you you will send this
back

You might be best friends one year, pretty good friends the next year,
don't talk that often the next, and don't want to talk at all the year
after that.

So, I just wanted to say, even if I never talk to you again in my life,
you are special to me and you have made a difference in my life,

I look up to you, respect you, truly cherish you , most of all I CARE
about friends


Send this to all your friends, no matter how often you talk, or how
close you are, and send it to the person who sent it to you.


Let old friends know you haven't forgotten them, and tell new friends
you never will

[Leina]

Now i remember why i don't read things in this thread.

[Jae]

Acid a wha' do you????

:eusa_booh *Blade see trees of green...red roses too. He sees them bloom, for him (and who?) and he thinks to himself--What a wonderful world!!!!*:eusa_booh

[acidblade]

nothin nuh happen to me, why you ask?

[AngelsKiss]

This is nice:

I Can Only Imagine (http://www.andiesisle.com/icanonlyimagine.html)

[AngelsKiss]

The four wives

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King's 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her !

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, "I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I'll be all alone."

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, "I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great
care over you. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No way!", replied the 4th wife, and
she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, "I have loved you all my life. Now that I'm dying, will you follow me and keep me company?" "No!", replied the 3rd wife. "Life is too good! When you die, I'm going to remarry!" His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, "I have always turned to you for help and you've always been there for me. When I die,

will you follow me and keep me company?" "I'm sorry, I can't help you out this time!", replied the 2nd wife. "At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave." Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: "I'll go with you. I'll follow you no matter where you go." The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, "I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!"

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die.

Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others.

Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.

And our 1st wife is our Soul. Often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity.

Thought for the day:

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

[AngelsKiss]

THE TONGUE CAN BE YOUR WORST ENEMY!

Your words, your dreams, and your thoughts have power to create conditions in your life. What you speak about, you can bring about.

If you keep saying you can't stand your job, you might lose your job.

If you keep saying you can't stand your body, your body can become sick.

If you keep saying you can't stand your car, your car could be stolen or just stop operating.

If you keep saying you're broke, guess what? You'll always be broke.

If you keep saying you can't trust a man or trust a woman, you will always find someone in your life to hurt and betray you.

If you keep saying you can't find a job, you will remain unemployed.

If you keep saying you can't find someone to love you or believe in you, your very thought will attract more experiences to confirm your beliefs.

If you keep talking about a divorce or break up in a relationship, then you might end up with it.

Turn your thoughts and conversations around to be more positive and power packed with faith, hope, love and action.

Don't be afraid to believe that you can have what you want and deserve.

Watch your Thoughts, they become words.
Watch your Words, they become actions
Watch your Actions, they become habits.
Watch your Habits, they become character.
Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny

The minute you settle for less than you deserve, you get even less than you settle for.

Thought I would share this with you.
"In the search for me, I discovered truth.
In the search for truth, I discovered love.
In the search for love, I discovered God.
And in God, I have found everything."
Have a Blessed Day!!

[lillian]

Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk. :)

[acidblade]

YOU SAY
GOD SAYS
BIBLE VERSES

You say: "It's impossible"
God says: All things are possible
(Luke 18:27)

You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: I will give you rest
(Matthew 11:28-30)

You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: I love you
(John 3:16 & John 3:34 )

You say: "I can't go on"
God says: My grace is sufficient
(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)

You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: I will direct your steps
(Proverbs 3:5-6)

You say: "I can't do it"
God says: You can do all things
(Philippians 4:13)

You say: "I'm not able"
God says: I am able
(II Corinthians 9:8)

You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: It will be worth it
(Roman 8:28 )

You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: I Forgive you
(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)

You say: "I can't manage"
God says: I will supply all your needs
(Philippians 4:19)

You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear
(II Timothy 1:7)

You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: Cast all your cares on ME
(I Peter 5:7)

You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: I give you wisdom
(I Corinthians 1:30)

You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

[AngelsKiss]

WAS IT THE COFFEE YOU WANTED?

A group of alumni, highly established in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor.

Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.* Offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and an assortment of cups--porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal; some plain looking, some expensive, some exquisite--telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones.* While it is but normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress.

"What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups and were eyeing each other's cups.

"Now consider this: Life is the coffee, and the jobs, money and position in society are the cups.

They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and do not change the quality of Life.* Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided.

"So, don't let the cups drive you .... enjoy the coffee instead."

--Author Unknown

[Twinkie]

The four wives one really moved me. Dang never quite looked at it that way.

[AngelsKiss]

Life is GIFT

There was a blind girl who hated herself just because she's blind. She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He's always there for her. She said that if she could only see the world, she would marry her boyfriend.

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her so that she could see everything, including her boyfriend. Her boyfriend asked her, "now that you can see the world, will you marry me?"

The girl was shocked when she saw that her boyfriend is blind too,and refused to marry him.

Her boyfriend walked away in tears, and later wrote a letter to her saying. "Just take care of my eyes dear."

This is how human the brain changes when our status changes. Only few remember what life was before, and who's always been there even in the most painful situations.


Life Is A Gift
Today before you think of saying an unkind word - Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to God for a companion.

Today before you complain about life - Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children - Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house, someone didn't clean or sweep - Think of the people who are living on the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive - Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job - Think of the unemployed, the disabled and those who wished they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another - Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one maker.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down - Put a smile on your face and thank God you're alive and still around.

Life is a gift, Live it, Enjoy it, Celebrate it, And fulfil it.

[root_gal]

Ediat ting dat still. How about I would just be like. . .gimme back me eye!

[AngelsKiss]

DEAR GOD:

I want to thank You for what you have already done. I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me; I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears ; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet; I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job; I am going to thank you right now. I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief; I am thanking you right now. I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed; I am thanking you right now. I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the day's difficulties. I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles. I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because FATHER, YOU haven't given up on me.

God is just so good, and he's good all the time.

[BlackCryptoKnight]

I came across this message about prayer. (http://www.3abn.org/devotional.cfm?ID=1803)


Prayer is an important part of every believer. Since before JESUS followers were called Christians there was already a desire for communication with GOD, this is why JESUS disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. Following the example that JESUS left us in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11: 2-4 when HE taught HIS disciples how to pray, I propose that there are three elements that our prayers must be shape by.

1. To recognize the holiness of GOD and HIS will
a) Matthew 6:9-10 "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."
2. To ask GOD for our needs
a) Matthew 6:11-13 "Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…"
3. To recognize GOD’s power and eternity
a) Matthew 6:13 "…For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen."

:eusa_pray

[Lisa20]

YOU DO NOT EXIST FOR YOURSELF.

You're not an isolated island.
You're a piece of the planet, a piece of the universe.

Personal relationships are the fertile soil
from which all advancement,
all success, all achievement in real life grows.

Your success depends on the support of other people.
The only hurdle between you and what you want to be,
is the support of others.

When you put yourself in another's place,
you'll know why they think and do certain things.
You can succeed fastest by helping others to succeed.

Always think in terms of what the other person wants.
You'll get everything in life that you want
if you'll help enough other people get what they want.

Doing things for others always pays dividends.
When you help someone's boat across a river,
you'll find your own boat has reached the shore too.

[Xenocrates]

About FEAR

FEAR is a Failure to Evaluate, Assimilate and Respond. Fear is an emotion representing a lack of knowledge. It is knowledge, not bravery, that is the opposite of fear. Fear is directly proportional to knowledge. Where there is no knowledge, ignorance gives way to fear. To become fearless, one has to Evaluate that which they fear, Assimilate as much knowledge about it, and Respond accordingly. This time, the response will be construed as bravery by others yet to understand their own failure to evaluate, assimilate and respond.

About Success

Success is directly proportional to how badly you want it. Here's proof:

America didn't become the world's greatest super power by asking nicely. Bill Gates didn't become a super billionnaire by persuing a degree.
Julius Caesar didn't build Rome around a meeting table.
Thomas Edison found 99 ways not to make a light bulb.
Emperor Penguins travel 70 miles, every year, on foot, in freezing sub-zero temperatures, weathering an annual Winter Storm, fasting for 3 months... just to mate.

Success: How badly do you want it?

[smiles]

About FEAR

FEAR is a Failure to Evaluate, Assimilate and Respond. Fear is an emotion representing a lack of knowledge. It is knowledge, not bravery, that is the opposite of fear. Fear is directly proportional to knowledge. Where there is no knowledge, ignorance gives way to fear. To become fearless, one has to Evaluate that which they fear, Assimilate as much knowledge about it, and Respond accordingly. This time, the response will be construed as bravery by others yet to understand their own failure to evaluate, assimilate and respond.

About Success

Success is directly proportional to how badly you want it. Here's proof:

America didn't become the world's greatest super power by asking nicely. Bill Gates didn't become a super billionnaire by persuing a degree.
Julius Caesar didn't build Rome around a meeting table.
Thomas Edison found 99 ways not to make a light bulb.
Emperor Penguins travel 70 miles, every year, on foot, in freezing sub-zero temperatures, weathering an annual Winter Storm, fasting for 3 months... just to mate.

Success: How badly do you want it?

Thanks to you I have SEARed Croaking Lizards - Succeeded in Evaluatiing, Assimilating and Responding to the knowledge that they wont bite or crawl into any uncovered holes on my body :D

They're still icky, but i dont fear them!

Years of asking niceley for them to get out, pursuing google degrees in gecko ridding, being on top of a meeting table, failing in more than 99 ways to slap them unconscious off the wall, and traveling miles moving from one house to another just to get away from them.. didnt work...

But now, I SEAR dem!

[BlackCryptoKnight]

The smallest light is still stronger than the greatest darkness. Don't be afraid to shine your light, no matter how dark things may seem.

[smiles]

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked. "You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."

[BlackCryptoKnight]

You choose how to deal with situations and issues that face you. If you want to minimize the negativity in your life, choose to deal with things that happen to you in a positive way. This doesn't mean that bad things won't happen to you, but it means that when they do, you'd be better prepared to survive and appreciate the good things that come your way.

[recursion]

You choose how to deal with situations and issues that face you. If you want to minimize the negativity in your life, choose to deal with things that happen to you in a positive way. This doesn't mean that bad things won't happen to you, but it means that when they do, you'd be better prepared to survive and appreciate the good things that come your way.

OMG, that's almost exactly what I was gonna say, but in response to Manu's post about Positive thinking being BD.

[smiles]

THIS REALLY HIT THE SPOT!!!!!!


>Let it go for 2007..
>
>
>By T. D. Jakes
>
>There are people who can walk away from you.
>
>And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from
>you: let them walk.
>I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with
>you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you,
>staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone.
>
>When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is
>never tied to anybody that left.
>
>The bible said that, they came out from us that it might be made
>manifest that they were not for
>us. For had they been of us, no doubt they would have continued with
>us. [1 John 2:19]
>
>People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are
>not joined to you, you can't make them stay.
>
>Let them go.
>
>And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that
>their part in the story is over. And you've got
>to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't
>keep trying to raise the dead.
>You've got to know when it's dead.
>
>You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've
>got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe
>in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and
>I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if
>it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to
>stay.
>
>Let them go!!
>
>If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and
>was never intended for your life,
>
>then you need to......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you are holding on to past hurts and pains ......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and
>see your worth.....
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If someone has angered you .
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or
>talents
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you! u have a bad attitude.......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you're stuck in the past and God is trying to take you to a new
>level in Him.......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you are struggling with the healing of a broken
>relationship.......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help
>themselves......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If you're feeling depressed and stressed .........
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling
>yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you
>need to......
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>Let the past be the past. Forget the former things. GOD is doing a
>new thing for 2007!!!
>
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>Get Right or Get Left .. think about it, and then .
>
>LET IT GO!!!
>
>"The Battle is the Lord's!"