Have You Checked in?

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 OTHERS 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 OTHERS 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 TO DAY.'

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 he's 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.'

author unknown

Barbecue Anyone?

If you are ever invited to a barbecue party, make sure your host has the proper cooking utensils. LOL.

The Benefits of Aging

Perks of reaching 50, being over 60 or heading towards 70:







1. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

2. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

3. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

4. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?

5. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

6. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

7. Things you buy now won't wear out.

8. You can eat supper at 4 pm.

9. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.

12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.

13. You sing along with elevator music.

14. Your eyes won't get much worse.

15. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.

16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.

17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.

18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

19. You can't remember who sent you this list.

20. And Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

And you notice these are all in Big Print for your convenience.

A Ram in the Bush

Who doesn’t know the Biblical story of Abraham and his willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac? After all, God told Abraham he was going to be the father of many nations, then years later, God tested Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering. If that was me, I would have tried to re-negotiate with God about the test, but Abraham not only had faith, but really loved God.

God opened my eyes to experience Genesis 22:13:
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son.

A few weeks ago, I was in Indianapolis for the 40th Indiana Black Expo. The Church of God in Christ was having a regional convention at the Sheraton Hotel where my husband and I were staying. In order to get free Wi-Fi, hotel guests had to use their laptops in the lobby. One night, we went downstairs so that I could use my computer just as one of their evening services was about to get underway.

My husband said, “Hey, they’re singing one of the songs you like.”
I didn’t recognize the song, but that didn’t stop me from being nosy. We made our way to the lower level where the service was being conducted. I decided to stay, so I took a seat in the back row. As the evangelist preached, she walked the aisles and randomly prayed for people. I thought to myself, I wish God would direct her to come and pray for me. I never turn down prayer.

Eventually, as the service came to a close, it was offering time. All I had in my pocket was my room key. Not far from behind my seat, a shiny new quarter laid on the carpet.
The offertory was practically over and I missed out. Again I glanced at the floor. I heard the Lord telling me that the quarter was my offering—what? A quarter was MY ram in the bush.

I thought to myself, “I’m not taking a quarter to put in the offering.” I mean, come on, a quarter? I pay my tithes and give dollars in offerings, but a quarter? No way.

It was my test whether I decided to be humble, or not, to take it. God was teaching me an offering isn’t about the amount of money. God was showing me He would accept $.25 as my offering, SO I swiped up the quarter and walked boldly to the front with my quarter offering. The deacons were about to walk away, but when one saw me, he turned around. He held out an empty deep white bucket, and I dropped my coin into it. As I turned to go back in my seat, the speaker had the ministers get my attention. She beckoned for me to come to the bottom of the stage where she stood waiting for me. Grasping my hand, she prayed financial and other blessings for me. The anointing fell on my spirit and I was praising God as I spoke in other tongues.

What I learned is to look for the ram in the bush. Who knows, how small your blessings may seem. It’s all in the sacrifice.

WISDOM

Anger is a condition in which
The tongue works faster than the mind .


You can't change the past,
but you can ruin the present
By worrying over the future!

Love...and you shall be loved.

God always gives His best to those
who leave the choice with Him.

All people smile in the same language.

Everyone needs to be loved...
especially when they do not deserve it.

The real measure of a man's wealth
is what he has invested in eternity.

Laughter is God's sunshine.

Everyone has beauty
but not everyone sees it.

It's important for parents to live
the same things they teach.

Thank God for what you have,
TRUST GOD for what you need.

If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow,
you have no today to be thankful for.

Man looks at outward appearance
but the Lord looks within.

The choice you make today
will usually affect tomorrow.

Take time to laugh, for it is
the music of the soul.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor
when you feel like stripping your gears.

Love is strengthened by working
through conflicts together.


Harsh words break no bones
but they do break hearts.

To get out of a difficulty,
one usually must go through it.

We take for granted the things
that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be
divided without being diminished.

Happiness is enhanced by others
but does not depend upon others.

Author unknown, but I like the advice.

No More Excuses

NO MORE EXCUSES!
It's time to...
Be it
Do it
Write it
Read it
Work it
Own it
Make it
Mold it
Sing it
Say it
Lose it
Find it
Stop it
Start it
Control it
Free it
Give it
Take it
Teach it
Learn it
Preach it
Live it!
NO MORE EXCUSES!
It's time to...

Be Inspired!
Lilada from liladalivingroom.org

Who do we pass by?

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago . They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding... ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned..
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.


When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, 'Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?' She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, 'I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly.'

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, 'Mister.......' He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, 'Are you Jesus?'
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: 'Are you Jesus?'

Do people mistake you for Jesus?
That's our Destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would.
Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day.
You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Holy Alphabet

Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship
To "thank" is a command
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

Move On

Move On
We can get stuck at pain, or we can decide that we will hurt, heal, learn, grow, let go and keep moving!

Some painful situations in our lives may never change--an abuser may never say sorry, neglectful parents may never become good ones, family may not accept us as we are...at those devastatingly painful places, it is our choice to "beat the dead horse and tell it to giddy-up" or use our own two feet to walk away.

Suffering manifests in the staying, strength comes in the moving on.

Be Inspired!
Lilada
Check out Liladaslivingroom.org

The Resume of Jesus Christ

Address: Ephesians 1:20
Phone: Romans 10:13
Website: The Bible. Keywords: Christ, Lord, Savior and Jesus
_____________________________________________________
Objective
My name is Jesus -The Christ . Many call me Lord! I've sent you my resume because I'm seeking the top management position in your heart.. Please consider my accomplishments as set forth in my resume.

_____________________________________________________________________


Qualifications
· I founded the earth and established the heavens, (See Proverbs 3:19)
· I formed man from the dust of the ground, (See Genesis 2:7)
· I breathed into man the breath of life, (See Genesis 2:7)
· I redeemed man from the curse of the law, (See Galatians 3:13)
· The blessings of the Abrahamic Covenant comes upon your life through me, (See Galatians 3:14)
Occupational Background
· I've only had one employer, (See Luke 2:49 ).
· I've never been tardy, absent, disobedient, slothful or disrespectful.
· My employer has nothing but rave reviews for me, (See Matthew 3:15 -17)
Skills Work Experiences
· Some of my skills and work experiences include: empowering the poor to be poor no more, healing the brokenhearted, setting the captives free, healing the sick, restoring sight to the blind and setting at liberty them that are bruised, (See Luke 4:18).
· I am a Wonderful Counselor, (See Isaiah 9:6). People who listen to me shall dwell safely and shall not fear evil, (See Proverbs 1:33 ).
· Most importantly, I have the authority, ability and power to cleanse you of your sins, (See I John 1:7-9)
Educational Background
· I encompass the entire breadth and length of knowledge, wisdom and understanding, (See Proverbs 2:6).
· In me are hid all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, (See Colossians 2:3).
· My Word is so powerful; it has been described as being a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path, (See Psalms 119:105).
· I can even tell you all of the secrets of your heart, (See Psalms 44:21).
Major Accomplishments
· I was an active participant in the greatest Summit Meeting of all times, (See Genesis 1:26 ).
· I laid down my life so that you may live, (See II Corinthians 5:15 ).
· I defeated the archenemy of God and mankind and made a show of them openly, (See Colossians 2:15 ).
· I've miraculously fed the poor, healed the sick and raised the dead!
· There are many more major accomplishments, too many to mention here. You can read them on my website, which is located at: www dot - the BIBLE. You don't need an Internet connection or computer to access my website.
References
· Believers and followers worldwide will testify to my divine healing, salvation, deliverance, miracles, restoration and supernatural guidance
In Summation
Now that you've read my resume, I'm confident that I'm the only candidate uniquely qualified to fill this vital position in your heart. In summation, I will properly direct your paths, (See Proverbs 3:5-6), and lead you into everlasting life, (See John 6:47 ).
When can I start? Time is of the essence, (See Hebrews 3:15).

Spiritual Therapy

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.
If God is for us, who can be against us?
(Romans 8:31)
I didn't write this, but I wish I had.

The Necklace

A cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. While waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box.

"Oh mommy please, Mommy... Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?"

Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.

"A dollar ninety-five. That's almost $2.00. If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself. Your birthday's only a week away and you might get another crisp dollar bill from Grandma."

As soon as Jenny got home, she emptied her penny bank and counted out 17 pennies. After dinner, she did more than her share of chores and she went to the neighbor and asked Mrs. McJames if she could pick dandelions for ten cents. On her birthday, Grandma did give her another new dollar bill and at last she had enough money to buy the necklace.

Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green.

Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny , "Do you love me?"

"Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection , the one with the pink tail. Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite."

"That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night." And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.

About a week later, after the story time, Jenny 's daddy asked again, "Do you love me?"

"Daddy, you know I love you."

"Then give me your pearls."
"Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll.. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper."

"That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you."

And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.

A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style.

As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek.
"What is it, Jenny ? What's the matter?"

Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, "Here, daddy; this is for you."

With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny ...

He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.

God will never take away something without giving you something better in its place.

author unknown

How FAST does the Lord Jesus work??

This is in three parts, so you have to read until the end.

I received this in my email box. The author is unknown:
A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study. The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice. The young man couldn't help but wonder, “Does God still speak to people?” After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, “God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.”

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk. He shook his head and said out loud, “God is that you?” He didn't get a reply and started on toward home. But again, he had the thought, buy a gallon of milk. The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.

“Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.” It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home. As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.” This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection. Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street. At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh. Half jokingly, he said out loud, “Okay, God, I will.”

He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something, “Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.” The young man looked at the house. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.

“Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going
to be mad and I will look stupid.” Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.

Finally, he opened the door, “Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for some thing, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.”


He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice yelled out, “Who is it? What do you want?” Then the door opened before the young man could get away.

The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. “What is it?”

The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, “Here, I brought this to you.” The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.

Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face. The man began speaking and half crying, “We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.”

His wife in the kitchen yelled out, “I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?”

The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face. He knew that God still answers prayers.

Sometimes it's the simplest things that God asks us to do that cause us, if we are obedient to what He's asking, to be able to hear. Please listen, and obey! It will bless you (and the world). Phil 4:13: I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].

***
That story reminds me of years ago, an evangelist at my church told this story. I’m not sure if it happened to her or someone she knew. It goes something like this:
One day, a lady was crying out to God to send food to feed her babies. I guess she was praying loudly and a person was eavesdropping and decided to play a trick.
It wasn’t long after the Christian woman finished praying when there was a knock on the door.
When she opened the door, no one was there, but a bag of groceries was by the door. She praised God for the blessing and fed her children. Not long after that the prankster came to the house and teased her that God didn’t bring the food, she did.
The Christian woman wasn’t ashamed as she replied, "The devil might have brought it, but the Lord Jesus sent it."
Just goes to show you God can use anybody.
***
Finally, here is my testimony:
Last Monday at my church’s eleven am prayer meeting, a handful of prayer warriors gathered in the chapel for an hour long pray. I always try to have a mental list to pray for every body and every thing I could remember. Near the end of the hour, I lifted my hands and asked the Lord for something "according to my needs." A few minutes later after I had gotten into my car and drove away, I noticed that I had missed a call. When I returned the call, I learned the blessing was ready for me and waiting.
Lord Jesus, that was quick!

Taken from the Daily Bread Devotonal Blog

My cousin shared this with me. Credit is given to the author below:

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. —Psalm 9:9

When my brother-in-law was a missionary in Mali, West Africa, he was involved in a traffic accident. A man had wandered into the road in front of Chuck’s motorcycle. The cycle struck the man and sent Chuck and the bike sliding along the ground for more than 200 feet. Shortly after Chuck regained consciousness in the hospital, his doctor told him he had been “really lucky.” Chuck smiled and replied, “God is good.”

Later he thought about the day’s events. The man who was struck hadn’t received any permanent injuries, and Chuck would also recover from his injuries. But what if one of them had been killed? He thought, God would be no less good.

When we experience tragedy, we may wonder about God’s goodness. Is God always good? Yes, He is. He doesn’t promise that bad things will never happen to us, but He does promise to be “our refuge and strength” (Ps. 46:1). He doesn’t promise that we will never walk through heart-wrenching circumstances, but He promises that we won’t be alone (23:4).

God is good—no matter what suffering we are experiencing. Even when we don’t understand, we can say with Habakkuk, “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation” (3:18). —Cindy Hess Kasper

O taste and see that God is good
To all who seek His face;
Yea, blest the one who trusts in Him,
Confiding in His grace. —Psalter

God tests our faith so that we may trust His faithfulness.

The Cowboy Boots

Anyone who has ever dressed a child will love this one!)

Did you hear about the Texas teacher who was helping one of her kindergarten students put on his cowboy boots?
He asked for help and she could see why..
Even with her pulling and him pushing, the little boots still didn't want to go on. By the time they got the second boot on, she had worked up a sweat.
She almost cried when the little boy said, 'Teacher, they're on the wrong feet.' She looked, and sure enough, they were. It wasn't any easier pulling the boots off than it was putting them on. She managed to keep her cool as together they worked to get the boots back on, this time on the right feet..
He then announced, 'These aren't my boots.'
She bit her tongue rather than get right in his face and scream, 'Why didn't you say so?' like she wanted to. Once again, she struggled to help him pull the ill-fitting boots off his little feet. No sooner had they gotten the boots off when he said, 'They're my brother's boots. M y mom made me wear 'em.' Now she didn't know if she should laugh or cry. But, she mustered up what grace and courage she had left to wrestle the boots on his feet again. Helping him into his coat, she asked, 'Now, where are your mittens?' He said, 'I stuffed 'em in the toes of my boots.'
She will be eligible for parole in three years!

Author unknown, but sent by way of my cousin Shirley Wade.

Didn't You Get This Memo?

Didn’t you get the memo?

To: YOU
Date: TODAY
From: GOD
Subject: YOURSELF
Reference: LIFE

This is God. Today I will be handling All of your problems for you. I do Not need your help. So, have a nice day.
I love you.

P.S. And, remember...
If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you cannot handle, do Not attempt to resolve it yourself! Kindly put it in the SFGTD (something for God to do) box. I will get to it in MY TIME. All situations will be resolved, but in My time, not yours.

Once the matter is placed into the box, do not hold onto it by worrying about it. Instead, focus on all the wonderful things that are present in your life now.

If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don't despair. There are people in this world for
whom driving is an unheard of privilege.

Should you have a bad day at work; think of the man who has been out of work for years.

Should you despair over a relationship gone bad; think of the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return.

Should you grieve the passing of another weekend; think of the woman in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to feed her children.

Should your car break down, leaving you miles away from assistance; think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.

Should you notice a new gray hair in the mirror; think of the cancer patient in chemo who wishes she had hair to examine.

Should you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn't live long enough to get the opportunity.

Should you find yourself the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities; remember, things could be worse. You could be one of them!

Author unsure...

Satan's Meeting

> Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.
>
> In his opening address he said,
>
> "We can't keep Christians from going to church."
>
> "We can't keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the
> truth...."
>
> "We can't even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with
> Their SAVIOR."
>
> "Once they gain that connection with JESUS, our power over them is
> Broken."
>
> "So let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish
> dinners,
> BUT steal their time, so they don't have time to develop a relationship
> With JESUS CHRIST.."
>
> "This is what I want you to do," said the devil:
>
> "Distract them from gaining hold of their SAVIOR and maintaining that
> Vital connection throughout their day!"
>
> "How shall we do this?" his demons shouted.
>
> "Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable
> Schemes to occupy their minds," he answered...
>
> "Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow."
>
> "Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to
> work
> 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty
> Lifestyles."
>
> "Keep them from spending time with their children."
>
> "As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape
> from
> The pressures of work!"
>
> "Over-stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small
> voice."
>
> "Entice them to play the radio or I-Pod whenever they drive." To
> Keep the TV, DVDs, CDs and their PCs going constantly in their home and
> see
> To it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical
> music
> Constantly."
>
> "This will jam their minds and break that union with CHRIST."
>
> "Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers."
>
> "Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day."
>
> "Invade their driving moments with billboards."
>
> "Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail order catalogs,
> sweepstakes, and
> Every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free products,
> services
> And false hopes."
>
> "Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their
> husbands
> Will believe that outward beauty is what's important, and they'll
> Become dissatisfied with their wives. "
>
> "Keep the wives too tired to love their husbands at night."
>
> "Give them headaches too! "
>
> "If they don't give their husbands the love they need, they will begin
> to
> Look elsewhere."
>
> "That will fragment their families quickly!"
>
> "Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children
> the
> Real meaning of Christmas."
>
> "Give them an Easter bunny so they won't talk about HIS resurrection
> And power over sin and death.."
>
> "Even in their recreation, let them be excessive."
>
> "Have them return from their recreation exhausted."
>
> "Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on GOD'S creation.
> Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays, concerts, and
> movies
> Instead."
>
> "Keep them busy, busy, busy!"
>
> "And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip
> and
> Small talk so that they leave with troubled consciences."
>
> "Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek
> Power from JESUS."
>
> "Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their
> health
> And family for the good of the cause."
>
> "It will work!"
>
> "It will work!"
>
> It was quite a plan!
>
> The demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians
> everywhere
> To get busier & more rushed, going here & there.
>
> Having little time for their GOD or their families.
>
> Having no time to tell others about the power of JESUS to change lives.
>
> I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
>
> You be the judge!!!!!
>
> Does "BUSY" mean: B-eing U-nder S-atan's Y-oke?
>
> Please pass this on, if you aren't too BUSY

ALTHOUGH THE AUTHOR IS UNKNOWN, WE KNOW THE MEMO DIDN'T COME FROM SATAN
Pat Simmons